Forums > Areas > North Pacific Region

douglowell

Apr 6, 2008, 5:16 PM

Post #1 of 4 (1789 views)

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Ensenada La Paz Todos Santos

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Hi,

My wife and I are looking to retire in Mexico, and we're seriously considering these three spots in Baja. We'll be visiting this June.

I'd love to hear from expats who've chosen one of these three places, and certainly from anyone who weighed two or three of these against each other before deciding.

What made you choose the way you chose?

We're looking for something coastal, something Mexican (no gated communities), a place with enough of an expat community to ease our way into Mexico, and a place with diverse brains and some cultural activities besides just the surf an sunsets.

Any comments will be sincerely appreciated because, after all, you've got better things to do than answer my questions.

Thanks so much.

morgaine7

Apr 6, 2008, 8:44 PM

Post #2 of 4 (1774 views)

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Re: [douglowell] Ensenada La Paz Todos Santos

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Hi there, I moved to La Paz about a year ago and live here full time. Three years ago, I was in much the same position as you are, with similar criteria and a short list on which La Paz was #1. I visted for two weeks, experienced the "this is it" moment, bought a house, and here I am. I love it here and have no regrets.

I haven't been to Ensenada or Todos Santos, but from hearsay, there are probably too many expats for me, personally. Ensenada is much closer to the US border than I'd want to be. I know someone who moved to La Paz from Todos Santos after many years because it became too "gringoized". I also know of someone who moved there from La Paz to be in a smaller town with more expat things to do.

La Paz does have a fairly sizeable and growing expat community. Most new foreigners seem to be buying in developments (gated or not) outside town. I'm downtown in a middle-class, mostly Mexican neighborhood, but affordable properties are scarce, so be prepared to spend time looking unless you luck out as I did.

In my opinion, you can't enjoy living here without knowing or being willing to learn Spanish. That may change gradually as the expat population grows, but for now English isn't widely spoken outside tourist/real estate circles. I fall into the "willing to learn" category and have had little difficulty. People are warm, friendly, and incredibly patient.

Other places you might wish to consider are Loreto, Mulege, and Mazatlan.

Feel free to PM or email me if you have more questions. (Email address is in my profile.)

Kate

raferguson

Apr 10, 2008, 8:51 PM

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Re: [douglowell] Ensenada La Paz Todos Santos

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My impression from a day trip to Todos Santos was that it was too much California south. I look at it as a bad sign when Americans are selling real estate in Mexico, too many gringos. Kind of an artsy place, so more of interest if you are into art.

We liked La Paz during a one week stay. Kind of low key, drivers would stop to let you cross the street.

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

douglowell

Apr 11, 2008, 9:58 PM

Post #4 of 4 (1709 views)

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Re: [raferguson] Ensenada La Paz Todos Santos

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Thanks to both of you, Kate and Richard. La Paz sounds wonderfuller and wonderfuller the more I hear. Todos Santos looks quite beautiful, but California South I ain't looking for. Going there in June will give me a feeling for both.

Art I am interested in. (Photographer.) But having lived in New Mexico, and understanding the comparisons between Todos Santos and Santa Fe, I can tell you that conceptual thinking (which I'm interested in) and artiness are not always the same. I will report on my findings.

I'll also say that I've added Mazatlan to my consideration set, and plan on taking the ferry across the SOC to visit.

Thanks again.

Doug