TalkBaja.com » Baja Mexico Forums » General Discussion

Greetings, folks. I'm new to the forum and have a few questions.

I recently spent 10 days in Todos Santos and completely fell in love with the town, the weather, and the proximity to the Pacific. I'm returning next month to look for long-term rentals, which should also give me a feeling for what it's like during the dog days of summer.

While my heart is definitely in TS, I began to wonder whether I might be better off closer to the US border, so I've also been investigating Ensenada. I'm still working (by phone and internet) and have plenty of friends and family in the US, so it would be great to be able to drive across the border and hop on a plane with ease. Ditto some of the specialty needs I might not be able to satisfy in TS. At the same time, I love the sun and wouldn't be keen on a lot of chilly, foggy days.

Any input/suggestions would be most appreciated. How's the weather in Ensenada compared with TS? Are the beaches noisy with ATVs? Any TS expats out there able to share about their adventures in Baja Sur?

Thanks!

I suggest you do some major on-line research. IMO, there is NO comparison between Ensenada & Todos Santos, let alone Baja Norte & Sur. Totally different climates & even the culture in Ensenada is much more like the US than anything you'd encounter in TS. The last time I drove through Ensenada, at least 50% of the signs were in English & a lot of prices reflected in USD.

It's going to come down to your personal wish list, your priorities. TS has the warmth of the sun, but it's also windier because it's on the Pacific side, then too, it's in hurricane territory. Ensenada isn't in hurricane alley, but it's quite a bit cooler & gets a lot more rain that southern Baja. So make up a list of your druthers & do some more online research. Do Google searches for any town by name to get a feel for the climate, population, amenities available in the area & narrow your search down to a few that appeal most to you on line & then visit those places to see if they speak to your heart. Obviously TS did, since you're going back to check out long-term rentals, but did you check any of the other towns & villages within a 50-100 mile radius?

Happy hunting!

Thanks! Yes, the research has begun, and this forum was one of my first stops. I used to live in San Diego so suspect I have a feel for Ensenada weather. TS drew because of the artsy atmosphere, and I love the breed of the Pacific, as long as it's not too cold. What other towns in that vicinity do you recommend exploring? I'm partial to the Pacific side.

Markg, you might want to "take a walk" on either GoogleEarth or a paper map. Since Hwy. 1 crosses from the Pacific side of the peninsula & runs either inland or down the Sea of Cortez side, there aren't too many easily accessible areas of any size on the Pacific side. More commonly, you're going to find remote little fishing villages on the Pacific side. Between Guerrerro Negro & Cabo, there aren't any sizable "towns", and certainly no international airports. North of Cabo there are some beach communities (such as El Pescadero) on the Pacific side. If you drove the Hwy. between Cabo & Todos Santos, you've pretty much seen the Pacific side Sur options!

Because of Hwy. 1, there are a lot more possibilities on the Sea of Cortez side of the peninsula in Baja Sur. But it's a trade-off of amenities versus heat in the summer....summer being a looong season typically from May/June - mid-October!

There's a huge disparity in your choices of Ensenada or Todos Santos! Come up with your list of perfect world must haves & take a "walking tour" on Google Earth looking for spots that fulfill most of your "druthers", then come back & ask about those specific areas.

Teniente's in the Ensenada area & he'd be an excellent source for info for the Ensenada area! We're a geographically diverse group here!

I live in TS full time since January. I have owned my land here since 2005 and understand the both the climate and economic conditions here very well.

With the new road now complete to both La Paz & Cavo you can be be shopping in big brabd stores or Costcos,, etc if you need to in 40 min to 1 hour.

Weater in TS is much better than la Paz or Cabo for heat with the ocean right here. I live in Las Brisas and we don't have any real wind probelms and the last time TS got hit with a direct hurricane none of is were alive.
This town will change with the road in but slowly, tourism is getting better all summer for a change and more shop keepers and local rest. may now choose to hire summer help to stay open.
We live here with fast internet, sat. TV and a much slower pace of life and 30-40% lower cost of living than the US but give up nothing that we don't want to.
Rents run form chaep to expensive it all depaends on what your needed ans have time to flush out, there are lots of good deals as more and more owners see the value of a sure thing in rent versus higher tourist daily rents for a few months at best if there lucky.

Life here is GOOD and we wouldn't ever live up north again!

OK, here is my take on this.......for what it is worth, and your mileage may vary.

Seems to me that Markg likes Todos, from what he has seen, but is also possibly drawn to Ensenada.
As Longleggs says, there is quite a disparity between them. Having lived in San Diego, Markg knows the climate. Plusses for Ensenada include being close to the border (90 minutes); San Diego International Airport and plenty of US shopping (the famous Trader Joe's). .....also the friends and family thing.

It's esy to get friends and family to San Diego, then go up and grab them and drag them to Ensenada, more difficult to do if you live in Todos

My suggestion would be to give Ensenada a try and for a diversion/vacation, hit Todos. The best of both worlds.

But as Longleggs says, you gotta do your homework..........here is what I tell people who ask "where in Baja??"

Before you decide/settle on any area there are a few things you should do:

1. Each of you (hubby & wife) should independently make a list of your "wants" for a new area.......then compare the lists......going to find a few surprises!!!!! (you may "want" a bowling alley, but do you really "need" one???)

2. Each of you should then independently make a list of what you really need.....(medical, shopping ease of returning to the border, a place to get a great Hamburger....whatever) and compare.

3. Look for an area that realistically fits all of your "needs" and as many "wants' as possible........find a place in that area and rent for at least 6 months....and live like you would if you were full timers.......you will learn many things about yourself and the area you chose.

We p[cked Ensenada because it is and has a "real town" feel with all the services and cultural events that you will ever need (medical - several hospitals and great doctors, dentists and even vets for your dogs; shopping - a COSTCO, Home Depot, various supermarkets and smaller mercados, even a Super Wal-Mart; social - we have attended concerts, plays, jazz festivals and the annual Ensenada Wine Festival and the Punta Banda Chili Cook Off and Salsa competition in August of each year).

Ensenada or Todos may be for you, but only after you do your research will you be able make an informed decision.

Good luck

Originally Posted by Punta Banda Chili Cook Off and Salsa competition in August of each year).

What's the dates for this years completion?
Sorry for thread jacking. Thanks

Originally Posted by domack

What's the dates for this years completion?
Sorry for thread jacking. Thanks

LOS GORDOS "ANYTHING GOES" CHILI COOK OFF 2012

Held August 18th, 2012 at Los Gordos Bar, La Bufadora, Punta Banda.

About the only thing I could possibly add to the list ... try to stay in a selected location for a year ... if possible

Plus one use location as a base of operations .. to evaluate other sites ... as Legs outlined above..

Good luck, think you can find a really nice place just about anywhere you like ...

and the chili sounds good right NOW

My 2 pesos. We are moving 30 July to Punta Banda. We are coming from Lake Chapala. I did a lot of research on the area and being an old Florida boy, a house on the beach was for us. We went, we looked and rented. So far most we hear from folks in this area is positive and good, as always there are a couple of well U know. My wife who is Mexican only concern there is no little store to run to to buy milk or pan, so we adjust. My idea is it may be a little colder than I would like so a year from now we may want to go south. So far good, good

Originally Posted by prorader

........... My wife who is Mexican only concern there is no little store to run to to buy milk or pan, so we adjust................. P

Villarino's little mercado is just around the corner from you. Turn right on the La Bufadora road, across from the fire department in campo LaJolla. There are also two other little stores plus a vegtable and fruit market a short distance if you turn left on La Bufadora road.

Is that walking or driving? If driving I may have to hire someone to teach her how to drive, lord know I can't

Originally Posted by prorader

Is that walking or driving? If driving I may have to hire someone to teach her how to drive, lord know I can't

Depends where on the "spit" you live and how much exercise you need wether you walk or drive, She can't be worse than anybody else on the road.

Thanks for your great feedback, folks. I'll continue exploring. Next step is probably to spend a long weekend in Ensenada!

@todoslarry I totally get your enthusiasm about TS. La Paz and Cabo are just an hour away, the pace of life is slow and gentle, the Pacific is right there, and I do love the weather! I actually have a bead on a rental in Las Brisas, just up the hill from La Esquina. I'll be back in August to check it out or look at other options. Another option would be to buy a piece of land, park a trailer on it, and eventually build a little casita on the property. Any thoughts?

I have a vonag eline here in my casita that if you want please call me it's always easier to talk over the phone and faster than emails.
(971)322-1111 or my Mexican cell 612-137-9229
I have a line into the rental market here.

cheers,
larry

Tried to call half a dozen times, but your line is either busy, or I get a message that you're unavailable. And my long distance doesn't seem to let me call your Mexican cell direct. Perhaps we can Skype. You can email me at mgramunt1@gmail.com. Thanks for offering to connect!

Whatever you do, rent before even giving a thought to buying anything. I wouldn't even sign onto any long term leases at first. What seems like paradise on a vacation may turn into something else once you live there. It takes time and perspective to be able to truly size a place up and until you have that advantage, it makes no sense to invest. Renting allows you the freedom to explore and choose where you really want to end up and give you the time to make a good decision as to whether Baja/Mexico is where you truly want to be.

Appreciate the good advice. Thanks!