Living in Centro

Renting an apartment in Centro Histórico, on the Cuauhtémoc side, usually means an early twentieth century building renovated on the inside, with high ceilings and balconies over cobblestone streets near the Zócalo or Madero street. Furnished units are common here, which makes moving in easier for anyone not looking to buy furniture for a shorter stay. Nearly everything daily is within walking distance: markets, pharmacies, corner stores and the pedestrian corridor toward the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Torre Latinoamericana. South across Eje 1 Sur, Doctores offers an alternative with streets that see far less tourist foot traffic.

What to consider before renting

In catalogued buildings, any change to the facade or to original interior elements needs sign off from INAH or INBAL, worth asking about before moving in if a remodel is planned. Foot traffic and street vendors are heavy during the day on the blocks right off the Zócalo, but quiet down a lot at night and on weekends. Anyone weighing whether to buy instead can also check apartments for sale in Centro to compare renting against buying in the same area.