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BajaNomad
Super Administrator
Posts: 5014
Registered: 8-1-2002
Location: San Diego, CA
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Mood: INTP-A
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Any "content" expats and/or expat communities in Tij/RB/Ens area?
I was asked this myself, and am uncertain of the answer... so, thought I would pose it here:
Are there any expat (full-time) residents (or particular communities having such) in the Tijuana / Rosarito Beach / Ensenada area that still find
considerable contentment in their Baja California location/residence, regardless of the crime/tourism challenges?
How about folks that would indicate what's in the papers in the USA are way overblown?
Just curious (well, sort of - but there's a reason for the question)...
Thanks,
-
Doug
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
We know we must go back if we live, and we don`t know why.
– John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
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noproblemo2
Super Nomad
Posts: 1088
Registered: 4-14-2006
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We are expats, full timers in La Mision, we are totally content here and do not feel the media "hype campaign" in the US is acurate. Being full time,
we do listen and weigh what we hear vs what we actually see. So in our opinion bad news sells, good news doesn't.... Boils down to COMMON SENSE....
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Things have changed. It isn't what it used to be. Ten years ago, we would think nothing of jumping in the truck and taking a road into the back
country and never see anybody. Always new scenery and never a problem.
Can't, or shouldn't do that today. None of my Mexican friends will. They say it's too dangerous with all the growing activity and the scum that
comes with it.
I recently visited an old friend who lives off the San Carlos Hot Springs Road. I hadn't seen him for a couple of years. Upon approaching his shack,
I saw heaps of irrigation hose and piles of gallon plastic bottles around his area. He came out and greeted me abruptly and told me to never come
back. Said it was too dangerous. I left.
I'm one of those who doesn't think the US press sensationalized anything. They didn't fabricate their stories and, in my opinion, it's not unethical
to reprint a story. If something needs to be said and heard, say it until you feel you got the point across.
In spite of all that, I think I'm content. I live a semi-private life and go out in public when I need some interchange. I think I'd be the same way
wherever I live.
One thing for sure...The Baja which I came to know way back when is long gone.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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| Quote: |
One thing for sure...The Baja which I came to know way back when is long gone.
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yes, but what isn't? it's the chase while trying to get back to those "good old days" that keeps me coming back....
p.s. as to what i'm seeking, these ARE the good old days, AGAIN!
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Doug
We have a place at the Baja Country Club, just south of Ensenada. Although not full timers yet, we really like the area and the people. We feel safe
at our house.
We also have friends that live in the area (Ensenada and Punta Banda), and we feel that we made a great choice with location, friends and activities.
Not to disagree with Dennis, but having extensive experience with the media in the States, I know that anytime there is blood involved, the media
hypes the event.......not that it doesn't happen, but they tend to sensationalize it.
Common sense and situational awareness go hand in hand living anywhere, especially in a foreign country.
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garynmx
Junior Nomad
Posts: 43
Registered: 9-7-2009
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I feel safer in Rosarito than I do in California. At least in Mx the murders are drug cartel and bad police, etc. In Califonia its everyone else but
police and drug cartels that are being murdered. Read the stats and see how many Amercians are being killed in California compared to Americans being
killed in Mx. The war here does not involve us (unless you are a drug dealer).
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
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Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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The news stories printed north of the border are for the most part accurate. To be fair they are probably a bit out of proportion to the general
volume of other news when weighed against all of the news north of the border. Deaths by beheading and dissolving the remains in acid will tend to
draw more media interest but the end result to the victim is the same. You are just as dead whether hanging from a Tijuana overpass or laying dead
from a gunshot in a south central LA side street.
In today's world you really are completely safe nowhere on this planet. Anyone of us can fall victim to random violence but I agree with those who
don't feel terrorized by the violence in Baja / Mexico. Crime stats show that Gringos are rarely victims of violent crime down here and using some
common sense and avoiding risky/illegal activity will go a long way to bettering your odds proportionately.
YMMV
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaGringo
Crime stats show that Gringos are rarely victims of violent crime down here |
And, where can we view these stats? More importantly, who compiles and makes available these stats?
"All the news that's fit to print." Any news that gives tourism a black eye won't be fit to print.
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
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I moved to Tijuana 3 years ago and not only have no regrets but am happy I did so. The violence started shortly after I made the move and at first
psycologically depressed me and most other citizens of the city. But, I've adapted and it no longer affects me in the same way. And the murder rate
is down from last year although still higher than 2007. Let's hope the trend continues.
The move was purely financial. I was able to pay cash for a new house. Tough to do in the US. I'm on the beach less than a mile from the border so in
many ways it's like I'm still in San Diego. I still see my friends in San Diego, shop there regularly, and occasionally go out to dinner there. I have
also maintained my business contacts and work once in a while. But, since I'm an information worker, I can do that anywhere I can telecommute. Being
close to my clients helps though. It enables face to face communication when needed.
In six years I'll be qualified for Medicare and if need be will be able to make use of it because of my proximity, although emergency care will need
to be handled in TJ.
The move allowed me to drop out of the work-a-day rat race after 30 years. That's the biggest source of happiness.
Plus if I decide to move back to the US I can get a decent return on my real estate investment. The rents are high compared to the cost. I live in a
gated community that is composed almost entirely of Mexicans and the houses rent quickly. I don't need to worry about finding a gringo tenant.
I think I made a smart move.
[Edited on 10-10-2009 by k-rico]
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaGringo
Crime stats show that Gringos are rarely victims of violent crime down here |
And, where can we view these stats? More importantly, who compiles and makes available these stats?
"All the news that's fit to print." Any news that gives tourism a black eye won't be fit to print. |
Dennis...........the FBI came out last year and said in effect that US citizens were being kidnapped in TJ at an increased rate........they failed to
mention that the US citizens were of Mexican decent and had businesses in Mexico.........
The ATF states that 90% of the guns seized in Mexico are traced back to the US.......in fact, it's 90% of the guns that Mexico gives the US, not 90%
of all the guns seized...........
A little bit of info goes a long way......even if it is wrong
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
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This an interesting thread, let's not get into a source of weapons debate.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by k-rico
This an interesting thread, let's not get into a source of weapons debate. |
It's not, Rico.....it'a a facts debate
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
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Mood: thriving in Baja
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Been @ Lomas Del Mar, Punta Banda for 5 years and wouldn't live anywhere else. The only thing I don't like about it is the border croosing time (N,
and now S) when I absolutely have to go to the states.
Bob Durrell
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
A little bit of info goes a long way......even if it is wrong |
Thanks, Terry. My reference was to news from below the border.
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
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Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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We chose not to be part of an ex-pat "community" after looking at several large ones in the Rosarito area. Some were known to have dueling HOA's and
were social snakepits. No thanks- not what we were looking for in retirement. We saw a false sense of physical security with the flimsy fences and
underpaid guards as well.
If we had wanted whiny, nosey neighbors we could have stayed stateside. So instead we chose central downtown Rosarito and we spent several years
looking for the right area and lot to build on. There are many federal zone scammers so we took our time checking land parcels and neighborhoods.
Most of our neighbors here are "mixed" with one mexican and one american. They are awesome. No one drops-by without an e-mail or call, gossips or is
negative just to be negative. We built a very secure house- because we had the option to, were starting from scratch and the security situation was
deteriortaing at the time.
Even with the bumps, it was the right choice and still is... for us anyway. We do have tons of Mexican family down here so the house is always
active, full of family, pets and children and that makes it more secure too.
We hope we have created a family gathering place for generations to come where everyone is welcome, the fridge is stocked and everyone can just enjoy
being a family together and forget the troubles of the day. So far- so good... pretty much. Family is family after all...
[Edited on 10-10-2009 by Woooosh]
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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arrowhead
Banned
Posts: 912
Registered: 5-5-2009
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I read this post yesterday and waited to see if anybody would comment on the most glaring problem with the way the question is phrased. It is asking
only those who "still find considerable contentment in their Baja California location/residence, regardless of the crime/tourism challenges" to
respond.
No soy por ni contra apatía.
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arrowhead
Banned
Posts: 912
Registered: 5-5-2009
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| Quote: | Originally posted by garynmx
Read the stats and see how many Americans are being killed in California compared to Americans being killed in Mx. |
What would be purpose of such a useless statistic? America is mainly full of Americans and Mexico is mainly full of Mexicans. Why don' t you ask how
many Chinese are killed in China compared to American killed in China?
No soy por ni contra apatía.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by arrowhead
Why don' t you ask how many Chinese are killed in China compared to American killed in China? |
OK......How many Chinese are killed in China compared to American killed in China?
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Arrowhead- I think you're overlooking the fact that despite Doug's wording of this topic, Nomads are neither timid nor shy. In my opinion, anyone
reading this thread who disagrees with those who posted about their contentment would not hesitate to challenge them. However, if you believe more
balance is needed, perhaps you could start a new thread posing the specific question to which you are seeking answers.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Doug mentioned he had reason to ask/phrase the question as he did. I'm wondering what that would be.
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