Month long rental in DF (extended stay, apartment, rentals)

[charolastra00]

Hey guys.. hoping someone can be of help. I need to stay in DF from Nov. 8-December 8th to do a research project (much like a thesis- only shorter and for a semester long study abroad program). I will be working with an organization in Condessa and living and working pretty much 100% alone so I want to be in a safe area that's close. I also need somewhere furnished with wireless internet.

I've been having a hard time finding anything. I really only need a small studio with a bed, bathroom, and kitchen. Most of what I'm finding are "vacation rentals" which are swanky and upwards of $2000 US a month. I have a stipend of $600 US from my program but am willing to go over it for a safe place with wifi.

Where should I be looking? I'm heading out to Chiapas as partof my program for the next 2 weeks tonight so my internet access will be limited and I want to try to at least shoot out some emails today. Anything anyone can give me would be great. Thanks!

[Steve Bagu]

Going to be a problem unless you have someone local looking for you. I lived in Mexico City (DF) 20 yrs ago and then you had to pay 6 months in advance. All of my friends lived in the same place all of their lives and did not move around like we americans. You would almost have to see a grocery store bulletin board for a spot. People do not spend out money for small needs like we do. My wife put a notice on the board for a house keeper and one came to the house real quick as work is limited due to the vast number of people. El Universal paper is full of Classified ads, then again you would have to be there to see the place and neighborhood. Some places are real crappy and questionable even with a cheap price. You would need a place real close to the Metro. Wish you luck. Buenas Suerte, Stefhen

[charolastra00]

Well, it's obvious that you lived there 20 years ago because it's not the same now... at least not on the same scale. My local friends pointed me to the internet :P There are many properties listed as "vacation rentals" or long term business rentals. However, it's hard to tell what's legit. I have a backup apartment "hotel" that hopefully is available during the time I will be there, but I just don't know how to tell if the listings I've found elsewhere are legit.

[Steve Bagu]

Like i said. The paper is full of ads. 23 million plus people, theres bound to be some vacancys. Hotels galore and many real cheap depending on the area and needs of clientele if you get my drift. I lived in Narvarte and Tlalnepantla near the Periferico and Metro for easy cheap transportation. Its there, you just have to look for it. Get a low price hotel room near the Metro and you will be okay. Don't expect the moon with limited funds and only one month. Don't expect us on the forum to do your legwork. We can only suggest based on our personal experiences from the past. While there looked at buying a upstairs fixerupper upstairs apt for $1500 dlls but did not like the neighborhood. If you have friends there, they know what I'm talking about. Some of my friends would not go near many areas because of drugs/thefts and the like so beware. Stefhen

[charolastra00]

I'm just looking for help because I need to find a place ASAP but will be out of touch more or less for 2 weeks- will really only be able to respond to emails I send out today. While I speak Spanish, I have a hard time understanding it on the phone and I don't know anyone who would recommend a 20 year old gringa to call up random people in DF. :P Especially a gringa who doesn't really know the neighborhoods (I was there a week- half of the time I spent in a homestay in Santo Domingo, the rest was right off the Zocalo and some time in Polanco so VERY limited knowledge).

I was more looking for anyone who knew specific hotels, etc. But I do need at least a kitchenette and internet access(due to the nature of my project in DF). Not to mention that literally I'm shooting blind. I've sent out an email for a place in Zona Rosa but was told by someone that she "didn't recommend it" (and no idea why.. still waiting on an email back) and was told that an extended stay hotel in Tabacalera a few blocks from Bellas Artes is not safe... although I was in that area at night and felt very safe. :P It's a bit frustrating, especially since I'm leaving in 2 hours and can't get any straight answers from friends.

[Dport7476]

DF = Mexico City, why?

[Steve Bagu]

Dport7476;
The young lady (20) is probably already there by now based on her last post. She mentioned Zona Rosa (Pink Zone) where all the tourist hotels, discos, restaurants and the American Embassy is located (had an occasion to visits it) there also. From the airport, she could have gone down the Viaducto to Narvarte (centro) and found all kind of hotels reasonablely priced. I had lived in the area so am familiar. As to a room with kitchette...forget it. Cheaper to eat out then to buy food,cook with used kitchen utensils for one month in Mexico. Yes, DF is in the center surrounded by Cd de Mexico. Had a Mexican wife (many mexican friends) and lived there three yrs. She was there before but doubt she had any vast exposure to the city as a whole. Stefhen

[Dport7476]

....I was just asking what DF means in relation to Mexico City. Is it the name of a neighborhood?? Sounds like maybe the city center.

[Steve Bagu]

I already answered. DF is "Distrito Federal" AKA Federal District. The centrasl govmt of Mexico like DC in Washington. DF is surrounded by the City of Mexico "Cd de Mexico". DF has its own police force separate from Cd de Mexico. They sometimes overlap on jurisdiction on the streets and have conflicts. The DF police are Federal police while Cd de Mexico police are just regular city police. Crazy is'nt it. Wasington DC has the Capital police compared to the city police....same thingy in Mexico. Hope I answered your question without too much confusion. Stefhen

[Steve Bagu]

Forgot to mention that license plates in "DF" are different then those in "Cd de Mexico". Definite distinction between the two whereas many people just refer themselves as being from "Cd de Mexico" or just from Mexico City in general...no place in particular unless you ask them specifically where is what I do when talking with people from that area. Being an American, people are surprised that I ask about where in Mexico City, after all, I lived there three yrs. Most of the time I relate to where they came from with knowledge of same. Stefhen