7 Best Neighborhoods in Mexico City

There are many nice neighborhoods, called colonias, in Mexico City. Expats often ask, " What are the best neighborhoods in Mexico City?" While most expats will explain that there really aren't neighborhoods in Mexico City that would be called expat enclaves, there are many that expats love. Here are the 7 best neighborhoods in Mexico City according to expats:

Polanco

Polanco is an upscale neighborhood in the Miguel Hidalgo borough of Mexico City that is sometimes described as the Beverly Hills of Mexico. Avenida Presidente Masaryk is a famous, high-end shopping street in Polanco. One of the best things about Polanco is Chapultepec Park. Part of this beautiful park lies within the borders of Polanco. Additionally, the Soumaya Museum, National Museum of Anthropology and Teatro Telcel (a state-of-the-art underground theater).

"I would use the word trendy to describe Polanco, where we have been to perhaps a dozen or so times. I imagine taller newer buildings with street-side shops/restaurants and condo/apartments above. Lots of glass and metal. Polanco has a young feel to it. It is rather commercial. When you hop in a taxi in Polanco, the meter starts at a rate perhaps twice as much as elsewhere in Mexico City. I do not think of large single family houses with large yards when I think of Polanco," described one expat.

Condesa

La Condesa or Condesa is south of La Zona Rosa. Parque Mexico (pictured above) is a beautiful park in La Condesa.

"La Condesa is sort of like the Soho version, filled with actors and monied young folks," remarked one expat. Another said, "La Condesa is an affluent, progressive area." Others say it feels European and is home to many hip, fashionable young people.

Pedregal

Jardines del Pedregal is an affluent area in southern Mexico City. "Jardines del Pedregal (aka Pedregal) is perhaps 90% very nice large single family homes. There is very, very little commercial. There are virtually no taxis and such."

Santa Fe

Santa Fe district is very modern and filled with skyscrapers, restaurants, businesses and upscale stores. It's located on the western side of Mexico City. The Centro Santa Fe shopping mall claims to be the largest shopping mall in Latin America. Expat families like Santa Fe. International or bilingual schools in Santa Fe include: The Westhill Institute, Eton School and Pinecrest International School.

Colonia Roma or La Roma

La Roma is the hipster neighborhood (think Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY) that was the backdrop to the 2018 Oscar award winning movie, Roma. Roma has two distinct sections, Roma Norte and Roma Sur. Residents can go grocery shopping at Mercado Medellin, spend the afternoon at Museo del Objeto del Objeto and learn to salsa dance at Mama Rumba.

"Roma (La Roma) has many what I'll call town homes. I would use the word eclectic to describe Roma. Still there are many street-side businesses; restaurants, bars, etc but also mom and pop retail laundries, ferreterias, print shops etc.," said one expat.

La Zona Rosa

Located west of the historic district of Mexico City, La Zona Rosa is an affluent area. The area is famous for its nightlife and is especially popular with tourists and the gay and LGBTQ community.

Bosques de las Lomas

Bosques de las Lomas (aka Bosques) is a popular, upscale colonia in western Mexico City that's popular among expats. It's a good area for families. There are two schools in Bosques that may be good options for expats with enough Spanish-language skills. They are Del Bosque (Catholic girls, bilingual, preschool - 12th) and Instituto Cumbres Bosques (Catholic boys, bilingual, preschool - 12th).

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