Living in Rosarito Beach, Baja Ca, Mex

Jesus Juárez Torres wrote:

Rosarito leads the state in murders per capita

ROSARITO, Baja California - Rosarito is the most violent Baja California municipality, placing first in the number of murders in 2016, with a rate of 56.02 per 100,000 inhabitants. This was revealed in study by Data4, with information from the National Public Safety System and the National Population Council.

The publication "Animal Politico" used this data to report the Top 50 municipalities for homicides in Mexico. Playas de Rosarito was in 13th place in all Mexico, and above Tijuana and Tecate, with 44.45 and 43.96, respectively.

The list is headed by the municipality of Tecomán, in Colima, with 116.80, second is Acapulco, with 115.57, and third is Manzanillo, with 103.87.

The statistical data is for the period from January to August, 2016, and it highlights a national median of 15 per 100,000 inhabitants, and Rosarito is triple that.

Tijuana is 15th on the list and Tecate is 16th. The municipalities of Ensenada and Mexicali are not on the Top 50 list.

Hotel entrepreneur and former mayor of Rosarito, Hugo Torres, expressed his concern for the high impact crimes which have occurred with greater frequency in the city, and this could stop investments if the governments do nothing about it.

"The situation here is different, I don't want to get into details, because they are already known or imagined," he said as he warned of the need for a change in direction and to correct what is wrong, because of corrections are made, who knows how the criminal groups will react, depending upon their comfort levels.

But the lack of action by the state and municipal governments directly impacts the residents of colonias, such as Misión del Mar, which has been involved in sectors organized by the municipal government so their voices can be heard, but the results have been the same.

Alexander Magnum, a resident in that area, said the crime brings desolation and that in Rosarito the problem is huge, and even worse in recent meeting with Governor Francisco Vega to deal with the crime issue in his colonia, they were startled to hear him say he was unaware of the problem.

He said everything from the government is just babbling, as they say they will help, but in reality do nothing as with the few police and patrols there are, they are not watching and not fixing anything.

He said robberies occur daily in his colonia, where a large number of foreigners live and who cannot find the door to have their demands heard.

frontera.info/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Policiaca/04102016/1136114-Encabeza-asesinatos-Rosarito-en-BC-por-habitante.html

Thanks for the information but couldn't find the link. I found only the list of the 50 cities with the most murders that leaving Acapulco number one and Tecoman #17. Here is the link http://www.animalpolitico.com/2016/09/m … os-mexico/ as far as Baya California only Tijuana #2, Mexicali and La Paz are in the top 50.
Could you give a cut and paste link for your information. Muchas gracias, GyC.

rickinsma wrote:

I am assuming that Rosarito has good internet service.  My biz partner is coming to take his wife to a medical clinic.  We will need to do business.  Is WIFI readily avail. or in the hotels normally-and reliable?  Thanks.  YES SMA is still awesome......

We lived in a condo in RB and had great internet, there are two companies and depends where on your address which on you can get.  We did a lot of streaming of movies, skype, email, and other things with less problems that we have here in FL with Brighthouse.

anne stromberg wrote:

That condo complex is not representative of the town of Rosarito Beach.  It is an expat community or will be located south of Rosarito proper.  A family member and her husband bought there about 6 months ago.  A completely different world than living in the 'real' Rosarito Beach.  Quit nice of course but it is for those who want the expat (living as one does on this side of the border as much as possible) experience.  Great golf.

Thanks, that was our observations also.  We don't plan to hide behind the gates and have always tried to avoid being "one of those tourists" when traveling. 

To respond to some prior questions that I have read while trying to catch up on postings, my limited research and visits to RB have shown. 

No vehicle permit is needed for at least California validly registered vehicles in all of Baja.  You do need MX vehicle insurance, but you don't have get a permit or re-register your vehicle.

COSTCO seems pretty close to USA prices on some goods.  Most items were a little cheaper, some much cheaper.  We found better prices and fine selection at the Calimax.  The Comercial   Mexicana is supposed to be the best place to shop, but we never made it there. 

If you plan to cross the border frequently then invest in a SENTRI pass.  There are a couple of good apps to track wait times and clearly the SENTRI lane is faster.   We applied and are waiting to get the interview.  I understand it can take months to get your pass. 

Only comment I have on crime is just like in the US, some people make good victims.  I can't find anything showing RB is the "most dangerous city in north america" which I find really hard to believe.  The most recent State Department report I can find shows for the first half of 2016, nine Americans were killed in all of Baja, eight in northern and one in Cabo.

jamesr3939 wrote:

anne stromberg wrote:

That condo complex is not representative of the town of Rosarito Beach.  It is an expat community or will be located south of Rosarito proper.  A family member and her husband bought there about 6 months ago.  A completely different world than living in the 'real' Rosarito Beach.  Quit nice of course but it is for those who want the expat (living as one does on this side of the border as much as possible) experience.  Great golf.

Thanks, that was our observations also.  We don't plan to hide behind the gates and have always tried to avoid being "one of those tourists" when traveling. 

To respond to some prior questions that I have read while trying to catch up on postings, my limited research and visits to RB have shown. 

No vehicle permit is needed for at least California validly registered vehicles in all of Baja.  You do need MX vehicle insurance, but you don't have get a permit or re-register your vehicle.

COSTCO seems pretty close to USA prices on some goods.  Most items were a little cheaper, some much cheaper.  We found better prices and fine selection at the Calimax.  The Comercial   Mexicana is supposed to be the best place to shop, but we never made it there. 

If you plan to cross the border frequently then invest in a SENTRI pass.  There are a couple of good apps to track wait times and clearly the SENTRI lane is faster.   We applied and are waiting to get the interview.  I understand it can take months to get your pass. 

Only comment I have on crime is just like in the US, some people make good victims.  I can't find anything showing RB is the "most dangerous city in north america" which I find really hard to believe.  The most recent State Department report I can find shows for the first half of 2016, nine Americans were killed in all of Baja, eight in northern and one in Cabo.

The permits, or imports are for those going beyond the border states. You are right you really do need Mexican insurance, and you are also right about the violence being somewhat self limiting.
But certain states do have an increased risk for it, like Juarez, Guerrero, and yes even Baja. They have had that risk historically. If you are careful you can move through them fairly safely. Expat communities  also have risk. Where you have money, impulsive behavior and drug or alcohol use there is risk everywhere.

nikhilmistry wrote:

Anne,
I was reading some blogs and all narrowdown the safe area as Rosarito Beach are compare to Tijuana,
I see you have selected the Playas are for security reason, I am considering to move to Baja and in process to select a good rental, can you advice regarding rent in Playas area if I want to rent independant house.
thanks in advance
Nikhil

i live in playas de tijuana and my suggestion just like how i found my place is to come down ahead of time and rent an airbnb and use the time to look for apartments in person. they dont really use craigslist or any internet listings here so you need to just go walking and find for rent signs and call them. i also help manage my friends apartment on airbnb and its right on the beach if you would like to stay there.  just search airbnb in playas de tijuana and the headline for the listing is paradise in playas real beach front property. i would be glad to answer any questions you have and give advice if you need help. good luck!

anne stromberg wrote:

A gringo living in a secluded area in most any area  is a gringo with a bullseye on their back that says "here I am come and get me!"  Why would you do take that risk?

  In 2006 I had just moved to Rosarito. Second day if you count the first day as moving.   I was a 70 year old blonde senior female citizen exploring downtown (no jewelry) no hand bag, 'when a local put a LARGE knife in my side as he tried to kidnap me. He had a companion at the curb in a van.  Fortunately at that moment two cops came out of the building I had planned to enter  and the would be criminals fled. The cops were on foot and did not pursue. I moved to Playas to a gated buliding on Del Pacifico near the Arch, immediately where I have been able to walk around safely (but carefully of course),  I forfeited the 4 month security deposit I was required to give on the Rosarito apartment I had rented but I was so out of there.  I have never had an unfortunate experience in Playas in spite of being with in a couple of blocks of "the fence" and the light house park where petty crime occurs by "hungry"  people  waiting to get across the fence.  I have no fear of walking to the light house park at the fence today.  I do no give handouts and I am very cautious around those would be" climb the fence" fellows.  I walk along Del Pacifico and then turn on to the boardwalk at the park and walk down to the Arch.  I also walk to the Frozen Yogurt restaurant between  the bull ring and the fence just east of the Light house.

i've lived in playas de tijuana for the past 8 months and its been great so far. i go jogging every morning and hit the gym here next to the bull stadium.  i leave and come back at all hours of day and night and thankfully nothing has happened where i have been a robbery victim and no one has bothered me either.  but i did get bikes stolen out of my yard 3 months ago. i do remain vigilant and always observe everyone in my surroundings.  i also always carry pepper spray with me at all times and a tactical flashlight if i am out at night.    it seems safer here than downtown tijuana.  ive driven down to rosarito a couple times and i cant comment on that place but from my experience in playas, there are a lot of expats here and most are americans.  i hear there are a lot of deportees here as well but i not sure how true that is. i think it may be a little more expensive to live here compared to rosarito but i feel its worth it.  not to mention its closer to get back across to america and you dont have to pay all those tolls either. 

one recommendation i can make for all expats or even all people in general, is to read the book spy secrets that can save your life.  there is also an audiobook format,  there are really a lot of useful things in it that can and will save your life if it came down to it.