[Bain]

Hello, I am planning to go to Mexico City for the first time for one month - Jan 1 to Jan 31.

I am having a hard time finding a place to rent there online.

I would like a studio or one bedroom any where reasonable - would like to pay between $350 to $500 usd.

Would appreciate any leads or advice from those who have been there before.

Time is a bit tight so please answer early.

Thank you.

[ElFlaco]

(12-11-2017 02:04 PM)Bain Wrote:  

Hello, I am planning to go to Mexico City for the first time for one month - Jan 1 to Jan 31.

I would like a studio or one bedroom any where reasonable - would like to pay between $350 to $500 usd.

I am having a hard time finding a place to rent there online.

You're going for just one month and want to rent an apartment? That can't be done. Rentals here usually require a one-year lease and a local co-signer with property in Mexico City.

Also, studio apartments and 1BRs are relatively rare. Housing stock was built with the assumption of families living in them. 1BR apartments are usually luxury apartments that are out of your price range. For long-term rentals in most neighborhoods, the best way to find rentals (other than getting personal recommendations) is to walk around and look for signs on buildings. Online listings exist but represent only a fraction of what is available and tend to be for the high-end range. You'll probably need good Spanish for any of these options or accept paying a premium for the few listings in English directed at foreigners (craigslist).

Increase your budget and use AirBNB.

By the way, there's a Mexico City thread on the forum. Probably best to read that and post there next time.

[Bain]

Thanks for your information. Airbnb however, seems you are staying at some person's place and you have to share dining room, kitchen and bath room. There seems to be no privacy.

Is that then the best way and how much do I need to increase my budget to. Thanks again.

I will check out the mexican thread also. Just my urgent need to find a place soon, made me make a new thread.

I will arriving in Mexico City on Dec 31 at 11:40pm just before New Years. To take advantage of a cheaper air flight. So I would not be able to go apartment hunting. My Spanish is more beginner to medium. Arriving at that time of night, I would just like to go to my place -- hence why I need to book online now.

[Shimmy]

Select the option "entire apartment" on airbnb and you will have the entire place to yourself.

[Bain]

Thanks for that - Shimmy

[Bain]

I can't believe the hard time I am having finding a simple place to stay in Mexico City for a reasonable cost. If it is going to be this difficult I would have cancelled my trip. Unfortunately I have already purchased my airline ticket and rented out my pad so I have to go now.

The only thing you find on airbnb is shared bathrooms and kitchen. Entire apartments are too costly.

Would appreciate some feed back from those who have been to Mexico City and how they managed finding accommodation. I am going for 30 days so that is a bit of a long period to be stuck in a place you don't like to be.

What if you meet a girl and you cannot take her back to your place bc some family is there?

[Bound2]

Bain you can message the hosts and negotiate prices, if you're gonna stay a month you have some bargaining power.

But for that budget you might struggle. Check the areas like Navarte, Centro or San Rafael..could be some decent places for about $1000/month you can negotiate down. Just send a generic message "Hi I'm looking for a place in Mexico City from xx to xx, you're place looks nice. My budget is $×××, would you be able to do this price?"

If I were on your budget you I'd look for a room in a shared apartment where the host is a dude that seems pretty chill. Just message him before booking to ask is he ok with you having girls back.

[Dulceácido]

Yeah, what Bound said. You're staying an entire month. If there place is available that entire time and they can rent it to just one person instead of going through the ass-pain of dealing with several travelers, they may work with you. Then again, you're probably dealing with a hispanic and, if so, they just don't think in this way many times. If it's a foreign owned property, you'll prolly have good luck negotiating.

[ElFlaco]

(12-13-2017 11:52 PM)Bain Wrote:  

The only thing you find on airbnb is shared bathrooms and kitchen. Entire apartments are too costly.

You still seem to be in denial. Your mistake is assuming that short-term housing in Mexico City (desirable neighborhoods) is inexpensive and easy to obtain. Chalk it up to experience and next time do your research first.

Also, Mexico is not a place where transactions with strangers are done online (except on sites like AirBnb, Mercado Libre, Segunda Mano). The few rentals you'll see online, especially those in English, will be at a premium price, will not be what they say they are, and/or will be an outright scam.

By the way, trato directo = directly with the owner, not with an intermediary/agency.