Tijuana, Mexico Report of what it's like to live there - 10/05/24
Personal Experiences from Tijuana, Mexico
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
I’ve lived in Ireland, Quebec, Italy, Finland, Switzerland, Mexico, and 7 states.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
It’s easy enough to cross the border and fly in and out of the San Diego airport but if coming from DC you are required to drive to post. You’ll need US and Mexican auto insurance.
3. How long have you lived here?
Seven months.
4. What years did you live here?
2024.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Single people are in condos. Families often get nice houses with small yards. All housing requires a relatively unpleasant commute to the Consulate of between 20-60 minutes. The housing is of good quality but is in short supply so many people must live in a hotel until housing is available and that can take up to 2-3 months. The hotels are closer to the Consulate and in a nice neighborhood. We are discouraged from making friends with neighbors since it's my understanding so many are involved with illicit trade.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Easy access to groceries. Anything you can’t get in TJ can be found across the border in San Diego (relatively easy to cross), and Amazon deliveries are easy.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
None. Everything is available.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Didi and Uber Eats deliver but this town is a foodie- paradise so there are restaurants within walking distance of all housing. Vegetarian and pescatarians will find this an easy city.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
No
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
We use a US post office box just across the border and our LE Staff cross daily to pick up mail for us. Very easy.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Available and about 25% less expensive than DC…. so not cheap but the Consulate maintains a list of cleared house cleaners, babysitters, and others who can help.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Very small gym at the Consulate gets crowded in afternoons. Gyms in town are crowded and cost between $700-1500 USD per year, but they are available. There is a park near the Consulate with a good running track, open 6am-6pm, but otherwise this is not a good post for runners or cyclists due to traffic, hills, and rubble on sidewalks. On the weekends, people tend to cross into San Diego for hiking and bike riding. You cannot ride, walk, or run to work.
4. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
See #3
The worst things about TJ is the lack of green space. Few trees, few parks, makes exercise harder. Good weekend access to San Diego, but in a daily basis this is not a great town for fitness, although the weather is great. No pool at the Consulate not most of the housing. Biking is only possible across the border. San Diego is great for biking and running.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes. Super easy.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Unsure. Not many churches in Tijuana in general. No traditional plazas or town squares like in Colonial towns (this is a prohibition era town, so not much Spanish architecture and likely to no town planning ). Easy to cross border on Sundays to connect with a religious community in the USA.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
There is a weekly tutor available at post but the workload is so heavy that you must frequently cancel.
Local tutors and language schools are plentiful.
Spanish is a must.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes. No public transportation. Uneven roads and sidewalks. Honestly, you could probably get a housing allowance to live on the US side as an accommodation and commute for work. Some people do that at post. Not sure how, but it is fairly common.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Not allowed to take taxis nor public transportation due to kidnapping and safety concerns. Uber is allowed and is pretty easy. You are required to bring a POV to post.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
10,000 American cars per year are stolen in and around Tijuana each year. Get good insurance. You can take time off and take your car across the border for service. Be sure your car has high clearance and good shocks. Lots of potholes, unmarked speed bumps, and bad roads. Jeeps are great or other sturdy vehicles
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Easy and $30/month. Post sets it up and you pay for it.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Keep your American phone and your US plan may work at no extra cost (AT&T works great with no extra cost or plan changes).
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Unless you get put into a house, this is a terrible post for dogs. All concrete without many trees, grass, or places for them to go potty. Lots of people have cats. If you have a house with a yard, then it’s fine. Beware of a worm that dogs get and transfer to people here.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Lots of good jobs for EFMs at the consulate. Or some spouses commute or live in San Diego. Not sure about pay.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Tons. Migrant shelter, women’s shelter, pet rescue, no shortage of opportunities to volunteer on post for events and activities.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business attire slightly more casual than embassies.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Yes. Our neighborhoods are walkable and feel safe during daytime hours and early evening. There is a drug war happening and sometimes our neighbors are involved so we might have shots fired near our housing. While we not targeted, it is possible that when our neighbors or others are targeted we might be hurt collaterally. No USDHs have been killed or physically injured to my knowledge, but this is a violent place and it is possible to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Avoid casinos, strip clubs, late night outings, and specific neighborhoods.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care can be obtained in San Diego and local dentists are very good and affordable. Costco Tijuana gives free eye exams to members.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Generally pretty good.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Some seasonal allergies are present and food is not as clearly labeled as in the USA, but it is a pretty good post for people with sensitivities to food or allergies.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Just overwork. The leadership encourages wellness and supports our success. ACS/SCS is super busy with 300+ long term incarcerated Americans and more than 650 deaths per year (mostly elderly expats living here and those involved in crime). The work can weigh on us but we are encouraged to care for ourselves. Good leadership overall in 2024.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Perfect. Not kidding
Summer highs usually range 77-84 and not humid.
Winter ranges 50-68
Cannot get better weather or better tacos anywhere in the world.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
People with kids like it here because their kids can go to US schools on a school bus that takes them across the border each day. There are good Mexican Montessori preschools on this side as well.
Your kids can get the American High School experience if desired, sports and all. And special needs school services.
If you have a student who wants to attend Community college or San Diego State Univ, or UCSD and live at home, it is possible.
In fact, most of the people who bid TJ do it because the schooling is so great for their kids and spouses.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
See above. US schools in San Diego.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes to all.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes, plenty.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Huge expat community although many are retired, beach buns, or San Diego commuters. TJ has become a suburb of San Diego so we get every type of expat.
Morale? It is not a post with a tight-knit post culture because nearly everyone here brings their families and we are spread out across TJ. People don’t socialize with each other outside of work very much, but it is because they are busy with their kids’ soccer games and family activities.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Lots of meet-up groups across the border.
Lots of restaurants but not a lot of expat socializing on this side of the border.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
This post is great for families and even if you caring for elders because household help is available as is US medical care.
Not a good post for single people because there are very few here and not a lot of socializing outside of work. I’d you are willing to go to San Diego on the weekends you can join the social scene there.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
We are discouraged (post practice) from making local friends because so many locals in our nice neighborhoods are involved in illicit trades.
There are people here of many ethnicities and it is generally welcoming to all races, genders, orientations, etc
There is a large Chinese-Mexican community and a female Jewish President. Mexico, especially in urban areas, is welcoming.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes. TJ is progressive and there is a big LGBTQ community at post. Same-sex marriage is legal in Mexico and you can see same-sex couples and families going about their lives here. Probably one of the best posts for LGBTQ officers and their families.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
See above
No
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Valle de Guadalupe= beautiful wine region.
The beach in Rosario is an amazing experience.
The California coast. Cave kayaking in La Jolla.
Mexico City and Guadalajara are amazing.
I hear La Paz is great but haven’t seen it yet. Lots of whale watching .
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Too many to note
Velvet cafe
Lupita’s cafe near the consulate.
Telefonica gastro park
Hiking in San Diego
El Valle de Guadalupe
La Bufadora past Ensenada
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Not really
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
People choose it due to its proximity to So. Cal. This can be good and bad, of course.
Access to US medical care and schools.
The work is intense and it is one of the busiest Consular posts in the world so you really learn the job very deeply. NIV, ACS/SCS are extremely complex and interesting. If you do a Consular tour in TJ, you can do consular work almost anywhere. Street cred.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
The work can be overwhelming at first. Just know it gets better after about 3-4 months.
Tijuana is safer than its reputation…. And still one must take precautions. But it is possible to have an enjoyable, productive tour while exploring this region’s natural beauty on the weekends.
If you are a foodie—- you should bid this as #1
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
I would bid this post high if I had kids in school or needed US medical care. Or is I had a spouse who needed to work in the USA.
Otherwise, it seems a lot like living in the US, minus the green space. Lots of people seek to extend because it is so convenient. If you want an international experience, go farther from the border.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Winter clothes
4. But don't forget your:
Car
5. Do you have any other comments?
No
