My wife and I will be starting semi-ret. this year and are mainly considering either Ensenada or San Felipe. This will be for a 6-8 month living each
year. We have been to both, mostly Ensenada, but never lived in either place. We have spent a couple years in Costa Rica, loved it, but way to far
from all the new grandbabies in Calif.
Any log-timers out there care to help us out with some pros & cons of each?
THX
StevePackoderm - 3-30-2010 at 04:47 PM
It depends on what you want. If you want some types of things, you'll choose one of the places, and if you want other things, you'll choose the other.
The same goes for what you want to avoid. If you want to avoid some kind of things, you'll avoid one of the places and vice versa.Bajahowodd - 3-30-2010 at 04:53 PM
Comparisons of those two towns is beyond description. They are apples and oranges.
Two major differences. Ensenada is way more populated and has many more of the amenities NOB folks are used to. Aside from the Mexican companies that
vie with the international companies, you have the option of places such as Costco, Walmart Blockbuster and Smart & Final; not to mention the
multi-plex cinemas. Number two is the weather. It will likely never get nearly as cold nor hot in Ensenada than San Felipe, owing to its coastal
location. Finally, noting that you are from Fresno, a trip up to the border and thereon up I-5 is a great deal shorter than driving up from San
Felipe.
All that said, another big dif is that Ensenada is a government center, while San Felipe is a quad center. Be refined, or kick up dust.bajadock - 3-30-2010 at 05:51 PM
Wow, Howodd, my neighborhood became refined? Oh, that's right. The boxed wine gatherings here pour into glass goblets on occasion.
Stevelaubly, suggest you come back down here and interview some of us over food and beverage. My "Pub" door is always open.stevelaubly - 3-30-2010 at 06:52 PM
We like quiet, good friends and neighbors, and a rather simple life. Our place in Costa Rica was at Lake Arenal...4 hours from any big city or fast
food. One important question we have about both places is the availability of fresh fruit & veggies. We are big on natural food & sea food.
In Costa Rica about 90% of our food was from local farms and ranches, and was fresh and naturally grown/raised.
I assume the air is better in San Felipe. How about the water? Here in Ca. I can't even stand the smell of the city water...much less actually
drink it.
THXarrowhead - 3-30-2010 at 06:55 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by stevelaubly
Here in Ca. I can't even stand the smell of the city water...much less actually drink it.
Then Mexico is not for you. stevelaubly - 3-30-2010 at 07:03 PM
You do a lot of bottled water there? Is it really bad in both places? Seems like SF might be a little cleaner than Ensenada....No?
THXUdo - 3-30-2010 at 07:10 PM
The Punta Banda area of South Ensenada has more of what you are looking for.
The rent's also a lot cheaper than San Felipe, and the seafood variety is more plentiful and available year-round at the Ensenada fish market.
The farms south of Ensenada grow their own veggies year-round.
If you have a problem with how the water tastes, however, don't come to Mexico.DENNIS - 3-30-2010 at 07:41 PM
Water isn't a problem. Purified water is delivered to your door in 5 gallon jugs or bulk. This isn't 1950.postholedigger - 3-31-2010 at 06:20 AM
Never been to S.F. But I'm a pretty big fan of Ensenada.
It depends
akshadow - 3-31-2010 at 08:35 AM
I have spent very little time in Ensenada so cannot comment on living there.
One item is to get to San Felipe you would not typically go thru Tijuana with the large city problems and border issues. To get to San Felipe you go
thru Mexicali which has had far less press reports of problems.Terry28 - 3-31-2010 at 08:59 AM
Steve, check your u2u .....mtgoat666 - 3-31-2010 at 09:04 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by stevelaubly
I assume the air is better in San Felipe.
huh?
sounds like you have never been to either town.
why don't you visit the towns in both august and december and report back.David K - 3-31-2010 at 09:14 AM
San Felipe is in the desert, on the gulf.
Way way different than Ensenada... much smaller, calmer, no traffic issues... except during a race. Ensenada has races, too... it's a 'Baja thing'.tjBill - 3-31-2010 at 09:53 AM
Weather is a huge difference.
San Felipe is nice in winter, Ensenada is nice in summer.stevelaubly - 3-31-2010 at 09:53 AM
I spend a lot of time in Ensenada in the 70s & 80s.
We were in SF for a couple weeks in '08 during the Shrimp Fest.
