Moving to Mexico City

Hello! I am sorry to bother you guys but I found no other site,
I am Mexican however I have lived almost all my life in Chicago, since I was 5 and now im 18
I was wondering if anyone could give me Pros and Cons or their experience living in Mexico City since I will be moving in a month. I might end up living in Coyoacan or near downtown to study in INBA (El Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes) I will be studying to be certified in English and French) I also speak portugues and I will be in Classical Dance Performance) (They didnt offer that in Chicago)

I would like to receive a reply from a foreigner since although I feel very Mexican I know that moving to Mexico City will make me feel a bit foreign and out of place!

Thank you Canadian friends

Hi Salvadore...I'm a 38 year old Canadian that's lived in Mexico City for 11 years now.

Cons - DF is a big big place, so crowds and heavy traffic are the norm. Takes getting used to. If you live downtown you'll have a short commute but there will lots of noise and people. That said, I live centrally because I hate long commutes and enjoy the throng.

Cons - dealing with government. You're Mexican so you don't have to deal with immigration, but other branches of government are painfully slow, inept, or full of red tape. The tax agency in particular though they are getting better.

Cons- driving. If you plan to have a car here, parking is a big issue as is traffic. Public transport is cheap, plentiful, and fast, but crowded often.

Now the good stuff.

Pros - climate. Mexico City has a thin temperature range, never really getting cold, never really getting hot. In Chicago, I'm sure you know the extremes of bitter cold and hot sticky summers. Only a dry season in winter here and a warm rainy season in summer.

Pros - cost of living. The basics are about 30-50% the cost of that in the US/Canada. Rents range widely but should be cheaper than Chicago. Some things are more expensive such as imported electronics, clothes, toiletries, among others.

Pros - food. you like Mexican food? I know you can get some pretty good and authentic stuff in Chicago too but Mexico City is a foodie paradise in my opinion (this is the number 1 reason I live here).

That covers the general stuff at least.

Agree with Guy,

Also, forget about 'personal space' it is non existant here.

Good luck with your move, you will like it here.

Lucian

Thank you very much for all the help and information! I just booked my flight today and I arrive in my city August 10th! I will be in Queretaro for a week and then I go back to start school sep. 1! Once again Muchas Gracias Amigos Canadienses

Hey Salvador

i dont know if i understood right but you said you will study classical dance performance in Mexico city because they dont have that in chicago....
a younger friend of mine is looking or a good school for classical dance and i thought it would eb good to hear how you like it there and if you think its a good school to go to?

Heinz