10 Things You Should Know Before Moving to Ensenada, Mexico

When we first decided to move to Ensenada, Baja California, we thought we knew what to expect. We watched vlogs about moving to Mexico, read countless blogs, and joined every expat Facebook group we could find.

But living somewhere is completely different from visiting, and our three years in Ensenada taught us lessons no tour guide or group could have prepared us for.

This is part of our Living in Ensenada series. Be sure to also check out:

1. The Sensory Experience is Intense

Let's talk about something most expat blogs gloss over – the sensory reality of living in Ensenada.

Sadie and Sapphire are autistic, so they were on a wild sensory rollercoaster during our first few months in Mexico.

Our first rental house came with a “bonus feature” – neighbors whose dogs literally barked 24/7. And I mean literally – unless they were eating (which was not often enough), they barked and barked. And barked.

Ensenada is a fishing city, which means the air carries a cocktail of scents: fresh fish from the port (which you'll learn to love), street food (amazing!), car exhaust (less amazing – there are no vehicle emission standards here), and yes, occasionally sewage.

Living in Ensenada is not a sanitized tourist experience – it's real, raw, and alive.

The “good” roads

2. Vehicle Maintenance is Critical

If your car could talk, it would beg you to know this before moving to Ensenada: the roads here are an adventure all their own. We learned this lesson the hard way, spending thousands on van repairs over our three years here.

Those picturesque Mexican streets you see on Instagram? They don't show the potholes that could swallow a small car!

The street lighting is minimal in many areas, which makes nighttime driving especially tricky. Our top tips? Never drive at night, if you can help it. And get to know a reliable mechanic immediately, and factor regular maintenance into your monthly budget. Think of it as paying for adventure insurance!

3. The “Gringo Price” is Real

Let's be honest – if you look or sound like a foreigner, you're going to encounter the “gringo price.” This isn't unique to Ensenada or even Mexico, but it can be frustrating if you're not prepared.

The good news? You can minimize this with some basic Spanish and negotiation skills.

Pro tip: Learn your numbers in Spanish FIRST. We can't stress this enough. Being able to understand prices and negotiate even a little bit makes a huge difference.

And remember – it's not personal, it's just business. Sometimes we still pay a bit more than locals, but we know our limits and when to walk away.

4. The Local vs. Expat Experience

This one's close to our hearts. As a mixed-race family, our experience might be different from what you'll read in most expat blogs. Here's the truth: the local Mexican community welcomed us with incredible warmth and generosity.

As a person of color, Kevin experienced zero racism from locals – a refreshing change from some of our experiences in the States.

The expat community? That's a more complicated story. While there are some wonderful people, we found the expat scene could be surprisingly cliquish and, at times, unwelcoming to people of color.

We aren't the only ones who have experienced this, as you can see from this post in the Punta Banda neighborhood group.

Of course, it wouldn't be complete without comments from white Americans dismissing this Black man's experience.

Our advice? Don't limit yourself to expat circles. Our best friends and richest experiences came from embracing the local community.

5. Language Reality Check

Here's some good news: you don't need to be perfectly fluent in Spanish to live in Ensenada. We arrived with varying levels of Spanish – Kevin with his interesting mix of “prison Spanish” (from his years as a corrections officer), Sapphire with her natural gift for accents, and me (Sadie) not knowing a lick of Spanish.

Now, I enjoy my enthusiastic but chaotic version of Spanglish.

The key is being willing to try. We found that locals appreciate any effort to speak Spanish, even if it's not perfect.

Focus on learning numbers (for shopping and negotiating), food words (because, well, yum), and basic pleasantries. Many younger people in Ensenada speak some English, and translation apps can help in a pinch. Some of our funniest and most memorable moments came from language mix-ups!

Don't forget to say “buenos dias,” “buenas tardes,” and “buenas noches” when you see people in the store. Otherwise, they may think you're being rude!

6. Healthcare Considerations

One of the most pleasant surprises about living in Ensenada was the private healthcare system. Not only is the medical care significantly more affordable than in the U.S., but many doctors speak English and provide more personal attention than we were used to.

Doctors give you their personal WhatsApp numbers for follow-up questions!

Dental work deserves a special mention – we saved thousands on dental care. A cleaning that would cost $200 in the States runs about $30 here. Kevin and Sapphire still make the monthly trip back to Ensenada for her orthadontic appointments.

Pharmacies are everywhere, and many medications that require prescriptions in the U.S. are available over the counter.

hospital velmar: surgery in mexico - image of Sadie Smiley and Kevin Smiley before surgery

I had multiple procedures and surgeriers in Mexico, and the care I received was outstanding. The only downside? We weren't counting on $20,000 (yes, dollars *tears*) in extra medical expenses over the course of the three years.

7. Daily Life Adjustments

Living in Ensenada requires embracing a different rhythm of life. That store that was open yesterday at 2 PM? Might be closed today at the same time.

The water pressure might suddenly drop while you're mid-shampoo. The power might go out in the middle of a coaching call (because someone hit an electric pole… again).

But here's the thing – you adapt. We learned to keep candles handy, store extra water, and always have a Plan B. Internet service varies dramatically by neighborhood, and running errands might take twice as long as you're used to. But there's a beauty in slowing down and accepting that not everything needs to run like a Swiss watch.

This was most difficult for me, as I'm an “always on time” type of person. Being told the party starts at 4, showing up at 4, and then the party doesn't start until 7 is CRAZY to me. But, that's just how it is.

8. Cost of Living Reality

Let's talk money – yes, living in Ensenada is generally cheaper than in the U.S., but it's not all a bargain paradise. Housing costs less (though prices are rising with the influx of expats escaping Trump's regime), and we still can't get over how affordable fresh produce is at the local markets. However, some things might surprise you:

Utilities can be pricey, especially electricity if you use air conditioning or heat. You most likely won't need much of either one, but it can get cold in the winter – even with layers of blankets.

Imported items (think your favorite American snacks or products) come with premium price tags. We developed what we call our “Mexico math” – comparing prices not just in dollars vs pesos, but in terms of local cost of living. That $5 coffee that seems cheap by U.S. standards? It's actually expensive when you realize you can get a full breakfast for that price at a local spot.

9. Weather and Climate

Ensenada has the same weather as San Diego. It gets warm (but still comfortable) in the summer, and it gets chilly (and sometimes cold) in the winter.

While the coastal climate is generally mild, most houses aren't built with heating or AC. This means winter evenings can feel surprisingly chilly indoors, even when it's pleasant outside.

The ocean breeze is nature's air conditioning in summer, but you'll want good fans for those still days. We learned to dress in layers and invested in small space heaters for winter, but they ran our electric bill UP!

10. Community and Culture

This is where Ensenada truly shines. The sense of community here is something we deeply miss when we're back in the States. Family isn't just important – it's everything.

And while it's not officially listed as one of the safest places to live in Mexico, living in Ensenada never felt unsafe – for any of us (except for a few experiences with expats).

Festivals and celebrations happen often, and there's always someone ready to help when you need it.

We learned to embrace “Mexican time” (if someone says they'll be there in 5 minutes, settle in for at least 20… or 40), and discovered that relationships matter more than efficiency.

As an introvert, it took some adjusting to how interactive people are here, but we came to love this more connected way of living.

Despite the challenges – or maybe because of them – our three years in Ensenada were transformative. Every city has its quirks, and these aren't meant to discourage anyone.

Instead, we hope sharing our real experiences helps you prepare for your own adventure. The key isn't to avoid the challenges but to embrace them as part of the journey.

Remember, the best experiences often come from the unexpected moments – like finding yourself in a three-hour conversation with your neighbor over freshly made tortillas, or discovering your new favorite fruit at the local market because someone saw you looking confused and decided to help.

Have you lived in Ensenada or are you planning to move there? We'd love to hear your experiences and questions in the comments below!

Written by the Smiley Family – Sadie, Kevin, and Sapphire – based on our three years living in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico (2021-2024)