Why We Live In Mexico
Let me start by saying, we live here because of the small town feel here in Puerto Penasco. The cost of living for the most part is much less than the USA. Just 2 examples, a week ago we took our German Shepherd Tucker to the vet.. cost including office visit and 3 meds for 7 days. $650 pesos or about $50 USD. Great caring vet in an office like the US. This week I took him to the vet in Phoenix… cost $148.00 USD. Office call was only $48.00 but the meds made up the balance. No wonder people buy meds in Mexico. I have had the vet in the US forever and love him. We have the vet here for 3 years and feel the same about them.
Today we went grocery shopping. A wonderful old fashioned butcher shop where the butcher actually breaks down the cow, we bought filets for 2 dinners, 1 kilo of fresh ground hamburger and a kilo roast beef, total cost for a total of about $34.00. Our next adventure was buying FRESH picked Asparagus, 2 big bunches for $2.50. Then off to the produce market (where we ran into old friends from Phoenix, that our daughters went to school together). We bought enough vegetables for a week for about $5.00 and it is all fresh.
by Beverly Arrowood
We feel very safe from crime unlike other places. Young people always say “I got thrown in jail there and my response is “What did you do wrong?” Then they tell their sad story but then realize it would have much worse in the US. Our saying here is “Don’t leave your brains at the border” We will be using this statement a great deal in the next few weeks as “Spring Break“ starts and we get young people from CO., N.M., Utah, CA, TX, NV and a few other states. For the most part these kids are having a very good time and not causing any real issues.
by Beverly Arrowood
Spring is filled with concerts, off road racing, golf tournaments, fishing tournaments and more. I often tell people if you can’t find something to do, it is your own fault. Although the water is still a bit cool, you can still go wading, ride the banana boats, rent a jet ski or Rhino’s, do Sunset Cruises, or go looking for shells.
by Beverly Arrowood
You have a choice of many great seafood restaurants here in town and there are a few gourmet restaurants as well. Have dinner overlooking the Sea of Cortez or visit a tiny hole in the wall, you will not be disappointed. Many of our places have been in business for years and have been passed down through the families.
The whales are still here, so do take a boat to get up close and personal with them. By all means do not leave your camera at home. With spring also comes the desert floral and don’t miss taking pictures of any of it.
I look forward to seeing many of you soon.
About Beverly ArrowoodFull time resident of Puerto Peñasco since 2004. Originally from Wisconsin, I migrated to Phoenix in 1973 and then Mexico. Married to Bill, 2 children, 3 grand children, 2 great grand babies and 2 German Shepherds share my life. Love to walk to beach and go shelling and traveling to Lodi and Paso Robles to visit wineries as well as visiting the Valle de Guadalupe wineries near Ensenada, Mexico.
Great post, we have a house in town and have great neighbors. Only Spanish speakers but we are learning the others language together. Never had an issue with authorities and never a dull momen! Thanks!
I loved and hated Puerto Penasco and will honestly and unprejudiced describe the pros and cons.I lived in a gated expat community of mostly Americans and Canadians which I liked least, since they always try to categorize you into social groups. I really enjoy mingling with the natives.I learned Spanish, shopped fresh produce daily, the likes of which you can not compare to the States. Avocados, melons and tomatoes are the best. In the little village by the port, built just for tourism, fresh shrimp and fish are for sale right from the boats and superb.The restaurants are wonderful and most of the stores carry your typical Mexican ware, from Talavera pottery to shirts, blouses, dresses, sombreros and more.
Prices are higher and closer to American prices because it’s by the border. The older natives are kinder than the young and progressive ones. The poverty of the indigenous people is mind boggling. Some of the people live in refrigerator,cardboard box houses stapled together, have no water or electric. When I was there, we had a very cold winter and all I thought about was what I could do to help the poor keep warm. I would buy a blanket for myself and then take it to someone instead. (By the way, if you ever get cold, the soft and fuzzy blankets are the best. You can see them hanging out in front of the stores. There is a store which just sells spices for so much less. I still use some I bought 3 years ago.
The beaches are quite dirty, full of bottles, sixpack rings and paper trash. That is in contrast with amazing sea life which is always alive with purposes, sea birds and water fowl, occasionally there are whales. One always hears the barking of the sea lions. Lots of stray dogs will walk the beaches looking for food. They can become loyal if they get to know you . They used to follow me home. Lots and lots of uncared for and stray dogs, some with horrible skin diseases, some are tied up with chains close to their houses, many without water and food. A lot of the young macho men own pit bulls and many are not taken care off. I LEFT ROCKY POINT BECAUSE I COULD NOT STAND THE ANIMAL CRUELTY THERE. I was like Mother Teresa driving around with water and food for the dogs. College students, please buy food and bring water for all the dogs there and while there, be very careful of the liquor you consume. They sometimes use bad alcohol which can make you realy sick and even kill you.
What I didn’t like
The lose garbage is burned in the open during the night and the whole town smells like burned garbage and is hazy, It’s hard to breathe. When you go to the bank or ATM, there was always a line of mostly men begging for money. It can make you crazy. Be generous. Most need it badly. On the beaches, the vendors can really get to you. Once I was able to speak Spanish, I could joke with them and not get so annoyed. Many make the most amazing crafts from stuff we throw away. Stay away from pharmacies unless you know a local Mexican person to help you get stuff. Gringos beware, doctors and pharmacies will take you to the cleaners. A kind word ending my report. I blew a tire when it was humid and maybe 113 degrees out. An older man stopped his car and changed out the tire for me. He refused payment. So, I stopped, got a 6pack of beer and followed him home. A Mexican person will never refuse a gift.
Last but not least, I drove on the highway from PP to Ajo to go to an American clinic. An all black truck with dark, tinted windows just cut in front of me and I almost crashed into him. I was furious, rolled down my window and gave him a f….only to see that it was most likely a drug dealer who could have just shot me. Be careful. They are there and I was on a beach when the gangs had a shoot out. 6 people got killed! (2014)
I lived in PP for 18 months from 2013 to 2015.
PS car repairs and paint jobs are really inexpensive and they will do it quickly.
I told the truth and will say the same to a Mexican person. I think that is why I got along so well with the people there. I am female, white and 73.
We are sorry to hear you left Rocky Point because “Animal Cruelty” I have lived here all my life and I haven’t seen ever people with Pitbulls on chains, but maybe that is just my neighborhood, but stray dogs are definitely a problem, but the new mayor and some ONGs have been doing spay & neuter campaigns for FREE in the past couple of years, I hope that problem could end soon.
Trash is also a problem even though they have been a couple of independent campaigns to clean the Beaches and the local government has bought a couple of machines to clean too, is still a problem during holidays like Spring Break and Easter. But I think that is a problem, us like citizens can help too.
One more thing the Alcohol sold on all Restaurants most be sealed and have a government issue stamp, I have never seen a place selling ‘Bad Alcohol’ but if you know of a place that sells it please report the police.
The town has changed a lot in the last couple of years, hope you can come and visit and see for yourself.
Thanks!
Rereading my post, I would like to add that I described Puerto Penasco as I recall it. I don’t see it through the rose colored glass of the wealthy. I went to the impoverished areas of town, I walked the beaches and cut my toes on bottle shards. But I also picked those shards and used them to create shell mirror frames. I was a happy tourist and artist (my profession) with good and bad experiences.
but above all I see Mexico like candied sugar, crunchy, hard to bite at times, really sweet and just endlessly alive!