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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by janinemc
We cannot retire in the US, but I believe we can in a place like Mexico where the cost of living is far less.
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"Far less" is an ancient myth. Renting for a while here will be an eye-opener for you. I'll spare you the details at this time.
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As far as all the numbers I have requested, it is so that I can gather accurate amounts to present to our financial advisor so he can assist us in
making a good decision and ensure that we retire without financial fear. |
I can only assume, from your confidence in his decision, that
he has intimate knowledge of the economy here. This is no longer "Mexico on 5 Dollars a day" country and it's good that you're looking into it.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by janinemc
@Vandenberg: If I use some of my investments to travel to Mexico, that means I have less to hopefully retire on. My financial advisor told me to
NEVER spend your investments. |
This expenditure will be an investment in your future comfort. Never skimp on research. You may regret it in the future.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
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| Quote: | Originally posted by janinemc
Thank you everyone for the replies. I was "MIA" because I was waiting for an e-mail alert telling me replies to my post were received. I never got
one, but fortunately someone who posts here as well as the Ex-pat forum alerted me to the replies.
To all of you who asked questions, here is my story. I have never been to Baja. At this point, all my interest come from research online. In a
nutshell, we are ready to retire. Our investments are not. ..... |
A couple of thoughts.....:
1) Don't wait for an e-mail reply if you really want something. Go looking and don't wait for it all to come to you;
2) Do your own looking....the suggestions here are relevant and generally on the mark.....but you are asking for a ton of info and you haven't even
stepped across the border (keyboard dreamers....:? ;
3) If your husband doesn't like the idea of "retiring in Mexico" and you really do.... (a) get a divorce, (b) get a new husband, or (c) spend a month
driving throughout Baja together.
When all that is done, repeat a, b, and c. 
[Edited on 3-3-2014 by motoged]
Don't believe everything you think....
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pauldavidmena
Super Nomad
Posts: 1715
Registered: 5-23-2013
Location: Centerville, MA, USA
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by motoged
| Quote: | Originally posted by janinemc
To all of you who asked questions, here is my story. I have never been to Baja. At this point, all my interest come from research online. In a
nutshell, we are ready to retire. Our investments are not. ..... |
3) If your husband doesn't like the idea of "retiring in Mexico" and you really do.... (a) get a divorce, (b) get a new husband, or (c) spend a month
driving throughout Baja together.
When all that is done, repeat a, b, and c.
[Edited on 3-3-2014 by motoged] |
While I'd stop short of divorcing your husband over not being as adventurous as you (and yes, I know motoged was being facetious), it's definitely
important to be on the same page with regard to where to spend your retirement years. After all, you won't have your work to distract you, and will
need to rely upon one another to navigate this new experience.
I think it was Dennis who suggested dipping into your savings to do some deep research on Baja, and to do it sooner than later. Spending some quality
time in some well-vetted locations could make your husband a believer.
Good luck!
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by janinemc
To all of you who asked questions, here is my story. I have never been to Baja. At this point, all my interest come from research online. In a
nutshell, we are ready to retire. Our investments are not. ..... |
Some people imagine Baja as a place where people live in the dirt and wash clothes in a river or where seniors live in RV parks, and while that might
be true, there are also cosmopolitan areas, professionals, night life, theater, culture, art, music, beautiful architecture, high fashion, population
centers, gated communities, sports and multiple international airports to fly in and out as you choose.
Whatever you want, you will find it, choose wisely, plan accordingly and enjoy the beauty and healthy lifestyle of Baja.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
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| Quote: | Originally posted by pauldavidmena
[......(and yes, I know motoged was being facetious).... |
 
Thanks....sometimes I just can't help myself.....maybe it's a form of Tourette's
As a therapist, I once had a retired couple who had sold their house and bought an RV and joined the Grey Panther movement. After a winter in
Arizona, the wife was angry that her husband "was an alcoholic".
After a few questions, the following became apparent:
He was a traveling salesman for 25 years and was only home on weekends.
She raised several kids in their Cape Cod style house in Ontario and was used to running the show by herself...and all that entailed....on his income
(which was clearly above "adequate").
Up to that time, their marriage was a good one.
Once confined to the 380 square feet of living space 24-7, and exposed to the Grey Panther lifestyle of : ...."Up at 6:00 to walk the dog, gossip
with neighbours until noon, start drinking by that time for most folks, bocci ball or horseshoes at 3:00, c-cktails by 4:00 (review getting up at 6:00
to walk the dog and maybe open a can or bottle of something), supper by 5-6:00 and in bed by 8:00"....
The wife was surprised to see that her husband (who was not a large consumer of alcohol) would have two Caesar's in late afternoon with the huddle of
Panthers....would crack a few corny jokes she had heard for 30 years....and would then retire to the RV for his siesta....often sleeping through her
dinner time.
THIS, she maintained was evidence of his alcoholism   !!!
She just wasn't used to being around the poor guy who spent 25 years on the road having two drinks to help him fall asleep in the hotel room five
days a week.
An alcoholic? Not really by many definitions.....
Her issues were more of what needed to be discussed, as were those of their expectations of retired life.
She missed the big house, her garden, and the adult children close by.....
He was just relaxing and enjoying his hard-earned two Caesars.
Poor bugger....
Don't believe everything you think....
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janinemc
Newbie
Posts: 14
Registered: 3-2-2014
Location: CA
Member Is Offline
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Again thanks to all the good info and comments. My husband is not against the idea, just not as adventurous as I am. We do plan on visiting in the
coming year as a start to see what we think of the area, possibly meet some of you and decide whether or not we could see ourselves living there. We
already know that even if we downsize, we need a place big enough for us each to have our space.
Janine
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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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And this would be a problem because...?????.....sounds like the perfect Baja lifestyle, except maybe trade gossiping with neighbors, bocci ball and
horseshoes for a day on the water fishing.......with the dog
| Quote: | Originally posted by motoged
...."Up at 6:00 to walk the dog, gossip with neighbours until noon, start drinking by that time for most folks, bocci ball or horseshoes at 3:00,
c-cktails by 4:00 (review getting up at 6:00 to walk the dog and maybe open a can or bottle of something), supper by 5-6:00 and in bed by 8:00"....
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
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BG,
It all sounds good to me
I would add....maybe some gardening, probably lots of motorcycling "outback", learning about fishing, and maybe some improving on my taco-preparation
skills ('cuz I am already good at eating them)....lots to do...
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
And this would be a problem because...?????.....sounds like the perfect Baja lifestyle, except maybe trade gossiping with neighbors, bocci ball and
horseshoes for a day on the water fishing.......with the dog
| Quote: | Originally posted by motoged
...."Up at 6:00 to walk the dog, gossip with neighbours until noon, start drinking by that time for most folks, bocci ball or horseshoes at 3:00,
c-cktails by 4:00 (review getting up at 6:00 to walk the dog and maybe open a can or bottle of something), supper by 5-6:00 and in bed by 8:00"....
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Don't believe everything you think....
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MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
Member Is Offline
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When you make your final decision on where to retire, you and your husband must and should be on the same page.
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Islandbuilder
Senior Nomad
Posts: 555
Registered: 11-9-2011
Location: nob
Member Is Offline
Mood: bewildered
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Welcome!
The advice to travel Mexico, pick a place you THINK you like and rent for a year is very sound.
My criteria is to be somewhere on the west side of the peninsula for weather and surf. To be within a long days drive of the border (or near an
airport with regular service to the north), and on a dirt road that puts me more than 5 miles and less than 20 miles from the highway.
I too don't have much money to spend, so gated ex-pat communities are out. Plus, I'm a bit too scruffy for the golf course crowd. I want a beach to
walk, a point to surf, and a bay to launch a panga into.
What are your hobbies? Unless your vision of retirement is to sit in the shade and watch the days go by you'll want to be able to DO SOMETHING!
Photography, bird watching, fishing, sailing, hiking, surfing, kite surfing, ATV riding...............Gardening?
All of those things and many more are available to you in Baja, but using your proposed retirement activities as a search criteria will help you
narrow the hunt.
I live in the northwest corner of Washington, but can be in San Diego in three longish days and Cabo 3 days after that. How much time and money do you
think it will require for your first trip down?!
10 days is enough to drive to Cabo and back, and spend one night in most of the regions of Baja. That first trip will do a lot to help you and your
husband see what is available. Try and stop in Ensenada, San Quintin, Bahia Asuncion/La Bocana, Mulege, Loreto, La Paz, Todos Santos and San Jose del
Cabo. Look at La Ventana and Cabo Pulmo as you go by. That leaves time to stay in a place that intrigues you for an additional night so you can
explore a bit.
On your second trip, you'll know where you can focus your attention.
Tell us a bit more about your interests and we can offer some more specific advice.
[Edited on 3-4-2014 by Islandbuilder]
[Edited on 3-4-2014 by Islandbuilder]
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ViajeraGal
Junior Nomad
Posts: 45
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Los Barriles
Member Is Offline
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Well, I can cover a lot of your questions, but not here:
we have owned our casa in Rosarito since 1982; rented it out a lot in the early "go-go" years and since we took early retirement from San Diego area
TWENTY years ago (1994) and moved to Baja Sur north of San Jose' del Cabo, it has sat empty and we just come up periodically and use it, as it costs
little per annum.
Down south, we have just over an acre on the beach and our property taxes are about $50-60USD/annum at both of our houses. (Rosarito is a small
2-bedroom, not right on the water.)
I retired as a Financial Planner and of course the plan has gone quite different than laid out, and since we stopped working early, our SS is lower
than the max.
Definitely you should rent first; down south there are a LOT of homes for sale at great prices, from Cabo San Lucas up to La Paz.
Definitely agree with taking some trips here, including maybe driving down the peninsula (where you could visit and talk with me?) altho I am in
Rosarito at present for a couple weeks.
We have also travelled the mainland a fair bit and I truly love it MUCHO MEJOR (much better) over there in the Colonial cities north of Mexico City
and also love MC, but would not live there.
ViajeraGal
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janinemc
Newbie
Posts: 14
Registered: 3-2-2014
Location: CA
Member Is Offline
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@Islandbuilder: If I lived near a beach, I would be there every day-walking, sitting, watching the waves and dolphins. I love to read. I
volunteered with hospice for seven years when I lived back east. I will definitely volunteer when I retire-and if I were close to the ocean and had
the opportunity, it would possibly be on whale watches, or something to do with marine biology. If that were not possible, other causes dear to my
heart are animals....so perhaps foster, work at a rescue something of that nature. My husband likes to garden. He also likes woodworking and bike
riding.
@Viajeragal: I am thinking our first trip will be restricted to the Rosarito/Ensenada area as we wouldn't be able to get enough time off work to
explore both there and Baja Sur. Should we come your way, I would definitely be interested in speaking with you! We were just in San Diego and
looked at the areas of the county as a possible place to retire. If we work for many more years, we might be able to afford it there, but if we can
go sooner in Mexico, I'm game!
Janine
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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My two centavos:
My wife and I traveled the length of the peninsula many times in search for the perfect retirement spot.
Stayed at many houses, hotels, condos, and B&Bs. Drove it in many cars, 4X4s, RV of different lengths, campers, 5th wheels, motorcycle, VW
Westfalia. This is over a span of 15 years.
My wife never accompanied me in the vehicle assortments, only in some cars and some 4X4s.
Within the last five years we narrowed it down to two places, plus a third possibility nearer the US border.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Oggie
Nomad
Posts: 312
Registered: 6-16-2009
Location: Carlsbad, CA/BOLA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Missing Baja
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janinemc , Check your U2U Message
A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child.
Knights of Pythagoras
Funny how falling feels like flying
for a little while - Bad Blake
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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When you fill out your profile information, there is a checkmark you fill in to opt in when you want to be notified if someone answers a post of
yours.
I checked mine only when I receive a U2U.
| Quote: | Originally posted by janinemc
Thank you everyone for the replies. I was "MIA" because I was waiting for an e-mail alert telling me replies to my post were received. I never got
one, but fortunately someone who posts here as well as the Ex-pat forum alerted me to the replies.
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Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
Where ever you go, or decide to live......suggest you rent first for a year so you get to know the area, and are not tied down with a house purchase
in an area you decide you don't like |
Listen to this, if you are smart just renting is a great option, not tied down to 1 area, and near instant ability to move on
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
Member Is Offline
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How many expats, now living in Baja took all this good advice about renting? Just how many of you rented for a year or two, here or there, before you
made a decision? I found paradise on my first try --- vacationed here, up and down the Sea of Cortez side of the lower peninsula until I was
convinced this little village was where I wanted to be. Saw a nice little house, bought it for cash the same day and I've never looked back.
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SoCal57
Newbie
Posts: 7
Registered: 3-14-2012
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
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Janine,
I've had somewhat the same idea of retiring to Mexico for many years. I've lurked here for many years and have traveled Mexico a lot, both Baja and
the mainland. We've thought we wanted to retire to Puerta Vallarta, La Paz, Todos Santos, Loreto, Los Barriles, rosarito, San Jose del Cabo,
Sayulita.... Bottom line is you really need to visit each area and then spend more than a vacation week before you'll ever be ready.
We made the jump and moved from San Diego last June, ending up in La Paz in October and rented for 4 months. We decided to keep looking and are now in
Guanajuato after a month on the mainland and are returning to Los Barriles next week. Currently a fishing boat and an RV are in the plans - but who
knows?
As far as your investment $$$'s - you might want to consider thinking of investing it into your future retirement research (travel, see, know). It's
your money tho - do want you want.
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
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Many people waste money on lawyers and business deals when $5000 can last a whole year in Baja if you manage right. Sometimes its worth slowing down
and simply enjoy the ride.
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