16 replies to this topic

[mjsantos]

Well, we have decided to move to TJ,
we are a young couple trying to save up but it some times seems that we are moving 2 steps forward and 3 steps back.

so my question is... how dou you survive? I mean how did you find work?

i am sure that this is a subject elsewhere on the forum...but cut a girl some slack...i'm new.

[richsinc]

WORK!!! (Maynard G. Grebbs)

Keep your US job; no minimum wage, labor laws, etc. that I have seen here.

Survive? Retirement checks and cheap rent.

[mjsantos]

this is gonna suck isn't it?

[bluejeans]

I've been reading the posts here for about a month. Great info for sure! Been thinking about living in Baja for years, Rosarito Beach mostly but lately more TJ. Seems to me that you can get rent at a great price but most everything else, food, utilities, TV, phones (cell & land line), internet (I get DSL for $12.95 mo.), is at least the same price as in San Diego. A lot of the people make a trip to San Diego at least weekly to get food, mail, work on there cars, etc.. If you are still working in the US you not only have a long commute but you have a wait at the boarder, sometimes even if pay for a Sentri Pass. The graft in the police and other government offices. The HASSLE FACTOR seems to be about a 9.5 out of 10.

Well, I think I'm just going to stay in San Diego and visit Baja and I will probably save money and my mental health.

[Seattle-28]

Chiquito, can you please tell me what a SENTRY PASS is and how it works? What do you need to have to get one? :?:

Thanks in advance

[Seattle-28]

wow...thanks.

[richsinc]

MJsantos;

Hope you don't get discouraged but would definitely recommend working in US; why do you think there is an illegal alien problem with Mexicans and others trying to work in the US?

Re: Sentri pass: Don't forget there is also a pedestrian Sentri pass, which I heard you can get in a day at the Old Customs House right before you try to cross. A US Customs Agent told me to just walk in; not the line outside which is for non US citizens waiting for Visas, etc.

I'll check this out more next week on my food run to San Diego. With the trolley, it is only 40 minutes to San Diego and the bus system in San Diego is pretty good for getting to a job.

Re: Cost of living: Rent is cheaper, and taxi's, buses too. Utilities are about the same and not included in rent. Food at major stores is about the same and cheaper at local markets.

Major savings for me is the rent.

[mjsantos]

Gracias!

[Alicia]

Richsinc,

I look forward to hearing how your expedition goes at the Old Port Bldg! I would like to get one myself!

Alicia

[richsinc]

Alicia:

I forgot to mention that the pedestrian Sentri gate is for daily crossers and have limited hours like from 4:30 to 9am and maybe 3:30 to 6:30 pm. I think the vehicle Sentri is 24/7?

I go to San Diego about once a month and usually cross around noon time and there is hardly ever a major wait mid-week.

Will let you and others here know though, come Wednesday on my trip.

[Alicia]

Richsinc!

I am curious how it went for you on Wednesday at the Old Port Bldg. Any luck?

Thanks

Alicia

[richsinc]

Alicia and others intereste;

In a word: Nothing.

I went Wednesday as planned and the line was backed up past the sunken dirt parking lot and halfway back again; so I went home.

Today the same thing and it looked like an hour or more in line that would cut down on my time in San Diego to do banking, post office, food buy some presents, etc., so I did not stop to find out.

This is first time I've see such lines at mid-day; don't know what going on or just a fluke......

Will let you know when I go again and find anything out.

[Alicia]

Richsinc,

I've heard two things re: procuring the Pedestrian SENTRI pass:

1. that you can go ahead of the usual line at the Old Port Bldg and inquire about the SENTRI pass.

2. that you have to go to the Otay xing to get it

Of course, I don't know the answer to either.

The length of those lines is rather discouraging!

--Alicia

[richsinc]

Yes, you can walk pass the line to cross and go to the Old Customs House but then I'd have to walk back to the end of the line again; so I opted out of finding out this trip.

Think I'll be going again in a week or so to see some SD friends and will let you know.

Never heard Otay but they may have it as well.

At San ysidro they used to have flyers advertising it. Found one!
Flyer says: "No cost; Nevr wait in line M-F 5-9am and 3-7pm; Come to Old Port Bldg,, M-F, 8am to 3pm; No appointment needed; Questions? Sentri Pedestrian Office 619-662-2227"

Hope this helps

[Alicia]

Thanks for the clarification, Richsinc!

[Sandra]

Update for those interested in Pedestrian/Vehicle SENTRI:

The pedestrian program has stopped taking applications - (supposedly as of mid-December). Since it was only a pilot program, they are not sure if they are going to open it up again to new applicants - they told me to check back in a few weeks and hopefully, the debate in the office will be over. (I did walk in the office yesterday to verify what I was told over the phone - so it doesn't look hopeful).

Vehicle SENTRI - after trying to call for weeks - all 3 numbers and leaving numerous messages - I finally just kept hitting redial and actually got a live person. My appointment is not scheduled until mid-June as they are running about 2 months out for an initial appointment and then 6 months to process.

[sdc]

You might just want to get all the paper work your going to need and go into the office...My friend did that and he got all his first inview done just walking in because it wasn't crowded...you might get lucky too...