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lingililingili
Nomad
Posts: 449
Registered: 2-24-2008
Location: La Paz, Bahia Asuncion
Member Is Offline
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We have a house in Boise, this sure beats shoveling snow!!!
•Life is just one damned thing after another
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
Member Is Offline
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Great dream but not too realistic. First of all it will be next to impossible to get a work permit for tile/masonry because you are taking jobs and
employment away from Mexican people. If you could even manage to get a permit then you are going to be very unpopular in the community because you
will be in direct competition with the local workers. I know of a dual citizen family (U.S. and Mexico) who has serious issues in a small town
because he does fantastic work and even hires a few locals to help but jealousy runs rampant. So you would not be helping the economy but in fact
might be harming a small part.
Secondly, the schools in most of baja are of very low quality. Imagine having a requirement of a high school diploma to become a teacher and you
can start to see a part of the problem. While there are some real quality teachers in the system, for the most part public schools are terribly
underfunded and woefully substandard.
Third, to totally commit to occupation and living in Baja with a family I would think that you would want to be fluent not only in the language but
in the culture as well.
Finally, the United States has one of the best medical delivery systems in the entire world and I would expect that is exactly where you would head
if any of the children were to get sick. I have a good friend who is the head of the Childrens Hospital in Tijuana who tells me of the differences
between their hospital and the one across the border in San Diego.
I love Mexico and have been coming since 1957 or 58 and have retired in a small village, away from Gringolandia, so I can appreciate your dream but
would hate to see your dream turn into a nightmare. Do you suppose there is a reason people are risking their lives to cross the border going north
to find a job which will let them take care of their family and once they crossed why so many stayed there.
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susanna
Junior Nomad
Posts: 76
Registered: 2-17-2008
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I recommend you go to see Baja and maybe rent so your wife and kids can also have a choice if they want to live there. They don't have all the
facilities we have here. I thought i also wanted to live in Baja but have changed my mind .
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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Just a thought
If you are looking for an adventure for you and your family, great. Are you open to other places?
We moved to Honduras without having ever visited, BUT we had jobs to go to and the same for when we went to Guatemala.
Search the net for foreign job opportunities---probably, however, will not be in tile setting. Then in lots of places there are bilingual
schools---not just the very expensive ones, but some that are small and reasonable.
Years ago some friends moved their family to Todos Santos in Baja---back when it was still a very small town. They had the money to stay there for a
year and their girls went to public school for that year. It was a great experience for all.
But the laws and school might have changed---don't know.
When I said before, keep the dream, I was sincere---but I also agree that the dream needs some good planning. But you are started in a good
direction---asking questions.
Diane
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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My suggestion, if you can afford it, would be to pick a place in Baja that you are interested in and try and find a house or apartment for a month or
two during the summer (when your kids are out of school).
Live among the locals and see if that is what you want to experience. I think a month or two would probably be the deciding factor for you.
Continue to do your research.
Have you ever been to Baja before???
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3825
Registered: 2-9-2004
Member Is Offline
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There are macadamia nut and fruit orchards in Pahoa Town, Big Island, Ha. that would probably fit your fantasy.
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Rustycage
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: 4-8-2008
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lingililingili
We sure shoveled a lot of snow this year as a matter of fact it snowed yesterday....The most snow we have had in 15 or 16 yrs go figure
Pescador
Thanks for the input I appreciate your perspective and will take it into consideration.
My plan was too buy and sell Real estate and use tile as a back up or not at all.
I would actually rather live in San Diego or around there but a guy would almost have to inherit a home and have a good job opportunity there to even
start. I am going to try and buy some property in Baja even if moving there is out of the question as I believe it is a grand investment and would
make for stellar vacations. I think that I have a lot of my questions answered and next I need to go spend some time this summer and really get the
whole picture together.
The more I think and here about it the less inviting it becomes I would really like to enjoy the world down there mostly because of affordability. I
also would love to take my son to a Padre's game and see the Chargers whenever possible.. Sea World and the Zoo are quite a big factor in this
equation also oh and Disney land would be a lot more feasible from there than here. Learning to surf,scuba,snorkel,explore and whatever else just to
walk the beach,too much to ask ? If my former 32 years are a factor then yes it is too much too ask but impossible no stinkin way !
I won't go into taking jobs away from locals or ruining an economy I don't think it's right but we are victims of it ourselves and not in a small way!
susanna
Thank you!
Diane
I was looking into Baja for relative cost of living and proximity to San Diego.
Thank you for your comments
bajaguy
I think that sounds good
wilderone
What does that mean?
Oh and by the way I have never visited Baja just trying to get a feel for direction.....................................
[Edited on 4-10-2008 by Rustycage]
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Rustycage:
In the upper right corner of the Nomads forum pages (this one) you will have a U2U message. Click on that message/link
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
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Rustycage,
I think you have a severe case of "Wanderlust", an affliction I'm very familiar with.
In your case, consideration for your kids should come first.
Like stated, education here in Baja is at the very least dismal. And ,even if you could get around all the paperwork and are able to work, your reward
is nowhere near what you're accustomed to.
Now, if I were you, I would seriously considering northern California's or the Oregon coast. Beautiful country, decent schools and, although no
Disneyland or the Zoo, a great place to do all the things you mentioned.
Baja is a great place but not one to raise a family accustomed to US ways.
Just my 2 cents worth.
But wish you succes in anything you decide.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3825
Registered: 2-9-2004
Member Is Offline
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You mentioned you just wanted plenty of sun, friendly people, low crime, etc. Hawaii is a nice place to live, and Pahoa can be relatively
inexpensive. If you wanted to get by super-cheap, you can work on the macadamia nut farms for board/labor. Just an idea. Your flooring skills would
also be an asset there. Also, if you check out the condo prices in Santee and Spring Valley, CA, you will find an affordable place to live. Beaches,
Padres, Chargers, close to Mexico.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64864
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Wow, I think the man wants to know if this is even a possibilty for him... and the answer really is no... Sorry, but true it is....
Wilderone has a good idea... The Big Island is a great place for a new beginning, it is in America still, English (with some local words) is the
language, and there are hospitals where you can find more than bandages and rubbing alcohol to treat injuries.
Why not move to Baja (at this time in your life)?
Well, your children for one main reason... the most important reason for that matter. You read above that the schools are sub-standard* and unlike
here, bi-lingual teachers are not hired there to instruct kids from other countries. Serious injury or illness could be tragic without air-evac to a
U.S. hospital.
Employment: Unlike here, Mexico actually protects its people from foreign workers who would take away their means of living. As a tourist, you cannot
work in Mexico (even volunteer work) legally. You would need to obtain an FM-3 visa with a work permit... and you would have to prove you can provide
a skill NOT FOUND in the area, perhaps have an employer sponsor you. The pay for unskilled labor is about $10 US a day not an hour, more $$ for
skilled workers... but not what you get in Boise... ever!
Before you do anything, go to Baja... take some time to check things out... talk to others who have kids in Baja... Home schooling via the Internet is
an option, but do you or your wife have the patience or time? The FM-3 visa to live in Mexico part time or more will take some effort to obtain
(search Nomad for tons on this)
Look at the replies here over the following weeks...
I love Baja like crazy, and I would love to live there so I could explore and enjoy it more frequently. But, my kids had to be grown/ moved on and I
would have to be financially well off to not need a job in Mexico or find one in my trade I could work legally and that the other men in the area
would not be displaced.
Don't want to ruin your dream... just don't want you to have a nightmare!
Welcome to Baja Nomad, by-the-way!
* edit to add that schools in California are also sub-standard, specifically 6-8 grade, having had 2 kids go through that mess... Not at all like it
was 30-40 years ago when California had some of the best schools in the nation.
[Edited on 4-11-2008 by David K]
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baitcast
Super Nomad
Posts: 1785
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: kingman AZ.
Member Is Offline
Mood: good
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Why not just move to San Diego,much warmer,great town,the beach and the border is close by.
Rob
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Heather
Nomad
Posts: 370
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: National City, CA
Member Is Offline
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A couple of things I'd like to add here. I lived in TJ (Playas) for about 3 years while we waited for my husband to get a visa. It was OK, and the
closest house to the beach that I've ever lived in, rent was cheap compared to San Diego, but there were a lot of things about the US that I missed.
Playas would be the only place in TJ where I would consider living, because it still had a sort of small town feel. Lots of crime though, and the
infrastructure needed some improvement.
I didn't work there but crossed the border everyday to work in SD, and that was the worst part!
I teach at a public high school in San Diego and I disagree with some of the comments about the schools in MX. Some of my best students did primary
school in MX and then came here for middle and high school. They have very good work habits and discipline in terms of school work, which I see
lacking in many of my American students. We do get a few that have very little education when they get here for high school, but in general I look
forward to students educated in Mx. because they are prepared and despite learning a new language have great skills to help them do so.
My step-sons live in Pescadero and have received a pretty good education even in that small town. One thing I like is that they take science in more
then one year i.e. 3 years of Biology, 2-3 years of Physics and Chemistry, here it's one year of each. gotta run, the kids are here. Heather
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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You really need to spend a month or two during the summer anywhere near where you are thinking of living before you make a decision to move to Baja.
Bob H
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Wow, I think the man wants to know if this is even a possibilty for him... and the answer really is no... Sorry, but true it is....
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While it may not be practical, easy, reasonable, etc., IT IS A POSSIBILITY. Keep dreamin, and fine tune the dream.
We were told we could never live on $500.00 a month in the backwaters of Honduras and that we were crazy to quit good careers and spend our own money
to get there to live like that. It was one of the best years of our lives.
Keep doing the research. What will work for you is not maybe not what will work for someone else.
Diane
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oxxo
Banned
Posts: 2347
Registered: 5-17-2006
Location: Wherever I am, I'm there
Member Is Offline
Mood: If I was feeling any better, I'd be twins!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Rustycage
I have a job opportunity selling real estate and also own a flooring business. I contract for mostly tile and stone. |
Every Tom, Dick, and Harry is selling either real estate or time shares. 95% of them can't make it in that business. If you need a dependable wage
to support 3 children, this is not the profession for you in Mexico.
You will not be able to get a work permit for setting tile. By Mexican law, you cannot take work away from a Mexican. And there are tons of Mexicans
in the tile setting business, all of them looking for work.
| Quote: | | I am in need of some advice as to where to live and cost of living also if there is any work to be had or if it is scarce. I am a bit concerned about
the robberies and kidnappings |
We live in the Los Cabos area. Our cost of living is about 10% less than a comparable location in California. Other areas in Baja may be less but so
will the amenities.
If you want to avoid the high crime areas, then you should live generally somewhere south of El Rosario (not to be confused with Rosarito).
| Quote: | | Can I have my kids in school in San Diego while living in Baja would be another point that would also play into the equation? |
By the way, the cost of a private bilingual elementary school in Baja is between US$ 6000 to $12000 per year per student. Do not even think about
sending to a Mexican public school.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Heather
I teach at a public high school in San Diego and I disagree with some of the comments about the schools in MX. Some of my best students did primary
school in MX and then came here for middle and high school. They have very good work habits and discipline in terms of school work, which I see
lacking in many of my American students. We do get a few that have very little education when they get here for high school, but in general I look
forward to students educated in Mx. because they are prepared and despite learning a new language have great skills to help them do so.
Heather |
Having taught high school in Calexico, we totally agree with Heather. Most of these students began their US education in middle school without
speaking a word of English and they were among the very best students with the best work habits. We both had some who passed the AP U.S. History and
AP Human Geography tests in 10th and 11th grade. Many of them went on to successfully attend major universities. Just to be clear, these students
had been a part of the public school system in Mexico---they were not from private schools.
John and Diane
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The Gull
Super Nomad
Posts: 2223
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Rancho Descanso, BCN
Member Is Offline
Mood: High
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Choices
Don't waste your time and money on Baja.
Too much Americanization going on and not for the better.
Go to Costa Rica.
�I won\'t insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.� William F. Buckley, Jr.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3511
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
Member Is Offline
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Baja is safer than CR
| Quote: | Originally posted by lencho
| Quote: | Originally posted by The Gull
Don't waste your time and money on Baja.
Too much Americanization going on and not for the better.
Go to Costa Rica. |
Which is of course not at all Americanized.  |
CR is Europeanized. Has been for a long time and whereas you'll meet Canucks in Baja, you'll meet Germans, French and English in CR.
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
Member Is Offline
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Just moving this thread to the front for "Cain", a new Nomad who wants to make the move with his family.
P<*)))><
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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