OT: Baja house update

On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 23:47:43 -0400, [email protected] (J T) wrote:

>Mon, Sep 18, 2006, 9:29am (EDT-3) [email protected] (mac davis) doth
>sayeth:
>For those that asked, I put the pictures from our trip this weekend up
>today:
>http://www.davisbaja.com/sept-baja.htm
>House is coming along well and we're moving on Oct. 12!
>
> California has exceeded its quota of illegals so they're exporting
>you to Mexico to make upfor it?
>
>
I wish.... it would probably be a lot less red tape...

OTOH, it's sort of hard to swim across the river with a house full of stuff on
your back.. *g*

BTW: they're not illegals.... they're "undocumented aliens".... another good
reason to be getting out of the land of the Governator...
Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

> mac davis
> | http://www.davisbaja.com/sept-baja.htm
> |
> | House is coming along well and we're moving on Oct. 12!
>
> Mac...
>
> Looks good ... and less than a month to go!
>
> Morris Dovey

I'll second that Mac, it look like all is close to being ready! You'll be
turning in Mexico in no time!

I sometime wish my lovely bride would like to live there! Keep the Cerveza
cold!

Dave



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"mac davis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Thanks, Morris...
> As much as we're looking forward to living there, the process and change
> is
> still kinda scarey...
>

Don't take this the wrong way, I am sincerely curious.

Why would you want to live there?

On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 03:12:23 -0400, "Upscale" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"mac davis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>
>> Baja is a very mellow place and we feel a lot safer there than around
>Fresno, Ca
>> with all the daily deaths in the paper from gang shootings and red light
>> runners...
>
>Just as an aside, what kind of medical treatment is available should you
>need it? I'm guessing maybe wrongly, that for some stuff, you'd cross the
>border to have treated in the US, but what about sudden emergencies?
>Assuming that you've checked this stuff out.
>
Medical is good and very low cost... some say that's because they don't have all
the BS lawsuits there that drive insurance up..

Our best quote so far, for 2 people, is about $75 US a month.. low co-pay, pick
your doctor, (2 very good ones in town 7 miles away), helo-ambulance if needed,
etc...

We're paying over $700 a month now for the least expensive Kaiser because every
time the rates go up, we move to a plan with higher co-pay and deductible so we
can afford it...

Dentist bills are low, too.. a friend just had a root canal and crown?? and the
bill was under $200... that's less than my last R.C. cost here and still haven't
done the crown thing..
Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

"mac davis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> Baja is a very mellow place and we feel a lot safer there than around
Fresno, Ca
> with all the daily deaths in the paper from gang shootings and red light
> runners...

Just as an aside, what kind of medical treatment is available should you
need it? I'm guessing maybe wrongly, that for some stuff, you'd cross the
border to have treated in the US, but what about sudden emergencies?
Assuming that you've checked this stuff out.

mac davis (in [email protected]) said:

| http://www.davisbaja.com/sept-baja.htm
|
| House is coming along well and we're moving on Oct. 12!

Mac...

Looks good ... and less than a month to go!

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto

"mac davis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> For those that asked, I put the pictures from our trip this weekend up
> today:
>
> http://www.davisbaja.com/sept-baja.htm
>
> House is coming along well and we're moving on Oct. 12!
>
How much stuff has to be moved how many miles to make this move?

It really looks like a desert there. How is the temperature/climate there?

Are those big windows in the shop going to be a security problem? Is there
any theft around there?

I assume that the roof doubles as a patio when weather/temperature allows,
right?

Do you have air conditioning there? Phone? Sewer? Water? Cable?

How will you fit in with the locals?

On Tue, 19 Sep 2006 11:29:21 -0400, "Lee Michaels"
<leemichaels*nadaspam*@comcast.net> wrote:

>
>"mac davis" <[email protected]> wrote
>
>> Most of the stress and stuff isn't living in Baja, it's getting all of our
>> junk there and selling our house in California... and all the damn time
>> deadlines and red tape to get it all done..
>>
>I am not asking for an exact figure, but do you have any idea how much less
>the tax bill will be by not living in California?
>
Tax as in property or income??

property tax in Mexico is based on your land.. doesn't matter if it has a
$1,000,000 house or it's vacant... out tax right now on each of the 1/3 acre
lots is about $400 a year..

Property tax in Calif. is based on the sale price.. roughly 1.25% of the sales
price, plus local assessments..

My wife bought our house in the late 80's for $75k and our taxes now are about
$900 a year..

My main income, from web work is taxed in the States because the clients send a
1099... I'm talking to a tax guy now to make sure that I won't also be taxed on
the income a 2nd time in mexico.. (The money is direct deposited to our US
account)

I've been advised not to "legalize" my wood business unless I make a LOT of
money, as it involves starting a Mexican corporation and is subject to 30%
income tax... haven't verified that yet...

Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 12:15:47 -0500, "Morris Dovey" <[email protected]> wrote:

>mac davis (in [email protected]) said:
>
>| http://www.davisbaja.com/sept-baja.htm
>|
>| House is coming along well and we're moving on Oct. 12!
>
>Mac...
>
>Looks good ... and less than a month to go!

Thanks, Morris...
As much as we're looking forward to living there, the process and change is
still kinda scarey...

Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 15:33:38 -0400, Joe Bemier <[email protected]>
wrote:

>On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 12:15:47 -0500, "Morris Dovey" <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>
>>mac davis (in [email protected]) said:
>>
>>| http://www.davisbaja.com/sept-baja.htm
>>|
>>| House is coming along well and we're moving on Oct. 12!
>>
>>Mac...
>>
>>Looks good ... and less than a month to go!
>
>
>Looks great, Mac!
>I think the *scary* will disolve into the adventure.

I'm sure it will, Joe.. thanks...
Most of the stress and stuff isn't living in Baja, it's getting all of our junk
there and selling our house in California... and all the damn time deadlines
and red tape to get it all done..

Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:35:47 -0400, "Lee Michaels"
<leemichaels*nadaspam*@comcast.net> wrote:


>How much stuff has to be moved how many miles to make this move?

The folks from San Felipe Storage are coming up (575 miles each way) with a 50'
container... besides the big tools like the saws and lathes, we're at about 200
Uhaul boxes and a bunch of loose stuff..
>
>It really looks like a desert there. How is the temperature/climate there?

Wonderful for me, but we live in Fresno, CA now and we're used to hot....
It can get to 110 F or more during July and August but the breeze off the water
at night is wonderful... the winters are my attraction... coldest might be 60 or
so and drop to 45 at night...
>
>Are those big windows in the shop going to be a security problem? Is there
>any theft around there?

There is some, but security is pretty good there.. It's a member only kind of
thing and we've been stopped a few times and asked what/why we were driving
around...
Most of the theft seems to be of building material in the houses in progress...
One builder lost about 2,000 sf of ceramic tile in one night and they suspect
someone on his crew...

>I assume that the roof doubles as a patio when weather/temperature allows, right?

For sure! A lot of folks use the roof like you'd use your backyard or patio...
cool breeze, nice view, etc...
We'll have a table up there with a big shade umbrella and the wall dividing the
roof sections has 220v, water and LP connections for a spa, BBQ, etc..
>
>Do you have air conditioning there? Phone? Sewer? Water? Cable?

The builder is putting in 4 "mini splits"... 1 in each bedroom, one in the great
room and one in the shop....

All of the phones are wireless and it takes about 2 months to get one
installed.. they were NOT ready for all the gringo orders..

Before our builder could start the house, the "ranch" (
http://www.eldoradoranch.com/ ) had to come out and put in the septic tank...

Water is from a cistern, you might see that in some of the pictures as a
concrete square near the side lot line... they charge about $40 US to put 2,500
gallons in..

No cable yet... lot of satellite dishes around but we passed on that.... we
don't watch a lot of TV and mostly have cable here for the Internet...
We'll have DSL with the phone for about $30 a month... higher speed DSL is $50 a
month and hard for us to justify for a while...
All of the cantinas, coffee places, etc. have free wireless, so it's pretty easy
to stay in touch down there..
>
>How will you fit in with the locals?
>
Well, unfortunately, most of the locals are gringos and not all are fun to be
with... we really prefer some of the Mexican friends we've made..
It's a very polite and relaxed society and easy to just join the flow... If you
don't try to bring the USA with you... Please and thank you go a LONG way in
Baja and as anywhere in the world, respect is a 2 way street..

GREAT QUESTIONS!!
Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

Mon, Sep 18, 2006, 9:29am (EDT-3) [email protected] (mac=A0davis) doth
sayeth:
For those that asked, I put the pictures from our trip this weekend up
today:
http://www.davisbaja.com/sept-baja.htm
House is coming along well and we're moving on Oct. 12!

California has exceeded its quota of illegals so they're exporting
you to Mexico to make upfor it?



JOAT
I am not paranoid. I do not "think" people are after me. I "know" damn
well they're after me.

Mac,
So weird to see the "landscaping" when around here is so green and all
woods!
I've heard a lot of negatives about banditos, etc. Freightliner said they'd
fly me into Mexico City but wanted no part of my driving down. So, together
with my loving "green" I have to ask - why Baja?
TomNie

> House is coming along well and we're moving on Oct. 12!
>
> Mac
>
> https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
> https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

"mac davis" <[email protected]> wrote

> Most of the stress and stuff isn't living in Baja, it's getting all of our
> junk
> there and selling our house in California... and all the damn time
> deadlines
> and red tape to get it all done..
>
I am not asking for an exact figure, but do you have any idea how much less
the tax bill will be by not living in California?

"Locutus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "mac davis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> Thanks, Morris...
>> As much as we're looking forward to living there, the process and change
>> is
>> still kinda scarey...
>>
>
> Don't take this the wrong way, I am sincerely curious.
>
> Why would you want to live there?
I second that. What kind of visa will/do you have?

On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 14:37:01 -0400, "Locutus" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"mac davis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> Thanks, Morris...
>> As much as we're looking forward to living there, the process and change
>> is
>> still kinda scarey...
>>
>
>Don't take this the wrong way, I am sincerely curious.
>
>Why would you want to live there?
>
We fell in love with it in a weekend!

As my wife put it, this is the destination we've looked for on years of RV trips
and never found...

I could talk forever about the climate, people, etc.... but the bottom line at a
real gut level is that it just FELT right...

Also, we never thought we could afford to retire.... Our cost of living there is
over $3,000 a month lower than it is in California..

By the time we build the 2nd house, we'll have about $350,000 US invested....
not much more than out house in CA is worth...
If your home is paid for, you can live pretty well down there on about $1,200 a
month.. including health, home and car insurance...

Also.. my wife gets to retire before she's 49 and be near the ocean, her
dream...

I get a new shop that's a bit bigger than my present garage, it's got AC and
220v and it's MINE... no washer/dryer, sink, family storage or anything... Y E S
!!


OH.. and our next-door neighbors are friends from our town here...
Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:03:58 -0700, "Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote:


>I'll second that Mac, it look like all is close to being ready! You'll be
>turning in Mexico in no time!
>
>I sometime wish my lovely bride would like to live there! Keep the Cerveza
>cold!
>
>Dave
>

you're just going to have to kidnap her to Baja, Dave... the more time she
spends in Baja the less she'll want to go back....
We haven't thought of Calif. as "home" for about 6 or 8 months!

When we did the walk-thru with our builder this weekend, he was showing us how
he was going to double up a block wall on the roof to sort of recess the spa
hookups... I asked him to make the new part about "a Tecate bottle" lower than
the existing wall and he knew exactly what I meant.. *g*

Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 12:15:47 -0500, "Morris Dovey" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>mac davis (in [email protected]) said:
>
>| http://www.davisbaja.com/sept-baja.htm
>|
>| House is coming along well and we're moving on Oct. 12!
>
>Mac...
>
>Looks good ... and less than a month to go!


Looks great, Mac!
I think the *scary* will disolve into the adventure.

On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:30:43 -0500, "Rick Samuel" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>
>
>
>
>"Locutus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "mac davis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>> Thanks, Morris...
>>> As much as we're looking forward to living there, the process and change
>>> is
>>> still kinda scarey...
>>>
>>
>> Don't take this the wrong way, I am sincerely curious.
>>
>> Why would you want to live there?
> I second that. What kind of visa will/do you have?
>
We just got them last weekend.. *g*

Called an "FM3"... like a legal immigrant visa... maybe like a "green card"
here?

It costs a couple hundred bucks and you go through the sign and thumb print
thing.. took an hour in July and 10 minutes this trip to get it...
It has to be renewed every year, and after 5 years, you can apply for dual
citizenship..

If you had told me 2 years ago that I'd be moving to Mexico I would have told
you that you were nuts... that I'd never leave California, much less the
COUNTRY..

Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

On Tue, 19 Sep 2006 11:26:23 -0400, "Tom Nie" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Mac,
>So weird to see the "landscaping" when around here is so green and all
>woods!
>I've heard a lot of negatives about banditos, etc. Freightliner said they'd
>fly me into Mexico City but wanted no part of my driving down. So, together
>with my loving "green" I have to ask - why Baja?
>TomNie
>
Tom... I said the same thing when my neighbor bought down there...
I thought that all of Mexico was the same, which is like thinking that all of
the US is...

Baja is a very mellow place and we feel a lot safer there than around Fresno, Ca
with all the daily deaths in the paper from gang shootings and red light
runners...

Actually, a lot of people call Baja "San Diego South" because it's a lot more
like Calif. than mainland Mexico...

We are in no hurry to explore the mainland, especially the border towns!

Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm