Ancient temples, out-of-this-world food, mariachi bands, tequila… We could go on forever about all the things that draw us to Mexico. If you’re thinking of joining Wifi Artists on the first stop of our Latin American adventure, you’ll find yourself heading to Mexico City. This city attracts people from all over the world with its culinary scene, cultural traditions, business epicenter, and easy access to the white-sand beaches on the coasts of Mexico.
With Mexico City bringing so much to the table and offering a low cost of living, it has become a hot spot for expats and digital nomads. We cannot wait to hit the streets of Mexico City in search of the best tacos, finest mezcal, and strongest wifi as we set up shop here in January! If you’re considering joining us, or just want to know more about being a digital nomad in Mexico City in general, check out our guide below!
Visa Requirements for US Citizens
Local Life in Mexico City
English Levels of Locals
The Best Neighborhoods in Mexico City for Digital Nomads
Co-Working Spaces in Mexico City
Safety in Mexico City
Daily Cost of Living
Food Prices in Mexico City
Rent Prices in Mexico City
Getting Around Mexico City
Travel Insurance
Visa Requirements for US Citizens
Many people don’t realize that it is actually quite easy to get residency in Mexico. Whether you’re looking for a long-term place to call home or you just want to spend a short time in Mexico, the process is pretty simple.
Most people go with the easiest option, which is entering Mexico on a free, six-month tourist visa. If you’re only planning on staying for a few months to a year, this is the perfect option for you. While this visa is only valid for six months, anytime you leave the country the count down starts back from zero. That means if you want to extend your time in Mexico, you just have to leave the country and come back. You could make a trip back home to the states or head to a Caribbean island for a little rest and relaxation.
The downside of the tourist visa is that you won’t be able to set up a local bank account or obtain permanent residency. If these things are important to you, there’s a better option for you. The temporary residence visa is also pretty easy to obtain and comes with a few more perks than the tourist visa.
For this visa, you will have to apply at an embassy or consulate before you head to Mexico, as well as prove that you make around $2000 per month (exact number varies, calculated individually by each specific consulate) with your online income. Once you’ve been approved, you will be allowed to stay in Mexico for one year, with a chance to renew for up to four years. After four years, you can apply for permanent residency.
Local Life in Mexico City
English Levels of Locals
Depending on where you live, you could potentially get by speaking only English in Mexico City. There are many expats who have made Mexico City their home and a few locals will also have a high level of English. That being said, it would be very helpful to learn some Spanish. Having a basic understanding of Spanish would make much of your day-to-day life more simple. Many people working in the shops, bars, and restaurants may not speak English. It is always a good idea to learn at least the basics of the local language, and the people of Mexico City will be very appreciative of your effort.
The Best Neighborhoods in Mexico City for Digital Nomads
The same neighborhoods (or “barrios”) where you will find more English speakers are also the neighborhoods that are great locales for digital nomads. These more affluent and safer areas of Mexico City offer great cafes, co-working spaces, nicer apartments, tons of expats, and locals with higher levels of English.
La Condesa: One of the most popular places for digital nomads and expats, this bohemian neighborhood gives an artsy, hipster vibe. With nice parks, adorable tree-lined little streets, and a variety of boutiques, cafes, bars, and restaurants to choose from, this is the perfect place to call home in Mexico City.
La Roma: Made up of Roma Norte and Roma Sul, this hipster neighborhood is the perfect place to set up shop in Mexico City because of its proximity to so many of the main attractions. It is known as one of the safest neighborhoods in CDMX and it offers great cafes, art galleries, book stores, and vegetarian food.
Colonia Juarez: If you’re an architecture nut, Colonia Juarez is the neighborhood for you. Once home to the wealthiest of Mexican citizens, the area then fell to ruins. Recently, it’s been revived and brought back to its former glory. With many of the original buildings remaining, they’ve been remodeled into quaint cafes and swanky bars.
If you’re worried about narrowing down the perfect neighborhood in Mexico City, don’t be! When you join WiFi Artists, you’ll have access to our accommodation in one of Mexico City’s most sought-after areas. We’ll take care of finding the perfect apartment, plus you’ll have dope roommates to share your experience with!
Co-Working Spaces in Mexico City
You will have no problem finding a nice place to pull out your laptop and get to work in Mexico City. There is a never-ending supply of cute cafes to grab a coffee and connect to the wifi, such as Cardinal Casa de Cafe and Blend Station. Plus, there are endless co-working spaces as well.
The well-known We Work has 16 different office spaces scattered throughout the city. Most of these are in large office buildings with great perks to make your workday functional and relaxed. You will also find plenty of options for boutique co-working spaces as well. Favorites like HomeWork and Privat.mx offer a variety of services and exceptional workspaces.
When you travel with WiFi Artists, we will also take care of getting working spaces set up for you. You will have access to one of the best co-working centers in the city with easy access from our apartment. Plus, you’ll be able to work and network with your fellow WiFi Artists!
Safety in Mexico City
Mexico tends to get a bad rap when it comes to safety, however, Mexico City is not an overly dangerous place to live as long as you take the proper precautions. Just like any big city anywhere in the world, there are certain neighborhoods you will want to be more careful in, like Tepito and Doctors. Take typical safety measures when living in Mexico City like don’t walk alone after dark, don’t keep your cell phone in your back pocket, and don’t flash around your valuables.
Daily Cost of Living
Rent Prices in Mexico City
Some aspects of living in Mexico City are quite cheap, while others, not as much. You might be surprised to hear that the rent for a 480 square foot studio apartment in one of the more desired neighborhoods will set you back about $800 per month, according to Expatistan. If you’re willing to check out other lower-priced neighborhoods, you could rent something similar for about half the price. If you’re looking to rent a co-working space on top of that, you’ll be spending about another $200 per month. Keep in mind when you’re traveling with Wifi Artists, we will take care of both of those!
Food Prices in Mexico City
When it comes to eating, you’re definitely going to want to get out and sample the local cuisine! Mexico is known for its delicious food, and Mexico City has no shortage of amazing street vendors and restaurants. The range here is huge, you could spend as little as a dollar per taco or $5 on a set lunch plate all the way up to $100 or more at a five-star restaurant. On average, a meal will cost you around $10 at a normally priced spot. Beers range from $1.50 (local) to about $3 (import), with craft beers likely to be a bit more expensive.
Getting Around Mexico City
Public transport around Mexico City is affordable, with monthly passes starting at around $17. At night time, you might want to consider using an Uber, which is much cheaper than it is in the States. Typical rides will set you back about $2 to $4 with a trip back out to the airport around $10. Traffic in Mexico City is some of the worst in the world, so this might affect prices and you might want to consider your options if moving around during rush hour.
Travel Insurance
No matter what city you’re living in, it’s a smart idea to get insurance. Safety Wing has changed the name of the game with their monthly insurance designed specifically for digital nomads. Their nomad insurance costs $42 per 28 days for those under 39 years old. This covers unexpected medical costs that arise while you’re outside of your home country and includes COVID-19 coverage. Another option is World Nomads, which is more expensive at around $62 to $99 but also includes trip and theft protection.
Safety Wing does not cover your personal belongings being stolen, so it is a good idea to get policies that cover your electronics. When you count on your laptop to work, you don’t want to run the risk of having it stolen with no help in replacing it.
Join Us In Mexico City Next January!
Reap all the advantages of working as a digital nomad in Mexico City without having to handle any of the boring logistics yourself. With a knowledgeable local host who will take care of you like family, prearranged accommodation, and a dope co-working spot, Wifi Artists will get you totally set up so that all you have to do is show up and enjoy the food, nightlife, and culture that Mexico City has to offer.
