baja in june

[renogringo]

I am planning at least a 3 week trip to Baja in June. My elaborate plan is get off of the Greyhound in Tiajuana...... end of plan. I am looking for a combination vacation/exploratory mission to see if my retirement will stretch in Mexico. If possible I will go down the Pacific coast for 100-150 miles then turn east and come back up the Sea of Cortes side.
any suggestions, ideas or cautions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

[VivaLaBaja]

Hi, I saw your post and wanted to offer a few suggestions... you don´t give any idea of gender or age - but regardless and it wouldn´t matter actually, please be extra-cautious when in Tijuana and the areas up to Ensenada, that whole stretch has seen an increase in crime, including violent crime against tourists. That is an issue in general you may want to assess for yourself (crime in Northern Baja) in making your relocation assessment of areas in Baja -- there is crime further south, but less and less violent crime, though that could change in the future...

Where you may want to relocate to depends on what you like to do - if you want a lot of North Americans around, and a lot of activities geared towards that crowd, then maybe check out San Felipe, Loreto, La Paz, San Jose del Cabo, Mulege etc. - these all vary according to size of town and size of expat communities and type of activities that are popular but you will get a feel for the place when visiting. If you want seclusion and less people, then smaller communities can be found.

You will most likely need an off-road vehicle if you are going to explore the Pacific Coast in-depth (many roads are not well-paved) in Baja Norte (from Tijuana up to Guerrero Negro is Baja Norte, south of Guerrero Negro to Cabo is Baja Sur or South). Access is better to destinations on the Sea of Cortez side -- others may be able to comment on that as well, I have been 'off-road' (off the main destinations accessed by Highway 1 or the Transpeninsular Highway as it is also called). Pacific coast towns south of La Paz, such as Todos Santos, are more easily accessed as there is a main highway - Highway 5.

If you are taking the bus, you will be able to check out main towns off of Highway 1 such as Rosarito Beach, Ensenada, Mulege, etc. but be very limited in your ability to explore - fine for a short vacation but not great for exploring for a future retirement haven!

Money-wise where you have access to low-cost shopping, and of course rentals or possible real estate are going to be smaller areas most likely (don´t even think about Los Cabos!) and for a larger town La Paz or Ensenada with multiple neighborhoods for various price ranges...

I wrote a relocation guide for people like you You may want to check it out at http://www.vivalabaja.com

Best of luck, Molly

[conklinwh]

Before thinking of moving to Mexico and especially if thinking of building, you really ought to read "God and Mr. Gomez". Actually it is about a house in the area in which you are looking. Also, you need be real sure that you understand all of the requirements of building near the coast as a foreigner.

[mexico-fg]

Hi, I saw your post and wanted to offer a few suggestions... you don´t give any idea of gender or age - but regardless and it wouldn´t matter actually, please be extra-cautious when in Tijuana and the areas up to Ensenada, that whole stretch has seen an increase in crime, including violent crime against tourists. That is an issue in general you may want to assess for yourself (crime in Northern Baja) in making your relocation assessment of areas in Baja -- there is crime further south, but less and less violent crime, though that could change in the future...

Where you may want to relocate to depends on what you like to do - if you want a lot of North Americans around, and a lot of activities geared towards that crowd, then maybe check out San Felipe, Loreto, La Paz, San Jose del Cabo, Mulege etc. - these all vary according to size of town and size of expat communities and type of activities that are popular but you will get a feel for the place when visiting. If you want seclusion and less people, then smaller communities can be found.

You will most likely need an off-road vehicle if you are going to explore the Pacific Coast in-depth (many roads are not well-paved) in Baja Norte (from Tijuana up to Guerrero Negro is Baja Norte, south of Guerrero Negro to Cabo is Baja Sur or South). Access is better to destinations on the Sea of Cortez side -- others may be able to comment on that as well, I have been 'off-road' (off the main destinations accessed by Highway 1 or the Transpeninsular Highway as it is also called). Pacific coast towns south of La Paz, such as Todos Santos, are more easily accessed as there is a main highway - Highway 5.

If you are taking the bus, you will be able to check out main towns off of Highway 1 such as Rosarito Beach, Ensenada, Mulege, etc. but be very limited in your ability to explore - fine for a short vacation but not great for exploring for a future retirement haven!

Money-wise where you have access to low-cost shopping, and of course rentals or possible real estate are going to be smaller areas most likely (don´t even think about Los Cabos!) and for a larger town La Paz or Ensenada with multiple neighborhoods for various price ranges...

I wrote a relocation guide for people like you You may want to check it out at http://www.vivalabaja.com

Best of luck, Molly

Thanks for the guide! and advices also! :]]

[mexico-fg]

Hi, I saw your post and wanted to offer a few suggestions... you don´t give any idea of gender or age - but regardless and it wouldn´t matter actually, please be extra-cautious when in Tijuana and the areas up to Ensenada, that whole stretch has seen an increase in crime, including violent crime against tourists. That is an issue in general you may want to assess for yourself (crime in Northern Baja) in making your relocation assessment of areas in Baja -- there is crime further south, but less and less violent crime, though that could change in the future...

Where you may want to relocate to depends on what you like to do - if you want a lot of North Americans around, and a lot of activities geared towards that crowd, then maybe check out San Felipe, Loreto, La Paz, San Jose del Cabo, Mulege etc. - these all vary according to size of town and size of expat communities and type of activities that are popular but you will get a feel for the place when visiting. If you want seclusion and less people, then smaller communities can be found.

You will most likely need an off-road vehicle if you are going to explore the Pacific Coast in-depth (many roads are not well-paved) in Baja Norte (from Tijuana up to Guerrero Negro is Baja Norte, south of Guerrero Negro to Cabo is Baja Sur or South). Access is better to destinations on the Sea of Cortez side -- others may be able to comment on that as well, I have been 'off-road' (off the main destinations accessed by Highway 1 or the Transpeninsular Highway as it is also called). Pacific coast towns south of La Paz, such as Todos Santos, are more easily accessed as there is a main highway - Highway 5.

If you are taking the bus, you will be able to check out main towns off of Highway 1 such as Rosarito Beach, Ensenada, Mulege, etc. but be very limited in your ability to explore - fine for a short vacation but not great for exploring for a future retirement haven!

Money-wise where you have access to low-cost shopping, and of course rentals or possible real estate are going to be smaller areas most likely (don´t even think about Los Cabos!) and for a larger town La Paz or Ensenada with multiple neighborhoods for various price ranges...

I wrote a relocation guide for people like you You may want to check it out at http://www.vivalabaja.com

Best of luck, Molly

Thanks for the help! I'm gonna contact you if needed. thank you!

[cabo flipper]

I was there Monday thru Wedensday..went to Ensenada and TJ and I taveled there alone ..and do a lot....,if you dont know the areas just stay on the beaten path and and there are no worries, there is tons of cops and military, dont be afraid of them, all the violence is among the cartels...I lived in CABO for 2 years and had no issues...the Drug NEWS IS OVERKILL ..lots of FEAR & PROPAGANDA ....crime happens everywhere....

[Baja Man]

What’s Really HappeningJune 5, 2009
BEWARE OF ROSARITO
do not believe everything written as the majority commentors are from those with vested interests(hoteliers,real estaters,restaurateurs, property owners etc)I live here and know of no one who hasn’t been robbed either on the street, in their homes or by the police! Ca. is deporting every criminal it possibly can and the miscreants are all ending up here doing their dirty deeds.If by chance the police are not initially involved you CANNOT count on them for any appreciable assistance in solving your case. Possibly if you are young and pretty or wealthy and you are beheaded or raped by the gangsters someone will pay some attention. Short of that you are simply pushed aside with the dozens of others who have been violated, kidnapped and often murdered withot ever being entered in the official reports
.Do yourself a favor and enjoy California

[Baja Man]

What’s Really HappeningJune 5, 2009

BEWARE OF ROSARITO

Do not believe everything written on the many Baja blogs as the majority commentors are those with vested interests(hoteliers,real estaters,restaurateurs, property owners etc) I live here and know of no one who hasn’t been robbed either on the street, in their homes or by the police! Ca. is deporting every criminal it possibly can and the miscreants are all ending up here doing their dirty deeds.If by chance the police are not initially involved you CANNOT count on them for any appreciable assistance in solving your case. Possibly if you are young and pretty or wealthy and you are beheaded or raped by the gangsters someone will pay some attention. Short of that you are simply pushed aside with the dozens of dozens of others who have been violated, kidnapped, car jacked and often murdered withot ever being entered in the official reports, as victims and their families fear retalliation.
Do yourself a favor and enjoy California and avoid this cesspool of two faced corruption!