oldjack
Nomad
Posts: 350
Registered: 1-26-2006
Location: Los Barriles
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Mood: retired
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Is life better in Baja than ....
If you have lived on the mainland of MX and have also lived i n Baja(BCN or BCS)... which is better... I know it is different but which lifestyle has
proven itself to you... I am a desert fan but I like the lushness of the Pacific Coast of Mexico... I can't afford to have two places so I am trying
to make a "final" decision on where to live... life, I think, is tougher on the mainland, but it is getting crowded and more expensive to live in
BCS... and the fishing isn't getting any better... I have found that the people over there have a much different attitude toward norteamericanos than
those Mexicans living in Baja who seem to expect more from expats than their counterpart on the other side of the Sea... my perspective is that I will
be living full-time in MX(either Baja or the mainland) and I want to make an informed decision... my commitment to Baja is my place in Los Barriles..
but it is not an anchor.... I have made multiple trips to GDL and points west and will be spending three weeks overthere beginning the 22nd... I have
promised myself that I will make a final decision no later than the end of January, as I will be retiring in December 2010 and I want to be settled...
the implied question in this rambling is: what is your informed opinion of the two locations?
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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You are likely aware that near GDL, one will find over 10,000 ex-pats around Ajijic. It must be an attraction. And it's easy to head to PV or
Manzanillo for a long weekend. I am unable to help on this, because I suffer from the same quandry. In certain respects, it's like pondering two
different countries that just happen to have the same language and currency.
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oldjack
Nomad
Posts: 350
Registered: 1-26-2006
Location: Los Barriles
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Mood: retired
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I AM NOT EVEN CONSIDERING the Lake Chapala ghetto.....
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Good for you! I only mentioned it as a point of reference, in that there are so many ex-pats in the area.
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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Jack,
A lot depends on your lifestyle. You know Baja, so I won't go into it's merits.
Regarding the mainland, you are doing the right thing by traveling and researching. I have traveled every inch of the mainland for months on end, for
many years. I also lived in San Miguel de Allende for several years. Everything changes, so my information is not current.
The pluses I would tout are: the weather is warmer in the winter, there is a hell of a lot more culture as far as history,art, music and museums.
(Yes, Baja has a rich history too, and the fun of it is in the exploration of remote places). It is more accessible on the mainland. One's age and
physical capabilities or limitations may be a factor.
The mainland territory is so vast that you would never tire of exploring. Besides the warm beaches, the fishing is also good and then there are the
cities with all the modern facilities, including medical. If you don't want to drive everywhere, the trains, buses and planes are excellent. (Not sure
about the trains anymore...maybe that is no longer an option). Everything used to be very inexpensive compared to prices in The U.S. Mexico has gotten
a lot more expensive in recent years, but it is still a bargain. (Perhaps there are greater values to be had now that we are in a world wide
recession). I know the dollar/peso exchange is still working in our favor.
You can find enclaves of gringos doing interesting things,or nothing at all. You can easily find a house in a wholly Mexican neighborhood and avoid
gringos, if you wish. Whether or not you are married play a large part in your choices.
So, spend the time to travel. I would look for places I think I could live and love, and then rent; not buy. It all depends on what you like.
I would do it again!
Hope this helps.
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
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Jack:
I lived in and around L reto for about 38 years. I have traveled in the Mainland
some. The only places in all of the mainland that I liked was Durango and Los Alamos. Please look at each carefully if you are close.''Since I had so
much time on the Sea of Cortez, if I went back it would be with a large Live on Boat, then I could go nearly anywhere I wanted.
Good Luck
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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The best advice I have ever gotten was to travel around and find a place that matched up with me. I discovered early on that my favorite place in all
of Mexico was Bahia de Los Muertos but a couple of idiots ruined that for me, so I ended up in what I consider to be the best all around choice that I
kept coming back to time and again. You have to really figure out what works for you and what meets the largest amount of your needs. As long as you
can travel around and explore that may be the stage that you are at and not really ready to put down more roots than that. Toneart mentions things
that are not even on my radar at this point in my life so that just goes to show that we are all made up differently and need to find our own music.
I know some people who were still traveling and looking, trying to decide and it just was not their time. DON'T PUSH THE RIVER
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Jack:
I lived in and around Lreto for about 38 years. I have traveled in the Mainland
some. The only places in all of the mainland that I liked was Durango and Los Alamos. Please look at each carefully if you are close.''Since I had so
much time on the Sea of Cortez, if I went back it would be with a large Live on Boat, then I could go nearly anywhere I wanted.
Good Luck |
Skeet,
Tiger may have just the right boat for you. That is, after he is done hiding out.
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rocmoc
Nomad
Posts: 234
Registered: 5-25-2009
Location: Tucson, AZ
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Mood: Live today like it maybe your LAST!
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Friends who know me know I don't have any problem sharing my opinions even when I am pushing against the river.
Been traveling to/thu Baja for over 15 years. Traveling the mainland, still have not been to enough places, for nearly 10 years. Have flown &
driven both.
I/we lean towards the mainland because it has everything Baja has plus warm water/beaches in the winter, jungle, more birds, more dunes/desert, more
medical, more of everything. That is where the problem comes in, more places to visit to find the final location. Still looking but below PV is
currently high on the list.
Now the downside, MORE crime!
I/we like/love Baja but if/when we have to chose, Mainland.
IMHO and not met as a shot at Baja but the OP wants to know what I/we think!
Now what we will probably do is keep a small place in AZ for 6 months a year and spend 4 months of winter in MX and 2 months of summer in MX. There
are places on the Mainland that are best visited in the summer, eg. Creel for one.
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
[Edited on 12-19-2009 by rocmoc]
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
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noproblemo2
Super Nomad
Posts: 1088
Registered: 4-14-2006
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Sounds like you already know what you want...
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