Moving to Mexico City - Housing options?

[ville]

Hello Hello! Thanks to all involved in setting up this forum!

We are currently living in Italy, but most likely moving to Mexico City after the summer and now it's time do some background search - most important being housing issues. We have a newborn baby and a large dog, and thus green areas nearby the home are a benefit.

I have heard that Polanco and Santa Fe are the most popular expat locations, but does anyone know if Polanco has any condos or is it just small houses? How about air quality in Polanco - is there a need to look for a place higher up?

I also noticed that Toluca is not that far from Santa Fe, that's where the office is - has anyone experiences on that city regarding parks, expat community, other activities, etc?

Thanks to anyone who can help!

Cheers, Ville (I'm a Finn so that's why the name may look strange to you

[myhat]

I think most condos do not allow dogs, but I am not sure.

[Penguins_Pet_Pumpkin]

I had family with a second home in Ensenada. I know very little about Mexico, but I do know there's a large American community in this city. Beautiful houses overlooking the ocean, very inexpensive cost of living. The water in all the homes comes from wells and is safe to drink directly from the tap. It's a very clean environment too. The area just outside of the American settlement is very depressing though.

[halfmexi]

Polanco is about half casas y half condos. Like the previous poster mentioned, gonna be tough to find a place that allows dogs - unless you plan on buying. Don't even remember a park nearby to talk your dog to. Polanco is like the Beverly Hills of Mexico City, there is smog and tons of traffic practically all year round. I don't know if Colonia de Valle or somewhere in Coyoacan would be too far away from work for you, but you might find a better living situation and a more friendly dog environment.

Buena suerte!

[Erongacarlos]

Polanco is anything but small houses. Try mansions. There are highrise apartments, but look to spend a fortune. Better choice is Coyoacan. It is a beautiful colonial suburb that looks like a village unto itself, which it was until the last forty or fifty years. There are modern apartments and houses, as well as colonials for rent and purchase. There is a huge park called Viveros that used to be a nursery for trees and plants. Now it is used by joggers, walkers, idlers, etc. Living near it gives you fresh air, the freshest air available in the City. Coyoacan also has a lively plaza where on Sundays the Coyoacan Symphony Orchestra plays and there are clowns, musicians, crafts, and people of all sorts having a marvelous time. Nothing like it anywhere. Plus the plaza is graced by one of the most sublimely beautiful churches in the nation. Rents are steep, but, hey, you were talking about Polanco.
Carlos

[Intercasa]

Santa Fe is much nicer than Polanco but the prices are very high, many condos can run up to $5,000US per month for a rental. If I had the money I'd rent in Santa Fe as many of the complexes have parks and green areas. There are two small magazine type brochures with rentals and properties for sale, a very nice big list by zone, one is called Guia D Inmuebles and the other Objetivo Inmobiliario and they have many pages of rentals and prices with color photos of all areas of Mexico City. Also online at wwwguiadinmueblesdotcom and wwwobjetivoinmobiliariodotcom. Good luck.