And so it begins....

[Fishbonker]

life's next great adventure.

We took our first step in reasearching our possible retirement to Mexico. My wife booked a resort between Rosarita and Ensenada for the middle of October. The Pyramid. To some it may seem a very timid first foray into the unknown, but we gotta start somewhere. We are planning on driving up and down the coast just to see what it is like to be in another country. We decided on this area because it is relatively close to the border and therefore relativley, we hope, easier to communicate and get around.

Does anybody have any suggestions what to see or what to avoid in this area? I know this is a very general, broad strokes question, but I don't know enough yet to ask any pointed or appropriate questions.

Thanks,

The 'Bonker

[joseph]

Your approach is great. Start exploring early and visit as many places as your working budget will allow. My partner and I started exploring Mexico in 1988. Everytime we could afford airplane tickets and could get our off-time coordinated, we visited a new place in Mexico.

I told my boss eleven years in advance the date I would retire. Even three days before that date they were trying to get me to postpone at least a year. (Of course, they never offered any incentives to stay. Just SOS.)

In 2001 we made the move and have only been to the States once. That was to get our last complicated tax return done and to dispose of my pick-up. (We had brought the pick-up to tote all the "stuff" we could not do without in Mexico. All else was sold, donated, given away and there have been no regrets.)

One book you should buy and read until it has fallen apart. It is becoming somewhat date, but the practical advice never seems to go out of need: Peoples Guide to Mexico .

Now about that quote you use. The farthest back that I have been able to track this is one of the VERY old black and white Charlie Chan movies. He attributed it to Confusius, but I have not found that to be true, yet. But it is great, whoever thought of it first.

[bear]

It was good to see how Joseph and his partner chose to retire to Mexico.
It is essentially the same method my wife and I used. It is something simple and clean. Find a place after flying down with just suitcases. Stay in a cheap hotel for awhile and locate a starter rental. We did our paperwork down in Mexico and thot it was easier. Leave the hordes of stuff behind and start afresh, it may be less expensive than the hassle of moving all the "stuff". There are truly quality products made in Mexico and seem to fit the lifestyle here more completely. Purchase those things that let you slowly integrate into the Mexican way of life. Definitely rent until you are comfortable with your surroundings and where you live. Nice and easy.
Thanks for that, Joseph. I think it is good advice.

[bajagirl]

The Pyramid?? Are you all referring to Plaza Del Mar? That is the development with the white pyramid. They have Phase 1 and Phase 2 approximately 1 mile apart. I've stayed in those condos, this past april, while my house was being built in Bajamar. The ocean views were very nice. However, I brought my parents along, and the condos all are two story with a steep spiraling staircase down to the bedrooms. On the first level are the kitchen and dining room/living room area. As I remember, the condo we were staying at was for sale for $149,000, furnished. The new condos were going for $280K. I don't think there is any restaurant or bar there, if we are speaking of the same development. As far as Puerto Nuevo is concerned, most of the restaurants there are mediocre, however, we go to a small restaurant there called Sandras, second left when you enter through the arches. It has wonderful food, mostly locals eat there and we have never had a bad meal. Margaritas are great. Lobster anywhere there is way overpriced, my husband always gets the pescado entero, whole grilled cabrilla fish, for 10 bucks and he says it is much tastier than the frozen lobster that all the restaurants sell. Has anyone been to the "new puerto nuevo"? From what I hear from some of the locals is that right next to Foxploration, if you go down to the water area, there is a new lobster town developing there, with better food. Haven't been yet.