Yes Mexico city can be expensive depending where you stay. Transportation, Uber is good. But you can also use Metrobus and the subway. Yes the subway can seem scary but there is a section for females only. Supermarkets can be good but if youre lucky enough finding a market it can help with spending. Sometimes planning and finding cheap locations can help with your budget.
Been to MexiclCity back in 1986 and world soccer was magical the city is so huge back then they estimated the total population to be 31 million had a terrific time Canada for some reason was rebuilding 200 church sites across the city. Glad you had a terrific time
I'm surprised the dogs were a sticking point. When we were there, I felt like there were so many well cared for dogs. And that AirBnb was gorgeous. I don't think that's too high a cost.
Mexico City seems to have the highest rate of dog ownership that we've ever seen! 😂 But apparently the Airbnb hosts are a little particular about letting dogs into their apartments.
We loved Mexico City! I can easily imagine several months in CDMX, with a month in different neighborhoods to experience the different vibes. I hope y’all make it to Coyoacán and Frida’s House. Helpful tip - buy timed tickets in advance. Also, when we went preCOVID, they didn’t care about the time on the ticket as long as you had one. Might be diffeepost COVID, but buying tickets in advance will absolutely save time.
There were really too many great things to do in Mexico City...definitely a return trip is in order. I really like the idea of staying in different neighbourhoods to catch a different vibe.
When you travel with a dog, there are going to be unexpected expenses but it's so worth it to bring them along! I would have skipped the guided tours of the ruins and the lake, but I don't think you have anything to be embarrassed about.
I just discovered your channel and I've had so much fun watching your videos! 😊 Looks like you all had a great time... I remember the first time I visited CDMX about 22 years ago; I was completely blown away and fell madly in love with the place. Keep up the great work ladies!
Its so interesting to always watch how the strangers are so surprised of Mexico city, like, they thought they were going to find a big ranch with chickens and hens and donkeys 🤣 and also, food that they could never find in their countries, yes thank you Mexico!
Have you very been in Mexico Estado de México?? At the north area as Cuautitlan Izcalli, it is so close from Mexico city and have everything to give the american retired people good quality life...
@@OurFreedomYears It's so sad let tht city in hands of people who doesn't have idea how to be a big city.. maybe tha capital is going to be worst if they not have any invest on them... I would like the Vlley of Mexico as Cuautitlan Izcalli have more Canadian and American style and make it great.. Mexico is big but the mestizo who are the generation from spain and indigenous mixed are losing because when the indigenous who speak spanish take power and the mestizos have to deal with the most indigenous people arriving to the city... the capital is great but it has been suffer from the same ones... the valle de Mexico need new people more invest.
I would say you don't need to worry so much about how much you're spending when it comes to telling your subscribers. There are a million budget travelers living out of hostels with back packs....people who watch your videos are here for something different! I'm 45 yrs. old and travel with a dog. Watching videos of kids who couch surf isn't appealing to me. The only person who needs to approve of your budget is YOU! Glad you guys had a good tme!
Thanks - that means a lot. 😊 Since we're travelling full time, we feel like it's important to spend a little more on a place that feels really comfortable.
We typically prefer Airbnbs for longer stays as it's really nice to have a kitchen and a living room. But in a pinch, definitely we'd look at a dog friendly hotel 😊
You got the "Gringo" prices unfortunately as Mexico is next to the US they know exactly how someone from the states looks like and acts like sounds like. There is no escaping the gringo prices unless your accompanied by a local guide or local friend that will definitely know the prices you're paying are inflated. Unfortunately, it's now this way in all popular travel places in Mexico. So if u want to avoid overpriced things, go to a less popular place, there are many and still beautiful.
We spent a week in Mexico City in January 2020 and are excited to return for longer this November. Your experience was inspiring. I appreciate your transparency. Don't worry about going over budget once in a while. Clearly your experience was worth it. Also.. IMHO..this is one of your best videos!
@@OurFreedomYears here in the USA is WAY more Expensive and WAY MORE BORING. So, it's Not terrible for what you paid for a month there, yes a little expensive, BUT I am here in the States and is Outrageous here.
@@jenniferlorence1950 Same situation when we go back to our home town in Canada -- basic apartments are certainly much more expensive than really nice ones in Mexico.
@@OurFreedomYears from other videos that I've watched, that seems to be the case. I don't know if you guys already visited Guadalajara and its surrounding areas, because I am New here at your channel, but from other videos that I watched, I noticed the Apartments were almost Luxury compared to the ones here in the USA, and well furnished and way more affordable than here the USA.
Wow! I’m impressed with how little you two spent! Srsly. Gosh, I’ve been to Mexico City about 10x for work and I have NEVER seen any of this! The only touristy thing I saw was Freda Khalo’s home. Along with the nearby park and surrounding neighborhood, the experience was the tops! I’ve missed so much, though, and will definitely go back as a tourist. Thanks for this terrific video.
My husband and I follow your videos every week and admire all you are doing. We think you sound a little guilty this week and want to say to you, let it go! You obviously had an amazing, amazing time and will have those memories forever. We want to go to MC even more now after seeing your trip! PS Your dogs live the best life.
We were a bit embarrassed to reveal our spending in SMA. Mexico can be cheap but it can also be quite expensive. Enjoyed the video and glad you enjoyed CDMX!
I’m so jealous you guys having so much fun and I’m over here in Atlanta sitting on my couch boring I love love Mexico Mexico it’s awesome beautiful beautiful country 👍👍
I knew you would love it! I am going for Halloween and Day of the Dead and can’t wait. It will be my third time there. CDMX is one of my favorite cities!
Thank you for sharing. Mexico city looks amazing, and it looks like you had a lot of fun. My husband and I are trying to learn Spanish and we are having a hard time deciding between Spain (Costa del Sol) and Mexico. Flying out of Vancouver, Mexico would be a lot cheaper (at least in terms of flights), so I think paying a bit extra for accommodations would be worth it. Over all it looks amazing :)
Plus going to Mexico means much less jet lag for you coming from Vancouver! Of course, we're big fans of Spain as well but I must say that we really appreciated the friendly culture and delicious street food of Mexico.
Man you have bumped Mexico City to the top destination for me. Little concerned I also have two dogs. But I live in Mexico so maybe I can plan a less expensive time or stay longer and negotiate a cheaper rent.
Wowzer. No apologies necessary! I think you did a great job. Our rent budget is $2000 a month and we work like dogs to stay within that. Mexico City is on our list. Thanks for the insights.
Great to hear its on your list...it's definitely worth a visit. And I'm sure you'll plenty of options for your apartment if you don't have two dogs along for the ride. 😂
It's great that you come to visit the city, but as a local and an owner of two apartments in the area of the Condesa I have to say that indeed Roma-Condesa is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Mexico City, but it is not all Mexico City. Probably other nice neighborhoods would be Polanco, Coyoacán, Narvarte, del Valle, but that's it. The rest of Mexico City lacks of green areas and water due to the real state boom. Also, I'm sorry to say it, but most of the native neighbors hate street food vendors because they pollute the streets and water by throwing their residues to the sewerage, they don't pay taxes unlike actual restaurants and most of them steal the light. Their existence is just because most locals can't afford restaurants in trendy areas as Roma and Condesa. Not trying to ruin traveler's idea, just trying to be realistic.
These are excellent points - thank you for sharing your perspective. As tourists, we only get to see a small slice of Mexico City and, of course, we don't necessarily get exposed to the issues that residents face.
And I thought Mexico City was just an over polluted, overcrowded city. I’m totally adding this to my list, thanks to you Ladies! Budget is what it is, no judgment, it doesn’t take anything away from your amazing content. I’m sure there’s more affordable neighborhoods, it’s up to us to figure out what works best for our budget 😊. So much fun and beautiful sites and activities in this video!
Glad to hear that we've put Mexico City on your list! We were quite surprised ourselves by how green and walkable and welcoming it was. Definitely worth a return visit 😊
Great VLOG. Yeah, you paid about $120 per day but WOW. It all looked fantastic, from the AirBnB, the food, the entertainment. I don't think you could spend so little in NYC or Toronto and find such excellent value. Next month it's Motel 6 and raman noodles...just kidding. Thanks for sharing. Your VLOGs are always great to watch for those of us who are not traveling the globe. Please keep making your VLOGs.
We actually had a pretty good laugh when we compared the price to the basement apartment that we rented in Toronto earlier this year. It was a nice basement but certainly didn't measure up to a luxe pad in Mexico City! 😂
Even at $3500 USD you are still cheaper than we are as a couple in San Diego. We were in Mexico city for a few days last month and realized we would probably not save much on a 2br apt (assuming we were in La condesa or roma norte) but we would save on virtually everything else so a net savings overall. Its definitely not as inexpensive as other parts of Mexico but its one of the great cities of the world. There is a price to pay for that. Great video series.
We've been in Mexico for almost four months and haven't had any safety concerns. That said, we don't go out at night and take care when exploring new neighbourhoods.
WOW! I want to se more of Mexico City! Do you have more material? I rather pay rent in a luxury condo in Roma Norte than in a tiny average place in Toronto! How is the weather during winter time there?
Just echoing everyone but you have shown a city that I never thought of visiting. Thank you. I would be really interested in a breakdown of your travel cost from place to place after a year. Minus the cost for dogs. What is your total for flights, buses and trains to get you from one airb&b to next?
Glad that we were able to put Mexico City on your list! 😊 We shared a round up of some of our costs in a recent video: bit.ly/3PzbhVB Also you can check our past videos and blog for our costs from each destination that we've visited: ourfreedomyears.com/binge/ Hope that helps!
Considering everything you got and everything you did, that price seems very reasonable. Even with the accommodations, trying to replicate that experience in many other large cities would have been double, at least.
Wow! That total is outrageous!! You really invested in yourselves this month. Ah well. You can always get money replenished but you can’t get back the great times. That is spent forever. I had to sample your vlog as I’m running out of data here in Brittany, France and I need some for Budapest in two weeks! Looking forward to watching it end to end real soon. How do you manage for phones by the way. For internet access out of a Wi-Fi area? One question so far. And it might seem odd but I have to be a bit careful at high altitude. And Mexico City is 7000+ feet up. Did you notice? Fatigue, headaches, nausea? Interested if you felt anything. Once more big thanks for all the feedback and helpful tips. And I hope the open plan bathroom worked out for you! Ps. You had a super lush apartment in a superb area. The cost was nothing compared to the same thing in, say, New York. I would say pats on the back all round. The money spent is now just a figure on a balance sheet.
Great to get the vote of confidence! 😊 Regarding altitude, neither of us noticed any issues at all. In fact, we completely forgot how high up Mexico City is. For data and phone service, here's a blog post where we share our current set up: ourfreedomyears.com/logistics-of-our-life-on-the-road/
Great video! I don’t think you should be embarrassed at all with your spending. Your Airbnb was gorgeous and in my opinion, well worth the cost. It was interesting to me that you had difficulty finding an apartment that would allow dogs as Roma Norte seemed so dog friendly to us when we visited last October. We agree with your impressions of Mexico City. We were overwhelmed with its beauty and the friendliness of the people. We can’t wait to return.
We also thought it was odd - Mexico City seems to have the highest rate of dog ownership we've ever seen! But apparently Airbnb hosts aren't keen to have doggie guests. Other than that, it was an amazing visit 😊
Great choices of places to go in CDMX! Thanks for the trip down memory lane. And good Spanish, Gillian! Correction: Xochimilco isn't outside of Mexico City; it's part of Mexico City.
The petfriendly need with apartments is an issue in Mexico City even for residents, when I wanted to rent a new apartment very few people took me in with my boy Lorenzo, this is something that must change and has to be regulated this situation is unbearable, the dogs are part of our families 😭♥️🙏🏻 so sorry that you went through this and overpaid for a place to stay, but the city is stunning and worth it 💕 I am dog traveling mom as well !
This is good to hear from someone else as we truly found it to be such a struggle. Then we were surprised when we arrived in Mexico City and discovered that there is such a high rate of dog ownership! Enjoy your adventures with your dog -- they're great travel companions. 😊
Great video. I have been to Mexico many times but never really spent much time in Mexico City. Now, I really want to go there. That was a great budget considering all that you were able to do.
Mexico City wasn't really on our radar either but it turned out to be one fo the most interesting cities that we've visited. Definitely put it on your list 😊
This was a fun video for us. Mexico City was my first introduction to Mexico and Joey has been there a few times before. Your video was like a greatest hits for us. Very excited for your Oaxaca video. Joey is keen to go there, so looking forward to your insights.
You had me thinking that Air BnB was going to be at least $3,000, LOL! ~$2,000 is not bad at all for such a beautiful place in a great location, especially if you aren't planning to stay for more than a month. I think of it this way: is the extra $500-some worth going to an awesome place with your two dogs? Definitely. :) I look forward to your vlogs on Sundays!
Love the complimentary colors you both wear that matches that gorgeous AirBnB. I thought it would be worse. One of my favorite quotes is, Life is ours to be spent, not to be saved - DH Lawrence You both worked so hard to get you where you are today. Looks like you had a blast. It's nice to see you splurge. Kudos for having the best-behaved dogs on TH-cam.
Wow, I thought you were going to say over $4k. But $3540 is under $60/day per person which is not extravagant. I find it helps to splurge once or twice a year....you know, like most people do on vacation. Even though this is more of a lifestyle, you still need to pamper yourselves every so often (or at least that's what I tell myself)
It's a relief to hear that our spend wasn't too outrageous 😂 And yes, I'm a big believer in the occasional splurge although Gillian often requires a bit of convincing.
Hello Ladies I pay 1500 Cad Dollars for a two bedroom apartment in the main floor with parking and a Terrace near Downtown Montreal , the same apartment in Toronto or Vancouver if am lucky would cost me about 3500 Cad Dollars so you had a pretty good deal in a fancy neighbourhood in CDMX
I love your video! and as a chilango, thank you for expending your time and money here, we are creating a new vibrant multicultural city, and you are a key part of our economy. So...welcome :)
Great video - y'all are such a fun, cute couple! I am lucky to live very close to CDMX - Houston - and I visit there at least two times per year. Don't mean to criticize but, I feel you spent way too much on your Airbnb. Mexico City is an experiential/be outdoors city. I always keep my accommodations basic and try to stay in a cool colonia like Condesa or, like you guys, Roma, in an economical place. As I spend so much time going to parks, museums, churches, etc., the apartment or suite I stay is really a secondary thing. But, to each their own.
Glad you enjoyed the video! We agree that we spent too much on our Airbnb but definitely appreciated having a very comfortable home base for our time there. 😊
Loved it:) Nice of you both to live it up a little and enjoy everything a place has to offer while still keeping things - in perspective and offering alternatives😉
Yeah, the taxes for accommodation in Mexico are just absolutely insane! Roma Norte is the most expensive in the city, there are other neighborhoods nearby that I would choose that are better value but almost as nice :) Juarez is a great choice and more affordable.
We spent over $1,000 for a beachfront 1 bedroom condo for just 4 days! In Alabama too! Everything is relative, but no need for embarrassment. Such a great trip!
mexico city is horrible to living, overpopulation, smoke, transit chaos, more crime, earthquakes, please visit Chapala Lake (on Jalisco State), a lot of canadians and people from USA are living there after retired, beautiful and calm place, greetings from Guadalajara, Jalisco (Mexico)
Since we were staying for a full month, an Airbnb was a lot more practical. But we'd certainly look at hotels for a short stay. And yes, we ate the entire bag 😂
Excellent video! Never apologize for what you spend, your followers appreciate the transparency. We are not here to judge, but instead to learn and enjoy your experience. ❤ Plus, it’s important to know what to expect when we go there. Thank you!!
Thank you so much...we really appreciate it. We're always very sensitive about sharing the Airbnb prices when they are so much higher than local rates. But this is the reality of being a tourist and having a short stay.
Nothing wrong with a splurge even on accommodation. I think what may have surprised you and your viewers is that Mexico is supposed to be a "cheap" destination. But that's not always necessarily true. Actually, in many so-called "cheap" destinations, if you want high quality "modern" amenities you do have to pay for them. In fact, sometimes they are even more expensive in these "cheaper" destinations, than in other places, because they might not be so commonly available or "standard" among the general population. Nice video! Well done! Looking forward to your next destination!
I think you've really hit on a good point here. During our travels we've found that nice Airbnbs with modern amenities in lower cost countries are usually very expensive -- substantially higher than local rates. All our past apartments in Turkey are a good example of this. We've come to accept that we'll be paying premium if we want to have all the comforts that we're used to.
I was just in Mexico City for 8 days. I go periodically as I'm in LA. So, it's super easy to grab a flight last minute. And I speak Spanish on a pretty high level so this allows me to save in so many small ways by avoiding ubers and simply asking people which bus to take (most chilangos know I'm not from CDMX but think I'm from some other part of Mexico). I find the best value is in the street food. If I'm going out in your neighborhood, I only like high end bar restaurants in Roma Norte with indoor-outdoor seating that will allow you to enjoy drinks and appetizers. But most of my entertainment comes from the street culture. I have never once gone to Xochimilco or Teotihuacan...and the only good museum is the National Anthropology Museum and Casa Azul. I don't think you did too badly for your Airbnb.
Sounds like you know Mexico City really well! I'm sure speaking Spanish fluently is very helpful...opens up so many more opportunities. Have fun on your next visit! 😊
If you live somewhere for a month,you will only have a perfunctory knowledge of the area. Living in an area ,and having fun are not the same thing. You tube has a lot of people posting stuff who dont really know the area in depth.
What do you do with dogs when you go these sites? Leave them in the air bnb? I ask bc we are considering a second weiner...and wondering how to manage travel
For our excursions in Mexico City, we were able to bring the dogs along for the boat ride. For visiting the ancient sites, we used a pet sitter for the day, who we found on a pet sitting platform. Mexico City actually has a lot of pet sitting options, unlike other cities that we've visited. We never leave the dogs alone in the Airbnb as this would cause them a lot of anxiety.
I don’t think that pricing is all that bad. If you were in any other major world city it would probably be the same or even more, and you can’t beat that location as a jumping off place to explore. I think you did great.
Hi! I’m traveling there soon & was wondering what the language barrier is like. I am learning Spanish to communicate basic conversations but I am not fluent. Is it difficult to get around or will I be fine? Thanks!!
Bianca, you will be fine. Mexicans love to be helpful, and they're very patient, so you're set. I lived in Mexico for 6 years, and I wanted to speak Spanish 100% of the time, which made me feel as if I were disappointing them because they wanted to practice their English. When you find your Spanish to be insufficient for a particular conversation, just ask if they know English.
I am going to MC in a month for 4 days and have a couple of practical questions: Did you buy a sim card to use while you were there? I tend to turn off my data and only use wifi... does that make sense? I think I need data to use uber, right?
We had a couple bouts over our three months in Mexico -- sometimes hard to avoid. However, we do try to be very careful and are quite selective when buying any street food. It's really important to follow best practices about buying drinks and avoiding washed fruits and veggies.
I’m visiting Mexico city for work in October and I’m not scared at all but my colleagues are very very scared of visiting Mexico city and don’t want to because they say it’s too dangerous. I believe that there are dangers in any city in any country that you go to it’s a matter of just being careful and being alert that’s how I see it. Can anyone offer some advice or words That I could say that would calm my colleagues fears?
We spent a month in Mexico City and always felt very safe and comfortable. We don't go out at night and we don't go to bars or clubs and we follow the usual practices for staying safe on a trip.
The most dangerous parts of México are at the North of the country (Tijuana, Tamaulipas, Monterrey, etc.) But the central part it's a lot different. Stop watching Fox news 😅 or any other american media because they will only tell the Bad stuff. Tell your colleagues to watch more TH-cam videos like this one, and they will be excited to come.
Mexico is the best place to have 🥳 has so many place to go. The Mexicans are the best coltur you will make so many friends. And never feel worry about entering
Okay, we know you're going to have a lot to say about our spend for this month. Please be kind when you share your comments below...😉
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@@mayaangelicaeg33 😊
Amazing video! I love how you showed the prices of everything. I also love your enthusiasm. We can’t wait for our upcoming trip.
Glad to hear it! Good luck with all your planning. 😊
Yes Mexico city can be expensive depending where you stay. Transportation, Uber is good. But you can also use Metrobus and the subway. Yes the subway can seem scary but there is a section for females only. Supermarkets can be good but if youre lucky enough finding a market it can help with spending. Sometimes planning and finding cheap locations can help with your budget.
Lots of great tips here - thanks so much for sharing 😊
Been to MexiclCity back in 1986 and world soccer was magical the city is so huge back then they estimated the total population to be 31 million had a terrific time Canada for some reason was rebuilding 200 church sites across the city. Glad you had a terrific time
It was a great time and hopefully we'll make our way back there in the future. 😊
I'm surprised the dogs were a sticking point. When we were there, I felt like there were so many well cared for dogs. And that AirBnb was gorgeous. I don't think that's too high a cost.
Mexico City seems to have the highest rate of dog ownership that we've ever seen! 😂 But apparently the Airbnb hosts are a little particular about letting dogs into their apartments.
We loved Mexico City! I can easily imagine several months in CDMX, with a month in different neighborhoods to experience the different vibes.
I hope y’all make it to Coyoacán and Frida’s House. Helpful tip - buy timed tickets in advance. Also, when we went preCOVID, they didn’t care about the time on the ticket as long as you had one. Might be diffeepost COVID, but buying tickets in advance will absolutely save time.
There were really too many great things to do in Mexico City...definitely a return trip is in order. I really like the idea of staying in different neighbourhoods to catch a different vibe.
When you travel with a dog, there are going to be unexpected expenses but it's so worth it to bring them along! I would have skipped the guided tours of the ruins and the lake, but I don't think you have anything to be embarrassed about.
Thanks...we were pretty worried about how much we spent 😅
The chile en nogala sounds and looks fabulous, and how interesting that it's only available certain times of the year. Great video!
It was quite interesting...as soon as we hit August, all the menus around the city suddenly featured chile en nogada!
I just discovered your channel and I've had so much fun watching your videos! 😊 Looks like you all had a great time... I remember the first time I visited CDMX about 22 years ago; I was completely blown away and fell madly in love with the place. Keep up the great work ladies!
Thanks so much! Great to hear that you enjoyed our videos. Our series from Ecuador is launching soon...hopefully you'll enjoy those just as much! 😊
Its so interesting to always watch how the strangers are so surprised of Mexico city, like, they thought they were going to find a big ranch with chickens and hens and donkeys 🤣 and also, food that they could never find in their countries, yes thank you Mexico!
😂
Uhhhh ladies!!! You were on fire 🔥! Glad you enjoyed my beloved city. Thanks for your love and recommendations
And great to hear you enjoyed our video! 😊 Thanks for watching.
What a great month!
It was really great...certainly one of our best 😊
Very nice ,girls, to see you there in my beautiful city, very proud to be born and grown in Mexico City! Sending you love from France
Thank you so much! We had a wonderful time in your beautiful city 😊
I'm your comment #100 wonderful video and great information enjoy.
Thanks so much for watching and for commenting! 😊 Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Have you very been in Mexico Estado de México?? At the north area as Cuautitlan Izcalli, it is so close from Mexico city and have everything to give the american retired people good quality life...
Great tip - thanks! We haven't been there yet 😊
@@OurFreedomYears It's so sad let tht city in hands of people who doesn't have idea how to be a big city.. maybe tha capital is going to be worst if they not have any invest on them... I would like the Vlley of Mexico as Cuautitlan Izcalli have more Canadian and American style and make it great.. Mexico is big but the mestizo who are the generation from spain and indigenous mixed are losing because when the indigenous who speak spanish take power and the mestizos have to deal with the most indigenous people arriving to the city... the capital is great but it has been suffer from the same ones... the valle de Mexico need new people more invest.
@@ParraguezPinto Thank you for sharing.
Fantastic abstract of you MC stay. I've l8ved there and believe me you have seen but 1 tenth of the city. 🤷🏼♀️
We believe it! By the end of our time there, we were busy making lists of all the things we need to do on our next visit. 😂
Your so beautiful. Very nice place Mexico city love it
Thanks so much! 😊
Tammy se me antojó. Saludos desde fremont ca
😊
I would say you don't need to worry so much about how much you're spending when it comes to telling your subscribers. There are a million budget travelers living out of hostels with back packs....people who watch your videos are here for something different! I'm 45 yrs. old and travel with a dog. Watching videos of kids who couch surf isn't appealing to me. The only person who needs to approve of your budget is YOU! Glad you guys had a good tme!
Thanks - that means a lot. 😊 Since we're travelling full time, we feel like it's important to spend a little more on a place that feels really comfortable.
Where is the Zócalo and Catedral? You were there for sure.
We did visit both, but just too much to do in Mexico to include all in the video! 😂
@@OurFreedomYears Oh, I see. You can also go to Tlalpan, Coyoacán, and/or San Ángel.
@@HUITXO Yes, so many great places to visit 😃
Would there have been a pet friendly hotel that was cheaper? But it still sounds like a good deal.
We typically prefer Airbnbs for longer stays as it's really nice to have a kitchen and a living room. But in a pinch, definitely we'd look at a dog friendly hotel 😊
You got the "Gringo" prices unfortunately as Mexico is next to the US they know exactly how someone from the states looks like and acts like sounds like. There is no escaping the gringo prices unless your accompanied by a local guide or local friend that will definitely know the prices you're paying are inflated. Unfortunately, it's now this way in all popular travel places in Mexico. So if u want to avoid overpriced things, go to a less popular place, there are many and still beautiful.
Yes, it's true - Mexico has a lot more interesting cities to visit and they won't all be as overpriced as Mexico City.
We spent a week in Mexico City in January 2020 and are excited to return for longer this November. Your experience was inspiring. I appreciate your transparency. Don't worry about going over budget once in a while. Clearly your experience was worth it. Also.. IMHO..this is one of your best videos!
Thanks - great to hear that from a regular viewer! It was a lot of fun to put this one together. 😊
@@OurFreedomYears here in the USA is WAY more Expensive and WAY MORE BORING. So, it's Not terrible for what you paid for a month there, yes a little expensive, BUT I am here in the States and is Outrageous here.
@@jenniferlorence1950 Same situation when we go back to our home town in Canada -- basic apartments are certainly much more expensive than really nice ones in Mexico.
@@OurFreedomYears from other videos that I've watched, that seems to be the case. I don't know if you guys already visited Guadalajara and its surrounding areas, because I am New here at your channel, but from other videos that I watched, I noticed the Apartments were almost Luxury compared to the ones here in the USA, and well furnished and way more affordable than here the USA.
@Gary Kembel how was the weather there in January?
Wow! I’m impressed with how little you two spent! Srsly. Gosh, I’ve been to Mexico City about 10x for work and I have NEVER seen any of this! The only touristy thing I saw was Freda Khalo’s home. Along with the nearby park and surrounding neighborhood, the experience was the tops! I’ve missed so much, though, and will definitely go back as a tourist. Thanks for this terrific video.
Really glad to hear you enjoyed it! Yes, Mexico City has a lot to offer -- more than we could manage in just one month 😂 Have fun on your next trip!
Mexico City is amazing!
We had such a great time! 😊
My husband and I follow your videos every week and admire all you are doing. We think you sound a little guilty this week and want to say to you, let it go! You obviously had an amazing, amazing time and will have those memories forever. We want to go to MC even more now after seeing your trip! PS Your dogs live the best life.
Love that! Thank you...already feeling less guilty 😂
We were a bit embarrassed to reveal our spending in SMA. Mexico can be cheap but it can also be quite expensive. Enjoyed the video and glad you enjoyed CDMX!
So then you feel our pain! 😂 And, of course, SMA is not a cheap city.
I’m so jealous you guys having so much fun and I’m over here in Atlanta sitting on my couch boring I love love Mexico Mexico it’s awesome beautiful beautiful country 👍👍
Hopefully you enjoyed the video...and we have lots more content from Mexico too 😊
I knew you would love it! I am going for Halloween and Day of the Dead and can’t wait. It will be my third time there. CDMX is one of my favorite cities!
Wow - being in Mexico for Day of the Dead! That will be a trip to remember. 😊
Thank you for sharing. Mexico city looks amazing, and it looks like you had a lot of fun. My husband and I are trying to learn Spanish and we are having a hard time deciding between Spain (Costa del Sol) and Mexico. Flying out of Vancouver, Mexico would be a lot cheaper (at least in terms of flights), so I think paying a bit extra for accommodations would be worth it. Over all it looks amazing :)
Plus going to Mexico means much less jet lag for you coming from Vancouver! Of course, we're big fans of Spain as well but I must say that we really appreciated the friendly culture and delicious street food of Mexico.
Man you have bumped Mexico City to the top destination for me. Little concerned I also have two dogs. But I live in Mexico so maybe I can plan a less expensive time or stay longer and negotiate a cheaper rent.
Glad to have added Mexico City to your list. It might take some time to find a great place for you and two dogs but it's certainly worth the effort. 😊
México is super dog friendly, but be careful of dog packs. I don´t walk my pugs. They are safe inside our garden. Avoid an accident, please.
Wowzer. No apologies necessary! I think you did a great job. Our rent budget is $2000 a month and we work like dogs to stay within that. Mexico City is on our list. Thanks for the insights.
Great to hear its on your list...it's definitely worth a visit. And I'm sure you'll plenty of options for your apartment if you don't have two dogs along for the ride. 😂
It's great that you come to visit the city, but as a local and an owner of two apartments in the area of the Condesa I have to say that indeed Roma-Condesa is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Mexico City, but it is not all Mexico City. Probably other nice neighborhoods would be Polanco, Coyoacán, Narvarte, del Valle, but that's it. The rest of Mexico City lacks of green areas and water due to the real state boom.
Also, I'm sorry to say it, but most of the native neighbors hate street food vendors because they pollute the streets and water by throwing their residues to the sewerage, they don't pay taxes unlike actual restaurants and most of them steal the light. Their existence is just because most locals can't afford restaurants in trendy areas as Roma and Condesa. Not trying to ruin traveler's idea, just trying to be realistic.
These are excellent points - thank you for sharing your perspective. As tourists, we only get to see a small slice of Mexico City and, of course, we don't necessarily get exposed to the issues that residents face.
And I thought Mexico City was just an over polluted, overcrowded city. I’m totally adding this to my list, thanks to you Ladies! Budget is what it is, no judgment, it doesn’t take anything away from your amazing content. I’m sure there’s more affordable neighborhoods, it’s up to us to figure out what works best for our budget 😊. So much fun and beautiful sites and activities in this video!
Glad to hear that we've put Mexico City on your list! We were quite surprised ourselves by how green and walkable and welcoming it was. Definitely worth a return visit 😊
It IS polluted and overcrowded.
@@JRspeaking Mexico is way more than a polluted and crowded City.
@@ivansanchez8458 Yes, it is. But, it is also polluted and crowded.
Why would you have thought that?
Great VLOG. Yeah, you paid about $120 per day but WOW. It all looked fantastic, from the AirBnB, the food, the entertainment. I don't think you could spend so little in NYC or Toronto and find such excellent value. Next month it's Motel 6 and raman noodles...just kidding. Thanks for sharing. Your VLOGs are always great to watch for those of us who are not traveling the globe. Please keep making your VLOGs.
We actually had a pretty good laugh when we compared the price to the basement apartment that we rented in Toronto earlier this year. It was a nice basement but certainly didn't measure up to a luxe pad in Mexico City! 😂
Even at $3500 USD you are still cheaper than we are as a couple in San Diego. We were in Mexico city for a few days last month and realized we would probably not save much on a 2br apt (assuming we were in La condesa or roma norte) but we would save on virtually everything else so a net savings overall. Its definitely not as inexpensive as other parts of Mexico but its one of the great cities of the world. There is a price to pay for that. Great video series.
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it. It does cost a premium to stay in a world-class city but we definitely felt it was worth it.
I was most concerned about kidnappings and crime issues in Mexico…, but I guess not so much watching vid.
There’s more crime in San Francisco or New York.
We've been in Mexico for almost four months and haven't had any safety concerns. That said, we don't go out at night and take care when exploring new neighbourhoods.
WOW! I want to se more of Mexico City! Do you have more material? I rather pay rent in a luxury condo in Roma Norte than in a tiny average place in Toronto! How is the weather during winter time there?
Here's our other video from Mexico City: bit.ly/3QNwDyP Not sure about the winter weather but it's likely very mild.
Wow, your Mexico videos are a real eye opener, this is an amazing city!
Glad you think so! We had a surprisingly great time 😊
Just echoing everyone but you have shown a city that I never thought of visiting. Thank you.
I would be really interested in a breakdown of your travel cost from place to place after a year. Minus the cost for dogs. What is your total for flights, buses and trains to get you from one airb&b to next?
Glad that we were able to put Mexico City on your list! 😊 We shared a round up of some of our costs in a recent video: bit.ly/3PzbhVB
Also you can check our past videos and blog for our costs from each destination that we've visited: ourfreedomyears.com/binge/
Hope that helps!
Considering everything you got and everything you did, that price seems very reasonable. Even with the accommodations, trying to replicate that experience in many other large cities would have been double, at least.
We try to keep in mind that it's all relative. If we were staying in a popular city in Canada or the US, it would likely cost much more. 😂
Like a Mexican I can say that does tacos are the best. And the chiles in Nogada mmmmm
That chiles en nogada was so good...it's reason enough to book a return trip. 😊
Wow! That total is outrageous!! You really invested in yourselves this month. Ah well. You can always get money replenished but you can’t get back the great times. That is spent forever. I had to sample your vlog as I’m running out of data here in Brittany, France and I need some for Budapest in two weeks! Looking forward to watching it end to end real soon. How do you manage for phones by the way. For internet access out of a Wi-Fi area? One question so far. And it might seem odd but I have to be a bit careful at high altitude. And Mexico City is 7000+ feet up. Did you notice? Fatigue, headaches, nausea? Interested if you felt anything. Once more big thanks for all the feedback and helpful tips. And I hope the open plan bathroom worked out for you! Ps. You had a super lush apartment in a superb area. The cost was nothing compared to the same thing in, say, New York. I would say pats on the back all round. The money spent is now just a figure on a balance sheet.
Great to get the vote of confidence! 😊 Regarding altitude, neither of us noticed any issues at all. In fact, we completely forgot how high up Mexico City is. For data and phone service, here's a blog post where we share our current set up: ourfreedomyears.com/logistics-of-our-life-on-the-road/
Great video! I don’t think you should be embarrassed at all with your spending. Your Airbnb was gorgeous and in my opinion, well worth the cost. It was interesting to me that you had difficulty finding an apartment that would allow dogs as Roma Norte seemed so dog friendly to us when we visited last October. We agree with your impressions of Mexico City. We were overwhelmed with its beauty and the friendliness of the people. We can’t wait to return.
We also thought it was odd - Mexico City seems to have the highest rate of dog ownership we've ever seen! But apparently Airbnb hosts aren't keen to have doggie guests. Other than that, it was an amazing visit 😊
Great choices of places to go in CDMX! Thanks for the trip down memory lane. And good Spanish, Gillian! Correction: Xochimilco isn't outside of Mexico City; it's part of Mexico City.
We learned that about Xochimilco from our boat tour guide immediately after recording that section 😂
The petfriendly need with apartments is an issue in Mexico City even for residents, when I wanted to rent a new apartment very few people took me in with my boy Lorenzo, this is something that must change and has to be regulated this situation is unbearable, the dogs are part of our families 😭♥️🙏🏻 so sorry that you went through this and overpaid for a place to stay, but the city is stunning and worth it 💕 I am dog traveling mom as well !
This is good to hear from someone else as we truly found it to be such a struggle. Then we were surprised when we arrived in Mexico City and discovered that there is such a high rate of dog ownership! Enjoy your adventures with your dog -- they're great travel companions. 😊
Thanks for the video! Mexico City was not what I imagined it would be. Glad you both enjoyed your time there!
Thanks for watching! Yes, we really enjoyed it and will definitely return some day. 😊
What did you imagine?
Great video. I have been to Mexico many times but never really spent much time in Mexico City. Now, I really want to go there. That was a great budget considering all that you were able to do.
Mexico City wasn't really on our radar either but it turned out to be one fo the most interesting cities that we've visited. Definitely put it on your list 😊
This was a fun video for us. Mexico City was my first introduction to Mexico and Joey has been there a few times before. Your video was like a greatest hits for us. Very excited for your Oaxaca video. Joey is keen to go there, so looking forward to your insights.
Glad we could give you a walk down memory lane! 😊
I think that’s a bargain. Apartment looks fantastic!
It really was an amazing apartment...we'll remember it fondly. 😊
You had me thinking that Air BnB was going to be at least $3,000, LOL! ~$2,000 is not bad at all for such a beautiful place in a great location, especially if you aren't planning to stay for more than a month.
I think of it this way: is the extra $500-some worth going to an awesome place with your two dogs? Definitely. :)
I look forward to your vlogs on Sundays!
So true! Thanks for the vote of confidence 😊
Love the complimentary colors you both wear that matches that gorgeous AirBnB. I thought it would be worse. One of my favorite quotes is,
Life is ours to be spent, not to be saved - DH Lawrence
You both worked so hard to get you where you are today. Looks like you had a blast. It's nice to see you splurge. Kudos for having the best-behaved dogs on TH-cam.
Thanks for your support! It definitely feels good to enjoy a splurge now and then 😊
Haha, that’s not nearly as expensive as I expected for a nice Airbnb. I’d have guessed $4-5,000.
Thanks for another fun video. Best wishes to you!
Whew - $4-5K would certainly be very expensive. Glad we didn't pay that much 😂
Wow, I thought you were going to say over $4k. But $3540 is under $60/day per person which is not extravagant. I find it helps to splurge once or twice a year....you know, like most people do on vacation. Even though this is more of a lifestyle, you still need to pamper yourselves every so often (or at least that's what I tell myself)
It's a relief to hear that our spend wasn't too outrageous 😂 And yes, I'm a big believer in the occasional splurge although Gillian often requires a bit of convincing.
Hello Ladies I pay 1500 Cad Dollars for a two bedroom apartment in the main floor with parking and a Terrace near Downtown Montreal , the same apartment in Toronto or Vancouver if am lucky would cost me about 3500 Cad Dollars so you had a pretty good deal in a fancy neighbourhood in CDMX
You've done well! Great deals are still to be found in Montreal while Toronto is super expensive. We felt pretty good about our lovely place in CDMX 😊
A year from now you will just remember the great time you have and you will forget the cost. So no regrets 😉
So true! 😊
I love your video! and as a chilango, thank you for expending your time and money here, we are creating a new vibrant multicultural city, and you are a key part of our economy. So...welcome :)
Wonderful! Thank you for the warm welcome - we really appreciate it! 😊
No need to be embarrassed- you deserve to splurge a bit! The apartment is beautiful and you had a great time! Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much! 😊
Great video - y'all are such a fun, cute couple! I am lucky to live very close to CDMX - Houston - and I visit there at least two times per year. Don't mean to criticize but, I feel you spent way too much on your Airbnb. Mexico City is an experiential/be outdoors city. I always keep my accommodations basic and try to stay in a cool colonia like Condesa or, like you guys, Roma, in an economical place. As I spend so much time going to parks, museums, churches, etc., the apartment or suite I stay is really a secondary thing. But, to each their own.
Glad you enjoyed the video! We agree that we spent too much on our Airbnb but definitely appreciated having a very comfortable home base for our time there. 😊
Where have the prittiest ever canadian girls been lately? I miss you.....
😊
Loved it:) Nice of you both to live it up a little and enjoy everything a place has to offer while still keeping things - in perspective and offering alternatives😉
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much. 😊
Yeah, the taxes for accommodation in Mexico are just absolutely insane! Roma Norte is the most expensive in the city, there are other neighborhoods nearby that I would choose that are better value but almost as nice :) Juarez is a great choice and more affordable.
Great tip - something to consider for next time! 😊
The blue tiles reminds me of Portugal. Didn't know Mexico had so many castles! Love the stained glass.
The historic centre is really lovely...so many gorgeous buildings and palaces. It wasn't what we were expecting from Mexico City!
@Kai Ikaika You're so funny! lol Good for you!
We spent over $1,000 for a beachfront 1 bedroom condo for just 4 days! In Alabama too! Everything is relative, but no need for embarrassment. Such a great trip!
Love that you also enjoyed a splurge! It's good for the soul every so often. 😊
mexico city is horrible to living, overpopulation, smoke, transit chaos, more crime, earthquakes, please visit Chapala Lake (on Jalisco State), a lot of canadians and people from USA are living there after retired, beautiful and calm place, greetings from Guadalajara, Jalisco (Mexico)
Great suggestion! We hope to make it back to Mexico again soon and Chapala Lake will be on our list. 😊
Did you look at hotels in Mexico city that allow dogs? I wonder if it would be cheaper than that Airbnb.
Did you finish the dorilocos? 🥴
Since we were staying for a full month, an Airbnb was a lot more practical. But we'd certainly look at hotels for a short stay. And yes, we ate the entire bag 😂
Excellent video! Never apologize for what you spend, your followers appreciate the transparency. We are not here to judge, but instead to learn and enjoy your experience. ❤ Plus, it’s important to know what to expect when we go there. Thank you!!
Thank you so much...we really appreciate it. We're always very sensitive about sharing the Airbnb prices when they are so much higher than local rates. But this is the reality of being a tourist and having a short stay.
If you're bored in Mexico City, nobody can help you.
So true! It seems like there are a million things to do. 😊
It's massive. I love Roma because its central and very walkable, but I would have to say, my favorite neighborhood in Mexico City is Coyoacan.
Yes, that's another neighbourhood that we really enjoyed. Just spent a day there and would love to go back. 😊
Go to Oaxaca City, stay a month there
We're in Oaxaca City now! Watch for our video coming out on August 28th.
You should to visit and knowing san Angel in alcaldia Alvaro Obregon and coyoacan two places beautiful and magic in saturday
Thank you for the great tips! We'll put them on our list.
Nothing wrong with a splurge even on accommodation. I think what may have surprised you and your viewers is that Mexico is supposed to be a "cheap" destination. But that's not always necessarily true.
Actually, in many so-called "cheap" destinations, if you want high quality "modern" amenities you do have to pay for them. In fact, sometimes they are even more expensive in these "cheaper" destinations, than in other places, because they might not be so commonly available or "standard" among the general population.
Nice video! Well done! Looking forward to your next destination!
I think you've really hit on a good point here. During our travels we've found that nice Airbnbs with modern amenities in lower cost countries are usually very expensive -- substantially higher than local rates. All our past apartments in Turkey are a good example of this. We've come to accept that we'll be paying premium if we want to have all the comforts that we're used to.
I was just in Mexico City for 8 days. I go periodically as I'm in LA. So, it's super easy to grab a flight last minute. And I speak Spanish on a pretty high level so this allows me to save in so many small ways by avoiding ubers and simply asking people which bus to take (most chilangos know I'm not from CDMX but think I'm from some other part of Mexico). I find the best value is in the street food. If I'm going out in your neighborhood, I only like high end bar restaurants in Roma Norte with indoor-outdoor seating that will allow you to enjoy drinks and appetizers. But most of my entertainment comes from the street culture. I have never once gone to Xochimilco or Teotihuacan...and the only good museum is the National Anthropology Museum and Casa Azul. I don't think you did too badly for your Airbnb.
Sounds like you know Mexico City really well! I'm sure speaking Spanish fluently is very helpful...opens up so many more opportunities. Have fun on your next visit! 😊
Great video!! It shows the beauty of CDMX. Greetings from the north of Mexico 🇲🇽
Thank you very much! So glad that you enjoyed it 😊
If you live somewhere for a month,you will only have a perfunctory knowledge of the area. Living in an area ,and having fun are not the same thing. You tube has a lot of people posting stuff who dont really know the area in depth.
Fair point 😊
i got engaged in la condesa in 2011.
That's so wonderful! 😊
What do you do with dogs when you go these sites? Leave them in the air bnb? I ask bc we are considering a second weiner...and wondering how to manage travel
For our excursions in Mexico City, we were able to bring the dogs along for the boat ride. For visiting the ancient sites, we used a pet sitter for the day, who we found on a pet sitting platform. Mexico City actually has a lot of pet sitting options, unlike other cities that we've visited. We never leave the dogs alone in the Airbnb as this would cause them a lot of anxiety.
I don’t think that pricing is all that bad. If you were in any other major world city it would probably be the same or even more, and you can’t beat that location as a jumping off place to explore. I think you did great.
Exactly! Glad to have the vote of confidence 😊
Hi! I’m traveling there soon & was wondering what the language barrier is like. I am learning Spanish to communicate basic conversations but I am not fluent. Is it difficult to get around or will I be fine? Thanks!!
Bianca, you will be fine. Mexicans love to be helpful, and they're very patient, so you're set. I lived in Mexico for 6 years, and I wanted to speak Spanish 100% of the time, which made me feel as if I were disappointing them because they wanted to practice their English. When you find your Spanish to be insufficient for a particular conversation, just ask if they know English.
With Google Translate on your phone, you should be just fine. I have just a few words of Spanish and found I could always make myself understood.
WHAT an IMPRESSIVE PALACE, WOW.
We loved it! 😊
@@OurFreedomYears Beautiful indeed.
0:00 Por un segundo creí que la chica era Luisito Comunica. (Jeje) 😄
😂
Mexico es uno de los países con una variedad diferente de comida según su región y todas son deliciosas. Visite Mexico ❤
¡Es un hermoso país! 😊
Very enjoyable video
Thank you very much!
Thank you for visiting our country, we really appreciate it 😊
Our pleasure!
Welcome.. Thank you for visiting CdMX. MI casa es su casa..
Thanks for the warm welcome! 😊
I am going to MC in a month for 4 days and have a couple of practical questions: Did you buy a sim card to use while you were there? I tend to turn off my data and only use wifi... does that make sense? I think I need data to use uber, right?
Here's a blog post where we share our approach to logistics like data, etc ourfreedomyears.com/logistics-of-our-life-on-the-road/ Hope it helps!
@@OurFreedomYears Thank you.
Hi Stephanie and Gillian, did the street food ever give you digestive issues? Another great video!! ♥💕
We had a couple bouts over our three months in Mexico -- sometimes hard to avoid. However, we do try to be very careful and are quite selective when buying any street food. It's really important to follow best practices about buying drinks and avoiding washed fruits and veggies.
@@OurFreedomYears Thank you!
That was not a gummy in the doriloco it was cueritos pickled pork skin..
Good to know - thank you!
I’m visiting Mexico city for work in October and I’m not scared at all but my colleagues are very very scared of visiting Mexico city and don’t want to because they say it’s too dangerous. I believe that there are dangers in any city in any country that you go to it’s a matter of just being careful and being alert that’s how I see it. Can anyone offer some advice or words That I could say that would calm my colleagues fears?
We spent a month in Mexico City and always felt very safe and comfortable. We don't go out at night and we don't go to bars or clubs and we follow the usual practices for staying safe on a trip.
The most dangerous parts of México are at the North of the country (Tijuana, Tamaulipas, Monterrey, etc.) But the central part it's a lot different. Stop watching Fox news 😅 or any other american media because they will only tell the Bad stuff. Tell your colleagues to watch more TH-cam videos like this one, and they will be excited to come.
Totally worth the cost! Your stay in CDMX looks amazing!!
It sure was - thank you!!
Where'd you get the Lucha Libre Tickets from?
We bought them online in advance -- it was really easy.
You guys make me want to go to MEXICO.😀
Mexico is the best place to have 🥳 has so many place to go. The Mexicans are the best coltur you will make so many friends. And never feel worry about entering
Good thing you're heading there soon! 😊
@@OurFreedomYears
Really? 😀
the gummy at the dorilocos was pork skin :3
Interesting!
Great video here ladies. Love it!
Thanks so much! We had a really fun time putting it all together. 😊
Habibi
😊
That was amazing,
Glad you enjoyed it! 😊
Chiles en nogada are my favourite thing to eat!
So delicious!!
Mexico es bello pero te invito a la antigua guatemala
Nosotros esperamos ir un dia 😊
It just happens, it’s gonna get spent regardless
Of course! And we're happy that we had such a great experience. 😊
I always tell my wife leave the dame dogs 🐕 home
It does make things easier 😂