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Do you speak Spanish? See Casas en Venta en Baja California
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Located in the western side of Mexico on the northern half of the Baja Peninsula, Baja California is filled with plentiful tourist opportunities and is growing as more Mexican residents and foreigners are investing in vacation homes and retirement properties along the coast. Baja California has approximately 3.3 million people living within its 27,590 square miles.
Baja California has a diverse landscape ranging from deserts to mountains to beaches. Some of the top industries in Baja California include maquiladora, or manufacturing, with over 900 companies operating factories that have had the opportunity to take advantage of duty-free and tariff-free exports. Along the Pacific Coast, tourism and fishing are major industries as well.
Culture and history play a major role in Baja California’s way of life. Its pre-Hispanic Cochimi and Kumiai indigenous groups still have a solid artistic foothold in its various crafts made from natural materials. Located on the Baja Peninsula, it is quite common for folks to feel that Baja California is an extension of California more than it is a part of Mexico.
The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism with many beautiful cathedrals and churches throughout the state including the Catedral de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe en Tijuana.
You’ll find the Avenida Revolución, which is the famous historic downtown area of Tijuana, Lobster Village in Rosarito, and the Valle De Los Cirios Natural Protected Area.
Baja California is connected to the United States border in the north and Baja California Sur to the south and the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California on the west and east sides, respectively. The climate varies throughout the state with mild and dry conditions in the northwest during the summer and cool temperatures in the winter and dry and hot conditions in the east.
Real estate and rentals are both affordable and desirable. There are new developments popping up throughout Baja California, especially on the west coast. As more baby boomers seek second homes or vacation homes and retirees look for a laid back lifestyle with great weather year round, Baja California remains an attractive option. Homes, condos and apartments are available to suit all budgets and preferences.
Investment and tourism continues to help drive the economy. The influx of interest in Baja California, especially in areas such as Tijuana, is changing the landscape and skyline.
Country: Mexico
State: Baja California
Nickname: Gateway to Mexico
Population: 3.32 million
Area:
Land: 71,450 km2
In Ensenada and the Guadalupe Valley, wine is a major part of the culture. With over 80 wineries, Mexico’s wine country is becoming a major tourist destination for those who are eager to tour vineyards, attend wine tastings or relax in the more mountainous region of Baja California.
Some of the major annual events and festivals in Baja California include the Baja 1000 which is a major off-road race, the International Craft Beer Festival in Tijuana and many national holiday celebrations such as Carnaval, Dia de los Muertos and Día de la Independencia.
There are 32 colleges and universities in Baja California including many with programs dedicated to the sciences. In Ensenada alone, there are 11 higher education institutions and it is considered to have the highest concentration of scientists and science students in all of Latin America. As the maquiladora industry grows, so does the demand for college degrees.
Lucha Libre at the Auditorio Municipal Fausto Gutierrez Moreno is a unique and fun way to spend a Friday night. These theatrical wrestling events are a spectacle to see. There are many museums and art galleries throughout Baja California too. Some are unique to the area such as the Tecate Railway Museum as well as the Museo de Historia de Ensenada and the Tijuana Cultural Center.
Many cities in Baja California have a vibrant nightlife scene. Tijuana is famous for its party atmosphere which includes Papas & Beers, located on 43,000 square feet of white sand, whereas Ensenada is home to Hussongs Cantina which opened in 1892.
There are over two dozen major cities in the state of Baja California. Tijuana and Mexicali are the only cities with a population over 1 million. Many of the state’s major economic areas revolve around regions with beaches. The top five cities by population are:
Tijuana is a major city and metropolitan area of Mexico. It has a large tourism industry as it nestles next to the border opposite San Diego. Its vibrant nightlife and growing economy is making it a very attractive place to call home. Tijuana is expected to increase its population by 80,000 yearly.On average, 300,000 people cross the border at Tijuana every day for work or tourism.
Mexicali is the capital of Baja California. Known for its highly skilled and educated population, Mexicali has become a major industrial center, and this has slowly been catching up to its main industry which is agriculture. Tourism is another big draw as Mexicali is situated just south of the United States border and is a main entry point for tourists from, for example, Nevada and Arizona.
Ensenada is a major cruise destination and tourism hotspot in Baja California. Located along the Pacific Ocean, Ensenada has a constant influx of tourists from cruise ships and is also a popular destination for snowbirds to the north who want to escape the frigid winters for warmer, sunnier days. Ensenada has a thriving wine country with over 80 wineries and vineyards featuring regular tastings, tours and hotels.
It was not long ago that Rosarito separated from Tijuana as a suburb and became its own tourist destination and thriving city. Rosarito was mostly known as a small fishing village but has grown famous over the last few decades as being home to Fox Studios Baja which houses the world’s largest studio water tank - this was used in such films as Titanic.
Home to the famous Tecate Brewery, Tecate is located about 40 miles east of the San Diego border crossing and is an alternative destination to the busier Tijuana. This border city is a little quieter than its nearby neighbor and features more relaxed spas and resorts.
Construction remains strong in Baja California especially in cities like Tijuana where massive development is underway which is poised to change the city’s skyline.
In areas such as Ensenada and Rosarito, the development is slower but still prevalent. Major retailers like Walmart and McDonald’s mean that folks are moving into these areas with greater frequency. Resorts, shopping and dining are also continuing to expand to attract tourism.
Seniors looking to retire are the most likely property buyers in Baja California. In fact, the mayor of Ensenada had made it a goal to build thousands of retirement homes to accommodate the home-seekers and make the area an attractive location.
The closer the respective Baja California city is to the San Diego border, the more likely younger folks are interested in purchasing property. The affordable housing, condos and rentals makes places like Tijuana an ideal location for those who cross the border into the United States for work.
Foreigners interested in purchasing property must do so through a bank trust, or Fideicomiso. Trusts are good for 50 years and can continuously be renewed for additional 50 years after that. Because a foreigner cannot legally hold property, the bank trust is considered the legal owner.
| Home Style | Average Rent Price |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment in City Centre | Not available |
| 1-bedroom apartment Outside of Centre | Not available |
| 3-bedroom apartment in City Centre | Not available |
| 3-bedroom apartment Outside of Centre | Not available |
Source: www.numbeo.com (May 2017)
There are many higher education schools in Baja California and they are considered some of the best in Mexico. There are over 32 universities in the state including many research centers, especially in Ensenada which is known as the City of Science.
The Mexican Secretariat of Public Education oversees the school system for the entire country. Public school is free for Mexican citizens and uniforms are required. Foreigners and expats who have school-aged children, often choose to send them to an international school or private school.
