11 replies to this topic

[nowwhat]

I am renting an apartment very close to the Otay border.  I need to buy a bed, a couch (or a couple of chairs), .... I am also interested in a stove and refrigerator.

Would it be better to purchase in TJ?  Are there inexpensive places to buy a bed?

Or... would it be better to buy in the US and hire someone to bring the stuff over?

I will look for previous postings on this subject too.

If you know of anyone in TJ who is selling a bed (double or queen) or other furniture please let me know.

I am renting on the 30th of December.

[Keyno]

I am renting an apartment very close to the Otay border. I need to buy a bed, a couch (or a couple of chairs), .... I am also interested in a stove and refrigerator.

Would it be better to purchase in TJ? Are there inexpensive places to buy a bed?

Or... would it be better to buy in the US and hire someone to bring the stuff over?

I will look for previous postings on this subject too.

If you know of anyone in TJ who is selling a bed (double or queen) or other furniture please let me know.

I am renting on the 30th of December.

Seriously it all boils down to money, no budget?, buy new and bring from the states.

[Mary Ellen]

Seriously it all boils down to money, no budget?, buy new and bring from the states.

Most of the flea markets around town have good used and new furniture. I would not buy anything new except a mattress because if you decide to move and esp. go back across the border, the furniture is worth hardly anything not to mention the cost of transporting it. Furniture is just like a car; as soon as it leaves the store it depreciates quickly.

[bajashrink]

Ditto to what Mary Ellen said.

Also, new Mexican-made furniture is less expensive than U.S.-manufactured.

Mexico's Mabe brand refrigerator is economical and energy efficient.

[Cyanide41]

I am not sure, but aren't NG stoves and LPG stoves different?

[synthea]

Most of the flea markets around town have good used and new furniture. I would not buy anything new except a mattress because if you decide to move and esp. go back across the border, the furniture is worth hardly anything not to mention the cost of transporting it. Furniture is just like a car; as soon as it leaves the store it depreciates quickly.

where is the nearest flea market by the Otay border? Im new to the area and in a week I will be needing some inexpensive furniture just like "nowwhat" (bed, couch, fridge, stove, tables n chairs) just about everything! ... I dont have a truck to haul it so ill be needing to pay to have it delivered to my apt... so I might as well buy it in Tijuana rather than the states right?

[TJDave]

I am not sure, but aren't NG stoves and LPG stoves different?

The only difference really are the "jets" or injectors.... NG is supplied at a lower pressure than LPG so the diameter is larger....

[Mary Ellen]

where is the nearest flea market by the Otay border? Im new to the area and in a week I will be needing some inexpensive furniture just like "nowwhat" (bed, couch, fridge, stove, tables n chairs) just about everything! ... I dont have a truck to haul it so ill be needing to pay to have it delivered to my apt... so I might as well buy it in Tijuana rather than the states right?

You'll find that transporting furniture across the border by a company will cost you another piece of furniture you could have bought in TJ. There are plenty of places in TJ to find good furniture.

Also a couple of things that I could not do without if you like to cook. If you plan to buy American prepackaged foods here it will cost more than buying local products as most people here cook rather than the American style of buying everything precooked.
1) Electric skillet
2) Electric oven/roaster
3) Electric blender to make salsa & smoothies & aguas frescas with the great selection of fruits
4) Last, but not least, the microwave. Great for everything from heating tortillas to boiling tap water.
These items really save $$ on utilities as well as conserving energy. You can bake everything in the roaster. I bought these items at Target. I rarely use the oven.

The best food store in TJ that I've found is the new Super Soriana in Otay near the airport. It is a great store and many employees are UABC students and speak English. I drive a couple of miles to this store as the selection of everything is much better; my second favorite is the Ley store on Calzado Tecnologico. I hope a day comes that I don't have to make special trips across the border to Trader Joe's or Target or Henry's.

Update: In the same area of the Super Soriana behind the Sears is Commercial Mexicana which is another great store with a variety of products.

[nowwhat]

You'll find that transporting furniture across the border by a company will cost you another piece of furniture you could have bought in TJ.  There are plenty of places in TJ to find good furniture.

Also a couple of things that I could not do without if you like to cook.  If you plan to buy American prepackaged foods here it will cost more than buying local products as most people here cook rather than the American style of buying everything precooked.
1) Electric skillet
2) Electric oven/roaster
3) Electric blender to make salsa & smoothies & aguas frescas with the great selection of fruits
4) Last, but not least, the microwave.  Great for everything from heating tortillas to boiling tap water.
These items really save $$ on utilities as well as conserving energy.  You can bake everything in the roaster.  I bought these items at Target.  I rarely use the oven.

The best food store in TJ that I've found is the new Super Soriana in Otay near the airport.  It is a great store and many employees are UABC students and speak English.  I drive a couple of miles to this store as the selection of everything is much better; my second favorite is the Ley store on Calzado Tecnologico.  I hope a day comes that I don't have to make special trips across the border to Trader Joe's or Target or Henry's.

Hi Mary Ellen .. I found your reply very helpful.  Do you know how much a bed might cost at one of the stores in Otay.  I am having a little problem with my "husband" and discussions about what the cost is.   I wired him $250...because he said a bed was $150, but now he says its twice that ....I know it sounds like a trust issue and it is .... but we need to buy a bed.  I cant be there until a week from now and I would really like to not sleep on the floor    Thanks

[Mary Ellen]

Hi Mary Ellen .. I found your reply very helpful. Do you know how much a bed might cost at one of the stores in Otay. I am having a little problem with my "husband" and discussions about what the cost is. I wired him $250...because he said a bed was $150, but now he says its twice that ....I know it sounds like a trust issue and it is .... but we need to buy a bed. I cant be there until a week from now and I would really like to not sleep on the floor Thanks

I probably have moved around in the U.S. (and now Mexico) more than most Americans so I bought a Coleman brand air mattress at Target available in both queen & king so I haven't bought a bed or mattress in years. Also the air mattress serves as an extra bed for a guest. So the best thing to do is shop around at local TJ stores for furniture. Why not buy an air mattress and use it until you find a regular bed?

[wichogrande]

[quote name='nowwhat' date='Dec 26 2010, 12:06 PM' post='22675']
I am renting an apartment very close to the Otay border. I need to buy a bed, a couch (or a couple of chairs), .... I am also interested in a stove and refrigerator.


this is probably too late, just in case tho.....I have a Mabe ref. that no longer use, and will be willing to sell for a hundred dollars and if need be deliver to your house/first floor apt.
I bought it used looks new, works well however it is probably the smallest they make only good for a couple without any children
cubic ft...dont know
it's about5'6" tall 28" wide and about 26" deep

[C-Lo]

you can find decent furniture at the various swap meats that are reasonable. We bought a large frig for about $125 dollars and it has worked fine for over a year now. It came with a 30 day warranty from one of those side of the road used appliance stands. we bought a new mattress, used large dresser with mirror and a two piece couch set for $1500 pesos from a used furniture place and all nice quailty.