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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Does retiring in other parts of Latin America diminish baja's reputation?
Proximity to US services, such as medical, is a serious consideration for some.
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 10-17-2006
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I like this question and would like to hear more from others whose travels have taken them to Latin America for extended time. Our son lived in Costa
Rica and loved it, though he is a young surfer and lives that life to the hilt. Not my cup of tea, but I do love the ocean, seafood, latin culture.
In Mexico I compare the Baja and the Yucatan. The Yucatan is too developed for my taste and lives on a tourist economy. I loved the area around Talum,
but the hurricanes can devistate that area and frequently do.
I have friends with a home in Columbia, I have seen their pics, had lengthy discussion about their home in an interior town, so cannot compare it with
beach living, which is my preference.
I hope others will chime in on this question.
Iflyfish
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Iflyfish
I hope others will chime in on this question. |
Rick...Soulpatch has asked the same question in Off Topic. It may have been there a bit longer and it has a few more replys. Maybe Hose A can bring
the threads together here on the big board. It's a good topic.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Where do you want to be and for how long?
It comes down to how much traveling you do. Flying in and out of Central America South does not appeal to me. I don't fly commercial and don't
own a small private plane. I'm good for 3-4 months where ever I am then need a change of locale. The one constant thread in my life is surfing
-- and I need to be where waves are breaking. My circle is Baja, SoCal and Maui. Oh and the Rocky Mountains in Summer -- also a great time to
surf in Maui or Baja Cape.
I know Costa Rica and have been traveling there a long time. In some ways it beats Baja, in some ways it doesn't. Baja has a gringo/MX mix and
CR, to me, is European and Costa Rican -- a mix of Spanish/European, Indian, etc.. I think.
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Capt. George
Super Nomad
Posts: 2129
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Been to the Bahamas, Belize, Mainland Mexico. I'll take Baja...
Easier drive, nicer people, less crime, (some little pueblos, NONE)..fishing still good, if you stay away from all the Little Americas that have grown
up in Baja.
San Diego can be reached in a "long" day of driving, from where we live.
my two cents.........
\"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men\" Plato
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oxxo
Banned
Posts: 2347
Registered: 5-17-2006
Location: Wherever I am, I'm there
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Mood: If I was feeling any better, I'd be twins!
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Interesting topic.
I have spent a lot of time looking for my "paradise" retirement. This is my prespective.
I lived for 2 years in Tonga, South Pacific. I went "native" while I was there. I lived in a 10x20 grass hut on a beautiful white sand beach with no
electricity and no running water. The nearest grocery store was 4 hours away by boat....and I didn't have a boat. If I wanted fish to eat I had to
dive with a Hawaiian Sling. Sometimes I didn't spear anything, so meals were pretty slim. I ate coconuts, taro, and yams. The place was the most
beautiful I have seen on earth. My dark brown hair bleached out to blond. But you had to contend with incessant flies during the day and voracious
mosquitoes at night. The heat was oppressive because of the high humidty and black mold covered everything, including my toothbrush. But my cost of
living was less than $100 per month in today's dollars. Was it fun? Yes, for two years. For every person who loves the South Pacific, I can show
you 9 that hate living there.
I have lived for short periods of time in Hawai'i. It is very nice and there is a lifestyle to suit every need. The islands of Molokai and Lanai are
very much like the isolated parts of Baja - lots of wide open spaces with very few residents. The Big Island is also very nice with a lot more
diversity. As one Hawai'ian told me, "we share the same language, we share the same currency, we share the same national government, but Hawaii IS a
foreign country." Interestingly, every cultural group in Hawaii is a minority. Haoles do make up the largest minority, but they are still a
minority. In most cases, the cost of living is going to be high, about 10% to 30% higher than living in San Diego depending on your lifestyle.
I have spent a lot of time in Costa Rica, and Panama is very similar. It WAS very nice there 10 years ago. But the word has gotten out and
immigrants have pushed prices much higher. My friends there tell me the cost of living is now about on par with Southern California. You also have
to deal with high humidity and mold. The real killer for me is the time, distance, and expense to travel there. I have to return to California about
4 times a year to maintain family relationships including looking in on my elderly parents. Your requirements may differ.
I have looked at a number of places in mainland Mexico. Never could find anyplace that suited my needs. I don't care for much of the weather there.
I find many of the Mexicans there not as welcoming as the people of Baja. Baja Mexicans are distinct culture different from mainlanders in my
opinion. Baja Mexicans are much easier going.
I currently live full time in Los Cabos and this suits my needs perfectly.......for the time being. In my opinion, the weather in Los Cabos is one of
the best in the world! However, escalating prices of everything are giving me second thoughts. A couple of weeks ago, friends talked me into going
to eat at Edith's in San Lucas (not one of my favorite restarants). It was US$55 per person for mediocre food! Ridiculous! I don't like the feeling
that everytime I fill up at the Pemex, I'm getting ripped off for 10% to 20% because the meters are manipulated. I can't trust the cops. Crime is on
the rise, even in places like Todos Santos. And I can't stand all the graffitti which is getting worse by the day. The Mexican common people are
wonderful, but the nuevo rico Mexicans are a pain in the burro. Currently it costs us about 10% less to live in Los Cabos than it does in
SoCal......but I see that advantage eroding on a daily basis.
So, Baja suits us fine for the time being but that could change. I am giving Hawaii a real hard second look.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3509
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Weighing pro's & con's: Baja is it
| Quote: | Originally posted by oxxo
So, Baja suits us fine for the time being but that could change. I am giving Hawaii a real hard second look. |
I have always given Hawaii a hard look but in the end, I can't drive from Maui to SoCal. I like the Hawaiians who have as many ''problems'' as the
MX in Baja. MX in Baja are nicer people; Hawaiians are still ****** at the US for ''invading'' their land. There is a ''tension'' there that
doesn't exist in Baja. I like the jungle feel of HI but desert is fine too. A down side to HI is ''Rock Fever.'' I've never stayed long
enough to get it, though. A neighbor in Pescadero said Baja is a cultural oasis and she needs to get back North to ''refresh.'' I just need a
change when I've been down there too long. Baja is like Florida to me in the Summer -- too many nicer places to be that time of year. Gringoes
are accepted in Baja -- Haoles might feel the tension if they get away from the tourist areas. Just my view -- results will vary -- speaking in
generalities folks -- nothing set in stone.
I love Waikiki and Cabo for the same reasons but they're not for everyone.
[Edited on 4-20-2008 by Hose A]
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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bajagrouper
Senior Nomad
Posts: 964
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Rincon de Guayabitos, Nayarit, Mexico
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Mood: happy and retired
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Adios Baja
After visiting and loving Baja for years I saw certain changes happening... First is was a barbed wire fence here and there blocking off a beach, then
the no camping signs put up by FUNATAR(sp), the rows of homes along the TJ /Ensenada road and then the planed city of Loreto Sur...Not to mention the
recent crime wave happening along the peninsula. I decided to check out mainland Mexico, and what I discovered was nicer people, nicer beaches and
prices half of what was happening in Baja...I bought a home in a beach town in the state of Nayarit about 40 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, so I am
close to an international airport, excellent doctors, dentists and hospitals...fresh locally grown veggies, fruit and seafood...beaches that remind
one of the south Pacific...
It seems Baja ( not "the baja") is changing for the worse, que lastima...
[Edited on 4-20-2008 by bajagrouper]
I hear the whales song
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Baja&Back
Senior Nomad
Posts: 549
Registered: 9-10-2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada / todo de Baja
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Mood: Rarin' to go South!
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PANAMA!
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Capt. George
Super Nomad
Posts: 2129
Registered: 8-21-2003
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No Shangri-Las
I think we all do the best we can with what the world has to offer and what we can afford.. Some of us have been lucky (or blessed) enough to travel
and make our own choices...
I will spend the remainder of my time in Baja Sur and St James City, FL
\"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men\" Plato
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
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George,
Why St. James?
Visited Florida this winter and LOVED it. Nice place to winter, many different Floridas.
I am learning and hope this thread does not further deteriorate. There is some good info starting to emerge here.
Iflyfish
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bancoduo
Banned
Posts: 1003
Registered: 10-3-2005
Location: el carcel publico mazatlan sin.
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| Quote: | | Quote: | Originally posted by The Gull
Costa Rica
Chile
Panama
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I own property in all four locations
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How much time do you spend at the other three properties? Where exactly are the located? Would you
consider a trade for property near Hale'iwa O'ahu?
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Iflyfish
I am learning and hope this thread does not further deteriorate.
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"The train of life takes many tracks.".........Engineer Bill
Red light
Green light.....gulp gulp gulp
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
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Originally posted by Iflyfish
I am learning and hope this thread does not further deteriorate.
Unless of course into the realm of humor, which I am finding can be difficult in this media.
Iflyfish
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Iflyfish
Unless of course into the realm of humor, which I am finding can be difficult in this media.
Iflyfish |
Humor is a perception. Only the gifted are allowed to percieve their gift.
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Fred
Senior Nomad
Posts: 500
Registered: 3-15-2007
Location: Las Vegas
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Mood: Laid Back
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Dennis.....no gulp, gulp, gulp after your last reply??????????????????
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Bad day at the slots, Fred? How about, What do you mean?
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Fred
Senior Nomad
Posts: 500
Registered: 3-15-2007
Location: Las Vegas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Laid Back
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I don't gamble except for the drive down HWY 1. I mean don't you type on your computer and have a Pacifico at the same time. Tell Butch that I am
having my hip done this week and will return his walker. I have not forgot. Thanks
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
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Fred,
Good luck on hip, just had mine done last week.
Iflyfish
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stanburn
Nomad
Posts: 145
Registered: 10-4-2007
Location: Santiago, Colima, MX
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This thread is a prime example of how people accumulate such a large number of posts. As a friend of mine said, the folks on Baja Nomad love to hear
themselves talk.
I have nothing to offer regarding Central America, only what I have experienced in 16 months full time in Santiago. If you have specific questions,
send me an email.
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