My husband and I would like to consider moving to Baja. We have mature dogs which are like our kids and would also like to bring our car to Baja. I have a lot of questions:

I like the idea of being closer to the US for frequent trips back and forth. However, we also like the idea of Cabo San Lucas as that area seem to have more homes similar to what we find in southern California.

How difficult would it be to drive with dogs to Baja? Would we be able to rent a U-Haul to haul our car to Cabo instead of driving it? Approximately how long of a drive from S. Cal would it be?

Would it be difficult to find rentals which would allow pets? We have business online and will require high speed internet...would that be easy or difficult to find in most homes in Baja areas?

I've not spent much time there and neither has my husband. We're tired of the rat race in the US and feel it's time to move to a place where we can live a more comfortable life.

I would love any and all feedback. Thank you all in advance!

You "feel it's time to move to a place where we can live a more comfortable life"?

Then you should first ask yourself why 10 million Mexicans moved to the US for a more comfortable life. Cabo San Lucas is more expensive than most US cities, and its not a rat race, it's a rat marathon. Food is more expensive in all of Baja, north and south, than in the US. that is unless you plan on eating only those food items subsidized by the government, rice, beans, tortillas and cheese. Electricity and water are also more expensive. There is no reliable public mail service. Your US medical insurance is useless in Mexico. Oh yeah, you are not even allowed to import dog food for your dogs.

quote:

Originally posted by md8218:
My husband and I would like to consider moving to Baja. We have mature dogs which are like our kids and would also like to bring our car to Baja. I have a lot of questions:

I like the idea of being closer to the US for frequent trips back and forth. However, we also like the idea of Cabo San Lucas as that area seem to have more homes similar to what we find in southern California.

How difficult would it be to drive with dogs to Baja? Would we be able to rent a U-Haul to haul our car to Cabo instead of driving it? Approximately how long of a drive from S. Cal would it be?

Would it be difficult to find rentals which would allow pets? We have business online and will require high speed internet...would that be easy or difficult to find in most homes in Baja areas?

I've not spent much time there and neither has my husband. We're tired of the rat race in the US and feel it's time to move to a place where we can live a more comfortable life.
I would love any and all feedback. Thank you all in advance!

I would suggest taking a little time and explore Baja a bit. It is very large state and there are major differances between North and South.

To answer a couple of your questions...you can travel with your four legged friends without any problems. No inspections are needed as long as you enter / exit via land.

Internet is available only in lager cities (i.e. Loretto, Cabo, La Paz)but you can always get high speed internet via satellite just about anywhere.

I am not too familiar with Baja North. However, in Baja Sur (south) some of the great towns are La Paz, Cabo, Loretto and Todo Santos. Each have their advantages and disadvantages. Cabo is expensive but is very "familiar" with a somewhat fast pace.
My favorites are La Paz (my home town) and Todo Santos.

Spend a couple of weeks driving down and exploring. Come with an open mind and open hart and you'll fit right in.
Good luck,
G.

www.GPSProjectManagement.com

MD,

I have been traveling to Baja for 20 years and own property in Cabo and Todos Santos. Since we still have young children, my wife and i still spend the majority of our time in California.
When the kids get older we will make the move down, probably Todos Santos. My second choice would be San Jose which is a twenty minute drive from Cabo.
Todos Santos is very tranqual and a slow pace. Its a small town and not much night life after 9pm. Cabo on the other hand has everything and can get wild with all the bars and night life. There is alot of things to do there. It is a bid tourist destination so it can be a bit expensive. San Jose and Loreto are a little smaller towns but have all the amenities you will ever need. La Paz is big yet beautiful. You really need to spend some time down there and explore.
I have drivin down many times and that is an experience in itself. Driving a u-haul is like drivivng a christmas present on wheels and not a good idea. You can pay a freight service moving truck, call for quotes, or drive your stuff down in a van or tow a trailer. You can bring your pets but you will have to make sure they have their shot current with a note from a vet that is dated within 36 hours of your entering Mexico. I am driving down to Cabo on August 1st if you want to caravan.

You cannot just 'move there'... It is in another country, afterall. Read up on aquiring an FM-3 visa which you must have to maintain any property in Mexico (including leaving a car there when you return north for any time). It is not easy, but it is done by Americans a lot.

Cabo San Lucas is a tourist center at the southern tip of the 700 mile (1000 highway miles) long peninsula. I highly recommend you take several weeks to explore all the 'true' Baja that is north of Cabo, FIRST!

Some other geography points:

The town mentioned in a post above is spelled LORETO (one T) and Baja California is TWO states seperated at the 28º latitude line (near Guerrero Negro). The state to the north is 'Baja California' (often refered to as 'Baja Norte') and the southern state is 'Baja California Sur'.

Things always will take longer in Mexico, and you will need to become used to the term 'Mexican Time' if you want to function down there.

Good luck!

Md8218

Fulano does not know what he is talking about!!

Less busy life yes it is here. Please visit El Dorado ranch. They have free week-end visits. Free motel stay and tours

There is a real estate office and they will show you around, no pressure. Just call the home sale office El Dorado Ranch. They will bus you down for free or even fly you down on there DC-8.

There is a Doctor and staff and clinic on the ranch. A big gas Station, easy find it grocery stores, car wash. the basics are there. The town of San Felipe is 8 miles south. You are away from the busy little town, your by the private beach of El Dorado ranch, there is a nice swimming pool and Bar, good resturants around the ranch. The people here on the ranch are friendly and caring, willing to help. The food cost is way less. New York Steak $1.50 usd each. fruit and veg`es 1/3 the price of US.

I`ve live here, work here and have friends here
For low cost, sunny warm weather, activities, El Dorado Ranch is hard to beat.

You can Buy a home with just a FMT Visa (26.00), but to sell your home you need a FM-3.
Not a problem to get, its cheap. There are agents to help you like Loleta and Rick. Everybody knows them.
you can buy a home on the ranch for 119,000 and up with power and a/c. outside patio, 2-bed and 1--2 bathrooms.
Come down and see!!!!!!!!

David K

You are Mistaken!!!!!!!!!!

All you need is a tourist Visa to buy a home and or rent a house here in the Baja. To sell your home you need a FM-3 which is very easy to get. And there are Agents to help with the Paper work. It only took me one day to complete the request for my FM-3. check out El Dorado Ranch. Free bus tour available. Cars do not have to be lic. in Baja. Just hace the US paper work that shows you as the legal owner or Reg. Owner, get Mex. Insurance and your good to go.

LAPAZBAJA1

you have it right. San Felipe Baja Norte is very nice. El Dorado ranch is also a good place visit, its close to the US 120 miles.

Some folks need to go the US at times. Yuma, AZ. 3 hours away, El Centro 2-1/2 Hours

House rent on the Ranch is 500.00 per month and up.

Yes, by all means listen to baja.dave. He really knows what he's talking about. After you have read all his posts, then read this about all the American who have been screwed in San Felipe:

http://fulanofiles.blogspot.co...07/ugly-gabacho.html

Then, before you jump in the water, read this about how San Felipe has the most polluted ocean water in all of Baja:

http://fulanofiles.blogspot.co...aches-of-mexico.html

Fulano/bajabudda

groceries are not the same or more than the US
basic food items 1/2 or less

Power bill with a/c average for the year $50.00 p/m

Mex. Car insurance Global Company two persons liability 150.00 per year w/ rep.

A FMM is all you need to be legal in Mex. Baja and buy a home in Mex.cost 26.00 every 6 months

A FM-3 is needed to sell you home in Mex.

Home insurance for me is 168.00 per year

You can get a FM-3 its easy, just meet the sinple Mex. request

I built our home and moved in in 8 months, others not understanding construction and organization took up to 3 years

You don`t need to lic. your car in Baja, just have current ownership paper work, like title or american registration in Baja only

The west north shore is a joke, high cost, over crowding, heary and crazy traffic leads to bad attudes like yours Fulano and Bajabudda

You need to think positive, listen the changes Mex is making. The US emptied our IRA`s and 401-K`s , our US homes are worthless and China owns most of the US now. All the self-employed with construction, building and Sales have lost there jobs and many are filing Chapter-7. I think everyone should file

you jest about el dorado ranch

the westside is a joke

millions of people in the extreme north west corner of baja. High cost of living
smog, traffic, congestion, its like a concentrated LA

Now San Quintin is the place to live!!!!!!

REMEMBER BOY`S

THE USA HAS RIPPED US OFF

NOT MEXICO

YOU BOYS NEED TO SHOW RESPECT TO THE MEXICANS AND THERE GOVERNMENT

IT WILL HELP YOU ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOALS, OF LIVING A COMFORTABLE LIFE IN THE BAJA

FOLLOW THERE RULES, ASK FOR HELP, MAKE FRIENDS NOT ENEMIES.

Eerrrrmmm, I'm afraid you lost me there about the 'Chinese' thing, and filing Chapter 7 and all. Listen, Sparky... as far as "MAKE FRIENDS NOT ENEMIES", it was your posts about "Fulano does not know what he is talking about !!" , and "David K. you are mistaken !!!!!!!" that seemed kind of inflamatory to me, especially when I've read several posts over several years from Senor Fulano that were informative, cautionary, respectful, and anything BUT bad attitude. HE has shown a deep affection and knowledge of the entire peninsula, the Government, Peoples, and a willingness to share and help people.

I also noted you just happen to have a house for sale in your marvelous Gringolandia Ranch posted in another section of this website... can you spell A-G-E-N-D-A ? Fine, talk all you want about your shangri-la, but try not to disrespect others who obviously have a much broader knowledge of life in Baja. It ISN'T what it used to be, and mostly due to greedy gringos trying to do nefarious land deals as Senor Fulano documented. Seen it myself for many a year now, and I go by the old adage 'Never invest in Mexico what you can't afford to lose'. But that's just my opinion, and I'm glad you have such a great place that suits you.

And to you, BOY..

"Sometimes it is better to remain quiet and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt".

These kind if posts always remind me of the war between the norh & the south----or--- The grass is always greener on my side of the fence????

Mexico is Mexico--- learn about it BEFORE you come & buy here NOT After! There are many things to learn to live in any other country if you move from the U.S. In other words "It is not the good old U.S.A. cut & dried!Only a fool would come to Mx. & spend $150,000.00 on a house without spending some time here first.
Or someone who just cannot wait to spend their money or someone who has so much they just plain don't care where it goes?
It's another "to each his own" situation.

FMM (old FM-T) is a TOURIST CARD for people on a VACATION. (period)

Once you buy property, a home/land/ and anything personal that doesn't go back north at the end of your trip into Mexico means you are NO LONGER a TOURIST on a vacation, but instead are a PART TIME MEXICO RESIDENT (who returns to the same place each trip to live part of the year). That (to honor Mexican law) requires an FM-3 visa, and that is what gives you legal rights to the property you are leaving in Mexico when you go back north.

Sure, you can obtain property while you are a tourist (1st step for many)... But, once you become a part timer, then the process of getting an FM-3 should begin... and it is NOT so easy... not like getting a tourist card! You must show proof of income so Mexico doesn't get any deadbeats, you must put money in a Mexican Bank that can't be touched, and you need to make repeated trips to officials and 'play their game' or hire a professional to do some of this for you... $$$. You will have 'windows' as to when and where you must renew your visa, as well.

Not easy... but doable... plenty of Americans and Canadians have and will advise you. Just be careful of real estate salesmen's advice!

David can I contact you off the forum?

Warren Jorgenson
Minnesota

quote:

Originally posted by WarrenJ:
David can I contact you off the forum?

Warren Jorgenson
Minnesota

Just click "David K" on left side above avatar and check his profile for contact info.

Baja Oso

David,
You can use the Fm-$$ you show in the bank between FM renewal dates. You just must make sure the proper ammount is in the bank come remewal time when you need the letter from the bank showing the Fm $$ are correct.
This we do every year for our FM.Use it & put it back.You can take it back out as soon as you have the letter from the bank showing it for FM.

Thanks Baja Mom for that... as you I do not have a place in Baja (nor want to be trapped in one location, yet), so I appreciate your facts as one who is there and has done it!