BajaNomad - Does retiring in other parts of Latin America diminish baja's reputation?

Does retiring in other parts of Latin America diminish baja's reputation?

DENNIS - 4-20-2008 at 08:11 AM

Proximity to US services, such as medical, is a serious consideration for some.

Iflyfish - 4-20-2008 at 08:31 AM

I like this question and would like to hear more from others whose travels have taken them to Latin America for extended time. Our son lived in Costa Rica and loved it, though he is a young surfer and lives that life to the hilt. Not my cup of tea, but I do love the ocean, seafood, latin culture.

In Mexico I compare the Baja and the Yucatan. The Yucatan is too developed for my taste and lives on a tourist economy. I loved the area around Talum, but the hurricanes can devistate that area and frequently do.

I have friends with a home in Columbia, I have seen their pics, had lengthy discussion about their home in an interior town, so cannot compare it with beach living, which is my preference.

I hope others will chime in on this question.

Iflyfish

DENNIS - 4-20-2008 at 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Iflyfish
I hope others will chime in on this question.

Rick...Soulpatch has asked the same question in Off Topic. It may have been there a bit longer and it has a few more replys. Maybe Hose A can bring the threads together here on the big board. It's a good topic.

Where do you want to be and for how long?

Lee - 4-20-2008 at 10:31 AM

It comes down to how much traveling you do. Flying in and out of Central America South does not appeal to me. I don't fly commercial and don't own a small private plane. I'm good for 3-4 months where ever I am then need a change of locale. The one constant thread in my life is surfing -- and I need to be where waves are breaking. My circle is Baja, SoCal and Maui. Oh and the Rocky Mountains in Summer -- also a great time to surf in Maui or Baja Cape.

I know Costa Rica and have been traveling there a long time. In some ways it beats Baja, in some ways it doesn't. Baja has a gringo/MX mix and CR, to me, is European and Costa Rican -- a mix of Spanish/European, Indian, etc.. I think.

Capt. George - 4-20-2008 at 12:08 PM

Been to the Bahamas, Belize, Mainland Mexico. I'll take Baja...

Easier drive, nicer people, less crime, (some little pueblos, NONE)..fishing still good, if you stay away from all the Little Americas that have grown up in Baja.

San Diego can be reached in a "long" day of driving, from where we live.

my two cents.........

oxxo - 4-20-2008 at 02:33 PM

Interesting topic.

I have spent a lot of time looking for my "paradise" retirement. This is my prespective.

I lived for 2 years in Tonga, South Pacific. I went "native" while I was there. I lived in a 10x20 grass hut on a beautiful white sand beach with no electricity and no running water. The nearest grocery store was 4 hours away by boat....and I didn't have a boat. If I wanted fish to eat I had to dive with a Hawaiian Sling. Sometimes I didn't spear anything, so meals were pretty slim. I ate coconuts, taro, and yams. The place was the most beautiful I have seen on earth. My dark brown hair bleached out to blond. But you had to contend with incessant flies during the day and voracious mosquitoes at night. The heat was oppressive because of the high humidty and black mold covered everything, including my toothbrush. But my cost of living was less than $100 per month in today's dollars. Was it fun? Yes, for two years. For every person who loves the South Pacific, I can show you 9 that hate living there.

I have lived for short periods of time in Hawai'i. It is very nice and there is a lifestyle to suit every need. The islands of Molokai and Lanai are very much like the isolated parts of Baja - lots of wide open spaces with very few residents. The Big Island is also very nice with a lot more diversity. As one Hawai'ian told me, "we share the same language, we share the same currency, we share the same national government, but Hawaii IS a foreign country." Interestingly, every cultural group in Hawaii is a minority. Haoles do make up the largest minority, but they are still a minority. In most cases, the cost of living is going to be high, about 10% to 30% higher than living in San Diego depending on your lifestyle.

I have spent a lot of time in Costa Rica, and Panama is very similar. It WAS very nice there 10 years ago. But the word has gotten out and immigrants have pushed prices much higher. My friends there tell me the cost of living is now about on par with Southern California. You also have to deal with high humidity and mold. The real killer for me is the time, distance, and expense to travel there. I have to return to California about 4 times a year to maintain family relationships including looking in on my elderly parents. Your requirements may differ.

I have looked at a number of places in mainland Mexico. Never could find anyplace that suited my needs. I don't care for much of the weather there. I find many of the Mexicans there not as welcoming as the people of Baja. Baja Mexicans are distinct culture different from mainlanders in my opinion. Baja Mexicans are much easier going.

I currently live full time in Los Cabos and this suits my needs perfectly.......for the time being. In my opinion, the weather in Los Cabos is one of the best in the world! However, escalating prices of everything are giving me second thoughts. A couple of weeks ago, friends talked me into going to eat at Edith's in San Lucas (not one of my favorite restarants). It was US$55 per person for mediocre food! Ridiculous! I don't like the feeling that everytime I fill up at the Pemex, I'm getting ripped off for 10% to 20% because the meters are manipulated. I can't trust the cops. Crime is on the rise, even in places like Todos Santos. And I can't stand all the graffitti which is getting worse by the day. The Mexican common people are wonderful, but the nuevo rico Mexicans are a pain in the burro. Currently it costs us about 10% less to live in Los Cabos than it does in SoCal......but I see that advantage eroding on a daily basis.

So, Baja suits us fine for the time being but that could change. I am giving Hawaii a real hard second look.

Weighing pro's & con's: Baja is it

Lee - 4-20-2008 at 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oxxo
So, Baja suits us fine for the time being but that could change. I am giving Hawaii a real hard second look.

I have always given Hawaii a hard look but in the end, I can't drive from Maui to SoCal. I like the Hawaiians who have as many ''problems'' as the MX in Baja. MX in Baja are nicer people; Hawaiians are still ****** at the US for ''invading'' their land. There is a ''tension'' there that doesn't exist in Baja. I like the jungle feel of HI but desert is fine too. A down side to HI is ''Rock Fever.'' I've never stayed long enough to get it, though. A neighbor in Pescadero said Baja is a cultural oasis and she needs to get back North to ''refresh.'' I just need a change when I've been down there too long. Baja is like Florida to me in the Summer -- too many nicer places to be that time of year. Gringoes are accepted in Baja -- Haoles might feel the tension if they get away from the tourist areas. Just my view -- results will vary -- speaking in generalities folks -- nothing set in stone.

I love Waikiki and Cabo for the same reasons but they're not for everyone.

[Edited on 4-20-2008 by Hose A]

Adios Baja

bajagrouper - 4-20-2008 at 03:56 PM

After visiting and loving Baja for years I saw certain changes happening... First is was a barbed wire fence here and there blocking off a beach, then the no camping signs put up by FUNATAR(sp), the rows of homes along the TJ /Ensenada road and then the planed city of Loreto Sur...Not to mention the recent crime wave happening along the peninsula. I decided to check out mainland Mexico, and what I discovered was nicer people, nicer beaches and prices half of what was happening in Baja...I bought a home in a beach town in the state of Nayarit about 40 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, so I am close to an international airport, excellent doctors, dentists and hospitals...fresh locally grown veggies, fruit and seafood...beaches that remind one of the south Pacific...
It seems Baja ( not "the baja") is changing for the worse, que lastima...

[Edited on 4-20-2008 by bajagrouper]

Baja&Back - 4-20-2008 at 03:57 PM

PANAMA!

Capt. George - 4-20-2008 at 04:54 PM

No Shangri-Las

I think we all do the best we can with what the world has to offer and what we can afford.. Some of us have been lucky (or blessed) enough to travel and make our own choices...

I will spend the remainder of my time in Baja Sur and St James City, FL

Iflyfish - 4-20-2008 at 05:17 PM

George,
Why St. James?
Visited Florida this winter and LOVED it. Nice place to winter, many different Floridas.

I am learning and hope this thread does not further deteriorate. There is some good info starting to emerge here.

Iflyfish

bancoduo - 4-20-2008 at 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Gull
Costa Rica
Chile
Panama

I own property in all four locations

How much time do you spend at the other three properties? Where exactly are the located? Would you consider a trade for property near Hale'iwa O'ahu?

DENNIS - 4-20-2008 at 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Iflyfish
I am learning and hope this thread does not further deteriorate.

"The train of life takes many tracks.".........Engineer Bill

Red light
Green light.....gulp gulp gulp

Iflyfish - 4-20-2008 at 05:42 PM

Originally posted by Iflyfish
I am learning and hope this thread does not further deteriorate.

Unless of course into the realm of humor, which I am finding can be difficult in this media.

Iflyfish

DENNIS - 4-20-2008 at 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Iflyfish
Unless of course into the realm of humor, which I am finding can be difficult in this media.

Iflyfish

Humor is a perception. Only the gifted are allowed to percieve their gift.

Fred - 4-20-2008 at 06:11 PM

Dennis.....no gulp, gulp, gulp after your last reply??????????????????

DENNIS - 4-20-2008 at 06:14 PM

Bad day at the slots, Fred? How about, What do you mean?

Fred - 4-20-2008 at 06:23 PM

I don't gamble except for the drive down HWY 1. I mean don't you type on your computer and have a Pacifico at the same time. Tell Butch that I am having my hip done this week and will return his walker. I have not forgot. Thanks

Iflyfish - 4-20-2008 at 06:38 PM

Fred,

Good luck on hip, just had mine done last week.

Iflyfish

stanburn - 4-20-2008 at 07:07 PM

This thread is a prime example of how people accumulate such a large number of posts. As a friend of mine said, the folks on Baja Nomad love to hear themselves talk.

I have nothing to offer regarding Central America, only what I have experienced in 16 months full time in Santiago. If you have specific questions, send me an email.

DENNIS - 4-20-2008 at 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stanburn
As a friend of mine said, the folks on Baja Nomad love to hear themselves talk.

I've dedicated more than 3000 posts here saying just that. So...what's your point or, are you just talking to yourself?

[Edited on 4-21-2008 by DENNIS]

backninedan - 4-20-2008 at 07:44 PM

Honduras is very much underated. The government has made it very easy to immigrate and the towns at higher elevation have an excellent climate. Not for everyone of course, but it is a viable option.

oxxo - 4-20-2008 at 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by backninedan
Honduras is very much underated. The government has made it very easy to immigrate and the towns at higher elevation have an excellent climate. Not for everyone of course, but it is a viable option.

I have a good Honduran friend, Yovanny Dubon, who lived with us for 9 months when he was a foreign exchange student in high school. I have visited him there. Honduras is a very interesting country with a lot of Mayan historical sites. The Bay Islands off the east coast of Honduras are tropical and very nice. A friend of mine from Seattle has built a marina and small B&B on one of the islands, Roatan.

The biggest problems with Honduras mainland is the deforestation by locals for firewood. There are huge tracts of devasted land and much erosion. And there is a great disparity between a small group of wealthy and the huge majority living in abject poverty. It is even more pronounced than in Mexico. The country is ripe for revolution.

Some gringos may like it there, but it is not my cup of tea.

stanburn - 4-21-2008 at 06:23 AM

You need to be close to the surf so Santiago won't work. I guess all of the surfers I see here are not really surfing?

Dennis, thanks for proving my point.

Costa Rica vs. Baja

Cardon Man - 4-21-2008 at 07:27 AM

While it has been about 3 years since I've visited Costa Rica I have lived there for up to 3 months at a time. This includes time in the central valley, Limon on the Caribean, and Quepos on the Pacific side. My family has it's roots in C.R. and I still have many close family members who live there.

Comparing Baja to C.R. is, in my opinion,is like comparing Apples and Oranges. From culture, to food, to the landscape there's just no comparison.

In my experience, Baja offers much more in the way of true solitude and wild places that are fairly easy to access. CR is gorgeous. No question about it. But it's been "discovered" in a big way. There's a lot more people in a much smaller area. This aspect of CR doesn't appeal to me so much. Baja is blessed with countless great places where you can be alone or close to alone while you enjoy the outdoors be it hiking, surfing, fishing, or off roading.

Another huge factor in comparing both places is crime. Where I live in Baja Sur there is very little if any robbery or violent crime. Back in CR, even in my family's small home town, there are gates and bars on the windows of every home. There lots of places in San Jose, Puntarenas, etc where you could have jewelry ripped right off body under threat of violence. One family members home near Limon has been home invaded twice. The second time resulting in a terribly violent assault and rape. Many visitors to CR are under the spell of it's peaceful reputation yet there are lots of places there where I don't feel safe. I can think of very few places in Baja that give me that feeling.

While there are many fantastic places and people in CR the over all experience of day to day living just doesn't do it for me. Compared to Baja, CR fails to provide the kind of lifestyle I enjoy.

oxxo - 4-21-2008 at 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cardon Man
But it's been "discovered" in a big way.

What is the cost of living like in CR right now compared to say California or the developed areas of Baja? I hear it is about the same.

Quote:

There lots of places in San Jose, Puntarenas, etc where you could have jewelry ripped right off body under threat of violence.

I have been mugged twice in my life. Once in downtown Los Angeles and once in downtown San Jose, CR where I was physically attacked, cut and bleeding. The Costa Rican cops were no more helpful than the cops in Baja. The LA cops were great.

Cardon Man - 4-21-2008 at 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oxxo
What is the cost of living like in CR right now compared to say California or the developed areas of Baja? I hear it is about the same.

I have been mugged twice in my life. Once in downtown Los Angeles and once in downtown San Jose, CR where I was physically attacked, cut and bleeding. The Costa Rican cops were no more helpful than the cops in Baja. The LA cops were great.

It's been 3 years since I've spent time down there so I'm not able to make an accurate cost of living comparison. However, from what I hear from my family down there it is indeed about the same as Los Cabos.

Sorry to hear about your San Jose CR experience. I have friends who love San Jose and have had no problems. But I know of too many stories like yours to allow me to feel very safe there. I guess any big city has it's problem areas. But when I'm in CR I avoid San Jose.

You are right about the cops...not to be trusted.

Paulina - 4-21-2008 at 09:03 AM

Soulpatch,

Have you investigated Nicaragua?

We've been tossing the name around our house for a while now.

P<*)))><

Sunman - 4-21-2008 at 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paulina
Soulpatch,

Have you investigated Nicaragua?

We've been tossing the name around our house for a while now.

P<*)))><

Nica has been on my radar for quite sometime. I'm heading down in a few weeks for a surf/fact finding mission. If anyone is interested they have a pretty good blog "realnicaragua.com" with a pretty big group and some helpful info. Worth checking out if intersted in that country.

Hook - 4-21-2008 at 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stanburn
This thread is a prime example of how people accumulate such a large number of posts. As a friend of mine said, the folks on Baja Nomad love to hear themselves talk.

I have nothing to offer regarding Central America, only what I have experienced in 16 months full time in Santiago. If you have specific questions, send me an email.

Trying to figure out which Santiago you are talking about. Chile?
Baja? Colima? Argentina?

Cardon Man - 4-22-2008 at 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Jorge

Yes, the petty crime in Costa Rica is annoying.
But there is one thing worse in Costa Rica than the petty crime: the food :lol:

wow...what were you eating down there? CR has great food! Excellent veggies, fruit, etc. One of my favorite meals is a good "Casado" with gallo pinto, a pork chop, cabbage salad, platano, and a slice of queso. Tico home cooking at it's finest.

The Gull - 4-22-2008 at 08:49 AM

With the influence of Europe in CR, every cuisine in the world is available in San Jose. Outside the city, comida tipica, is good and healthy too.

Maybe someone doesn't like Lizano. Can't imagine anyone who wouldn't like Gallo Pinto. Maybe more McDonald's and Pizza Huts would be pleasing to some.

I love the dual mode that postings take on. 3-4 months ago, the board was flooded with heated, emotional, frantic cries of murderous conditions toward Gringoes for just stepping one foot on Mexican soil. Now we have a full list of wonderful remarks, extolling the virtually crime-free Baja.

People, make up our silly minds. Which is it?

[Edited on 4-22-2008 by The Gull]

Cardon Man - 4-22-2008 at 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Gull
With the influence of Europe in CR, every cuisine in the world is available in San Jose. Outside the city, comida tipica, is good and healthy too.

Maybe someone doesn't like Lizano. Can't imagine anyone who wouldn't like Gallo Pinto. Maybe more McDonald's and Pizza Huts would be pleasing to some.

I love the dual mode that postings take on. 3-4 months ago, the board was flooded with heated, emotional, frantic cries of murderous conditions toward Gringoes for just stepping one foot on Mexican soil. Now we have a full list of wonderful remarks, extolling the virtually crime-free Baja.

People, make up our silly minds. Which is it?

[Edited on 4-22-2008 by The Gull]

Yo Gull...that Lizano is some good stuff! My supply has run out. Guess I'll have to get myself back to CR soon to stock up.

Regarding Baja...it is indeed a very dangerous and terrible place full of evil people that hate gringos. The fishing is poor, the food is bad, and the lifestyle is stressful. I would advise anyone to stay away from Baja. There are so many wonderful gated communities in the USA to enjoy. It's a big mistake to come down here.

The Gull - 4-22-2008 at 09:58 PM

C-man, there you go making total sense now. You got the picture.

I brought back three of the large bottles from last month. GRRRRREAT.

Hook - 4-22-2008 at 10:41 PM

Gull, what's going on? There has actually been some excellent info in your posts recently (VERY recently!) instead of the usual all-invective, all-the-time towards ALL gringos who would dare to avoid The Gauntlet.

Maybe we can meet in the middle on some of our issues..............???????

Machetes are for burying, too.

Skipjack Joe - 4-24-2008 at 09:03 AM

Here's what baja lacks.

This is the native market at Chichicastenango, Guatemala. One of the most interesting places in Latin America. For a variety of reasons.

Guatemala1.jpg - 23kB

Bajafun777 - 4-24-2008 at 09:30 PM

Costa Rica has some great beaches, surf areas, local people very easy going, exchange rate still makes your dollar go further, visited Hermosia Beach and Tamarino Beach (I might have misspelled these) and both were great. The summers are bad, I have a friend whose son lives there and he has a safe room in his house that all his family sleeps in due to break-ins at night, and the roads oh yes the roads make Baja's roads all seem like the Interstate 8 from El Centro to San Diego. These roads, which we drove, were very dangerous because of crater size holes in the roads causing semi-trucks,buses, and other vehicles to come into your lane trying to get away from them and you better find a turn off road to avoid a wreck. I liked the little casinos, they actually export beef and the steaks I ate were great, as was the schrimp, lobster, and other fish which were not expensive in the little beach towns I ate in. Now, the little casinos were just that make the Indian casinos look like the New York New York casino in Las Vegas. San Jose is another story unto itself as it has a very large poplulation and better know where your going but once you do it has a lot of great night spots, bars, places to eat, little art show shops to visit, and did I say great little bars with really cold beer, and the people were just great.
I do like Los Mochis in mainland Mexico for that slower easy going farming based town feeling. My wife and I have never had a problem walking around at night and sitting in the downtown parkarea by the Church enjoying the local bands, guitar players, kids playing, lovers sitting or walking ever so close makes, me get into the same mood to do the same with my wife, and walking in the park really does make life sweet. Los Mochis is only about 20 minutes from the ocean, the ferry and train to Copper Canyon also in the area.
However, I still love the Baja beaches, views, people even when they are trying to make your pesos their pesos, as I love it as life does pass from one hand to the other, right? I have always walked where I wanted in Baja towns as I do in Mexicali but I do not want to walk in very dark areas or areas that I know have issues, which are really not that many. The best thing is people, just like the people I have met on this site, next or maybe equal is the cantinas with cold beer and fish tacos, life is sweet the time just slows down allowing you to actually see those around you, just have to love Baja!! So, "No Hurry, No Worry, Just Fun" Later--------bajafun777

The Gull - 4-25-2008 at 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by soulpatch
I ain't living anywhere where I need a saferoom.

Plenty of safe rooms in San Diego area. Hmmmm, 4.5 more years in THAT environment?

stanburn - 4-25-2008 at 08:04 AM

Hook,

I am talking about Santiago, Colima, MX. It's in my profile.

oxxo - 4-25-2008 at 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by soulpatch
however we have 4.5 years to make that decision.

The place you decide to settle....Baja, Panama, Costa Rica, wherever.......will not be the same place in 4.5 years we are discussing and describing today.

The Gull - 4-25-2008 at 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by soulpatch
Saferooms in San Diego, I see your point..... I actually do know a few fundamentalists that have built them... I think I am pretty safe in my 'hood, though.

Definitely a case for extreme behavior. That one person allegedly has a safe room in his house in Costa Rica because of the repeated break-ins does not define the entire country, but it does say a lot about the freak who does stay in what could be interpreted as a hostile environment (if the fable is actually true).

Imagine the wisdom of staying in a place by choice that requires one to lock up one's self up!!! Speaks volumes about the individual, not the country. Again, if the fable is fact.

If there was a person who chose to put a safe room in their house in San Diego, does that mean all of the US is so poisoned that no one should live there?

Let's look on the bright side, the paranoid who needs a safe room, will likely meet up with an early demise, if only from the stress of being a paranoid. His house near Hermosa and Tamarindo beaches (spelled correctly) may be available for you when leave SD in the future. That safe room could come in handy for the food that we should all be storing in preparation when the world governments collapse and 4-5 billion people start attacking each other. :lol:

rpleger - 4-25-2008 at 11:12 AM

I loved Costa Rica, I was there twice about 15 years apart and I didn't like what I saw in the future.
Been in Mulege over 10 years and I don't like the future I see here but I'm to old to move and start again in another country, this will have to do.
Some people in Mulege are looking at moving to Argentina.

Loved Casados in Costa Rica, Good food,

The Gull - 4-25-2008 at 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
Gull, what's going on? There has actually been some excellent info in your posts recently (VERY recently!) instead of the usual all-invective, all-the-time towards ALL gringos who would dare to avoid The Gauntlet.

I will not make an exception for you. Stop with the pompous backhanded compliments and you may get a civil response. Report all the postings you want to the administrator. You and the Mennis need to clean up your acts.

vandenberg - 4-25-2008 at 02:09 PM

Gull,
You're a regular"flying" Don Rickles. :biggrin: