walterbyrd
Junior Nomad
Posts: 70
Registered: 6-26-2009
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Visiting Baja for first time
Been here since Saturday night.
I am staying in San Antonio Del Mar - south-west Tijuana. Also visited Rosarito.
Spoke with a few local expats yesterday.
All the hoopla about crime is a local joke to everybody here. People around say they love the crime reputation because it keeps the costs down, and
the area less crowed.
This area is a quite, sleepy, beach community. Very laid back. The people all seem very nice. The owner of the apartment, where I am staying, leaves
his doors unlocked on his other units. I am sure there are bad areas, maybe 10 or 15 miles from here. But this place seems much safer, and quieter,
than some parts of Denver.
Food is great. Restaurants are cheap here, maybe half the cost of eating in the US.
Everybody thinks the health care is excellent, and very affordable. Supposedly, TJ has a hospital that was ranked 18th in the world - better than
anything you would find in San Diego. People pay about $60 a month for health insurance. Or, you can just pay out-of-pocket - it's cheap enough.
On the downside: the roads are often bad, and they do not have building standards like they do in the US. Also, it's very difficult, and very
expensive, for Americans to get a home loan. They like to sell for all cash. When you buy a house here, it's like buying something at a yard sale, all
cash, no warranties, and you get what you get - strictly buyer beware. The home wiring, and plumbing, etc. may have been done by people with no
special training, or certification,
There are less English speakers than I thought there would be. I am getting by, but it's a little difficult.
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55steve
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Registered: 4-24-2006
Location: Warner Springs, CA
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My friend & his wife rented out their 2 homes in San Diego & moved to San Antonio about a year ago. They absolutely love it there! He has a
Sentri pass and commutes across to work every day with no issues.
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 9-19-2009
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sounds like a great time! but hey, don't get too complacent in SADM, I was in a oceanfront studio and we had lowlife scramble down the cliffside,
break-in thru a locked window and grab a wallet and laptop! anyway enjoy your trip!
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wilderone
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Well, Walter, how did you decide to go about getting there? Glad you're having a good time.
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Like learning to swim. Start at the shallow end, and before you know it you'll be way out in the deep and loving every minute of it.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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bajalearner
Senior Nomad
Posts: 670
Registered: 8-24-2010
Location: Tijuana
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Mood: in search of more
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Based on my experience, expect that an intruder will enter an unlocked door or window. Or take something that is not locked up. It will happen if
you allow it.
I like it in Baja, and Mexico overall, and I am gratefull to live in their country.
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walterbyrd
Junior Nomad
Posts: 70
Registered: 6-26-2009
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| Quote: | Originally posted by wilderone
Well, Walter, how did you decide to go about getting there? Glad you're having a good time. |
Flew in, rented a car at San Diego airport, drove to Rosarito, stayed at Los Peliconos Hotel for first night. Now staying in San Antonio del Mar.
Los Peliconos Hotel is a dump. I am surprised that such a flea-bag hotel would be built on - what must be - super valuable beach front property. The
beach there is beautiful. The Los Peliconos restaurant is also very nice, and cheap. You can eat right by the beach, it's great.
Went to Ensenada yesterday. What an amazing place. Not run-down, or congested, like much of Rosarito, or Tijuana. Ensenada reminded me of Santa
Barbara. Wide, well paved, roads, lots of English speakers, some beautiful beaches.
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elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4323
Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
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| Quote: | Originally posted by walterbyrd
Been here since Saturday night.
I am staying in San Antonio Del Mar - south-west Tijuana. Also visited Rosarito.
Spoke with a few local expats yesterday..............
Everybody thinks the health care is excellent, and very affordable. Supposedly, TJ has a hospital that was ranked 18th in the world - better than
anything you would find in San Diego. People pay about $60 a month for health insurance. Or, you can just pay out-of-pocket - it's cheap enough.
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Supposedly. We live in San Diego. San Diego has WORLD CLASS hospitals. Admittedly I have never been to any hospital in TJ and unless they carry me in
unconscious I do not plan to. I would like to see the citation that says that any TJ hospital is better then anything in San Diego. I won't hold my
breath. SADM looks like a nice place when you drive by. I have never noticed anyone ever in the ocean there. Wonder why? 
Have fun and do lock your doors.
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13165
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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Great that your life experience has already begun! I personally think it was brilliant that you rented a car the first time...now you can bus it
next time and at least know what to expect distance-wise.
Have a great rest of the trip.
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walterbyrd
Junior Nomad
Posts: 70
Registered: 6-26-2009
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
Great that your life experience has already begun! I personally think it was brilliant that you rented a car the first time...now you can bus it
next time and at least know what to expect distance-wise.
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Maybe a little less that brilliant. We were not able to find anything. Tried using google maps, and following the directions, but that never seemed to
work. With no Spanish, no Garmin, and no cell phone, navigation was extremely difficult. When we found something, it was by luck.
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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That is if you like to rough it. I don't like camping so give me Hotel Coral or Las Rosas. I also like the looks of Punto Chivato is there a nice
hotel there? I will take a B and B as well. | Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Until you get out of the city and at least 20 miles beyond Ensenada or any city, you are not going to experience the Baja most of us here have come to
love. If city life and all that goes with it is what you seek, then fine. But, if you want to see the Baja that is different than any place else in
the world, we can help you!
First off, get a good 4WD vehicle so you increase what you can see and do, and reduce the odd of getting stuck.
Next, get set up to live outdoors with a sun shade, tent, camp table and camp chairs. Camp stove and lantern, ice chest, and camp cookware is a good
start.
Now, you can begin to enjoy Baja, be a part of the beautiful land and sea, and live longer far from the stress and crime of a city!
Bahia Concepcion
East Cape
Bahia San Rafael
Painted Caves
Spanish Missions from the 1700's
At least make one trip to the tip to get a feel for what Baja has to offer!
PS, all the places above were visited in one 2 week trip! |
[Edited on 4-22-2014 by EnsenadaDr]
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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Rent a car and go to the North Shore of Hawaii. Plenty of uninhabited beaches there. | Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Nothing rough about how we camp, it is far more relaxing to be somewhere with no need for a time keeper... There are no hotels where we like to go, so
we make our own 'hotel'.
As I said in my reply, some people like cities and all that civilization. We like to escape from civilization as we are in it all the time. Baja is
that escape. You can stay in hotels anywhere, but where else can you have a beach like this, all to yourself?:
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by walterbyrd
Maybe a little less that brilliant. We were not able to find anything. Tried using google maps, and following the directions, but that never seemed to
work. With no Spanish, no Garmin, and no cell phone, navigation was extremely difficult. When we found something, it was by luck.
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Get a Garmin 2595LMT....has preloaded North America maps. Works great in Baja and shows all the streets. Have used it in TJ, Rosarito, Ensenada and
points south
Also stop at any OXXO, Circle K or 7-11 stores and pick up city maps for TJ, Rosarito and Ensenada.
With the GPS and the city map, navigating is a snap.
[Edited on 4-22-2014 by bajaguy]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64479
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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That beach in Baja is less than 6 hours drive from my home...
If I fly to Hawaii, I won't be bringing my camping gear! 
edit: since EnsenadaDr reposted my photos, I removed the original posts so as to not fill the thread with double images.
When I read that the OP couldn't find anything in Ensenada, I thought maybe they were looking to find a different 'Baja' or may like to see more of
Baja than just cities.
[Edited on 4-23-2014 by David K]
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by walterbyrd
Went to Ensenada yesterday. What an amazing place. Not run-down, or congested, like much of Rosarito, or Tijuana. Ensenada reminded me of Santa
Barbara. Wide, well paved, roads, lots of English speakers, some beautiful beaches. |
Glad you enjoyed our city!!!!. We looked all over the world for a retirement place and finally settled on, and in Ensenada....no regrets. Come back
when you can spend more time!!!!
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
| Quote: | Originally posted by walterbyrd
Went to Ensenada yesterday. What an amazing place. Not run-down, or congested, like much of Rosarito, or Tijuana. Ensenada reminded me of Santa
Barbara. Wide, well paved, roads, lots of English speakers, some beautiful beaches. |
Glad you enjoyed our city!!!!. We looked all over the world for a retirement place and finally settled on, and in Ensenada....no regrets. Come back
when you can spend more time!!!! |
Totally agree that Ensenada is a wonderful town. So many great restaurants, and world class shopping. Even if you don't settle down there, there are
so many fine hotels to stay. We prefer Hotel San Nicolas when we stay in town, and Estero Beach Hotel, we we was to be by the water.
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