46 replies to this topic

[mrsmith93309]

What are some of the better neighborhoods in TJ to live in? Also, what are the best times of the day to cross the border, getting in or out of TJ?

[sdc]

Zona Rio, Cacho, Playas, Chapultupec....

[Tcat]

I am a huge fan of Otay. Easy border crossings.

The 905 bus is $2.25 to the Iris Ave. Trolley station. Runs monday-friday 6-9:30 AM and 3 to about 6 PM. Otherwise I take the bus downtown and just put up with the SY border crossing. I just did a long blog entry about my first 5 months in Otay.

[mrsmith93309]

How bad is the crime in these areas?

[Tcat]

Against a person? Never anything physical I have seen except for rear-ending fender benders on Commerial ave. Oh I think a bicyclist did a bad thing on Bellas Artais Ave swap meet sunday. I saw the polica loading the bike in the trunk of the squad car.

I was robbed by the Pemex service personal by the station on Bellas Artais just west of the otay crossing for $10. It isn't like the numbers on the pump are different than English... Instead of giving me my change, they waved me off with a nothing more here. Their loss.

I now gas at the commerical ave station and yes I tip a buck on top of my gas... they damn near wash the car as the tank is filling. As I said in my blog posting... get to know your neighbors and be kind... the rewards are incredible.

[vagabundo]

Last summer we had our truck stolen in Playas. The police recovered it for us.

[Ryu]

Seriously, this might just be personal opinion but with all the kidnappings we hear and don't hear about these days, as a gringo I would prefer the areas closer to either the two borders or around Rev. The frontier areas in TJ might not be such a good idea in these day and time. Better safe than sorry just to save some money.

[JimLane]

Seriously, this might just be personal opinion but with all the kidnappings we hear and don't hear about these days, as a gringo I would prefer the areas closer to either the two borders or around Rev. The frontier areas in TJ might not be such a good idea in these day and time. Better safe than sorry just to save some money.

Kidnappings you don't hear about concern you? How about the traffic accidents you don't hear about, or robberies?

As best memory serves me right now, there have been very few non-Mexicans kidnapped. A couple of them were maquiladora managers and the Mexican govenrment hammered down on those incidents very hard and very fast as it had the potential to threaten the industry and the capital it produces, jobs, etc.

If you live discreetly, you should be below the radar. BTW, at least one of tose kidnappings took place very close to the border. Of course, you want to drive your beemer and flash your cash, you set the stage for the ensuing play.

There is a long history of kidnapping the wealthy in Mexico and, traditionally, the victim is released when the money is paid, unharmed.

Exceptions occur. But if you are living plain, it should not be a concern.


jim

[sdc]

I had a car stolen about 6 months ago....from my place in Zona Rio.....petty theft is a fact of life in Tijuana but other than that...I have never really had a problem...

[ItsJustBeachie]

Were you in a lot or valet parked? Or out on the street?

Beachie

[BajaGringo]

Crime is a fact of life in most large cities no matter where you go. Having lived here for several years and over 35 years in Latin America I can tell you that you always need to use your common sense. There are no 100% guarantees no matter where you go or where you live but there is a lot you can do to tip the odds in your favor. I have come to know many gringos living down here and it always amazes me when I see some of them repeatedly fall victim and never seem to learn from their mistakes while out and about in Tijuana. My advice is:

1. Know where you are going.
2. Avoid going alone whenever possible.
3. Use debit/credit in lieu of cash if possible.
4. NEVER park on the street.
5. Avoid calling attention to yourself in the way you drive, act or look.
6. ALWAYS have a cell phone with you.
7. Act as an appreciative guest in their country and not an ugly American tourist.
8. Respect ALL laws and local customs whether it makes sense to you or not.
9. Avoid areas where there will be large, noisy and generally drunk crowds.
10. Learn to speak, read and write Spanish - Fluently.

I have driven high dollar/late model SUVs down here for years and never had a problem. Not meaning to generalize too much but those I have observed getting stopped by the police seem to fall into a few categories:

1. Driving as if traffic laws were non-existent in Mexico.
2. Driving as if traffic laws were ALMOST non-existent in Mexico.
3. Blaring music coming out of car windows.
4. Driver paying more attention to his/her carload of 5-6 passengers than to traffic.
5. Throwing trash out the car windows.
6. Doing all of the above.

Nothing is perfect and I am sure that you might get ripped off or stopped while avoiding these behaviors but it will go a long way to better your odds.

[richsinc]

BajaGringo;

Not sure how to tell you this: Some people don't have 'common sense'! Or at least, use it. Horse sense? :shock:

Are you saying that New York, Chicago, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid, etc. have crime? Never been robbed in any of them, but I have in TJ. :evil:

Re: your point #3 using credit/debit cards; I do use them at reputable places like Ley, Gigante. I would never use them at bars and such on Revo or in Zona Norte! Not even carry them there!!! You might be tempted to use a bank ATM like I did early one evening on Revo and this guy came up from nowhere and his offer to help meant his phoney card (same color) got put in the machine and he was gone even tho I shielded my PIN entry. But I did get the money back from USAA Bank, if that is why you recommended using credit/debit cards, but I would suggest not to use them at all except at reputable stores.

I do always dress down and never carry a wallet, especially in back pocket. I've alerted a few Americans that their wallets were about to be stolen in years past. But I still do put an ID and some larger bills in my sock with a couple of rubber bands around it. Rubber bands and those black binder clips are good for your pockets too; makes it very difficult to get out.

[bluejeans]

Does anyone really know BajaGringo or has anyone seen BajaGringo?

I have questions about some of the things BajaGringo has posted. I am curious if there is any Gringo in BajaGringo not that is necessary but some of the stuff he/she has posted are just not what most people would experience in TJ or anywhere in Baja. Sorry BajaGringo, but I think most of what you say, just ain't so.

[richsinc]

Hi bluejeans;

Are you real? I have never met either of you (you and BajaGringo); maybe, I don't exist? Maybe you should both come to the Bloggers IV get-together; that way everyone will know if you two really exist...

Most of what BajaGringo said was fairly good advice for newbies to TJ, MX and I do think he was trying to help.

Guess I can't throw my trash out the car window any more instead of walking a few hundred feet to the dumpster. Like people do that???
TJ has less trash in the street than downtown SD, I think.

And like I try to go find large crowds of rowdy drunks too.

[BajaGringo]

Richsinc: You are right about other large cities in other parts of the world. I was speaking to my experience in Latin America as I have lived in Mexico City, Caracas, Buenos Aires and others. As far as Revolucion, I wouldn't give anyone my credit/debit card there either but the fact is that I totally avoid that type of crowd/activity. I prefer the nightlife in the non-gringo tourist areas. Probably just showing my age.

Bluejeans: I have no idea if you or anyone else here on this board is real either but it's not something I lose sleep over. If my advice seems off-target to you it is probably that I tend to avoid the typical gringo activities and hangouts down here and our viewpoints would probably be quite different. As far as whether I am really a gringo? That one made me laugh but perhaps our paths will cross one day and you can see for yourself...

[bluejeans]

Baja Gringo, one of these days we will meet and lift a bear to each other and I'll be looking forward to that day.

[BajaGringo]

It would be my pleasure but do you mind if I make mine a margarita or gin martini? I'm not much of a beer drinker.... :wink:

[mikethedog]

Re: your point #3 using credit/debit cards; I do use them at reputable places like Ley, Gigante. I would never use them at bars and such on Revo or in Zona Norte!

I know Revo, but what's Zona Norte? :?:

[bluejeans]

BajaGringo, one of these days we will meet and I'll shake your right hand and put a Bohemia in your left.

[BajaGringo]

Bluejeans: It would be my pleasure to shake your hand - perhaps we might meet at Cheripan...