How necessary is Spanish in Mexico City?

[Andreas_Dressler]

I've been wanting to move to Latin America for at least a few years, and now Mexico City topped my Teleport ranking. But since I'm not yet fluent in Spanish (I've only been taking Duolingo lessons for a couple of months), I wonder how important it is in day-to-day life?

I'm not sure if I would try to work remotely as a freelancer/ux designer, or if I would try to join a startup or tech company locally. Would the latter be possible without an advanced level of Spanish, at least in the beginning?

Thank you for your time!

[Carin]

Many people speak English here but it is not a given in the way it is in many European countries. If you live in an expat-friendly neighborhood (Roma, Condesa, Polanco, Coyoacan) then you should have no problem getting an apartment, setting yourself up, and meeting people to network and practice your Spanish.

For work, you might want to try setting yourself up with a remote gig, at least at the beginning, in part because the peso has been losing value in the past couple years and also because, while you might find startups where you can get by without advanced Spanish, it would be a handicap initially.

[Saru_Hiru]

Hi, Andreas.

It really depends on your aim... there're lots of people here that use english fluently, although most people don't. It's very much about the zone of the city. For example, there's the Condesa-Roma region, it's one of the wealthiest regions, and most people there are bilingual; also, there are lots of foreigners there. On the other hand, the farther you move east through the city, the lower the educational level becomes, and so, it will be harder to find people who speak english.

As for work, I'd recommend you maintain your freelance contracts as you look for a startup to join. You'll surely be able to find something, but you never know... also, this would allow you to improve your spanish as you go along.

Hope this is helpful.
S.

[S_Deazley]

Hey! I moved here with a basic knowledge of Spanish (I studied it in school 5 years ago but had forgotten most of it) and I found that I really struggled when I got here so I started taking lessons. I would say that Spanish is essential for living in CDMX, most of my friends here have very little English. Of course there are lots of English speakers here too. I think it completely depends on your workplace and the area of the city you are in. I am a graphic designer and am lucky that my boss speaks English fluently, however all of my work is in Spanish but it is great because you learn it faster the more you are exposed to it. My advice would be to get some formal lessons or do a language exchange with a native Spanish speaker in your area and then just make the move! Living here, being exposed to the language everyday and making mistakes has definitely been better than any lessons I could have taken at home.

[Marielle_Fernandez]

Hi Andreas!

Advanced Spanish in Mexico City is not required. There are some areas where you want to live, work and move around at the beginning as most of the people there are foreigners or people with high understanding of english. Condesa, Roma, Polanco, Juarez, Lomas are the best place to be if you want to learn more spanish and find multicultural people. Another reason why you should move to Mexico is that Mexicans are always willing to help and teach. The cost of living is cheap comparing with countries in Europe and North America. You might find a freelance job easily and find friends here immediately. You will love it!

Let me know if you come so i can help you in the process and introduce you with more people in your situation!

Hope this helps

Take care,

Marielle

[Daniela_Garcia_Santi]

Hello Andreas!
I think you wouldn't have any difficulty in finding a job at a tech company or startup, mainly because your co-workers will most likely speak English as well.
In day-to-day life, however, at first you will definitely encounter some challenges, as the majority of the population in Mexico doesn't speak English. But rest assured that you would quickly learn the local language. Mexicans are extremely warm and open people, so you won't have any issues to socialize. This will translate into learning Spanish at a very fast rate. They will also help you, no worries about that part

[Cynthia_Alvarez]

Hi Andreas! It is very important to speak Spanish because even when some of your co-workers will be able to understand you, a lot of them won't understand anything in another language, but if you are able to communicate most of the things you want to say or do, you shouldn't have any problems, and also I recommend you to learn vocabulary that is normally used in the kind of job that you are looking for. Give it a try, it is also probably that you'll find someone that speaks the same language and can help you if you need it.

[Miguel_Capistran]

Hi, Spanish is not absolutely necessary in the city, specially if you could work remotely. If you try to join a local company, Spanish is expected to use at daily basis at meetings or costumers communications, unless the employer states otherwise.

For local use in the city; there's not too many people who speak English fluently, however, transportation and stores follow similar layouts to any other larges cities in the world and locals are very willing to help.

It's more probable that young people in upper class neighborhoods are bilingual and there's also a large community of expatriates working and living in these neighborhoods.

Hope that help you, goodbye.

[Luis_G_Viquez]

Is as necessary as speak English if you go to the US. There are places like Cancun, Los Cabos, Vallarta where is widely understood, and most of restaurants and hotels have Spanish speaking staff. If you are in Mexico city main spots, most of the companies’ executives speaks English; most of them do not speaks properly; but a lot of people understand and manage basic wording (like me); so you need to speak a little more than basic Spanish to feel comfortable.
Finally, what you are going to see is (and it is different from US or UK) most of the people are going to try to help you, regardless if they understand or not.
hope this help, and Wish you the best

[Adrian_Montes_Ferrer]

Hey there bro, how are you?

I just got your mail, so as your question about the language in Latin America.

Let me tell you this first...

Mexico must be your first option. It's just incredible.

There are thousands and thousands of foreign people living here now.

Of course is important to learn spanish. Must of mexican people doesn't speak english, but in Mexico City you can survive with English and the main things to say in spanish.

Actually, im a very good spanish teacher.

I've been traveling a lot and i know how does it feel and i know your concerns.

So, if you need any help, contact me.

It would be also nice to meet new friends.

Facebook: Adrian Montes Ferrer

Take care. And Welcome to my city.

[Fernando_Ferrusca_Al]

Hello, Andreas! Ther are lots of people wanting to learn english here in Mexico City and they will cherish the opportunity to practice, so I don't think you'll have a problem speaking in english, especially in the startup scene, since a lot of the resources, mentors and conferences available come from the United States people are very used to it. Also, even if your spanish is really basic, most people will take the effort to understand you and try to help. Hope this helped. Enjoy Mexico City! There are lots of things to do and see, plus, you'll try food you won't ever forget!

[Lola_Zavala]

Hey! Unfortunately, at least for a job, is very necessary. Maybe on your day-to-day life would be easier cause people try to speak in english with foreigners, but don't worry, you will learn really fast once you get here.

Good luck

[Fernanda_Gutierrez]

If you already know the basics, that's it, you can learn Spanish while living here, Spanish is easier if you practice while living in Mexico City.
There are zones in Mexico City which 90% of population knows and speaks English still Mexico City is a really big city and just a few people speak English.

[Jose_Ak]

Hi Andreas,

If you´re planning on joining a tech startup you don´t really need to be fluent in Spanish, most people will be able to understand you well although they might be a little rustier speaking it.
Proximity to the US means that a lot of content we consume is in English, mainly series and movies, so in general people have some basic understanding of English.
With regards to day to day life, you will most probably find someone nearby who´ll assist you with translating, we are known to be very friendly and helpful to foreigners, a huge part of the economy is based on tourism.

I hope my answer helps!

[Jos_C_Daboub]

Hi! Well, in my opinion it depends on where you're gonna be spending most of your time; the level of English varies depending on how many foreigners are in that area. Nonetheless I would say it is fairly necessary that you learn some basic Spanish, a conversation level is not necessary but basic words will make your life a lot easier when moving around. It's easy to pick up Spanish, so, in my opinion you'll be fine even if you don't know any Spanish! Cheers!

[Guillermo_Pardo_Arte]

Hi!
I'm mexican and i live in México City. It's important to know at least basic spanish or intermediate cause there are people that don't speak English in daily life so will be a little hard. The good think is that we tend to be friendly with foreigners and people will try to help you no matter what.

[Daniel_Celaya]

It is so important for living... If you will think to get a job or work as a freelancer would be important.
But if you came to vacations isn't important.

[Maria_Luisa_Prislin]

Hi Andreas,

Mexico City has a lot of people from all over the world and specially polanco, condesa and roma are the parts of the city were most of them live. But on daily life you should know basic Spanish and a little bit more. I think you will be ok if you take a crash course of basic spanish before arriving and with cell phones apps etc you should be fine and safe at the beginning.

[B_Cherry_Mij]

In the scale of 1 to 10... I´ll say 8. It also depends of the neighborhood status that you can afford. Some places are "english-frendly"

[Carla_Trujillo]

Hi Andreas!
Good day, I'm Carla from Mexico City and spanish is somehow important in the everyday life, however being neighbors with United States has caused that plenty of people will be able to understand you and even help you since a lot of people here already speaks english. So don't worry! People will strive to understand and help you. If you also need help don't doubt and contact me.
Hope this helps you!