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Whenever I make my own travel plans to Mexico City, I always make Zona Rosa or Polanco my home base cause that's where my business usually is(Pplanco is a favorite neighorhood of multinational companies). I love to go on and and on about upscale amenities and all that stuff but this time I'll lay off cause really it gets boring when you visit the same places and experience the exact same 'upscale amenities'(which tend to be the same everywhere to be honest)and soooo while Sao Paulo has my heart, I will admit that I do think that Mexico City has a better historic downtown than SP does(dont kill me Paulistanos).
In the most historic sections of Mexico City's old downtown, architecture and the way the buildings have aged into something noticeably deteriorated yet stillbeautiful and timeless is VERY reminiscient of Europe.
The massive basilica and ornate edifaces that surround Zocalo(the main plaza in the heart of town) are prime examples of old buildings that have been worn down but look like art. And standing in Zocalo, you feel sooo small.
There is a rush of agitation all the time during the day, throngs of people working in the area, cabs all over the place, constant agitation. Others appear to be there on a sort of pilgrimage to visit the square. And its interesting cause I will admit that standing there in the plaza, I did get a sense that this was definitely no ordinary place. Zocalo is like the heart of the city and spiritual and historic heart of all of Mexico and since activity there dates back to aztec times, that should come as very little surprise.
Well, that's my Zocalo memory.
I wish people who live there would chime in more. I am a frequent vistor who sometimes has extended stays but Im no expert.
I assume you've taken the tour of the Zocalo cathedral? The good one is where they take you up onto the roof. It's like a maze and you can see a good chunk of the city. And the bell towers with their 300+ year old wooden spiral staircases are pretty amazing. It's crazy to think that the cathedral took some 240 years to build, and that was only *after* the first one built was demolished for being too small.
It's funny how a simple comparison thread has turned into a Rorschach test where people see whatever agenda they want to see into it: meant to troll, meant to put down L.A., meant to put down Mexico City, meant to put down Mexico in general, etc. One poster even saw visions of neocon trailer trash. Uhm... what?? Wrong forum -- the P&OC Leper Colony is over in the General Forums. Does that poster know what "neocon" even means? How the hell does "neocon" come into play in a comparison between L.A. and Mexico City?
It's kind of hard to judge either Mexico City or Los Angeles as wholes. Both cover enormous areas, and vary a lot over their metro areas.
Mexico City is probably a more interesting place for a two-week visit, simply because of its density, the Aztec ruins, and the range of interesting neighborhoods accessible from the subway system.
For relocation/permanent living, Mexico City would be a bit more challenging, due to everything from the intense traffic to the relatively small airport to housing costs (housing in nice areas of Mexico City is fairly pricey, even relative to LA). Most American expats in Mexico live around areas like Lake Chapala, or in more "charming" smaller cities like Guanajuato, Taxco, Ajijic, Ensenada, etc. Those who live in Mexico City are often there for work.
If I had to pick one neighborhood in Mexico City for a medium-term or longer stay, it would probably be the Condesa district, which is fairly close to the center of the city, and which has a lot of restaurants/bars, but which also has some quieter, more subdued residential streets compared to other parts of the central city.
It's kind of hard to judge either Mexico City or Los Angeles as wholes. Both cover enormous areas, and vary a lot over their metro areas.
Mexico City is probably a more interesting place for a two-week visit, simply because of its density, the Aztec ruins, and the range of interesting neighborhoods accessible from the subway system.
For relocation/permanent living, Mexico City would be a bit more challenging, due to everything from the intense traffic to the relatively small airport to housing costs (housing in nice areas of Mexico City is fairly pricey, even relative to LA). Most American expats in Mexico live around areas like Lake Chapala, or in more "charming" smaller cities like Guanajuato, Taxco, Ajijic, Ensenada, etc. Those who live in Mexico City are often there for work.
If I had to pick one neighborhood in Mexico City for a medium-term or longer stay, it would probably be the Condesa district, which is fairly close to the center of the city, and which has a lot of restaurants/bars, but which also has some quieter, more subdued residential streets compared to other parts of the central city.
Condesa, Roma, Polanco, etc tend to be for Americans and other foreigners with money, as prices in all of those places are way overpriced for what they offer. They are also neighborhoods that are a little insular to the rest of the city. You might go there to eat, have a drink, but I wouldn't want to live there, personally. I'd prefer San Rafael, Del Valle, etc.
Im sorry it has to be said...they are both absolutely awful. Paris/London anyday
No, it does not have to be said. Have you been to either? There's plenty of evidence in this thread that testifies to how interesting both cities are. Sure, Paris is great, and I've heard that about London, too (haven't yet been there). But you are a fool if you think those are the only worthwhile cities.
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).
Wrong forum -- the P&OC Leper Colony is over in the General Forums. Does that poster know what "neocon" even means? How the hell does "neocon" come into play in a comparison between L.A. and Mexico City?
