La Paz Mexico Real Estate Tour

[@robkreider]

Ian’s the best. We purchased a home in el Centenario with Ian’s top notch professional assistance and care.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Ian is the best - and now his brother has joined him in the biz. So you can get Mr Wilson with or without the bald head.

[@jessiejoseph1093]

Thank you so much for this friendly tour. I will look up Baja Life Realty and see what is for rent! PS, just went to your web site and do not see long term rentals.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Baja Life only sells real estate, but I have a video about finding a rental (warning: it starts with the expensive places) kzbin.info/www/bejne/eX2lpmSglL56e5Y

[@rafaelramirez5032]

Yo vivo aquí, es un excelente lugar para vivir y visitar......Im living here, nice place to love, live and visit

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Agreed!

[@katwest6505]

This was one of my favorite videos - lots of interesting details!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ryanmurtha2392]

I've been living in La Paz since July 2019, the rents are definitely going up, I talked to a realtor recently and asked him, he said there's no inventory, it's nuts. Great place to live, safe and still has a small-town sleepy vibe, just the right size, we have just about everything but it's not too big.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I’m guessing it will get worse before it gets better. Canadians can come south this year - rental inventory will be extra tight compared to last year!

[@s66458---]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I am one of those Canadians coming. lol. :D Can't wait. Last time I spent some time in Mexico was in my university days when I hitched hiked down to Oaxaca, Chiapas and guatemala. :)

[@ryanmurtha2392]

@@gorgon4061 You know what, buddy, there's a lot of money coming in from tourism and expats, plenty of people make their living that way. You can't have it both ways, don't be an asshole.

[@ryanmurtha2392]

@@gorgon4061 I wouldn't speak that way to a Mexican immigrant in the US. I got my resident visa, I love Mexico and want to stay. Maybe you just dislike gringos? That's fine you're free to feel that way. I might even agree with you sometimes.

[@gorgon4061]

@@ryanmurtha2392 I might be an asshole, but it’s true and no, I don’t hate Americans. Good day!

[@The.Hawaiian.Kingdom]

Wow, the gentrification is sad to see. Expats really need to start thinking of the negative impact they’re having on native peoples… should’ve been thinking about it for centuries now really. Yes, you get to retire for “cheap” (for you), but at what cost?… I’m afraid that cost is being paid by the natives who either can’t retire at all now or have to leave their hometowns because they’re being priced out and pushed out. It’s ESPECIALLY sad to see this occur at the hands of people buying vacation or investment homes. 😔🤦🏽‍♀️

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks for your thoughts. Gentrification is definitely a problem. However it’s somewhat blunted by Mexico’s high homeownership rate (renters are more highly impacted by gentrification) and low mobility rate (people stay in their homes 5 times longer in Mexico, including multigenerational families.) The problem of gentrification is worse in areas like Mexico City where the population is more renters and much more mobile.

[@Luckimee]

Who's doing the gentrification? Who's building these condos, hotels etc.? You can't really be mad at people wanting to live by the beach. Where I live ppl are paying 4000/5000 a mo and there are homeless everywhere and it's not safe.

[@The.Hawaiian.Kingdom]

@@Luckimee Your comment is tone deaf, out of tune, full of entitlement and selfishness and completely lacking in compassion for indigenous peoples. Of COURSE I can be mad at people for _”wanting to live by the beach”_ when they’re putting their wants above others needs, when they couldn’t care less about the negative affects their wants place on native people, of COURSE I can be mad, so can they. There’s beaches in your country, if you want to live by the beach, go live by the beach in your country where you won’t be causing diaspora with your want to live by the beach. Living someplace expensive where there’s homeless people *DOES NOT ENTITLE YOU TO RUINING THE LIVES OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES!!!* YOU are able to move someplace less expensive in your own country. You are able to earn a stronger dollar (USD) and make a living in another city in your country where you won’t negatively affect indigenous people (or MORE indigenous people I should say, since America and Canada has already ruined the lives of THEIR indigenous peoples). The amount of Americans feeling entitled to participate in the diaspora of Mexicans, while having *A WALL* to keep them out of America, is appalling. *Please go research the negative affects of diaspora and gentrification on indigenous peoples instead of wasting my time with hateful, tone deaf comments like this.*

[@joespurgeon7250]

Buenos Tardes a It's. My wife and I are coming to La Paz in January of next year to spend 3 months reaquainting with the city and surrounding areas in hopes of finding an area to either build our home or purchase an older house with the Mexican flair we can work with to make it our casa del nuestros suenos. We have rented a Condo close to the Malicon and can't wait to get started searching. Maybe we'll see each other around town and get a dive or two in or have a couple Tequila. Joe

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Congrats on your progress with moving south! La Paz has grown a lot (it’s not Cabo and I hope it remains that way.) I hope to see you around La Paz in the new year!

[@pgRoman57]

How are you! I am the owner of a piece of land at the top of Colina del Sol, Just a few feet from the condo that appears in your video, And a few meters from the boardwalk; I have it for sale in case you are interested.

[@pgRoman57]

I have the best place for you to build your house, or to do business because my land has permission to make a condominium up to 8 apartments.

[@23maggiemay23]

Great videos Brighton. Thank you for all the different areas you go to and talk to locals. I have some questions; Is it true you have less daylight in Mexico? Also, is difficult to bring pets, cats specifically? Thank you

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

The daylight is more even through the year. So right now in Portland, the days are longer than they are in La Paz, but come winter, the opposite will be true. In Portland, winter days are 6+ hours shorter than summer days, but in La Paz, they are around 3 hours shorter. Bringing dogs and cats to Mexico is easy - bringing them back is about to get more complicated. I'll have a video on that soon. The CDC just wrote new rules.

[@oshunseed6008]

Would be nice to see some more family friendly neighborhoods.. thanks tho for the Info

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Noted! I'm still hoping to find some families to talk about schools so I can make a video about that...

[@matthewweaver489]

Great content. I’d love to pick up a home down in La Paz

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Come on down and check it out! Individual single family homes are less common downtown but there are a lot nearby.

[@savvysouljar]

This is by far one of the best real estate videos that I have seen. TY for specific details.🧡🦋🌻

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thank you for your compliment!

[@lunalunitalunera5832]

I am at the end of Jalisco road and we went for a walk and it is sooo many sky high building abandon half way build very risky on investing if they are not going to finish the project

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Yes - you must be careful investing in pre-construction projects. Having a good real estate agent who is familiar with the market is very important!

[@MacAndCrabbyHub]

Great information

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Glad it was helpful!

[@josereyes-nx2wc]

Hello there, I have seen many of your videos of La Paz, I think there are quite interesting. Thanks for putting up the effort to make these kind of fun videos. I am thinking of moving to La Paz permanently since I getting at the age where I'm looking for tranquility and quality life. Perhaps I might be seriously thinking in moving within the next two years from now and thanks to you. Gracias.... One question for you. Do you know why are so many South Dakota license plate in the La Paz area? So long Mr. Brighton West. Greetings from California.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks for your kind comment. Come on down! As to the S. Dakota plates, they are common across Mexico because South Dakota doesn't require an inspection or a local address to register your car. So you can leave it in Mexico and have current plates. It's even more common in the Baja Peninsula because permanent residents can drive foreign plated cars. On the mainland, only tourist and temporary residents can do that. FYI - Mexicans are not allowed to drive cars with foreign plates.

[@kirstenveneziano1205]

Thank you for the review of the neighborhoods! I'm with Ian, I would love to buy the small house in the poorer neighborhood and make it my own. I want to be immersed in my new community.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Yes! That would be ideal! My wife really wanted to live on the beach, and it wasn't too hard to convince me!

[@dovygoodguy1296]

Where do people obtain the beautiful furniture in La Paz? Do people travel around the areas with golf carts? Does Ian suggest that La Posada and Vista Corral as the best option for older folks who don't want a car and want to be in a quiet location near amenities such as stores, restaurants, pharmacies? Is this the same for snowbirds and expats? Especially as furnished rentals? Where are the local stores and mercados?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Our house came furnished. There are second hand markets, furniture stores and also carpenters you can hire to build stuff custom. I'm working at my custom $300USD desk right now. I'll have a video about that soon. Also, folks travel to Guadalajara for furniture. Posada and Esterito are great neighborhoods. Both are in the middle of amenities. Quiet is relative in Mexico. No where is quiet. Barking dogs and late night parties are everywhere. Maybe not by the multi-million dollar homes in the hills - but everywhere else!

[@nicksaroli2177]

Nice video...I think I am ready to buy

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Come check it out! It can't hurt to look ;-)

[@PretzelKid]

I thought an eXpat can only buy condos within 30 a mile range of a body of water. Not a house on land??

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Nope - it's confusing if you're new to it, but actually really easy. If you are 50km inland from the ocean (100km from the border) or more you can buy anything just like a Mexican citizen. If you are less than 50km/100km then you need to set up a bank trust to hold the property for you. It's called a fideicomiso and costs about $500 per year. Or you can set up a corporation, but the fideicomiso is much more common. Your real estate agent will work with an attorney to set it all up. It's totally legit and safe.

[@thejayhay]

What is your normal commute from Cabo. As I’d assume you have to fly into Cabo. Do you have a vehicle in Mexico? Do you rent a car? Cab, bus? What are the recommended options, prices, and timeline of these? Thanks 😃

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Sometimes you can fly from Dallas or Phoenix into La Paz, but mostly I fly through Cabo and take a 15 passenger bus to La Paz. Luckily, I recently made a video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWaop4tsgriIrqM

[@kayperkayful]

We have a condo right by the Marina and Malecon….Let’s meet up for lunch!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Let's do it. Is this a new condo for you, or something you've been doing before?

[@kayperkayful]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico , excellent! Looking forward to it. We’ll be there on the 6th.

[@joanlynch5271]

wow such great prices!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I know!!

[@thantthein5965]

@ 1:05 on video background noise was shot fire?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Most likely not. I had to do some massive sound processing to get rid of wind noise, so there are strange artifacts. As far as gun shots - not common in Mexico because there's only one gun store. So the only folks with guns are cops and cartels. And there's not much cartel stuff in La Paz.

[@rhondaschwehm3558]

Thank you for talking about renting. I am not ready to buy. I would love to see more videos on different communities, or how can we get information while still living in the US. Do landlords allow pets. Lol so many questions.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I’m working on a rental video. It’s getting to be a big project! Pets will be a great addition to that video. I know some do, as I know renters with pets. Not sure how common that is tho.

[@ras8514]

Hey amigo....the view from pedregal Is of Bahia de la paz NOT sea of Cortez

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

That is correct - I generalize a lot ;-)

[@michelleachacoso4983]

Hola Brighton! My husband and I are visiting Cabo in March. We are staying at a lovely resort. We’d like to visit La Paz. Is it in driving distance?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I'd suggest spending a night in La Paz. It's about a 2.5 hour drive (with nice towns to stop in along the way.) In March the days will be longer, but still it's 5 hours of driving total. My wife and I tried doing a day trip to San Jose del Cabo recently and it was way too rushed. I host a meetup every Sunday evening (if you're here on a Sunday and want to meet some expats.)

[@cecilleanderson5214]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico My husband and I are planning to visit La Paz next month. Is your meet up for Expats? Would like to join if it’s for that. Can we get your email address for more information?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Cecille - yes, the meetups are for expats / people looking to move to Mexico. I'd love to have you join. Always Sunday nights. Location changes a bit. Email me at [e-mail]

[@jude999]

I am surprised that affordable homes are relatively comparable in price to the States. How high are property taxes?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

You can buy a home for $30k USD here, It just wouldn’t be what most gringos are comfortable with. Property taxes are dirt cheap. $500 a year is common.

[@jeff2351]

It would be nice to see how much apt rentals are. Not everyone can buy.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Good suggestion. I just reached out to someone to help with this video.

[@LR-mg1pi]

I thought that foreigners, only 50 km from the coast can buy something, how is it possible to buy a property?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

That is correct. Foreigners mostly put the property into a trust with a Mexican bank holding the trust. Cost is about $500 per year. It's called a fideicomiso. It's also possible to create a Mexican corporation to hold the property. Everything is handled by your real estate agent and a Notorio Publico (which is a lawyer in Mexico - not like a Notary Public in the US.)

[@tracimorgan3695]

I have a question, who do you fly with out of portland to LaPaz

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

La Paz currently has no international flights. But there are direct flights from PDX to Cabo and then buses to La Paz

[@tracimorgan3695]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico how long is the bus ride from Cabo?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@@tracimorgan3695 It's around 3 hours. On the EcoBaja bus, there's a short stop in the middle.

[@tracimorgan3695]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Thank you we wanted to visit for a month next year but a 3 hrs bus might be to a little stressful after a flight

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@@tracimorgan3695 Other options: hire a driver for around $100 one way from SJD airport to La Paz. Or you can connect into La Paz thru Guadalajara or Mexico City. And you can also fly into places like Puerto Vallarta and then fly to La Paz (it's just that many small Mexican airlines aren't on Expedia, so you need to put the flights together manually. And they don't fly the same route every day.) Lastly, you can fly into San Diego and then Uber to the Tijuana Airport to fly from there direct to La Paz. Once again, that's not on Expedia. We've done this multiple times and do a short layover in San Diego to enjoy the city before continuing through the TJI airport. There is an airport entrance on the US side of the border (called CBX.)

[@mantralife6620]

Best place to rent furnished for month to month or 6 months?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Great question. Furnished places are available. I'd start with joining the Facebook Group Loco La Paz Gringos and asking there. I see lots of people connect for housing. You could also check La Paz Bay Rentals - they manage a lot of furnished rentals.

[@prime8nate]

Mall-eh-CONE, you guys. Impress the locals. Para-EE-so del mar.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I always struggle with this - Malecón. I know the proper pronunciation, but all the gringos mispronounce it…

[@joespurgeon7250]

Usted estas correcto. La palabra es Malecon. Yo soy un Gringo, pero hablo la lengua de muchicimas de los estados con lenguas mixto. Quida que escribes.

[@cesarrenteria7377]

@@joespurgeon7250 If only you'd make grammatical sense....stick to English!!

[@parade8]

Is bank financing possible for Canadians? what kind of down payment is required?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I don't know exactly, but what I've heard is: 1) getting a mortgage from a Mexican bank would require a Mexican credit rating, which takes a couple years to build. Rent while you build credit. 2) interest rates are around 10% and I think terms are about 15 years max. 3) if you have a house in Canada, you may be able to get a HELOC or refinance (that's what we did.) I hope that helps!

[@manatee_flips6811]

What I don’t like about these videos, is it’s promoting gentrification, making the great places of La Paz “exclusive” or unaffordable for locals. The local people of La Paz can see the change and show resentment towards gringos, I know, I’ve been living here for 6 months. Centenario is better for x pats.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I know what you are saying. It's difficult in La Paz. In El Centenario, the expats like to live in the hills or by the beach, and the locals like to live in the area in between.

[@manatee_flips6811]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico water is a problem, centenario is worse, people should know the truth, water is scarce.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@@manatee_flips6811 Yes - I want to make videos about water and also electricity (and how dirty the power plants are...)

[@manatee_flips6811]

As you’re channel lures more Americans to BCS, indeed it’s your responsibility to tell the other, less romantic story of La Paz. The lack of housing, lack of water, the arsenic spreading to La Paz in the ground water, the drastic change in weather, the poor local economy. By using those English speaking real estate agents and cookie cutter contractor/builders, you are unknowingly, artificially driving up costs of housing/living. Sure you and I can afford to slowly build our dream house, in our dream area, but can a local do something simular? Do you know how much a laborer makes in a week vs the contractor, the maid vs the government employee, these real life scenarios should be in your videos. If not, you are only telling one/your side of the story(which is somewhat privileged and that’s only half the story). Please please do what your viewers really want, the truth. Gentrification is a side effect of exclusivity and greed, please be part of La Paz’s future for all, not for just some. If you want to make videos to explain the other half, let me know, I will help.

[@mvdospeces4370]

I am coming to La Paz in late December for a couple of weeks just to explore and look at marinas to park my boat at next winter as a condo on the water and base from which to explore. Am also considering investing in a condo somewhere as a place to provide a land based residence. Don't know if i'll fall in love with La Paz but want to check it out. Cruisers seem to love La Paz! BTW I think I got the last room overlooking the water on the malecon after an extensive search!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Congrats on getting a room on the Malecon. There are a number of marinas in La Paz, and each seems to have a distinct feel. Let me know what you find in the marinas and maybe we can do a video together to share your thoughts. Hasta luego!

[@mvdospeces4370]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I'll reach out to you during the first week in January, maybe for a beer if you'd like.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Sounds great!

[@pgRoman57]

How are you! I am the owner of a piece of land at the top of Colina del Sol, Just a few feet from the condo that appears in your video, I have it for sale in case you are interested.

[@Maelani_mymelode]

This is the video I was looking for. Great information! New subscriber 🤩

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Maelani_mymelode]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico You're welcome!

[@prime8nate]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention El Cortes. That place, like Paraíso Del Mar, is really worth a trip. They’re both pretty disconnected from normal middle class Mexico, though, that’s for sure.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Interesting - I wasn’t familiar with anything on that side of town. They all seem very different than La Paz

[@lucybalyanify]

I am looking for a 2 bedroom condo up to $120K including closing costs and all fees. I live in CA so this would be closer than PV for me; I love PV, just got back 2 days ago. Lots of traffic there and its 3 hours away flight. In 2018 xmas, I went to cabo san lucas and I heard some Americans talking about La Paz , how beautiful it is and so affordable and close to CA. I want a 2 bed condo I can use 2 weeks a year then rent it out. Please send me information about the condo presale you mentioned. I want in. thanks so much

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I love PV - much more lush landscape. But La Paz is easier being on the Baja Peninsula. As to the condo, reach out to Ian at [e-mail] for more information.

[@wendyhannan2329]

Who would I contact to help me find a rental?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Facebook Marketplace or La Paz Bay Rentals (I'm working on a video with Annabelle at La Paz Bay.)

[@icesom6955]

Hola 👋 soy venezolana pero me gustaría que isieras in video en venezuela Saludos desde venezuela 🇻🇪

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Gracias. Nunca he estado en Venezuela. Algún día

[@icesom6955]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico ok gracias 👋🍞

[@robinshipp9264]

Is there pickleball in La Paz?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Yes. There is pickleball just north of the city in Pedregal. And there is a tennis club in Chametla where you can bring you own net. And there are a few private courts too.

[@ras8514]

Vista corral at marina Cortez Was completed one year ago and is quite generic in design (nothing special aside from views of the bay) It is mostly empty.....why? It cost 1-3 million for most units! Many of the units are occupied by the family that owns much of the land in the area and also thier friends. The Airbnb units rent for 3,500 to 10,000 usd per month !

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

That side of La Paz seems to be for the wealthy folks. But those AirBnb units are a steal compared to some of the AirBnb boat stays in the marina. One is $12,000USD PER NIGHT! That's crazy!!!

[@ddolde]

I'd need something below $200K USD or even better around $150K

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

You can find places for $150 no problem. You’ll just miss out on a view. You’ll get a safe neighborhood and you’ll have more Mexican neighbors. You could even find something for less than $100k

[@charletteforteza2477]

Well how disappointing! Looks like the prices for everything is going to go up because of these big lavish developments. La Paz was an alternative to the wealthy people who crowded places like Cabo. Now, it looks like La Paz's days are numbered as a sweet little affordable town. :(

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

It's definitely more affordable than Cabo. And much more of a traditional Mexican town. But the prices are going up quickly.

[@YouGotOptions2]

Can I get any of these for approximately 1500 a month??

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

$1500 would get you a great place downtown or in La Posada.

[@prime8nate]

You’ll be living large for that kind of dinero.

[@ras8514]

Mogote means - maggot

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I thought it was a hill?

[@imhere2875]

Ok

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Ok

[@annieviera1]

We hear so much about the Cartel activities all over Mexico, why not where the ex pats reside? La Paz and Ijijic to name 2.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Most expats avoid areas with cartel activity (mostly near the border and a few other key areas,) and cartels avoid areas with expats (no need to get foreign governments involved, and the Mexican government has more presence in the bigger towns / areas where tourists go.) I have a video that goes more in depth: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZXWiayhnLiebcU

[@annieviera1]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I was thinking of the American nomad family that were slaughtered while driving yet they've been there over 50yrs.

[@iamhudsdent2759]

You "can't think of any place to live better than right close to the malecon"? Seriously? I can't think of a worse place to live. Noise, commotion, traffic, bars. Just as long as you get your commission, right?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Each person has their own desires. I personally would love to live close to the Malecón. But I'm married, so I had to compromise...

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Everyone has preferences. I wish I lived close to the Malecón too. But maybe you like it better somewhere else.

[@SergioLopez-iz6tw]

Inmigrants !!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Buy "gringos" don't typically use that term.

[@tumblingdice8063]

First thing. Learn how to pronounce Malecon properly !

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

This is hard for me. If I pronounce it properly, gringos think I'm pronouncing it wrong. I've even gotten comments correcting me when I pronounce it properly in videos. I'd guess that 80% of gringos pronounce it the way I did in this video.