Greetings,
My family and I are moving to RP August 1st. We will be renting in Sandy Beach for 6 months while we look around. We have a 10 y/o son that we homeschool. Hoping to connect with other expats with kids. Are there many kids/families in area? Thanks in advance!
I think you'll find families everywhere....we have lived on Sandy Beach and now live in town. We have a dog and our boys like to ride their bikes, etc. so a house with a yard makes more sense for us. We originally rented on Sandy Beach when we first came here so that we could decide where we wanted to be and it worked out great for us so expect what you're doing will be fine. CIMA is one of the local private schools. Where are you moving here from?
Greetings,
My family and I are moving to RP August 1st. We will be renting in Sandy Beach for 6 months while we look around. We have a 10 y/o son that we homeschool. Hoping to connect with other expats with kids. Are there many kids/families in area? Thanks in advance!
I'll give you two weeks before your kids want to move back to America.
Can't imagine kids wanting to move back once they get settled! What's not to like? I would have done anything to move to the beach when I was a kid - not much beach in Oklahoma!!
Instead of life at the beach everyday? I dunno, Hooch. Pretty sweet deal for a 10 year old!
Here's mine she's 11 "daddy this place sucks, smells like rotting clams and the mexicans pee and poop in the middle of our street." That's when I know it time to head back to the zone. Little does she know it's me doing the dueces.
When the bubble hit hard a wife with the two little blond headed Viking boys ended up living in Santo Tomas while the husband worked on oil platforms in the gulf.After two years they spoke fluent spanish,were way better fishermen that any of of the geezer patrol down here,they rode around in the back of the trailer with the guards picking up the garbage,cleaned fish,trimmed olive trees.....I would have given anything to be them at that age. Great swimmers now too
Here's mine she's 11 "daddy this place sucks, smells like rotting clams and the mexicans pee and poop in the middle of our street." That's when I know it time to head back to the zone. Little does she know it's me doing the dueces.
If you and your bratty kid hate Mexico and Mexicans so much then why do you go there and why are you even on this board?
We have been in WV for 3 years. We were in Virginia beach for 12 years. We looked at some places in town but felt Sandy Beach would work well until we get the lay of the land.
Glad to hear kids being able to ride their bikes, makes safety even better.
Do most kids go to the private school? Are there some homeschooled kids?
We have been in WV for 3 years. We were in Virginia beach for 12 years. We look at some places in town but felt sandy beach would work well until we get the lay of the land.
I think you'll love the Sandy Beach area to start especially in August when there is so much activity on/in the beach area.
I am originally from South Texas and my husband is from New York. We haven't really found a place to settle yet. RP sounds great. We really want to make sure our son gets plenty of socialization other then mom and dad.
Good move for you, just be prepared for the oppressive heat, high humidity and bath water ocean temps. in Aug. and September.
By October you will really appreciate being there.
I wish I had parents who could have did that for me when I was a kid. Wish more kid's had the experiences of the Santo Tomas kids in Jerry's post.
We are hoping it will be a good experience. I think the heat is something we will get used to eventually, or at least I hope. We just want to make sure we are making the right move. It is sounding better knowing there are plenty of kids around.
We have been in WV for 3 years. We were in Virginia beach for 12 years. We looked at some places in town but felt Sandy Beach would work well until we get the lay of the land.
Glad to hear kids being able to ride their bikes, makes safety even better.
Do most kids go to the private school? Are there some homeschooled kids?
No~Mad~Girl You could always put your kid to work here in Penasco, mine left town maybe worked them to hard window washing, selling gum and washing cars, I guess they call it home schooled.
Sounds like you all were farmers of some sort in WV. What do you and your husband plan to do for income once you get settled? (if you don't mind me asking)
I just like to know how some Americans live in PP (income wise). I often dream of making the move there myself.
So you all are going to just live of his military pension?
Sorry to be so nosy....like I said, just wanted to see how some people do it so I too can do it one day.
I wish you the best of luck.
Do the expats in the area have any meet and greet type gatherings?
There are a few formal social groups here that seem to be predominantly US folk but not a lot. RP Times usually has a list. The expats here fall into several categories and actually are relatively few and far between in number. (I'll share the categories, but only privately !)Seems like very few have children. Think there are only 5 or 6 full timers on this forum. Few years back seemed like 80% of the US folk were real estate sales persons who came to work and not here for the life! I have heard total numbers of expats quoted of in the thousands but I don't believe it . My advice is to make lots of local Mexican friends, they are more interesting and helpful. I have been here for now 7 or 8 years and know only a few expats but I am pretty much a loner with mainly Mexican friends, most of whom are or were neighbors. That's the advantage to me of living in town or the Mirador. On Sandy Beach you will be isolated, living among transient visitors with few full timers and those virtually all US folk. You will meet Mexican visitors there too and you will soon learn how they like to party when on vacation !!
you could probably live off $2000 per month in penasco. save $330,000 and you won't have to work.
Rent and electricity are the two biggies. With the right rent and careful use of electricity one person with a modest life style can easliy live off less than half that with a good quality of life.
Thanks Roberto. That is what is was kind of assuming. We were just afraid to get a place in town not knowing the area. We plan on really researching the area and hang with locals during our time.
yes, we plan on living off his pension. We live really simply and plan to continue that. I guess you can say we are not the typical American. Fam. We do not live beyond our means. ;)
Yes... I know what you mean there Nomad.
How was it you decided to move to PP? Living in WV, I am sure you didnt make many trips to PP.
Sometimes when you hear of Americans chucking it all and moving there, they are trying to run away from something.
I'm not saying that is your case, just curious what sold you on PP.
One morning I went to Reggie's for one of their fabulous cinnamon rolls and there was a teacher with about
10-12 kids having a class there. There were three American kids in the class and I would guess their ages to be
about 13-14. They ate their snacks and gave brief reports on something. It was all in Spanish and the US kids
appeared to me, to be fluent. After each report the kids critiqued each other. It was quite interesting and when
they left I wanted to chat with the teacher, but he had his hands full rounding them up to leave. They weren't in
uniforms and I wonder if it was from the private school.
You have very lucky kids! Living in a country other than their own is a wonderful way to figure out the world. I was 55 before I moved away from the US - and surely did learn a lot from the experience. Wish I had done it much earlier in my life.
No, not hiding from anything, just a change. We like farming but, wanted something else. We weren't happy with the town. I think it is also a good age for my son, not to young, just old enough. We actually looked at Uruguay and Belize. We ended up deciding on RP we wanted a relax lifestyle plus be able to live on my husbands retirement.
Plus you are not too far from the US if you need to come back for something. Not that you will. I have found that I can get just about everything I need there and if you cant get there... order it on line.
How many times have you visited PP?
Well, never visited. Yes, I know sounds weird. We made the decision to move out of the country and we are doing it. We had a lot of places on out list, did research and narrowed it down.
Yes, being close to the u.s. will be nice if needed. We would rather rely on the local community rather than having to come back to the U.S.
Don't know if anyone mentioned Burrito Express? If you have a Lukeville PO Box you can get all your US Mail (plus send out) and Burrito Express, for $30/mo) will pick it up for you. Has been a wonderful service for us - when I get un-lazy and off the terrace or beach and go retrieve it. Somehow mail (or telephones) don't seem quite as important down here. Mexican mail service is not all that reliable and/or fast.
Over the past year it has been much easier to get more things down here. Super Ley now has Skippy Peanut butter - a favorite of DH. And you'll want to discover CS Restaurant Supply as Michelle and Carlos carry a lot of great stuff!
@ Nomadgirl: Don't let them scare you with the talk of how hot and humid the summers are in Peñasco. Since you've lived in South TX, this will be easy. I find the summer weather to be very similar to Austin, and not as humid as Houston (where I grew up). The winters are milder than Austin. Austin can get ice almost every year (up to 4-5 times per year!) and snow every 5-8 years. I've heard Peñasco has never had snow or ice.
I can't tell you what "most" people do for visas. But, when you are in Mexico for more than 72 hours, you are supposed to get a tourist visa (FMM) which is valid for 6 months and can be renewed. They've recently changed the rules for the longer visas. There are temporary and permanent visas. The biggest change was that you can now start with a permanent visa without having the temporary first. But you'll want advice from those much more knowledgeable.
You are suppose to get a tourist visa if staying longer than 72 hours in RP - however one is not required to enter or exit the Lukeville border. The office to obtain the tourist visa is on the right side of the road right after you pass through customs. You can just park in the center of the road after customs and walk over to the building.
I meant to ask about the electrical outlets. Is PP on the same system as the us or do we need to get some type of converter?
Same system as the US. If you're bringing a more expensive computer, suggest a voltage surge protector. I have one hooked up to my Apple and it protects it from power fluctuations that happen once in a while.
Since you are from S. Texas the humidity should be OK. I'm from Phx. AZ and if the humidity is over 40% and 100 degrees I am not happy.
I have lived too long in the desert.
That will happen everyday in RP as it does pretty much anywhere from Florida to S. California during the summer.
Like I said, once October happens, it becomes very nice there, from 4th of July through early Oct, A/C will be your friend.
Once it cools down in RP one big plus is the water stays warm until mid November making it perfect for any water activities.
I think I will be able to handle the heat. My husband lived in the Middle East a while, so he should be good and my DS will adapt. I am hoping the climate will help his allergies and eczema.
I am hoping the climate will help his allergies and eczema.
Yes it will help. I love the salt water for my eczema. Right now I'm in Tucson w/ swollen eyes, itching, and can't wait to get back to Penasco this weekend. It's the only relief I have until the rains hit.
@MIRAMAR-That is good to know. We had a saltwater pool and it was great for eczema but we weren't in a dry climate so the allergies were still horrible. He is miserable 24/7 so I am hoping our move gives him some relief.
Are there a lot of places to buy fresh seafood off the piers/docks?
Fresh seafood is abundant on the Malecon next to the harbor. Shrimp, flounder, red snapper, grouper, clams, scallops etc.
Find a vendor that has a correct weight scale, there are many who have less than accurate scales, even though they assure you its accurate.
I have seen 5 lbs of shrimp actually only weigh 3lbs. Once you find a good vendor stick with them.
You can also by frozen shrimp and some fish in kilo blocks at a seafood distributor east of the Burger King in the north part of town.
I am sure many will post some of the better vendors they deal with shortly.
This is an information rich website.
Fresh seafood is abundant on the Malecon next to the harbor. Shrimp, flounder, red snapper, grouper, clams, scallops etc.
Find a vendor that has a correct weight scale, there are many who have less than accurate scales, even though they assure you its accurate.
I have seen 5 lbs of shrimp actually only weigh 3lbs. Once you find a good vendor stick with them.
You can also by frozen shrimp and some fish in kilo blocks at a seafood distributor east of the Burger King in the north part of town.
I am sure many will post some of the better vendors they deal with shortly.
This is an information rich website.
Fresh seafood is abundant on the Malecon next to the harbor. Shrimp, flounder, red snapper, grouper, clams, scallops etc.
Find a vendor that has a correct weight scale, there are many who have less than accurate scales, even though they assure you its accurate.
I have seen 5 lbs of shrimp actually only weigh 3lbs. Once you find a good vendor stick with them.
You can also by frozen shrimp and some fish in kilo blocks at a seafood distributor east of the Burger King in the north part of town.
I am sure many will post some of the better vendors they deal with shortly.
This is an information rich website.
I always buy from Federico. I have for about 17 years now. He moved from Malecon to location on Constitucion, 1 or 2 blocks east of Juarez a few years ago. Many locals go to him. Fair prices, no phoney scales, and no hassle going to the Malecon. Once you become a good customer, he will sometimes throw in a few extra items at no charge.
I always buy from Federico. I have for about 17 years now. He moved from Malecon to location on Constitucion, 1 or 2 blocks east of Juarez a few years ago. Many locals go to him. Fair prices, no phoney scales, and no hassle going to the Malecon. Once you become a good customer, he will sometimes throw in a few extra items at no charge.
Where is he located on Constitucion? We have kids and teenage grandsons arriving Monday morning and they all are shrimp lovers - need the best deal I can get :)
Where is he located on Constitucion? We have kids and teenage grandsons arriving Monday morning and they all are shrimp lovers - need the best deal I can get :)
He is 2 blocks east of Lucas chicken place next to an appliance shop. Just look for the washers and dryers out curbside.
Thanks for starting this thread. I've had these exact same questions as I'm deciding whether to relocate to Penasco or Rosarito this year. If you don't mind my asking, what homeschool program would you/do you use? I've dug through old posts here at rpt and found some use k12.com, but it's only for kids in the US. They have an international but it seems expensive(maybe they don't check?). I've read good things about CIMA but I worry about safety even though I'm sure it's just my inner American that's never spent much time out of the US of A.
I have been homeschooling for several years so I don't use an out of the box all in one curriculum. I have changed depending on what I see working. What is the age of your child, it is easier to make suggestions that way. Also, are you secular or not, that helps a little too. Feel free to PM me also.
Most of the shrimp you buy is 'first frozen' meaning it is frozen on the boat after harvesting, brought in and kept frozen till sale. You might get some actual 'fresh' from a pangero but the big boats are out for a long time and have to freeze or the stuff will rot. Plus yes there is a season on shrimp netting so theoretically there should be no fresh shrimp during the off season.
So you believe you are buying virgin, never frozen shrimp?
No, I am buying frozen shrimp that have remained frozen since they were harvested from the sea and frozen on the ship. The guys at Sea Products explained that seafood must be frozen to 0 degrees F or below to prevent them from spoiling. Just freezing to 32 degrees or below will not prevent them from going bad. I asked them for ice and they said their shrimp were much colder than the ice. Then, the explanation...
Most of the shrimp you buy is 'first frozen' meaning it is frozen on the boat after harvesting, brought in and kept frozen till sale. You might get some actual 'fresh' from a pangero but the big boats are out for a long time and have to freeze or the stuff will rot. Plus yes there is a season on shrimp netting so theoretically there should be no fresh shrimp during the off season.
No, I am buying frozen shrimp that have remained frozen since they were harvested from the sea and frozen on the ship. The guys at Sea Products explained that seafood must be frozen to 0 degrees F or below to prevent them from spoiling. Just freezing to 32 degrees or below will not prevent them from going bad. I asked them for ice and they said their shrimp were much colder than the ice. Then, the explanation...
I often look at the roadside "Mariscos" stands with the large blue ice chests sitting in the sun and wonder how long the mariscos reside there before sale and how cold the stuff is actually maintained, and how often the ice chests are sanitized and where the vendors wash their hands before handling stuff, etc. etc. I also use the same sort of logic to the roadside taco stands. The tacos might taste good but......anyone with a basic understanding of bacteriology will run away in horror.
If you want shrimp from the shrimp markets on the malecon, go to Mary's Coctaleria. The owner Pancho buys in bulk and stores them properly and bringing what he needs for the restaurant and for direct sales on a regular basis so the shrimp do not lay in his coolers for a long time.
I recall one day some time ago when one of the stalls was pitching stuff directly into the sea that was not sellable. Baskets of clams over the sea wall!
Buying during months with an R in it is a new one, but is spot on.
I will only buy after Thanksgiving until end of Feb and never in April thru mid-October.
I had a friend who took me to where the poaching Pangas unload during the warm months one time, bought some right off the boat
from ice chests, it was good but I like the texture of shrimp when the water is cold,
The colder the water the better the product is.
I often look at the roadside "Mariscos" stands with the large blue ice chests sitting in the sun and wonder how long the mariscos reside there before sale and how cold the stuff is actually maintained, and how often the ice chests are sanitized and where the vendors wash their hands before handling stuff, etc. etc. I recall one day some time ago when one of the stalls was pitching stuff directly into the sea that was not sellable. Baskets of clams over the sea wall!
This is why I prefer buying from Sea Products! Make more sense this time?! :grin:
I am originally from South Texas and my husband is from New York. We haven't really found a place to settle yet. RP sounds great. We really want to make sure our son gets plenty of socialization other then mom and dad.
It will be best for all of you to move into town rather than the resort area of town, as the name says, it is the touristic area and you will find yourself and your kids with temporary friends that they/you see every so often, if they own a condo or rarely if they rent.
You will be much better of living in town and absorbing all that good feeling and love that the mexican people have to give!
When the bubble hit hard a wife with the two little blond headed Viking boys ended up living in Santo Tomas while the husband worked on oil platforms in the gulf.After two years they spoke fluent spanish,were way better fishermen that any of of the geezer patrol down here,they rode around in the back of the trailer with the guards picking up the garbage,cleaned fish,trimmed olive trees.....I would have given anything to be them at that age. Great swimmers now too
Jerry: I would pay to live that life! Especially right now.
Nomadgirl -
good luck in your upcoming move to RP - we hope to have an rv set up there once we retire.
there are a LOT of very nice folks there - just be honest and straightforward, and you'll make friends. I agree that you may want to spend less than 6 months on Sandy Beach in a condo as you acclimate to the town, seems to me that maybe somehwere along the Mirador would be nice, or Cholla Bay.
at any rate, wherver you choose, welcome! (from a guy who lately comes down once a year at Thanksgiving....)
Living "in town" affords me the ability to work on things, I have a yard where I can work on projects (which I love) I am close to the store, I am close to Taco Stands and Sonoran dog stands. My wife is an artist and shops at segundas for treasures and brings them home for me to work on. It's good for us to be in town. Sometimes though we get awakened by music in the middle of the night, but as long as we dont have to get up super early we try to enjoy it.
Back in the day you couldn't find a lizard in penasco, everyone left town in August, better you me...
We live here year round. I had folks with me from Missouri and I told them that it gets 100 degrees and 70% humidity and is horrible and they said its worse where they live as they get to 120% humidity and super hot too. Think about all the people that live in Houston...New Orleans......pretty much all the same - its great for us
Agree about the comparison. I grew up in Houston and weather is much worse there. Humid there year-round and lots of rain. Perhaps I'm jaded, but I don't remember seeing blue sky as a kid.
and shops at segundas for treasures and brings them home for me to work on. It's good for us to be in town. Sometimes though we get awakened by music in the middle of the night, but as long as we dont have to get up super early we try to enjoy it.[/QUOTE]
and shops at segundas for treasures and brings them home for me to work on. It's good for us to be in town. Sometimes though we get awakened by music in the middle of the night, but as long as we dont have to get up super early we try to enjoy it.
Whats a segunda?[/QUOTE]
A second hand store or thrift shop. Segunda is "second" in Spanish. The word I like is Yonke- for junkyard!
When I made a trip to town this last weekend to run errands, I thought of all the things I love about Penasco: the roosters crowing in the middle of the day, the kind people willing to help me find whatever I need, the smell of chicken roasting, and being able to practice my Spanish. I love being on the beach, but there is something magical about going to town and interacting with the natives.
When I made a trip to town this last weekend to run errands, I thought of all the things I love about Penasco: the roosters crowing in the middle of the day, the kind people willing to help me find whatever I need, the smell of chicken roasting, and being able to practice my Spanish. I love being on the beach, but there is something magical about going to town and interacting with the natives.
I got roosters crowing and ducks quaking across the street from me in Tucson, I'd rather hear the waves than them!
When I made a trip to town this last weekend to run errands, I thought of all the things I love about Penasco: the roosters crowing in the middle of the day, the kind people willing to help me find whatever I need, the smell of chicken roasting, and being able to practice my Spanish. I love being on the beach, but there is something magical about going to town and interacting with the natives.
I just ran across this webpage and thought it might be somewhat useful. It looks like mostly just general commonsense info for any international move, but there might be something you didn't already know.