38 replies to this topic

[HK70]

As the end of June approaches I will have lived in TJ for 6 months. I have had no regrets making the move back during Christmas 2009. I am 10 minute walk to the border and Plaza Rio so I have the best of both worlds since I have to work in SD. My company has alot of investments in Mexico and I was just approached last week to get more involved with our Mexico operations so I will be visiting our TJ office at least once a month if not more which is an exciting opportunity for me.

Here are some of my pros and cons of living in TJ the last 6 months:

Cons:
1) TJ in the rain........stinks
2) Having my car not start and car problems for a few months was nerve racking due to my lack of Spanish and not sure where to go for help but Freddie was a big help to get my car running so I could get it to SD
3) The dirt bag tweakers who live in and around the river canal
4) My apartment building is not wired for cable so no internet access

Pros:
1) Cut my rent in half and will save $8K a year plus my TJ apt. is much nicer thant the one I had in SD
2) Low cost utilities: 80 pesos a month for water, 200 pesos for two months of electric and 265 pesos a month for gas
3) I can get to downtown SD in one hour which is the same as when I lived in Chula Vista........thanks you Sentri program and trolley
4) Plaza Rio and cinepolis.....50 peso movies, Starbucks WIFI access
5) Plaza Fiesta and Sontano Suzio..........happy hours 5-7pm 2x1's drinks and Ribeye steak
6) I run 5 miles after work around Zona Rio without any problems or hassel from the policia
7) The lovely Mexican Senioritas

I will add more as I think of them.

Looking for another great 6 months in TJ. TJ is what you make of it so make it work for you.

[HK70]

Pro:
8) Mexican Culture and sense of family

[Buen Amigo]

kOOL,

Wife and i have been living in TJ going on 2 years come this September. It is what you make it. We are in TJ due to immigration purposes and not because we want to. But during these two years, and what has happened to us during these two years, i think it has worked in our favor being in TJ.

Cons:
* Cars/personal belongings got to be bolted to the ground, because it will become someone else's property. (get an alarm everyone)
* So i gotta wake up at 4:30am to go to work
* TJ rain makes everything a nightmare down here
* You have to pay for parking everywhere
* No trees in TJ

Pros:
* I rent a house in La Cacho twice the size my apartment was in Orange County for half the price
* ANYTHING and i mean ANYTHING can be rebuilt in TJ. (example the starter on my new car. $300 buck in the U.S., $100 bucks in TJ & installed)
* Thank goodness for the SENTRI
* Utilities are usually very cheap
* Money talks (could be good or bad however you look at it, but i have used it for the good )
* Movies are cheap (theather)
* Though i can't go, for a price you will never be lonely (Zona Norte) lol

Being that we had to leave the U.S. and settle in TJ, In my opinion i think it is something good that happened to my family. Because with our son (14 months old) i don't think we could have lived comfortably in OC. Here in TJ, I am able to provide for my family, paid off my truck, and bought a new car, and be comfortable. Even though my wife cannot get her visa yet, we were blessed with our son. In some way i think things work out in the end.....

Would like to see how TJ life has been to others....

nice post HK70. May i ask how you came up with the Screen Name? just curious

[C-Lo]

I just hit my 7 month mark living in TJ and I agree, it is what you make it. My husband and I chose TJ randomly as the border city we would reunite in after our battle with the US immigration system. I picked TJ mostly b/c San Diego is the sister city and the ocean. Neither of us have ties to CA or TJ, but we are both happy with our choice.

We could live better here if I went to work in SD but I was denied Sentri b/c of his immigration status so I do not want to deal with the border wait. I'm thinking in another year I may look for work there and try again for the Sentri. Meanwhile, I like my job here and have enjoyed the extra time with my family. Mexico and TJ are much more than they are portrayed in the media.

Thanks for sharing your TJ experiences

[sugarpaws]

Pro:
8) Mexican Culture and sense of family

Excellent Thread Idea!!! Happy 6 Month Mark HK70!
I love reading about peoples Pros and Cons...so interesting!
I want to play too!...
I just have to get some other work finished and I will submit a short list too!

I read someone asking about where you came up with your name HK70..I bet I know..it is your initials and your Birthday.

[Buen Amigo]

^^^ It could be his initials, and his birthday, But i was thinking (yes i have a dirty mind, and my wife reminds me of it everytime) but i joke around that way.

Anyway i was thinking HK = Hong Kong (the bar) and 70=how many times he has been there?

Just messing with you HK.

[HK70]

HK= Hong Kong and 70 year I was born.

[sugarpaws]

HK= Hong Kong and 70 year I was born.

We were both half right !

[Buen Amigo]

We were both half right !

Sweeetttt

[zunigan]

[quote name='Buen Amigo' date='Jun 23 2010, 01:50 PM' post='21004']
Sweeetttt

I do love Mexico. I can't wait to retire and move back there. I want a house on the beach where I can watch the waves and listen to the ocean. My friend wants to come to. I just wish it was this year and not two more to go!!!My husband (if he is ok) wants to come back there. I love the rent, here we pay over 1500 for my home here. I just saw a house ( of course I would have to see it in person) but for 600 I would be on beach, deck 3 bedrooms and 3 baths and it was complete with furniture. Two years is just to long to wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HK70]

Well I just had my first encounter with the policia since living in TJ. Just got done running this morning and I walked to Oxxo near my house to get the paper. Walking back the few blocks to my apartment I cop car pulled up in front of me. They had two ladrones in the back of the car already. The policia in the passenager seat asked me where I live. I pointed to the apratments a block away. He says how long. I say six months. He said what do you do for work. I just said I work on the other side. Normally if they really push I tell them I am a cop and that tends to shut them up real quick. He said have a nice day. He was talking to me in English so I usually let them struggle to speak to me not letting them that I know some Spanish. I said mucho gracias amigo and continuted on my way to my place. I figure this douche was trying to size me up. I am out an about walking and running all over zona rio and go by the policia all the time. Oh well we shall see if I can go another six months without contact.

[Buen Amigo]

Almost been 2 years for me, and still no contact with the police. Be it driving, walking, or anything.......

[Tony Nor Cal]

7) The lovely Mexican Senioritas

[HK70]

Almost one year for me living in TJ. Lease is up at the end of November and I plan on staying another year.

Life is good in TJ there are some very nice people that I have met here, chicas are pretty, food is good and slower pace of life than living in SD. No one has stole my car or ripped me off. I have enjoyed the adventure mucho. Only stopped twice by the policia in a year for walking while being white near my casa. Learn some Spanish, pay in pesos and be nice and you should have little trouble.

[C-Lo]

today is my one year anniversary. ive never been pulled over...knock on wood. glad to hear u r happy.

[sugarpaws]

today is my one year anniversary. ive never been pulled over...knock on wood. glad to hear u r happy.

Congrats to both you and HK for making it to the year mark! Great to hear you both are staying too!

[zunigan]

As the end of June approaches I will have lived in TJ for 6 months. I have had no regrets making the move back during Christmas 2009. I am 10 minute walk to the border and Plaza Rio so I have the best of both worlds since I have to work in SD. My company has alot of investments in Mexico and I was just approached last week to get more involved with our Mexico operations so I will be visiting our TJ office at least once a month if not more which is an exciting opportunity for me.

Here are some of my pros and cons of living in TJ the last 6 months:

Cons:
1) TJ in the rain........stinks
2) Having my car not start and car problems for a few months was nerve racking due to my lack of Spanish and not sure where to go for help but Freddie was a big help to get my car running so I could get it to SD
3) The dirt bag tweakers who live in and around the river canal
4) My apartment building is not wired for cable so no internet access

Pros:
1) Cut my rent in half and will save $8K a year plus my TJ apt. is much nicer thant the one I had in SD
2) Low cost utilities: 80 pesos a month for water, 200 pesos for two months of electric and 265 pesos a month for gas
3) I can get to downtown SD in one hour which is the same as when I lived in Chula Vista........thanks you Sentri program and trolley
4) Plaza Rio and cinepolis.....50 peso movies, Starbucks WIFI access
5) Plaza Fiesta and Sontano Suzio..........happy hours 5-7pm 2x1's drinks and Ribeye steak
6) I run 5 miles after work around Zona Rio without any problems or hassel from the policia
7) The lovely Mexican Senioritas

I will add more as I think of them.

Looking for another great 6 months in TJ. TJ is what you make of it so make it work for you.

question...you say you don't speak spanish? Is that correct? Are the movies there in english? I always wanted to try one but hate sitting and watching a movie I don't understand, and having my husband try to translate would have been to hard in a quiet place like that. Thanks

[richsinc]

question...you say you don't speak spanish? Is that correct? Are the movies there in english? I always wanted to try one but hate sitting and watching a movie I don't understand, and having my husband try to translate would have been to hard in a quiet place like that. Thanks

Let me understand...

Good guys are shooting bad guys... and a wonman is on top of a man making love... and you do not understand?

[HK70]

question...you say you don't speak spanish? Is that correct? Are the movies there in english? I always wanted to try one but hate sitting and watching a movie I don't understand, and having my husband try to translate would have been to hard in a quiet place like that. Thanks

I do speak Spanish but I am not fluent. I had three years in high school and I have spent alot of time in TJ since I have lived in SD.

There are many movies in English in Cinepolis that are subtitled in Spanish so you should not have any issues.

I have reached my one year mark.

[sugarpaws]

I do speak Spanish but I am not fluent. I had three years in high school and I have spent alot of time in TJ since I have lived in SD.

There are many movies in English in Cinepolis that are subtitled in Spanish so you should not have any issues.

I have reached my one year mark.

Congratulations on your one year mark HK70! Many more!