The sky-high price of residing in San Diego has compelled some native employees to lease residence throughout the border in dirt-cheap Tijuana whereas commuting between the 2 cities.
Amy McEfee, who’s employed as a warehouse inventory clerk in San Diego, used to pay $1,200 a month for a room in a home with 4 roommates within the Southern California metropolis.
Now, she pays simply $400 for a one-bedroom residence within the Mexican border city — commuting every day again into the US for work.
“I’m not like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve a greater life right here,’” she instructed journalist Helen Zhao of her determination to relocate to Tijuana.
Obtain The California Submit App, comply with us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
California Submit Information: Fb, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Submit Sports activities Fb, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Submit Opinion
California Submit Newsletters: Enroll right here!
California Submit App: Obtain right here!
House supply: Enroll right here!
Web page Six Hollywood: Enroll right here!
“I’m [also] not like, ‘My gosh, the telephone invoice’s due, I don’t understand how I’m going to pay for it.’ Yeah, these days are gone.”
McEfee wakes up every workday and takes an Uber to the U.S.-Mexico border, which she crosses on foot earlier than using the San Diego Trolley to her job.
The 40-something clerk stated the transition has made her much less anxious.
“After I was residing in San Diego, it was a continuing,” she stated. “I used to be all the time apprehensive about my automotive breaking down. I used to be apprehensive about having gasoline to get to work.”
Vered Acquainted, who works as a shipyard security technician in San Diego, used to fork over $2,100 for a one-bedroom residence within the metropolis.
Now, she pays simply $550 for a five-bedroom unfold in Tijuana.
“I used to be attempting to not get in debt,” stated Acquainted, 27, who grew up in Tijuana and moved again this yr. “I used to be attempting to stay within the naked minimal and I couldn’t do it.”
Zachary Gabriel, a producing technician, stated he begins his commute at 2 a.m. every workday so he can keep away from the lengthy traces on the border to make it to work in San Diego by 6 a.m.
He stated he had no alternative however to make the transfer to Tijuana.
“That is survival for me. I’m the only real supplier for my spouse and my kids at a minimal,” the 35-year-old stated. “I’ve no person to lean again on.”
The median lease in San Diego is $3,100 per thirty days, with costs topping out at $7,500 in tony enclaves like Jolla. It ranked because the ninth-most costly metropolis within the nation final yr.
In the meantime, Californians basically pay prime greenback to stay within the Golden State — making it the costliest for price of residing within the US, in line with US Information & World Report.
Regardless of low rents in Tijuana, the encircling state of Baja California is underneath a stage 3 journey advisory from the State Division, which advises vacationers to rethink touring there as a result of threats “terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.”
Tijuana itself is understood for having one of many highest homicide charges on the earth, recording 1,807 homicides in 2024. San Diego recorded simply 71 homicides the similar yr.
