22 replies to this topic

[AcapulcoGringo]

Hi all.-

I posted before, BUt received very few answers, so I will try again....in this section...

I am a 30yo american , currently living in Acapulco... I have lived here over 7 months, and speak about 50% spanish... with some tutoring and practice I can get atter fast (everyone I speak to here speaks english)

I receive a Small SSDI check.. and have to travel back and forth monthly , to USA because of medical and meds, etc.. which I cant afford, so I am moving to TJ.. I have NEVER been to TJ , but have experience with other border cities, such as Juarez, etc etc (Texas border).. Also experience with many other arreas of mexico... ( I will still have alot to learn in TJ I KNOW)

Ok my questions are :

1. What are the areas I should look that is good for someone without a car, safe, nice but CHEAP to rent a small 1 bedroom apt. (I dont have to be real close to the border as long as public transit is available.. Because I would only go every week or 2 weeks at the most)

2. Can I find a decent place for $2,500 MXN or less?? Where?

3. Is there a certain area of TJ that has more cartel violence than others that I should avoid?

4. is it possible to have an ocean view?

5. Is it possible to possibly work part time for a gringo or expat to make a few extra bucks??

6. What is a cheap place to stay while I look for a house?

Thanks in adavnce for your help!! My plans changed overnight and I think I am moving around the 5th of june now!

[otayBill]

2. Can I find a decent place for $2,500 MXN or less?? Where?

They do exist, but it will not be nice.

You can probably find a decent studio apartment for that price.

In working class neigborhoods, two bed apartments usually start around that price. And they are pretty basic. Nicer ones are usually 300 USD or more.

Also, the demand in much higher at the lower end. So you will have to walk around working class neigborhoods and ask people.

The taco stand boy showed me his studio apartment that he rented with his wife and kids for $100 USD a month in Otay, it looked like something out a UNICEF ad.

[AcapulcoGringo]

Hi and thanks for the advice... I appriciate it!

I ran into this before on another post when I was going to move to Acapulco.. and just people who had a larger income than me, and higher standard of living seemed to answer, saying it was not possible, etc.... Of course some piped in and said Oh yes it is.. ..not sure if this is the case... Not acusing anything.. I just wonder if you have had to live in TJ on less than 1,000 a month? and also it would matter if you have lived amoungst the regualr people.... .. I mean alot of my friends speak english, BUT I also am right in the heart of the normal dya to day mexicans here...

This being a resort town things seem to be slightly higher than elsewhere.. So I am thinking If I can do it here, why not in TJ..

Just thinking outload, and wondering.... No offense to anyone.. Plesaase!

Thansk

[George Costanza]

There really is no - "Non Cartel areas" unexpected violence can happen anywhere.
If i were you i would spend a couple weeks in a cheap hotel and look around and decide what area is best for you.
You can find cheap housing in Playas but yuou have to look hard and get lucky.

I live in Otay and consider it very safe but no ocean view
You can find lots of places for $250 or less nearly everywhere in TJ.
Working part-time in TJ? Yes but most of it will be for short dollars unless you have your own small part time gig.

For 100 a month you will not get much so i understand what you are saying, I have a friend who rented a small partment from a couple that expanded their house, which a lot of people are doing now in Otay to suppliment their income. He was spending 225 plus gas but the place was very secure 1 bedroom private bath and small kitchen.
Don't worry about offending anyone I try to live as cheap as possible, I have a 2 bedroom house with a nice size garage/lot for 400 a month.

We're here to help so keep firing away if you have any new questions

[TJDave]

I replied to your last request, but apparently you didn't see it.

I lived in Independencia for 2 1/2 years. I paid $400USD for a 2 bedroom apt. I know several people who still live there.

I am pretty sure you will be able to find a one bedroom or studio in that area for about $250. I think it is a very nice and safe neighborhood and it is only a 5 min taxi ride to the border and Centro is within walking distance. The best thing to do is walk around the neighborhood and ask around or look for signs.

I have seen some places in Otay near the fabricas that go for $1200 MX. Then only problem with Otay is that the public transit on the US side is not as good as at the San Ysidro crossing (where the trolley is).

[AcapulcoGringo]

Great.. Thanks for the responses!!!

I think I will try and stay at least a week in a cheap motel and get my bearinings and try to get a feel for what areas are best.. Any sugestions on areas for cheap Central hotels that would make a good base for searching, etc... and that would nto eat up my money fast??

Sorry to ask so many questions... Once I arrive I will survive, BUT I really would like to have some leads and ideas before I get there..

And by the way , when I said $1000 earlier I meant dollars.. I live on Less than that..

Thanks again!!

[zunigan]

Hi I live in Otay and have a 3 bedroom house and we rent for 300.00. Parking and a patio in the back yard. Its not huge but for the two of us plus dog its great. There are some apts on the next street over that rent for 250.00 for a 2 bedroom. Its a quiet area, at least most of the time. Every now and then music and a party going on most of the night. Not alot of traffic and buses do come by at the corner. No ocean view but we like it.

[AcapulcoGringo]

Yes it seems like Otay is what everyone keeps pointing me too... IS there cheap hotels in the area??

T

[zunigan]

Yea on Dia Ordaz close to where I live there are about 5 that I have seen and they look kind of cheap. A friend stayed in one, don't know name but they paid 30 a night and it had hot water and a tv!

[George Costanza]

There are a lot of Desirable places to live, I think there just happens to be a lot of people who live in Otay that are on this board. Like TJdave pointed out Independencia has a lot of nice places and Soler but Soler is a ways away from the border.
Otay is good for the border and the crime "seems" lower as most are working class families and many work in the USA.
High rent locations don't spell safety as Chiquito pointed out. When you arrive take some tiem and look at all the locations and also spend some time at these same locations at night to see what is creeping around and base your decision on all the factors we've pointed out.

Good Luck

[George Costanza]

For hotels they tend to be more money in the Otay area with ranges of 60 to 100 a night, I would try downtown first with most in the 30 to 60 a night average.

[mungoanne]

For hotels they tend to be more money in the Otay area with ranges of 60 to 100 a night, I would try downtown first with most in the 30 to 60 a night average.

There is a really nice motel on the main drag through Playas which rents rooms at $25 a night. Kind of like a Motel 6 when they first started. It is next to the big church, across from Calimax and Carl's Junior. Playas del COronado maybe?

There are nice places in Playas one bedroom and studios NOT right on the beach in your price range. It might be harder now at the beginning of summer but its possible and Playas is quite safe with great shopping within walking distance. There is a real estate office I think it is Corona International at 165 Avenida Nieves (or something like that. It is the street that runs past the bull ring parking lot to the Arches on Del Pacifico. They have all price ranges. I rented through them once and they were very very helpful and did great on a few maintenence issues.

Chiquito tried to talk me into Playas when I first came. I didn't get it at first but eventually I did and I am so glad he really pushed for me to consider Playas. I rarely see other Americans around and have only met a few here. It is definitely a MEXICAN community. There are a lot of plus features over Otay (doesn't anyone mind all that dust in Otay?) and Zone Rio.
Best place to be.

[otayBill]

As for Hotels with weekly rates, Hotel Catalina in the Centro has weekly rates. I think its a little over $100 per week. Located at 5th and Madero, a block from Revolution. Tel. 664 685 9748

[Aztec Eagle]

OK ! that dose it.. Acapulco Gringo

I have an offer for you, i work in the evenings and usually i have most of the day free,i would be willing to show you around the city you just pay for gas and let me know wen your coming to the city, i know how it feels to have a small budget and got to move to a new town.

I agree with most of the guys here wen they say playas or at least that side of town i don't like Otay to much traffic and dusty area,i live in Colonia Altamira mostly locals, though my neighbor there is a nice African-American writer from Chicago and there use to be some crazy young gringas that lived across the street,but anyway theres some nice areas that i came across like in Colonia Roma a short drive from playas and downtown.

heres my e mail.

presichi1973@gmail.com

[BajaGringo]

I like the Altamira area as well and for some reason it is an area that many are either unaware of, or ignore. One thing to remember is that although Otay Mesa is near a border crossing, you will have to go across the 905 to get to any major shopping/business areas. At certain times of the day the traffic on the 905 is heavy and that can take you awhile. Not knocking the Otay Mesa area as it does have its positives, just telling you that there are many areas to consider and I think it is a great offer that Aztec Eagle made you. I would definitely take it if I were in your shoes...

[AcapulcoGringo]

OK ! that dose it.. Acapulco Gringo

I have an offer for you, i work in the evenings and usually i have most of the day free,i would be willing to show you around the city you just pay for gas and let me know wen your coming to the city, i know how it feels to have a small budget and got to move to a new town.

WOW, thats a great offer, and I will take you up on it... Things are changing, and I will be there in the next few days.. I am just scared about fonding a tempory weekly hotel or something.. I dont want to BLOW all my money on hotels..... A few people have made suggestions, that I will try and check out...

I will email you soon!

Thanks

[galvezis]

Acagringo, how u doin'? I totally recommend the playas area since it seems "cleaner" and you will more than likely have some type of ocean view...the prices range but you MAY be able to find something around your budget if u look around...it's only 15 min or less to the border but it can be more if you are taking public transit or during high traffic times...

[richsinc]

Hello and welcome A........Gringo;

I, personally, would not live in Otay, too hot/cold/dusty and appears to lack any central planning and greenery, nor Libertad, too hilly and hodge-podged with shacks next to nice buildings. Playas is generally nice and cheap/reasonable can be found.

I love it where I am. Border is 15 mins on foot; supermarket 7 mins away; great working class families and kids; school, futbol/soccer field, playgrounds and church close; fantastic neighbors; quiet generally and safe; other smaller stores and restaurants and half dozen clubs also.

I live in the Infonovit Rio on the northeast side on the river next to the new towers of New City; yes, Infonovit was a housing project built 10-12 years ago that some here look down upon, I believe, but it is great for me. Two bedroom, full kitchen w/ microwave and some furniture for reasonable rent, which are generally in the $300 to $400 range around here depending upon furnishings and individual landlord here.

PM me if you want more info or want to meet so maybe I can show you around the area.

[jdcs167]

Otay is a pretty good area, but there are other areas you can look at that are cheap. Like everyone says, its just a matter of looking around. I pay $350.00 for a 3brd 2story with a yard and parking. Not the best neighborhood, but I know the people.


Thanks,
Hank

[Klort]

Otay is newish, with many planned communities in the area.

I stayed in Lomas de Aguacaliente, but it was over $2,500 a month USD. It was a very big house with views to downtown San Diego and the beach. It's in Tijuana - so an ocean view is therefore possible if you're high up enough on the hill.