Comments on: The awkward truth behind Mexico City’s ‘anti-gentrification’ protests

By: William

William — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:29:21 +0000

I have lived in Mérida for three years now, having moved from Canada. We bought a house in the south in the old part of the city. Most expats live in or close to Centro. The new expensive developments that are being built north, between Mérida and Progresso are bring bought by Mexicans, moving here from Mexico City and Guadalajara because it’s cheaper for them and because it’s still safe.

By: William

William — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:21:14 +0000

In reply to Daphne Catterson.

100 percent agree with this!

By: mltnyc3@gmail.com

mltnyc3@gmail.com — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 19:12:24 +0000

We are retired US citizens living in Mexico since 2014…..Mexico City since 2018. We speak the language and have many friends in the city, NONE of the from the US. In our building in la condesa….of 50 condos we are the only….as in singular…unit occupied by “gringos.” Every other unit is occupied by Mexican or international, usually Spanish, young professionals, very often working remotely. American tourists abound…..but residents….no! Issue in la condesa is hugely more the lack of restrictions on ABNB. And those units are owned almost exclusively by Mexicans. Claudia gets it, and hopefully she can make a difference. The protesters against gringos are woefully uninformed and yes, xenophobic. Very sad. We love la condesa, but at 77 I will not live in a community where I do not feel welcome. If that becomes the result of such protests, very unfortunate for many, but to be sure….la condesa will NOT suddenly become more affordable for non-professionals as a result.

By: Brian Halton

Brian Halton — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 17:14:00 +0000

Might be fun for this well traveled group to vote as to what is the MOST expensive city to rent an apartment in the entire world, hmmph.
Any takers?
Let’s see could it be Paris? That’s a pricey town. Fun city? Copenhagen? Buenas Aeres? Hong Kong? Munchen? Ho Chi Minh City?
The list goes on and on……heh….heh.

Mr Magoo

By: Skooby

Skooby — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:34:10 +0000

In reply to Iggie. I lived in that area (Roma Norte) for close to 2 years. My rent was $900 per month in 2022 and the next year, in Jan 2023 it went to $1500 overnight. I moved out. I'm sure it's even higher now. The landlord actually LIVED in the USA!!! Just like all those investment companies.

By: Will Hunter

Will Hunter — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 01:01:51 +0000

In reply to Skooby.

lol that makes absolutely no sense. Land and property is very complicated in Mexico but where I live, in Mexico City, the land the houses is on was squatted and I’m not sure who legally owns it. Think about the size of Mexico City most parts of it have approx. zero foreigners living there.

By: Lee Rotzien

Lee Rotzien — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:34:37 +0000

Thank you again, Sarah. This topic is one close to my heart as I come from a family of Mexicans that immigrated to the United States with very little money and no knowledge of the English language. They lived in the poorest district in San Francisco. There is more to their story.

You make the issue of gentrification and ‘“unregulated capitalism’” crystal clear.
Yes, unfortunately gentrification happens in all desirable cities, and the losers are the hard working local people who through no fault of their own suffer the consequences because business owners know higher income earners can pay more. Some systems are completely unfair. There is no excuse for xenophobia anywhere but to some degree understandable when local business owners, out of state investors and out of country investors take over and see a the higher profit margin. They do not consider what is unfair to their local community. Financial matters and more important to them than moral and social issues. The only way to make changes is to become involved in the community wherever we live. Until then, things stay the same.
The same thing happens in Hawaii. I grew up in Hawaii and thought of retiring there. Not anymore.
Excellent writing. Excellent points.

By: jbyello@yahoo.com

jbyello@yahoo.com — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 23:39:48 +0000

I’ve been to Mexico City six times. A wonderful city. I know of a cheap hotel I always stay at that’s on the Metro line to the airport. I eat at some of the same inexpensive restaurants I first discovered in 2004. I avoid pretension, instead searching out “real Mexico.” It is important to remember that what is happening in parts of Mexico City is also occurring in the USA. I left Seattle last year to my house in rural SW New Mexico. I was priced out. That is the reality in many cities around the world. I agree. Capitalism is running amok. There is nothing in place to stop it. Profit is king. People’s needs and wants remain very secondary. That is reality as I know it.

By: Barbara Johnson

Barbara Johnson — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 23:03:09 +0000

In reply to Daphne Catterson.

Mexicans that have done the work to be in the United States are just fine.
We like the illegals there cause we can pay them Mexican wages.
Not Barbara Johnson

By: vcamm77@hotmail.com

vcamm77@hotmail.com — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 22:44:50 +0000

Great article, excellent comments. As someone who was once gentrified out of San Francisco, and whose daughter was recently pushed out of her old London neighborhood, I don’t have a great deal to argue with. As to the community of digital nomads (of which I am NOT one), I hope the advent of Artificial Intelligence leaves enough space for the work you are doing so that you are able to continue to enjoy your way of life into the future.