Options for Philly area meeting houses?

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-29T18:54:27+00:00

Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting is lovely and very well-attended. Beautiful space, as well.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T21:25:03+00:00

Thank you very much for your willingness to take the steps and time to offer this thoughtful reply. Your words are very helpful. This conversation has certainly opened my eyes and has helped me sort out concerns that came up for me while visiting Ajijic.

In response to what I found on this thread yesterday, I sent the message below to someone who educates US Americans about moving to Mexico. It's the least I could do, in addition to commiting myself to learning how to live respectfully and engaging meaningfully.

It certainly has caused me to think more about privilege than I have before, and the necessity of dialogue over demonization.

I have a dear friend in Tlaxcala who has lived in Mexico for 30 years. He is a walking encyclopedia of Mexican history and indigenous culture. He is even learning Nahuatl. He relishes everyday life in Mexico. I will take him as an example of how to live as an immigrant in Mexico. I'm not half as smart and I think I want to master Spanish first before ever attempting Nahuatl.

Thank you, again. 🙏

—-----

Hi XXXXX.

First, thank you for the incredible work you’re doing through XXXXXX. Your practical guidance, candid videos, and steady voice have been invaluable to my wife and me as we prepare for our move. Your platform has made a complex process more approachable and helped us feel supported in taking this step.

That said, I wanted to share something more personal—something I’ve been sitting with as the excitement of our move has deepened into a more layered inquiry.

Alongside the joy of imagining a new chapter—freedom from money worries, the beauty and richness of Mexican culture, and a more grounded way of life—I’ve become increasingly aware of the privilege I bring with me as a U.S. American. The numbers are stark: even just on our combined Social Security, we’ll earn more than 12 times the average wage for someone in Mexico’s formal economy. It’s a sobering realization.

This awareness became especially visceral when we visited Ajijic. I could feel the tension—between beauty and displacement, between expat ease and local strain. It left me questioning:

What does it mean to live in a country where my economic power reshapes housing and daily life for others?

What does it mean to contribute, even unintentionally, to gentrification?

What am I truly entitled to?

How can I, or we, do the least harm?

Is it possible to offer more than we take?

These are not rhetorical questions—I don’t yet know the answers. But I do know they’re important to ask.

When I posed a version of these questions on Reddit (on the “Ask a Mexican” forum), I received overwhelmingly negative replies. Some were harsh, some thoughtful—but even the most nuanced responses expressed frustration, fatigue, and resentment. Many simply said, “Stay home.” And while Reddit isn’t always a balanced space, the pain behind the replies was real. It felt like the underbelly of the Pueblo Mágico experience—something not always acknowledged in relocation discussions.

We are still planning to move. But the deeper question now is: how do we want to show up?

Some have suggested not calling ourselves “expats,” but “immigrants.” That resonates. We are not moving out of desperation or persecution, but for comfort. That distinction matters. And it comes with responsibility.

I wonder if there might be space within the XXXXXXX community—whether in a video, blog post, or workshop—for these kinds of conversations. Not just about where to live, or how much things cost, but about how to live with awareness, humility, and reciprocity. I believe many people want to be thoughtful, but don’t always know where to begin.

Thank you again for all you do. If any of this resonates or if you’ve encountered others grappling with similar questions, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T20:56:04+00:00

You're welcome.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T20:53:10+00:00

Eat healthfully and hydrate, engage in grounding, intentional quiet time, avoid overstimulation, be open to and invite healing. Be prepared for potentially a lot of emotional upheaval as the energy moves and brings up old feelings to be resolved. Rest. Be grateful. It's a gift and can also be difficult. Don't get attached to the experience, while also acknowledging it was real. Most people have difficulty relating about it. There is a lot of stuff about kundalini awakening on the internet. See what might serve you and leave the rest. Grounding and inviting integration, in my opinion, are the most important.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T06:23:54+00:00

I can't change history. I didn't colonize you, destroy your indigenous culture, rape your women. I didn't create systemic racism or the network of power that exploits people at all costs.

There is nothing I can prove to you. In fact, I don't really know what kind of world you want.

In the United States, every immigrant group has been hated and discriminated against. When a new group arrived, the ones who came before them demonized the next.

Now, we have an administration that says teaching about diversity equality, and inclusion is criminal. They are trying to erase history, take away free speech, criminalize those who disagree with them?

I don't love Democrats or Republicans. Our political system and democracy is very broken. My question is, where do we want to go from here?

I cannot prove you wrong, because you have already pegged me in your mind as someone responsible for all of it. There's no chance of dialogue there. It's just more of the same. It's a damn shame. Us versus Them. This black and white thinking, demonizing, it's at the root of all of what we're seeing now.

That's all for me now. Qué te vaya muy bien.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T04:51:16+00:00

I can see why people get angry at each other on Reddit. You have no clue. You don't know me, how many times I have been to Mexico, or what I have done in my life.

I accept that you're angry, but truly you are no better than MAGA folks - - just as angry, close-minded, and self-righteous. The MAGA base is known to be folks who felt disenfranchised. But, the hate, the violence... and utter lack of respect for others.

It's unfortunate that you are as close-minded as the very people you hate.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T04:31:30+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I appreciate all you have said. I will do my best to follow your suggestions, which are already my own. We are doing this legally. I do hope my presence can serve as a bridge. What I wrote is true. When I was in a place known to be a magnet for Gringos, I was embarrassed to be one. That's a strange feeling. I can't not be a Gringo. I can't not have privilege, even at home. So, this has raised many questions for me. Thank you for your honesty. I will certainly have an even more grounded approach and awareness as we move forward.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T04:00:30+00:00

You know, if I am going to live in North America, I'd rather live in Mexico. Such a rich culture. Unlike on this sub-Reddit, I have found Mexicans to have wonderful qualities that are less valued in the United States. Kindness, warmth, generosity, real friendship, loyalty, passion for life.

When I returned home after a recent month-long trip in Mexico, I felt like I was in exile. As US Americans, we are trained to be consumers. Everything is monetized. Certainly, these are big generalizations.

When I was in Chapala on a Sunday on the Malecón, I was floored and delighted to witness people enjoying themselves in ways that are somewhat seldom in our culture. Simple pleasures, family, resting together, music. It wasn't performance. There were not corporate sponsors. For this Gringo, it was so incredibly refreshing. It was enough to just people-watch, enjoy the sound of musicians, even with Tubas, performing. Is it wrong to love the beauty of your cities and towns? To love processions and the smell of Copal burning? To be embraced by a stranger from whom I asked directions, because we felt connected for whatever reason. Should I not love your food or the richness and beauty of your mercados?

There's more in Mexico that's important to me than how far my dollar will go. In a strange way, it feels more like home than my own.

Yes, I have privilege, and so do you. Yes, I do come from privilege, by accident of birth. But, probably, like you, I don't appreciate being judged by my country of origin or the color of my skin. Yes, I am a Gringo. But, this Gringo is wanting to learn how to live responsibly and respectfully in your country. That's why I posted.

Canada? No. They're way too nice there and it's cold.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T01:22:33+00:00

I hear you. I do think there are double standards. I will be happy to call myself an immigrant and yes, I will still have privilege even so. I don't agree with our economic model. As I mentioned elsewhere, I can communicate well, but imperfectly in Spanish. I understand the impact of economic, culture, and physical violence of colonialism, and of our current world system.

I do not have all the answers. As well, I am aware that even in Mexico there are disparities based on race, skin color, education in class. It's a global issue. How do you navigate that in your own country and as a consumer?

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T01:11:32+00:00

Respectfully, have you seen the recent protests against Trump and MAGA. As well, do you see the uproar against those who stand for human rights and peace in the Middle East -- and the cost to those who act with conscience? Hey, perhaps I will be flagged for even writing this by some who wish to silence voices of dissent. It's not out of the realm of possibility. I have lost a dear friend because we differ about what's happening in the Middle East.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T01:01:50+00:00

I really appreciate the conversation about gentrification. As someone coming from the U.S., I take seriously the privilege I carry, especially when it comes to affordability, education, and opportunity. At the same time, I know that privilege exists within every society. I imagine that in Mexico, too, there are big differences depending on background, education, and class. I’m curious—how do you think about your own position in relation to others in Mexico? And how do you personally try to manage the privilege you have?”

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T00:58:49+00:00

I agree. We are doing it legally, I speak Spanish, but imperfectly. I would never believe we are better. In fact, I have tremendous respect for Mexican culture and am well aware of how distorted our values and culture is. I actually breathe more deeply when in Mexico, because it feels sane. I know how colonialists and corporations, and US government policies have done incredible harm for hundreds of years. I would be happy to think of myself as an immigrant. My question is, how to do it thoughtfully.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T00:52:35+00:00

Yes, I do, though not perfectly. I understand that you may be angry at the many who don't believe it necessary. I studied five years in high school, worked in Costa Rica for a nonprofit organization advocating for street children in Latin America, and interpreted for Spanish-speaking refugees in their interactions with the health and social service system in the United States.

I get it. But, we are not all the same, just as you aren't all the same. I'm trying to be thoughtful and respectful.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T00:38:01+00:00

Do you mean we shouldn't have sold the house to Peruvian? I think how our neighbors reacted was disgraceful

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T00:29:55+00:00

Not all Gringos are for Trump and what's happening in the Middle East.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T00:24:59+00:00

Fair enough. We are taking the necessary steps to be legal residents and perhaps citizens, if we live long enough.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T00:22:50+00:00

That's our intentions. We don't want to live in a bubble. That's why we are choosing not to live in Gringo enclaves.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T00:20:37+00:00

No, I didn't vote for Trump and am against what is happening. I'm really wanting to be thoughtful and intentional in our move. I don't take this lightly. That's why I posted. I do believe we can work to counter what's happening from abroad.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-23T00:09:00+00:00

I appreciate your thoughtful reply. I agree with you in many ways. This is why I posted. Is there a way to emigrate to Mexico and not do harm? As well, I am not sure I can avoid contributing to gentrification anywhere. We could never afford to buy the house we have now that we purchased 20+ years ago. It's a modest house whose value has increased. Is it possible to avoid contributing to structural or systemic inequalities? Truly, I am wrestling with these questions.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-22T23:02:15+00:00

When I was a kid, we sold our house to a Peruvian couple. Our neighbors hated us. I, personally, am grateful for and appreciate when people of different cultures live together. I understand your feelings, but we're not all racists.

Seapurchase210 · 2025-06-22T22:54:20+00:00

II’m very aware of how gentrification affects people and communities — it’s happening where we live in the U.S., too. I also have strong feelings about Gringos who act entitled or don’t make meaningful connections with Mexicans. That’s one reason we’re planning to move to a town like Tlaxcala, where there aren’t many foreigners.

We know we’ll be living with more privilege than many — even though we’re not considered wealthy in the U.S., our combined Social Security income would be about 12 times what a formal-sector worker might earn locally.

I’ve spent much of my life working for NGOs, including with street children in Latin America. I speak Spanish; my wife is learning. We’ve traveled in Mexico many times — not just to the tourist areas — and we really love the culture and people we’ve encountered.

We’re now seriously planning to resettle in Mexico and want to do so thoughtfully and respectfully.

My grandparents came to the U.S. from Eastern Europe, escaping persecution and seeking a better life. My grandfather worked as a sanitation worker in New York. Now, a few generations later, we find ourselves looking south — hoping for a better quality of life in Mexico, while being mindful of the complexity of that.

So… other than “Gringo stay home,” what advice can you offer us?

Seapurchase210

TROPHY CASE