Do I need to speak Spanish to handle the bureaucracy?

Basic Spanish helps enormously. Government offices rarely have English speakers. Consider hiring a gestor (paperwork assistant) for 1,500-2,500 pesos if your Spanish is limited.

Which neighborhoods should expats avoid for housing?

Skip Tepito, Doctores, and parts of Centro Histórico for safety. Focus on Roma Norte, Condesa, Polanco, Coyoacán, or San Rafael for your first year.

How long does apartment hunting actually take?

2-3 weeks if you're picky about location and amenities. Mexican landlords often want to meet tenants in person, so factor in multiple apartment viewings per week.

What's the biggest mistake new expats make?

Not getting proper documentation sorted immediately. Without Mexican bank accounts and phone numbers, you can't rent apartments, sign service contracts, or fully participate in daily life.

Should I bring my car or buy one in Mexico?

Don't bring a car initially. Mexico City's public transport is excellent and traffic is brutal. Try metro, metrobus, and ride-sharing for your first few months before deciding if you need a vehicle.

How to Survive Your First Month as an Expat in Mexico City

Your first month in Mexico City should focus on three priorities: getting legal residency sorted, finding permanent housing, and establishing daily routines. Expect to spend 2-3 weeks on paperwork, housing hunting, and neighborhood exploration before you feel settled.

Handle immigration paperwork immediately. Visit the nearest INM office within your first week to begin residency process. Bring your FMM tourist card, passport, proof of address, and bank statements. The temporary resident card takes 20-30 business days to process.
Open a Mexican bank account. Go to BBVA or Santander with your passport, proof of address (Airbnb confirmation works initially), and Mexican phone number. Account opening takes 1-2 hours. You'll need this for apartment deposits and monthly payments.
Get a Mexican phone number. Buy a Telcel SIM card at any OXXO convenience store for 50 pesos. Load it with 200 pesos credit. This gives you a local number needed for banking, apartment applications, and delivery apps.
Find permanent housing. Start looking after week 1 once you know the city better. Use Inmuebles24, Vivanuncios, or Facebook groups like 'Mexico City Housing for Foreigners.' Budget 15,000-25,000 pesos monthly for a decent 1-bedroom in Roma Norte, Condesa, or Polanco.
Register with local services. Download Rappi and Uber Eats for food delivery, DiDi for rides, and Mercado Libre for shopping. Set up accounts using your Mexican phone number. These apps are essential for daily life.
Learn the neighborhood systems. Find your nearest OXXO, Soriana or Chedraui supermarket, farmacia, and taqueria. Learn the street numbering system - even numbers on one side, odd on the other, and how colonias (neighborhoods) work for addresses.
Set up internet and utilities. Once you have permanent housing, call Totalplay or Izzi for internet installation. This takes 5-7 days to schedule. For electricity, visit CFE with your lease contract and INE (Mexican ID) or passport.

Do I need to speak Spanish to handle the bureaucracy?: Basic Spanish helps enormously. Government offices rarely have English speakers. Consider hiring a gestor (paperwork assistant) for 1,500-2,500 pesos if your Spanish is limited.
Which neighborhoods should expats avoid for housing?: Skip Tepito, Doctores, and parts of Centro Histórico for safety. Focus on Roma Norte, Condesa, Polanco, Coyoacán, or San Rafael for your first year.
How long does apartment hunting actually take?: 2-3 weeks if you're picky about location and amenities. Mexican landlords often want to meet tenants in person, so factor in multiple apartment viewings per week.
What's the biggest mistake new expats make?: Not getting proper documentation sorted immediately. Without Mexican bank accounts and phone numbers, you can't rent apartments, sign service contracts, or fully participate in daily life.
Should I bring my car or buy one in Mexico?: Don't bring a car initially. Mexico City's public transport is excellent and traffic is brutal. Try metro, metrobus, and ride-sharing for your first few months before deciding if you need a vehicle.