Experience in México, D. F., Mexico, by Natalia

What is it like to live in México, D. F.? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

In Mexico City everything can happen, is a huge, chaotic and amazing city. It has so many different ambiances and I promised you will never be bored and will always have something to be amazed for.

It can adjust to every personality, la Condesa, la Roma, la Del Valle, Polanco, el Centro, Coyoacán, my lovely San Ángel..., are just some of my favorite neighborhoods in which you will find life in every expression: all types of restaurants, cafes, bars, theaters, libraries, local design shops, parks, secret courtyards, beautiful streets and the most interesting people with the weirdest and most fascinating stories.

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Weather is perfect, is almost the same the whole year, hottest temperature: 30 ºC, and coldest: 6 ºC. Transport is complicated at first, but once you get it, it is very easy, I would say stick with metro, metro bus, bicycle, walking and safe taxis, avoid other type of buses because they are very complicated and overcrowded. Culture is our biggest pride, you will find it everywhere. Architecture and landscapes is as chaotic and different as the city itself, still everything has its own charm.

I have lived here almost all my life and it is my favorite place on earth, of course I recommend it! Even though it has to be said that just as in every huge city you have to be careful with your stuff, be smart with taxi drivers and people in the street that do not look so reliable. Trust your instincts, do not walk alone at night in empty streets and don't hang out in neighborhoods that have never heard of.

What is the student lifestyle like in México, D. F.?

I think this is a tricky question. In Mexico is very common that most of students still live with their parents, only students that come from other states live by their selves, and as far as I know there are not such thing as student accommodations. I would not say there is such thing as "student lifestyle" because university is just where you go to study, you don't spend all your time there, and most likely it will not organize special things for you. But DF has a great young life, in general, as I mentioned, there is life in all.

How much does it cost to live in México, D. F.?

It is cheap, you can get the greatest quality for a very reasonable price.

• 1 dollar: 10 pesos.
• 1 euro: 15 pesos.
• 1 pound: 20 pesos.
• Metro: 3 pesos.
• Metro bus: 5 pesos.
• Bicycle card for a year: 400 pesos.
• 15 min ride taxi at night: 200 pesos.
• Cigarettes: 45 pesos.
• Shot of Tequila in clubs: 100 pesos.
• Beer in bars: 40 pesos.
• Food in cheap restaurant: 50 pesos.
• Food in a nice restaurant: 200 pesos.
• Food in a expensive restaurant: 700 pesos.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in México, D. F.? Is there any advice you can give?

I don't know, I had never tried to find accommodation.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Gastronomy is the best, most countries have the wrong idea of mexican food, it is often confused with tex mex (american mexican), but is a completely, in my opinion, way much better in my beloved country. Mexican gastronomy is characterized to be very broad, you do not have to eat proper mexican dishes to try mexican food, even sushi has been nationalized.

But of course the basics are: tacos, pozole, quesadillas, tamales, frijoles, arroz rojo, caldo de pollo, enchiladas, chilaquiles... It is a very long list, just go and try everything.

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What places would you recommend visiting in México, D. F.?

Everything is worth seeing but my favorite places are:

1. San Jacinto: church in San Angel. The garden is the most beautiful one.
2. Parque México: park in La Condesa.
3. Álvaro Obregón: street in La Roma.
4. Coyoacán, the whole neighborhood is worth walking.
5. Espacio Escultórico: park with giant sculptures in the UNAM.
6. Casa Estudio de Diego Rivera, San Ángel.
7. Casa de Frida Kahlo, Coyoacán.
8. Cine Tonalá: cinema, theater, bar and restaurant in La Roma.
9. Cineteca Nacional: cinema and the best ice creams.

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For shopping, in Colima you will find the best local designers, the whole street is worth walking.

Is it good to eat out in México, D. F.? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

1. Tortas Lola, restaurant in San Ángel.
2. Romita Comedor, restaurant in La Roma.
3. El Parnita, restaurant in La Condesa.
4. Distrito Capital, hotel in the centre with delicious restaurants and rooftop bar.
5. Condesa DF, is a hotel that offers a great breakfast in the restaurant and has a very cool rooftop bar.
6. Félix, bar/restaurant in La Roma.
7. La Sakería, bar/restaurant in La Condesa.

Is the nightlife good in México, D. F.? Where is good to go?

Follow Lifeboxet in Twitter to hear all about the different music concerts, theaters are beautiful and great musicians are constant in Mexico City. There is no better party, except maybe in Berlin, clubs are very cool and always changing, bars are always a safe option, there are many kinds of bars: and you should visit them all.

My favorites are:

• Rhodesia, club in La Roma.
• Roy, club in La Roma.
• Limantour, the greatest coctels in La Roma.

What advice would you give future students headed to México, D. F.?

Just do it!

Mexicans are fun, it will be very easy for you to know them and start a conversation but maybe not as easy to keep in touch, but really try because nobody knows the city better.

Be outside all the time, there are many places to tourist, many parks to enjoy, many food to try, many cafes to hang out in, many bars to rock and many clubs to party so don't wait a second.

Cycle!

In general my advices for all exchange students are:

1. Live nice.

2. Drink too much, any good story started with someone eating a salad.

3. Never force it, if you don't want to do something don't do it, if you do, do it even if you have to go by yourself.

4. Clean the kitchen after you use it, it is going to be easier then than 3 months later when the food is attached to the surface.

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