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Mexico City: Pros & Cons (If You’re Not Into Group Projects)

@David Vance2/10/2026blog
Mexico City: Pros & Cons (If You’re Not Into Group Projects)

i landed in mexico city on a whim, chasing cheap co‑working spaces and the rumor that you can get a decent taco before sunrise. the air feels like a warm blanket that occasionally sneezes rain, and the streets hum with a mix of honking taxis and street musicians who think they’re headlining a stadium tour. just a short uber ride to the suburbs of toluca or a quick flight to puerto vallarta if you need a break, but honestly most of us just ride the subway and pretend we’re in a sci‑fi movie.

*Coyoacán



i’ve set up shop in a co‑working hub in _colonia del valle_ that costs about $25 a day for a desk, wifi that actually works, and a view of a mural that looks like it was painted by someone who just discovered cubism. rent for a one‑bedroom in roma norte averages $620 usd, while a shared flat in la Condesa can drop to $350 if you’re lucky enough to dodge the occasional cockroach roommate. according to numbeo, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant runs roughly $5, a mid‑range three‑course meal about $20, and a monthly transportation pass is around $30. chapultepec park is free, but the bike lanes get crowded on weekends, so you might end up sharing the path with a herd of tourists on electric scooters.

shopping list (gear for a digital nomad):
- laptop with a good cooling fan (the humidity can be a silent enemy)
- portable charger that survives a day of coffee shop hopping
- a decent pair of earbuds to drown out the street vendors shouting “¡tacos! ¡tacos!”
- a small notebook for jotting down ideas before the wifi cuts out

i’ve learned that safety is a moving target; petty pickpocketing is common in the metro, but violent crime is still low compared to many latin american capitals. a local bartender once whispered, “don’t flash your phone in the subway after midnight,” and i took that to heart. the city’s average temperature sits around 22°C year‑round, but the occasional chill in december makes you wish you’d packed a sweater.

Polanco



the upscale neighborhood feels like a curated museum of designer boutiques and high‑end restaurants. you can grab a latte at a spot that charges $4 for a cup that looks like it was handcrafted by a coffee monk, and the wifi there is faster than my old dial‑up connection back home. however, the cost of dining out adds up fast: a dinner for two at a mid‑range place can easily hit $40, and a monthly gym membership in the area runs about $45. polanco also hosts a lot of expat meet‑ups, which is great if you’re into networking but terrible if you just want to blend in with the locals.

overheard gossip (from a drunk tourist on a rooftop bar):
- “the best tacos are actually in a hidden alley behind the museum, but you have to know the bouncer.”
- “the new co‑working space in _polanco_ offers free yoga classes, but they’re at 6 am, so be prepared.”

Roma



this bohemian enclave is where you’ll find vintage shops, indie record stores, and a coffee culture that treats espresso like a religion. the vibe is “i’m too cool for mainstream” but the rent is still reasonable compared to polanco. a typical coworking desk here goes for $20‑$25 a day, and the neighborhood’s street art provides endless backdrops for your Instagram stories. be warned: the streets can get noisy, especially on friday nights when the bars spill out onto the sidewalks, and the occasional stray dog may decide to adopt you.

quick cost snapshot (in usd):
- rent (1br, average) : $600‑$680
- utilities (electric, water, internet) : $80
- groceries (monthly) : $250
- transportation (public) : $30
- coworking space (daily pass) : $22

i’ve compiled a mini‑FAQ that locals keep tossing around:
- is it safe to walk at night? generally yes in most neighborhoods, but keep your belongings close.
- do i need a visa? if you’re from the us, canada, or the eu, a tourist visa lasts 180 days; you can extend it by leaving the country briefly.
- what’s the best way to meet other nomads? hit up the weekly meet‑ups at _coto coffee_ (tripadvisor link below) or join the slack channel “mexico‑city‑digital‑nomads”.

External Resources* (for the curious):


- Coto Coffee on TripAdvisor
- La Casa de la Tostada on Yelp
- r/MexicoCity subreddit
- Mexico City Forum (CityLab)

people walking on sidewalk near brown concrete building during daytime

aerial photo of dome building under blue sky at daytime

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About the author: David Vance

Writing is my way of listening.

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