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Comment by tdfx | Hacker News Reader

Mexico City would be a great choice for your budget if you stay clear of the foreigner areas (Polanco, Condesa, Roma), as rent in those areas seems to be approaching US prices due to the influx of Americans. The metro is good, coworking options are everywhere, it's a cultural hub with infinite things to see, and the social scene has something for everyone. Downsides are pollution and traffic.

Digital nomad types seem to really love Medellin, Colombia. Also a very easy place to settle into as a foreigner.

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I visited several years ago and enjoyed staying in Roma Norte. I can see why the prices are skyrocketing. Which neighborhoods would you suggest I look at?

I would recommend visiting and getting a short term accommodation near Roma Norte. There's a few peripheral areas around there that haven't had as much price inflation, but you'll want to identify them by physically being there as there's other closeby areas that you don't want to be in (Doctores).

If you're willing to go a bit further south in the city (45-60 minutes from Condesa, depending on traffic), Coyoacan is a great area. I haven't lived around UNAM but I hear it's very lively. You could also go for a more tranquil existence even further south in Tlalpan, or go east outside the city to a colonial style town like Valle de Bravo (known for its lake and paragliding). A lot of your preference will depend on your level of Spanish and how much you like being around expats.

> go east outside the city to a colonial style town like Valle de Bravo

I didn't realize there are longer-term stays here. Would this be found via Aribnb or elsewhere? Also, how near would it be to food/coffee/groceries/etc?

Actually, it's west (not sure how I messed that up). Yes, it's a fully functioning town/city of ~60k people with all the major things you're used to (convenience stores, grocery stores, etc.), though you might need to go into Toluca or Mexico City if you're furniture shopping or something.

It's a common weekend and holiday destination for people from the city and there's some foreigners living there permanently, though the big draw for foreigners is the paragliding community.

Gotcha - this is helpful, thank you!

What places are like this without pollution?

I should clarify: the pollution in Mexico City is particularly bad for a city of its size because of its geography (although it has been getting less worse in the past decade due to regulation). It's in a valley, trapped by mountains on all sides that basically cooks a toxic stew of smog that sits over the city. Combined with a fairly dry climate, this makes the pollution unusually bad, especially during the more dry winter months. Sometimes you can't see the mountains right outside the city the visibility is so bad.

It's more of a long term concern so if you're just planning to stay for a year or two, I think the upsides are greater than the downsides. But I would have serious health concerns about staying and raising a family there. If not for the pollution issue, I would probably have permanently moved there already. It's a world class city.

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