My wife and I are thinking of moving to San Felipe in the future, we currently live in northern california and are considering it for retirement. I am looking for other Americans who have done the same and can offer some reccomendations. 1. Housing costs? 2. Medical Services? 3. Security? 4. Reputable Real estate dealers? 5. Taxes? any information would be grealy appreciated. Thanks Chuck
HOUSING IS CHEAPER THAN u.s BUT GETTING MORE SPENDY in San Felipe now. Depends on the contractor.Lots of building going on now. I think they advertise around $60 to $70 a sq.ft. now. There are lots of medical services (compared to what it used to be ofcourse) as there is a new hospital now St. James Infirmary, Also Red Cross and several Drs., dentists etc. Hear good reports about about all of the dentists. I belive there are about 7 Drs. practicing at the hospital now. Security is good at Eldorado & Playa de Oro that I know of. Not sure about anyplace else tho? Eldorado now has a big security force, about 50 or so I hear. Well, that must be your own choosing for Real Estate! But you must never believe all that sales people tell you! Go out and talk to the people that live in the area you are interested in is best. We now pay taxes in Eldorado. If you have more questions or I can help any more please feel free to ask away! Also you can email me personally for more. I live in Eldorado just north of San Felipe. We have lived there almost 8 years now. meme/Val
Send me an email when you get a chance. I work for a company that offers homesites down in San Felipe. I would be happy to help you. I am based in California too. LauraMo80@aol.com
candl we also thought we wanted to retire in san felipe but after going there in june i changed my mind. too far from the border and the road is not good and too dry and hot.there is nothing to see in SF and don't let the sales rep talk you into buying they tried and put pressure on us to buy in el dorado ranch. too expensive also not worth it!
Wife is from Mexicali- been to SF many times, I would NEVER live there (part time maybe)... it is WAY too fricken hot.... late fall/winter/early spring OK.
Consider Ensenada, or Rosarito. We bought a huge ocean view lot in San Marino for 45K.
OFCOURSE IT"S HOT IN JUNE, July, Aug. and Sept. in San Felipe. Who says you have to stay there all year? Especially if you are retiring there? We stay until end of June, it's gettig hot but still tolerable. Many stay much longer! Eldorado is as expensive as you want to make it. You can choose to live in a Solar area which is not NEAR as expensive as building big expensive house. Can buy lots from private parties which are also cheaper than buying directly from Eldorado. What you choose to do with your lot is your expense!! As far as miles from Border it's only 130 miles! Things to see in SF???? Depends on what you are looking for? We go every week to the desert in our dune buggy and see lots & lots of things. No there are not any tourist attractions to speak of in SF, but much much more!Actually we are glad there is not more!!! San Felipe is growing rapidly and in some ways we hate to see this but in other ways we know it's likly good for the Mexican people as far as economics go.
SEE IF YOU CAN GET TITLE INSURANCE. no matter what anybody tells you, gabachos (the mexican word for Gringos) cannot legally own any land within 17 miles from the coast. You'll get the thing built and then one day, some emxican with a lawyer will swwop in and yank the rug. aint no thong (that too) thing you'll be able to do about it. happened recently in Rosarito and the rest of the expats are priming the pump now.
THe US consulate cannot help you, and mexican law is not in your favor. hope your hacienda is built on throwaway cash... stated from experience!
My wife and I moved to San Felipe 2.5 years ago. If you want a beautiful, very relaxed spot this is it. If you want "thing to do" American style, skip San Felipe. Take your time with Real Estate shopping. El Dorado is the big development, but there are many other options in the town of San Felipe. We live in a subdivision called Playas de San Felipe. Nice lots here are priced below the lots in the American enclaves like ElDorado and Playa de ORo. The Real Estate people here will say whatever it takes to make a sale. Do not expect any approximation of the truth from them. Take your time, talk to lots of people, and trianglate your sources of information. Much of what you hear from Americans will prove to be invalid. Some of this is merely rumor mongering, and some of it is bald faced lying to sell lots. Hope this helps.
We also are thinking about retiring to San Felipe. We are seriously considering buying land at this moment but not in El Dorado. The land is closer to town and in the process of being privatized. We are going to spend the money it takes to have a trust drawn up and build on it. But I have several questions. One -Is medical insurance available or even needed with the cost of medical care being reasonable..we plan on buying skymed for sure for catastrophic illnesses and should we keep an american medical policy?..I am assuming we should. Two - Not that we need it but we have paid into it for years and that is Social Security. I assume we need to keep a United States address to be able to draw Social Security. We had already planned on keeping a P.O. Box in the States. Any help provided would be appreciated.
Tom Cooke...where is Playas de San Felipe? I don't recall seeing it when were down there in August. We were all over the place looking at properties. Possibly a little south of town and to the left of the main road?..we are headed back down in another month or so to look again.
We are "fully retiring" to Baja soon. We will maintain a Nevada PO Box with a mail forewarding service in Ensenada. All checks (military retirement/ Social Security) will be deposited in US bank account (dollars), with funds (pesos) being withdrawn by use of ATM's in Baja...the exchange rate is better. By maintaining a US PO Box, it will allow us to keep our vehicles registered in our home state.
We also will maintain medical insurance for major events, as is only 1 hour to med facilities in San Diego, although for minor medical or dental, we will use local service providers and pay in pesos (which is usually less than current deductible amounts under current med insurance).
Thanks for that info...that's about the same thoughts we had in regards to mail and insurance but nice to know that our thoughts are in the right direction. Just wondering if the IRS and SS requires a physical address in the US?..no?
Originally posted by Penumbra: Tom Cooke...where is Playas de San Felipe? I don't recall seeing it when were down there in August. We were all over the place looking at properties. Possibly a little south of town and to the left of the main road?..we are headed back down in another month or so to look again.
It is right IN Town! I believe it's to the south on Mar de Cortez street.
I have visited San Felipe several times and found it to be a pleasant change from the Ensenada scene. Its close enough to the border to make a quick trip back to the states feasible and it is much less commercial than Ensenada. Its true its hot in the summer but very temperate in the fall and spring. If I was moving to Baja, Todos Santos would be my first choice but San Felipe has some appeal. TKG
Housing costs: as in US, it all depends on loacation. From 50K for solar block hut in ther desert to 750K for a nice home with mega ocean views. Medical Services: OK for basic care. For serious medical issues, go back to US. Security: Depends on neighborhood and your own security measures e.g. alarm system. If you make it easy for thieves, they will rob your home, just like in US. Real Estate Dealers: As in US they live on commission, However the industry exists in SF without the oversight or ethical regulation of any meaningful professional assn. notwithstanding what you may be told. Be very wary, and go slow in order to triple check what you have been told by sales people. Taxes: much lower than in US. Overall: take your time and check your sources. PS: I am simply a Nothern Californian who has retired to SF. I do not sell RE. I have nothing to gain by my submission. If others submitting replies to your question have something to gain ( commission) take that into account.
As of 10/1/06Baja Mom's estimate of buildiing costs between $60 and $70 per sq. foot is dated. Costs now are more like 85-100. Anything built now for under $80 per sq. ft. would be a simple block stucture with low cost obvious throughout. Costs are creeping up as the builders reply to the oldest principle of business...supply and demand.
Thanks so much for all that good info....alot of which I knew...but good to reinforce the..be wary and check things thoroughly...can't wait to get down there full time....so enjoyable..
