Border Living Options?

[carlosalica]

My friend´s husband had his first interview in CDJ recently and received the ten year ban. She was wondering about different border cities where they could live and she could work in the US. I know some members live in CDJ and work in El Paso, but I was wondering if there were anymore. Of course safety is one of the first things she is worried about. So if anyone has any ideas thanks!

[SUSYCAL03]

well i think every border city has its risks but it all depends in the area you live. but if youre friend will work in the usa then she should be able to afford to live in a nice area.

[Adriane]

We're living here as you know. It's not great- but it's doable. We live in a nice area for about $420 USD a month, which is fine. I make less money than I did before, but we can still do just fine.

[3inmexico]

My wife and kids live in Reynosa. They live in an apartment in a ok neighborhood. The rent is 2200 pesos a month. Reynosa is across from Mcallen Texas.

[Glühbirne]

I lived in Juarez for two years and worked in Las Cruces, NM, an hour commute. We lived in three different apartments during those two years, all of them were under 350 dollars a month, and they were all in nice, safe areas. Two were very close to the border and one was about twenty minutes from the border. Wages in El Paso and surrounding areas are lower than they are in many other parts of the country, and there is a lot of competitin. Bilingual skills are pretty much required for almost all jobs. However, even a very modest wage is enough to live okay in Juarez. We were able to live okay, but it wasn't perfect, like Adriane said. Living like that can be physically, emotionally, and mentally draining, but you do what you have to do in order to be together. I wouldn't trade in that experience for anyting. It was hard, but it made our relationship stronger and I believe that it made me a better person.

I have a sister-in-law who lives in Tijuana and works in San Diego. She has been doing it for years. She is the only sister-in-law that I have never met. I guess she manages to support herself and husband and thier house by working at McDonalds.

[Lachulagreeneyes]

I'm curious, if deciding to move to a border city, how do you manage on living there before you get a job and first paycheck? I mean I know you will need some money saved up for this, but is that humanly possible with immigration prices already eating us out of house? How much would you need to take?

[angela256z]

Here are some cities. My source is Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States%E2%80%93Mexico_border check it out you can click each city to read about it.

San Diego, California – Tijuana, Baja California (San Diego-Tijuana Metro.)
Otay Mesa, California
Tecate, Baja California
Calexico, California – Mexicali, Baja California
Andrade, California – Los Algodones, Baja California
San Luis, Arizona – San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora
Lukeville, Arizona – Sonoita, Sonora
Sasabe, Arizona – Altar, Sonora
Nogales, Arizona – Nogales, Sonora
Naco, Arizona – Naco, Sonora
Douglas, Arizona – Agua Prieta, Sonora
Antelope Wells, New Mexico – Berrendo, Chihuahua
Columbus, New Mexico – Palomas, Chihuahua
Santa Teresa, New Mexico – San Gerónimo, Chihuahua
El Paso, Texas – Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua
Presidio, Texas – Ojinaga, Chihuahua
Del Rio, Texas – Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila
Eagle Pass, Texas – Piedras Negras, Coahuila
Laredo, Texas – Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas
McAllen, Texas – Reynosa, Tamaulipas
Progreso Lakes, Texas – Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas
Brownsville, Texas – Matamoros, Tamaulipas.

[elmsal]

I know what very one means, I started commuting for Los Angles, CA to Tijuana, BC 3 - 5 hrs drive time each way week-ends only. Then we decided to move from Tijuana, Baja Calif. to CD Juarez, Chih. We rented a house, and have the kids in school. The problem is finding a job in El Paso, TX. I have tried for over 7 months with little nibbles here and there. Contract work mostly.
Before you make that big jump, check the job market in that area.
You could maintain the family easy, and be ready for the long border lines.

[Adriane]

...and be ready for the long border lines.

Here in CDJ there are special passes available for people who cross frequently. If you don't cross everyday, they are pricey, but if you do the cost of the pass is only about $20 more per year than you'd pay crossing at one of the pay bridges anyway (the free bridge has by far the longest lines- so I'd avoid that one anyway.)

This web site tells you more:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/frequent_traveler/sentri/sentri.xml

Happy commuting!

[czech]

avoid Nuevo Laredo Tamaulipas...very dangerous city

[elmsal]

Here in CDJ there are special passes available for people who cross frequently. If you don't cross everyday, they are pricey, but if you do the cost of the pass is only about $20 more per year than you'd pay crossing at one of the pay bridges anyway (the free bridge has by far the longest lines- so I'd avoid that one anyway.)

Happy commuting!

you're right but without a job or income, ever penny counts.

you don't know how much you got until it its taken away from you.