Mexico City is the cultural center and capital of the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. With more than 20 million inhabitants, it is the third largest city in the world. Located in a valley and surrounded by mountains there are many forests around the city. It is a vibrant colonial city with fantastic architecture. It is one of the most fascinating places in the world. There are many foreigners living in Mexico City, so it will be easy to find compatriots or other foreigners to interact with.
Mexicans are among the friendliest, most courteous and generous people I have ever had the pleasure of being with. People are always friendly and helpful and will do anything to help you if you need it. People and crowds are the norm everywhere, in public places or private homes.
Museums are everywhere. Art in general is everywhere. Mexico City has countless museums and art galleries. It is the second largest city in the world with the most museums, right after London.
Mexico City has a good public transportation system. The metro is modern, clean and covers a wide area. There is also a dense bus network and inexpensive cabs abound. Mexico City has perhaps the worst traffic in the world, which is partly responsible for its high pollution levels.The pollution is overwhelming most days and the high altitude (over 2,200 meters) makes it worse. If you want to work here, you should look for an apartment that is within walking distance, because the traffic in the center is absurd, and sometimes the subway is so crowded that you can not get on, so if your destination is not too far away, it is better to walk.
The cost of living is much lower than in Europe or the United States. Although it is one of the most expensive cities in Mexico, prices are affordable. There are many nice neighborhoods in Mexico City and many ugly ones, but even in the good ones the rent is relatively cheap.
Because the city is located in a valley between mountains, the climate is similar to that of southern Europe. Therefore, the city enjoys a pleasant climate all year round. Temperatures never fall below zero even on the coldest winter days.
Although Mexico City is much safer than the northern areas of the country, it can be dangerous to walk in certain neighborhoods or at night, as the crime rate is quite high.
Speaking of jobs, although Mexico has the second largest economy in Latin America after Brazil, finding a job is a challenge. In addition, salaries are not very high, even if they actually earn more than in the rest of the country. In conclusion, Mexico is not the best place for foreigners to find a job. In any case, as everywhere, there are opportunities. If you work in the IT industry, Mexico City offers good opportunities.
To work in Mexico, you need a work permit from the Institute of Migration (INM). Without this, you cannot legally work. Spanish language skills increase your chances of finding a good job in Mexico, although they are not mandatory for some jobs. For example, many multinational companies and start-ups use English as their working language.
These are the most popular websites for job search:
Living and working in Mexico City – pros and cons
Living in Mexico City, pros
- Good food
- Lots of activity and culture
- Cosmopolitan atmosphere
- Beautiful natural environment around the city
- Super relaxed pace of life
- Good weather
- Friendly people
Living in Mexico City, cons
- Unemployment and low wages
- Terrible traffic
- Pollution
- High crime rate
In Mexico City there are many restaurants and many stores, much wealth and much poverty, many people and many tourists, many cheaters and many policemen, many artists and many homeless, much dirt and much noise. All this makes the city a unique place in the world: local and cosmopolitan, elegant and poor, mystical and magical.
