Moving to Mexico City

[Jetter]

Hi there,

I'm just about to move to Mexico city. I am going for work and have my FM3 and whatnot. I know a few people there and had the opportunity to visit on a work trip in Feb so have a vague idea of what I'm letting myself in for, but I'd love to hear any advice or tips you guys might have for me! In the past I have lived in Spain, France and the U.S.

I'll be working in Santa Fe but plan to live somewhere like La Condesa. I would like to share an apartment and have a friend who's looking out for somewhere for me. However I can't seem to find any website where people advertise rentals, is there one? I'll have a company car, which should be interesting! (Especially considering I've never driven on thr 'wrong' side of the road and the drivers over there are pretty mental!).

I mostly just wanted to say hello and see if there's anything in particular I should be bringing with me. Also, stupid question, is there any point in bringing any winter clothes or is it generally quite mild? (I'm female and trying - in vain most likely - to keep baggage to a minimum!).

Thanks in advance :-)

[RVGRINGO]

It can get cold and breezy at Mexico City's altitude in the winter months, but not frigid. As for the driving, you have my sympathy if you are not accustomed to driving on the right. In Mexico City, they tend to drive within mere inches of each other and there will be no margin of error if your reflexes are in the wrong direction. Good luck.
Other than that, you will find a lot to see and do and Mexico has excellent bus or air connections to lots of fascinating destinations in other parts of the country. Enjoy.

[handels]

I just moved here a few weeks ago and also came with only the suitcase allotment of the airlines. Clothing is fairly affordable here, especially if you will be paid in euros. Bring any cosmetics you are in love with, the selection here is not impressive. Ordering online is also a pain as packages can be delayed, disappear or have unreasonable customs imposed.

You will probably need winter clothes. I put on a sweatshirt in the morning and take it off by early afternoon. I have definitely used the jacket (trench) that I brought and will buy a winter jacket. It depends on what you consider cold, but I have seen Mexicans here wearing scarves, hats, gloves and quilted jackets on some mornings since I've been here.

They have American departments stores and Liverpool (which is extremely similar to Corte Ingles).

There is a Craigslist mexico which is ok and has some apartment listings. I think having your friend look is your best bet. A lot of people find roommates through friends of friends. Condesa is great. We live in Anzures nearby. We hired a real estate person to find our apartment and also walked around and looked at for rent signs (there are just tons). You could also look for European/American clubs and advertise for a flatmate.

I used to live in Spain, too. If you let me know if you are European or American I might have a better idea of advice since I will know where you are coming from (metaphorically speaking).

I've only been here a few weeks, so no expert but I've certainly learned a lot already. Good luck with your move!

Things we brought with us: a clothing iron that we love, computers (electronics are expensive here), our cat , books for hubby (selection and price in english not great here), cosmetics, prescriptions, limited clothing/shoes.

[RVGRINGO]

Welcome to both of you and, may you enjoy your stay in Mexico.

[handels]

Thank you! It certainly looks like we will!

[Rodrigo84]

Originally Posted by Jetter

Hi there,

I'm just about to move to Mexico city from Ireland. I am going for work and have my FM3 and whatnot. I know a few people there and had the opportunity to visit on a work trip in Feb so have a vague idea of what I'm letting myself in for, but I'd love to hear any advice or tips you guys might have for me! In the past I have lived in Spain, France and the U.S.

I'll be working in Santa Fe but plan to live somewhere like La Condesa. I would like to share an apartment and have a friend who's looking out for somewhere for me. However I can't seem to find any website where people advertise rentals, is there one? I'll have a company car, which should be interesting! (Especially considering I've never driven on thr 'wrong' side of the road and the drivers over there are pretty mental!).

I mostly just wanted to say hello and see if there's anything in particular I should be bringing with me. Also, stupid question, is there any point in bringing any winter clothes or is it generally quite mild? (I'm female and trying - in vain most likely - to keep baggage to a minimum!).

Thanks in advance :-)

It really depends on what you can afford to spend as far as rent. Relatively you can find apartments (with parking) for under $1000 USD in Condesa. Del Valle nearby is another consideration that has lots of apartments (more so that Condesa). Keep in mind that Condesa and Del Valle (kind of just south of Condesa) is a bit of a trek and in the middle of the city compared to Santa Fe which is on the mountainside just to the west. Santa Fe can be expensive for apartments, usually 1500 USD and up per month. A nearby consideration where my cousin use to live (and a lot of expats like) is Interlomas (officially Huixquilucan, Estado de Mexico), which is in nearby Mexico State, just north of Santa Fe). There is a cuota (or toll road) that can make the journey shorter or you can literally drive (it is about 15 to 20 minutes with no traffic) as he used to work in front of the Torre Arcos (we call it the Pantelon). In Interlomas, you can definitely find stuff that goes for just under $1000 USD and apartments are available for under $1500 USD. I remember seeing some not to long ago that were $850 or so in Interlomas, but it's a matter of taking a look. Interlomas is almost a Little America, with lots of American stores (Walmart, Costco) and probably more car dealerships than you've ever seen in a square mile.

There are also some small condo areas just west of Santa Fe (on either side of the of the Mexico-Toluca road) in Cuajimalpa (officially Santa Fe is in Cuajimalpa) but look just west of there. There are definitely things that run under $1000 USD in there.

As far as winter clothes, generally not needed. It can get down to about 10 celsius or so, sometimes a bit lower, but rarely will it ever hit 0. A jacket and some sweaters are generally recommended.

The drivers can get pestering here, but Santa Fe is much more easy going compared to places like downtown.

[Rodrigo84]

This might help, this is from the Reforma newspaper,

reforma.com / avisos de ocasion

and also from El Universal,

aviso-oportuno.com.mx/casas, los mejores clasificados

[raul1968]

Originally Posted by Jetter

Hi there,

I'm just about to move to Mexico city from Ireland. I am going for work and have my FM3 and whatnot. I know a few people there and had the opportunity to visit on a work trip in Feb so have a vague idea of what I'm letting myself in for, but I'd love to hear any advice or tips you guys might have for me! In the past I have lived in Spain, France and the U.S.

I'll be working in Santa Fe but plan to live somewhere like La Condesa. I would like to share an apartment and have a friend who's looking out for somewhere for me. However I can't seem to find any website where people advertise rentals, is there one? I'll have a company car, which should be interesting! (Especially considering I've never driven on thr 'wrong' side of the road and the drivers over there are pretty mental!).

I mostly just wanted to say hello and see if there's anything in particular I should be bringing with me. Also, stupid question, is there any point in bringing any winter clothes or is it generally quite mild? (I'm female and trying - in vain most likely - to keep baggage to a minimum!).

Thanks in advance :-)

Hello,

We're also about to move to mexico - try this site: metroscubicos "dot" com

[RVGRINGO]

That site will take you to a Google page with real estate resources.

[handels]

I just saw a great listing for a furnished studio in polanco for 550 USD. It's on Craigslist Mexico, under apartamentos en alquiler.

I was actually trying to find a local gym - this came up because there is a gym in the building.

HTH!