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jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

Greetings all.

For all of you who live and work in DF, is the media exagerating when it comes to the kidnapping problem in DF? I lived there seven years ago and had no problems and now that my wife and I are going back once our house sells, my family and co-workers are telling me that Gringos are disappearing all over DF.
I know what they say isn't true but it is scary to see how people think about Mexico when they've never even been there. Have any of you had a problem from family and/or friends and co-workers once they found out you were moving to DF?
The ignorance that I'm seeing and hearing from friends and family is amazing. One friend told me that I would only make three dollars a month while a co-worker said that I would disappear within a week. How have you all dealt with such willfull stereotypes of DF? The people saying these things have NEVER been to Mexico yet they speak like an authority on it.

John

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I think Hollywood's 'Man on fire' did some damage to DF's reputation...not that it was good to begin with. There were certainly lots and lots of problems here in the late 90's and 2000/2001. It has gotten considerably better, if reported numbers are to be believed.

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

I agree that Hollywood has really hurt DF in a lot of ways. I'm glad that I lived and taught there in the past so I know the difference from truth and fiction. I've always loved the times that I spent in DF and look forward to the move hopefully in December or January.

Thanks Guy.

John

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

The New and Improved Berlitz Method Laughing

I would have thought all those chilangos laying down stakes in other cities would be there for economic reasons. It's so cheap out there, from what I can guess. Property values in DF are rising fast since the the gov clamped limits on new building on the outskirts. We're seeing old buildings coming down and new buildings going up at a torrid pace here.

You're right about Mexicans themselves warning about DF. I saw that a lot in Acapulco, from people who had only ever been here once before, or never. Some people in DF will also say the same thing...fresas often.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

MO39 · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 4:23 pm Post subject:

This discussion reminds me of how fond people in the US are of painting New York City (which I lived happily and safely for 13 years) as a horribly dangerous place. I think it somehow makes them feel superior to those weird city-dwellers who've rejected the numbing comforts of the suburbs, where the majority of my fellow countrymen (and women) have chosen to live. In fact, in recent years, NYC has become one of the safer large cities in the US, but people often prefer myths to facts if it bolsters their prejudices.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Guilliani's cleaning up of NYC in the 90's has been cited as a reason that the city now boasts one of the lowest murder rates for cities in the US now. I think maybe it has more to do with the 90's boom economy, but hey, give the mayor some glory.

I'll admit that my image of NYC is coloured by tv and movies. Escape from NY, Night Court, and NYPD Blue top the list for me. Not that I expect NYC to be that way at all if I ever get there for a visit.

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

MO39, I like your comment on how people like to stick with myths if it promotes their beliefs. Very good point. Thanks to all for the information that you've given. My wife's two brothers always laugh when I tell them what the Gringos and Mexicans living here in Texas say about DF.
I've never felt unsafe being in DF. Guy, as far as being kidnapped at the airport in DF, don't worry because I'll probably take a bus again like I did in March.
It's a nice little adventure on the bus for 22 hours.

John

Ka · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 4:32 am Post subject:

I just spent a week in Mexico City travelling on my own as a white Canadian female and didn't feel nervous at all. Sure, I took steps to minimize the foreigner component - make sure I know where I'm going before I stepped onto the metro, etc. - but I found Mexico City to have none of the pervasive sense of danger common to, say, Rio (another amazing city but one which does require a great deal of common sense to emerge unscathed from).

Big cities are dangerous, and big cities with a great deal of poverty are usually more so. I don't think Mexico City is any worse than any others.

Of course, surviving a week does not exactly make me an expert, now, does it? Ha ha ha!

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

Sounds like you love DF ka. I never have felt like I was in any kind of danger when I'm in DF. These seem to be ideas that come from people from small towns and crazy Gringos who've never been outside of the U.S. My wife and I will be very happy to get back to DF. Now we just have to get the house sold here in Texas.

John

Ka · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 12:44 am Post subject:

Good luck selling your house, jfurgers!

I can't imagine how people don't like DF. Sure, it isn't going to please the beach bunnies, but otherwise... where else in the world can you stroll casually past Aztec ruins and a Catholic cathedral on your way for a pozole?!