I’m an online editor (including for WordPress.com’s homepage), wife of a journalist named Brendan, owner of a much-doted-upon fluffy shih-tzu named Charlie and resident of Mexico City. I moved here from New York City in the fall of ‘07. Soy chilanga!
I’m a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, which gives me plenty of fodder for this blog. It’s a surreal place, Corpus Christi. Even the name is strange. But I like strange places, so it all works out in the end.
MOVING TO MEXICO????? While I wish I could answer your individual questions about Mexico, I simply don’t have the time. Be sure to Google the “Newcomer’s Club of Mexico City” for helpful info, and a lot of people like Solutions Abroad, although I never got much use out of it. Anyway: You’re in for a wonderful adventure and don’t be scared to live here. It’s fun and the food kicks ass.
31 responses so far ↓
Sally Buck // October 9, 2007 at 7:15 pm |
Joy…do you remember me? Would love to hear from you…
Sally
Joy // October 11, 2007 at 4:31 pm |
Hi Sally – yes, I do! I wrote you back from my gmail account. Great to hear from you!
junemoon // November 4, 2007 at 4:47 pm |
Hi Joy ~ I can’t remember now how I came across your blog recently but I am glad that I did as I em really enjoying reading about your experiences in your new home in Mexico. I have only been to Mexico on short vacations, Cabos San Lucas, twice, and Puerto Vallarta, once. I would really like to live in Mexico some day for a while, longer than a vacation at least.
Thanks for such an informative and fun blog! junemoon
Joy // November 4, 2007 at 5:42 pm |
Thanks June! I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog.
rhosie // November 27, 2007 at 2:35 am |
nice picture…..
Grace // December 12, 2007 at 6:07 pm |
Hi Joy
I just found your blog and have enjoyed reading about Mexico City since my husband and I will be visiting for a couple of days around Christmas. Coincidentally we live in NYC! I am thinking most of the museums will be closed on Christmas Day so I was wondering if you could recommend some other things to do. Also, I’m a fashion student and would love to know about some cool boutiques to visit, we’re staying in Polanco but I’ve heard Condesa is great for shopping. Muchas Gracias!
Christine // February 19, 2008 at 11:35 am |
Joy,
Thank you so much for your blogs! I recently found out I will be moving to Mexico City this summer. Like any good person moving to a new area, I hopped online and started researching. I think I started to have a panic attack after the second web page I visited. Hijackings, muggings, robberies, don’t take Taxis; don’t trust the police, don’t drink the water. All I could think was, how can anyone come out of there alive? To say I was getting a bit nervous would be an understatement. Then I came across your blog. After reading all your postings I’m actually starting to get pretty excited about the move. I love photography and so many of the pictures you have posted are full of life and color that I can’t wait to start my own collection. Your blog’s have greatly relieved me and for that I thank you!!
Joy // February 19, 2008 at 5:05 pm |
Thanks Christine! There are a lot of misconceptions about Mexico City, and reading blogs from those of us who live here is probably the best way to see the truth through the fear. Best of luck on your move!
local718 // March 6, 2008 at 3:26 pm |
Joy- you look really nice in that turquoise color. :b
pelón // March 27, 2008 at 10:08 pm |
Joy,
I hope you’re back from Texas for Noche de Primavera. It’s my favorite night of the year in the D.F. Much of El Centro is shut down for traffic and in over 20 spots scattered throughout the streets and alleys you’ll find every flavor of music, dance, art, circus…from punk rock and surf-rockabilly to opera singers on street corner balconies.
It starts at 6pm and ends sometime after 4AM.
DON’T MISS IT!
Here’s a schedule:
http://chilangabanda.com/2008/03/26/por-fin-llego-la-5%c2%aa-noche-de-primavera-en-el-zocalo/
pelón
Joy // April 6, 2008 at 10:27 pm |
Thanks Pelon!! Damn, I missed it. Looks like a ton of fun.
Michele in Playa // May 4, 2008 at 1:02 pm |
Hola from sunny Playa del Carmen. Just recently returned from the 1st Latin America Bloggers Conference held this year on Isla Mujeres. I met a great group of ex-pats whose blogs you may want to check out! They are all up on my blogroll and all uniquely interesting. So, come on over and visit us in cyberspace. We are planning next year’s Blogger Blowout already!
Cheers!
Michele Kinnon
Hannah // May 26, 2008 at 9:50 pm |
Hey, I stumbled across your blog and now enjoy reading every update. I am very interested in visiting Mexico in early October. (I currently live in mid-town Manhattan) I am not interested in going to a touristy spot. I want to be able to absorb Mexico everyday life. DO you have any suggestions for me? I would love to hear your opinion!!
Monica // May 28, 2008 at 6:53 pm |
Dear Joy, I’ve been reading your blog for some weeks, since I found out I will pe living in Mexico City for 4 years. You’ve been of great help with your postings, for me, so far, but I still have some questions, by now. Is life safe there? I don;’t know why I made this fixation on robbery and kidnapping. tell me it’s not that dangerous, please! And tell me i can get soya or rice milk there:) All the best,…
Joy // June 26, 2008 at 5:40 pm |
We haven’t had any problems with crime, and there’s soy milk in my fridge as I type this. It’s a big city – has the same pros and cons of any big city. Just with better food.
Terry // July 28, 2008 at 3:31 pm |
Joy – ran across your site looking for some info to send to my folks on where Im living come September. Also my sister’s name is Joy so it caught my eye! Ja. After 5 years of coming down every 6 months, Im finally parking it permanently over on Citlaltepetl near Nuevo Leon -south side of Parque Mexico in Condesa. I had a quick question who you use for internet service since this blog would obviously require a reliable provider and I know options are limited [theres TelMex and TelMex, right? A joke.] As a designer I’ll need a relatively fast line with good transfer amount. All that aside, I really like the site and look forward to reading the updates and being “vecinos”.
Thanks for the help – take care -T.
PS: Native texan – houston!
Joy // July 28, 2008 at 3:37 pm |
Thanks Terry — and welcome to La Condesa!
There’s a few options. We use Cablevision for TV and DSL internet. There’s Prodigy Mexico, and yes, everyone’s favorite monopoly, TelMex. I’m pretty sure there are a few more but I don’t pay much attention to these things. I do recommend the Newcomer’s Club of Mexico City — they have tons of info on this sort of stuff.
Cablevision has been really good so far, although it’s your typical giant corporation — installation and customer service issues can be a bit painful, especially if your Spanish is bad (mine sucks.)
Suzy // August 6, 2008 at 7:07 pm |
Hi Joy
Love your blog voice! My husband is moving us to Mexico City in Sept. I will be reading a good deal of your posts in the next few weeks, but I thought I would ask you if you could give me any advice on actually moving. Also, as far as mapping the neighborhoods can you suggest a useful tool to learn more about neighborhoods such as yours?
Suzy
Suzy // August 9, 2008 at 8:45 pm |
It is me again! You are from MN? Did you grow up there? I am originally from MN, too! Moved to SC a few years ago and miss MN so much.
Small world!
Suzy
Monica // September 11, 2008 at 4:28 pm |
Hi Joy,
I’m Mexican-American living in Mexico City. I would really like to ask you a lof of questions, but the other way around (about New York). Is there any chance you could contact me through my email address? I do have a lot of questions… Also, do you know someone who might be willing to exchange English lessons (at a college level) for singing lessons…
I hope you don’t find my requests sort of luny.
Cheers,
Monica
dinesh1201 // October 1, 2008 at 9:07 am |
Hi nice photography. You have a nice blog. Keep shooting.
Regards
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http://bigbracket.wordpress.com
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Teresa // October 26, 2008 at 10:39 am |
Great Blog and Nice to meet you, I have had fun reading the blog, It reminded me of all the wide eyed adventures I have had since coming to Mexico for the first time.
There have been many wonderful times of wide eyed wonder.
.. and drooling as I have to try all the different foods.
Jen // February 24, 2009 at 2:50 pm |
Hey – Just wanted to say I love your blog. I am moving to Mexico City at the end of the year for my husband’s job and am utterly terrified. Your blog has assuaged some of my fears and made Mexico look like a lovely (though trying at times) place to live if you have some tolerance for adventure!!
latinbeauty // March 9, 2009 at 2:26 pm |
Love your blog! and asking myself: how come I didn’t find you before? … making a link to you from MiBlogestublog. me encanta!
Sylvie // June 10, 2009 at 3:53 pm |
Hi Joy,
I came across your blog today and found it to be very useful as a complement to my business http://www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com
I’m a Canadian woman who’s lived in Puerto Vallarta since 1995 and love it! I’m lucky to travel all-over Mexico for my work and have experienced so much of what this amazing country has to offer. I’ll be joining the Bloguesphere soon and am just now figuring it all out.
Thanks for the information and point of view. It’s much more colorful and interesting that a guide book…
Have a great day and I’ll be back to read more!
Sylvie Laitre
mexicoboutiquehotels // June 22, 2009 at 5:33 pm |
Hi Joy!
We as promised on my last post, I’ve started the Mexico Boutique Hotels blog and am doing a trial run right now. Finding it quite fun actually. Just wanted to say that I linked to your blog which I think is a great resource for my client base. Please let me know if you ever come to Puerto Vallarta. I’d love to show you around.
All the best,
Sylvie
mexicoboutiquehotels // June 22, 2009 at 5:34 pm |
Oh! Perhaps I should have actually pasted the blog address: http://mexicoboutiquehotels.wordpress.com/
Beginner’s mistake
Celia // June 26, 2009 at 7:19 am |
Hi Joy!
I am from Colombia and have lived in Florida for 8 years, my husband is being considered for a job in Mexico City, we have 5 children born and raised in USA, I was wondering if you know any family oriented neighborhoods, safety is our No.1 priority. Thanks,
Joy // June 26, 2009 at 8:39 am |
Celia, I wish I could be more helpful, but the best thing to do is to contact organizations like the Newcomer’s Club for advice. There are many safe neighborhoods — it’s no more dangerous than Florida, seriously — and it’s more about picking what schools/parks/cultural activities you want nearby. I live in Condesa, and don’t own a car, and live a very urban lifestyle, and love it. Best of luck and you’ll have a great time here.
patricia // October 24, 2009 at 3:12 pm |
Hi Joy! I am writing bceuase I want to be cool as you requested; I would like to use one of you amazing sugar skull pictures as a reference to make skull cookies.
A reference is what I was trying to find when I found you here. I am very impressed and seeing you and what you do has triggered my sense of pride as a mexican native living in the united states for a few years now. I is hard to hold that pride on a daily rutine and away from the real Mexico…I love it. And I love seeing my native country from such beautiful and true perspective, you are a gifted lady.
Joy // October 26, 2009 at 1:10 pm |
Yes Patricia, it’s ok to use.