remember though ...

Most of the rest of the country probably remains close to what you saw...

Monterrey is the hub of commerce of the entire Central and South America. This is a commercial hotspot -- in it is the highest per capita segment...so yep, this is one of the closest and will continue to be the most westernized cities in Mexico as far as I can tell. Most of the top universities are here so the influx of immigrants as well as Mexicans is enormous.

Mexico is so vast and the cultures are so diverse, but this city just in the last 10 years has completely changed from what people have told me. So it doesn't surprise me that this sounds like another world. But once I drive about one hour North, South, East or West of the city...I can see exactly what you probably saw and experienced. 😌

I will be exploring and visiting all those areas and more of Mexico when the time is appropriate...I truly look forward to finding the quiet - and place where we would like to retire. :-)

thanks for the chat! Much love!