BajaNomad - Young guy looking for a new life

Young guy looking for a new life

PokerGuy - 6-6-2009 at 11:31 PM

I am a young 26 year old who is hoping this isn't all a pipe dream. I wasn't sure of where to ask this but ill just leave it out there and see what info comes back to me.

What I want.

Small non touristy beach town where I can go and fish and surf and not deal with as much bs as i deal with in life now. Im looking for that locals life you see in movies. I know it sounds silly, but I think i can make it happen. The only luxury I need is reliable online access. I want to be able to wake up every morning, do my online work, and then either surf, fish or hike for the day.

What I have.

I may have an rv, but I dont care much wear i live as long as its near the beach. I make roughly 1500$usd monthly online and will continue to make that if not more when I am in the perfect place.

This wont be happening for another year or so, but I want to start putting some plans together and getting ideas. I should be taking a trip down there in a few months and would like to know where to look.

So where is the perfect little fishing town where I can live out my dream?

Thanks in advance for any help
Pokerguy

gnukid - 6-7-2009 at 12:18 AM

Build a wifi antenna booster search on wifi coffee can or wifi antenna-work on improving this technique to increase options. There is wifi almost everywhere there is surf.

Travel around and try out places all over baja-be a nomad. Skip the RV and use a more mobile economical vehicle at first. Something you can sleep inside of and work inside like a simple van or camper.

If you cut your costs you will be rich!

BigWooo - 6-7-2009 at 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PokerGuy
What I want.

Small non touristy beach town ...The only luxury I need is reliable online access.

Unfortunately those two don't necessarily go together. Non touristy usually = no internet. Unless you want to deal with satellite, which for commercial purposes may not work due to limited upload/download capacity and cost. I think you'll have to start somewhere a little more populated. I'd start in the Todos Santos area. Definitely not out of the way, but not as crowded as Cabo either and still has internet, surf, fishing and hiking.

shari - 6-7-2009 at 06:27 AM

Welcome to the Nomad sandbox Pokerguy....way to go for visualizing your dream...check out lots of spots...they DO exist! see ya in the summer dude.

Timo1 - 6-7-2009 at 07:03 AM

Hey Pokerguy
See that link on Shari's post.....click it...I think you'll find what you're looking for

mulegemichael - 6-7-2009 at 07:15 AM

timo's right, amigo...i think asuncion is for you....and shari and juan are you go-to folks...they're awesome!

Santiago - 6-7-2009 at 09:42 AM

So you're currently making $1500/month playing on-line poker?? uhhh - some of that might be mine....... :rolleyes:

David K - 6-7-2009 at 09:52 AM

Bahia de los Angeles... is pretty 'out there' but has services, stores, beer, gas and including wifi from Lizeth's. Go to http://bahiadelosangeles.info for more. It is very hot for a couple months in the summer (late July to early Sept.)

It is a fisherman's town, for sure. But, no surfing there.

Then, on the Pacific side is Asuncion, as mentioned above. That has surf when there is a south swell.

[Edited on 6-7-2009 by David K]

jahbaja - 6-7-2009 at 09:54 AM

Not much surf in BOLA though.

David K - 6-7-2009 at 10:08 AM

Yes... you are correct... I missed that one word, surf... my bad!

PokerGuy - 6-7-2009 at 11:30 AM

Wow. that was some awesome responses. Im really glad i put this thread on here and will be hitting every website you guys mentioned and will definetly be taking a trip down.

As for living, i have found some nice vans for much cheaper with full kitchen and sleeping accomodation which I think will suit me so much better.

And sorry Santiago if it was me taking your money 8) But dont worry, I also do online lessons if you ever wanted to improve your game. I have a few students right now actually.

Thanks again guys, and I think I will be enjoying this website as much as possible for the next year

comitan - 6-7-2009 at 12:03 PM

You do have some really good advise here, the way you are planning to do this you will probably have $500 a month left over. That is until you get hooked up with a brown eyed girl.

flyfishinPam - 6-7-2009 at 12:08 PM

if you end up using a Mexican ISP keep in mind many websites do not function because you are in Mexico. some friends of mine play poker online and since they've moved here many of the sited they had frequented don't work in Mexico. something to think about.

shari - 6-7-2009 at 04:09 PM

just a note to DK...there is surf here on the prevailing NW swell too...we have beaches that face different directions so depending on the direction of the swell you can choose your spot...it's pretty cool that in the summer south swell, you can surf right in the middle of town! which really sucks if you want to beach launch your skiff though!!!

[Edited on 6-7-2009 by shari]

Santiago - 6-7-2009 at 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
which really sucks if you want to beach launch your skiff though!!!

I might add that a beach LANDING can get pretty hairy tambien. Shari has pictures.......

amirravon - 6-7-2009 at 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Timo1
Hey Pokerguy
See that link on Shari's post.....click it...I think you'll find what you're looking for

yup, i think Timo is right .......Asuncion is THE place for you

PokerGuy - 6-8-2009 at 08:26 AM

Yes the more and more I look into Asuncion the more I want to go right now.
what is the weather like in the summer months? I think Ill be taking a short trip there sometime in august or september depending on work.

Thanks again everyone

Bajaboy - 6-8-2009 at 08:48 AM

September is probably the warmest month of the year. I prefer, July/August or October/November. Temps are probably in the mid 80s and pleasant at night. We'll be down there from mid July to mid August. Look us up if you make it down.

zac

rob - 6-8-2009 at 09:09 AM

flyfishinpam says "if you end up using a Mexican ISP keep in mind many websites do not function because you are in Mexico". True, I can't get my Starband email from Mexican sites anymore . . .

Three words to Google

anonymous proxy servers

Bob H - 6-8-2009 at 09:20 AM

South of Ensenada, check out Erendira. The turnoff is just North of San Vicente off MX-1. You will be isolated, you can surf, be near a larger town, and closer to the US in case you need a USA fix now and then.

Bob H

Von - 6-8-2009 at 11:42 AM

Asuncion is like a dream when i look at it through the internet.

Looks like my Grandparents place 50 yrs ago La Barca k31 ..

youve herd of k38 way to crazy and probably not far enough from civilizacioaaann.......

Asuncion bro and then to san ignacio to scorpion bay once in a while. Youll see have fun..

gnukid - 6-8-2009 at 11:54 AM

Be realistic, the pacific coast of baja is a nice place to visit, but staying there for a period of time can be a very hard life which is quite different than the comforts of american city.

The wind, fog, cold, heat, dust, barren landscape, lack of amenities, lack of shelter, lack of everything, the difficulty finding work, maintaining yourself and getting stuff is really overwhelming which might explain the few numbers who do it.

I would suggest great caution and limited expectations. Focus on basics, a good knife, a simple hand line for fishing, a large and well insulated cooler or two small ones. a chair and a simple table, a plan for shelter, expect huge variations in temperature. Bring basic tools, a solar panel and extra deep cell batteries and inverter.

Save your money and spend very carefully. Less is more.

That said, I am thinking house sitting might be a great way to start out except most people are not jumping up and down looking for a roving gambler as their cuidador.

PokerGuy - 6-8-2009 at 12:44 PM

HAHA. Yes i get alot of odd looks when i tell people i play poker for a living. I appreciate the real facts gnukid, and I will definetly be taking a few trips before I buy an rv and make the big move.

Little piece of Paradise

Lee - 6-8-2009 at 12:56 PM

I recommend Pescadero area, South of Todos Santos. Fishing and surfing is good at San Pedrito, close enough to the Cape and Costa Azul, 9 Palms, Shipwrecks. Surfer culture and non-touristy, wireless internet (Telcel card at about $30/month), hour North of Cabo (I love Cabo), La Pastora (big wave break for BCS) is 45 minutes North, house sit in this area (Pescadero) and you'll be sold.

DanO - 6-8-2009 at 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by comitan
You do have some really good advise here, the way you are planning to do this you will probably have $500 a month left over. That is until you get hooked up with a brown eyed girl.

Ain't that the truth.

Marie-Rose - 6-8-2009 at 04:55 PM

Totally agree with the suggestion of trying a few places out for weeks at a time.
If you decide to try Pescadero/ Todos Santos, try to make some contacts during the
winter months and you will have access to lots of fabulous house sitting opportunities
during the summer months.
Todos Santos is beginning to attract more younger people and when there you need to
make sure and hang at La Esquina... you will meet lots of surfers your age.

Von - 6-8-2009 at 04:59 PM

oh yeah? Lee has a point....

That spot in Todos santos is amazing . You can go snorkeling in the super warm water surf is amazing , was ther a few yrs ago totally forgot that place. Cerritos Punta Lobos is so cool...for snorkeling that is..

pacside - 6-10-2009 at 10:33 AM

Yep I would suggest spending some time in Pescadero. Sounds right up your alley. Lots of surfing, great weather year round, housesitting opptys. Pescadero Surf Camp is a place you could park it for awhile and is economical. Playa Los Cerritos has some good surfing...sandy bottom and not too rough so good for beginners. San Pedrito is for more advanced surfers and than again La Pastora about 45 minutes north of Todos Santos is really popular with the locals.

You can live pretty nice there on $1500/mo. Of course, this doesn't include going out to eat in the great restaurants in Todos Santos every night...but some nights you could fit that in. There are some local food stands in Pescadero that are quite affordable. I like Chiqui's Chicken for one.

One more thing...if you really like it there and wish to buy a little patch of dirt for yourself I think a decent investment right now is to find a parcela on the east side of hwy 19 on the hillside with an ocean view. I think you can get something there for under 25k.

The area is getting developed though so that may not be to your liking.

Good luck and have fun.

pacside

Bajahowodd - 6-10-2009 at 04:11 PM

The url is not complete as a hot link. That being said, Todos is a great place. But, all things being considered, speculators have driven up home prices to a ridiculous level. That affects rental prices, too.

CaboRon must be out getting a pedicure, lest he'd be the first to chime in on Todos.

[Edited on 6-10-2009 by Bajahowodd]

LancairDriver - 6-10-2009 at 04:18 PM

Try taking a look at this link. If it doesn't work go to Foxnews.com for the story. It seems the feds are freezing bank accounts of the online poker sites. and it may influence your thinking. Best of luck.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,525708,00.html

PokerGuy - 6-10-2009 at 05:22 PM

Thanks eveyrone again. I was really suprised and happy with the response from this forum. Ill be planning a trip soon.

Lancair. Thanks for the heads up and looking out for me. that link didn't work, but i know what it is in reference too. US state attorney office has seized the check processor for us based checks. Basically the poker sites take the hit and send out new checks with new processors. Down the line this could be an issue, but I plan on having a mexican bank account, and using some type of mexican address to play my poker and to be paid. I have not worked out all the kinks just yet, but I will be as things become more clear.

I will definetly be taking a few days to drive down and check out some spots.

805gregg - 6-10-2009 at 05:56 PM

If you are truely a surfer you would know the Baja surf spots, they've been known for over 35 years, no new spots are available. Some of the places mentioned don't really have good surf. If you want surf, post, in the surf forum. If you want to learn to surf go to San Diego.

pacside - 6-11-2009 at 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 805gregg
If you are truely a surfer you would know the Baja surf spots, they've been known for over 35 years, no new spots are available. Some of the places mentioned don't really have good surf. If you want surf, post, in the surf forum. If you want to learn to surf go to San Diego.

805g
A bit harsh maybe for a relative youngster trying to branch out into a new country and a new life. He may just now be starting to do his research into Baja. He may be an excellent surfer but never had the opportunity to surf outside of the U.S. Did you have your coffee yet this morning?
pacside

PokerGuy - 6-11-2009 at 05:12 PM

Jeez 805. first somewhat nasty response i have gotten on this forum. Im not looking for the "surf town". Im looking for a place to live that has a little bit of everything except the big tourist trap. I want to leave the hustle and bustle and enjoy fishing, the beach, beer, and the ocean.

As for poker in the US. this may be another reason i want to get out as my future is not looking very good using US ip addresses and bank accounts. I need to take a look at things in a few months, but I am trying to pick up as much info as possible.

I again appreciate everyones responses and have read through so much on this website and hope to post as much as possible when my plans become more clear.

fishbuck - 6-11-2009 at 05:36 PM

What you are looking for is there. I took a trip through all of Baja chasing the same dream. I found my spot. Several of them actually.
Jump in your RV and look all around. Try different spots and get the feel of it. You'll know it's right when you find it.
For a surf enviornment I'd look at Todo Santos. I like it there but it's not my scene. There is already that "vibe" to the place and I would expect that to increase.
Lots of artsy-craftsy b.s. in town and doesn't have that authentic feel anymore. But a nice beach.
What you're looking for is somewhere between El Rosario and Todo Santos.
Start looking!

PokerGuy - 6-11-2009 at 07:12 PM

Thanks fishbuck. thats exactly what Im going to do. Ill be finding an rv to buy,and loading it up with all my twos hopefully in the next year, and then make the trip. But im gonna soak up all the info i can

PokerGuy - 6-11-2009 at 07:12 PM

Soul Patch. I have not, what are your thoughts on other places that may be what Im looking for?

bajabound2005 - 6-11-2009 at 08:01 PM

Sorry, but every time I look at the subject of this thread I see "Young guy looking for a new Wife".....

ArroyoTaxi - 6-11-2009 at 08:07 PM

Hey Pokerboy - have you checked out Nicaragua? start around here: www.ranchosantana.com - this place is a bit pricey, but there are many opportunities and places nearby and they have high-speed and a killer surf break. We would be down there but we have young kids and need to be a bit closer to home. Good luck!

Bajaboy - 6-11-2009 at 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabound2005
Sorry, but every time I look at the subject of this thread I see "Young guy looking for a new Wife".....

That was Fishbuck's post

BigWooo - 6-12-2009 at 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ArroyoTaxi
Hey Pokerboy - have you checked out Nicaragua? start around here: www.ranchosantana.com - this place is a bit pricey, but there are many opportunities and places nearby and they have high-speed and a killer surf break. We would be down there but we have young kids and need to be a bit closer to home. Good luck!

Another good choice. Nicaragua isn't a good place to take a motor home though. Driving there is a bit interesting

and beach access is somewhat difficult. There are very few places where you could get a motor home to the beach and hang.

The cost of living in Nicaragua is much less than Mexico though and you could rent a simple house away from the beach for next to nothing. (Don't expect to rent anything with AC if you want to live cheaply as power costs are very expensive!)

Try Bahia Gigante, San Juan del Sur, Popoyo, Astillero. Google each of these and check it out. I'm sure you could find a inexpensive place to stay to test the area. Internet access is available in some of the most remote places there.

Check the link below in my signature line to get an idea of what the area is like. Go to the "video" link at the bottom of the page.

[Edited on 6-12-2009 by BigWooo]

PokerGuy - 6-12-2009 at 08:45 AM

Bigwoo, that place looks very nice, but seems a bit too much for me. I think people may have the wrong impression of me. Im not a surfer guy, nor someone looking to really move to the hustle and bustle of south america.

Im tired of the constant garbage from people, living and working to pay rent and bills, and having to deal with being in such a populated, dirty, and overbuilt area. By the end of the year I will be debt free, and probably single, and Bajahound, DEFINETLY not looking for a wife.

I want to park my RV in a secluded area and fish, swim, surf, lounge and live off what I can make online, and maybe what I can catch as well as my services in construction. I want to be able to go into the local village to eat, shop and mingle with the locals, and then go back to my nice little spot and live in what I consider luxury.

Maybe this is a pipe dream, but I am willing to work on it and see if it could come true. Again thanks so much for all your help. This forum really is awesome

fishbuck - 6-12-2009 at 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajaboy

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabound2005
Sorry, but every time I look at the subject of this thread I see "Young guy looking for a new Wife".....

That was Fishbuck's post

No, mine was "old guy looking for a young wife" :yes:

DENNIS - 6-12-2009 at 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabound2005
Sorry, but every time I look at the subject of this thread I see "Young guy looking for a new Wife".....

Remember Big John? He was looking for a traveling companion. I wonder if he ever found one?

DENNIS - 6-12-2009 at 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PokerGuy
I want to park my RV in a secluded area and fish, swim, surf, lounge and live off what I can make online, and maybe what I can catch as well as my services in construction. I want to be able to go into the local village to eat, shop and mingle with the locals, and then go back to my nice little spot and live in what I consider luxury.

When I read this, my mind immediatly went back to a book, "Mexico On Five Dollars A Day." It was a different world then but it's still the stuff of todays dreams....I guess.

DENNIS - 6-12-2009 at 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PokerGuy
Bajahound

Wait..Don't anybody move. I want to write that down before I forget it. May want to use it in the future. :lol:

Udo - 6-12-2009 at 04:54 PM

Caboron is now getting his pedicures on the Las Vegas strip.

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd

CaboRon must be out getting a pedicure, lest he'd be the first to chime in on Todos.

[Edited on 6-10-2009 by Bajahowodd]

Osprey - 6-12-2009 at 05:50 PM

Poker guy

I'm from Las Vegas. I was not much of a gambler when I lived there because locals like me found out early the more you play the more you pay. But that doesn't mean we aren't familiar with the odds, don't know the games.

I'll bet you what you think you'll earn playing cards on line over the next six months that you can't make it down here the way you plan it. I did it and I had solid $ money coming in every month for 10 years. I lived in the sand and grit, close to the bone -- in the heat, thru the hurricanes, the small town rustic life of Mexican in the raw. My guess is you wouldn't last 90 days the first summer no matter where in Baja California given all you've told us of your plans. You're not having pipe dreams, you're having hooka dreams and they are very different dreams. Rethink the thing vato.

woody with a view - 6-12-2009 at 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PokerGuy

Im tired of the constant garbage from people, living and working to pay rent and bills, and having to deal with being in such a populated, dirty, and overbuilt area. By the end of the year I will be debt free, and probably single, and Bajahound, DEFINETLY not looking for a wife.

I want to park my RV in a secluded area and fish, swim, surf, lounge and live off what I can make online, and maybe what I can catch as well as my services in construction. I want to be able to go into the local village to eat, shop and mingle with the locals, and then go back to my nice little spot and live in what I consider luxury.

Maybe this is a pipe dream, but I am willing to work on it and see if it could come true. Again thanks so much for all your help. This forum really is awesome

sounds like a dream..... if i was you i'd go for it. if you can't make it in baja, you can't make it anywhere (reminds me of a song, for some obscure reason :light:

). you can always go back home if it doesn't work out.

the list:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=9392#pid26120...

p.s. anyone seen minnow?

[Edited on 6-13-2009 by woody in ob]

[Edited on 6-13-2009 by woody in ob]

Osprey - 6-12-2009 at 06:07 PM

Woody, stop it. You must have ESP N cause you're talking about minnows and you must have spied on me yesterday in the panga when I took ANOTHER boat ride around Palmas Bay dragging sweet, skinny, smelly half beaks all over hell without success.

woody with a view - 6-12-2009 at 06:20 PM

hey big guy, someone has to put in the hours! :rolleyes:

where are the big dodo's? we're waiting......

i saw my buddy Andy Cates on the Red Rooster III is bringing a potential world record 380# YFT to the dock sunday morning.

[Edited on 6-13-2009 by woody in ob]

PokerGuy - 6-12-2009 at 06:55 PM

Osprey, can I ask why you dont think I can make it? Is it the idea of me making money playing poker? the idea of living in an rv by the beach?

The idea for me posting on this site was to get all ideas and criticism but just telling me I can't do it isn't really fair. I am sure it wont be the easiest move, but I sense that it could be the most fulfilling.

And once again, Im not doing this tomorrow, Im trying to soak up every piece of information I can get.

Cypress - 6-12-2009 at 07:14 PM

PokerGuy, Do what you want to do. Don't let the "Nada" crowd get the upper hand. :biggrin:

Osprey - 6-12-2009 at 08:04 PM

Poker, ask Cypress where he lives now, how and where he lived in Baja California. Get back to me.

I have a right to be skeptical pal. How much is your bank? What about the days, weeks, months (minutes) you lose, not win? Read Grahams books, get back to us.

Paula - 6-12-2009 at 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PokerGuy
Bigwoo, that place looks very nice, but seems a bit too much for me. I think people may have the wrong impression of me. Im not a surfer guy, nor someone looking to really move to the hustle and bustle of south america.

Im tired of the constant garbage from people, living and working to pay rent and bills, and having to deal with being in such a populated, dirty, and overbuilt area. By the end of the year I will be debt free, and probably single, and Bajahound, DEFINETLY not looking for a wife.

I want to park my RV in a secluded area and fish, swim, surf, lounge and live off what I can make online, and maybe what I can catch as well as my services in construction.

I want to be able to go into the local village to eat, shop and mingle with the locals, and then go back to my nice little spot and live in what I consider luxury.

Maybe this is a pipe dream, but I am willing to work on it and see if it could come true. Again thanks so much for all your help. This forum really is awesome

Poker Guy, this is a nice post. Sounds like you have a firm grip on reality, and you'll either be happy down here following your plan, or you won't like it so much, s you'll move on.

Either way, it'll be fine :dudette:

Good luck to you!

Cypress - 6-12-2009 at 08:24 PM

Osprey, Poker can ask his own questions. But I'll, answer yours. I'm up in the north country right now. I lived in Mulege. How? Pretty dog-gone good. :bounce:

Get back to you? :spingrin:

Why bother? Fiction writers are a dime a dozen.

Read a book about living in Baja?

How 'bout living in Baja and reading any book you want. :biggrin:

You've taken the name of an outstanding bird, but while a real Osprey soars, you're just flapping your gums.

Sharksbaja - 6-12-2009 at 08:50 PM

Ouch!

You gotta give this guy some credit though it's way too early to tell how much. Heck, I"ve had those dreams many times, they were dreams though because the reality only comes thru experience, like Ospey stated. You might be lucky or you may not. Poker like life in general is a gamble.
Perhaps he is right but only you can discover that. Nobody here(I hope) can tell you where you should, or what you should, do. Don't dismiss anyones words here because to each person comes a different destiny.
Listen to all but do what common sense dictates. That may take a few sacrifices that you may not even think about like the Gnu says.

You can go down to explore your dream and get some valuble knowledge. For all we know the heat and humidity might drive you batty. These are simple considerations and there are many.

Of course I have no idea how many eggs you gots but I,d hesitate to put them all in one basket till you're sure you can pull it off. Maybe the most you have to lose is little. If that's the case I say WTH, go do anythang yer allowance will permit.

Just don't call mom and dad when some bandito rips you off

Good luck and have fun!

PokerGuy - 6-12-2009 at 10:25 PM

LOL. ok everything take a big deep breath. I dont wanna start any waves so early in my forum career.

Ill be saving up, taking trips, and digging deep in the knowledge of this forum as well as any one I meet along the way.

I do believe the baja area is where I will be happy, but only time will tell.

Thanks again everyone, and I hope one day I will be able to help out the new guy who wants to move there.

fishbuck - 6-13-2009 at 05:14 AM

Hey Pokey,

Just do it. Don't over plan this.
You need a pickup truck and a AAA map.
For 1500 month you can find cheap motels to stay in. Almost anything you need you can find along the way somewhere. Live like a mexican. It's better and funner.
I packed all kinds of stuff I never used or needed.
I brought camping gear just in case. I only ever needed it once. And that's because I meet a beautiful mexican girl who wanted to flock on the beach.
So when we going?

[Edited on 6-13-2009 by fishbuck]

new (baja) life

timmurphy - 6-13-2009 at 10:26 AM

Pokerguy....I'd be your neighbor if I could.Alas...I had too many ninos and an ex to pay for.If I can get two through college and show up at my job for 3 more years then maybe I can have a "pipe" dream too.Until then,Ijust live for my road trips south.Ah....mi baja.....

mtgoat666 - 6-13-2009 at 10:41 AM

Quote:

Most people in baja are also "working to pay rent and bills." Doubt you will escape that in baja, unless you already got a trust fund or put away your retirement nest egg.

"DEFINETLY not looking for a wife" -- sounds like you just got a divorce! :lol:

ArroyoTaxi - 6-14-2009 at 10:51 AM

Pokerguy - go for it. if it doesn't work out, you can always change your plans. good luck.