BajaNomad - Baja Real Estate -- What is your assessment of the past, present, future?

Baja Real Estate -- What is your assessment of the past, present, future?

Ateo - 1-26-2013 at 10:48 AM

Hello fellow Nomads,

It is my goal to retire in Baja. We have been exploring the peninsula in hopes of finding the perfect place to suit our needs. We have a couple places on our radar but haven't settled on anything yet. We are focused on the Pacific side as I need waves and cold from time to time.

What is your opinion of the current health of the Baja real estate market? Where do you see it going?

We may buy an existing casa, or we may just buy a lote and slowly build over the next 10 years.

I know you Nomads have tons of opinions so let 'em loose!!!

Gracias,
Ateo

woody with a view - 1-26-2013 at 10:57 AM

buy a lot, put a trailer on it and then decide what you wanna do. day trips (or longer!) to your other favorite places are always within reach when Neptune calls.

Ateo - 1-26-2013 at 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
buy a lot, put a trailer on it and then decide what you wanna do. day trips (or longer!) to your other favorite places are always within reach when Neptune calls.

Yeah man. That's pretty much what I'm thinking unless I find the perfect place that is already built. That perfect already built house -- I haven't found yet unless the economy tanks and I can buy on gringo hill for $30.

PCbaja - 1-26-2013 at 11:11 AM

I bought then built with renting it in mind until I could afford to spend more time there. That being said, it has turned out to be quite profitable.

biulding in baja !!

captkw - 1-26-2013 at 11:11 AM

Woody must read minds !! I been preaching that for over 20 years in Baja....pour a pad with 3" PVC pipes every 4/5 feet around the outsides (for awning) and sit a RV/Trailer/5th wheel and be done with it !! For me, there is more to life, than buiding a house on a beach in Baja...We started the first house in 80/81 and it was a big pain in the ____

[Edited on 1-26-2013 by captkw]

willardguy - 1-26-2013 at 11:13 AM

buy now, according to the Realtor that been showing the rental im in now, its comin back with a vengeance.
of course thats just one Realtor's take on it! J(her)HO!

real estate & the dollar

captkw - 1-26-2013 at 11:18 AM

I know nuffing bout real estate or money,,but every where I read says its a gonna tank...The bankers & fed reserve have made it so..at least thats what the experts say !!

[Edited on 1-26-2013 by captkw]

DENNIS - 1-26-2013 at 11:29 AM

I agree with Woody. There's no telling if the RE market will ever rebound down here. It all depends on the world/US economy and whether or not people will have anything left to spend on Baja....or any other place for that matter.
This Peninsula may just be a dedicated industrial park.
The Mexican government is another unknown. They keep raising the bar for immigration as though they have a captive audience, but when they successfully shut the door, they'll sit there and blame it all on the US. They seem to be collecting from us some unpaid moral debt of our grandfathers for wrongs of the past.
Anyway, the Baja of History and the Baja of yesterday and today are three different places. There's no telling what tomorrow's Baja will bring.
Keep wheels under everything, and have a good time.

comitan - 1-26-2013 at 11:30 AM

Well in the last 3 months there have 5 Homes sold in Comitan (La Paz) that I know about. Thats a BIG Turn around!!!!!!!!!!!

monoloco - 1-26-2013 at 11:33 AM

It depends where you are in Baja, down here in Pescadero/Todos Santos there seems to be quite a bit of construction and real estate changing hands. There are at least a half dozen homes currently being built just in our neighborhood.

comitan

captkw - 1-26-2013 at 11:35 AM

Good news...I have seen the peso ,buy more and the dollar, buy less....

[Edited on 1-26-2013 by captkw]

Ateo - 1-26-2013 at 11:49 AM

Thanks all. I enjoy hearing different reports from different areas. Some towns are booming and some are stagnating. My gut (and the world economy) tells me now is a good time to buy a lote somewhere. Park a camper on it and start there. So many things could change between now and retirement. A lote would be low risk. I don't have the money right now to build a palace but I could definitely buy a piece of dirt. All I see everywhere is more and more development.

I appreciate any more speculation and opinions.

Off to Oceanside Harbor..............check back in later.

BajaBlanca - 1-26-2013 at 12:00 PM

Here is my take:

I heard that a lot of folks built when they retired and are now headed north due to health issues - which is good for buyers who will get some great deals as the need to sell is pretty urgent.

la bocana is growing quickly - all locals building new houses - there must be dozens going up. new and really pretty.

there are some great deals - people here have land that you can get in exchange for a quad or a boat. comes down to timing too ... very inexpensive if you catch the right person needing cashola right away.

I highly recommend setting up a trailer/palapa and LIVING wherever you think you might end up staying. The reality of visiting and living are like night and day.

good luck on your quest. It only took Les 20 years to find his idea of paradise :yes:

Leo - 1-26-2013 at 12:03 PM

I think we have reached bottom and in my opinion, since building here is an absolute PAIN, (always late, and with different outcomes then expected) shop for a desperate seller. There are so many small and larger places for sale, there must be plenty of them after 4 years of stagnation. You see what you buy and perhaps the potential to make it into the ideal place for your needs.

Pacific lots

roamingthroughbaja - 1-26-2013 at 12:13 PM

Yes, there are some really good deals right now with properties going sometimes 60% below the original purchase price. AND there are buyers with cash! We haven't seen much of that over the last couple of years.

There is a really nice development called Playas Pacificas south of Punto Conejo. Pretty accessible and the state gov has promised to pave most of the way to the gates this summer. The lots are HUGE. Here is the link: Playas Pacificas

South beach.jpg - 41kB

MMc - 1-26-2013 at 01:35 PM

I have a good buddy that has a house in Ensenada. A lot about 1/2 way down and a lot in Todo's. Both the lots are on ten year leases. Both lots have power no water. He built a garage on one and a dropped a Conex on the other. Both have patios and shade. He pulls his trailer between the two or just drives his truck. Sets up camp and he's set. He is able to keep enough stuff at the place he can set anytime. Where he goes depends on the swell and what else he has going on. See a lot of places and still explores the Pacific side. He has a few secret spots :saint:

cessna821 - 1-26-2013 at 01:36 PM

We first came here to Mulegé thirteen years ago and lived full time for five years. We have a very comfortable, solid and spacious home to live in all year round which is built from local stone and brick. Mulegé is a fabulous place to live, friendly people, a cosmopolitan atmosphere and great local amenities.

Sadly, family reasons have caused us to spend more time in Europe than we originally intended.

If we had not bought our home here I wonder if we could have afforded to have rented or bought an RV and leased. We do not pay a lease or rent for our land. However many people are paying $250-300 a month to a park owner for their plot in Mulege. Over 13 years this amounts to somewhere between $32,000 and $39,000 and, of course, having to continue paying for ever. The price of an new RV could vary in price between $50,000 and $300,000, and the value would be decreasing annually.

At the end of thirteen years the RV would achieve something like $5,000 to $ 12,000.

We are not charging anymore than our purchase price plus the cost of improvements. All our household contents come free with the home. Even though it has not increased in price, yet, I do not think it could ever depreciate in the same way as an RV's does.

If we had leased and bought a comfortable RV we would now have very little left in value whereas we have a fabulous home to keep returning to ..... while we are fit and healthy. My husband has the opportunity to go fishing while I happily potter in my garden.

It seems to me that you must be better off owning a solid secure home, that is on high ground above flood level, if you intend to retire here or be a 'snowbird'. IMHO.

[Edited on 1-26-2013 by cessna821]

[Edited on 1-26-2013 by cessna821]

mtgoat666 - 1-26-2013 at 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ateo
Hello fellow Nomads,

It is my goal to retire in Baja. We have been exploring the peninsula in hopes of finding the perfect place to suit our needs. We have a couple places on our radar but haven't settled on anything yet. We are focused on the Pacific side as I need waves and cold from time to time.

What is your opinion of the current health of the Baja real estate market? Where do you see it going?

We may buy an existing casa, or we may just buy a lote and slowly build over the next 10 years.

I know you Nomads have tons of opinions so let 'em loose!!!

Gracias,
Ateo

What do I think?

I think there are several nomads been trying to sell their places for quite a while, and they seem to be finding no buyers despite pretty low advertised sale price, leading me to conclude it is a buyers market,...

Still much fear in gringos about traveling south of the border, economy still hurting, and for those reasons the vacation/retirement home market will stay in crapper for foreseeable future. Crime perception will take at least a decade to disappear after they solve the drug war problem, and drug war seems to be going on as usual,...

So good time to buy, but don't consider it an investment, just spend money you are willing to lose,... And no rush to buy, prices will stay low for quite a while

shari - 1-26-2013 at 01:54 PM

We have seen a definite increase in potential buyers in the central coast area. Lot prices have gone up quite a bit but you can still find something for $5 grand outside the municipality, ejido titled lots...and in town starting around $8,000 and up depending on location and services.

Osprey - 1-26-2013 at 02:04 PM

Ateo, I can't say things were any more stable when I bought my house/lot 20 years ago. The peso was 3.5 to 1 and the cartels were doing their thing but perhaps in a smaller way. Lots of ways to do this retirement thing. How about this:

Wanna be down here but worried about your future? Find a small village somewhere you're comfortable (not on the beach). Hunker down there for a week or so while you let it be known you want to park your trailer on a lot in the village, just pay a few dollars rent per month to have the Mexican homeowners watch your place and help you hook up to city services. You can find the best beaches/surfing/etc around without risking a thing while you get to know the place. You get a cheap place to live, city services, phone, water, power, internet, sewer and a caretaker at very low maintenance or risk for some nice quiet tropical return on investment. There are other clever gringos down here that began that way and still find it a pleasant way/place/process for easy living.

As to fears about losing everything >> allow me to paraphrase "Don't be born unless you're prepared to die."

SFandH - 1-26-2013 at 02:54 PM

Quote:

My opinion......happy wife, happy life. Listen carefully to what she has to say about where, when, and how and if it's reasonable, go with it.

I bet real estate has bottomed out. I would look for an existing house that already has a fideicomiso or a house on leased land in an established community. Just my preference.

Ateo - 1-26-2013 at 03:17 PM

Very stoked on all the feedback here. Thanks for taking the time all!!!

cessna821 - 1-26-2013 at 03:27 PM

To SFandH

You got that right, absolutely spot on!

Existing home, clear legals, wifely comfort and security.

Cypress - 1-26-2013 at 04:26 PM

Rent for a few months. You'll learn a lot.

Islandbuilder - 1-26-2013 at 07:55 PM

After 20 years as a home builder, the only way to make sure that your construction budget comes in on target is to buy an existing home.

Either you're making a financial investment, or you're investing in having the retirement life of your dreams. Don't sacrifice the later in favor of the former.

I look forward to reading your account as you walk through this process.

J.P. - 1-26-2013 at 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Islandbuilder
After 20 years as a home builder, the only way to make sure that your construction budget comes in on target is to buy an existing home.

Either you're making a financial investment, or you're investing in having the retirement life of your dreams. Don't sacrifice the later in favor of the former.

I look forward to reading your account as you walk through this process. [/quot

Couldnt agree more I bought a contractor built new home and moved in and started my retirement that day. free to travel and do what I like.

Ateo - 1-26-2013 at 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
Rent for a few months. You'll learn a lot.

Dig it and get it. Gracias. I will and I will.

Ateo - 1-26-2013 at 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Islandbuilder

I look forward to reading your account as you walk through this process.

I shall keep you posted IB. Thanks for the feedback!!!!!!!!! It is all being recorded. Gracias.

DianaT - 1-26-2013 at 08:53 PM

It is different for everyone. We bought our beach front place half finished and enjoyed the project of finishing it. We did not want to lease property or have anything to do with ejido property, but others find that to be ok. We definitely wanted to be beach front and not in the middle of town.

It is just really different for everyone.

Ateo - 1-26-2013 at 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
It is different for everyone. We bought our beach front place half finished and enjoyed the project of finishing it. We did not want to lease property or have anything to do with ejido property, but others find that to be ok. We definitely wanted to be beach front and not in the middle of town.

It is just really different for everyone.

Diana T: Thanks for introducing the "purchase half finished" option. I bet there are many of those. I'm keeping my eyes peeled and ears opened. Gracias. I prefer out of town or outskirts. My dream of perfect surf spot in front is dead. I will drive for waves. This opens up the possibilities gigantic.

Islandbuilder - 1-26-2013 at 09:29 PM

Ateo, you can get lot with a great break in front, but you may have to buy 600 acres to do it! Check your u2u.

windgrrl - 1-27-2013 at 10:38 AM

East Cape seems to be seeing an uptick in the rental market, lots more RV traffic and folks are staying for longer. More modest digs seem to be selling better than homes over $200,000. The boom prices are adjusting downwards and some of the big homes built during the housing boom that have been for sale for a long time are moving a bit.

Rent or RV first, get to know a place and costs and decide what fits your ideals, lifestyle and budget. It can be complicated to keep practical things in mind when you are chasing a dream, so get all the costs and then do a simple cost comparison for start up and then what you will pay over the next 10 years. Then factor in things like recouping $$$ through rental and resale.

gnukid - 1-27-2013 at 10:48 AM

Buying land and having a home in mexico means 24/7/365 maintenance and security plus political and social headaches. Renting or camping gives you the option to GO and be FREE to do whatever you want on a given day with no costs or concerns.

The biggest risk to buying and having a home is if you miscalculate and end up unable to afford to pay your bills or afford to live there and the house might just deterioate without your cash flow. Eventually you might loose it to squatters or vandals or worse.

So no reason not to visit/rent or if you have the long term financial stability to maintain a home and staff in a foreign country with all the costs and requirements then go for it.

Personally I think having a home in a more populated area is more stable then the option of being remote which is awesome but hard to maintain.

Also I find many NOB types (like myself) are often confused about what we want NOB with what works SOB. For example, in Baja you need almost nothing except a hat and shoes and shorts but flat screen tv, cadillac, and swimming pool are not neccesarily helpful items.

MitchMan - 2-9-2013 at 11:28 AM

I have been watching the real estate market in Baja since 1999. No time like now to buy in La Paz. If you spend time looking around, there is plenty of land and homes to buy...everywhere in every direction. No shortages! And, at all levels...low basic living to high end and absolutely everything in between.

In La Paz, in the last three years, commercial building has gone through the roof; several new strip malls, 2 new multiplex movie theaters, a Walmart and Sam's club, a Home Depot, 2 new big supermarkets, a new little casino, a huge new shopping center with a great walking mall and a department store called Liverpool that is exactly like a Macy's, all within 3 miles of my neighborhood.

With all this going on, the prices for real estate are still very good and there is plenty of real estate to be had from raw land, residential lots with all city services and plenty of homes for sale at all levels of affordability.

If you are not very good at looking for deals or if you don't care to look on your own, you will be stuck paying a premium price for what you get. But, if you have some common sense, some time, and are willing to do detailed searching, you will find deals that will make your head spin....actually, that's they way it has been since 1999 in my experience.

There are a lot of people that have a lot of money, and there are people that don't. Some people that want to come to the Baja only think in terms of beach front and others that just want to be near the beach (gigantic difference in cost between these two alternatives). Some people will only consider living in American enclaves and others are pleased with living among the locals. Some people feel that the only acceptable life style is new American-like architecture, modern appliances, antiseptic environment, gated communities. Others may be quite satisfied with a more 'rustic' and down-to-basics life style. These are the differences that go unmentioned but, in fact, account for the differences in cost and experience.

The good news is that in Baja, all is abundantly available...and I do mean abundantly.

You can buy a residential lot (not ejido) for around $25 USD per sq meter if you look around within 1 mile of the beach and within 5 miles of down town. You can build a cinder block basic home for around $50/sq ft for materials and labor total if you do your own contracting and hire a working abanil (experienced construction guy that is not a licensed contractor) to oversee the construction crew...you do that purchasing of the materials. Expect to pay at least twice that much if you hire a licensed contractor to do everything for you. Still not a bad way to go and comparatively cheap to have a contractor do it all at $100/sq foot of basic style home construction.

The best advice of all is given right here in this forum: rent a while, look around, get familiar with things, do your 'due diligence' research, then plant your roots when you're "informed and knowledgeable" with the truth. For those of you that are cost conscious, that would be the cheapest way to go in the end.

BTW, walking in town and limiting your housing search to real estate offices will most likely have you payng a premium. Getting to know people, talking, driving around and looking for "For Sale by Owner" properties, will steer you to much, much better deals. In fact, there are many, many properties that are actually available for sale that are not on the market. Not a bad idea to ask an owner of a property that you like if they would consider selling it to you. Put out a verbal offer to them, to many properties that you like. Put out the fact that you are looking for a property to just about anybody you casually meet and you will be surprised at how many actually available properties there will be to you.

[Edited on 2-9-2013 by MitchMan]

Ateo - 2-9-2013 at 11:56 AM

MitchMan: GREAT FEEDBACK!

Barry A. - 2-9-2013 at 12:05 PM

Mitchman-------Bravo!!! That is some of the best comprehensive 'feedback' on the subject I have yet to see---------well done.

Barry

MitchMan - 2-9-2013 at 11:26 PM

Thanks Ateo and Barry.
Good to hear from you Barry, hope you've profited from the market lately.

fbineastcape - 2-10-2013 at 11:40 AM

check your u2u

Barry A. - 2-10-2013 at 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MitchMan
Thanks Ateo and Barry.
Good to hear from you Barry, hope you've profited from the market lately.

Hi Mitch------Yes, generally I have, but it sure is a mixed-bag day-to-day. As almost always, the Market acts A-political, and goes where it thinks there is opportunity which is often confusing for we mortals, and sometimes leads to personal dismay. :lol:

Tho I hate to "trade", and it goes against my grain, it has been necessary from time to time to take advantage of obvious abnormalities and spikes and skim a few profits. Drives me a little nuts, tho. Ken Fisher is now almost exclusively in mega-caps, and all over the world---a fairly conservative position. My personally managed investments are more aggressive (mostly Sector Funds), and lately that has paid off nicely.

It's all good.

Great to hear from you.

Barry

Sweetwater - 2-10-2013 at 11:59 AM

Location, location, location.

The three rules of real estate. Know your location.

After that, the fourth rule of real estate is that it is 100% local.

LaPaz is not Mulege is not Loreto is not Gonzaga.

Each locale has it's own market and niches. You have to look at the macro and then the micro. Hard answers to discover if others are involved. I won't get to buy Baja unless my wife is not in the picture. It's not her British cup of tea...

Lee - 2-10-2013 at 01:30 PM

You stated up front you need waves. That rules out everything but the Pacific side. My opinion is Baja doesn't start till you go South of GN. ''Rent'' in the Todos Santos/Pescadero area Pastora (N. of Todos) is minutes away with the new paved road. Pedrito and Cerritos 20 minutes from Todos. Costa Azul is less than an hour from Pescadero and the Cape goes off late Spring through Summer.

A large ''lot'' 3 rows back from the beach (Pescadero) rents for $150/month and has water/sewer for RV. Get a used RV and check things out down here. Infrastructure is great between Cabo and La Paz. Juanico is 6 hours from Pescadero, Conejo is half that. 9 Palms 3 hours away.

10 degrees difference between BCN and BCS, generally. Come down check it out. You'll see. No comparison between the two.

Ateo - 2-10-2013 at 01:32 PM

Thanks all. Still monitoring this thread and it has helped.

mirko - 2-10-2013 at 02:23 PM

It's one thing if you are thinking of living there right away. It's another thing if you are just thinking of investing.

For example: I am nearing retirement (<5 yrs.) and I invest right here in Orange County, one of the most desirable places on earth. I can always transfer my Real Estate investments to wherever I decide to live. I like to invest local. Local for now is here. Local when I retire will be there. In addition, investing in CA you can get financing, which translates to leverage.

I've been an investor/RE mortgage broker for 35+ years. Retired 10 years ago at the top of my game, when mortgages were still an honest business and before the sub-prime and easy qual craze. I still tinker with my own stuff. I'm a teacher now, in honor of my father.

Buy Dirt

bajaguy - 2-10-2013 at 02:34 PM

"They" are not making any more dirt. Buy as much dirt (land) as you can afford, with or without a house wherever you feel comfortable.

mirko - 2-10-2013 at 02:47 PM

Buying dirt is no fun.
1. No financing, usually
2. No income. Only expenses. Taxes, liability, weed abatement etc.

I have a friend who invested on a mortgage on a $2 million piece of land. After a while it was worth $1 million, as he foreclosed. Now he has a $1 million investment on a $1 million piece of land which is going nowhere. The property taxes alone are killing him. He used to own a junk yard which was located in the path of progress. He rented out the land, so he had income and eventually sold it for a good profit. That's more like it. I think you would have a hard time selling a piece of land which is to be a junk yard (cars) now due to enviromental regulations, contaminated dirt etc. This was about 20 years ago. I thought of buying a 10 acre lot in Santa Maria or Paso for future building and retirement, thinking of renting it to a farmer in the meantime. Found out that nobody will rent a 10 acre plot since it's not feasable to farm such a small piece.

Sorry to hijack the thread. I'll stop now.

bajaguy - 2-10-2013 at 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mirko
Buying dirt is no fun.
1. No financing, usually
2. No income. Only expenses. Taxes, liability, weed abatement etc.

I have a friend who invested on a mortgage on a $2 million piece of land. After a while it was worth $1 million, as he foreclosed. Now he has a $1 million investment on a $1 million piece of land which is going nowhere. The property taxes alone are killing him. He used to own a junk yard which was located in the path of progress. He rented out the land, so he had income and eventually sold it for a good profit. That's more like it. I think you would have a hard time selling a piece of land which is to be a junk yard (cars) now due to enviromental regulations, contaminated dirt etc. This was about 20 years ago. I thought of buying a 10 acre lot in Santa Maria or Paso for future building and retirement, thinking of renting it to a farmer in the meantime. Found out that nobody will rent a 10 acre plot since it's not feasable to farm such a small piece.

Sorry to hijack the thread. I'll stop now.

Around here, dirt is a big thing.............dirt and grapes. They are even growing grapes up in Ojos Negros...... plant 5 acres of grapes and sell to the wineries.

bajagrouper - 2-10-2013 at 03:02 PM

I believe not only in location,location,location but the life style you and spouse are used too.

If you can't live without Home Depot, that would limit you to a few large cities in Baja. If the wife had to have her hair done every week the same would hold true.

If you were an isolationist or did not mind driving many miles to shop at a big box store or be near a bank then anywhere in Baja would be just fine...

I personally don't like little mom and pop corner stores, I am used to a Safeway type supermarket, banks, restaurants, etc....So think about you lifestyle for location...

CortezBlue - 2-11-2013 at 08:50 AM

investing in real estate will make you look like a genius or an idiot

No one knows what the future of real estate holds and you have to live your life as comfortable as you see fit.

Me, I could easily live in a trailer, provided I had plenty of room around it to setup outdoor living. However, my wife, not so much. Also, if it is hot and humid in the summer, I would want a more insulated structure to hide from the day time heat. For both of the above reasons we bought land and buildt a more traditional home. It is held in a Fidi and I have no plans of ever selling it and will hand it down to my family. The cost of maintaining a home in Mexico, that I hardly know that I have a house down south.

However, my great story make me look like a genius.
We bought a beach side condo in Oceanside, CA back in 2001, when Oceanside was not a very desirable location. We had been coming to Oceanside for 20 plus years and staying on the beach for vacation to get out of the AZ heat. When we bought downtown Oceanside was mainly full of bars, barber shops and dry cleaners that catered to the local Marines from Camp Pendleton.

During our ownership, Oceanside began a large scale urban renewal program and leveled much of the older nasty buildings, but they saved the house that was used in Top Gun! They even leveled the skate park that was near the pier.

Bottom line, we put the house up for sale in 2006, at what I think was the apex of the real estate market. We made a financial killing and a year later, to anyone who knew me, thought I was a financial real estate genius.

And then the other shoe drops! I tell them that I bought land in Mexico and built a house! Half of the folks I talk to say, "why would you want to do that??" The other half say, "Wow, where? Can we come down?"

Now, how long will it take for the Mexican government to figure out that they need to jack up the tax rates on beach front property. Currently we pay $140 per year and get a 20% discount for paying in January. Now that I am a permanent resident, I no long have to pay any annual immigration fees so our TCO is less than $2K per year including HOA water and electric!!

Viva Mexico!

baconjr - 3-9-2013 at 08:48 PM

We are just finishing a home south of Ensenada. We had plans drawn up north of the border by a architect from Rosarito who works in the US and speaks mexican construction. Our builder has been great but things are done differently in Mexico. Not a bad experience all in all. Take your time but don't delay, the Mexican economy is growing at 8% and soon construction materials may get scarce.

sargentodiaz - 3-10-2013 at 05:45 PM

Okay, I'm also very interested about buying in Baja. However, I'd like to be within an hour or two of San Diego for availability to military hospitals.

My wife is Mexican so I don't think we have any problems about buy land or an existing house. I am currently retired with a $6k per month income - not including book sales. We are also depositing money in a Mexican bank under my wife's name.

My wife, of course, will have the major input as to where we finally buy and set down. But, she knows I'm set on finding beachfront property where I can sit on the porch and watch the sun set over the ocean. I'd like the Pacific but a good location on the Sea of Cortez would not be that bad.

An aside - she's from Mazatlan so, while it's very, very south, it would be convenient to her if we were in the La Paz or Cabo area.

Any input?

Terry28 - 3-11-2013 at 09:47 AM

First you have to decide which it is...La Paz and Cabo are a lot farther than 1-2 hours from San Diego!! With that time frame, which I suppose is driving time, you are pretty much regulated to Ensenada and surrounding areas. But if you meant flying time...different story..

Islandbuilder - 3-11-2013 at 10:26 AM

In a discussion about border proximity as it relates to family vacation access, it was pointed out that Cabo, or La Paz, or Loreto are as close as Ensenada, if you trade your car for an airliner.

On an monthly income of $6,000+ (which is triple what my wife and I will have if we work until I'm 66) I would think that you could live about where ever you wanted to and just include airfares into your budget.

Even if we could afford that, I doubt I would, because I really would rather drive for 8 hours than fly for 2. But, to each their own.

We really have fallen in love with the area between San Quintin and La Bocana. A long stretch, I know.

That area provides remote and fairly empty beaches, good fishing, low real estate prices, the availability of all needed (but perhaps not all desired) goods and services and small expat communities.

La Bocana is a long days drive, but still a days drive, from the border. San Quintin is about 5 hours from San Diego.

Anywhere in that area is a good base for exploring the entire penninsula, which is something that we plan to do in our retirement.

That's our plan anyway.

apogee - 10-16-2013 at 05:49 PM

Never, ever take more into Mexico than you are willing to walk away from and never look back.
This word to the wise was brought to you by: Apogee

Mulege has a runway. Be sure to have a plan for Medivac too........

Ateo - 10-16-2013 at 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by apogee
Never, ever take more into Mexico than you are willing to walk away from and never look back.
This word to the wise was brought to you by: Apogee

Mulege has a runway. Be sure to have a plan for Medivac too........

Good advice. Nice screen name by the way.

small,small runway

captkw - 10-16-2013 at 05:55 PM

good for tail draggers