Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Mexico

Capital City

With a population of just 44,103, Tlajomulco de Zúñiga is a far cry from the bustling metropolis of nearby Guadalajara. As part of that larger metro area, it has an industrial base and commercial activity, but the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache. The region's troubled history includes a tyrant who oppressed local communities until the arrival of Spanish conquerors in 1530. More recently, the discovery of 17 plastic bags containing human remains in 2021 underscores the area's safety challenges. For those drawn to a smaller, quieter corner of the Guadalajara region, Tlajomulco may be worth considering, but its issues with red tape and crime are not to be taken lightly.