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janinemc
Newbie
Posts: 14
Registered: 3-2-2014
Location: CA
Member Is Offline
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Retiring to Baja
I am a hopeful ex-pat. I would love to retire to Mexico. My husband is not quite as adventurous as I am. To that end, some specific areas of
interest are Rosarito Beach, Ensenada or Cabo San Lucas. Any ex-pats already having made the transition and willing to share experiences, feel free
to contact me. Any info anyone can provide regarding cost of living, housing, utilities, food, medical care would be greatly appreciated. I would
like to be able to provide my financial advisor with some solid numbers. Other issues I'm researching are banking, social security, etc. Comparisons
of quality of life, costs, medical care are appreciated. Does anyone blog about their experiences? Replies here, messages, blog info all are
welcome.
Thanks and have a great day!
Janine
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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
I am a hopeful ex-pat. I would love to retire to Mexico. My husband is not quite as adventurous as I am. To that end, some specific areas of
interest are Rosarito Beach, Ensenada or Cabo San Lucas. Any ex-pats already having made the transition and willing to share experiences, feel free
to contact me. Any info anyone can provide regarding cost of living, housing, utilities, food, medical care would be greatly appreciated. I would
like to be able to provide my financial advisor with some solid numbers. Other issues I'm researching are banking, social security, etc. Comparisons
of quality of life, costs, medical care are appreciated. Does anyone blog about their experiences? Replies here, messages, blog info all are
welcome.
Thanks and have a great day! |
Welcome to BajaNomad.
Looks as though you are requesting the full kit of info, but before we embark upon that magnitude of an education, do you know anything about Baja or
Mexico? 
Perhaps you might lead us in slowly with specific questions.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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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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Baja
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
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alacran
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 9-22-2011
Location: Mulege
Member Is Offline
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It all depends on what are you looking for, and what you expect??????
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LaTijereta
Super Nomad
Posts: 1192
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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Here are a few blogs to get you started on Mexico and one from the Loreto area...
http://yucalandia.com/answers-to-common-questions/new-rules-...
http://www.livingloreto.blogspot.mx/
It only gets better...
Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin (1759)
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MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
Member Is Offline
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janinemc,
How much time, if any, have you spent in Baja in the last 5 years?
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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 MitchMan
janinemc,
How much time, if any, have you spent in Baja in the last 5 years? |
Doncha just love it when people come on here with a loaded question, then go mute? Makes the red flags wave.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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tiotomasbcs
Super Nomad
Posts: 1837
Registered: 7-30-2007
Location: El Pescadero
Member Is Offline
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Good luck, Newbie. This topic has been discussed alot including all the things you ask about. Use the search and see what you find. Good advice re
renting & travelling around first! Experience living in Baja? Speak spanish?? Income? I have been living retired in Baja for almost 15yrs on
a small Teacher's pension. I also roamed the northern and southern areas for many years in my younger years. Things are still nice just changing!
Suerte. Tio
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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 tiotomasbcs
I have been living retired in Baja for almost 15yrs on a small Teacher's pension. |
Do big teachers get paid more, Tio? 
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: thriving in Baja
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Welcome aboard Janinemc. Just the opposite of you my EX wife fought me on moving to Mexico for years. After she left me I took what was left of my
investments/ property and happily moved to Punta Banda and have been here for 8 years.
My house overlooks Bahia Todos Santos (Ensenada bay) with a view you couldn't touch for less than a million dollars any where in CaliforniaIt is less
then 2 hours to the border and the wheather is perfect (never had a winter frost and never over 80 degrees in the summer. My new wife and I live on my
SS and use the annual Mandatory Withdrawl from what's left of my investments for travel.
My house has 2 BR, 2 baths and a large living room/ dining room + another 2 BR and bath in my guest house. Even though my electric bill is much higher
then any of my neighbors It is till less than 1/3 of what it was in California. Ditto for the gas (propane) and water (delivered to my 1500 gallon
underground storage tank.
My property tax bill in CA was around $6,000 / year and now I only pay $1500/year lease on the land my house sits on.
The people here are great (and mostly Americans and Canadians and the Costco, WalMart, Home Depot and major shopping in Enseadais only 1/2 hour away.
The gated community I live in is called Lomas Del Marwww.youtube.com/watch?v=AMVCsHPLFK4
and there are several 2 BR bungalows for rent there for less than $300/ month while you decide if and where you want to live in Baja.
Bob Durrell
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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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Let me give you MY take, janinemc:
I have been looking for over 8 years...And I recommend you do the same.
Everyone will have a different idea of what their ideal retirement spot is.
I started with a 45' bus, and 8 years later I ended up in Bahia Asunción with a house on the beach...go figger!
My two questions:
How's your medicals?
If not too good, stick with Ensenada, Cabo, La Paz. Better medical care.
If you want to mingle with Mexican locals, head for SOME parts of the East Cape, and some fishing villages (where I settled...Bahia Asunción).
If safety in numbers is your thing, stick with Ex-Pat walled-in enclaves. There are numerous of them all over Baja.
But, if you are moving to a different country, assimilate their culture...as opposed to trying to bring YOUR HOME culture to the different
country.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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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 durrelllrobert
there are several 2 BR bungalows for rent there for less than $300/ month while you decide if and where you want to live in Baja.
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FYI for everybody.....Bob has fallen behind on available inventory, as well as specifics, such as house sizes and prices, but there are still a few
units available.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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Marc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2802
Registered: 5-15-2010
Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
Member Is Offline
Mood: Waiting
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Don't buy. Just rent. When the REAL owner shows up you can walk.
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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mex & baja
I would suggest exploring the mainland and Baja for 1 or maybe 2 years !! mexico is a BIG place !! and there is so much to love and also places not
to be !! IMO there is not a easy answer !! depends on YOU and what you want and find !!! You Will not regret time in mexico & Baja !!! many
folks are leaving the USA in Droves !!...if I can give you one tip...manuana does not mean tomorrow !!..simply put...means just NOT today !! Enjoy !!
excuse my bad spelling..not the most big thing in my life !! K&T
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janinemc
Newbie
Posts: 14
Registered: 3-2-2014
Location: CA
Member Is Offline
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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. We are too young to get social security. We cannot retire in the US, but I believe we
can in a place like Mexico where the cost of living is far less. I have dreamed of living at/near the beach for my entire life. I will never afford
it in the US. I have a shot in Mexico. I am the kind of person who is willing to do what it takes to make my dream come true. My husband is not
quite as adventurous as I am. That is why I am leaning toward Ensenada and Rosarito Beach. I believe they would be more "Americanized" for him, and
be close to the border to give him some comfort. I do not believe I would have any problem assimilating in another culture. My expectations are not
to live as I do in the US. In addition, I am "frugal". I can't see paying $300K for a 1000 sq. ft.house in the US if I can purchase the same
somewhere else for $150K. The more research I do, I believe Ensenada would offer opportunities for more activities than Rosarito. I believe we would
meet the requirements to become permanent residents of Mexico. I believe that the area would meet many important criteria-cost of living, climate,
beach, activities as well as a more laid back, quiet lifestyle. We are both comfortable and happy with the simple things and I believe with all my
heart, sight unseen, that this area would be a good fit for us in retirement-sooner rather than later. To that end, we are hoping to make our first
trip either late this year or early next-as soon as we save enough to go. We are having work done on our house right now. 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. Again, all your input is greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to reading the blogs. I am hoping
to perhaps meet some of you when we visit. All input is greatly appreciated. I hope to join you in Mexico in the future. I dare to dream....and I
have achieved many of my dreams throughout my life. This is my bucket list one. May it also come true. Cheers all!
Janine
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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IMHO,
The advice to rent before you buy is excellent advice. Take a tour of baja either in a RV or a car and hotels, and then decide where to rent. Buying a
house in baja can be a can or worms. There are not the consumer protection laws/processes there like there are in the US. I would hire a Mexican
lawyer that knows the area to represent your interests and talk to all the gringos you can find before buying real estate. It's a MUCH different,
hazardous process.
Ensenada is a good choice, I like it there but location is highly personal. I prefer Mulege but the summers are brutally hot. Ensenada has a good year
round climate.
[Edited on 3-3-2014 by SFandH]
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
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Yo're making a statement of talking to your financial advisor about retirement. That implies a certain amount of stability/wealth.
Then you mention saving for a Baja trip later in the year or even next year, which kind of implies lack of ready funds
You can't have it both ways, so which is the correct one?
Also, like many folks, you can research the issue to death and never come to a decision.
We've been here in Loreto for 25 years and never had a moment of regret.
Grab the bull by the horns and make the move. You can always move back to the land of opportunity and of milk and honey.
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janinemc
Newbie
Posts: 14
Registered: 3-2-2014
Location: CA
Member Is Offline
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@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. We pay as we go and leave our investments intact. But I love your advice to grab the bull by the horns! I would do it
in a heartbeat! As you said, if it isn't right, you can always move-provided we follow the advice of rent before you buy. Which I believe we would
as it is very sound advice.
Janine
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
Member Is Offline
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Good luck to you!
You mentioned Cabo San Lucas.....look at San Jose del Cabo first.
We have lived here 15 years and love it.
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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. We pay as we go and leave our investments intact. But I love your advice to grab the bull by the horns! I would do it
in a heartbeat! As you said, if it isn't right, you can always move-provided we follow the advice of rent before you buy. Which I believe we would
as it is very sound advice. |
no question its sound advice to rent, but many believe the real estate market
is going to heat up this year in northern baja(mainly the TJ/Ensenada corridor). it certainly wouldn't hurt to keep your eyes open, the beachhouse of
your dreams might just be out there at price you may never see again!
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