What neighborhood should I stay in while on vacation in Mexico City>?

I bought I Moon Handbook on Mexico City which gives info on several M.C. neighborhoods: Centro Historico, Paseo De La Reforma, Chapultepec, Insurgentes Sur, Southern Mexico City, and Northern Mexico City. My boyfriend and I are interested in finding an area with a good concentration of museums, parks, great architecture, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes - preferably within walking distance of each other and in an area where walking at night is relatively safe and interesting. We like little relaxed and bohemian neighborhoods with character as we are both photographers (so we also need to know where it's safe to walk around with decent cameras). I also would like to purchase some Mexican handicrafts. I know this is a tall order, but does anyone know which neighborhood is good for many of these items? Also, do many people in M.C. speak English (I intend to learn some Spanish but will by no means become fluent over the next 8 months). Thanks!!!

Yes, that is a tall order...but I have a great little place...esp. if your budget is limited. It is simple, not fancy, but clean, quaint, safe, and in the Zona Rosa just 2 blocks from the American, Canadian, And British embassies ...just 2 blocks from Paseo de la Reforma. The owner and his daughter speak English. They would be great advisors for your trips around the city. DO be very careful about being out at nite. See first site below for this little treasure called Casa Gonzales. If you like something a bit fancier, you can go to the Bristol hotel just a block away. For very fancy, there is the Shetaton, just across from the side of the American Embassy. If you do chose to go to Casa Gonzales, you will need to take a taxi from the airport. there is a counter in the airport where you prepay for a taxi and take your ticket out to the taxi area...only use these taxis. There is no sign or name on the gate at casa Gonzales...it is very private...just a tall dark blue gate at # 69 Rio Sena...just ring the bell and give them a few minutes to get to the gate...the hotel is actualy 2 huge old mansions that have been renovated.

Mexico City is no more dangerous than N.Y.C. just use the same common sense you would use there. Stay in tourist areas, don't walk alone at night, use "sitio taxis", don't wear expensive jewlery. This city is "safe" as long as you use your common sense. And don't worry, no one will be after your cameras even poor people here use cell phones and ipods during their subway commute. Get a hotel in the "Polanco" area, it's close to museums and restaurants.

Thank you for visiting our country and be prepared for all the amazing places you'll see!!

I strongly suggest you stay at la Condesa, which is an area which have most of the things you're looking for, besides, it is really near all the places you wanna visit.

It's a bohemian neighborhood with many foreigners as yourself and you'll find youself in a place you wanna live as well as be comfortable.

I gladly help you with any questions you might have, contact me thru Y!A!!

take the Turibus (a hop on hop off tour) it will take u 2 all the interesting points in the city, its cheap.

Like 4 spending nore time visiting and walking i would suggest the Centro Hustorico there r sooo many interesting things 2 do.

I would sugest Chapultepec, there are many hotels, restaurants and museums at walking distance. Downtown mexico is also very near, you can go from there in 15 minutes on a Cab or take the subway.
The "zona rosa" (kind of a red district) is also very near the best night life is there.
The zoo, anthropology museum, modern art museum Chapultepec Castle are among the things that are on walking distance.

Polanco is annother option it is further away, yet is is a safe place to stay. Some fine restaurants and shops in Polanco though.