BajaNomad - How Cheaply do you think you could live in baja?

How Cheaply do you think you could live in baja?

Bajagypsy - 4-13-2007 at 01:58 PM

Just thought this would be fun to see how far everyone could par there living expenses. Take the poll and then say what you could do or not do with out!!

[Edited on 4-13-2007 by Bajagypsy]

Capt. George - 4-13-2007 at 02:05 PM

my biggest expense is shade for my giant head!

Bajagypsy - 4-13-2007 at 02:05 PM

All I need is my dogs, my kids and my hubby, a tent and we are good to go!!!

Fred - 4-13-2007 at 02:06 PM

With $600 a month one can live ok in Baja/Mexico. Prices have skyrocked in places like Los Barriles. I drive a 79 VW Westfalia and can do whatever the moment brings. Some days you just have "hole up" on a beach with just the roar of the Pacific and a cold beer. Damnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Corky1 - 4-13-2007 at 02:14 PM

Dependes on how often I can get someone to go dirt bike riding with me!!! :light:

Corky

vandenberg - 4-13-2007 at 02:24 PM

Thought to bring up the average a bit, so voted for over $3000.00. ( I wish :lol:

:lol

But it sure has become a lot more expensive here since the upscale Loreto Bay " Ghetto "

,( like my friends call it ) went up.

Marie-Rose - 4-13-2007 at 02:30 PM

Certainly could live alot cheaper if we did not own property and also feel a duty to support many local fundraising projects! That being said, if one prepares their own food, limits restaurants (many pricey eating establishments for gringo's in TS), live more like the locals...no problema. I think it would be safe to say that if you can live frugally or within a budget in Canada..., you can do the same here much easier.

Osprey - 4-13-2007 at 02:51 PM

We don't eat out much. With the prices at Costco, Soriana's, CCC we get by nicely on just our SS (about $2400 per mo). We don't spend much on gas (except boat gas) and in the tropics we don't buy a lot of clothes. We can still splurge now and then on shrimp, good wine, fresh leg of lamb, etc. Back in Vegas we would be living at The Mission, standing in the soup line, flipping off the Ricos in their fancy cars.

Would this be with maintaining a home in the US?

John M - 4-13-2007 at 03:09 PM

The cost - I am supposing those responding are doing so with personal experiences.

I'd think we'd feel the need to at least have someplace north of the border to call "home."

So the cost of a place south of the border - either purchase, build, or rent/lease would be nice to know.

John M

A pure guess for me...

zforbes - 4-13-2007 at 03:27 PM

But based on what other posters have offered here and there about Baja costs, and having lived fairly frugally and simply most of my life, I think I will have sufficient retirement income to live comfortably in Baja. Maintain an additional residence in the states? Not clear. Maybe if the Baja thing doesn't work out as planned, I can go back to the states and live with my kids

(Just kidding Zac; I'll check out the Y.)

Oh yes, what I could not do without: a garden with food and flowers, a place to bathe comfortably, simple food, a good dog for companionship, sufficient light to read, a few toys (including a computer, a camera & books), my sewing machine and regular visits for hair care (and nails would be nice). I'm in the process of unloading years of belongings with Baja in mind, and it feels good!

[Edited on 4-13-2007 by zforbes]

fishbuck - 4-13-2007 at 04:11 PM

A more subjective question could not be asked.
It depends on if you want to live like a poor Mexican or not.
I don't think it's alot cheaper than the US.
Gas and food are about the same.
Housing may be a little cheaper.
I voted 1000-2000 but that's shoestring. To live there and have a decent home and do things I would plan 3000+.
I'm planing on about 4500/month retirement and that should support a boat, small plane, decent truck and a house on the water and maybe a Mexican girlfriend or two.

[Edited on 4-14-2007 by fishbuck]

tripledigitken - 4-13-2007 at 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishbuck
A more subjective question could not be asked.
I depends on if you want to live like a poor Mexican or not.
I don't think it's alot cheaper than the US.
Gas and food are about the same.
Housing may be a little cheaper.
I voted 1000-2000 but that's shoestring. To live there and have a decent home and do things I would plan 3000+.
I'm planing on about 4500/month retirement and that should support a boat, small plane, decent truck and a house on the water and maybe a Mexican girlfriend or two.

Fishbuck,

That's one hell of a lifestyle on $4,500. :wow:

But with $.59 Pacifico's you just might make it.

:bounce:

[Edited on 4-13-2007 by tripledigitken]

Packoderm - 4-13-2007 at 04:25 PM

I imagine it could be pretty cheap if you don't get too fancy. You could rent a plywood casita in the hills on the Eastern outskirts Ensenada on the right hand side of Highway 3 where it branches off as you travel toward San Felipe. You would have to walk up the hill because there are no roads that go up there - only walkways. You could buy rice and beans in bulk and buy wheat flour to make tortillas. Maybe it would be possible to buy some vegetables, but they would have to be local and in season. You would have to pay for propane in order to boil your water so that you don't get dysentery. Buying a second hand pot might be a worth it because cooking using a hubcap for a pot gets to be a hassle after awhile. If you are up for the long hike/bicycle ride, it is possible to catch some small rock fish along the shore, and if you catch enough of them you can have yourself a meal loaded with protein. Beer would bust the budget, and growing your own smoke is risky, so you would have to look at the positives of sobriety. You might be surprised how cheaply you can live in the above fashion.

fishbuck - 4-13-2007 at 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken

Quote:

Fishbuck,

That's one hell of a lifestyle on $4,500. :wow:

But with $.59 Pacifico's you just might make it.

:bounce:

[Edited on 4-13-2007 by tripledigitken]

Well, I forgot to mention that I won't be retiring for at least 10 years. I already bought the land and will acquire the the toys while I'm still working. I should start phase one of my house within a couple of years. That's going to be a 2 car garage with an attached studio apartment. The Casa Grande will have to wait.
My goal is to leave jeep and a boat in my garage and fly down in a rental plane once a month until can do it full time.
Now it's just an empty lot and a guy with a dream.

TMW - 4-13-2007 at 06:05 PM

["a Mexican girlfriend or two."]

That alone could cost you a lot. Girls can be very very expensive.

vandenberg - 4-13-2007 at 06:25 PM

Quote:

Ten years from now, you probably have to put those Mexican girls to work to make ends meet. :lol:

Oso - 4-13-2007 at 07:00 PM

A timely subject indeed! Much of the reason I went for this job in Yuma and moved from North Carolina was the idea of retiring in Baja. lately I've been a bit discouraged by rising prices and have thought maybe about less "touristy" places on the mainland.

The other day, just to kill time, I used my calculator and discovered that Cinco de Mayo this year marks my "Screw You Day",i.e.; the point at which my accumulated vacation days coincide with the workdays remaining before my 62nd birthday when theoretically I could say shove it and still have income untill SSA at 75% plus pension plans would kick in and I would have about half my current take-home coming in.

I probably won't do it just yet. In spite of many frustrations, I don't really hate my job and my life here on the border ain't all that bad. But, it's nice to know I CAN say "screw you" anytime now. I'd kinda like to stick around awhile to see if political changes make a difference later on (a subject better suited to off-topic) But, if I get really peeed, I think I could sell out and live in reasonable comfort, minus the current $110/mo I pay Time-Warner for this connection of course.

This has probably been discussed in other threads, but I would like to hear opinions as to the best US banks with Mexican banking ties for receiving direct deposit SSA & other pension checks while living down there.

Hook - 4-13-2007 at 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishbuck
A more subjective question could not be asked.
It depends on if you want to live like a poor Mexican or not.
I don't think it's alot cheaper than the US.
Gas and food are about the same.
Housing may be a little cheaper.
I voted 1000-2000 but that's shoestring. To live there and have a decent home and do things I would plan 3000+.
I'm planing on about 4500/month retirement and that should support a boat, small plane, decent truck and a house on the water and maybe a Mexican girlfriend or two.

[Edited on 4-14-2007 by fishbuck]

You've got a good plan, but it's almost impossible to predict the value of 4500.00 in 10 years. But, your income might keep pace with the cost of living so it might still work. I like a man with a plan.

Hey, if the world economy gets that much worse, Mexican girlfriends will probably be a relative bargain, compared to the cost of avgas and boat gas.

Some have pointed out that you could bare-bones it for about the same price in the US or Mexico. The difference is that you would llikely be in a high crime area in the US for about the same dinero.

Or, you'd be in Baker, CA. :lol:

Looks like I'll be trying it within months, although not necessarily Baja. Probably the mainland which is considerably cheaper.

Paula - 4-13-2007 at 09:28 PM

Hi Gypsy,

I don't think you'll be needing to figure in expenses for "girlfriends" :dudette:

I'm not sure how many kids will be living here with you, or their ages. I'm not figuring in any costs of education or school supplies because our kids were out of the house before we came down. We live in Loreto, and cost of living is rising rapidly here. With all of that in mind I come up with the following:

1. rent--600. per month-- if you get in on the grapevine and are prepared for a bare bones home
2. electricity--100. our largest monthly bill considering air cond. and winter use of ocasional oil radiators
3. propane-- 30. stove, water heater, and barbeque
4. phone and "high-speed" internet--100. we have 4 adult children in the states, and I like to talk to them
5. food and drink-- 450. fish, a bit of local beef, veggies, staples, occasional tacos out.
6. miscellaneous-- 200. stuff I forgot, like dry cleaning :lol:

(see Nellie's blog on another thread-- or don't!)

So, all of that adds up to well under 1500 per month if you can really live minimally. Don and I don't live on this budget, but I can see how you could if you are happy with a very basic lifestyle, which it seems from your posts that you are. I am low end on rent I think, but generous on food and utilities. Of course cost of living increases aren't predictable, and the place you choose may cost considerably more, or less. Do you have a boat? I didn't allow for gas for car or boat, but my $1500 figure allows for a monthly commercial panga fishing trip if you choose, or gas for the vehicle. Bycycling around Loreto is a nice option and saves gas.

My numbers are USD. I was puzzled in some of the above as to whehter posters meant pesos or dollars!

edit-- I added drink to food, and boosted the figure by $50 per month. I get the impression that you guys aren't teetotalers :bounce:

[Edited on 4-14-2007 by Paula]

reefrocket - 4-13-2007 at 10:01 PM

Paula---$50!!!! thats only a fifth of Hornitos and less than 2 beers a day!!!!!
No phone
No internet
$80 for air ($5/tank) per month
$80 gas (exploring) per month
Probably $500 repairs per year
as much free camping as possible
$50 per year fmT

DianaT - 4-13-2007 at 10:11 PM

Baja is not "cheap" as it was in the past. My suggestion is to add up all the basic expenses, and since you have four children, multiphy the basic expense figure by at least 2---maybe 4.

Good Luck
Diane and John

Osprey - 4-14-2007 at 06:46 AM

As other posters have pointed out, the cost of the casa is either in our out of the equation depending on what you think "cost of living" means. It's the big decision item here or on the mainland. Most newcomers to our area love the beach and most have made the decisions to rent/buy based on "beach or nothing". Smarter ones have taken advantage of the really good buys/rentals possible "off the beach" back in the boonies in the little villages seen all over Baja. Then it's "live in your world, play in ours". It really rings a big bell for me cause some of my Mexican neighbors have asked me to help them find buyers/realtors when the property had no ocean view--when I mentioned that they said "if you want to see the ocean, just walk or drive down there" -- they really don't get the view thing. I have a nice ocean view but truth be told I spend about 90% of my leisure time on the lee side of the house, in the shade, out of the wind where the view is lost.

meme - 4-14-2007 at 07:19 AM

I think the Key word in the question is COULD.
The REAL question is CAN YOU?
We could live on $1000.00 a month (we have lived on less) if we lived & bought like that's the limit. But 'been there, done that" so think since it's not the limit NOW we just do not! So now it would be $1000.00 to $2000.00

Bruce R Leech - 4-14-2007 at 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajagypsy
All I need is my dogs, my kids and my hubby, a tent and we are good to go!!!

yes but you need Food shelter and entertainment for all of those :lol:

3,000 plus

Dave - 4-14-2007 at 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oso
This has probably been discussed in other threads, but I would like to hear opinions as to the best US banks with Mexican banking ties for receiving direct deposit SSA & other pension checks while living down there.

Citibank (Banamex USA)
Call for details: 800-222-1234

You will need to establish an address in Mexico.

rhintransit - 4-14-2007 at 08:03 AM

okay, folks, it just depends on what you want and what you need...and those are two separate things as most of us know.

I am living just swell in Baja on less than 1500/month and that includes maintaining a (paid for) home in the US. I have a lovely palapa (two story, concrete bedroom and 1 1/2 baths, trailer, etc), rented, no equity, in little fishing (once upon a time) village on the Baja with a lovely view of the sea. it's nowhere near the 600/month people keep saying is minimum here. my lease is good for another 3.5 yrs and I anticipate a rent increase at the end of that but have another 5 year guaranteed renewal period.

that amount includes two flights a year to the states, eating out frequently but modestly, and most of the usual stuff. no boat, but I can find crew positions. one little 4x4 easy on gas. a kayak and my feet for other transportation. if you think you can't do it, you can't. if you think you can, and have modest needs and haven't bought into the USA lifestyle, you can. I believe that I could live cheaper in the states, in my home in the Phoenix area, but why?

no one know the future but the odds are good that prices will continue to escalate. I've budgetted for that, and at times wonder if I will be moving further south...Central or South America...but know that's just panic/BajaNomad/Gringo Gazette talk. I'm a frugal person and have never managed to spend all my income, even now.

and oh, I'm nowhere near 65, nor 62, but someday not too many years away I hope to be able to tap into those IRAs at 59.5. I've been living this life for many years, half time in Mexico since 1997, and until last year when I officially called myself retired, worked only 3-6 months a year. it can be done! being single and dependent free helps a lot I must admit.

jimgrms - 4-14-2007 at 09:26 AM

I could live pretty well on 1200 1500 a month renting in the states colorado my house payment is 1200 ;so if i sold and took my equity and Navy soc sec and ibew pensions , and leased a small beach house , hell i could afford a decent boat, and a girl friend

Skeet/Loreto - 4-14-2007 at 11:11 AM

Very good Information;
Virginia and I lived on $800 a Month until we left in 2000.

The amount you will need is determined by the Location. a non-Beach location such as La Purimiso, San Ysidro, Los Bocanas,Cuidad Constitution would be much Cheaper than Loreto or Muelge.
Buy Mexican Products-Consume Mexican Food- Drink Mexican Beer and you will be Surpised!

Good Luck.

Skeet/Loreto

jerry - 4-14-2007 at 01:26 PM

i think the cost of living in loreto is pretty close to the same as in oregon
i was in yuma last week and if you dont mind living in the foot hills in a rv resort its a lot cheaper then either ii just live better in loreto

Sharksbaja - 4-14-2007 at 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefrocket
$80 gas (exploring) per month

You're kidding right? I can almost fill my tank ONCE for that amount.

When folks ask me if it's cheap and are there good deals in Baja I simply reply"Ain't no deals no more" .

That's not entirely truthful. You can find bargains like here but like many of you say food and home costs have gone up considerably.

As we would like to enjoy both worlds during trh year we would not want to give up our northerly home. Rather use it as a reprieve from the intolerable heat for 4 mo, That would mean supporting two homes. That is not inexpensive so there is no way we could do it "cheap".

[Edited on 4-14-2007 by Sharksbaja]

Cypress - 4-14-2007 at 03:02 PM

Pompano has the right priorities. :yes:

fishbuck - 4-14-2007 at 04:15 PM

A couple years back I took a little trip through Baja. It started as a 2 week trip but ended up being 4 months.
1 man, 1 truck, fishing gear, camping gear, no spanish.
It was very fun and enlightening.
I spent a couple of months in La Paz. I stayed at the Hosteria Convento. It was $13/night. The room was small but good enough. Private bath with hot water in the morning and evening. Cold shower mid day if you were brave enough. Common kitchen in the open courtyard as well as a TV all in spanish.
My fellow guests were middle class Mexicans and the backpacker set mostly Euros.
I ate humbly at taco stands mostly carne asada and fish and shrimp. I shopped at the mercado. I drank bellanas and tortugas of beer which is the cheapest way. Only problem is they get warm fast so you must drink them fast. Not a big problem but you'll probably need a siesta and brave the cold shower.
I lazed on the beach, walked on the Malecon etc. I never had it so good!
I did fish and explore a little and that's expensive.
But without fishing and stuff I probably spent 20-30 a day to "live".
I did get a little bored and needed more activities that added to the cost.
I never needed to camp because I always found motels for around $20. But I think that would be $30 now.
I don't sleep well on the ground so I'm not much of a camper.
I think now I could do the Mexican Motel Six trip for about $30-40 a day not including fuel.
If you have the time try it. It will change your life.
My favorite place was Puerto San Carlos which was a dreary little fishing village. But Mag Bay and the Pacific are awesome. My motel 6 there was $9/night and my Mexican "girlfriends" were staying in the same place. Paradise!

[Edited on 4-14-2007 by fishbuck]

fishbuck

sylens - 4-14-2007 at 05:21 PM

curious to know where you live in the usa that gas in baja is about the same as gas on the other side. for us, from california, gasoline has been a delightfully surprising area of savings. same goes for utilities. maybe we're getting into lifestyle issues here, and a lot depends where in baja you live, but we do not have or need a/c. heat's a different issue and we finally managed to get a costco portable propane heater for that. so we pay 40 to 50 dollars per month on electricity, and about 10 per month on water. :yes:

and if you manage to buy your home and live rent free, that permits you to live very reasonably. :lol:

especially if, like we did, you take the plunge and sell what you have in el norte to make the permanent move.

also, as mentioned in other threads, property taxes are ridiculously low. :biggrin:

there is no question but that we live considerably more cheaply here than we could in fresno, california. we do not pay california taxes either :yes:

that also helps.

and yes, food and real estate prices are going up steadily, as they seem to be in el norte...

as others have implied, if you want to live in baja,
¡sí se puede! :bounce:

fishbuck - 4-14-2007 at 06:10 PM

What is the current price for 1 gallon of magna? In SoCal it's about $3.15-3.20.
It's been a couple of months but I paid about $2.50/gal in San Quintin when it was about $3.00/gal in SoCal. That's cheaper but not much.
Now if it was $1.00/gal in Mx I'd be excited.
I figure by the time I finish my house it will cost about $250.000. It will be nice but no mansion. I don't consider that cheap. Ofcourse a similar house on the water in Newport Beach would be 10x that but I think the days of living cheaply on the beach in Baja are over.
If you want to live in a trailer I guess you could do it cheaply.
And it is cheaper to live away from the water.
I use to live oceanfront in Newport Beach for about 10 years. Newport is no pristine beach in baja but I did love living there.It finally became too expensive so I moved up the hill to Costa Mesa. I like it better and I'm less than a mile from the beach. And one thing I can tell you about the ocean is it's not going anywhere.
But my dream is a nice house on the water in baja. An that ain't cheap no more.

[Edited on 4-15-2007 by fishbuck]

jerry - 4-14-2007 at 10:06 PM

about 30 years ago i met a couple who were dead broke they couldnt afford anything out side there home a card or a stamp would over load there budget i spent several evening listening to there stories and what they have done in there lives
i was so jelouse i made my mind up then to live every moment
live your dream in baja or where ever you are thingswill change so will your neibores prices of everthing will
so live as you love unabated by what the future will bring
your memories will allways be clear of the things you really love
dance the dance live the life tomorrow may never come if it does you lived throu more then most jerry

Skeet/Loreto - 4-15-2007 at 06:47 AM

Excellent words Jerry! The Story of my Life and the Future of my Life.Skeet/Loreto

Santiago - 4-15-2007 at 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sylens
there is no question but that we live considerably more cheaply here in Ensenada than we could in fresno, california.

Not to point out the obvious, but that stretch of Hiway 99 through Fresno looks a lot like the stretch of Hiway 1 through Ensenada.....

Bajagypsy - 4-15-2007 at 08:11 AM

I beleive one can live as cheaply as one wants. When we take our kids down (have done so twice) we do so very cheaply. Our first trip down with kids was our honeymoon that trip cost us $4,500.00 Canadian. That was a three week trip around baja, than we did disneyland and seaworld. That includes everything, driving from canada, hotels, food, drink, doing things with the kids. I think that is a very cheap price for 6 people. The next time we took our kids down (in November) for three weeks, it was even cheaper, as we skipped disneyland and seaworld. That trip came to $3,000.00 Canadian. We stayed at Shari & Juans, and then camped in Mulege. Again that covered everything our driving down to Baja and back, all food, lodging, drinks diving, snorkleling everything. OUr kids are great at makeing up some game to play. They are 15 years old - 8 years old, and entertain themselves. They bring books, beach stuff, homework and their game boys and that is all. They are allowed one little bag of stuff as we are limited on room. Todd spear fishes and that helps cut down on our groceries, all though every once in a while the kids get sick of fish, so we would buy some beef at the store. I can feed my family way cheaper in Baja than in Canada. I guess we are lucky that we do not require a 5 star hotel, and that our kids don't need to be entertained every moment of every day. They are quite happy to stay in our tents for weeks on end. We have everything needed for a comfortable tent stay. And what could be better than a child wakeing up, climbing out of their tent and going for a swim, or play on the beach. Way better than being at home, where there are chores to do!!!!