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absinvestor
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san filipe vs mulege
I have a brother-in-law considering Mexico retirement. He has been to San Filipe a couple of times but never very far south. My wife and I are
retiring to the Mulege area and the brother-in-law called last night and was asking why Mulege vs SF. Unfortunately I have only been to Sf once in
the mid 90's so I couldn't give him any input. What are the advantages and disadvantages on one over the other. He currently lives in the Albuquerque
NM area and has children and grandkids in the Albuquerque area so will make frequent trips from Baja to Albuquerque. He travels in a 35'motorhome and
is in his late 60's and,when possible, avoids traffic Specifically, what are the differences in weather, cost and availability of housing (he would
want to purchase something like a one bedroom, 1bath on the beach for under 60k), life style ie he would prefer a small town atmosphere vs one with a
lot of hussle and bussle & access to cell and internet service etc. The one time I was in SF the beaches were busy and his preference would be a
quiet beach where he can run his lab dog etc. Finally he likes to fish- it is my understanding that the surf fishing in the Bajia de Concepcion area
is non-existant- is the same true in the San Filipe area? Thanks Ron
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capt. mike
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no comparison between the 2.
but everything you want to know is on the internet for both.
he'll not find those specs at either tho.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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Cypress
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If fishing is a high priority he can scratch Mulege off the list. How 'bout someplace on the Pacific side?
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mulegemichael
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LOTS of great fishing in mulege...sometimes the CATCHING isn't so good tho.
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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absinvestor
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Thanks for the info. To Cypress- I lived on the Pacific ocean side and the surf fishing was great. Unfortunately, I like warmer weather and for much
of the year I had to wear a wet suit to keep warm. The brother-in-law is also looking for a warmer climate. To MulegeMichael- I got a chuckle out of
your comment regarding "catching might not be so good." I am one of those avid fisherman who can enjoy fishing even if nothing is biting!!!
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TMW
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San Felipe is more of a desert atmosphere. I have never had much luck surf fishing there but out in a boat it's OK, maybe even good from what my
friends say. A few times a year SF gets an off-road race where the town fills up. It's close to the US in case there's something you need from this
side. I don't know the complete makeup of either but I would say SF has more Americans, retired living there. For a quite area go south of town along
the water.
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Russ
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Maybe a rental for the first few trips would be best for him. Getting to good medical care from Mulege is a consideration. Also something in the $60k
may be a little tough unless it's in town.
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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mcfez
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capt. mike is very correct with his assessment of the two areas.
I have not been to Mulege, so I cannot say zip about it.
I can tell you many reasons to go to San Felipe though 
SF is much closer to Albuquerque NM
Exit to Ca from Mexicali might be better than TJ
SF is 3 hours from the Pacific side, easy drive.
Los Algodones is great for Med and Dental 2 hours away
Calixico 2 hours away.
Mexicali has Costco, Home Depot, McD's (!) and everything else you may want or not want!
The BIGGEST draw to Sf would be this: The Mex5 highway is being paved all the way to Mex1. Access to Puertecitos-Gonzaga Bay- Mex1-Bay of Los Angeles
- central Baja....all within a few hours. This new route offers true outdoor adventure. Extremely vacant openness. Fishing is outstanding, whale
watching, exploring....I can go on with another ten paragraphs here on whats so good about this new highway.
Housing in SF if priced good. In fact...in Campos Ocotillo there are several decent little houses for sale. The folks in our camp is great. Through
out SF there is house deals that meets the requirements you stated.
All utilities are avail in the town too. Some places like ED has power, some are off the grid there. Town offers everything you need except....I
havent found a place that sells clothing!
We bought into San Felipe not only with our little rough house we use as a "base" camp...but we bought into some other interesting stuff. We love the
place.
I have a extra lot there at our camp, unimproved. Has power and water. Tell your brother-in-law he may use it for a few months before buying a place.
Everyone here will tell you.....RENT BEFORE BUYING!
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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David K
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San Felipe is great if beaches, desert exploring, 2.5 hrs. from U.S., etc. are important. Mid July to Mid September are the hottest times with
humidity. The rest of the year it is dry. Chubascos are rare... but have messed things with storm surge and flash floods every few years.
Mulege is great if tropical setting, nearby fishing and clear water are important. Humidity is more typical all summer. Chubascos have made a mess of
things there many times, specially flash flooding the river and those who live along it... beauty has its price. It is the Hawaii of Baja, however!
Time should be spent in both places (during the summer if he intends to live there year round)... Most gringos leave Baja June-Sept... (which happens
to be our favorite time there!!)
San Felipe Region Beach:
Mulege River Valley:
[Edited on 3-21-2011 by David K]
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toneart
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In another thread I said the Panguero netters and the shrimpers are taking everything in the Mulege region. Let me back up a bit. It is true, but
there are yet some fish here. It is not hard to project though, total wipe out of fish population if the locals' fishing practices continue much
longer.
It is not what it used to be, from even two years ago, but somedays we get fish and somedays we get hardly anything.
The Bahia is no good for fishing. People who live there go out of the Bahia and fish the open Sea of Cortez.
The weather is beautiful! Just being out on the water and seeing the breathtaking views is certainly worth the effort to try and catch fish. If you
do, it is a bonus.
Mulege vs San Felipe? No comparison...in any way you measure it; weather, scenic beauty, community, friendly locals who wave while you are driving, or
say "Buenos Dias/Tardes/Noches", architecture, history, charm, more Mexican authenticity, culture, world class restaurants, greater distance from the
border (is a good thing), gringos respectful of and participating in local culture, not easily accessible unless driving (is a good thing), voluntary
veterinary clinic, shall I go on?...
These accolades apply 9 months out of the year. You don't want to be here July, August and September.
The community of gringos and locals with the help of The Rotarians, who operate a health clinic, and other philanthropic organizations have all pulled
together through our devastating floods, cleaned up and went on with our lives. No hurricane last year...Yea! Plenty of houses for sale for under
$60,000. We are still able to get homeowners' insurance including flood and earthquake.
The reason for so many houses for sale, cheap, is because many do not want to endure another flood, and also, many are elderly and just can't make the
trip any longer. That is exacerbated by
the poor economy in The United States and fear of Cartel violence (there is none here). It is a classic supply and demand issue. There is more supply
than demand. It is a buyer's market.
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mcfez
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
[Edited on 3-21-2011 by David K] |
Hummmm...I have seen this beach before...Hummmm...where is it
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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David K
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Mulege and San Jose del Cabo were the last places in Baja to have malaria concerns... but that was back in the 1940's! 
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willyAirstream
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I took some new friends Real Estate exploring around Mulege last week and was surprised at the bargains to be had, A beautiful house in the Oasis,
50k, a small beach house for 75k, developed lots with out door kitchen, conc pad and palapa frame work - several from 10-30k etc etc. Lots of long
term rentals too.
Lots of Mulege pics here on my blog
http://360panoramas.com
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absinvestor
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Thanks to all that responded. McFez- thanks for your generous offer- I will pass along to the brother-in-law. To those that have recommended renting
for a couple of years you are totally correct. In the mid 90's we sold our home in the States and headed to Baja. We thought we had done our research
and we were looking for a place to buy. Luckily the home we found (on the beach in Punta Banda) was on Ejido land and tied up in a law suit. We
decided to rent until the suit was resolved. We stayed two years before deciding to return to the States. There are many things that retirees don't
anticipate. Everything from the language barrier (my high school Spanish was far from sufficient), to a lack of services and roads that we come to
expect in the States,the inability to have the grandkids over for weekend sleepover or weekend camping trip and even the weather which can be
downright chilly on the pacific ocean side and hotter than hatties on the Sea of Cortez!! Nevertheless, we love Mexico and will be returning as
permanent retirees in a couple of months but this time we will come with the understanding that Mexico is not a perfect paradise meant for everybody
and with the knowledge that we gained from renting for a couple of years. Thanks again. Ron
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DavidE
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Mulege is two good long days drive from USA medical facilities, including a good dose of miami vice at San Ysidro.
Mulege easily gets to 100 degrees and 70% humidity during august and september, S.F. can reach 122F. I used to bike ride at the crack of dawn in
Mulege in July when the temperature was 88. I remember arriving in San Felipe the same time of year and it was 104 at midnight.
I would call Mulege a date palm oasis rather than a tropical environment. Where I live in Michoacan on the coast is tropical (warmer in the winter,
cooler in the summer).
Baja is still Baja. When I went shopping today, I had to search for stuff to make a salad, and the stores are much like they were twenty years ago. In
fact no new stores have opened here in all that time. Food is around thirty five percent more expensive for packaged items, and some specialty items
that are made in mexico are fifty to seventy percent pricier. I miss fresh fruit and vegetables that are abundant on the mainland, and inexpensive.
Panchos wants 500 pesos for a flamaneta 2 burner stove that costs 270 pesos in lazaro Card##as michoacan. The ferreterias ask almost 600.
Stuff is costlier because it either has to come up Sonora, and around the gulf and then down or suffer robber baron rates on the transbordador desde
topolobampo sinaloa. Keeping an inventory sans spoilage or past expiration date is almost impossible for these little tienditas.
Baja is Baja, but the solitude and wilderness come at a price. The price is exactly that, stiff, and this is the land of ¨NO TENGO NO HAY.
Its one thing for a vacation and quite another as a retirement mecca.
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fishabductor
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DavidE
Mulege is two good long days drive from USA medical facilities, including a good dose of miami vice at San Ysidro.
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Mulege is a long one day drive from SD for most drivers. I've made Loreto more than once! However I usually stop at santa rosillia.
A plus for Mulege is that you can river raft class 5 rapids during the chubascos .....
Never been to SF and don't plan to if it is in the border region, which I consider 2.5 hrs to be.
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mcfez
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| Quote: | Originally posted by fishabductor
| Quote: | Originally posted by DavidE
Mulege is two good long days drive from USA medical facilities, including a good dose of miami vice at San Ysidro.
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Mulege is a long one day drive from SD for most drivers. I've made Loreto more than once! However I usually stop at santa rosillia.
A plus for Mulege is that you can river raft class 5 rapids during the chubascos .....
Never been to SF and don't plan to if it is in the border region, which I consider 2.5 hrs to be. |
Fish....
It's really a cool place. No OK Coral stuff :-) Mexicali is light years away.
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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fishabductor
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mcfez....I probably read to much borderland beat...which I no longer do...It'll scare the bejesus out of you.
I am sure it's a great area. I just really like were I am. If anyone wants to donate some islands for us...that would be great...that is all I wish we
had more of here, I'll trade you a canadian for them.
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fishabductor
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I'll even trade for some mangroves!
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Bajahowodd
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Bottom line is that you really cannot have everythin in every place.
Many of the posts clearly show the difference between San Felipe and Mulege. And, in fact, I'm curious as to how anyone would even make the comparison
as an either/or thing.
San Felipe is certainly no metropolis. You will not find big box stores. But, they are fairly close to the border if you need to get NOB.
Mulege is a much smaller community, way farther from the border. As was mentioned in another post, not just the lack of big box stores, but much less
than that.
Before anyone jumps me for using the term big box, I was only using that for a reference.
Perhaps McFez, may wish to place a fatwa on me, but, given the two places, I'd choose Mulege. That's simply because, for whatever reason, San Felipe,
as close as it is to the border, just really cannot touch Mulege for the ambience and charm.
If someone has concerns about getting back North, they really ought to consider Loreto. Not that it has the amazing charm of Mulege, but it would seem
to me to be a well thought compromise.
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