A Guide for Expats

Looking to move to Mexico City? Or are you currently living in Mexico City and want to deepen your experience by moving out of the expat areas and immerse yourself into the culture? Mexico City is attracting lots of attention because of its great food, friendly people and high quality of living.

Mexico City with a Faint View of the Mountains in the Background

Expat-Friendly Neighborhoods

Mexico City is a huge and diverse city that attracts expats from all over the world. Whether you are looking for culture, nightlife, nature, or convenience, you will find a neighborhood that suits your lifestyle here. You might need some tips and tricks to make your migration the best possible experience and don’t worry, I’m here for you. Here are some of the best expat-friendly neighborhoods to stay in when you first arrive in Mexico City:

La Condesa: A green, trendy area with tree-lined streets and tons of delectable restaurants, art galleries, cafes and Parque Mexico, one of Mexico City’s most beloved parks.
Roma Norte & Sur: Experience the perfect blend of history, modern art, and a culinary adventure in this vibrant district. Once home to grand mansions, it now attracts artists, intellectuals, and the city's LGBTQ+ community. Known as La Roma or simply Roma, this neighborhood offers a unique atmosphere that seamlessly combines the old and the new.
Polanco: An elegant and affluent neighborhood. Polanco is renowned for its upscale vibes and sophisticated charm. From high-end boutiques to exquisite dining options, this area caters to those seeking a refined experience.
Centro Historico: The vibrant heart of Mexico City. It is not only a World Heritage Site but also jam-packed with fascinating historical sites from both the ancient and colonial times, also has tons of museums.
Zona Rosa: This neighborhood is buzzing with energy and offers a huge selection of trendy shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
Juarez: I included Juarez because it's becoming increasingly expat-friendly. This neighborhood is going through a transition and has a unique and diverse character. It's where you'll find Zona Rosa, the lively epicenter of the city's LGBTQ+ community, as well as "Little Seoul," the vibrant hub of the Korean influence in the city.

Living in these areas can offer you more convenience, comfort, and security. You can easily find modern and spacious apartments, with great amenities along with a variety of services, such as restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and gyms sometimes with English speaking employees; these areas cater to your tastes and needs. You may also feel safer with the heavier police presence. Moreover, you can easily communicate and socialize with other expats or English speakers, where you can share advice, support and make lifelong friends.

It is very easy to find temporary, furnished housing in these areas. Try sites like Airbnb, The Blue Ground, Nestpick, Booking.com, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. If you are in the city, walk the area and look for “Se Renta” (for rent) signs. Take photos of the sign, the building, make note of the address, then call to make inquiries.

Some Cons of Living in Expat-Friendly Neighborhoods

I would highly recommend staying in an expat area upon your initial arrival in Mexico City. It will provide a soft landing for you and ensure that your experience is enjoyable and as straight-forward as possible. However, long-term living in an expat heavy area can have a few drawbacks depending on your goals. First of all, it can be more expensive, as the rent, utilities, food, and entertainment costs are higher than in other areas. Furthermore, you may miss out on some of the authentic and diverse aspects of Mexican culture, such as the street food, markets and festivals. You could feel that you are missing out on an immersive experience, as you may not interact or integrate with the locals as much as you’d like.

I’ve lived in Mexico City for over a year and a half and have stayed temporarily in expat communities. I’ve also lived long-term in more local neighborhoods. Mexico City is one of the most vibrant, diverse, and exciting cities in the world, but it can also be overwhelming, chaotic, and confusing for visitors and new residents who are not familiar with its quirks and secrets. It is constantly changing, and each neighborhood has its own personality, advantages, and disadvantages. Each time I’ve switched apartments, it has been a completely different experience. The qualifiers, handling of the utilities, moving logistics and neighborhood characteristics -all uniquely different and sometimes baffling.

Click here to read about how I moved to Mexico City without ever visiting.

Traditional Papel Picado Flags - A Mexican Folk Art

Where The Locals Live

All of Mexico City’s colonias (neighborhoods) are ever-changing, so some of the more local neighborhoods are increasingly becoming expat friendly as more U.S. citizens, Canadians and Europeans are finding their way here. Moving to a neighborhood where locals live can offer you more immersion, authenticity, diversity, and affordability. You will experience the real and varied facets of Mexican culture, such as the cuisine, the music, the art, and the traditions. You’ll also save money in rent, utilities, food, and transportation costs. Additionally, you can learn and practice Spanish and improve your skills and confidence. How’s that for a bonus?

Select your neighborhood carefully, and research heavily. Find walking or driving tours of these areas on YouTube to get a feel for them. Here is a brief description of each neighborhood, although this is not an exhaustive list:

Del Valle Norte or Centro: This is a middle-class neighborhood in the Benito Juárez borough, with many parks, wide streets, shopping malls, and city landmarks.
Narvarte Poniente or Oriente: A neighborhood in the south of Mexico City, that belongs to the Benito Juárez borough. It consists of five officially recognized colonias, each with its own history and identity. Narvarte is known for its excellent taco options, as well as its international cuisine, from Spanish to French to Lebanese. It also has some traditional cantinas, quirky cafes, and bakeries. Narvarte has a vintage feel and an up-and-coming vibe, that appeals to young professionals, artists, and families.
Nápoles: This is a neighborhood in the Benito Juárez borough, that was once part of the Hacienda de la Condesa. It has a modern and urban character, with the World Trade Center complex, the Polyforum Cultural Siqueiros, and the Parque Delta shopping center as its main attractions.
Cuauhtémoc: Located in the historic center of the city, Cuauhtémoc is near the Zocalo and the Alameda Central. It is named after the last Aztec emperor, who resisted the Spanish conquest. It has a mix of colonial and modern buildings, as well as some landmarks such as the Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Torre Latinoamericana, and the Monumento a la Revolución. It is a busy and commercial area, with many offices, hotels, shops, and restaurants. It also borders Chapultepec Park.
Escandón Section 1 or 2: This is a neighborhood in the Miguel Hidalgo borough, that was formerly a rural community. It has a traditional and familial vibe, with small businesses, taquerías, and cantinas.
San Miguel Chapultepec: In the Miguel Hidalgo borough, it has historic and architectural value. It has many homes and buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries, some of them designed by famous architects.
Coyoacán: This is a borough in Mexico City that was once a separate village. A bit further south in the city, it has a colonial and bohemian charm, with cobblestone streets, plazas, churches, and art galleries. It is also home to the Frida Kahlo Museum, which is dedicated to the life and work of the Mexican artist. It hosts an annual flower fair, and a popular artisans market.
San Ángel: This is a neighborhood in the Álvaro Obregón borough, that was also a separate village in the past. It has a picturesque and cultural atmosphere, with narrow streets, colonial buildings, and colorful gardens. It is known for its Saturday Bazaar, where artists and craftsmen sell their products.

Drying Spices to be Used for Mexican Cuisine

Some Challenges of Moving to Local Neighborhoods

Deciding to move into these areas will undoubtedly have some challenges. First of all, you may not find many English speakers or English signage in these areas. You may also face some cultural differences or barriers, such as different social norms, customs, values, and etiquette. But don’t be discouraged. Just on the other side of the adjustment period is a rich life full of discovery and surprises.

When living in Condesa or Roma, the apartment owners make everything more accessible. You don’t have to worry about getting internet, you will have a refrigerator and stove and local conveniences. When you move out of that area to look for an apartment, the kitchens are sometimes not fully furnished - and that’s the standard. You may have to purchase a fridge, a stove and/or washer and dryer and maybe even a doorbell (take a guess at how I know this).

When you are in a more authentic, traditional area of Mexico, day to day business is not conducted the way you are accustomed to, and you may only realize it when you are already in a tricky situation. I always contact a friend who is from Mexico to give me the low down and to tell me the best way to handle the circumstances I find myself in. In addition, although you are going to immerse yourself into the culture, don’t initially move into a building where the rent is super low or way outside of any areas listed here.

Day of the Dead is a Time of Celebration in Mexico City

How to Find an Apartment in Mexico City

The first step is to do your research and look for apartments that suit your budget, preferences, and lifestyle. Use online platforms such as Immuebles24, Properstar or Vivanuncios to find long-term rentals. You can also contact local real estate agents or walk the area and look for signs that say “Se Renta”. Then, I would recommend having someone that speaks fluent Spanish make the initial contact to ask for the rental price. Again, to avoid “gringo” pricing.

Most apartments require that you pay maintenance for the upkeep of the building and it is usually listed separately from the rent and could range from $1000MX or about $60 USD to $2500MX or about $150 USD extra per month, just to give some examples I’ve seen. There are occasions where the price includes the maintenance, so always ask if its not made clear.

Here’s where it gets interesting. You may need an aval or fiador. This is a third party who owns a property in Mexico City who is basically co-signing for you. An aval is signing the contract alongside the lessee and is completely responsible for any defaults. A fiador can be responsible only after the lessee is sued. They are on the hook if you default on the lease. It seems cruel in my opinion to ask this of Mexican citizens, but it is what it is. You may have the option to pay a double deposit if you do not have someone willing to be your aval or fiador, however be prepared to look for a different property if the owner absolutely requires it. You can also try to find apartments through Houm or Homie - both companies will complete the process without requiring the aval, but the selection of properties is slim. I have rented in all 3 scenarios: with an aval/fiador, I have paid double deposit without an aval/fiador, and I have also used Houm to find an apartment.

Requirements

Requirements for each rental company or owner will be slightly different. I’ve rented an apartment with only a handshake, my passport and my residency card, however I would advise to be prepared with these documents:

Passport
Residency Card
3 Months Paystub - or-
3 Months Bank Statements - showing that you make a certain percentage over the rent, i.e. you make 3x the rent per month depending on the landlord or company.
An Aval or Fiador - this is a Mexican citizen who owns property and vouches for you.
A Utility Bill or Lease showing your last address
3 References

Fees

When it’s time to move in, expect to pay fees similar to this:

A fee to take the apartment off the market. About $5,000MX /appx $295 USD which will be applied to your final total.
One months rent
One month security
At least one month’s maintenance
A poliza juridica fee - about 35% of the months rent, split between you and the landlord. This is a legal rental policy that guarantees the rights and obligations of both the landlord and the tenant of a property.

In Conclusion

Whether you are planning to move to this amazing city, or just visiting for a few months, I hope you found some useful tips and insights on how to make the most of your experience. In Mexico City, you will learn a lot about yourself, the culture, and the world. You will also make some wonderful friends and memories along the way. So, let’s go! Pack your bags, grab your sombrero, and get ready to live like a Mexican in Mexico City! Viva México! 🇲🇽

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Where to Stay In Mexico City