Revealed: The Best Colonial Retirement Haven

“Its early evening and the tall street lights with their hanging lanterns have just come on in the square, casting warm circles of golden light. This part of the city is pedestrian only, and tourists and locals are strolling down the center of the wide, flagstone streets and past immaculately-preserved colonial buildings…” writes Glynna Prentice in this month’s magazine.

The physical beauty of this small city takes your breath away. In fact, it’s so special it’s one of a select few places recognized for their extraordinary heritage and listed by the UN’s cultural arm, UNESCO.

This city is a rare colonial gem…a place to savor the cool night air and soak up the centuries-old ambience…where store windows heave with the colorful craftwork the region is justly famous for.

This is Oaxaca—where everything wonderful about Mexico meets in one place. The country’s single best destination if you’re seeking its essence…ancient cities, grand colonial splendor, smiling locals, artisan workshops, colorful markets, great food…all at affordable prices. (A couple can live comfortably here for $1,800 a month.)

Glynna can’t wait to go back, and she’s not the only one enchanted by Oaxaca. Chris and Annie Faltis from California were on their fourth visit to the city when they met Glynna there. “It’s the creative spirit” they say that keeps them coming back. They like it so much they’re now looking to rent and stay longer.

That creative spirit can be found in the bustling markets—some of the largest in the country—in the stylish boutiques and quaint galleries nestled in old colonial mansions.

A short drive from town you can explore one of the oldest and most impressive ancient cities in the Americas, Monte Alban, once home to the Zapotecs.

In the surrounding hill villages local craftspeople welcome you to watch them work, weaving beautifully patterned rugs or making unique, colorful wood carvings called alebrijes.

And Oaxaca is known as the “foodie” capital of Mexico. You can test this reputation for just a few dollars—a three-course lunch in an excellent restaurant will set you back between $3.50 and $7.

This is also the home of mescal, the fiery liquor made from cactus, and you’re never far from a shop or stall selling Oaxaca’s most indulgent pleasure—chocolate, in all its guises…hot, spiced, dark, nutty…

With so much to do it’s no surprise that many expats turn their regular visits to Oaxaca into a permanent new life. Expat Tony Raab made the move eight years ago. Now he distills his own mescal and runs a dog rescue program with his wife Rebecca. According to Tony the real reason to stay is the climate.

Located in a valley in the Sierra Madre Mountains, Oaxaca sits at an altitude of 5,500 feet and for much of the year days are sunny and temperatures are in the 70 s and 80s.

If you want to walk in the shade of grand mansions, and 400-year-old churches, find your favorite meal in a lush, colonnaded courtyard restaurant, bask in the glow of the city’s history and character…sit in the shade of the deep-green laurel trees eating delicious homemade ice cream…

…Then begin your colonial adventure now…with the latest “Oaxaca” issue of International Living magazine.