Dancing the Real Estate Tango
In Baja California Norte
Part 2

My Personal Baja California Real Estate Tango:

I love Mexico. I love its very rich history and diversity. The country itself is beautiful and has gorgeous beaches, wonderful colonial hill towns and amazing historical regions. I enjoy Mexico’s friendly people. Buying a home, a casa, in Baja California was a long held goal.

I did in-depth research online about specific Baja California real estate. I talked to many people about where to purchase and asked, “Why there?” I targeted beach side areas at least 15 minutes south of Rosarito, as I really wanted to be in a quieter area. I also desired to be in a gated community with guards to provide both safety and the companionship found in a community.

My husband and I arranged to see property with two “pre screened” realtors. We also planned to see several developments and some “for sale by owner” properties during a 4 day marathon. We saw many, many properties. I took lots of notes and lots of digital photos. However, when it came time to make a decision we had easily narrowed the field to only two properties. Our selection was a clear winner. In many ways that part of the real estate “tango” is just like in the United States. You can very quickly weed out properties that you don’t like. The challenge is finding your own personal jewel for the price and terms you need.

I was really glad I had invested the time in carefully selecting an excellent realtor with one of the well respected and international real estate agencies in towns. Our realtor lead the dance. Once you enter escrow, a great realtor really shines and ours definitely did. I think we spoke or emailed each other at least 4-6 times a day for awhile to get all the details of our purchase worked out. Our realtor bent over backwards to keep us happy, informed and assured us that the process was very well handled. In many ways it was an easier transaction than when we purchased our southern California homes.

So now I am happily enjoying a beach home in Baja California for about 1/3rd to 1/4th of the price of a similar home in So Cal.

When in Baja, I have a slower life, a healthier life. I adjust to the more limited shopping and activities. We have “tamed” the very nasty border crossing experience by careful timing and especially by getting our “Sentri” pass from the US Customs. Now the border crossing line is typically 15 minutes vs.. anything from 1 to 6 hours. Huge improvement!

When in Baja, we eat like Mexicans. I cook simply using local fruits, vegetables and the local meats. It’s cheap to eat out and we often do. The expat Americans are very friendly and many of them go back and forth to the US frequently. They are an interesting and diverse lot with many characters.

All in all, it has been a great experience to own a home in Baja California: a dream fulfilled. I could not have afforded the equivalent uncrowded, beach front lifestyle in Southern California. Owning in Baja California has given me cultural adventure, a cute hacienda style beach home, new friends and escape from the stresses of the highly congested Southern California area. I breathe a sign of relief each time I see the ocean when I pass from Tijuana onto the toll road leading to my new beach casa in Baja.

Is it all perfecto? NO! Life always has its compromises. But it is very surprising and enlightening to see how well I have adapted to and appreciate this new cultural adventure.

Viva la difference!