21 replies to this topic

[TJGringo]

I headed down to Rosarito last week with some friends and it looked completely dead. Traffic was great but I guess the merchants are getting worried. Talked to a few shop owners that said this is the worst year they've ever had. They said it had to do with Police corruption along with the high hotel costs and bad press. We did check a few hotels and one wanted $150 a night and the other wanted $100!
Anyone live down here can comment?

[BajaGringo]

I have lived and worked in and around Rosarito Beach for many years. What has happened is that Rosarito experienced the big real estate boom of a few years back and has never recovered since the bust. Falling real estate prices in the USA with the subsequent loss of equity, bad press about police corruption, narco related be-headings and military checkpoints has scared away a high percentage of the folks who come with serious cash to spend. Real estate prices have taken a hit in Rosarito and there has been a trickle down effect on the local economy as a result. It actually has picked up a bit as of late compared to months ago. Most realtors you talk to right now will tell you this is the most activity they have had in a year...

[Ryu]

If Rosarito goes the way of Revolution, it would be very bad for Tijuana in general. I believe the party scene on Rev moved to Rosarito as it was considered safer and not much more expensive. But it seems like the problems encountered in TJ has migrated to Rosarito. Que Triste.

[BajaGringo]

Rosarito Club Scene...

Part of the problem with the Rosarito Beach night scene was that a local club owner spent a large amount of money the past few years promoting Rosarito Beach as a "no rules - anything goes" club scene to the Southern California market. The promotion worked and he drew in very large crowds and his weekly rotation of top name rap groups started drawing some shady characters with the regular paying traffic.

He himself became a target of some of these elements and has since toned down the level of promotion as well as relocating himself and his family out of the area.

We'll see what happens...

[TJGringo]

Baja you know a lot about Baja thus the name
I enjoy your posts here they help out everyone who reads them.

I heard about that guy didn't he run a high end club and was threatened and the cops couldn't help him so he moved back into the US?

I would like to buy a home either in Rosarito or farther South do you think the prices will fall? They seem a little high now.

[BajaGringo]

Not trying to come across as a "know it all" by any means - but working in the area for the past several years has given me an inside scoop to a lot of what goes on here. I have been fortunate to have made some close friends in government, real estate related business and communications. It does help when you need to get something done and I'm always up on the latest "chisme"... :wink:

Yes, you and I are talking about the same guy. He really brought a lot of his troubles on himself by attracting the very element that eventually took him out. Ironic, huh?

Real estate prices have fallen here the last year and they seem to be leveling out. Some of the over-priced developments will probably need to come down a bit more in price yet. (I won't mention any names) Most of the realtors down here report a jump in the last month or so in customers looking for property. I am working with the developer at a new project in Real del Mar where we sold 11 homes last week alone. The developer has priced the project very fairly with units starting at only $145,000. We expect at least 5 or 6 more sales this weekend alone based on the high number of clients who have made appointments.

Now that I think about it, I hope some of the higher priced projects hold their prices right where they are at - it has been a great help to me - hahahah...

[Ryu]

BajaGringo do you know if these are speculators, vacation home buyers or actual families that want to move in?

[BajaGringo]

The community we are selling is what is called an Active Adult Community, targeted for age 50+, although the requirement is only that one of the residents be of that age. The majority of buyers surveyed so far have expressed a desire to reside full time, one for future retirement, a few more as a vacation home and a couple as an investment. The developers goal with the project is to develop a community feel and plans to stay on after project completion to manage operations, activities, etc.

[Aquaman]

Just from the time I have been here I would say the rents are reasonable. Downtown can be a bad place during the weekends. Lots of gangbangers from San Diego and Los Angeles come down to party. Cops are set up at every block and slow the flow of traffic. Just recently someone was shot and killed on the beach here but I don't think it was tourist related. When I talk to people down here they tell me the same thing -police and crime have driven away potential customers and investors who are now moving south like Cabo and La Paz where crime is hard to find and the cops are friendly

[bluejeans]

I know a dentist in Mexicali, her name is Nora. If anyone needs a referral, I will get her info for you. She's worth going to the dentist even if you don't need any dental work.

[BajaGringo]

What? A dentist that drills and promises a Happy Ending?

[bluejeans]

No, she is just a beautiful young lady. Beats the hell out of looking at either of the Bartell boys. Don't get me wrong, the Bartells are good but they don't look like Nora.

[GaryN]

The party scene has died down quite a bit and the police shakedowns seem to be dying down as well. Like others have said Rosarito is losing tourists to other parts of Mexico but I think they are planning to revive the area with new attractions.

[George Costanza]

I see they are building a big Walmart plaza not far from Downtown. That should help the local economy.

[BajaGringo]

Rosarito is seeing an influx of very smart buyers as the market is soft and there are many bargains to be had right now. The market is seeing the most movement in the $150K to $250K range; properties in the $500K+ range are fun to look at but the reality is that there are very few buyers for those right now. The smart Realtors are focusing on the more affordable and best buy homes and condos to offer to their clientèle. Hugo Torres has made a big impact on public safety and police abuse of tourists in his short tenure as mayor and I hope we can keep this positive trend going...

[Nighty]

Rosarito has been quite dead these past months... Quiet like it hasn't been in a long time!

I think Rosarito should start focusing in a different kind of visitor: Baby boomers, family vacationist and people that actually contribute and impact this city in a positive way!! Not drunk spring breakers! That only gives this small city a bad image...

And to tell the truth, Rosarito's economy shouldn't just rely on visitors, there needs to be more independence! For example Ensenada is a big tourist attracion, but it is not the only income resource.. when it's low season in can move forward in many different ways... here all the merchants are complaining because there are no visitors and most of them wont do much except try to squirt till the last penny of the few that come here!! There should be more cheap pricing, better service, and that would be a big start...

I've been here since 12+ years so it saddens me to see the police corruption, scam merchants and etc are driving everyone away! =(

Real estate has had a big boom lately but now due to bad image and insecurity that is going down as well =( some of my family are in real estate and have had people cancel at last minute cuz they suffered corruption by police or had their cars stolen, etc and never want to come back again!

[BajaGringo]

There is truth in what you say Nighty. I am amazed at some of the prices some places here are trying to charge in face of the economy and low numbers of tourists. Reality will eventually settle in. Lobster Shack is a good example...

[Nighty]

Indeed! If anything, instead of trying to make up for all the money they're losing because of low tourism by trying to charge extra to the few they have they gave good service and lower price, by next week they would have more people recommended by those same customers!

Ohh... is Lobster Shack open again? last year I had seen them on strike for months and months, I had heard that the employees hadn't been payed and didn't receive X-mas bonus money, I also heard the owner had been kidnapped! Never knew if all those rumors where true though... Other than that I had heard excellent reviews about the place.

[BajaGringo]

I have heard others express that very same opinion...

[Scribbles]

I had some friends come down a few weeks ago from San Diego and we went to La nena to eat and walked around and it seemed very slow for a weekend. The army trucks filled with kids with weapons bigger than them didn't leave a good impression with my amigos. I know the new administration is trying but I think the local people seem to resent all the presence of law enforcement and random stops.
Rosarito seems more laid back than a few years ago?