A Morning Walk Through My "New" Old Neighborhood in Mérida

Hey, Mexit Planners!

Come take a walk with me.

This morning I’m taking you through my new neighborhood… which just so happens to be my old neighborhood, too. Let me explain.

We recently moved, but not far. We’re still in the same general area here in Mérida, just a little closer to the city center. That small shift changed up my morning 5K walk, so I’ve been exploring new routes to keep my distance up—and along the way, I’ve stumbled across a few gems I wanted to share with you.

Let’s walk.

From Familiar Streets to New Discoveries

If you've followed me for a while, you might recognize parts of this route. But now that we’re a few blocks deeper into the city, I’ve been taking alternate paths—new streets, different corners, and local spots I hadn’t paid attention to before. And that’s one thing I love about Mérida: there’s always more to discover.

Right now, we’re walking through Colonia México Norte, near Calle 1H. This little street is actually a great shortcut to the Altabrisa area—it lets me skip all the construction and traffic on Avenida Cámara de Comercio. They're putting up a luxury high-rise over there, and it's already making the area busier than usual. Calle 1H helps me bypass that and still get my steps in.

Watch the City Rise (Literally)

There’s this massive 10-story building that’s been under construction for a few years now—looks like it’ll be apartments with shops and restaurants on the bottom level. It’s been interesting to watch it come together little by little. I always find it exciting to see how the city is growing and changing.

Just behind that building is something you might not know about: the Lebanese community center and school. Mérida has a rich Lebanese heritage, and this area—especially around Avenida Líbano—is a great example of how that history is still alive today.

The Magic of Calle 1H

Let’s keep moving down 1H. This street is full of character—tons of local restaurants, boutiques, and coffee shops. If you’ve watched my other Youtube channel Black Coffee Chronicles, you already know I’m a big fan of Cafe Loco Coffee Lab. It's a Korean-themed shop with fantastic owners who roast their own beans. Easily one of the best in the city.

Further down the street, there’s a little frutería near the Montecristo roundabout that serves up fresh juices, fruit, nuts, and honey. One of my friends swears by their sour orange juice—still haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on the list.

A Peek Into Montecristo & the “Golden Zone”

As we move into Montecristo, you’ll start noticing some seriously impressive homes. We’re in what many locals refer to as the Golden Zone—a stretch of northern Mérida that includes neighborhoods like Colonia México, Montecristo, and Montebello. If you’re house hunting and want quiet streets, beautiful architecture, and top-tier amenities, this is where you look.

You’ll see what I mean as we turn onto Calle 12. It’s wide, walkable, and even has bike lanes. Perfect for getting those 3.1 miles in without battling cars.

We also pass by OXO (think Mexican 7-Eleven), Trade Café (solid for brunch, not my go-to for coffee), and more homes with massive walls. Pro tip: the longer the wall, the bigger the property behind it. Some of these houses take up almost half a city block, and many have pools, tennis courts—you name it.

What’s the Difference Between a Fraccionamiento and a Privada?

Here in Mérida, you’ll come across different types of neighborhoods:

• A fraccionamiento is more like a subdivision. Streets, homes, maybe a neighborhood park, but no gates or guards.

• A privada, on the other hand, is gated, with one entrance and usually a guard. Some folks prefer the extra layer of privacy, but in most parts of the north—especially the Golden Zone—it’s not necessary unless that’s something you really want.

  
  

Where we’re walking now is a fraccionamiento within Colonia México, and it’s surprisingly packed with beautiful, high-end homes. I even came across a house that’s over 6,000 square feet, sitting on a 440 square meter lot, for rent or sale. I might try to look up the details and share them later.

How I Find the Best Homes in Mérida

Here's the thing: Mérida doesn’t have a centralized real estate system. If you’re trying to find a home, don’t expect everything to be online.

Some of the best places I’ve found—for myself and others—were just from walking or driving through neighborhoods and seeing a “For Sale” or “For Rent” sign. Snap a pic, hit up the number on WhatsApp, and go from there. That’s how I found my current home, and the one before that. It really is all about the neighborhood, the street, and often the landlord.

Wrapping Up at the Park

We’re circling back now through Colonia México Park, which is across from the INE building (where Mexican citizens go for ID) and the immigration office (if you’re applying for residency, that’s where you’ll go). It’s a shady, peaceful park—and during the holidays, they do a full Festival of Lights with nativity scenes and holiday displays. It's one of those community touches that makes living here feel special.

As we wrap up the walk, we’re still in the Golden Zone. To the north is Periférico, Mérida’s outer loop—if you’re from Atlanta or Houston, think of it like 285. The inner loop, where we’re walking now, is Circuito Colonias. That loop can take you all around the city—from the airport to Altabrisa, to Centenario Park (Mérida’s old zoo, open for over 100 years).

Until Next Time…

This was just a walk, but there’s so much to see when you slow down and really look at a neighborhood. Whether you’re already living here or planning your Mexit, walking a neighborhood is one of the best ways to learn what life is really like—and maybe even find your next home.

If you enjoyed this little tour, share it with someone who's dreaming about life in Mérida. And if you want to see more neighborhoods, let me know.

Until next time,Dream. Plan. Live.

Monte