Why we WON'T live in Oaxaca, Mexico

After spending 3 months here, we've noticed an interesting new trend that's exploding in the city! Also, we'll be spilling our reasons why Oaxaca isn't a good fit for a long-term home like we thought.

In today's Oaxaca vlog, we'll be touring the city's latest CRAZE: rooftop terraces! Since about 2019, these bars and restaurants have been popping up all over the city, especially close to Templo de Santo Domingo and the centro area. We even noticed that an Airbnb we rented on a previous trip has now been converted into a rooftop mezcal bar! We'll be visiting 5 rooftop terraces in this video: Agavero Cocina & Bar, Sur a Norte, Mezzaluna, Berlina, and Pitona.

Since we've said for a really long time that Oaxaca is one of our favorite cities in Mexico, it was understandable that so many people were confused or shocked when we said in a recent video that it isn't a good fit for a long-term home for us. So throughout the video, we'll explain why Oaxaca is no longer a place we want to call our home base.

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ABOUT ME
I'm Jordan and am an American living in Mexico with my Husky, Laska. In January of 2018 I left the US to start traveling Mexico. Since then, I've been making travel videos about my life in Mexico, travel tips, Las Vegas tips videos, and advice for those considering moving abroad.

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[TangerineTravels]

Here are a few things we mentioned in this video for quick reference:

[ivanblas]

I was the waiter who give you your drinks in Agavero 😁

[abielc]

Amigos thank you for visiting Oaxaca, remember that people in Oaxaca don't have many opportunities like the central or northern states and it may be that society feels sad by the pandemic. Also Oaxaca is one of the most visited places in Mexico, so people get use to see gringos all the time and might don't want to bother you. Anyway keep enjoying Mexico, wherever you decide to stay long term. Thank you for visiting Oaxaca!

[LaKarencitaMX]

I'm guessing the pandemic is a big reason for the rooftop bars' success. I was talking to the owner of a café in San Miguel de Allende last weekend who is struggling because they don't have any outdoor space and people still don't feel comfortable eating indoors, especially as the weather is so nice all the time.

Do you guys have a Google map you can share? All the places you go to look so amazing. Perhaps you could share a Google map with the restaurants you visit (and link to the videos where they feature).

[timelesstravelclub]

I am mostly saddened by the increased amount of graffiti in Oaxaca since it is so beautiful there. Thanks for sharing all the changing trends, I sure hope they can eventually right the ship.

[VivianFabiolaV]

I always watch you guys when I wake up on Saturday’s and you always make me hungry! Lol great video! I can’t wait to see where you both head off to next

[ThomasCalifornia]

Great video! Regarding some of the points that you mentioned, I feel a lot of these are pandemic related. Rooftop restaurants are usually open air which adds to everyone’s safety, great idea. Graffiti? I think a lot of people are venting their frustrations, virus, reduced tourism, lost wages etc. Perceived unfriendliness? Possibly like the rest of the world, I think everyone Is exhausted from the last year. Keep smiling and Viva Mexico ! 🇲🇽

[jamesboardman]

So, the basement bar is a untapped market. "When our competitors go high, we go low like our prices"

[emmanuelsanchez-nuok]

I feel like that happens when areas become developed. People tend not to be more focus on a busy lifestyle that they forget to socialize. I was like that when I lived in a big city like Chicago.

[samanthamcbarron]

Good to see you both upbeat, thank you for sharing your Oaxaca experience with us! That sunshine looks glorious, I’d like a slice of that right now ! 🌺☀️

[almVancouver]

I appreciate you include Canadian prices. Cheers!

[hautboisixx]

.. in my experience, the Oaxacans tend to be a bit "stand off ish" until they get to know you .. they will study you for a long while .. after that, , (when they feel they can trust you) you will be invited down into the magic that is there ..

[SpanishandGo]

Those rooftop bars looked awesome! Thanks for sharing, guys! I don't think we checked out any of the places you went to in this video while we were there. Super cool key-throw transition by the way. 😎 Great video. -Jim

[michaelmclaughlin]

Such a great couple, I need to find a girlfriend just like Mattie to explore the world with.

[munozconnie]

one of the things that attracted me to mexico was everyone greeting everyone when walking down the streets, i miss that, but i do, do it here where every i go and most the time i do it in spanish. i get alot of looks but most will greet me back. gosh some of the meals you guys had looked so good

[soothingsounds]

OMG @ 4:30 whwn maddie was talking about the "rocking bull/horse giant huevos" omg that had me rolling so hard that i cried lmao....that is one of the many things i love about you both is your sense of humor :)

[mckmurkles]

I came to oaxaca as a foreigner nearly 8 years ago and loved it so much that I'm still here. It's not without it's problems but I love it un chingo. Apart from the crappy graffiti there are some really well done print based images on the walls which a lot of people and bussinesses feel gives Oaxaca that toque artístico. Please consider taking a day trip to Centro de Artes San Agustín. Which is about 25 min drive from the center. It's a beautiful ex wool factory which was converted into an arts center by the late Mexican artist and all round oaxacan super hero Francisco Toledo. Lovely setting and really fascinating.

[davidvalle]

Rooftop bars and restaurants are quite common here in San Miguel de Allende. Like you said, it's a wonderful experience to dine outside with the views, comfortable seating, in the beautiful weather-day and night. Many of the buildings in centro are small inside so the roofs make for a great open area. Besides the restaurants and bars, many of the homes in the area take advantage of the roof and have beautiful finished spaces to enjoy time outside the house.

[deanmichaels]

Did it ever occur to you that the weather in Oaxaca is so conducive to outdoor dining and also that rooftop terraces are a perfect way to social distance during Covid? Where would you prefer to eat and drink - sunny, warm and inviting rooftop deck or a dark, empty downstairs dining room? It sure appeared that you were enjoying yourselves with this new "craze."
Also just curious, how often do you initiate a "Buenos Dias" or "Buenas Tardes" when walking down the street with your camera? It is seldom you'll not receive a warm reply.

[egriff]

This reminded me of being in my 20's bar hopping on a saturday through manhattan.. start in the east village and just work your way through the city..