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Hola,
I just joined this forum after following a link to it on another expat site. I retire next June after 34 years of teaching elementary school. I plan to check out a few locales for my retirement. Lake Chapala gets mentioned a lot on the other site so I was wondering what are the main differences between Baja and mainland Mexico. Is Baja more expensive in general? And what would be the best/easiest way to get to Baja from the Chicago area? I'm thinking of San Quintin and southward so not too close to the border.
Thanks.
Rich

Welcome to the forum, bajoyo. If I were in Wheaton (which I visited over 40 years ago) I would fly to San Diego, rent a car in TJ and head south. If you want to explore southern Baja, you could fly to San Jose Del Cabo, rent a car and drive north.

There are lots of web sites for the various towns to give you a cursory sens of them There's no substitute for following the forums and getting a vicarious sense of what retirement life is like in Mexico.

First, though, have a real good sense of how you want to spend your retirement years (aside from avoiding the January wind off that big puddle to the east of you) and then focusing your exploration becomes easier and more fun.

Good Luck!

I suspect you will find areas like San Miguel de Allende, Chapala, and Baja, where there are large numbers of expats, it will be more expensive than other areas where there are fewer expat foreign residents. But those areas will also have more "Americanized" products and services to make your life easier.

Speaking specifically about Baja, I expect it is slightly more expensive for certain things because of increased demand and desirability. Remember, in Baja you are on the coast, and there is only so much ocean front property... so there is demand.

The trade-offs are evident if they hold value for you. Proximity to the US... San Diego's airport, shopping, and culture. For others... the last thing they want to see is the US. So we all decide what kind of balance there is.

In Baja, reasonably normal mail service is easier to maintain.

Development standards will be better... by US standards. Again, you have to decide what value to place on that. Will you find having your water pumped into a tank/pila an annoyance rather than city service. Septic vs. sewers. The more rural, the more likely you will have service interruptions of all kinds. Will you be satisfied with your selection of banks, notaries, doctors, or other providers. You will adjust some diet, social, and other habits. For some, it is too much of a burden... for other, no big deal.

San Quintin has been getting some notice in recent years, but the gringo traffic slowed to a trickle. Property values might be pretty good... but also consider that closer to the border there is more inventory, and that leads to a buyer's market.

Lots of things to consider, but many have done it before you, it will work out, and you should enjoy the adventure. I have never regretted my decision to live in Baja.

Lake Chapala and San Miguel de Allende are both very nice areas but a different "feel" from Baja in my experience. The prices you will find vary greatly based on location and it something you definitely need to come down and investigate in person. Internet searches will only get you so far.

The biggest rule of thumb in my book is to always rent before buying wherever you go so to allow you time to get a real sense of the area and whether or not it truly is where you want to spend your retirement years.

Good luck!

I agree with Baja Gringo regarding the different "feel" between mainland locations like SMDA and Lake Chapala and the west coast of Baja. San Miguel has become very Americanized and not as affordable as other areas of Mexico.

Lake Chapala is still affordable, but I would recommend a good look at crime rates and trends. I have an old family friend who is a native Guadalajaran who I met when she lived in California for serveral years. She moved back to Guadalaja about 15 years ago but is now in the process of leaving due to the dramatic increase in crime. On the other hand, Guadalaja is truly one of the booming economies in Mexico and close enough to Lake Chapala for easy access to all the city has to offer.

I am retiring in Baja Norte for a lot of reasons I have posted the last couple of days, but one of the biggest things that the area has that is better than any other beach area in Mexico....the weather. Anywhere on the east side of Baja or mainland beach areas are much hotter and HUMID with a capital H. You get some good months, but the steamy months are not my cup of tea.

The advice on renting is sound and strongly recommended. In the current economy a mistake could be one you have to live with for awhile.

Good luck in your search and enjoy every minute.