agnescwall - 5-15-2007 at 06:12 PM
HELLO---------new here; wondering if anyone here has moved to Baja, and used SENTRI PASS to work in U.S. Have found beautiful home in Baja Malibu,
and plenty of nursing jobs across the border. I have the "itch" to move, but need support ! THANKS
DENNIS - 5-15-2007 at 06:24 PM
I tried it 15 years ago, before the border was such a nightmare and before sentri. On a daily basis, the stress factor will probably grow but,
maybe you can handle it. If you can give it a trial period, you will answer your own question.
woody with a view - 5-15-2007 at 06:36 PM
yeah, BM is a great spot. like trump says, "only 30 minutes to downtown SD".
dennis has it right- try it and see.
i have a friend who uses the sentri pass and has a little place at k38 and crosses to work a SPAWAR. he seems to like it
.
DavidT - 5-15-2007 at 08:49 PM
With an off -hours schedule and a sentri pass your commute might be easier than the San Diego interstates during regular working hours.
Re: Move to Baja, work in CA
BaldEagleMav - 5-17-2007 at 02:21 PM
Hi agnescwall,
I mostly lurk on this forum - there's a lot of great information and highly informed posters - it's great!
Finally, a question that I can contribute to!
I work in Kearny Mesa (approx. 20 miles north of the border) and live near Playas de Tijuana (approx 10 miles south of the border). I work days, and
my report to work time is 7 am. I am getting to the San Ysidro Sentri Line at approximately 5:30 am. On a normal weekday at this time of the morning,
the Sentri line can vary from 2 to 30 cars long. Most days, the wait is 5 minutes or less, unless there are 30 cars in line - and only one lane open.
Most days, there are 2 Sentri Lanes open at San Ysidro. Once in a while, there's only one lane open and that's when the backup can reach 30 cars (or
more).
It is sometimes challenging to get to the Sentri Line entrance due to the backup of cars in the "regular" lines. My guess about the wait in the
regular lines at this time of the morning is approximately 60 to 90 minutes.
I have tried the Otay Mesa border crossing (in the Sentri lane) a few times, but I didn't see any benefit to me - since I live a lot closer to San
Ysidro. And then I need to get back to the I-805 or I-5 after crossing at Otay - another 15 - 20 minutes, depending on traffic (C'mon Hwy 125!)
I wouldn't trade my Sentri Pass for anything! It was well worth the $129 for 2 years when I first got it. Now that the renewal period has been
extended to 5 years, I would say it's the best bargain I have ever gotten from the US Government!
My wife also has Sentri, and we also cross (though infrequently) on the weekend in the Sentri Lane. Saturday and Sunday afternoons at San Ysidro can
sometimes be a 30 - 45 minute wait - but the regular lines can take up to 2 hours at those times. Early (before 10 am) on Saturdays and Sundays are
quick (< 5 minutes), in our experience.
I really cannot comment on the Sentri Line wait at other times of the day, but my experience is that the Sentri wait is always shorter (by 1/2) than
the regular lines.
I also have no experience to comment on the commute from Baja Malibu to the border on the Mexico side.
I hope this helps and kindest regards,
BaldEagleMav
thanks for all who responded
agnescwall - 6-6-2007 at 05:49 PM
thanks, everyone..........it seems worth a try, especially with Sentri Pass........I am SO excited to try it!
BajaGeoff - 6-8-2007 at 11:36 AM
To add to the support for your decision....
My sister lives in Playas de Tijuana and commutes every day to downtown San Diego. Occasionally the border can be bad, but with the Sentri it is
usually no problem....probably easier than commuting from north county! That, and she gets to wake up every day to an ocean view!