Living in Mexico

[Country John]

I have been living in TJ for one year in Colonia Libertad. I pay $300.00 for a two bedroom apartment. I live only one mile from the border, but it almost seems like I'm a thousand miles farther south. Hardly no one speaks english. There are no American fast food joints. And this is the way I like it. I'm having no problems living here, and have never felt threatened. I can take a taxi from my house to Zona Norte for only 7 pesos ($.65). Of course, I have to pile into a station wagon with 9 other people. Again, this is the way I like it.

While cars are waiting, sometimes, up to two hours to cross the border, it takes me less than 5 minutes because I ride a motorcycle.

The only thing I wish I would have done earlier was to have made an earnest effort to learn Spanish. I am doing this now. It's not a problem with the chicas of Zona Norte, but if you want to have a novia, you'd better learn the language. I've spent the past year sounding like a two year old.

Ditto all of the above. I took a girl who speaks NO english as my live in, I spoke no Spanish when I met her and now we have casual converstions. I am learning the language quite well and converse outside with some comfort and a few apologies.

It can be done. I am doing it. It is real, it can happen. Just be responsible financially and able to support youself. This is no place to be without money.

Country John

[Sun Devil]

Dirk, if you are an RN, I would recommend that you live in Mexico and work in the US.

You only need to work 3 days a week at about $40 an hour and you can make about $75,000 a year, something that is feasible in the San Diego area.

Another option is working registry, where you can pretty much choose your own hours. I don't know how common that is in California but here in Arizona it is quite popular. I know a number of registry nurses who live in Havasu or Flagstaff and work in Phoenix. They stay at a trailer home or at a hotel when they work here.

Additonally, if you don't mind working nights or weekends, you can get differential money.

[Roguesta]

I have been living in TJ for one year in Colonia Libertad. I pay $300.00 for a two bedroom apartment. I live only one mile from the border, but it almost seems like I'm a thousand miles farther south. Hardly no one speaks english. There are no American fast food joints. And this is the way I like it. I'm having no problems living here, and have never felt threatened. I can take a taxi from my house to Zona Norte for only 7 pesos ($.65). Of course, I have to pile into a station wagon with 9 other people. Again, this is the way I like it.

While cars are waiting, sometimes, up to two hours to cross the border, it takes me less than 5 minutes because I ride a motorcycle.

The only thing I wish I would have done earlier was to have made an earnest effort to learn Spanish. I am doing this now. It's not a problem with the chicas of Zona Norte, but if you want to have a novia, you'd better learn the language. I've spent the past year sounding like a two year old.

[Country John]

You should have no problems if you speak spanish. You will have to get certified of course but that should be a slam dunk.

Country John

As a follow up, I did some checking for you and found that you will be greeted with open arms but the most you'll make is the US equivalent of $1,500 a month. (General hospital pays more than private hospitals.) I talked to a doctor (English speaking, 35 years old, very competent guy) and he earns about $2,500 a month. Not much eh?

For me, living here in Mexico is very cool. The compromises are worth the return in my opinion.

If I get more info I'll post it here.

Countty John

[VoodooMan]

I am thinking of moving there in the near future, I was just curious on a few things:
How are the rents for apartments there?

Cost of living?

Is it safe as far as crime, walking the streets at night?

How is the nightlife, how are the women in Puebla?

I have been there before, but just on vacation, as an ex-girlfriend lived there with her family. I really enjoyed the sites, but didn't really get a feel for what it really is like to live there.

Thx,

VDM

[Country John]

Question for those in the know.

I work in the health care field, RN. Was wondering if it is possible for an american RN to do medical work in TJ/Mexico?

You should have no problems if you speak spanish. You will have to get certified of course but that should be a slam dunk.

Country John

[Dirk Struan]

Question for those in the know.

I work in the health care field, RN. Was wondering if it is possible for an american RN to do medical work in TJ/Mexico?

[Country John]

An American can own property in Mexico if placed in trust. Go through a Mexican attorney and avoid deals with U.S. backing like the one South of Ensenada that was involved in litigation. Some state that they have U.S. backed title insurance that may be viable.
Rentals in TJ vary and rentals in Mexicali start at $100 a month up.

My understanding (and correct me if I am wrong) is that if the property is in "trust" you do not own it, the "trust" owns it and you do not own the "trust.

The trust is a legal entity unto itself, you never own the property. Additonally, this applies to property within a certain distance from the coast. I believe an American can own property inland.

Country John

[Mexicali Jack]

An American can own property in Mexico if placed in trust. Go through a Mexican attorney and avoid deals with U.S. backing like the one South of Ensenada that was involved in litigation. Some state that they have U.S. backed title insurance that may be viable.
Rentals in TJ vary and rentals in Mexicali start at $100 a month up.

[Country John]

Originally Posted by 2cool
Hi, I am a resident of Southern California.

I would like to know if anyone could please share some information about living in Tijuana, Mexico.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment per month?

Can U.S. citizens own real(estate) property in Mexico?

Is it safe to drive your vehicle across the border, is there secure parking?

Is it possible for a U.S. citizen to obtain citizenship for Mexico?

What areas of Tijuana are nice to live in and near the red zone/zona?

Please feel free to PM me if you want to share any other information.

I've been in Mexico a lot and now have an apartment here so I'll take a whack at your questions.

"How much does it cost to rent an apartment per month?"

I pay $350 per month for 2 BR 1 Bath, secure parking. Clean place.

"Can U.S. citizens own real(estate) property in Mexico?"

No.

"Is it safe to drive your vehicle across the border, is there secure parking?"

Driving in Mexico is different from driving in the USA. It is safe to drive here but you MUST MUST MUST have the proper insurance. Driving habits vary and you will have to learn about the "rules of the road."

There are secure places to park in the Zona. NEVER park overnight on the street -NEVER.

"Is it possible for a U.S. citizen to obtain citizenship for Mexico?"

Yes

"What areas of Tijuana are nice to live in and near the red zone/zona?"

It really depends what standard of living you are looking for. Generally, apartments in TJ might not be up to your standards.

Apartments near the Zona are a hit and miss proposition. One bud has a place five minutes or so away that is really nice - he pays $450. per month. Like anything it pays to shop around.

Country John
Please feel free to PM me if you want to share any other information.

[Heyzeus]

One guy I know rented a nice, quiet apartment in an upscale area to build a love nest with his favorite chica. It costed him $1200 a month. Next door to him are some of the larger multi-million-dollar houses. He was so proud of his love nest.

One Friday he took his girlfriend to Ensenada, leaving 2 large Dobermins in the enclosed yard to guard the place. When they returned on Sunday, both of the Dobermins had been butchered. Their large bloody heads were left in the yard. The thieves had enough time to clean out the entire apartment, including beds, couches, chairs, refrigerator, stoves, washing machines, TV, clothes, even toys for the chica's kids.

Of course the neighbors did not see anything. The Tijuana police was having a good laugh at the fact that he was so stupid that he lost everything. He never filed a police report. He never came back to live in TJ again.

What were the names of the dogs? Zeus and Apollo?

Where in TJ did this "friend" of yours live? Which Colonia?

[One Wing Low]

One guy I know rented a nice, quiet apartment in an upscale area to build a love nest with his favorite chica. It costed him $1200 a month. Next door to him are some of the larger multi-million-dollar houses. He was so proud of his love nest.

One Friday he took his girlfriend to Ensenada, leaving 2 large Dobermins in the enclosed yard to guard the place. When they returned on Sunday, both of the Dobermins had been butchered. Their large bloody heads were left in the yard. The thieves had enough time to clean out the entire apartment, including beds, couches, chairs, refrigerator, stoves, washing machines, TV, clothes, even toys for the chica's kids...

Of course the neighbors did not see anything. The Tijuana police was having a good laugh at the fact that he was so stupid that he lost everything. He never filed a police report. He never came back to live in TJ again.

Hi, I am a resident of Southern California.

I would like to know if anyone could please share some information about living in Tijuana, Mexico.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment per month?

Can U.S. citizens own real(estate) property in Mexico?

Is it safe to drive your vehicle across the border, is there secure parking?

Is it possible for a U.S. citizen to obtain citizenship for Mexico?

What areas of Tijuana are nice to live in and near the red zone/zona?

Please feel free to PM me if you want to share any other information.

[Belgrath]

Check under living in TJ section in their forums.

http://www.tijuanablog.com/phpBB2/in...9fd4b42e41b24b

[2Cool]

So no one knows anything or has any information?

[2Cool]

Hi, I am a resident of Southern California.

I would like to know if anyone could please share some information about living in Tijuana, Mexico.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment per month?

Can U.S. citizens own real(estate) property in Mexico?

Is it safe to drive your vehicle across the border, is there secure parking?

Is it possible for a U.S. citizen to obtain citizenship for Mexico?

What areas of Tijuana are nice to live in and near the red zone/zona?

Please feel free to PM me if you want to share any other information.