First Visit to GTO

[CSmith]

Hi, all. Chris here. I'm new to this site and happy to be on.
I am making a short visit to GTO from Dec 19 to Jan 6 to explore perhaps moving to in the future. Staying in La Casa de Dante. Am doing what I can to learn about the city, which seems great.
I know most people have their own regular lives, but I'd be happy to meet any expats or others or attend any events in town during my visit. Wish to learn about the communities, meetings, activities, and opportunities in GTO, whether regular and organized or informal or occasional. I'd be grateful for any info or connections. (In particular, for now, anything I should know about being there over Christmas and New Years?)
About me, I'm a university professor with flexibility in schedule and career, a researcher, author, and teacher with long-term interests in Latin America. Been around Central and South America but never Mexico. My brother lives in Nicaragua. My first visit to Mexico is December. In a former life I knew Spanish decently, but it is badly rusty now, though I think it can come back with effort. I am considering GTO as a second home in the shorter run and home base to live full-time after some years. Am serious about it but in no hurry either.
I know this is a very general inquiry, but thanks so much for any advice, help, connections, etc.!

[Erika128]

Hey there, my boyfriend and I live right up the alley from Hostal Casa del Dante. We'd be happy to take you out for a drink and show you a couple of our favorite places. We haven't been here that long ourselves (3 months), so my city knowledge is still really limited, but we'll share what we can.

I highly, highly suggest you take a spanish class or two at Escuela falcon while you are here - even if you're not that interested in learning the language, the school is a fabulous resource in which to experience the city. Students have access to near-daily extracurricular events, such as walking tours, museums, hikes, hot springs excursions, etc.