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AndreB
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Registered: 4-27-2014
Location: Chicago
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Moving to Baja
We (2 adults (45/65) and 10 yrs old girl w/black lab) are looking for an opinions about moving from Chicago to Baja, preferably to the San Felipe area
(close to US and easy to drive the car)...
We have the basic knowledge of the immigration requirements, but at the beginning we would like to rent something before any commitment.
We will have to live on the $2,500/month budget.
We know San Felipe and Cabos only as a vacation spots...
Obviously we have many questions but those are the most important at this moment:
1. Where can we find a school for our almost 10 yrs old daughter?
2. Where should we look for house for rent with electricity, water, sewer and internet access (we don't care about TV).
3. What is the total cost of living there?
4. And the most important - is it a good idea?
Any answer will be appreciated... :-)
Thanks!
Andre, Iwona & Kasia... :-)
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willardguy
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go to the other side for the weather.
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Mulegena
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| Quote: | Originally posted by willardguy
go to the other side for the weather. |
It's true that the year-round climate of the northwest Baja peninsula is some of the finest.
The schools may be better in the Ensenada area, too.
It's an unfortunate fact here in Mexico that the level of education isn't uniform throughout the country or even within each state's school system.
The quality of education varies according to locale. Consider carefully and research the options for your child's educational opportunities in the
various pueblos and cities throughout the peninsula.
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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EnsenadaDr
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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I grew up in the Northeast obviously Chicago has almost the same weather and weather was an important factor in getting out of the area. San Felipe
gets extremely hot in the summers and Ensenada stays pretty temperate and enjoyable much the same all year round. Both my children attended Mexican
schools and both are fluent in Spanish. Both are very different, one is a very serious student and the other is a social butterfly but I think being
bilingual is a plus. However attending public schools in Mexico will cause your child to be seriously behind in English grammar and vocabulary
(assuming they speak English at home) unless you order age appropriate teaching guides for homework via internet or in book form, and the private
schools have a good program but they are pricey. It is very possible to live on that budget but you will have to adapt to a serious culture
difference and learn some Spanish here and there. Your kids might have to deal with being the odd one out for a while but kids generally pick up
languages fast.
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AndreB
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Is there any private school in Ensenada with English? Language is very important for us. Our daughter is bilingual already - we speak Polish at home.
She is obviously fluent in English as well but for us English is a second language...
Obviously we are open to learn Spanish as well...
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EnsenadaDr
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Yes the best school is Colegio Grecia for her age and is very competitive not only for English but for other subjects. I would suggest putting her
in a public school for a year to get her adjusted to speaking and writing Spanish but maybe the administrators of Grecia might work with you on this.
Expect to pay $250 american dollars a month plus the same as a registration fee and about $400 USD for books twice a year and another $200 for
uniforms yearly They use the AMCO system which is excellent and teach all their subjects in English half the day and the other half in Spanish. The
natural progression is to go to CETYS in 10th grade which marks the beginning of high school in Mexico but CETYS runs about $500 USD a month if not
more unless your child is super smart and gets a scholarship.
another option is Colegio Unifront which has a good english program and is cheaper than Grecia but most of these schools are demanding in Spanish as
required by the Mexican government by law it may require a lot of work initially but after a while she will learn by immersion.
[Edited on 4-28-2014 by EnsenadaDr]
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Whale-ista
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Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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I have family in both cities (San Felipe/Ensenada) and I agree Ensenada would be a more comfortable place. The weather and scenery is much nicer.
It also has many universities so education is a priority for many of the residents.
Agree that CETYS is a good choice for preparatoria (hi school), and has a good reputation. (My daughter attended CETYS)
It is a more international city being on the coast with a large commercial and recreational port. Historically, it's a blend of many cultures and
nationalities.
You are only about one hour from San Diego versus two were three which might matter for shopping, Emergency healthcare etc. And don't forget wine
region!
[Edited on 4-28-2014 by Whale-ista]
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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chippy
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I think it would be very hard to to have a kid in private school and live on that budget. Maybe you could if you donīt have a vehicle, donīt travel,
donīt eat out and donīt drink.
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tecatero
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Family of 3 on 2500 mo....= $833 per person per month..........good luck. It can be done, depending on where u rent. Going to be tuff in Cabo
area,don't expect lobster and cold beer too often.
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EnsenadaDr
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Probably could get a house for $600 a month and an apartment for $300 USD. I suggest you put your daughter in a public school as I said for the first
year just have her supplement her English with reading and online English activities. It's doable and if you need assistance looking around let me
know.
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mcfez
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In the summer it is so hot........in San Felipe. Though we have a place there....it's no place for the summer with a kid. The Pacific side has waves
 and far more to do at night (nightlife). The Sea of Cortez side is great
for outdoor sports.
San Felipe has all water and power in many communities......then not. Schooling.....cant say.
Seriously...dont drag your child to SF to live there...but make it your vacation destinations.
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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shari
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I also cast my vote for Ensenada as it has many more school options, lots to do, a vibrant mixed culture and passable climate. I have friends who
raised their kids there and the children are wonderful and got into sports and surfing and are now completely bilingual and bicultural too.
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Genecag
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La Paz is another option that you should look at. $2500/mo will take you a long way here and has all the infrastructure that you need.
Make it a Great Day!!
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EnsenadaDr
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I have a feeling McFez there is someone you would like to stick on a rotisserie in SF in the middle of the summer... | Quote: | Originally posted by mcfez
In the summer it is so hot........in San Felipe. Though we have a place there....it's no place for the summer with a kid. The Pacific side has waves
and far more to do at night (nightlife). The Sea of Cortez side is great
for outdoor sports.
San Felipe has all water and power in many communities......then not. Schooling.....cant say.
Seriously...dont drag your child to SF to live there...but make it your vacation destinations. |
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AndreB
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Registered: 4-27-2014
Location: Chicago
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| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Probably could get a house for $600 a month and an apartment for $300 USD. I suggest you put your daughter in a public school as I said for the first
year just have her supplement her English with reading and online English activities. It's doable and if you need assistance looking around let me
know. |
At the beginning we would like to try with the 6 month Visitor Permit and see if this will work. I'm not sure if she will be accepted in the public
school?
I'm still trying to add all numbers - $600 house? - in what location, condition? - is it doable?
Someone else above said it is impossible with the $2,500 budget. We will have obviously separate money for a house or condo to buy if we decided to
stay, but we can not used this to supplement monthly expenses....
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AndreB
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tecatero
Family of 3 on 2500 mo....= $833 per person per month..........good luck. It can be done, depending on where u rent. Going to be tuff in Cabo
area,don't expect lobster and cold beer too often. |
Unfortunately, i know you are right... in Cabo, but I am realistic and i know Cabo - been there several times... :-). This is the reason we were
thinking San Felipe and now Ensenada (never been there before...)
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bajaguy
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Visit first
It may be difficult for you to travel, but the best way to find a place in your price range and location you want is to come down here and look
around. I would also suggest you use that visit to check out the schools in the area and determine what their entrance requirements/costs are.
Some things are cheaper here and some things are more expensive. Depends on your lifestyle and how you can adapt.
Watch the airline sales (Southwest) and get a flight into San Diego and rent a car.....you will need about 5 days on the ground here
[Edited on 4-28-2014 by bajaguy]
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BajaBlanca
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Dzien dobry! Moz muj jest z Polsky.
I think you will be fine on $2500 a month ...
Here is information on La Paz as we just arrived for a month vacation here a week ago:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=73372
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EnsenadaDr
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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Yes with an American birth certificate she will be accepted and they don't ask for legal residency status. There are plenty of houses for rent, in
decent condition and apartments in that price range. Don't worry be happy!! Cabo is a premier destination and expensive, but Ensenada is quite
affordable. You are not going to have an infinity pool in your backyard for that price but if you don't mind mingling with the locals and adjusting
to Mexican life, you will be fine. | Quote: | Originally posted by AndreB
| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Probably could get a house for $600 a month and an apartment for $300 USD. I suggest you put your daughter in a public school as I said for the first
year just have her supplement her English with reading and online English activities. It's doable and if you need assistance looking around let me
know. |
At the beginning we would like to try with the 6 month Visitor Permit and see if this will work. I'm not sure if she will be accepted in the public
school?
I'm still trying to add all numbers - $600 house? - in what location, condition? - is it doable?
Someone else above said it is impossible with the $2,500 budget. We will have obviously separate money for a house or condo to buy if we decided to
stay, but we can not used this to supplement monthly expenses.... |
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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| Quote: | Originally posted by AndreB
| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Probably could get a house for $600 a month and an apartment for $300 USD. I suggest you put your daughter in a public school as I said for the first
year just have her supplement her English with reading and online English activities. It's doable and if you need assistance looking around let me
know. |
At the beginning we would like to try with the 6 month Visitor Permit and see if this will work. I'm not sure if she will be accepted in the public
school?
I'm still trying to add all numbers - $600 house? - in what location, condition? - is it doable?
Someone else above said it is impossible with the $2,500 budget. We will have obviously separate money for a house or condo to buy if we decided to
stay, but we can not used this to supplement monthly expenses.... |
$600 house? listen, im living in a 3
bedroom 2 bath beautiful oceanfront home,600 bucks. just left a 2 bedroom 2 bath oceanfront that was $500. before that was a $600 brand new never been
lived in 3 story home across the street from the beach. they're everywhere, don't let anyone tell you any different!
(all in the rosarito area)
[Edited on 4-28-2014 by willardguy]
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