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Hola, everyone!

First, the essentials about me: 66 year old active single female, not anywhere near fluent in Spanish, retired on $1100 social security.

I moved to San Miguel de Allende seven months ago from (hot, humid) Louisville, KY., am on my first year of the FM3 to be renewed this June and, having realized the reality of healthcare in Mexico over the past few months on Seguro Popular [because I cannot afford an expat insurance policy], am beginning to wonder if I should move back to the States so I can access Medicare, or .....

Live SOB with easy access to San Diego?

I don't have a car and I'm not sure what "easy access" actually means? I know the San Diego trolley runs into Tijuana, but I don't have fond memories of Tijuana (from the 70's) and would prefer to rent near the ocean. Can anyone tell me what it would mean in terms of time and money to live in an area like Ensenada and have a doctor's appointment in San Diego? Am I just crazy to think that's even doable?

My ignorance on this questions is boundless. Your collective wisdom? Priceless.

Saludos,
Jackie

Welcome.
Not wanting to be negitave . The first thing I would try and find out If my Incone even qualify's to renew my Visia as of November last the monetary amount took a huge leap. I have lived here for a while and it has me worried.

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

J.P. is making a good point. You may not have much choce if $1100.00 is your total income.

According to the new INM regulations, folks like me who came in under the old income rules will be grandfathered in without having to prove the new income limits. Folks in San Miguel de Allende who are renewing this month are reporting that it's working that way.

Of course, it *is* Mexico, so I won't be entirely relieved until I go through the paperwork myself in June, but I think it's safe to explore at this point in the game.

Your thoughts are welcome!
Jackie

"I know the San Diego trolley runs into Tijuana..."

Best of luck in your move... just so you know, the San Diego Trolley does not cross the border and go into Tijuana. It does end at the border, however. It was built upon the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railroad line, which did go from the Tijuana border crossing to Tecate in Baja California, then back across to the U.S. near Campo. In fact, it is the only railroad that crosses an intenational border undergrond (in a tunnel)!

.. and I believe they still offer Sunday afternoon train rides from TJ to Tecate.

The trolley stop is at the pedestrian border crossing- the east side. If you live in Playas de Tijuana it's a fairly cheap cab ride to the border and they probably have a directish bus- not sure. If you can do without some luxuries, you'll find places there in your budget.

Originally Posted by jax

Hola, everyone!

Live SOB with easy access to San Diego?

I don't have a car and I'm not sure what "easy access" actually means? I know the San Diego trolley runs into Tijuana, but I don't have fond memories of Tijuana (from the 70's) and would prefer to rent near the ocean. Can anyone tell me what it would mean in terms of time and money to live in an area like Ensenada and have a doctor's appointment in San Diego? Am I just crazy to think that's even doable?

My ignorance on this questions is boundless. Your collective wisdom? Priceless.

Saludos,
Jackie

You can probably find reasonable housing in, or around Ensenada. In traveling to the border you'll need to remember it's at least an hour, maybe a little more from Ensenada to la linea (i.e. the border crossing) and then depending upon the day and the time of day, crossing on foot can be anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. It's a royal PITA.

Investing in a SENTRI pass can help speed you through as there is a special line for people with SENTRI cards. The SENTRI card is about $100 +/-, good for 5 years at Mexican land crossings, apply on line.

You walk out of US customs and the trolley is right there, really can't miss it. Taxis are not quite as plentiful in SD as they are in Mexico and definitely not as inexpensive. Rapid transit in SD isn't very rapid and it, too, is pricey. It's an hour and $5 one way from the border to the Old Town transit station where you can transfer to a pretty wide range of bus lines. Urban fare is $2.25 one way. You'd be looking at about $15 USD in trolley/bus R/T fares on the US side of the border depending upon where your doctor, clinic or hospital is located. Point being that SD is spread out and not particularly efficient or cost effective to navigate on public transit. And that doesn't count what it would cost you to get from Ensenada to Tijuana and back.

Tijuana's been reinventing itself. Forget what you remember from the 70s (no polyester, big hair or disco balls in sight) , Tijuana is still kind of dirty and not terribly charming, but it's not nearly as seedy as it used to be. Come visit with an open mind, you may be surprised. Depending on how frequently you need to cross for medical attention, you may find it more beneficial to live in TJ.

None of the other ex-pat meccas like Ajijic, Chapala, GDL, Morelia, Patz would work for you?

I believe that Greyhound actually provides service crossing the border south into Tijuana, and back north again.

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

I believe that Greyhound actually provides service crossing the border south into Tijuana, and back north again.

Is Greyhound still making that run? I heard they discontinued it a few years back with all the cartel violence going on?

Originally Posted by beachbum

Is Greyhound still making that run? I heard they discontinued it a few years back with all the cartel violence going on?

Yes, Greyhound still makes the run. It's easier going South than North because northbound you still have to go through the bus line and if that's long, so is the wait.

A couple months ago we were in TJ for a Saturday lunch and hit the pedestrian line to cross back mid afternoon. There was a very new, very sleek Greyhound in the bus line. We made it across well before the bus did.

Which is why I avoid weekend crossing like the plague...

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

Which is why I avoid weekend crossing like the plague...

It's also why I have a SENTRI pass, but unfortunately, the two people I was with did not. And since I was driving, it would have been rude to leave them in line while I breezed across and boring as hell to wait for them on the other side