BajaNomad

Semi - Retiring to Baja

tr0y - 1-29-2016 at 05:40 AM

Hi All -

New here and I am sure this has been asked way to many times but here it goes again. I am a bit younger ( 45 ) than most looking to retire but I have just hit the wall with corporate life and am ready to be dome for a while.

I am originally from coastal central CA, think 100 miles north of LA, and living in the midwest for work, don't like the cold, the crappy bland food and just miss the beach.

I spent years in Mexico on and off going to motorcycle races, still ride a lot, surf when I am near the ocean etc ... My Spanish sucks but I am working on it.

I have a reasonable set of savings / investment just under 1 MM US, to provide me with a somewhat passive income.

Now with a bit of background out of the way, trying to get an idea on either buying or renting and what kind of income people are living happily on.

Question 1 - Any advice on renting or buying ?

Question 2 - I would like to be within 100 - 150 miles of the San Ysidro crossing as I have friends up and down the CA coast, any thoughts beyond live in TJ, Rosarito or Ensenada ?

Question 3 - Is there fast internet access to be had or is that just going to be the cities ?

Question 4 - Biggest surprise or culture shock from the US to Mexico ?

Question 5 - Ballpark yearly cost of living to live modestly ?

Thanks in advance

T

bajaguy - 1-29-2016 at 06:33 AM

Welcome

1. Rent (before you decide to buy, then think rent again) - Gives you the opportunity to check out various places

2. Ensenada - Spend some time in each city looking for what you want/need

3. Yes - We have fiber optic internet through Telnor

4. The drivers and potholes - and no Trader Joe's

5. Really depends on what you like to do and how you like to like to live

I suggest you make a list of everything you think you would like to have in a retirement scenario.......then narrow that list down to what you really need. Take that list with you when you check out places to live........we did and found Ensenada to be perfect for our needs. Close to border, cultural events, shopping, medical and the Guadalupe Valle for great food and wine. If you want more info on Ensenada, please send me a u2u.


[Edited on 1-29-2016 by bajaguy]

Bob and Susan - 1-29-2016 at 06:57 AM

1MM savings...

you don't have enough to retire at 45 in the areas you have chosen

you be broke in 7 years and no one hires old people...
you'll be "out of touch" with the "real" world

SFandH - 1-29-2016 at 07:19 AM

Hop in the car, stop at the border and get a 180 day tourist permit (FMM), get a hotel room in Ensenada for a couple of weeks, drive around, figure it out.

This will give you an idea of housing costs:

http://tijuana.craigslist.com.mx/search/apa?lang=en&cc=u...

mtgoat666 - 1-29-2016 at 07:59 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
1MM savings...

you don't have enough to retire at 45 in the areas you have chosen

you be broke in 7 years and no one hires old people...
you'll be "out of touch" with the "real" world



You think 52 is old?

rhintransit - 1-29-2016 at 08:05 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
1MM savings...

you don't have enough to retire at 45 in the areas you have chosen

you be broke in 7 years and no one hires old people...
you'll be "out of touch" with the "real" world



i'm reading or the other of you wrong. how much is 1 MM US?

mjs - 1-29-2016 at 08:10 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
1MM savings...

you don't have enough to retire at 45 in the areas you have chosen

you be broke in 7 years and no one hires old people...
you'll be "out of touch" with the "real" world



So you're saying it costs $143,000 / year to live in Baja? :o The locals are doing much better than I thought! :lol:

tr0y - 1-29-2016 at 08:36 AM

Yes ... I have have just under 1,000,000 US in funds I can touch without penalty, right now that has been earning between 40 and 70K per year without touching principal. I own some real estate that I would liquidate, and I figure I could do a couple months a year of consulting as long as I could find a decent internet connection for another 30 to 40K in income.

This is a five year plan to be done so hopefully by then i'll have maybe 1.25MM banked and reasonably well invested.

I live modestly, I buy a new motorcycle every 3 to 5 years and I have a 2015 F350 so I figure I won't need a new truck for at least 10 years maybe more if I am lucky, I am very mechanical, engineer by training, and put myself through college as a mechanic and construction worker.

My really my question is how well are people living on 50 to 75K a year in Baja ? Clearly that is above the average wage of most locals, was wondering how the ex-pats are doing there on that range of income ?

Thanks

T

bajatrailrider - 1-29-2016 at 08:38 AM

You will be fine with that money,if you don't pay tourist $ money to live here.I pay less then 20$ property tax,on each lot.Water bill 8.00$ month.Electric never over 60$ two month.You say you like dirt bike riding,its at its best here.Ensanada south.I retired early,never look back.Rent first or get travel trailer,find that sweet spot before you buy.

rhintransit - 1-29-2016 at 08:55 AM

absolutely you can live well here in Baja on that kind of money. if your consulting works out, you can live nicely on that alone, and still save money.

I own my home, and when I'm not traveling, my biggest expense, my social security easily covers any expenses locally.
biggest decision is rent or buy. I highly recommend renting.

tr0y - 1-29-2016 at 08:57 AM

Thanks Trail Rider,

I do ride quite a bit, used to race D37, BITD and other stuff and the Baja races. So I have been there quite a bit but never took the plunge to dive in and live. I've seen quite a bit of Baja but usually through dust, silt and with the throttle pinned. Never really stopped to just relax and take it all in.

I am pretty good about not being a tourist, I have traveled a lot of the world and end up off the beaten path and seeing things most don't and almost never pay the tourist rate.

One of my concerns is a bad KTM habit :) that will keep anyone broke.

Thanks

T

Vehicles

bajaguy - 1-29-2016 at 08:58 AM

Leave your F-350 parked or use it to take your bike somewhere

Motorcycles and F-350's are not good daily drivers in most towns (after you see the locals drive and dodging potholes you will know why)

Get yourself a used Jeep Wrangler for a daily driver for trips to and in town. Small, easy to maneuver and park.

tr0y - 1-29-2016 at 09:39 AM

haha thanks copy that ... we have used them for chase trucks and yes the roads are not nice

boe4fun - 1-29-2016 at 10:25 AM

Hola Troy, If you're not concerned about being too far from the border check out Bahia Asuncion in BCS. (Go to Shari's website - she's all over this board). It's about 575 miles south of the international border at San Ysidro. We bought a small beach lot there a few years back and just love the place. Buena suerte....

Howard - 1-29-2016 at 10:31 AM

In Baja you couldn't spend that kind of $ if you tried!

That is unless you buy a boat and then that's not even close to lasting you! :biggrin:

Rent, drink good wines, as stated, buy another "everyday" car, and under no circumstances tell anyone of your financial situation. Hopefully you didn't even use your real name on this board.

Consider further South and let your friends come to you, it's not the other side of the planet!

[Edited on 1-29-2016 by Howard]

MitchMan - 1-29-2016 at 11:24 AM

If you own your own home in Baja, it costs about $500-$600 USD per month to live for basic needs if you are inclined to live semi economically. These amounts do include everything like food, utilities, TV, internet, property tax, immigration visa costs, phone (use Skype calling a lot), clothing, incidentals, gasoline, local basic health ins (Popularis), auto ins, auto and household R&M, etc., but do NOT include your specific medical needs, travel away from home, and your specific entertainment (which includes restaurant expenditures).

You could live "fat" on $20,000 USD/yr. As a millionaire with an income range of $40-$70K/yr., you should be able to save money and even build your equity without even thinking about it...unless you have expensive medical needs or choose to live extravagantly.

Suggest you heed Howard's excellent common sense advice.

DawnPatrol - 1-29-2016 at 11:25 AM

Give a look at Socorro, or Soccorito. 8 miles south of San Quintin. A community of retired US pats and Mexicans right on the beach.
Baja 1000 route up in the hills right behind the community. We run our Polaris' up there all the time. Miles and miles of trails.
Surfing right there or up near SQ
A few houses for sale pretty cheap, I think there are lots where you can initially park your travel trailer, then build later.
I have a couple friends that have lived there for over 20 years.

Good internet, they have phones, electricity, Majic Jack, etc etc

225 miles south of the border.

SQ has all necessities

U2U me if you want to inquire with one of my friends down there. they will give you the scoop.

Alan from San Diego

With your money you are definitely good to go

[Edited on 1-29-2016 by DawnPatrol]

micah202 - 1-29-2016 at 11:34 AM

.


....just take a leave,, get a nice bike,,go travel into mex,central america a while. think what yer wanna do next.


......''5 cents please'' <;-}}

tr0y - 1-29-2016 at 12:25 PM

Thanks all, no real medical needs, knock on wood, I just don't want to work to 65 in the US and miss a great time. I have done well but by no means a 1%er. I am just a SoCal beach kid that misses little towns, tacos, riding my motorcycle, surfing and playing some golf ...

I have no one to impress, and would rather just live out my days having fun than stressing over quarterly sales figures and shareholder value.

Thanks for the info ... 5 years and counting and I will hopefully be there full time.

Cheers

T

BajaBlanca - 1-29-2016 at 12:50 PM

I bet you will be surprised at how little it takes to live on ...then you decide what the "extras" can be.

It is really important to rent before you buy and rent for a while.....places tend to grow on you or not after a time.

so many places we thought we might relocate to and then with time decided they were not up to par.

good luck and keep us posted as to how it all pans out!

23S52N - 1-29-2016 at 02:41 PM

I'm just wondering whether you want to adopt a 64 year old house boy???? I don't do windows.

Real best regards,
Keith

Howard - 1-29-2016 at 03:20 PM

Actually I was thinking the same thing if you would like to adopt me.

References upon request from the Cartwright's.

Thank you,

Hop Sing

Bob and Susan - 1-29-2016 at 03:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by tr0y  

..I am just a SoCal beach kid that misses little towns, tacos, riding my motorcycle, surfing and playing some golf ...


Cheers

T


you know..
i'm a "southern california beach kid" and i've NEVER heard anyone say "cheers" from my area

where did you say you were from?

vandenberg - 1-29-2016 at 03:58 PM

Am I the only one who has the feeling this guy is putting us on.
With his kind of income he could live anywhere in the world without a care, unless I am unrealistic.

SFandH - 1-29-2016 at 04:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by vandenberg  
Am I the only one who has the feeling this guy is putting us on.


You're not the Lone Ranger.

"I have a million dollars, real estate to sell, and can make good money over the Inet."

Is that enough to live in Mexico? :lol::lol:

duh!

[Edited on 1-29-2016 by SFandH]

sancho - 1-29-2016 at 04:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  



you know..
i'm a "southern california beach kid" and i've NEVER heard anyone say "cheers" from my area












Thanks, now you have me thinking, been on the beach here in OC for 50+ yrs. I can't think of a surfing, beach word that would
have been used in a similiar way, say from the 70's onward, we must have been a boring
group. Not ready to go Inspector Clouseau on the guy though

bajatrailrider - 1-29-2016 at 06:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by tr0y  
Thanks Trail Rider,

I do ride quite a bit, used to race D37, BITD and other stuff and the Baja races. So I have been there quite a bit but never took the plunge to dive in and live. I've seen quite a bit of Baja but usually through dust, silt and with the throttle pinned. Never really stopped to just relax and take it all in.

I am pretty good about not being a tourist, I have traveled a lot of the world and end up off the beaten path and seeing things most don't and almost never pay the tourist rate.

One of my concerns is a bad KTM habit :) that will keep anyone broke.

Thanks Hey Tr0y do you know what KTM stands for Kant Take Mexico.The first thing I did when I retired here to ride.Sold all three of them.Its cheaper with 20 WRs/XRs.The single track is awesome here.I avoid the woops like the plague.Ex District 37 desert racer.I only moved here,to ride and have fun.Good Luck.

T

tr0y - 1-30-2016 at 07:31 AM

To answer a few things here.. First off thanks for all the input !

To the few questioning if I am real, yes very much so. I asked here because most of you are living a life that seems very interesting to me. I recently spent some time just over the boarder for business and had a very good time and it got me thinking.

For money, yes on what I have I could live in the rural midwest and live out my days, but would still probably have to work to 60+ years old. On what I have I could not live near a beach with warm weather and great Mexican food.

On the Cheers part, I also say Happy Christmas, picked it up from English friends years ago and liked it, so I stole it :)

KTMs and Mexico; I moved to riding KTMs when Honda quit making the XR650R. The new WR450 / YZ450FX both interest me, wish they had 6-speed gearboxes though. If Honda would consider a huge update to the CRF450X, I would ride red again. I do like the look of the CRF1000 they just released.

Thanks again and I love the insight



mtgoat666 - 1-30-2016 at 08:03 AM

Your life is boring and meaningless because you hate your job and you got no kids.
Life in a gringo compound in Baja will be even more boring, the average age is 70, your dating opportunities will be prunes.
Find some meaning in your life, not sure idling away in Baja will provide any meaning for your life.

tr0y - 1-30-2016 at 08:42 AM

Oh Not looking for a gringo compound for any moment... Don't hate my job actually really like it, just ready to be done, tired of 70 hours a week and the stress, posting this from my office on a Saturday morning.

Kids meh ... never wanted them, nor did my hot wife :) ... So not worried about dating.

I have lots of meaning in my life, great friends, and amazing experiences and I like the idea of idle for a bit,

My idea of idle generally runs at what most in the world see as full speed and then some.

ehall - 1-30-2016 at 08:43 AM

Welcome to the site troy. Pay no attention to the azzhat above. What a ******.

ehall - 1-30-2016 at 08:48 AM

As far as bikes ride what you like. I love my 450exc. There all mechanical and will break or wear out. Fix it and keep on riding.