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That'd be interesting, since there was a city there before Mexico City, the Aztec capital built in the middle of a lake (forget the name). It would be really exotic and interesting. I suppose nightlife there might consist of attending a ceremony where they sacrifice young men and women to the sun god or something...
Mexico city air is like smoking 20 cigarettes a day. Also your family gets kidnapped by drug dealers if you are anything approaching wealthy. Basically its a dump.
Madrid is a proud european city on the other hand, with many great churches and museums.
Well nuff said, and your opinion or statement is from the last century. Mexico City has gotten a lot cleaner and safer over the years, the city has taken initiative to get fuel efficient busses running, bicycles available for people to use for rent, there's been less crime too. Mexico City is a safe place, safe enough that you can be calm and tranquil but not passive, I guess it's a good idea to come with someone who knows the place or something.
Mexico City, I swear has the most churches of any other Mexican City or any other city in the world for that matter. Mexicans are still really religious and devout people. Most are Roman Catholic with a minority being Protestant or Atheist. Also according to this link, Mexico City has the most museums of any city in the world! I would love to go in the Palace of the Fine Arts in Mexico City.
My reasoning is that Madrid is not the part of Spain that interests me, whereas Mexico City is, in my opinion, the crucible of Latin American culture north of the Equator. Not to diminish other Latin American capitals, but El Monstro is something I would like to experience.
I was in Madrid this past October - my first time to the city. It was very clean and compact in the city center. Most of the buildings I saw in the historic areas (neighborhoods north and south of gran via, plaza de españa, retiro, chueca, etc.) looked like the were built during the 19th century at the earliest. There were a few buildings and churches that I saw, and having read about their history, was aware that they were from 17th and 18th century.....but overall Madrid's "historic core" isn't that old compared to other European capitals such as Rome.
The Spanish monarch barely established Madrid as the capital of Spain in 1561. Prior to that it was only a small village/hunting outpost.
Mexico City's historic core has buildings that are much older than those in Madrid. Mexico City has served as a capital in some capacity for nearly 700 years.
CDMX served as a capital not only under the Aztecs from the 1300s - early 1500s but it was then restablished as the capital of New Spain in the 1520s. That's nearly 40 years before the Spanish royal court was relocated from Valldolid to Madrid....
So for any of you who voted for Madrid thinking just because it's European that it must be older.....let this sink in for a bit.
Compare in all the usual factors. Obviously, quality of life probably goes to Madrid. I'm most curious about these measures:
Architecture - Spain has a longer European history but Mexico City has tons of colonial buildings as well as the pre-colonial Aztec civilisation.
Entertainment/Nightlife - Both have that Latin flair. Mexico City is a monster yet Madrid is renowned for it's nightlife. Which do you think comes out top?
Dining - I've heard good things about both. It would depend if you prefer Mexican or Spanish food, but both have diverse international dining scenes.
Scenery - I'd probably say Mexico City is more stunning.
People/Friendliness - No idea about this one
Architecture: Madrid
Entertainment/Nightlife: Mexico City
Dining: Madrid for fine dining, Mexico City otherwise
Scenery: Mexico City (but Madrid has the beautiful sierras that you can see from certain parts like the Royal Palace)
People/Friendliness: Mexico City
Which I prefer: Madrid (studied abroad there for 6 months)
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