phoenix2121
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Tijuana Questions
Still doing my diligence for our impending move in May and I was initially considering TJ to Ensenada (we've visited the area many, many times).
We're a young couple 31/29 with a small child. We'd like to live near other young families and we heard TJ was probably one of the few places in the
area to find that sort of dynamic (with Rosarito, La Mision, Ensenada, etc. being more retiree-based).
Is this true in your experience?
If it is... do you have areas of TJ you'd recommend? We've been to Playas, explored Ave Revolucion, and we know that Hipodromo and Capultapec are good
areas... what are some others? Or, if you know areas that we can meet up with other younger families, I'm all ears.
We're extremely comfortable in the area, speak a bit of Spanish, and all that, but we're just concerned with getting my son some new friends to play
with so it's an easier transition on him. He'll be home schooled initially most likely.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn\'t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
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SlyOnce
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Cacho is the top end neighborhood, and also Zona Rio.
I live in Playas and Playas is the city of schools. There are more schools and classes than anywhere else in TJ. Lots of kids live in Playas. Its a
total family place. Where else can you go to the Delagacion (city hall/park) and take classes in art, dance, photography, Chinese, Portuguese,
cooking, computers all for free (it goes on and on).
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DENNIS
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The only young couples here are in the Mexican community and I'm not so sure these young couples whom you seek and choose to live amongst are free
from their families and are still very much attached to parents and siblings. In fact, around the universities there don't even seem to be communities
of young folks per se.
What are your survival plans? Do you intend to work? You seem young to be making these plans.
Without going too deeply into this....there are communities around TJ that you and your family simply don't belong in for your own safety, and the
more secure areas can be costly.
Add to that, you, as an American [I assume] could live in a Mexican community for twenty years without your neighbor ever saying hello to you.
It's a good thing you brought these questions here. I have a feeling your homework is just beginning.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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phoenix2121
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
The only young couples here are in the Mexican community and I'm not so sure these young couples whom you seek and choose to live amongst are free
from their families and are still very much attached to parents and siblings. In fact, around the universities there don't even seem to be communities
of young folks per se.
What are your survival plans? Do you intend to work? You seem young to be making these plans.
Without going too deeply into this....there are communities around TJ that you and your family simply don't belong in for your own safety, and the
more secure areas can be costly.
Add to that, you, as an American [I assume] could live in a Mexican community for twenty years without your neighbor ever saying hello to you.
It's a good thing you brought these questions here. I have a feeling your homework is just beginning. |
As far as the questions go...
-Yes, my girlfriend and I own a web design business... 90+% of our business is online only, so we can easily move it to wherever we are.
-We're trying to stay under $750, but we can probably go as high as $1,000 if it's nice and furnished in a desirable area.
-As far as the homework, that started in 2008 when we visited for the first time (we've been back a dozen times since). Just starting? No, but as with
everything in life, the research will never stop. I research constantly and we play off of past experiences from trips there in recent years.
I'd love if you'd dive in deep about which areas of TJ we should and shouldn't be living in. We're leaning toward Playas, but there are some cool
parts of TJ we've just recently discovered that we never knew existed. We were kind of turned off of the whole city after our visit to Ave. Revolucion
on our first visit, but the more we see, the more there is to like.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn\'t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
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phoenix2121
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Posts: 85
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| Quote: | Originally posted by SlyOnce
Cacho is the top end neighborhood, and also Zona Rio.
I live in Playas and Playas is the city of schools. There are more schools and classes than anywhere else in TJ. Lots of kids live in Playas. Its a
total family place. Where else can you go to the Delagacion (city hall/park) and take classes in art, dance, photography, Chinese, Portuguese,
cooking, computers all for free (it goes on and on). |
That sounds as close to ideal as we'll ever get. Playas is rather small, and our experience goes as far as the malecon... are there areas to avoid?
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn\'t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
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DENNIS
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Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by phoenix2121
-We're trying to stay under $750, but we can probably go as high as $1,000 if it's nice and furnished in a desirable area.
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I think you'll easily find what you want/need for those prices.
Playas is a good choice.
Good luck on your venture.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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phoenix2121
Junior Nomad
Posts: 85
Registered: 8-16-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by phoenix2121
-We're trying to stay under $750, but we can probably go as high as $1,000 if it's nice and furnished in a desirable area.
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I think you'll easily find what you want/need for those prices.
Playas is a good choice.
Good luck on your venture. |
Thank you, Dennis. I think Playas sounds great. I was told the water can get pretty gross after it rains, but it's not like it rains often enough to
worry about that, right?
We'll probably go down and stay in a hotel for a week or two while walking and checking for se renta signs in areas we like. Hopefully that spots us a
good place.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn\'t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
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dasubergeek
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Posts: 694
Registered: 8-17-2013
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Do not live in the hills south and east of town, places like Cueros de Venado. Avoid La Presa, Mariano Matamoros, El Pípila, most of Libertad (though
this is changing) and 10 de Mayo. La Cacho (Col. Madero) is good (and the best coffee I've ever had is there). Playas is fine. If you can afford it,
Chapultepec and Neidhart.
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