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mtiz · Joined: 18 May 2014 Posts: 41

Thanks for all the replies everyone! This is definitely not a waste of time. I would like to think I generally follow these security guidelines. I never take taxis, I try to stick to the metro, but to get to my work means taking a microbus and a combi multiple times a day (English teacher life, split schedule). I usually don't carry more than 50 pesos cash, my cellphone is a 200 peso phone, cheap as you can get. (although replacing it is expensive for me, 200 pesos is no joke). I just find it a little discouraging to hear people say, "Oh, well it's never happened to me, DF is safe! Sorry you had bad luck!" I agree with Prof Gringo that it is extremely dangerous, all my students likewise have terrible stories of being robbed, car jacked, even kidnapped and it's terrifying. I love Mexico and I try as hard as possible to portray it is a great place to live for my friends and family who worry about me here, but it's hard when I tell them I've been robbed twice already.

mtiz · Joined: 18 May 2014 Posts: 41

It's a little offensive to hear that something I did was "my fault" that I was robbed! The first time was almost a kidnapping, had I not escaped. The second was while I was on a microbus, and the whole bus was robbed, so that couldn't have been my fault. I don't live in Condesa, Roma, etc, I'm not a rich gringo, unfortunately. I live in Aculco which is fairly safe but surrounded by bad areas. I'm not even close to an area where the metrobus would be an option for me. I think anyone who thinks DF is perfectly safe is a little delusional!

mtiz · Joined: 18 May 2014 Posts: 41

Also, I have even considered dying my redish blonde hair black just to stop the attention. Is that crazy or a good idea?

hobo6 · Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Posts: 27

Well, don't really know what to say then if you're not looking like you're rich. I also teach ESL here, but privately, and am travelling several times a day. This will sound perhaps mean, tho it certainly is not meant to be, but maybe this city isn't meant for you? We all have our places that work out and that don't. By no means does this city work out best for me, but I haven't had the crime experiences you have (I have had other bad experiences, just not in the crime sector). The fact of the matter is that DF is a chaotic, drama-filled city. As one of my students (from Spain) told me back in 2010, there's a disease which hovers over this city. And there is. I guess it's a matter of if you can survive it or not. I have, but with breaks in between.

Dye your hair - see what happens. You can always grow the color out and return to Normal Person. And while it's great that you aren't living in a tourist/rich area, I could never do this gig without living within walking distance of a metro station!!!

Rose Cohen · Joined: 21 Apr 2010 Posts: 43 Location: Mexico

mtiz · Joined: 18 May 2014 Posts: 41

It's definitely in Mexico City! Right near metro Aculco (green line), near Coyoacan, etc. I feel like every "safe" place here is surrounded by bad areas. Look at the Centro Historico! Maybe you're looking at a different Aculco...it's on the border of Iztapalapa and Iztacalco where I live Very Happy

. I live less than 5 minutes walking from a metro station, but for my job I need to take buses/combis as the metro doesn't go where I need it to.

This was really only a commentary of my experiences here. Don't think people should blame me or others for crime they have experienced...victim blaming isn't cool.

Mexico City definitely isn't for me, that is correct. However, I'm stuck here for a little bit as we finish up some things we're doing here...

(edit: googling it , it is Colonia Pueblo Aculco, named after the neighborhood that is in Mexico state, however, they are different.)

hobo6 · Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Posts: 27

Ah, interesting. A couple of weeks ago I climbed the hill at Iztapalapa and saw numerous large white covers. Asked someone what it was and they told me the Centro de Abastos - which is where you live! Went home, looked it up and read the history of the area. It did say that after relocating it from the city center some 20 years ago, I think, the area started growing. And then with the growth came crime and now it's no better than where the Abastos used to be.

And what does your Mexican husband think? You mentioned that you're here because of him. I still have to wonder if both times weren't done by someone who knows you.

By the way, if don't mind telling me, how long's the walk from the metro station to the Abastos? I was thinking of visiting it.

donato · Joined: 05 May 2010 Posts: 98 Location: Mexico City, Mexico

I'd recommend living in a safer area. Just looking at the metro map where that is- I'd never consider living over there. Generally speaking, try not to live east of the blue metro line or north of the historical center. There are many exceptions, but you may save yourself some trouble. My $.02

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roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

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