TalkBaja.com » Baja Mexico Forums » Moving to Baja Full/Part Time

Hello, Group.

I am a new member who is looking into early retirement on the Baja Peninsula. I have been doing lots of research regarding where I'd would want to live; my "requirements" include: a single family house, in an area that is not overdeveloped, with privacy and a nice ocean view, Very important is the area has a mild climate -- i.e., with summer temperatures that rarely reach the 90s. Additionally, I want to be at least a 3-hour drive from the U.S. border.

The area between Colonet and San Quintin looks like a definite possibility, and I hope to make a trip there in the not-too-distant future, to check it out. Meanwhile, I am wondering I should rule out Baja Sur entirely, based on weather. Are there any areas with homes on the Pacific coast of Baja Sur where temps rarely reach the 90s?

Thanks in advance for any info you can give me! (More questions may follow.)

MsT in the Bay Area, CA

Although I've never been there, I've seen quite a few posts by people who seem to love Asuncion. I think the summers there are pretty moderate. We're located on the Pacific, a hundred + miles south of Asuncion, and the summers here can get pretty hot. Not Sea of Cortez hot, but definitely in the 90's. If you looking for more moderate weather you will probably need to look Asuncion or North.

I guess one question is why the 3 hours from the border? Then you also need to consider what your needs/wants are along with your health now and in the future. If you will be using U.S. Dr.s or totally immerse yourself in the society/culture here. For me, the issues are climate, health care, accessability to markets that fit my wants, as well as a not total gringo area, so as to learn new things. Good luck and enjoy your retirement.

Dear BigWooo and NoProblemo,

Thanks for your input. I'll look into Asuncion. NoProb: Believe me, my "requirements" are long and lengthy. However, I was afraid of posting them all at once, as I did not want to
(a) scare off replies or (b) sound too picky. "3 hours from border" is a bit arbitrary, but basically, I want to be far away enough from Tijuana, and even Ensenada, that I am out of the line of fire and (to some extent, at least) other criminal activities.

I'd plan to try to immerse myself in local culture (although I'll need a refresher course and some practice before I am fluent in Espanol). Health care: If I lived in the Calamu-SQ area, I figure I could get specialized health care in Ensenada. If I were further south, LaPaz might not be too far. As to getting care in the U.S.: (a) I won't qualify for Medicare for 8+ years, so I'll worry more about that issue then. However, for serious but non-acute problems, I suppose I could get back to the U.S. from anywhere in Baja without too much difficulty, if need be.

Speaking of heath care, though: Despite all the research I have done regarding obtaining private health insurance in MX, I still have little idea of (a) how difficult it is to obtain, if one has pre-existing condition(s) or (b) how much it costs. Does anyone have any idea??? Let's say that I have complained to a doctor about lower back pain, had x-rays and been told, ("You have some degenerative disc disease, just like everyone else your age. Learn to live with it." That condition alone has caused US insurers to turn me down.) Would I be able to find private coverage in Mx?

I hope it's OK to keep posting questions here, as I have many!

Thanks again,

Nicole

Msterieus, welcome!

The more detailed your "Must Have & Don't Want" list is, the faster we can help you eliminate places that wouldn't work for you. Don't be afraid to spill it all! We were all where you are now.....once upon a time!

You've effectively already eliminated Southern Baja because of heat & proximity to the border.

If you have specific questions, ASK! You can also try doing searches for specific topics here, such as medical care:

http://www.talkbaja.com/showthread.php?t=356

Thanks for the invitation. Here's my more complete list:

• Moderate climate (preferably, seldom in the 90s)
• Far enough from a border town to be "out of the line of fire" or other drug-related
criminal activity
• Single-family home (already built – I don’t think I’d want to build my own), with a
good ocean view (not necessarily at the beach, but with fairly unobstructed views
to the ocean, without looking down on a whole bunch of houses or other buildings)
• Privacy, i.e., I don’t want to live in a crowded, planned community or have
neighbors 10 feet away. That said, I would want enough people living in the area
that I might find some new friends!
• Enough infrastructure that I have water, power, phone, internet, etc.
• Within 20 to 30 minutes of basic services, such as a decent-sized grocery store,
bank, etc.
• Some security – either a fenced and gated property or property in a gated
community in which there are only larger parcels.

I actually have found a couple of places between Calamu and San Quintin for sale, on the Web, that are of interest, and I hope to go down there in the next month or 2 to check things out. On that note -- can someone tell me what realtors' commissions are? (I KNOW I should rent before buying, but still ....)

I just researched Bahia Asuncion, briefly; It looks very nice, except that I am guessing I'd have to build my own place -- didn't see anything for sale there on the web. Also, it looks a bit difficult to get there.

Nicole

Sent you an email with health info. Also we are between Tj and Ensenada and are not in the line of fire... but the areas you seem to be leaning toward are just as nice. Have fun and take a trek to see for yourself. You will find your paradise.

Welcome Nicole. As I read the progressive posts, I started to get the feeling that you are probably going to have to make some compromises on your list of requirements. Perhaps I'm reading more into it than exists, especially not knowing how you define basic services (decent sized grocery, for instance.) And I must agree with noproblemo about the safety factor. I would take a serious look at the South Ensenada area, including Punta Banda. It meets your climatic needs, close to major shopping, including dozens of supermarkets. You have not mentioned what sort of budget you have. Clearly, the more remote you get, such as Asuncion, the lower prices will be. You imply that you are seeking to purchase a home, which will involve obtaining a bank trust. you might also consider buying a house on leased land. There are many horror stories from people who got hosed doing that. However, there are also many folks who have done quite well and are very happy in their homes on leased land. One needs to do their homework to ensure the reputation of the lessor. What leased property will usually provide is more house for your dollar. Of course, won't own the land, but a 10 year lease from a reputable lessor is not a bad deal.

The Jefe around here, BajaGringo will undoubtedly be able to offer you everything you need to know about the San Quintin area, especially, as well as just about anything between Rosarito and San Quintin.

Regarding leased land, we own 3 homes on leased land, the max years from our understanding is just under 10 years, ie, 9 yrs, 6 months, etal, to be legal. I'm sure if I am wrong I will be corrected but that is how I understand it to be...... Owning land here is not for everyone, and personally, having had a property with a fidi before, would never do so again, yet that is one persons opinion...

Bajahowodd -

Thanks for your reply. For reasons I can't articulate (other than my "gut" tells me), NO WAY would I lease. I would do a bank trust. Budget for house: $250,000 to $300,000. You are right about "basic services," I should not have included groceries in that category. I should have added a separate category: "Basic Shopping Needs." Under it, I would have put "decent grocery store, post office, bank, gas, etc."

I'll look into the area you suggest, further north. However, isn't the area you refer to pretty well developed, if not overdeveloped?

Nicole

No Problemo -- can you tell me what was wrong with your fiduciary trust?? I had not seen anything written about them that was too negative.

As for leasing, are people talking about leasing the land and an existing house? I can't understand why anyone in their right mind would pay to build a house on leased land ...

Thanks,

Nicole

Correction to post to No Problemo: I should have said I did not understand why someone would build or "buy" a house on leased land. What happens when the lease runs out, if you cannot renew it?

Also -- sorry about the "in their right mind" reference! No offense was meant...

Originally Posted by Msterieus

Bajahowodd -

Thanks for your reply. For reasons I can't articulate (other than my "gut" tells me), NO WAY would I lease. I would do a bank trust. Budget for house: $250,000 to $300,000. You are right about "basic services," I should not have included groceries in that category. I should have added a separate category: "Basic Shopping Needs." Under it, I would have put "decent grocery store, post office, bank, gas, etc."

I'll look into the area you suggest, further north. However, isn't the area you refer to pretty well developed, if not overdeveloped?

Nicole

again, it's a matter of definition. I don't consider Punta Banda to be well developed. Still much open land. And, as I mentioned earlier, if you're looking for undeveloped, getting away from it all, you'll have to compromise on the amenities.

There are people on this board who live there, who would be much more expert than I about it, as I have merely been a frequent vacationer. But consider that although there remains much open space and tranquility, there's a modern supermarket only about ten minutes away. Not to mention, within 30 minutes or less, you can find Costco, WalMart, Home Depot, and what not.

LOL -- I just looked at some real estate web sites for homes in the Punta Banda area, with ocean views. There was ONE "fixer" for $350,000. The others were really expensive. I guess that, the closer to the border property is located (other than property that really is in the line of fire), the more $$$ it gets.

Nicole

Originally Posted by Msterieus

No Problemo -- can you tell me what was wrong with your fiduciary trust?? I had not seen anything written about them that was too negative.

As for leasing, are people talking about leasing the land and an existing house? I can't understand why anyone in their right mind would pay to build a house on leased land ...

Thanks,

Nicole

During our 18 years with the fidi, the bank changed more than the trust thus creating numerous problems, rate changes, lost papers etc... I am sure some things have since changed for the better, but after that we swore not again. As for leasing a property, if you do the right research as well as talk to potential neighbors you are able to get an idea of what is what as we did. We feel 100% safe in our leases, in fact also have a buy out clause should something change to be re-imbursed for the amount of our purchase on 2 of our places. To me it is all in the stateside mental picture of "owning" land. There are tons of material on the net one can research on these issues, just need to decide what will work best for you.

Originally Posted by Msterieus

LOL -- I just looked at some real estate web sites for homes in the Punta Banda area, with ocean views. There was ONE "fixer" for $350,000. The others were really expensive. I guess that, the closer to the border property is located (other than property that really is in the line of fire), the more $$$ it gets.

Nicole

If you are seriously interested I do know of one honest, well as honest as a realtor comes, agent who can show you some options.

Originally Posted by Msterieus

LOL -- I just looked at some real estate web sites for homes in the Punta Banda area, with ocean views. There was ONE "fixer" for $350,000. The others were really expensive. I guess that, the closer to the border property is located (other than property that really is in the line of fire), the more $$$ it gets.

Nicole

But as noproblemo has said, if you can get past the stigma of the lease, you can find some really great homes in the area in the $100k range. And, surprisingly, most of the lease rates are very low.

Check this out. Picasa Web Albums - BajaGordon - Photos La Buf...

Or this. Remember, this is only $50,000 and the lease is around $1500 a year. Personally, I think this is a sweet deal. I'm just not at a point where I can jump on it.
La Bufadora Home For Sale (Punta Banda Maps)

Oh, I never thought of a buy-back clause (though I'm curious about how limited the 'triggers' for the buy-back are, as, if I were the lessor, I would sure restrict any such clause). Even so, though, if I were all settled down in "my" home for 10 years, and then the lessor decided not to renew and to buy back what I'd invested the home (at which point, I am 68 years old), while the $ would be nice, it sure would NOT be nice having to find a new place (possibly in a market with higher prices). Also, I'd prefer an investment that might pay off at the end (via a resale).

I was unaware of any "stigma" on leases. My opinion probably comes from my legal experience (I'm an attorney), which makes me very wary of investing any money in a house on leased land, especially a house in which I might well want to live for the rest of my life.



Nicole

I just rented a house or 2 houses in Punta Banda on the beach, did my research on Medical, shopping, and eating all are with in a reasonable distance, the bay is stunning. Thinking like an American even after living in Mazamitla where an NFL ski jacket is used a lot of the year, with no heat or fireplaces. I am now seeing I think that the average temps are very mild with the winters cold. I was also thinking about the water temps, well stupid I am thinking Puerto Vallarta. I guess to go swimming I will need a dry suit. Well the people that live here and on this board are great, the view is stunning, so adjust and move on

Originally Posted by prorader

I just rented a house or 2 houses in Punta Banda on the beach, did my research on Medical, shopping, and eating all are with in a reasonable distance, the bay is stunning. Thinking like an American even after living in Mazamitla where an NFL ski jacket is used a lot of the year, with no heat or fireplaces. I am now seeing I think that the average temps are very mild with the winters cold. I was also thinking about the water temps, well stupid I am thinking Puerto Vallarta. I guess to go swimming I will need a dry suit. Well the people that live here and on this board are great, the view is stunning, so adjust and move on

We get a bit more wind than I care for, but it's alright. I have activity schedules designed for all types of weather. SALUD