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Hi everyone!
My husband and I are movin' south!!!! We'll be there in January, maybe sooner. We currently live in Toronto Ontario where the heat is killing us and soon the cold will be killing us so Baja here we come!

We're in our 60's and our kids live in San Diego so we want to live in or near Ensenada. We saw a program on expats in Merida and fell in love with the Yucatan but the heat and humidity...

We have similar concerns as BeachCouple except that we want to rent not buy. We have 2 little dogs and want to find something with patio and yard and close to everything because we don't want the expense of a car anymore. Does it make sense to take taxis?

We were also thinking of getting one or two of those small electric bikes but how would we get to the beach? How close is it from town?

We've checked out a lot of realtors sites for long term rentals but for some reason they all want a full month's rent for legal fees!!! Hello!

We've read comments on your forum that it is best to deal directly with homeowners with places for rent - any coments or referrals?

If we are looking for a place to rent, where would we stay, cheaply, until we find something, or is that just a silly question? Our 2 dogs could make things more difficult, I guess.

Our other main concern is medical of course. It sounds affordable on a visit by visit basis. Also we've read that you can get your prescriptions filled without prescriptions - is that true?

Anyway, we can't wait. Hope we can meet some of you people when we get there.

Wendy and Ross

Welcome, there is a lot of knowledge about living down in Baja.. from the folks here on this board

Don't hesitate to ask as questions and I'm sure you will be seeing many recommendations to help you with your thinking and planning

We are suffering here south of Rosarito today with temps in the mid to high 70's with a westerly breeze of 6 knots.. no humidity to speak of ... as a matter of fact my feet a little cold...

My security cam is down right now.. need some help pulling some wire.. or you could take a look outside my place and see what it looks like today...

Another member has just gotten a security cam.. not sure if she has it up yet.. was going to help her... but ... haven't gotten an update on her needs.. she went shopping yesterday with the wife.. and has had relatives so she has been pretty busy...

Again, Welcome... and you all take care...

Welcome Wendy and Ross - several forum members in the general Ensenada area where you are looking. You are very smart to think of renting and not buying right now. That will give you the opportunity to check the area out to make sure it is a good fit and no long term commitments that may be hard to get out of in this slow market.

Thanks for the welcome!

What is the situation with mosquitoes? Is it a quantity problem or an illness problem?

We were "driven out of Sackville NB" by the mosquitoes in a way: we're dog walkers and the problem was oppressive for us.

Wendy

I can't speak for all of Baja (it's a big place) but out here west of San Quintin on the beach we don't see any mosquitoes.

Too windy maybe???

Mosquitoes require standing water to breed. So, their occurrence can be considered on a regional, seasonal and situational basis. Regions that receive regular rainfall are more subject to frequent infestations. Same can be said in areas where landscaping is regularly overwatered. And then there's agriculture. I recall that we were almost consumed by mosquitoes during one of our stays at Hotel Jardines in San Quintin. Don't know whether to blame Carmen and Guillermo for their lush garden setting, or point the finger at the Los Pinos folks and their vast agriculture. Having spent considerable time in the Ensenada area over many years, I can't say that I ever noticed them to be a particular problem there.

When you stayed at Jardines/Mosquitoes... was it shortly after one of the big rains we had? I don't remember a problem with that.

Or maybe it's just all the garlic I eat...



.

Wendy, I can't speak for Northern Baja, but since no one has addressed the illness portion of your question, I can tell you that in La Paz, especially after a hurricane or a heavy rain, mosquitoes can be a horrendous problem! It's not uncommon for outbreaks of dengue, both the lighter & the more serious hemorrhagic types & there have been deaths in recent years.

I'm envious of those who can slather bug repellent on....I can't, I'm allergic!

Signed: THE Officially Designated Blood Bank of Mosquitoes Anonymous for La Paz!

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

When you stayed at Jardines/Mosquitoes... was it shortly after one of the big rains we had? I don't remember a problem with that.

Or maybe it's just all the garlic I eat...



.

Or maybe the Caddies! It only happened once. It was in mid-July. Don't think there was much rain around then.

Hey, Wendy and Ross...

See what I mean .... lots of knowledge...

And legs.. oh my ... that is not even funny on little bit ... how do you cope... really!!

Saw in some of your pic's that your "heavy" with a lot of creepy crawlers and fliers ...

Speaking of creepy-crawlies, anyone have any idea how to get rid of those ugly fat green worms that keep eating my veggie garden? Someone said to dump beer all over them, hasn't helped much, but maybe the plants are happy being eaten alive, I'm not tho.

Overall Mediterian climate which is found in the north affords one a bit of a break for a lot of critters.. which can be vectors for diease...

The more tropical one gets.. the great the chance for some nasty stuff along with things that bite, sting and make one really uncomfortable...

Been too long since I took Medical Entomology... but, do remember there were a number of bad actors to the south...

Fast search on google...

http://www.afpmb.org/pubs/Field_Guide/field_guide.htm

Thanks all!
I "think" you're saying Ensenada should be okay for long walks w/o much bug bother. Ross BTW is terrified of snakes. I haven't told him about all the snakes in the area.

Originally Posted by WendyandRoss

...Hope we can meet some of you people when we get there.

Wendy and Ross

Talked to a friend last night who ran into a couple from the Toronto area in town yesterday. They appeared to be in their late 50's he said and were down here looking at property. It just now occurred to me that it might be you guys???

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

Wendy, I can't speak for Northern Baja, but since no one has addressed the illness portion of your question, I can tell you that in La Paz, especially after a hurricane or a heavy rain, mosquitoes can be a horrendous problem! It's not uncommon for outbreaks of dengue, both the lighter & the more serious hemorrhagic types & there have been deaths in recent years.

I'm envious of those who can slather bug repellent on....I can't, I'm allergic!

Signed: THE Officially Designated Blood Bank of Mosquitoes Anonymous for La Paz!

Mosquito repellent
1o to 25 drops essential oil ..... lemon balm (citronella), thyme, lavender
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (olive oil is fine)
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel

Combine the ingredients in a glass jar. Shake to blend. Dab on

Hi BG
...no, we're not there yet. It's good to hear that other Torontonians are not being scared off by the news alerts.

We're looking at possible driving routes that will avoid the most snow and hills! We'll be driving down end of this month and had hoped to see some buttes and the canyon but with all the snow we might have to take a more conservative route. Don't know yet, we might be making changes on the fly!

McFez, I like your recipe. Hope LongLegs can try it.

Wendy

Canadians do seem to love it here - must be the lack of snow...'

Wendy:

Good Luck in your Quest.
I have had just the opposite experience in La Paz. I have spent considerable time in that fine City and have never, never seen a Mosquito.
There are great places to eat, excellent Taco Stands, and the Best Ice Cream in the Country.
Fishing is good across the Hill about an Hour away. The Health Care is Fantastic.

On your trip you might want to stay away from the Grand Canyon as if you get close to Flagstaff it can get tough.
You might want to try Hwy 395 South on the Eastern side of the Sierras.

Good Luck and I hope you like La Paz as much as I do.

Bugger Red

If you need a realtor in the Rosarito try going to
Playas de Baja

This is the company we use to manage our rental property, they charge the owner a fee not the renter.
They do a good job looking out for the renter as Dave called my husband the minute the renter let him know of a leak that happened after the rain. The renter was rather surprised how quickly the problem was resolved.

I think you will find their are many communities that will fit your desires in the area. Many of them are right at the beach. I dont think the dogs will be a big issue. The yard will more of concern if you want ocean front.

Good Luck

Originally Posted by McFez

Mosquito repellent
1o to 25 drops essential oil ..... lemon balm (citronella), thyme, lavender
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (olive oil is fine)
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel

Combine the ingredients in a glass jar. Shake to blend. Dab on

You are welcomed! Works great for us here on the farm.....and our mosquitoes here are insanely a nuisance.

Having own a home and such in San Felipe...
You are making the best decision ever.....to rent! SMART move

You should get a pass for the border crossings......