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Hey all,
Just looking to get more information on baja, found this on another information site. Am looking forward to digging in deep and finding a great retirement spot for my wife and I. I am a huge golfer so I am looking forward to getting under par while my wife could care less as long as she is getting a facial ha! Retirement here we come!

Cheers!

Hi golferexpat!

Lot to see in Baja and choose from as it is a 1000 mile long peninsula with 2000 miles of coastline with all types of weather, terrain and amenities in between. Take your time, keep an open mind and spend some serious time in any place you are even considering before pulling out your check book. It's a buyers market today and no reason to hurry...

Welcome aboard!!!

Rent for at least 6 months before you even think about buying. There is an 80% probability that some of your ideas will change. It will also give you more time and opportunity to play hard to get with the seller and make a better deal.

I would love to rent down there for a while but the wife is on my case about doing something now!!! Impatient women I swear haha. She is oogling over these package deals with their amenities and great vacations and spas.. What do you guys think about these kind of places. I know that alot of expats give them a bad rap.???

Typically those types of places overcharge you for what you end up with in home value and amenities. More smoke and mirrors than real substance. If money is not a problem, go for it if that's what floats your boat. If you are like most who are going to live on some type of fixed income with a budget, it really pays off to take some time and do your homework. You will save money, end up where you truly want to be (can't know that from a two week vacation) and be much happier in the end.

What is your hurry anyway? I have a news alert: THERE IS NO REAL ESTATE BOOM GOING ON!!! Lots to look at, prices are dropping and there is evidence that they will drop even further come this fall. It pays to have some patience and look at ALL of the options out there. In the meantime rent while you find out and get to know the area...

Hi and congratulations on your soon to come retirement. There are many places to go live in Baja California were you can golf also, the most popular with golf, Tijuana, Ensenada, Loreto, Los Cabos, San Felipe and the newest one La Paz.

Ron- I would be most appreciative if you would let me know when prices hit bottom.

Bajahowwadd-

I know some of the stuff I've read lately say prices now are realtive to that of the early 1990's.. wait just reread your post you're just kidding.. oops.

I will reveal that exact date in exchange for a small fee...



No crystal ball here but I do follow the Wall Street Journal as well as many other sites that I have found more or less predicted the current situation three years ago. A lot of them believe that another big wave of foreclosures is coming for the millions of mortgage holders currently behind in payments and who either do not qualify for a govt incentive loan or have no wish to sign onto another mortgage where they owe a lot more than the house is worth. Some are estimating that the number could reach as high as 15 million by this fall...

I am just going to pop some popcorn and watch...

Where would be a good place if I wanted to rent in that area for a few months? Any suggestions, coastal with golf?

Just Google the area you are looking for with the words "vacation rentals". You will find lots to choose from..

Will do! Just thought you would have some ideas.. you seem pretty knowledgeable about the area and Mexico in general.

Golfer

I would suggest that you rent for a while in the Ensenada/Punta Banda area.....lots of ex-pats and lots to see and do.......also you should check out the Baja Country Club. Located between Ensenada and Manedearo. Great course and outstanding housing prices. Close to the beach and all services, but still in a rural setting. We had our place built on the course in 2006 and love it!!!!!. Ensenada is a great place for retirement!!!!!

PM me if you want more details or check out:

http://bajacountryclub.com/

Teniente

The Baja Country Club is a nice area and I have a tee time pending with some friends there that we still need to pin down...

How's this for a dichotomy? The two places in Baja that top my list for retirement are Punta Banda and La Paz. How much more different could they be???

My vote would be for Punta Banda

Punta Banda looks great, thanks for the golf tips too. Will definitely have to take get a tee time there when I am down next.

How is travel in the area of Baja going around the area? I know I will probably have to come back stateside quite a bit so being in Baja seems ideal how close it is to Los Angeles.

About 85 miles or so to San Diego, then on to Los Angeles. We always cross at Otay Mesa either direction, and take Blvd 2000 to the toll road, then south to Ensenada.....never any problems. I would suggest that even if you are an occassional crosser, get a SENRTI card.....makes life easier.

Our place at the BCC is #337.

Let me know if you need more info.

Teniente

I'm not into giving recommendations but, here's some rental info for the Punta Banda area. If you have a specific question regarding the info here, PM me and I'll give you what I can.
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http://mexico-vacation-rentals-sales.blogspot.com/

Whats a SENTRI card? How is the commute.. availability of gas, rest stops, safety, etc? Thanks for the route, I was thinking about using the same as I just spent the weekend with a ton of maps!