Cost of living, etc in Ensenada area
Since you can't compare lifestyles, i would ask how much does YOUR lifestyle cost in Baja versus a relatively cheap city in the Southwestern US like Tucson or Las Cruces? How much do you save percentage wise on rent, utilities food etc if at all? The numbers I have seen on Numbeo seem excessively low for Ensenada based on what I have seen online. Of course, I don't know the cheapest places to shop or find decent rentals so I must ask people in the know.
Also, i would prefer to live in a house to an apartment. How hard is it to find a QUIET place in a decent neighborhood for a decent rent? I prefer something with a private backyard where I can sunbathe (due to chronic vitamin D deficiency). Doesn't need to be near the water. Any communities or rentals you'd recommend?
I have okay income but would like to reduce my expenses to $1500 a month. I don't drink or smoke or go out much, but I do eat take out 5 times a week and have a Hyundai car. Otherwise, I'm pretty much a shut-in due to physical disability. Is this doable in your opinion without living in a bad area?
Thanks
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Not sure if you have ever lived anywhere for a period of time? The grass isn't greener. As far as a lower cost of living, I will not sugar coat it. You get what you pay for. We pay a little more in the U.S for the professional law enforcement and reliable 911.
I have driven to Chiapas to and from Colorado. Citizens of Mexico think I was crazy as most avoid driving from end of the country to the other for they fear their safety. It is a naive idea to think Mexico one will have a better quality of life unless you are running away from something or one that doesn't appreciate the United States? If so who ever doesn't appreciate quality roads for which your taxes pay for. I've driven throughout Mexico and your taxes have nothing to show for except paying for the life style of the politicians. Mexico is a government rich and people poor.
The ones who say the life is great, are most likely the ones who don't want to do their own house chores or watch their on children and have a nanny. The Mexican government doesn't enforce citizens to have a basic education as in the native indians, if so the ones with money would have to pay a Backhoe operator more then $50. a week. So one should scratch their head when some thinks they have the idea to speak on a Mexican citizens pay while in the United States.
While living I and worked in Mexico as a non citizen I couldn't vote. Yet, while in the United States a certain political group thinks everyone has the right to vote. So hypocritical that ones demand rights while in the United States that an American would be laughed at if expected such while in Mexico.
More important then the question of Cost of living, think of what do you value your life? 16% sales tax across the country. Products are 2-3 times the cost. No one trust another. Protections(bars) on your windows, reckless drivers.
A a post on Facebook states that Mexican citizens are good at protesting yet take no action. Yes, protest.. A waste of your fellow neighbors. To block traffic of your neighbors yet your anger is supposed to be directed at the greedy politician. And yes, Mexico is a racist country. The government and CNN based in Mexico doesn't show all that goes on. And the 8th largest military against its own people.
As far drugs, I've heard Mexican citizens say they want to blame the United States? If one doesn't want to take responsibility for their own action its show no creditability to blame another for ones own actions.
Before anyone gets offended, take a deep breathe and realize I'm only speaking the truth.
The problem with many expats here in Baja is they come to Mexico thinking they can live like an American/Canadian & find it can be just as expensive esp. if you buy mostly American products, go to Walmart & Costco (more expensive than Mexican stores). The safer area will be those with more expats but that also means you need to expect to pay more $$ for rent as well but you won't have to deal so much with continual noise, stray dogs running around everywhere & safety in general esp. if you have a car & forget about it being quiet.
Sometimes I wonder WHERE people get the idea they can live in Mexico & pay rent for under $300 in a decent place. Ive never found that yet unless you are in a craphole & it definitely will not be QUIET. So if you are not good at adjusting to a very different culture along with changing your spending habits you might not stay very long in Mexico.
Let me be a little more clear. How much would it cost for a decent 1 bedroom or more house in Ensenada in a gated community full of ex-pats where it is relatively quiet (no non-stop barking dogs or 24/7 music. How much for a fully furnished unit?
I am putting this out there to get a good idea of a reasonable upper range but affordable rent. I don't need a gated community but noise is definitely my primary concern next to cost, so I prefer a house over an apartment. How much if anything do you save on food, groceries etc. vs the US? Again Rosarito or small towns between ensenada and the border are of interest as well.
What are the best stores to shop in to save money in Ensenada.
I don't trust the cops anywhere for my protection so that is not an issue. Noise, clean affordable place with internet, accessible for a disabled person (no stairs) are my main issues.
Thanks
The bottom line with saving $$ is if you live like you are in the U.S. & shop in American stores you won't save much $$$.
Ive never had a problem with the police anywhere Ive lived here in Baja. If you follow traffic laws and don't run stop signs, etc. you should have no problems. I suggest you do extensive research and get on all the Baja expat forums (Google to find them) and you can get an idea of what things will be like in Baja.
I have seen many ads that say "dogs allowed" but only one that said "no kids or animals of any kind." Is it legal to discriminate against families with kids in Mexico?
Is this realistic for Ensenada in your opinion?
****
Thanks again everyone for the responses.
Reason : avoid posting external link on the Forum please
Apart from that, Ensenada is beautiful. It's a lot cheaper than living in the us. If you're living off American money and good pay then you'll prosper, but if you're being paid in pesos then you might struggle to pay. Transportation is cheap, though seriously watch out for scammers. If a taxi driver thinks you're not a local he might try to make you pay more.
Also, the police are corrupt everywhere you go. It's not much different in Mexico.
Ensenada is a city where people are friends with each other and know everything about one another. You'll most likely end up knowing the whole town, and vice versa whether you want to or not.
Honestly, quite honestly, living in Mexico is so much cheaper than living in the us. Mexicans are loud and friendly and they talk to everyone and parties are a thing. There's so much to celebrate so yeah your neighbors might be loud and there's definitely going to be a lot of stray dogs and loud pets. But that's Mexico. Also, you might find a good neighborhood the farther away from "downtown".
And shopping can differ to being cheaper or the same. It depends where you shop. If you're going to sears to buy stuff yeah everything will cost pretty similar or even slightly less. It just honestly depends on how you want to live. If you want high quality life, expect to pay more
Have you checked out the Lake Chapala area? A good friend of mine lives there and loves it. It has a large ex-pat community and she is a 65 year old single woman and has never felt unsafe there. Not sure why you chose Ensenada, but I would not suggest you move anywhere without doing multiple visits or, at least, one prolonged visit for a month or more.
Good luck!
frankg69 wrote:Number says Ensenada COL's much cheaper than Playa del Carmen while Expatistan says they're about the same.What gives?
Hi, here is the Numbeo site with cost of living for Ensenada, Mexico. You can also compare to cities where you live now except that Orizaba is not created. Last updates for Ensenada are September 2017.
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/i … obile=true
One thing sure, in Mexico, you are able to find 2bdr, 1bth for less than 10000$ pesos a month (year round rental). We pay 9000$ pesos fully furnished with AC, internet, cable, pool, 2 patios and quiet area. We also had cheaper offers but it's a matter of individual taste.
Adios, GyC.
frankg69 wrote:Hi,thanks for that info! Are bills included in the 9,000 pesos rent? Thanks!
Hi,
Yes, it includes all costs related to the rental. I don't have liability insurance for the moment...looking into that not sure if needeď.
For the other cost, my wife and I spend about 18000$ pesos on food, beer, wine and restaurants (4 times a week, ocean view).
Please note that if you are looking at becoming resident try to get the permanent status (less cost and no yearly return to INM) 4528$ PESOS/person/once also IMSS (health care but must be healthy) 70 years = 7650$ pesos per year. INAPAM card free gives discount (60 and over) such as 50% on bus ticket long distance and some local (ie: Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Tepic, etc.).
My wife and I don't need a vehicule all services within 1/1,5km distance, also delivery services for beer, wine, refrescos, etc...). Taxi fare is 30$ pesos within town limits, we use it when lots of stuff from grocery store but we tend to buy what we need every day or two.
Adios y buena suerte para su proyecto, GyC.
frankg69 wrote:Thanks so much! Are there cheap buses to the beach? Do you know the name of that beach,and is it safe??
To the south of Ensenada there is Estero beach. This beach is in more of a bay and not the ocean.You dont have big waves coming in. It is a popular place that also offers camping'. it's on the main highway going to La Bufadora so there are many buses that go that way.
To the north there is Sal Si Puedes. This is on the ocean,beautiful view from above,heart wrenching decent. Not sure if there are buses that go there.It's off of the toll road going to Rosarito. Not has busy as Estero beach a little more private also has camping. Further north there are other beaches that you can investigate also. All the beaches I mentionedare safe.
frankg69 wrote:Thanks so very much,I'm going to Ensenada to get a place to live on Monday!
Good luck Frank. I am sure will will enjoy Ensenada very much.
As a single guy with a dog, renting in centro (not beach), my monthly costs are about $1,700 living like a king. I am planning for these costs for my semi retirement soon, so I watch them. My business ensenada-massage.com provides for most of to cover that amount and some dividends now. Costs have risen in last 5 years for sure, but not as much as in the US. Everytime I go across i have price shock!
Rents have gone up in last 2 years about 20% I think. Not sure about housing costs. I am still happy here in Ensenada, it has all I need for now. The world is big, so maybe in a few years another place!
Jesse
@bobssss
Hi Bob is there a place to rent in your apartment complex, I see this is a very old article so I don't know if you are still living there.
I stayed in Rosario for three months about five years ago, I loved it and I'm ready to retire there, I'm an American citizen third generation from families on both sides from Spain and in Arizona which used to be Mexico and Tucson has a lot of Mexican people here.
I want to live where the natives live and not in a gated community, I want to blend in and dress like a person who isn't a target to rob or murder since I heard that violence is worse now.
I have an old well worn out car but with only 56,000 original miles, old oxidative paint on it so that's a plus and it won't stand out, I have an income of $2,500 a month. So what do you recommend and again if there is something available around you, to make it even cheaper I could pay more like $500 a month rent but would live with another senior local lady and we could split the apartment and live even better and be able to eat out, see the sites and travel to the areas that are cooler in the mountains and see the beautiful country.
Thank you so much and I hope to hear from you soon.
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