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[Tretyakovskii]

I had a chance, recently, to find out for myself some of the reasons those who teach in Mexico City are so high on it. My wife and I spent four days and nights there.

Step off the main thoroughfares, downtown, and you're immediately in amazingly beautiful neighborhoods, with many good restaurants and bars to choose from, along with tree lined avenues and parks in abundance.

Visit the neighborhood known as Coyacan and you can save yourself the trouble of a trip to Spain. The zocalo there and the atmosphere of pleasant relaxation is as great as any I've seen.

We were out and about on the streets a great deal, including about thirty minutes in which we were lost, in the dark, on streets near where we staying, when the power went out following the earthquake- yet we never felt threatened or unsafe in any way.

We rode the subway and used the public buses: though they were very crowded, at times, we never experienced any unpleasantness other than the crowding.

For those who enjoy the attractions of the great capitals of the world, Mexico City seems to have it.

[torentosan]

Thanks for your report. How were the prices? Any trouble with taxis?

I'm thinking of working there and appreciate anything anyone can tell about their experiences.

[Guy Courchesne]

Very glad you liked our town. Can I ask where you stayed?

[Tretyakovskii]

We stayed in the Condesa area: we explored it and a number of the contiguous neighborhoods on foot, more or less continuously for four days and nights. The image we're left with, of Mexico City, is of an amazingly green, almost forested city.

The taxi service was very good, and a bargain by U.S. prices, as has been my experience all over Mexico: in Mexico City our use was limited to a ride from the airport, and a ride to the north bus terminal. (Istanbul is the only place in the world where I've spent a lot of time and continued to experience high levels of dissatisfaction with the local taxi service.)

We used the subway a lot: at just 3 pesos per ride it was a bargain- if you don't mind some serious crowding, at times. The "MetroBus" was also a nice option when we were going somewhere near its route, and we used it several times.

Prices, on the whole, were less than what we're used to paying in Cancun for similar services, confirming what many on this forum have said.

I should also add that the citizens of Mexico City often have a discernible style and elegance in their manner that we enjoyed, along with generally high levels of service in restaurants and bars.

[Phil_K]

I appreciate your comments and agree that places such as Coyoac�n and (parts of) Condesa offer an oasis of calm in a hectic city, but also bear in mind, and I say this for the benefit of those thinking of living and working here, visiting as a tourist is not always the same as living and working here.

[Guy Courchesne]

Very true Phil...driving a car being an example you're familiar with (though I'll admit we're probably going to break down and buy one finally).

[Phil_K]

It's hard to convince people of this, but honestly, despite the traffic jams, lack of parking spaces and appalling standard of driving, having a car really is the best way to get around the city.

The Metrob�s involves (usually) standing for a long time, as do the buses, and I refuse point blank to use peseros, as they are driven by untrained and uninterested drivers who break about ten laws every time they set off, including the condition of the bus. Check the state of the tyres some time! There are, unsurprisingly, frequent reports of crashes.

The metro is just about bearable, although this often involves sitting in stations or tunnels for long periods due to bad coordination of departures.

My advice would be, assuming you are the kind of person that takes pride in your driving skills, to maintain your standards at all times whatever everyone else is doing around you.

[Guy Courchesne]

Phil, you have heard of the plan to put parking meters throughout the city? That will be chaos and I'm betting it won't make the red flaggers go away, meaning your expense on operating a car goes up, again.

I'm a big fan of the metrobus and the metro but I wouldn't be if I lived in the burbs and had to commute in every day. I lived in Jardin Balbuena for a time many years ago and the rush hour commute on the metro was atrocious. From there I would want a car, even with the traffic.

[Phil_K]

[Phil_K]

[Guy Courchesne]

[amaranto]

[EFLeducator]

[amaranto]

[Prof.Gringo]