Networking Events and Professional Communities in San Luis Potosí (aka, Where the Heck Do You Even *Meet* People?)
okay, so. i'm an aspiring comedian, which basically means i spend a lot of time bombing in front of increasingly confused audiences. and honestly? finding open mics here in San Luis Potosí is harder than explaining a good joke to my grandma. which, incidentally, is also a skill i'm working on.
right now, it's that weird time of year where it's hot, but also kinda damp? like someone spilled a lukewarm margarita all over the city. it's not bad, just…sticky. and you're only a quick flight - seriously, like an hour - from Mexico City if you need a proper dose of chaos. or Guadalajara, if you're feeling fancy.
look, i moved here because rent is…reasonable. i heard whispers from other digital nomads (yes, they exist here, surprisingly) that you can snag a decent apartment in the *Centro Histórico for around 8,000-12,000 pesos a month. which, after living in a shoebox in [previous city], feels like winning the lottery. but finding your tribe? that's the real challenge.
so, networking. i've been poking around. there's a surprisingly active expat scene, mostly centered around Facebook groups (shocker, i know). i found one called "Expats in San Luis Potosí" - it's mostly people asking where to buy decent cheese, but occasionally someone posts about a meetup. https://www.facebook.com/groups/expatsinsanluispotosi/
professionally, it seems like a lot of the action is tied to the automotive industry. san luis potosí is a huge manufacturing hub, so if you're in that world, you're golden. i overheard someone at a really questionable taco stand (don't go to 'El Rey del Taco' after midnight, just trust me) saying there's a big tech park opening up soon, which might bring more opportunities for…well, people who don't know anything about cars.
here's the breakdown, as i understand it (and my understanding is often questionable):
*AMCHAM San Luis Potosí: The American Chamber of Commerce. Lots of business-y events. Expect power suits and polite small talk. https://www.amcham.org.mx/sanluispotosi/
*Coworking Spaces: There are a few popping up. 'Co-Work Potosí' seems to be the most popular. good for meeting other freelancers and avoiding the existential dread of working from your apartment. (i've been there. it's dark.)
*Meetup.com: Surprisingly, there's some activity. mostly language exchange groups, but hey, it's a start. https://www.meetup.com/topics/sanluispotosi/
*Local Universities (ITESM, UASLP): They sometimes host workshops or conferences. good for networking if you're in academia or a related field.
*The 'Plaza de Armas': Okay, this isn't officially a networking event, but it's where everyone hangs out. you'll bump into people. maybe.
drunk advice from a local: "don't trust anyone who tells you they know a shortcut to the Túnel II. you'll end up in a car wash." (i'm still trying to decipher this one).
overheard gossip: "apparently, the owner of 'La Casa del Café' is secretly a retired spy." (i'm investigating).
another overheard rumor: "the best enchiladas potosinas aren't at a restaurant, they're made by a little old lady named Doña Elena who sells them from her house on Tuesdays." (i'm also investigating this).
and honestly? safety isn't a huge concern, but you still gotta be smart. it's not like walking around a major european capital, you know? keep your wits about you, especially at night. i've been checking out reviews on Yelp for different neighborhoods, and the general consensus is that the Centro Histórico and Zona Dorada* are pretty safe, but avoid wandering around alone in less-lit areas. https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Neighborhoods&find_loc=San+Luis+Potos%C3%AD%2C+San+Luis+Potos%C3%AD
so yeah. san luis potosí. it's…a work in progress. for me, and probably for the city itself. but it's got potential. and cheap rent. and tacos. that's gotta count for something, right?
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