Living in TJ

[Dens112]

I had a simester of Community college and I learn the rest through in laws and my wife

 

[ELIZABETH C]

did you learned the language through school or your surroundings?

 

[Exemplify]

Evidentally most people have no thumbs as I don't have one friend here that parks in the US and I certainly do not. I am thinking the parking would kill you on the US side.

I have had friend benefit from Mexican insurance and really surprised you find it to be a scam. Also I was rear ended and the police found the local at fault and not me. Fortunately the damage was minimal.

Most people don't have land lines here. I have a US number through my high speed internet at $27 per month, unlimited calls to and from the US, Europe, Candada and Puerto Rico, and I sometimes use it to call Mexico...it is cheaper than my movistar or telcel phones....I believe their is similar phones with Mexican numbers, but unless things have changed dialing a cell phone is an additional charge....calling land lines unlimited for I believe $15 is available. The only land lines I call are business, so I didn't get it.

 

[wOoTS uP]

First of all rule of thumb about living in TJ and working state side is that you never drive your vehcle into TJ you keep it state side. It a lot quicker walking across. The current hold up for a pedestrian verse vehicle is about 90 minutes shorter. Secondly I have only taken my personal vehicle in to TJ about a dozen time, this is because I planned a road trip. TJ has a far more superior public transportation system than the United State in that there are so many varieties to getting around town that it is senseless to have a vehicle in TJ.
A Vehicle in TJ is a cop magnet. IF you get into a wreck, and if you are a gringo, even if you did not cause the accident you are at vault. You may find yourself going to Jail till you have paid for both the fine and for the damage of the other persons car. The Mexican insurance is a scam. Your spend money on something that doe'nt come to your aide.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I should have been in Mexico 15 years ago. I agree, it's much more laid back than state-side. I'm lucky enough to control when I cross the border so I never get stuck in the 3AM stress thing.

I'm learning Spanish and yes, you do get respect for being respectful and trying your best to speak the language. I noticed a lot of women checking me ut too and I'm not much to look at. Maybe they smell the money, I guess that's it in the final analysis.

But when your money can buy all the creature comforts you could ask for, a woman who doesn't complain and just does her thing, when you can relax at "Tacos Flacos" at 3AM chomping down those queso burritos and cokes with the locals (who have the same problems you do, the numbers are smaller) who are very cool and very polite then it makes it worthwhile.

State-side is stress-ville.

Tijuana is a "dirty armpit?" Maybe. But it's about people. Something state-side lacks in the attitude department, genuine consideration.

Last week I had dinner with friends at an upscale restaurant in Honolulu. All the social bullshit almost made me sick. I felt out of my element. I wanted to get back to Tacos Flaco, I wanted a queso burrito and a coke.

Country John

 

[the tax lady]

It's to hard to get up at 3 am to work in the USA. I think it brings to much stress.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Charger great story......Are you retired?? How do you earn a living in TJ?
A lot of people live in TJ and work in the US.......There was a previous thread about it and how people wait in line and sleep in their vehicles at like 3am or something just to cross the border.......

 

[hanizee]

There is much I've enjoyed about living in Tijuana. It's best, of course, when you don't have to cross daily for work (or have a SENTRI pass).

As technology advances it become possible to have the best of both worlds. With Voneforum.xxxe one can have a US phone number. With a satellite dish one can have US television. With the Internet one gets US news. Etc.

 

[Pompal 09.]

To some of you that might turn your nose up to the thought of living in TJ I can tell you that for the past fifteen years it has been the best time of my life.
Of course there are downfalls. Those that are use to living In The United States, if these plans are in you mind think of some of the pit falls. First if you are use to having a land line, in TJ a land line is a Luxary. I tried to get a land line when I first moved to TJ and it almost cost 600.00 for and installation. Most Mexican apartments do not come with stoves or refrigerator. My first year I only had a ice chest and a Microwave. Than to make things more difficult the for those first few years I had a tv that only got two english speaking channels.

When I started learning spanish things started to turn around. I began visiting the nieghbors and getting into social circles and sooner or later I began to learn the system. The nieghbor began to invite me to parties. At most parties it was as if I had a rock star status. Women would flock my tabel with the question "Ju like mexican women." Until I met my wife (she died of cancer last year) I had to keep an appointment book just to keep track of who I was dating. This might sound like a boast but it really happen.

I know there is corruption among the police. I know its quite a time crossing the border. I know that in some cases there are Mexican people who do not like Americans. But the laid back look of life can not be beat.