BajaNomad - Is life better in Baja than ....

Is life better in Baja than ....

oldjack - 12-18-2009 at 11:24 AM

If you have lived on the mainland of MX and have also lived i n Baja(BCN or BCS)... which is better... I know it is different but which lifestyle has proven itself to you... I am a desert fan but I like the lushness of the Pacific Coast of Mexico... I can't afford to have two places so I am trying to make a "final" decision on where to live... life, I think, is tougher on the mainland, but it is getting crowded and more expensive to live in BCS... and the fishing isn't getting any better... I have found that the people over there have a much different attitude toward norteamericanos than those Mexicans living in Baja who seem to expect more from expats than their counterpart on the other side of the Sea... my perspective is that I will be living full-time in MX(either Baja or the mainland) and I want to make an informed decision... my commitment to Baja is my place in Los Barriles.. but it is not an anchor.... I have made multiple trips to GDL and points west and will be spending three weeks overthere beginning the 22nd... I have promised myself that I will make a final decision no later than the end of January, as I will be retiring in December 2010 and I want to be settled... the implied question in this rambling is: what is your informed opinion of the two locations?

Bajahowodd - 12-18-2009 at 03:14 PM

You are likely aware that near GDL, one will find over 10,000 ex-pats around Ajijic. It must be an attraction. And it's easy to head to PV or Manzanillo for a long weekend. I am unable to help on this, because I suffer from the same quandry. In certain respects, it's like pondering two different countries that just happen to have the same language and currency.

oldjack - 12-18-2009 at 03:49 PM

I AM NOT EVEN CONSIDERING the Lake Chapala ghetto.....

Bajahowodd - 12-18-2009 at 03:52 PM

Good for you! I only mentioned it as a point of reference, in that there are so many ex-pats in the area.

toneart - 12-18-2009 at 04:01 PM

Jack,

A lot depends on your lifestyle. You know Baja, so I won't go into it's merits.

Regarding the mainland, you are doing the right thing by traveling and researching. I have traveled every inch of the mainland for months on end, for many years. I also lived in San Miguel de Allende for several years. Everything changes, so my information is not current.

The pluses I would tout are: the weather is warmer in the winter, there is a hell of a lot more culture as far as history,art, music and museums. (Yes, Baja has a rich history too, and the fun of it is in the exploration of remote places). It is more accessible on the mainland. One's age and physical capabilities or limitations may be a factor.

The mainland territory is so vast that you would never tire of exploring. Besides the warm beaches, the fishing is also good and then there are the cities with all the modern facilities, including medical. If you don't want to drive everywhere, the trains, buses and planes are excellent. (Not sure about the trains anymore...maybe that is no longer an option). Everything used to be very inexpensive compared to prices in The U.S. Mexico has gotten a lot more expensive in recent years, but it is still a bargain. (Perhaps there are greater values to be had now that we are in a world wide recession). I know the dollar/peso exchange is still working in our favor.

You can find enclaves of gringos doing interesting things,or nothing at all. You can easily find a house in a wholly Mexican neighborhood and avoid gringos, if you wish. Whether or not you are married play a large part in your choices.

So, spend the time to travel. I would look for places I think I could live and love, and then rent; not buy. It all depends on what you like.

I would do it again! :yes:

Hope this helps.

Skeet/Loreto - 12-18-2009 at 04:16 PM

Jack:
I lived in and around L

reto for about 38 years. I have traveled in the Mainland some. The only places in all of the mainland that I liked was Durango and Los Alamos. Please look at each carefully if you are close.''Since I had so much time on the Sea of Cortez, if I went back it would be with a large Live on Boat, then I could go nearly anywhere I wanted.
Good Luck

Pescador - 12-18-2009 at 04:17 PM

The best advice I have ever gotten was to travel around and find a place that matched up with me. I discovered early on that my favorite place in all of Mexico was Bahia de Los Muertos but a couple of idiots ruined that for me, so I ended up in what I consider to be the best all around choice that I kept coming back to time and again. You have to really figure out what works for you and what meets the largest amount of your needs. As long as you can travel around and explore that may be the stage that you are at and not really ready to put down more roots than that. Toneart mentions things that are not even on my radar at this point in my life so that just goes to show that we are all made up differently and need to find our own music. I know some people who were still traveling and looking, trying to decide and it just was not their time. DON'T PUSH THE RIVER

toneart - 12-18-2009 at 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Jack:
I lived in and around L

Skeet,
Tiger may have just the right boat for you. That is, after he is done hiding out. :cool:

rocmoc - 12-18-2009 at 06:34 PM

Friends who know me know I don't have any problem sharing my opinions even when I am pushing against the river.

Been traveling to/thu Baja for over 15 years. Traveling the mainland, still have not been to enough places, for nearly 10 years. Have flown & driven both.

I/we lean towards the mainland because it has everything Baja has plus warm water/beaches in the winter, jungle, more birds, more dunes/desert, more medical, more of everything. That is where the problem comes in, more places to visit to find the final location. Still looking but below PV is currently high on the list.

Now the downside, MORE crime!

I/we like/love Baja but if/when we have to chose, Mainland.

IMHO and not met as a shot at Baja but the OP wants to know what I/we think!

Now what we will probably do is keep a small place in AZ for 6 months a year and spend 4 months of winter in MX and 2 months of summer in MX. There are places on the Mainland that are best visited in the summer, eg. Creel for one.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[Edited on 12-19-2009 by rocmoc]

noproblemo2 - 12-18-2009 at 06:45 PM

Sounds like you already know what you want...