Accommodation in Mexico City
As you get better acquainted with Mexico City, you will start to gravitate towards certain types of renting opportunities. It is important to have criteria you are trying to approximate as not everyone is looking for the same living situation. In any case, there are a number of things that you should consider before making your final decision regarding accommodation in Mexico City.
House hunting in Mexico City
Finding a place to live should be taken seriously. Make sure to look over each place that you look at thoroughly. Don't go with the first one you like. Keep an eye out for things like mold and bugs like cockroaches and ticks. Keep in mind that although the weather is quite fair for most of the years, there is a long rainy season that can change everything. The last thing you want to do is to have to spend an indiscriminate amount of time dealing with unexpected complications.
Most of the apartments in Mexico City are unfurnished, which many people avoid as this means that they don't even come with a stove or refrigerator, but it's your call.
Highly sought-after places are those that surround the illustrious historic downtown district. Although it's great to live in an area that is right near the action, you should take special precautions to avoid locations that border dangerous neighborhoods like Tepito and Doctores.
Flatsharing is very common in Mexico City, particularly among younger demographics. For many young people and students, the most common living situation is in a studio apartment. This is very true for those who value living alone without a roommate as they can be quite reasonably priced. Because of this, there are many studio-renting opportunities in the city, and you can find them all over. For this reason, it is pretty common for people to move from one studio to the other, time and time again, be it because of lower rent or that they are looking for a change in environment or neighborhood.
Whether you prefer renting fully equipped apartments that only need your personal touch or empty ones, Mexico City offers both. Although for long-term rents, unfurnished flats are more common.
Easy short-term rents with Airbnb
Another famous option housing option in Mexico City is to rent with Airbnb, and it can be the best way to start renting while looking for another long-term rental.
Also, if you don't know the city yet and want to explore different areas before committing to one place, this could be your best possibility. You don't have to deal with anything, do not have to worry about paying any extra costs, and always have customer service for any issues that could arise during your stay.
Important things to know when renting in Mexico City as a foreigner
Mexico City is definitely one of the most exciting cities to live in as a young, free-spirited and culturally interested digital nomad. You have everything you might be looking for right before your doorstep. Hip bars, modern and jaw-dropping restaurants, fashion stores, theatres, you name it.
After all, it is a city with 23 million inhabitants, which comes with movement and many opportunities.
An excellent way to go about looking for accommodation in Mexico City is by simply walking around the areas that interest you with a pen and paper. There are all kinds of signs and flyers that you will come across, and there is a good chance you will be able to talk to someone right on the spot. If you are a student, you can check out bulletin boards in common areas around campuses. Many options that you should check out are those that are available around universities. In the city, there are many more than you might think, and particularly if you're on a tight budget of about 300 USD a month, these areas are ripe with options.
It is modern, and you will quickly get the chance to connect with fellow expats just by walking around the park. Places like Condesa and Roma Norte have become especially beloved amongst foreigners from all over the world. This is also reflected in products the supermarkets offer, as well as in the restaurant landscape.
One thing that is essential knowledge before thinking about making that move to Mexico City is that many places do have rigorous requirements. Even within Mexico, this city has rules that overcomplicate the whole renting process even more.
If you have been looking at places for a bit, unquestionably, you have come across the word aval. This is most of the time needed when renting a flat in Mexico City.
An aval is a written guarantee that a third person will vouch for your rental obligation in case you can't or won't pay anymore. But the tricky part here is that it's not just any written agreement. It also requires the third person to own property in Mexico City, not have any debts, be 18 years plus, and have a stable income - usually, it is required to earn three times more than the rent is. And this goes for both the person that wants to rent the apartment and the third party that gives the aval. So you see, renting a place can be quite an adventure.
Other landlords may also accept a simple póliza jurídica, which is a form of guarantee, but you can do it through the rental company or any insurance company. The price can be up to 50% of the rental fee and has to be paid entirely by the tenant.
To obtain that póliza jurídica, you need a few documents:
- An official ID
- Proof of income from the last three months
- Application form filled out
- Official documents of the flat
- Statement of the previous payment of predial (water, etc.)
New renting methods in Mexico City
The good news is, you can usually find landlords willing to just rent the place without aval and simply will draw up a regular contract.
Also, there is a company that rents without needing an aval - Homie.
The homeowners can rent directly with Homie, and they manage everything, starting from your first payment until your last rent. They have created their own security system that protects landlords and tenants without requiring an aval.
Rent prices in Mexico City
When you are talking about a one-bedroom apartment that's away from the city center, you can expect to pay a little over 300 USD per month. If you would like a place for your family with, let's say, three members in an area that is centrally located or a hub like Del Valle, it would come out to about 850 USD to 1300 USD per month.
For a two-bedroom apartment, be it classical or modern in style, in places like Coyoacan, Condesa, and Roma, rent costs between 1000 USD and 2000 USD a month. And in genuinely upscale areas like Polanco and Santa Fe, they can be around 4000 USD, particularly near shopping areas, like Antara, opposite the famous Soumaya museum.
Is Mexico City safe for expats?
This is probably the 1 million dollar question. While Mexico City is listed amongst the most dangerous cities in the world, it is essential to know that it is only partly true.
Yes, there is crime in the city, and if you are unlucky, you can get mugged over a cel or money. But it is not like you are entering a warzone. Like any other big city, it is a place where many different people come together, which can heat things up. Your best chances of staying safe and not ending up being a victim are to be alert, to listen to what locals tell you and stay away from shady and dark areas at night times.
Also, use officially registered taxis and services like Uber, DiDi, or Beat to get around after sunset. You can share the ride with friends or any person you trust, so someone you know is aware of your location at all times. Also, you can pay everything in advance, so you do not have to deal with paying the taxi driver or engaging in a haggle contest about the price.
What are the best places to rent a flat in Mexico City?
While it is a massive city with many districts that offer a very different ambiance, not all of them are recommended for expats.
We looked at the zones that were among the highest rated to give you a better understanding of where to look for.
La Condesa
Arguably the most beautiful district in the center part of the city. It is full of bars, restaurants, and gorgeous flats. The area around the Parque Mexico and the ring street Amsterdam is a very famous spot if you don't know where to begin with. It is full of lush green areas and many expats from all parts of the world.
If you have never been to Mexico City before, this district might be an excellent option to slowly ease into the city's vibe.
Roma Norte
Another hit amongst foreigners and just opposite Condesa, you will find this marvelous part of Mexico City. Roma Norte is full of old colonial houses, which definitely gives it a unique vibe.
It is home to some of the city's best restaurants and hippest bars. It is what you would call the hipster district. Full of artsy people and cafes that invite you to work from within their walls while consuming their hip food.
Roma Sur
As its name suggests, it is located south of Roma Norte and is also super central but more of a quiet residential district. Of course, you will find bars and restaurants, but not as many as in Condesa and Roma. Price levels also stay slightly lower than those of the two other districts mentioned before.
Polanco
If you like it neat and shining, this is just the place to be. It's a mix of modern architecture and loads of fancy restaurants and posh bars, as well as shopping malls and cinemas and some of the best museums in the city. It is a very upscale district and probably one of the safest ones.
Coyoacan
If you are looking for authenticity, this will be just the place for you. Still not flooded by foreigners, it has kept most of its true Mexican charm and offers an oasis within the busy city. It is located in the south of Mexico City, and it will take about 40 minutes to get to Condesa/ Roma Norte. Also, you can find one of the most beloved tourist highlights in this area: The house of the famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
Del Valle
It is located a little bit south but still within proximity to the more central districts like Roma Norte and Condesa. You can find many new and modern housing developments that have reasonable prices. Many young Mexicans live there because of its proximity to the formerly mentioned districts and better accommodation options.
Hipodromo
This district is kind of a half district as it is strictly seen as belonging to Condesa. It's the southern tip that is only divided by one big street (the Insurgentes) from Roma Sur. Prices tend to be a tad cheaper than in Condesa and Roma Norte, but the location is just as good, and most of the cool things to do are also within walking distance.
Escandon
This one is the “Escandon Section I”, just below the Hipodromo area. It is a very residential zone, but due to its closeness to Roma district and Condesa, it is a highly attractive choice among foreigners.
Napoles
The Napoles district is just below the right side of Escandon Section I and opposite Navarte and Del Valle. It is slowly but steadily turning into another hip district, with many new cafés popping up every day. The rents tend to be less expensive, but this can drastically change within a year. If you are looking into making an investment, Napoles might be a good choice as many developers started projects there.
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