Can you help with my Mexico City move?
August 26, 2008 10:14 AM Subscribe
When we go to Mexico City, what should we leave behind? And what else should we consider?
My wife and I are moving to el Distrito Federal from the United States in October. My company's handling the move, and we'll be in corporate housing when we first get there, so we should have ample time to find a place and settle in. I have a few questions I haven't been able to answer from conversations with colleagues in the city or from the ask mefi posts here and here. Namely:
Are there things I simply should not bring because it will make me more vulnerable to robbery? We don't have a lot of extravagant items, and certainly not much that's irreplaceable, but we do have a couple of computers and my biggest splurge, a large plasma TV. That second post linked above makes me a little nervous about bringing the TV down, especially. And it makes me think I should leave a copy of my data, such as digital music and photos, with my family in the States so it's collocated. (I do keep photos on Flickr, too, but I'm worried about my big music collection.) We want to live in Condesa or Roma, not in some gated community. Am I going to be a target if I bring the TV? Anything else I should watch out for? Any insurance I should definitely have?
My wife is very charmed by Roma, since it's less gentrified than Condesa, but I also think Condesa might be a better bet for safety and convenience, especially since we have little experience with the city. Any thoughts on that debate would be helpful too. I'll be working downtown on Reforma so I'd like somewhere that will allow to get their quickly on a bus or the Metro.
Anything else you'd consider during a move? We'll take all the help we can get.
My wife and I are moving to el Distrito Federal from the United States in October. My company's handling the move, and we'll be in corporate housing when we first get there, so we should have ample time to find a place and settle in. I have a few questions I haven't been able to answer from conversations with colleagues in the city or from the ask mefi posts here and here. Namely:
Are there things I simply should not bring because it will make me more vulnerable to robbery? We don't have a lot of extravagant items, and certainly not much that's irreplaceable, but we do have a couple of computers and my biggest splurge, a large plasma TV. That second post linked above makes me a little nervous about bringing the TV down, especially. And it makes me think I should leave a copy of my data, such as digital music and photos, with my family in the States so it's collocated. (I do keep photos on Flickr, too, but I'm worried about my big music collection.) We want to live in Condesa or Roma, not in some gated community. Am I going to be a target if I bring the TV? Anything else I should watch out for? Any insurance I should definitely have?
My wife is very charmed by Roma, since it's less gentrified than Condesa, but I also think Condesa might be a better bet for safety and convenience, especially since we have little experience with the city. Any thoughts on that debate would be helpful too. I'll be working downtown on Reforma so I'd like somewhere that will allow to get their quickly on a bus or the Metro.
Anything else you'd consider during a move? We'll take all the help we can get.
If you are going to be here for a while, do not sell your TV–bring it. TVs, and most other electronics are ridiculously expensive here compared to the US.
I just did the same move a year ago and I brought everything valuable I had with me. Look, you have to live your life, and if you are going to be anywhere for any decent amount of time, you should have your possessions with you. I´d ditch the solid gold rolex, though.
Do you have a relocation company? They can advise you on most of these questions re: insurance, safety. Your company should conduct a security review of your apartment before you sign any contracts. Stay on top of them, they usually will try to do as little as possible but read thoroughly all the terms and make sure you get what your company is paying for.
I currently live with my S.O. in Colonia Roma. We looked in Condesa for a few months, had and lost several apartments but the brokers there figured out what our corporate rent allowance was and needless to say everything we saw was at or above the allowance. Don´t tell them your exact budget. In the end, I like Roma a lot. It doesn´t have nearly the same nightlife of Condesa, but it is never as noisy, and feels more like a neighborhood.
Street parking is pretty much non-existent most of the time, especially in the Roma-Condesa area. Make sure your apartment comes with a parking spot if you will have a car.
That´s all off the top of my head. Mail me if you have any questions...
posted by lovejones at 11:32 AM on August 26, 2008
I just did the same move a year ago and I brought everything valuable I had with me. Look, you have to live your life, and if you are going to be anywhere for any decent amount of time, you should have your possessions with you. I´d ditch the solid gold rolex, though.
Do you have a relocation company? They can advise you on most of these questions re: insurance, safety. Your company should conduct a security review of your apartment before you sign any contracts. Stay on top of them, they usually will try to do as little as possible but read thoroughly all the terms and make sure you get what your company is paying for.
I currently live with my S.O. in Colonia Roma. We looked in Condesa for a few months, had and lost several apartments but the brokers there figured out what our corporate rent allowance was and needless to say everything we saw was at or above the allowance. Don´t tell them your exact budget. In the end, I like Roma a lot. It doesn´t have nearly the same nightlife of Condesa, but it is never as noisy, and feels more like a neighborhood.
Street parking is pretty much non-existent most of the time, especially in the Roma-Condesa area. Make sure your apartment comes with a parking spot if you will have a car.
That´s all off the top of my head. Mail me if you have any questions...
posted by lovejones at 11:32 AM on August 26, 2008
Response by poster: I last visited Mexico City in June, and spent most of my time in Condesa and a little bit in Roma. I'd say I'm about 70 percent fluent in Spanish, my wife is more like 80 or 90.
Thanks, this is really helpful. I'm not so concerned about losing the TV - if somebody takes it, too bad, things happen, and I'll get some kind of insurance. But I would be concerned about it luring the bad guys while my wife and/or I are home.
Thanks lovejones - I'll contact you directly. If anyone else has other thoughts, bring 'em on. This is extremely helpful.
posted by phantroll at 1:03 PM on August 26, 2008
Thanks, this is really helpful. I'm not so concerned about losing the TV - if somebody takes it, too bad, things happen, and I'll get some kind of insurance. But I would be concerned about it luring the bad guys while my wife and/or I are home.
Thanks lovejones - I'll contact you directly. If anyone else has other thoughts, bring 'em on. This is extremely helpful.
posted by phantroll at 1:03 PM on August 26, 2008
Roma and Condesa are cool and trendy, but you could probably choose something a bit nicer, like Polanco or Anzures. Even San Miguel Chapultepec might be a better fit, depending on your age and style.
Location will determine whether things like a plasma screen would stand out or not, but I very much doubt it would be an issue. Even Elektra sells those nowadays and they cater to the lower end of the socio-economic scale. One thing you do need to check, though, is if your screen works well at this altitude.
Your company will surely provide all insurance you might need, but if they don't, you'll need medical at the very least, the best you can afford. Life and property insurance come second.
D.F. is not really a pedestrian-friendly town, unless your entire life is based in one neighbourhood. Downtown Reforma doesn't sound like it, so I strongly suggest you get a car. You'll enjoy Mexico and nearby towns a lot more.
Listen to lovejones and donpedro, they know what they're talking about and their perspective is probably a lot more useful than mine.
D.F. is just a big city, with all of the good and bad things that big cities usually offer. Embrace and learn from the good, avoid the bad and you'll have a wonderful time. Feel free to mail me for anything.
posted by Cobalt at 8:32 PM on August 26, 2008
Location will determine whether things like a plasma screen would stand out or not, but I very much doubt it would be an issue. Even Elektra sells those nowadays and they cater to the lower end of the socio-economic scale. One thing you do need to check, though, is if your screen works well at this altitude.
Your company will surely provide all insurance you might need, but if they don't, you'll need medical at the very least, the best you can afford. Life and property insurance come second.
D.F. is not really a pedestrian-friendly town, unless your entire life is based in one neighbourhood. Downtown Reforma doesn't sound like it, so I strongly suggest you get a car. You'll enjoy Mexico and nearby towns a lot more.
Listen to lovejones and donpedro, they know what they're talking about and their perspective is probably a lot more useful than mine.
D.F. is just a big city, with all of the good and bad things that big cities usually offer. Embrace and learn from the good, avoid the bad and you'll have a wonderful time. Feel free to mail me for anything.
posted by Cobalt at 8:32 PM on August 26, 2008
Response by poster: Thanks, Cobalt. Anybody else share Cobalt's opinion about having a car? My plan has been to be mostly self-sufficient within my residential neighborhood and commute to Reforma for work only. Thought I'd rent or take Primera Plus to stuff I want to see outside of town.
posted by phantroll at 10:20 PM on August 26, 2008
posted by phantroll at 10:20 PM on August 26, 2008
Hi, just now saw this. (Thanks Cobalt, though I'm pretty sure I'd take your word over mine on most matters!)
I've lived here for almost three years without a car and wouldn't have it any other way. My commute is Condesa to Reforma, which is about 1/2 hour walk. If your job is toward the western edge of the main Reforma strip, and you get a place in the Roma (especially Norte), you'll be in the same boat. Depending on where you end up living, there will likely be good options for walking or taking a pesero bus. If you're comfortable with street taxis (many aren't), it'll probably cost about US$1.50 each way. A radio cab US$3, once you find the right services.
I really don't want to have a car; you can always rent or take the buses out of town on weekends. And without a parking space, you never know when you'll come out one morning to find you've lost a side mirror or worse. Wear and tear on rims and axles is apparently brutal. And of course one day a week you can't drive it anyway because of smog controls. (Newer vehicles may be exempt? Also, since recently, many cars are also barred from the streets one Saturday a month.) I figure what I save on not paying for gas, oil changes, upkeep -- not to mention any car payments -- more than makes up for the taxis I take. Plus the hassle of dealing with cops, especially if you have foreign plates ... my friends with autos all have stories.
I lived in the Roma for 1.5 years and Condesa for 1.5 years. Loved Roma, felt safe, moved simply for a change of pace and because I lucked into a ridonkulously cheap place to rent. (Landlady lives in Monterrery, either doesn't really know how much she could be charging or doesn't care to rock the boat as long as I keep paying on time.) But otherwise I'd be in the Roma. Lots of good dining options there, and much less of the annoyingness of some Condesa streets.
As for bringing stuff ... bring whatever you can't live without. In the neighborhoods you're considering, you won't be the only person with fancy consumer goods by any stretch. And thus no more of a target than others. It is true that electronics tend to be far more expensive here than in the U.S.
MeMail with any more questions.
posted by donpedro at 12:11 PM on September 13, 2008
I've lived here for almost three years without a car and wouldn't have it any other way. My commute is Condesa to Reforma, which is about 1/2 hour walk. If your job is toward the western edge of the main Reforma strip, and you get a place in the Roma (especially Norte), you'll be in the same boat. Depending on where you end up living, there will likely be good options for walking or taking a pesero bus. If you're comfortable with street taxis (many aren't), it'll probably cost about US$1.50 each way. A radio cab US$3, once you find the right services.
I really don't want to have a car; you can always rent or take the buses out of town on weekends. And without a parking space, you never know when you'll come out one morning to find you've lost a side mirror or worse. Wear and tear on rims and axles is apparently brutal. And of course one day a week you can't drive it anyway because of smog controls. (Newer vehicles may be exempt? Also, since recently, many cars are also barred from the streets one Saturday a month.) I figure what I save on not paying for gas, oil changes, upkeep -- not to mention any car payments -- more than makes up for the taxis I take. Plus the hassle of dealing with cops, especially if you have foreign plates ... my friends with autos all have stories.
I lived in the Roma for 1.5 years and Condesa for 1.5 years. Loved Roma, felt safe, moved simply for a change of pace and because I lucked into a ridonkulously cheap place to rent. (Landlady lives in Monterrery, either doesn't really know how much she could be charging or doesn't care to rock the boat as long as I keep paying on time.) But otherwise I'd be in the Roma. Lots of good dining options there, and much less of the annoyingness of some Condesa streets.
As for bringing stuff ... bring whatever you can't live without. In the neighborhoods you're considering, you won't be the only person with fancy consumer goods by any stretch. And thus no more of a target than others. It is true that electronics tend to be far more expensive here than in the U.S.
MeMail with any more questions.
posted by donpedro at 12:11 PM on September 13, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'd sell the TV and use the money to get a new one down there, if you decide you've got time for it.
There must be some incarnation of renter's insurance down there; I assume someone at your company either has a policy or knows where you can get one.
posted by mdonley at 10:36 AM on August 26, 2008