Americans Stake Claims in a Baja Land Rush

The New York Times ^ | October 26, 2003 | TIM WEINER

[Cincinatus' Wife]

It is tempting.

I understand Britons are buying vaction homes in France, Spain and Portugal. Back home, they too are plagued with high costs, taxes and regulations.

[PRND21]

I wouldn't trust those stinkin' Mexicans as far as I could throw them.

Have a nice winter.

[LittleJoe]

When the gringos have been effectively bumped, watch for a new rush by mainland mexicans to buy into those million dollar homes.

Americans are moving there for the "freedom". That should tell you something.

Remember Texas? I think the next step will be a Baja California Republic independant from Mexico.

There has been talk of this down there longer than I've been alive, and I'm an old man!

[Pa' fuera]

Yes, but to me it reads, excessive regulations and taxes driving Americans away.

How's this?

property tax in San Diego: $333/mo.

property tax 10 miles south in Baja: $6.25/mo.

[Pa' fuera]

So, Mexicans come to the US illegally, Americans are coming to Mexico illegally. Interesting trade off.

The difference is that the Americans cover their social costs

[Pa' fuera]

When the gringos have been effectively bumped, watch for a new rush by mainland mexicans to buy into those million dollar homes.

if it is anything like cars, the confiscated property will be held for the mexican government official who's next on the waiting list.

[Redleg Duke]

How about we buy up the Baja, and then foreclose on Mexico?

[Pa' fuera]

A few years ago the Mexican Govt siezed a whole bunch of beachfront homes from American citizens. I wouldn't trust those stinkin' Mexicans as far as I could throw them.

This happened at the Lengueta Arenosa near Ensenada. Dozens of retirees had built nice homes on the beach, with assurances from local Mexican government officials that the title on the land was clean. A group came in and sued, claiming they had title to the property prior that trumped that of the sellers. The case went to the Mexican Supreme Court, the court ruled in favor of suing group, and all the Americans were out on their cans, leaving the homes there for the taking. I don't know if anyone destroyed their home before leaving, but it is possible.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

*** The recent case of U.S. citizens and other expatriates losing their homes on Ensenada Bay in Baja California ought to serve as a warning that it can be risky to buy real estate in foreign countries.

United States Embassy officials in Mexico apparently were unable to help the U.S. retirees who were ordered evicted from their homes in the Baja Beach & Tennis Club. According to the Associated Press, Mexico's high court decided that although the Americans likely were tricked into building homes on disputed property, they don't have a right to remain in those homes.***

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The water supply looks iffy. I wonder where all these resort investors will be getting theirs. Wells? It is good to have some services, like the fire dept., as we're sadly seeing.