Is it convenient to cross the borders twice a day?
And how crowded is the border on average? Specially at rush hours.
I heard that you can save tons of cash living this way, is it true?
2007-10-30 07:28:21 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ San Diego
I know someone I grew up with, who lives in TJ and works in SD, and does so successfully. She's an all-American, San Diegean girl, who fell in love with her Hispanic hermano.
Of course the cost-of-living, is important in factoring where one wants to live, where they can live within their means.
Contrary to popular belief, there are nicer/better/safer residential areas in TJ, that many may not be aware of, as there are areas in SD that aren't so nice or safe.
Many make a sacrifice to be able to support their family. And to some, having to experience crossing the border, is a small price to pay.
2007-10-31 17:30:51 · answer #1 · answered by NAB 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is NOTconvenient to cross the border twice a day, or ever since 9/11.- it was done, for years it was common, like any other commute, i lived here worked there, but now the border on average is very crowded! Specially at rush hours.
You can save living this way, BUT you have to know what you are doing, many things are MORE expensive there - there is a much smugling into as out of!
2007-10-31 14:11:13 · answer #2 · answered by Roger N 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's practical and lots of people do it. Real estate is much less expensive there. The playas (beach) area is nice and it's possible to live close to the beach for dirt cheap compared to the equivalent property in San Diego. If you do that, you have to apply as soon as possible for a SENTRI pass which will allow you to get thru the border much faster in a shorter line than everyone else. It'll cost some money and it'll be a wait til you get it but really worth it if you are a frequent border crosser. Seriously, property costs are about 25% in Tijuana of what it costs in San Diego. Best way to negotiate the border is to cross early in the morning. P.S. there are lots of folks in Tijuana who are bilingual and I know plenty of non Spanish speakers who do just fine there...of course it'll help to learn some basic Spanish which you'll do if you live there.
2007-11-02 02:47:01 · answer #3 · answered by Pat D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is indeed very true that you'll save a ton of money, but the traffic at the border is horrible...in the morning's its usually about an hour and a half wait at least, and same in the afternoon. Rent is a lot cheaper in TJ but it's full of crime and crooked cops. I would say live in San Diego and try to find a roommate it makes things cheaper. Good luck.
2007-11-02 11:37:14 · answer #4 · answered by steeny_2004 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you plan on driving through the border or walking across? I visited TJ and had no problem getting back over the border. It took about 15 minutes. But I walked and caught the trolley. The car line was backed up for hours. Also, living in TJ is super cheap but you have to be VERY careful. Do you speak fluent Spanish? That is a must. Also, TB and whooping cough are coming back - especially in TJ and other border cities... those are dangerous and can be deadly. Choose wisely.
2007-10-30 19:38:55 · answer #5 · answered by Teach 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you lived close to the border and worked close to it as well, I could see how living there and traveling over to San Diego every day instead of dealing with the high expenses of living here would be of some benefit to you.
The borders could be a potential problem, but as long as you left early enough in the morning to beat the traffic, and were our late enough or didn't mind dealing with a little bit of traffic coming home, I think this would be the way to go if you're looking to save cash.
2007-10-30 14:50:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
during rush hour the wait to get across in a car can be as long as 2 hours. In the morning cars start lining up an hour or two before some the lanes open back up. You will spend at least 2 hours or more a day commuting unless you work hours that allow you to cross at the least crowded time.
2007-10-30 15:10:14 · answer #7 · answered by Tony 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Possible, yes. Practical, probably not. It would depend upon how much time you want to sit in traffic every single day of the week. I've seen border waits as long as 3 hours, and should there be another terrorist crisis or other international situation, the borders would be shut down entirely.
2007-10-30 23:02:24 · answer #8 · answered by Brutally Honest 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yuck! i would never live in TJ. It's dirty there, violence, crimes, burglaries, murders, etc. Why would you want to live there & work in San Diego? You would have to purchase insurance on your car in TJ & in San Diego at the same time. Whoever told you that you can save tons of cash by doing this is an idiot & just someone encouraging you to make the wrong move without you knowing it. There are a lot of disadvantages to this situation. I would advise you to know what your getting into before you actually get into it.
2007-10-31 19:16:04 · answer #9 · answered by sugarBear 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I donnt think so.
You should speak spanish, otherwise they'll take advantage
The border is a Paine in the back
if you live there, a nice house is expensive too and have no good construction features
From time to time they cut water services, electricity and what to do?
too frustating
2007-11-01 18:52:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋