BajaBros
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 9-4-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
Baja Cost of Living
Hi! Hopefully we'll be retiring part time to Baja in next couple of years. So, if possible, I was hoping to get some input on what it really costs to
live in Baja? I know the answers will be different for different people. But a range of costs would be a big help in my future planning. By the way,
I'm currently considering several different locations, from Punta Final to Los Barilles. Like, what does it cost to exist in paradise for one year?
Thanks in advance.
|
|
|
fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
This is a great question. Perhaps it might help if you define "exist" a bit more clearly.
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
|
|
|
BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by fishbuck
This is a great question. Perhaps it might help if you define "exist" a bit more clearly. |
Some people feel "roughing it" is a room without a view!
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
|
|
|
Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
|
|
On average it costs less than in the US at whatever style of living you're accustomed to. 
|
|
|
HaciendaCerritos
Junior Nomad
Posts: 61
Registered: 5-17-2009
Location: Todos Santos, Cerritos Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
|
|
Hello BajaBros:
I have lived in Baja for 12 years now, 4 in Cabo San Lucas and 8 in Todos Santos and I found that the cost of living is different in each location and
as you said, you will get different answers from different people.
You indicate you wish to live on or near the Sea of Cortez and I would take that to mean that you like to either fish, scuba dive or snorkel. If that
is the case, then those areas may be very good choices. I, too enjoy those activities but am not so keen on the humidity and heat that goes along with
living there.
Todos Santos, on the Pacific Side between Cabo San Lucas and La Paz is a very nice place to plant yourself as the humidity is lower, there is always a
cool breeze from the Pacific and the town is a nice small pueblo with some of the nicest locals you would ever want to meet (you’ll find those all
over the Baja). Also, lots can be obtained for as low as $26,000 within walking distance to the beach. If you are into surfing, Los Cerritos Beach in
Pescadero is a great option.
So, depending on your life style – are you going to buy a lot and build on it? Are you going to buy a lot and put a camper on it? Are you going to buy
a lot and put a Palapa on it (same as building, but not quite what “Gringos” think about). Or are you going to rent?
Those questions are pertinent to your cost of living.
I would say that if you are going to buy a lot and bring down a camper and put it on it, that would be your best cost-saving idea (I’ve seen many who
did this and then just built around the camper, making it part of the finished “house” as time went on.)
Another factor in your cost-of-living is just how close to the beach you want to be? How close to stores you want to be? How close to medical
facilities you want to be? Etc.
Let’s say you are a healthy person, want to live close to the beach, enjoy fishing on a daily basis and are pretty “laid back in your attitude”, you
can live very nicely in the areas you mentioned by eating what you catch and add some beans, rice and tortillas to the mix - and don't forget the
wonderful mangos and Papayas available. If you have your own boat, all the better. If not, add to your cost of living.
If you are only a “weekend” fisherman, The Pacific Side may be your answer as you can easily shoot over to Los Barilles for a day of fishing and then
return to your much cooler home at the end of the day. I’m speaking of between 5 to 10 degrees difference in temperatures and a vast difference in
humidity.
I can’t give you cost of living estimates without knowing much more. Some people can live very comfortably on $1,000 a month, others on $500 and then
there are the ones who couldn’t make it on less than $2,000 or more. A lot depends on you, what you like and where you want to be.
[Edited on 7-24-2009 by HaciendaCerritos]
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
This is like asking, "How much will it cost to live in California for one year."
There are a million variables to be considered. Many survive in the Ensenada area on Social Security alone. Many with less than maximum.
I guess the operative word there is, "Survive." The difference between living and surviving will have a personal level.
Try to narrow down your inquiry.....lodging....transportation.....pastimes.....etc.
|
|
|
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
|
|
Please
Be sure that your your monthly budget includes enough set aside for a couple of cases of Pacifico
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
Be sure that your your monthly budget includes enough set aside for a couple of cases of Pacifico |
Yep...That was the ETC I mentioned. Should go without saying but, it's hard to know what some people don't know.
|
|
|
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"
|
|
check your U2U mail box bro...it's up in the top right corner.
small villages are way cheaper in mid baja...and have hospital, clinics etc. and services...just not inflated gringo prices on some things....you can
still find lots close to the beach starting at $5,000 and is naturally easier to save money cause there arent alot of things to spend money on.
|
|
|
vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
|
|
Tent on the beach $ 500.00 a month, but watch out for machete wielding, doped up Mexicans.
Palapa close to Sea of Cortez, $ 800.00 a month after you purchase it
Condo, $1200.00 a month after you purchase it. They are still rather expensive since Baja does not follow the world recession trend.
Michael Jackson type villa in Cabo, roughly $ 130.000 a month, not including your own physician.
|
|
|
tjBill
Senior Nomad
Posts: 516
Registered: 10-6-2007
Location: Tijuana
Member Is Offline
|
|
Last I checked the Mexican government says you need $1,100 a month plus $600 per dependant to get an FM3. But they are always changing the numbers.
There are Americans who manage to get by on $500 a month but they live like working class Mexicans.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by tjBill
There are Americans who manage to get by on $500 a month but they live like working class Mexicans. |
Most Mexicans don't have rent, mortgages or car payments.....the things we take for granted as universal.
It's different.
I guess you could steal a car and live in it on the streets.......
|
|
|
tjBill
Senior Nomad
Posts: 516
Registered: 10-6-2007
Location: Tijuana
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
I guess you could steal a car and live in it on the streets.......
|
I have observed locals doing that. 
|
|
|
Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
|
|
I rented a neat, well constructed little casa(not a palapa) for $450/month. On the water, good neighbors, great landlord, with all utilities. 
|
|
|
BajaBros
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 9-4-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks to everyone for the quick replies. Your first-hand info is invaluable. I'd like to buy a place with a small house already built, but I've had
three homes built for me here in the States over the years so buying a lot and starting from scratch is a possibility, too. We plan to do a grand tour
of three or four areas in the fall and check out what's for sale. (I have a feeling not everything is listed on the Internet!)
|
|
|
Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
|
|
For a newbie...haciendacerritos has good insight of where the reasonable spots are without giving away any inside secrets.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
|
|
|
Mike99km
Nomad
Posts: 178
Registered: 5-23-2007
Location: San Dimas and ? in baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
Check out your areas and rent for 6 months. You'll get to know the the locals what the prices are and if you don't like the area you can move on.
You live the life you settle for.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W. C. Fields.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Mike99km
Check out your areas and rent for 6 months. You'll get to know the the locals what the prices are and if you don't like the area you can move on.
|
And, that is the best advice you will get anywhere.
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
