BajaNomad - Where to Live?

Where to Live?

mexigrl - 6-15-2006 at 03:19 PM

Hi -

I have lived in Cancun, Manzanillo and San Miguel de Allende. The last few years in San Miguel off/on. I am back in the US in a Katrina ravaged area and have decided to return to Mexico for at least a year. Need a break from all the destruction here.

I loved SMA but would like something more relaxing and near the beach. Are there any communities that have good expatriate offerings - like educational opportunities, community organizations etc? OR - will Baja be similar to Cancun in that it is all really about tourism? A spot with a town center and some "real" Mexican flavor would be great. I don't know if anything exists like that.

I appreciate your input!

Gracias

Mexigrl

Bruce R Leech - 6-15-2006 at 03:28 PM

try Loreto they have a website :biggrin:

comitan - 6-15-2006 at 03:29 PM

Not Cabo, Not San Jose,not Loreto, not Mulege:::::::

LA PAZ :yes:

mexigrl - 6-15-2006 at 03:37 PM

I might want to mention that I would be looking for a small rental for 9 months to a year. Are prices going up everywhere right now? They are in San Miguel.

Thanks

Mexigrl

Bob H - 6-15-2006 at 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by comitan
Not Cabo, Not San Jose,not Loreto, not Mulege:::::::

LA PAZ :yes:

What's great about La Paz is that you have everything you need right there and there are so many beautiful beaches nearby and also not too far away villages to visit now and then. La Paz also appears to still be reasonably priced, at least it was the last time we were there about two years ago. Every time we have been in La Paz we met so many nice local people.
http://www.mexonline.com/haciendadelsol.htm
Bob H

Stickers - 6-15-2006 at 03:52 PM

Todo Santos is a very small Baja town but the expats there seem to love the place. It's on the Pacific and not too far from La Paz which makes it very convenient.

Sharksbaja - 6-15-2006 at 03:57 PM

and extremely pricey

Bob H - 6-15-2006 at 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja
and extremely pricey

Sharks... La Paz or Todos Santos?

Or, BOTH?

Bob H

villadelfin - 6-15-2006 at 04:23 PM

TS is much more $$ than La Paz. But anywhere is $$$$$

Rentals start at about 1500 pesos per month for one of those little square two bedrooms brick and stucco, no yard and close neighbors but modern nonetheless. "Furnished" jumps the price to 2500+

Houses with lots seem to be 4000 to 7000+. Have never priced an apartment.

bajabound2005 - 6-15-2006 at 05:02 PM

mexigrl - check your U2U

Bob H - 6-15-2006 at 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by villadelfin
TS is much more $$ than La Paz. But anywhere is $$$$$

Rentals start at about 1500 pesos per month for one of those little square two bedrooms brick and stucco, no yard and close neighbors but modern nonetheless. "Furnished" jumps the price to 2500+

Houses with lots seem to be 4000 to 7000+. Have never priced an apartment.

Are these prices for La Paz or Todos Santos?

tim40 - 6-15-2006 at 08:41 PM

My preference for shorter term (less than a year) are in this order...

1. Loreto
2. San Ignacio
3. La Paz

Long term...inverse

comitan - 6-15-2006 at 09:32 PM

where are the educational opportunities? At least 5 Universities in La Paz, and many community organizations along with all the other good things people have said.

villadelfin - 6-15-2006 at 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H

Are these prices for La Paz or Todos Santos?

La Paz. I don't seem to remember any fraccionamientos in Todos Santos.

La Paz

fdt - 6-16-2006 at 10:20 AM

has to be the place and has a great sidewalk system
http://bajainsider.com/baja-california-travel/baja-destinati...

losfrailes - 6-16-2006 at 10:43 AM

Defintely La Paz.

Loreto and Mulege have lots of expats living there, but not much in terms of educational organizations.

La Paz, with its varied nature, its many universities, fine hospitals, great big shopping centers and moderate prices would be my choice were I looking for a temporary location.

Rentals are available at modest rates,

There are lots of people on this site who post regularly and they can advise you further.

Que Pase Buen Dia!

bancoduo - 6-16-2006 at 01:56 PM

I lived in SMA in the 60's. I rented a house at Tenerias 32 for 25$/mo. Those days a soda was 3 cents and beer was 5 cents. Best place I ever lived. Has Micky D. arrived there yet. I heard there is a lot of urban sprall there now. :tumble:

vandenberg - 6-16-2006 at 02:15 PM

fdt

I remember my first few times in La Paz and fighting these sidewalks. Just walking around downtown for a couple of hours will give you muscle pains for days. That piece in the Insider surely gave me a chuckle. But if I had to choose where to live here in Baja for around a year, La Paz surely gets my vote. And I live in Loreto. Besides fishing, not much to do here and everything is overpriced. Even the Mexican people claim that it is the most expensive town in all of Mexico.

vandenberg - 6-16-2006 at 02:21 PM

Spend a couple of weeks in Allende a couple of years ago and of all the central mexican cities this one was the most disappointing. The only place crawling with begging indian women and chicklet peddling kids , thanks to the gringos. Not much different from Acapulco, Vallarta and the like.

mexigrl - 6-16-2006 at 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bancoduo
I lived in SMA in the 60's. I rented a house at Tenerias 32 for 25$/mo. Those days a soda was 3 cents and beer was 5 cents. Best place I ever lived. Has Micky D. arrived there yet. I heard there is a lot of urban sprall there now. :tumble:

I lived on Tenerias a few years ago, can't remember the number but it was the corner w/Jesus. I love SMA but it is really growing and with that come a lot of different issues. One thing recently is a rapist that has been targeting American women that live alone. No McD there yet but there is a Dominos. The centro is still amazing and filled with restaurants, galleries, shops, etc (and unfortunately too many cars).

mexigrl - 6-16-2006 at 06:35 PM

How safe is La Paz for a woman living alone? How about other areas? Also, what about places further North. I would like to drive from the US and have my car with me - it would seem that the trip that far south would be prohibitive - no?

Thank you

Mexigrl

mexigrl - 6-16-2006 at 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
Spend a couple of weeks in Allende a couple of years ago and of all the central mexican cities this one was the most disappointing. The only place crawling with begging indian women and chicklet peddling kids , thanks to the gringos. Not much different from Acapulco, Vallarta and the like.

On any given day I count probably 10 begging women and kids, perhaps more on weekends. I do agree that SMA is getting comercialized. However, living there is a different experience than visiting. The local gringos are very involved in the community - running many great charities and really giving back in lots of ways. There is also a great arts community. There are ups and downs to having so many expats. I did travel to other cities in the area and they were definitely less gringo-ized. I especially enjoyed Queretaro - you could practically eat off the streets there it was so clean.

comitan - 6-16-2006 at 07:11 PM

You will not find what you are looking for in the northern Baja, (Safety) if you forgo the safety Ensenada, otherwise La Paz.

villadelfin - 6-16-2006 at 08:06 PM

Quote:

I would like to drive from the US and have my car with me - it would seem that the trip that far south would be prohibitive - no?

Prohibitive in what way? Six hours driving time each day once you cross the border. Gas up at half a tank and have a few gallons just in case. Take you 4 days from TJ to La Paz. Roadside motels range from 20-100 USD. Fish tacos are 10 pesos each. Just do something to maintain vigilance while driving. One second too long looking at scenery will get you in SERIOUS trouble.

You don't need a car import permit for Baja

longlegsinlapaz - 6-17-2006 at 06:59 AM

mexigrl:

Check your U2U.....

tim40 - 6-17-2006 at 07:23 AM

Did I read that correctly? 4 days from Tj to LP? I guess it could take you that long or a year, depending on your stops.....most of us do it in 2 days and some of us in one very long one. With races that ended in LP, I would drive straight home associated with all of my gear.

losfrailes - 6-17-2006 at 07:51 AM

4 days would be pretty leisurely!

Typically you could drive without breaking any speed limits from San Diego to Guerrero Negro in about 8-9 hours. There is a great motel that is secure there, called Posada de Don Vincente. Clean and inexpensive.

Then the next day to La Paz. Once again not breaking any speed limits and still enjoying the drive along the Bay of Conception, then the Sea of Cortez, past the mountains and onto the flat.

The road from TJ to La Paz is paved and by and large in great shape.

The city of La Paz is one of the best maintained cities in Baja Calif Sur, remember it is the capital city of the state and therefore gets a lot more of the attention to needs than other cities in its state.

There is nothing to not enjoy nor fear in La Paz, except perhaps a sun burn on the beach. Let not the fear mongers frighten you!

Go, enjoy!