Digital Nomad Destinations: Living and Working in Mexico City

Ryan is a 32-year old software developer who works for a tech startup in the Silicon Valley. Even though his job is based in the Bay Area, Ryan has the flexibility to work remotely during the majority of the year, allowing him to travel, live and work anywhere around the globe.

Eager to make the most of his unique situation, Ryan came to Project Kaif for help narrowing down international destinations where he could work remotely and experience diverse cultures and landscapes. He wanted to find a place with the perfect balance between work and play, and needed help handpicking adventures and experiences to complement his lifestyle.

Ryan wanted his first remote working destination to be somewhere with strong Wi-Fi and Internet availability, a thriving expat and digital nomad community, excellent food, and a vibrant local culture. He also wanted to stick close to the Pacific Time zone, to make his schedule easier to manage.

With all of these factors in mind, Project Kaif selected Mexico City as the perfect digital nomad destination for Ryan.

Live

Boasting mild weather, world-class gastronomy and nightlife, low cost of living, and a friendly attitude towards foreigners, Mexico City offers a wonderful quality of life for digital nomads and expats.

Nomad List estimates that short-term stays of three months or less (including a private hotel room and eating out three meals per day) costs on average $1,200 per month. For expats and digital nomads who choose to rent a studio or one-bedroom apartment, it’s even cheaper - less than $900 per month.

Mexico City has multiple neighborhoods that tend to attract expats and remote workers, but we narrowed down Condesa as the ideal neighborhood for Ryan. Known for its shady streets, trendy art galleries and cafes, and superb gastronomy and nightlife, Condesa is a popular choice among expats, digital nomads, and travelers alike.

It’s also in close proximity to chilled out Hipódromo, bohemian Roma Norte, and luxe Polanco - all neighborhoods that Ryan was interested in exploring. And thanks to fiber Internet availability, the connectivity tends to be better in Condesa than in many other neighborhoods.

Work

Not only is Mexico City a wonderful place to live, it’s an excellent place to work. An abundance of chilled out cafes and highly rated coworking spaces - especially in the Condesa and Roma neighborhoods - make staying focused on the task at hand a breeze.

For Ryan, we recommended El 3er Espacio, a coworking space located in the heart of Condesa. Spacious and well-designed, this is an attractive spot for entrepreneurs, start-ups, freelancers, and other remote workers. Grab a seat at one of the communal desks, snag a private meeting room, or retreat to the terrace overlooking Parque México.

Other highly recommended coworking spaces in Mexico City include Homework (in the Centro Histórico) and The Pool (with locations in Roma, Polanco and Juárez). Larger chain organizations like We Work and Impact Hub also have locations in Mexico City.

Play

Thanks to his central location in Condesa, Ryan had easy access to some of Mexico City’s top eateries, bars and clubs. We supplied him with a tailored list of the best spots to dine and drink in the city, including nearby restaurants Fonda Fina, Maximo Bistrot Local and Rosetta, and top-rated cocktail bars and speakeasies like Licorería Limantour, Gin Gin and Lilit Bar.

Of course, we also secured reservations for Ryan at Pujol, the most acclaimed restaurant in the city and one of the top-rated in the world. And because authentic food was high on Ryan’s list of interests, we arranged a number of culinary tours during his stay in the city, including: a street food walking tour, a mezcal tour, and guided tour of the gourmet San Juan Market.

Other highlights of Ryan’s time in Mexico City included a visit to the ancient pyramids at Teotihuacán, a weekend getaway to the colonial cities of Puebla and Cholula, and a private walking tour of Mexico City’s most important architectural sights.

Are you a digital nomad from the Bay Area or elsewhere around the globe? Project Kaif can help you map out your own journey, with your unique needs as a remote worker in mind. Contact Project Kaif today!