Moving to Mexico City 8 years ago was as exciting as it was nerve-racking. It was a rollercoaster of bursting excitement followed by immense horror and fear of the unknown. I had never visited Mexico before our big move, I did not understand the culture, the food, the people or even the language. Nevertheless, I took the leap following love and what was supposed to be my happily ever after.
My first expectation was to at least maintain my current lifestyle. I wanted to be as involved in my community as I was back home. Coming from most European countries and the even USA, buying time can be significantly more costly than in the Caribbean and Mexico. In my country ( St. Vincent and the Grenadines) I previously owned a business for over a decade which allowed me to pay for time so I can get more done and have the time to give back to my community.
With the privilege to buy time, I employed a house-keeper and a personal assistant and with a dedicated circle of support back home, I had enough time and resources to travel, connect with family and friends, and to be involved with Rotary International which allowed me to enjoy service above self and all the benefits of giving back to my community.
Arriving in Mexico, I no longer had that circle of support – the extended family to babysit, I no longer worked because now I was considered here as an Äma de Casa.´ Many ex-pats and foreigners suffer from adjusting to a new life and finding their new identities here in Mexico. Most mothers who arrive also suffer from isolation as kids are off to school and their partners are off to work leaving them alone in a new city with no one to connect with. This was me, the key is to find support communities with other ex-pats who understand the importance of connecting offline.
In bigger cities, like Mexico, with a culture of long working hours and lower wages, most do not have the time for experiencing the joys of life apart from work and home responsibilities. However, I was surprised to learn that most middle class in Mexico enjoyed the benefits of having a live in house-keeper and a booming service industry providing to their every whim. In fact, most homes in the trendy neighborhoods are built to include a service room for your live in house-keeper. Some homes would employ not only a house-keeper or two, but also a private driver and a nanny all at the cost as someone employing a full time help in the US or Europe. Clearly, Mexico can provide you with not only a good lifestyle but an opportunity to upgrade your lifestyle no matter what that lifestyle looks like.
Most ex-pats moving to Mexico for work are compensated in US Dollars, even if you never paid for time before, Mexico will provide you a great opportunity to pay for time and services that will significantly improve your lifestyle. You can pay for time, to allow you to be more involved in the community helping those in need, or spending more time connecting with family and friends or simply enjoying better life experiences like exploring nearby magic towns.
What I loved about Mexico City most is that in two hours you could be poolside enjoying eternal spring weather in Cuernavaca or 4 hours you could be sitting on the beach with a cocktail in hand enjoying the warmth of the sun while listening to the waves crashing on the shore. There are many magic towns within 5 hour’s drive of the city that are culturally diverse and awaiting you to explore.
Mexico ́s is known to be an entrepreneurial paradise. Their fintech industry, and their business sector is far more advanced than most countries. In Mexico, most services are available at the tap of a button, there are nannies, make up artists, food delivery services saving you time shopping, all with built in apps at the convenience of your fingertips.
Here are 20 Apps and Services you must download or experience if you are looking to upgrade your lifestyle while in Mexico City. Most of these apps and services will allow you to purchase time so you can focus on doing more, giving more, and experiencing more.
- Homely – Homely is an on demand cleaning service. While in Mexico you will recognize just about everyone from middle class up have some sort of help in the house or with their kids. The average cost of a maid will run you $250 – $350 pesos per 8 hour day. (12.50 – 17.50 USD) Maids do get sick and most need help while they are looking to hire the right house-keeper. Homely fits perfectly for those looking, and even those who may only need a help 2 times a week and prefer not to have the commitment and responsibilities of hiring an employee such as IMSS payments, taxes, alguindo etc.
- Nannapp – Nannapp is an on demand nanny service. With kids we all need trusted care takers for our little ones. Whether its date nights, events, work commitments, travel assistance or even to fill in when your care-giver is sick or unable to show up. This on demand nanny service can take care of your child care needs and responsibilities. All nannies are screened and trained to provide trusted services to your little ones. Download the app today and save time, frustrations and inconveniences. Cost is around 12.50 – 17.50 USD per hour.
- Glam 2 Go – Glam2Go is an on demand makeup artist app. If you are having that date night, event night or even for work, you must download this app. The app allows you to book a professional makeup artist who comes to your home or office and provides you with a professional hair and make up or make up alone for any event day or night. You must try their service just once to see and experience the transformation. You will not be disappointed and I guarantee once you try their service you will never step out without it!
- Scape – On demand massages or facials at your home or office. Download the app today and enjoy the benefits of touch. Stress management is critical for upgrading your lifestyle. We all know how relaxing having a massage can be. Give the gift of touch with professional massages and facials all in the comfort of your own home.
- Glam Foods – Glam foods offer professional chef at your home for a day. Joanna Vegas provides personal chef services throughout the city. For about $75 USD you can have her prepare healthy delicious meals and snacks to last your family 1-2 weeks. No need to slave in the kitchen everyday or even wash pots and pans on a daily basis. Hiring a personal chef not only buys you time, but also saves marriages and your sanity.
- Lengua y Cultura – Grasp the language and immerse yourself in the culture and food of Mexico. With so many spanish schools to choose, you can reassure yourself knowing that Lengua y Cultura recently won a title at the Latin America business awards for 2019. So, officially they are the best school. learn the language and open a window to new worlds. They offer full immersion programs. Their main feature is that they are a conversational school. You will learn how to speak, how to communicate with your partner, business partner, life partner and do business in the city.
- Cornershop – Cornershop is an on-demand grocery delivery app. This app allows you to literally shop for your groceries while in pajamas, in bed or even the gym. Many grocery stores in the city, also offer a delivery service. You can log on to their online portals and shop for your items and have them delivered for little or no extra fees. Look up www.walmart.com.mx or www.superama.com.mx Try using the desktop version of these sites so you can translate the pages if your Spanish is not that great.
- Rappi – Rappi is an on-demand service provider like Cornershop and uber eats on steroids. Rappi offers you an assistant who can fetch you just about anything anywhere. You can order groceries, food, ask for cash, and even have them grab art supplies or your heart desires and bring it to your door.
- Uber – A private driver on demand. Gone are the days that you hunt for a cab at the corner of the street. Now your private driver comes to you. In Mexico City, with such terrible traffic there is no better way to relax while you commute. There are multiple options of hiring a private driver, however we advise you to sick to Uber which seems to be more regulated with not only more drivers making waiting time in most places as little as 2 minutes, but they seem to have better cars and higher standard of customer support. Others include, Didi, Easy Taxi ( Cabify)
- Trusted in Mexico – Save time by using a network of Trusted Businesses. Trusted in Mexico does the research so you can focus on the more important things like connecting with family and friends. Avoid bad businesses experiences, let downs and stand ups by using approved english speaking 5 Star businesses all in one location. Click, Book and Enjoy good experiences and quality products by screened and approved businesses in Mexico.
- Mexico City Super Moms – The best offline and online facebook support group. Their mission is to create a trusted community for foreigners and expats to feel welcomed and supported by providing the resources needed to move to and thrive while living in Mexico City. They focus on creating opportunities for our members to build meaningful relationships through face to face connections offline ensuring that no one has to feel isolated in the city. To do this, they meet weekly for Coffee and Chat in Polanco and monthly throughout the city. Each month there is an organized Wine & Activity evening and annually holidays including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, Valentines Day and Mother’s Day are celebrated in Grand Style. Other support groups include: Foreigners in the City ( Mexico City), Mexico City Foreigners Club, Americans in Mexico etc.
- Amazon Prime – Amazon Prime Mexico is available, however if you are coming from the US you will be surprised to know that you can enjoy the same services and benefits here in Mexico. Most items are shipped directly to your door and if compared to Amazon Mexico, you may find the items are more affordable, so keep you Amazon Prime while in Mexico.
- USTVNow.com – Unfortunately most LIVE USA TV channels are not available on the current cable channels in Mexico – Izzie, Total Play, Telemex. If you want to watch Ellen, Housewives or even TLC Pimple Popper you can subscribe to USTVNow.com for access to Lifetime. ABC, NBC, TLC and many more American Channels.
- Audible.com – If you are an avid reader or listener, you can benefit from keeping your audible account here in Mexico. Signing up here can be problematic as you will be directed to AMAZON Mexico Audible. Audible will give you access to the new releases in english that may not be available readily in Mexico.
- Cinemex App – Movie apps can save you time in long lines waiting to purchase tickets.Tickets can be purchased within their apps and all that is needed is your ticket bar-code to enter. The two main movie theaters in Mexico are Cinemex and Cinepolis. You can download both apps. For english speakers, theatres offer movies in english but you will find the expat areas and theaters like Plaza Carso, Pabellon, Miyana, Antara and those in Santa Fe offer more movies in English at all times. VIP Passes are affordable and much more comfortable with a menu service that comes to you while you at a touch of a button.
- Trafimar – Professional local and international relocation services. Whether it is a move around the block or around the globe Relomex can take you there safely. Having moved several times in 5 years and having used it all, I must say hiring a professional mover will save you time, headache and money. They are not the cheapest but they will ensure your treasures are not taken for granted and that you and your belongings arrive at your new destination safest.
- Costco – An annual membership to costco will be well worth your Investment. If you are organic conscious shopper you will be surprised at the vast variety and options of organic and fresh fruits and vegetables you will find at Costco. American brands can be easily found here along with freshly baked goods, and an assortment of fresh meats and fish. If you are furnishing your home, you can secure your washer dryer, beds, bedside tables, lamps, dressers, TV and electronics, small appliances like microwaves, blenders, vacuums, ironing boards, irons, crockpots, instapots, pots and pans, spoons and forks, towels and sheets. It could be your one stop shop for furnishing 80% or more of your home with good quality furnishings.
- General Doctor – Offering home service. Dr. Alia is a general practitioner that offer house call service. You never know when a stomach bug or some illness gets you at night. The average emergency visit costs 1000 – 1500 USD. A house visit can cost approximately 50 – 75 USD depending on your location.
- Pediatricians – Save the number of these pediatricians offering house calls. Having a sick kid and saving an unnecessary trip to the hospital can save you time, money and give you a peace of mind.
- Pharmacies – Unlike most countries, pharmacies in Mexico are not staffed or ran like a typical American drug store. Servers are not licensed Pharmacists and prescriptions are not filled and labeled like they should be. Patients are expected to reconstitute their prescription suspensions at home following the directions given by their prescribing doctors. The larger pharmacies like San Pablo and Similaries have available doctors who can see patients for $30 pesos or even FREE. Doctors will see you and write a prescription you can fill at their pharmacy. Be prepared to double check dosages, reconstitute your medicine and rely on the sole advice and counseling of your drugs prescribed by your doctor.
