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Tesee
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 11-13-2013
Location: Ocean Beach, San Diego
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Considering moving to Tijuana & have a few questions
Greetings all, first time poster here! I have oh-so-many questions, I'll try to compact them as much as possible 
Back story - I have lived in quite a few different U.S. areas but what I want so much is to experience living in another country for a bit. I have
lived in San Diego for a year and a half and when my lease is up at the end of May 2014 I would like to move to Tijuana but keep my San Diego job and
become one of the many commuters.
And now to the questions:
- Do I need a car in Tijuana? I would rather not have mine down there, and I'm willing to find and pay for long term parking in San Diego. The
biggest reason I don't want my car down there is that I don't want to deal with the border crossing and loooong drive up to Northern La Jolla every
day (where I work) but I really don't mind a long commute if I can just hop on the Trolley. But, I would like to have my car
available to me in San Diego for visiting family, friends, running errands, going to an appointment, etc. I also worry about my car possibly getting
stolen. So, is the bus/taxi system pretty good in Tijuana, good enough that I'd be fine without a car? How is the walkability? Do many people use
bicycles and do many drivers respect the bicyclists?
- Would it be fairly easy for me to find a 1 bedroom or studio apartment close to the San Ysidro border (a short bus, taxi or bike ride away) that is
fully furnished that also does month-to-month or 6-month leases? I would like to be able to have a little "trial period" to settle in and see if I
like it enough to find a more permanent residence and haul all my crap down there.
- What is the general attitude toward "Gringos" who live south of the border but work north of the border in Tijuana? I am a 33 year old, single,
white, woman. Would I be mostly accepted? ignored? harassed?
- I don't speak Spanish fluently, though I'm a little familiar with it and can often decipher Spanish writing if I have enough time to pick it apart.
If I decide to make the move I plan on either taking a couple of Spanish speaking courses or getting myself a Spanish tutor but I have no idea how
much I can learn to speak it in 6 months. Would it be a problem for me if I was only at the stage of speaking broken Spanish? Is it easy to pick up
the language once down there?
- Is there any other general advice or thoughts that you'd like to impart?
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13212
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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Welcome!
Even though you would be walking across, the commute can be brutally long toget back into the States.
[Edited on 11-13-2013 by BajaBlanca]
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Tesee
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 11-13-2013
Location: Ocean Beach, San Diego
Member Is Offline
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I know. Every single person I talk to tells me this. I expect it and accept it.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Tesee
- Do I need a car in Tijuana? I would rather not have mine down there, and I'm willing to find and pay for long term parking in San Diego. The
biggest reason I don't want my car down there is that I don't want to deal with the border crossing and loooong drive up to Northern La Jolla every
day (where I work) but I really don't mind a long commute if I can just hop on the Trolley. But, I would like to have my car
available to me in San Diego for visiting family, friends, running errands, going to an appointment, etc. I also worry about my car possibly getting
stolen. So, is the bus/taxi system pretty good in Tijuana, good enough that I'd be fine without a car? How is the walkability? Do many people use
bicycles and do many drivers respect the bicyclists?
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Hi Tesee....Welcome to BajaNomad.
Wow....you have some really loaded questions, but let's look at a few:
Most of your plans depend on what part of TJ you choose to live in. Busses and taxis work well, but not cheap for the latter, considering your
vulnerability as a young, female foreigner.
Soon enough You'll know what I mean by that.
Grand-theft Auto is epidemic. Buy lots of insurance and take your chances.
TJ drivers don't respect anybody. If they run you down, they probably won't stop to pick you up.
| Quote: |
- Would it be fairly easy for me to find a 1 bedroom or studio apartment close to the San Ysidro border (a short bus, taxi or bike ride away) that is
fully furnished that also does month-to-month or 6-month leases? I would like to be able to have a little "trial period" to settle in and see if I
like it enough to find a more permanent residence and haul all my crap down there.
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You'll just have to go down and look around. Maybe TJSue here can give you some pointers.
- | Quote: | What is the general attitude toward "Gringos" who live south of the border but work north of the border in Tijuana? I am a 33 year old, single,
white, woman. Would I be mostly accepted? ignored? harassed?
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You'll be a soft-target. Unless you look like Godzilla, every macho Mexican in town will be harassing you constantly.
| Quote: |
- I don't speak Spanish fluently, though I'm a little familiar with it and can often decipher Spanish writing if I have enough time to pick it apart.
If I decide to make the move I plan on either taking a couple of Spanish speaking courses or getting myself a Spanish tutor but I have no idea how
much I can learn to speak it in 6 months. Would it be a problem for me if I was only at the stage of speaking broken Spanish? Is it easy to pick up
the language once down there?
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There's no problem finding English speaking locals in TJ, but you'll be at a heavy disadvantage without a working knowledge of the lingo.
- | Quote: | | Is there any other general advice or thoughts that you'd like to impart? |
Just one. I think you're making a dangerous, serious mistake with this move. You are simply not even remotely prepared for it.
TJ can be dangerous for the unknowing and it would not be anything like relocating to Pasadena or any other town within your cultural frame of
reference.
I suggest you reevaluate your move.
.
[Edited on 11-13-2013 by DENNIS]
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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55steve
Senior Nomad
Posts: 857
Registered: 4-24-2006
Location: Warner Springs, CA
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It can be done - we just hired a single 40 yo female that moved from Long Beach to TJ (she said she didn't want to raise her kids in Long Beach).
Sometimes she parks her truck on the street in Otay and walks back & forth, other times she drives. She is fluent in Spanish.
[Edited on 11-13-2013 by 55steve]
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Tesee
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 11-13-2013
Location: Ocean Beach, San Diego
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
Just one. I think you're making a dangerous, serious mistake with this move. You are simply not even remotely prepared for it.
TJ can be dangerous for the unknowing and it would not be anything like relocating to Pasadena or any other town within your cultural frame of
reference.
I suggest you reevaluate your move.
[Edited on 11-13-2013 by DENNIS] |
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for the input I'm not sure why you think I'm making a "dangerous,
serious" mistake. You're right, I'm not an older retiree with 50, 60 or 70 years of life experience under my belt, but I'm also not a naive 22 year
old college grad. I have lived by myself, moved twice across the country completely by myself where I knew no one in the place I was moving to and I
travel alone (yes, abroad) often. Sure I have some questions, wouldn't anybody? This moved is not necessarily on a whim, I have over 6
months to research, visit, decide, etc.
Don't get me wrong though, I really appreciate your advice!
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Hola Tess and welcome to the forum. There is a facebook group called Baja Norte Expats that you may want to have a look at and ask some questions
there as there are some folks who live in TJ there...and they seem to like it. If you can find even one good expat pal to help you through the hoops
it really helps....suerte and perhaps putting some effort into learning more spanish would be helpful.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BajaNorteExPats/
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bajaorchid
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 11-13-2013
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Hola amiga!
So I live in in TJ and I have lived there for nearly 13 years. I love living down there! For all those who are knocking down your idea, unless
they've done it, they have no idea.
Tess. First thing first. Get the SENTRI pass today. The appointment process is a couple of months. It's much easier to get that now that you are
still in SD. Commuting is in fact a little tough without the SENTRI on both foot and car. Even parking your car on the US side is still a task
especially when the pedestrian lane is super slow too.
If you are really concerned about your car, rent a place that will allow you to park your car in your garage. Get an alarm. And yes, always have
insurance no matter what side of the border you are in!
If you do decide to walk dont worry, we Tijuanenses will not run you over with our cars like stated here. LOL! We ARE law abiding drivers in TJ no
matter what anyone says!
I would stick to the ZONA RIO or Hipodromo areas close to the border. You can rent a decent apartment or house in the $400-900 dollar range. Playas
is nice but it can be spotty.
If you need more details send me your email and I can guide you through your process. Dont worry I am not an agent or anything like that. I'm just a
Baja lover and I welcome anyone interested in living in TJ.
Good luck sweety!
bajaorchid
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Ahhh Orchid...I was thinking of you when I read Tess's post...welcome to the board and thanks for chiming in to help a fellow female looking for a
change! Te quiero mucho amiga!
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55steve
Senior Nomad
Posts: 857
Registered: 4-24-2006
Location: Warner Springs, CA
Member Is Offline
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Thanks for helping out Orchid! I was attempting to explain what you do in an earlier post.
[Edited on 11-14-2013 by 55steve]
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Chupacabra
Nomad
Posts: 476
Registered: 7-11-2013
Location: La Jolla, CA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Tesee
The biggest reason I don't want my car down there is that I don't want to deal with the border crossing and loooong drive up to Northern La Jolla
every day (where I work) but I really don't mind a long commute if I can just hop on the Trolley.
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The trolly doesn't go to La Jolla. Your commute would look like this:
Take bus from your house to border, then spend 30-60 minutes each day waiting to cross. Get to trolley and take the Blue line to downtown. Exit Blue
line, walk take bus from downtown to La Jolla. This will get you to UCSD, then you get to walk from there.
This is *at least* a 2.5-3 hour commute each way, 5-6 hours travel time per day. Your life would be a living hell just from the commute, not to
mention all the other issues brought up here.
My advice would be to rent a place for a week in TJ and try it on for size. Do the commute as a dry run each day and see if change your mind.
************************************
WTF
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UnoMas
Nomad
Posts: 328
Registered: 2-8-2008
Location: East Cape
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Mood: Great
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I agree with Dennis 100%. Why would you want to move to a place where you are at risk for so many things... with no protection, the police or anyone else! You already live close to the border and can trip down anytime
you like with minimal risk. I have seen many people who got caught in the moment
and made this same mistake! If you do relocate make it month to month to start...J.M.O.
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bajacalifornication
Junior Nomad
Posts: 42
Registered: 10-3-2013
Location: Al otro lado
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Mood: Maņana
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My spouse and I used to commute from Rosarito to the border about 3 years ago. Never had a bad experience. Call it luck or whatever. Now we live about
4 miles from the border in San Diego. And the difference is like day and night
when it comes to the commute. We have friends and coworkers that live in Tj
and Rito. and they still commute everyday so it is an ordeal but unless you live throught it nobody can tell you what is like. My wife and I have a
motorcycle
and is better than having the sentry program. As a matter of fact 2 of her coworkers (female both) Live in Tj. and own a scooter for that Purpose and
as far as I know they are content. If anyone in this forum ever needs a parking space or a place to crash for the night You are welcome to stay in my
house. Only about 4 miles from the San Ysidro border line.
Todo por servir se acaba. Y acaba por no servir.
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
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Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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holy chit
Anyone that would ride a bike thur THAT is ..........
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aguachico
Senior Nomad
Posts: 602
Registered: 3-23-2007
Location: tijuana
Member Is Offline
Mood: logic cannot get thru to the illogical
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Tesee;
living in Tj is great, but you need sentri if you cross the border mon-fri during working hours.
Also keep in mind the south bound traffic can be 20 minutes.
Since you are talking 6 months, you need to find out where you want to live.
You'll want your car there.
You'll need to learn how to drive there. Best way is to look for places in a taxi. Ride in the front seat and witness the chaos.
There are places to be and there are places to avoid.
Zona rio and hipo are good places. If you can find a complex that's gated it's better.
Apply for sentri now. it takes three months.
Drive there every weekend. hangout, meet people, but don't commit to where you want to live.
Don't worry about the spanish.
Don't worry about the mexican guys as there are so many single women in TJ... 
Renting: don't assume there's heat. After you find a place, you have to visit the area on Friday and Saturday night to see what it's really like.
hit me up with a PM. Living there is fun and a cool experience.
suerte
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tjsue
Senior Nomad
Posts: 520
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: San Diego
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She also posted her questions in the City Data Form, both in the San Diego and Mexico sections. I suggested that she join here and ask some questions.
But she's totally unprepared for a move.
I did a lot of research, asked a lot of questions, and was given lots of good advice about moving. I have a great landlord, and a really nice place
for $250. I've already responded to her thread on the Mexico forum about buying a propane for hot water and cooking, plus buying her own appliances.
I forgot about telling her about no heat, but I guess she'll find out when she starts reading her posts.
A LaJolla commute would be hell. It takes me 2 hours to get to Qualcomm if I take the trolley, but I don't do it every day, and if I drive, it takes
me 2 hours to cross the border. My Sentri appeal letters are going out via certified mail on Friday, though.
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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Why would any female in her right mind choose to live in TJ? Why don't you volunteer for the Peace Corps for 2 years and get your experience that
way? It is a very dangerous place for a single person, especially if you don't know your way around. The only way I would travel in TJ is in my
car. I think other places are much more pleasing to the eye in Mexico. The commute is nothing to be taken lightly. Although Tecate is a nice little
town, and in the afternoons the border crossing can be next to nothing, it took me an hour and a half to cross last Monday morning (and there is no
Sentri in Tecate). Rosarito is a much better place, and Ensenada is probably the nicest, but too far for a daily commute. I say, get the San Diego
Reader, get a cheap place, and experience Mexico on a weekend. Then see if it is what you want. The Border traffic is just too much of an obstacle
to deal with, the walking lines are hours long as well.
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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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Print
Tesee
Print out this thread, then cut out each reply.
Put the negative replies on one side, the positive replies on the other....
Only you can decide what is best for you but there is good info on both sides of this question.
Hope it works out for you
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tjsue
Senior Nomad
Posts: 520
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: San Diego
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I'm a single female, and I live in TJ. Rosarito is too far from the border for me, since I still work. I have friends in Rosarito, but they don't
work, so TJ is better for me for that reason.
I don't have any problems living here, and cross the border on foot and by car. Today, I'm crossing by foot for a doctor's appointment and to run
some errands, and tomorrow I'll be driving to pick up my mail, run some errands, visit my mechanic, and go contra dancing tomorrow night.
I cross twice a week - once on foot, once by driving. I consolidate my errands, just like I did when I lived in San Diego, and if there's something
that I need in between trips, I can get it here in my neighborhood.
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joerover
Banned
Posts: 676
Registered: 2-3-2011
Location: earth
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Mood: sleepy
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they are burning plastic in the Rio tijuana. some people build campfires with wood and sticks. The homeless deported build fires with plastic
bottles and bags
this has devastating health effects.
the fat lady is breeding
which means
The fat ladys are breeding
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