IN THE SPRING of 2021, after a year without leaving our Hudson Valley home, my husband and I decided to relocate to San Miguel de Allende. We both work in creative fields — I’m a novelist and he is building a Web3 storytelling platform — and one of the great benefits of our professions is that we can work from anywhere in the world. But where to choose? We had clear criteria: We wanted to live in a place with rich culture, great weather, amazing restaurants, and the kind of historic charm that would inspire us daily. We considered European cities and South American cities, but when we visited San Miguel de Allende, we fell head over heels in love.

San Miguel is a perfect mix of all the things we wanted. The cobblestone streets of its old colonial center are lined with beautifully preserved Spanish-style homes. There are gorgeous parks, a botanical garden, and — at the center of the city — the Jardine: a square filled with cafes, shops, restaurants, and mariachi bands. The weather hovers around 70 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, and there is sun every day, even in the rainy season between July and September. (In my experience, it rains an hour or two in the afternoon, then clears in time for outdoor cocktails.) The restaurants are sophisticated, and the food is fresh, inventive, and delicious. I’ve seen the most magical sunsets from the rooftops in San Miguel, with the burnt-sienna mountain ranges in the distance.

While every visitor might experience these elements of San Miguel, I’ve found that it takes recommendations, exploration, and nearly two years to discover its truly unique experiences and offerings.