BajaNomad - Finger on the button!

Finger on the button!

fishbuck - 2-6-2018 at 04:42 PM

This is it.
You never know when that day will come.
I finally had a "Take this job and shove it" moment at Boeing after 30 years of service.
I'm leaving a lot on the table but in the words of a tough old sailor...
" I can't takes no more..."

When I was about to be layed off from Long Beach 6 years ago the prospect of being poor and homeless in SoCal wasn't appealling at all.
But after 6 years in Everett Washington I can not imagine anything more pleasant than being a semi-homeless beachbum in Baja.
So get ready Nomads...

By the way... " gotta peso for me bro..."😎

David K - 2-6-2018 at 04:48 PM

I am so happy for you fishbuck!
:bounce:

Howard - 2-6-2018 at 05:27 PM

Don't think I know you but let me tell you one thing, retirement is not over rated!

"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there’d be a shortage of fishing poles."

Congrats and good luck.

bajabuddha - 2-6-2018 at 05:35 PM

did it twice, 1995 and again 2003 and always landed on my feet. Poor is only a state of mind, just take the money and run. I'm on my 3rd life change and no regrets. More Baja time, more lip-rippin'!

rhintransit - 2-6-2018 at 05:43 PM

:bounce:

fishbuck - 2-6-2018 at 06:06 PM

I was thinking of moving to Pac Beach in San Diego.
But then was thinking why?
I don't need to work again if I do this right.
So I am litterally going to camp on the beach and collect my pension.
Actually I will find cheap motels like I did on my famous baja soul searching trip that seems like yesterday but was in fact about 20 years ago.
I plan to travel some and start developing my fishcamp.
I'm ready to begin my casita! I will finally have more of what I crave... freetime.
I'll be at my fishcamp for my birthday this year.

Question!

What is the cheapest a fairly tolerant retired senior gringo could live on in San Quintin?
At the begining I will pamper myself some but I will try and hone that down as I get the lay of the land there.
Maybe something like some free camping and a few days a week at a cheep motel to clean up and provision in town.
I plan to put every penny I can save into my casita. So I will be highly motivated. This is going to be fun.

[Edited on 2-7-2018 by fishbuck]

tobias - 2-6-2018 at 06:20 PM

The guy surfcasting next to me in todos santos last year said he does fine on 1k per month.
Probably does not eat out all the time but he was a very happy person.
Did not see his house
Buy a boat and an RV and catch a good part of your calories... avocados limes and corn tortillas are nearly free down here...

fishbuck - 2-6-2018 at 06:27 PM

Right. Simple diet and clean living is what I 'm thinking. I'll shoot for the $1000/month mark.

David K - 2-6-2018 at 06:31 PM

Anything in San Diego County is ridiculously expensive... I have lived here all but 3 years of my 60 and the cost is unbearable plus our lovely gov just hit us with more taxes (on gas) to make sure we can't afford to leave, lol! Maybe rent a room and a garage/storage unit somewhere until you have your San Quintin trailer set up?

BajaBlanca - 2-6-2018 at 06:51 PM

If you want to take some time to chill, come to this house we are at in La Paz! $200 a month, plus fishing will leave most of your cash to have fun with as well as save plenty for your new casita.

Retirement is definitely NOT overrated at all.

fishbuck - 2-6-2018 at 06:58 PM

Yeah, I actually found a little house like the kind you see driving through Camulu for $175/month. 2 bedroom/1 bano.
I could rent the room out.
I was looking at little bachelors and studios in Pac Beach and they were 1100-1500/month. I like the idea of rolling out in the morning for a bike ride to the pier for coffee and a bran muffin.
I'm really good at the lifestyle. And I miss it greatly.
But then was thinking why wait?
Get down there and scrimp and put that San Diego rent money into my casita!
How many cement blocks can I buy with $1000? Seems like a ton or so.

fishbuck - 2-6-2018 at 07:09 PM

Not the rental.
But I thinking a cool little adobe casita for starters. Think small and add on later is best.

th-2.jpg - 24kB

[Edited on 2-7-2018 by fishbuck]

fishbuck - 2-6-2018 at 07:27 PM

Can't do better than this.
I think it's made of boulders.
My new hobby. Wandering around collecting boulders?

CIMG2810.jpg - 128kB

fishbuck - 2-6-2018 at 07:57 PM

A little swimming pool can't cost much... right?

424c99cd_original.jpg - 30kB

advrider - 2-6-2018 at 08:21 PM

I'm with you in three more years. The wife and I are going to do the FWC camper thing for a while as we checkout areas to rent or buy. No hurry just enjoy the cheap, free time!

fishbuck - 2-6-2018 at 08:25 PM

Yeah that's the way. That's how I found my fishcamp. When I was on a lay off I packed my truck and wandered the peninsula.

mtgoat666 - 2-6-2018 at 08:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Anything in San Diego County is ridiculously expensive... I have lived here all but 3 years of my 60 and the cost is unbearable plus our lovely gov just hit us with more taxes (on gas) to make sure we can't afford to leave

Get a job!

fishbuck - 2-6-2018 at 08:28 PM

I'll rent this little house if it's still available. But I'm guessing there are more just like it.

w475h356-1.jpg - 26kB

mtgoat666 - 2-6-2018 at 08:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck

I was thinking of moving to Pac Beach in San Diego.
But then was thinking why?
I don't need to work again if I do this right.
So I am litterally going to camp on the beach and collect my pension.
Actually I will find cheap motels like I did on my famous baja soul searching trip that seems like yesterday but was in fact about 20 years ago.
I plan to travel some and start developing my fishcamp.
I'm ready to begin my casita! I will finally have more of what I crave... freetime.
I'll be at my fishcamp for my birthday this year.

Question!

What is the cheapest a fairly tolerant retired senior gringo could live on in San Quintin?
At the begining I will pamper myself some but I will try and hone that down as I get the lay of the land there.
Maybe something like some free camping and a few days a week at a cheep motel to clean up and provision in town.
I plan to put every penny I can save into my casita. So I will be highly motivated. This is going to be fun.

[Edited on 2-7-2018 by fishbuck]

Get a trailer and park it on your property. It will be your home while you build a house. And when your house is done, the trailer becomes your guest house.

Put trailer on a concrete pad, build an adjacent shade structure, and install your septic.

You might find that the trailer is all you need, and skip building a house.

BajaTed - 2-6-2018 at 08:39 PM

Fishbuck, I did my 30 with Rockwell/Boeing in SoCal and took early out also, NO regrets at all, everyday is a Saturday.

Kaiser is available within 2 hours from Ensenada region.
Boeing get together at Mirimar air show every year.
More Space X launches to come

baronvonbob - 2-7-2018 at 07:10 AM

I believe there is a medium size 5th wheel for sale in Pedregal about 20 lots down from your lot.

pacificobob - 2-7-2018 at 07:13 AM

i retired at 55. i left a lot of money on the table. no regrets..... however, there are many times i longingly remember having a large income. fortunately my union made sure i have a comfortable pension.

This started out as a scrubbed filled lot

Howard - 2-7-2018 at 09:17 AM

My place is the one on the corner with a 35 foot 5th wheel, 3 slide out trailer, not the 2 story next to me.

Paso a Paso

[Edited on 2-7-2018 by Howard]

BajaBlanca - 2-7-2018 at 10:37 AM

I really like the trailer idea! So many start out like that and build little add ons to make it more comfy outside.

I admire how your little house evolved with the second story floor plan and then the pool!

sancho - 2-7-2018 at 01:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck

What is the cheapest a fairly tolerant retired senior gringo could live on in San Quintin?

I've looked at that mythical number for a few months, every online
source I could find, sent messages for personal replays.
The older one gets, the less time there is in front than in back.
The one hitch I have is Med Ins for the wife, I hope I'm not using
that as an excuse, not to bail. Cheap Motels, back in the day, 1st trip
by bus, I believe it was named the Motel Salveiterra. Loreto
$1.75 dlls

nbentley1 - 2-7-2018 at 01:39 PM

Fishbuck, I think there will be a few folks in similar situations that will be watching with interest to see how this unfolds. Congrats for having the balls to make the break.

fishbuck - 2-7-2018 at 02:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck

What is the cheapest a fairly tolerant retired senior gringo could live on in San Quintin?

I stayed there for a few weeks on my Bajaquest. More than adequate for me. I may go there after I settle in to SQ.

I will tell you soon what the magic number is.

My last stop is San Diego to get set up with my new medical people.
My big concern was that I would not be covered by retiree medical. And also my son who is 23. I can cover him until 26.
So you can imagine my relief when I found out that I qualify for the same insurance that I have new. Which is full coverage.
I stay in this plan until I am 65.
But I was going to leave no matter what an take my chances...
Enough is enough!

fishbuck - 2-7-2018 at 02:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca

I really like the trailer idea! So many start out like that and build little add ons to make it more comfy outside.

I admire how your little house evolved with the second story floor plan and then the pool!

It's only a small dream, with a small house, with a small palapa lookout for a second story and a tiny pool.
Can't I please have just a tiny little pool. It for theraputic porpoises only ...

fishbuck - 2-7-2018 at 02:27 PM

So I got my man on the ground in SanQ Jonathon Mendez beating the cacti for a small cheap rental in town. Let's see what he can find.
My bench mark for "cheap" is a 2 bedroom 1 bath for $175/month. It looks a tad shady neighborhood and is too far away from my camp. But he knows what I am looking for. I would love a cute little farmhouse a mile or so off the highway. Maybe on the hilly side.

This is how it's done folks.
1) I need to live in town for a while so I can learn how to use the town efficiently. That town looks like a mess but I imagine everything is availble there somewhere. Furniture should be easy with all the second hands stores etc...
2) I can live very comfortably and drive to my fishcamp daily and supervise my workers.
3 I shall search for a trailer and get that set up so I can start to spend "weekends" at the camp. This will help me transition to the camp eventually and I can learn and improve as I go...
4) That's all I got so far...😎

fishbuck - 2-7-2018 at 02:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard

My place is the one on the corner with a 35 foot 5th wheel, 3 slide out trailer, not the 2 story next to me.

Paso a Paso

[Edited on 2-7-2018 by Howard]

I can see my thing going about like this.
Not sure what I was thinking at the time. Mine is a bit of a fancy neighborhood and no trailer cabanas.
We can have a trailer for the 1st 2 years after we begin construction. After that it can 't be seen. So in the garage or off the property.
But the neighborhood is very tidy and starting to become very beautiful.
So I'm cool with it.

I remember what I was thinking... I am the only one here and no one will care how long my trailer is there.
That was 15 years ago and the developer has since moved into the larger of the 2 model homes and made additions to it.
I guess I better play by the rules...

[Edited on 2-7-2018 by fishbuck]

Howard - 2-7-2018 at 03:55 PM

It seems to me you are waaay overthinking this. It's great to have plans and attempt to be organized and not to make mistakes along the way. Everything is going to change during your path so might as well just think your best plan, ride with it and expect major changes along the way. Take it step by step and allow for growth and improvement of your plans as you go. You are going to make mistakes, just don't get caught up in the ones that will cost you a lot of $ and would be hard to change.
Get a trailer/5th wheel, live in it and decide what is best for you after a/your given period of time.

Being retired, living where you want to live, doing what you want to do and taking life and your plans step by step, what is wrong with that?

As far as the neighbors looking down at you for being "trailer trash," "don't worry, be happy", WTF, your leading your La Vida Loca!

By the way, you owe me .05 centavos

fishbuck - 2-7-2018 at 05:04 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard

It seems to me you are waaay overthinking this. It's great to have plans and attempt to be organized and not to make mistakes along the way. Everything is going to change during your path so might as well just think your best plan, ride with it and expect major changes along the way. Take it step by step and allow for growth and improvement of your plans as you go. You are going to make mistakes, just don't get caught up in the ones that will cost you a lot of $ and would be hard to change.
Get a trailer/5th wheel, live in it and decide what is best for you after a/your given period of time.

Being retired, living where you want to live, doing what you want to do and taking life and your plans step by step, what is wrong with that?

As far as the neighbors looking down at you for being "trailer trash," "don't worry, be happy", WTF, your leading your La Vida Loca!

By the way, you owe me .05 centavos

I am the perverbial "overthinker" In fact you could say that was part of my profession. In aviation we always think from a sucessful landing and then backwards to a sucessful takeoff. And think about what might go wrong... and then don't let it go wrong.
Any decent pilot should be a bit of an overthinker. The underthinking pilots are all dead.

But yes I love to just take baja as it comes. That is truly the best way. That is what you want. That is the experience.

As for making a mistake... I guess it's possible😎
But I will have plenty of time to recover and try again. And isn't that what this whole thing is all about?
I'm about to enter a fantasy life where there really is no wrong answer.

Howard - 2-7-2018 at 05:50 PM

What about my .05? :biggrin:

fishbuck - 2-7-2018 at 06:29 PM

You have 5c credit at the Fishcamp Tiki bar. Collect anytime.

fishbuck - 2-7-2018 at 06:39 PM

So it is oFISHial. I pushed the button of no return.
No changing my mind, chickening out, crawling back...
IT'S DONE!
Gave notice on my Wa apartment and will head south on March 1.
This was tramatic. I am relieved and emotionally crushed at the sametime. I can't believe I survived this.
I'm still afraid of the company and their sneaky tricks but I don't think they can get me now.
I feel like I felt when I separated from the Air Force at the end of my 6 years of enlistment.
Now I can actually have a life.

ehall - 2-7-2018 at 06:53 PM

Wow. Good for you. Things always have a way of working themselves out. Maybe you will experience some of that Baja magic.

advrider - 2-7-2018 at 07:08 PM

Good for you! No better place to find your way/self then Baja! I have seen so many different ideas and ways to build and live in Baja you just have to find your way. I can't wait to be in your spot.

fishbuck - 2-7-2018 at 07:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ehall

Wow. Good for you. Things always have a way of working themselves out. Maybe you will experience some of that Baja magic.

I sorely need some.

pauldavidmena - 2-8-2018 at 06:16 AM

I'm a few years behind you, and am looking forward to seeing "the further adventures of Fishbuck". Please don't be stingy with those posts!

fishbuck - 2-8-2018 at 12:38 PM

Good morning Nomads.

I guess today is my 1st full day of retirement... and it feels darn good.
All I can think about is Baja.
I literally want to throw my old life away and start fresh and clean in Baja.
It seems like the only place in this world I really care about anymore...

So... about all that baggage..

I want to pare down before I leave Wa.
My goal has always been to never own more than 1 pickup trucks worth of stuff.
But we all know that is not possible.
My plan is to travel light and fast out of Wa.

There are things that I love. Like my 52 inch Sony. It's a very nice flatscreen but about 10 years old I guess. Still awesome.

But really do I need it?
I will stop in San Diego and put my 1 pickup's worth of stuff in a storage until I get on the ground in San Quintin and learn what's what there.

But really is it necessary to bring stuff? It seems like nowadays that everything that is available in San Diego is also available in either Tijuana or Ensenada.
Is that a true statement?

Thank you all for your interest and kind comments.
I will do my best to keep everyone up to date. Mostly because I have a lot of things to figure out and I will need you all because there are many people on here with Baja knowledge. So I'll been asking lots of questions.
I should have paid closer attention all these years I've been here on BajaNomad.
It's time for the test...

Stuff is stuff

bajaguy - 2-8-2018 at 01:18 PM

Make a list of what you want.......then think about it

After some thought, make a list of what you really need - that is what you take.

Stash the stuff in a storage shed on the US side, then when you cross take a little at a time south. I recommend Tecate

Before you ditch your stuff, price what you need to purchase at COSTCO and/or Sam's Club** in the US, then price the like/similar items at COSTCO and/or Sam's Club in Ensenada.

You will find that "most" electronics are more expensive.

** - Sam's Club in the US has a military membership that is a pretty good deal. They give you a gift card that is about 1/2 of your membership. Bring your DD214

fishbuck - 2-8-2018 at 01:22 PM

Nice. Ok. Makes good sense. Thanks.

Cliffy - 2-9-2018 at 07:25 AM

From one piloto to another-

Relax. You are not even close to the retirement mentality yet. It will take a year before you are. Trust me, been there, done that. Going from the "in command" mind set to "every day is Saturday" is a big jump. You will wake up at night dreaming of "being in command" again. Slowing down takes time. You can't rush it.

"Projects" will be the big killer. You will line up all your projects to do and worry when they all don't get done today. Limit your projects.

Let me ask you- do you still wear a watch? If you do you ain't even close to your goal of being retired. It took me 2 years to break that habit.

Sleeping till 10 AM IS an option when retired. If you can't, you're not close.

Slow down and smell the roses. If it gets done today fine, if not, so what. Do what YOU want to do not what you HAVE to do. You don't have to be busy every waking moment. You can sit and watch the sun go down without feeling like you're not getting things done.

Had a Chief Pilot once call me in and tell me to go home every night and drink some wine. Watch the sun go down. Relax a little. Was probably the best advice I ever received in my flying career. I was a Check Airman and I always pushed to the limit for the company. Push, push push was all I thought of. Get the job done, move on to the next candidate. I was pushing myself into an early grave. Even so, it took me 2 years to get "retired".

Take a deep breath and relax. Let it all sink in slowly. Nothing beats "every day is Saturday".

Marc - 2-9-2018 at 07:33 AM

Go for it! I didn't retire until I was 75. I didn't have to wait that long but could not 'let go'. Gave my business to the employees.

fishbuck - 2-9-2018 at 01:04 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Cliffy

From one piloto to another-

Relax. You are not even close to the retirement mentality yet. It will take a year before you are. Trust me, been there, done that. Going from the "in command" mind set to "every day is Saturday" is a big jump. You will wake up at night dreaming of "being in command" again. Slowing down takes time. You can't rush it.

"Projects" will be the big killer. You will line up all your projects to do and worry when they all don't get done today. Limit your projects.

Let me ask you- do you still wear a watch? If you do you ain't even close to your goal of being retired. It took me 2 years to break that habit.

Sleeping till 10 AM IS an option when retired. If you can't, you're not close.

Slow down and smell the roses. If it gets done today fine, if not, so what. Do what YOU want to do not what you HAVE to do. You don't have to be busy every waking moment. You can sit and watch the sun go down without feeling like you're not getting things done.

Had a Chief Pilot once call me in and tell me to go home every night and drink some wine. Watch the sun go down. Relax a little. Was probably the best advice I ever received in my flying career. I was a Check Airman and I always pushed to the limit for the company. Push, push push was all I thought of. Get the job done, move on to the next candidate. I was pushing myself into an early grave. Even so, it took me 2 years to get "retired".

Take a deep breath and relax. Let it all sink in slowly. Nothing beats "every day is Saturday".

Thank. Yes this is very timely.
I realized this morning I'm still acting like Pilot in Command. It time to ride in back for a while and just look out the window.

Yesterday was sort of the last day. I turned in my Boeing badge and inplant parking pass. Very mixed emotions.
But it is fully over now.
So I feel like I can lossen my grip a tad.
Breathing seems just a little easier today🙂

David K - 2-9-2018 at 02:18 PM

Congratulations Mike! :bounce:

fishbuck - 2-9-2018 at 02:47 PM

Thanks David.
The flood of baja ideas I am getting is litterally mind boggling.
Thanks to you and your bajapedia like knowledge. It's catchy.
:coolup:

[Edited on 2-9-2018 by fishbuck]

BajaTed - 2-9-2018 at 05:11 PM

Mr. Mike,
It took me two years to not freak when Boeing badge wasn't on hanging on truck mirror. It gets better every day

chippy - 2-9-2018 at 05:30 PM

You must be someone who was blessed with a career you liked/loved? Work to me was/is a 4 letter word. I couldn´t retire soon enough.
Enjoy it. Lifes short.