Real Estate in Tijuana, Mexico

How do I find a place to live in Tijuana?

We asked expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:

"Tijuana is a large city with a wide range of options for finding a place to live. Depending on the type of residence you are looking for, it is possible to find short-term and long-term rentals, hostels, guesthouses, serviced apartments, and even entire homes. Local newspapers, classifieds, and websites like Expedia, Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway are good starting points to search for rental properties. To ensure safety and coverage, it is important to use reputable rental sites and do proper research on different policies, prices, and neighborhoods before making a decision. Connecting with local real estate agents who specialize in foreign transactions can be helpful as well," explained one expat living in Tijuana, Mexico.

"When we still lived in PV, my Mexican husband contacted a real estate place that handled rentals. He flew there to see it and we moved there. Two years later we found a bigger/better place, closer to the border, on the recommendation from a buddy at his work," said another person in Tijuana.

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What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Tijuana?

"A typical expat home or apartment in Tijuana is usually a basic dwelling with a small living space, a kitchen, and one or two bedrooms. It is often housed in a building that is close to supermarkets, restaurants, and other amenities. The area has a moderate climate, so air conditioning amenities are not as common as in hotter climates. There is a range of quality of housing available in Tijuana and so the number of amenities depends on the budget. Despite this, many expats enjoy living and working in Tijuana, making it popular with ex-pats of all budgets," remarked another member in Tijuana.

"Our "house" is the downstairs of a 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 story house. We have 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, huge living room, dining room and kitchen with gated parking and back yard. It has been converted into 2 separate dwellings. It is in one of the better (upscale) areas of Tijuana. Yes, most expats would want close access to the border and a larger living space than most Mexican homes have," explained one expat living in Tijuana, Mexico.

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What is the average cost of housing in Tijuana?

If you are thinking about moving to Tijuana, cost of living in probably a key consideration. Expats commented about the cost of housing:

"The average cost of housing in Tijuana is generally lower than other areas in Mexico. Typical prices for homes vary depending on the neighborhood but can range from moderate to expensive," said another person in Tijuana.

"Oh, much lower!! We pay $400. (US)/ month for our house. In San Diego, California, the rent for such a place would be about $1500./month. You can rent a 1 bedroom apt. in TJ for as little as $80. (US)/mo. but I don't think too many Americans/Canadians would be happy with the lack of space, amenities and location. There are also lovely places here for $1000./mo. but those renters/owners are considered to be "rich" and could be a target for robbery," added another expat who made the move to Tijuana.

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Should I buy or rent a home in Tijuana?

If you have not spent a lot of time in Tijuana, you should rent before even thinking about buying. We asked expats there about the buy vs. rent decision:

"Buying or renting a home in Tijuana depends on your individual circumstances. Before taking the plunge, you should consider your financial capabilities, lifestyle needs, and terms of the housing arrangement (such as tenancy length). If you are able to afford a home, you should also consider whether it is the right step for you in terms of security, location, and other factors. Ultimately, the decision of whether to buy or rent a home in Tijuana is a personal one that you should make after thoroughly evaluating your situation," explained one expat living in Tijuana, Mexico.

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