So You Think You Want to Live at the Beach?

Picture this: You wake up to the sound of waves crashing, warm Baja sun pouring in, and a fresh papaya smoothie waiting for you on your terrace. Paradise, right?

But let’s hit pause before you list your stateside house and trade in your shoes for sandals. Because while living at the beach is magical, it also comes with a few things HGTV forgot to mention.

I’ve helped dozens of people land in Cerritos and Pescadero, and while many of them are now happily sipping mezcal and watching the whales breach, almost all of them went through a short phase I like to call the “Oh no, what have I done?” moment. Don’t worry—it passes. But let’s talk about what no one tells you about moving to Baja full-time.

First, the “beach hair, don’t care” lifestyle comes with a price. That price? Dust. Everywhere. I’m talking about a fine layer of Baja seasoning that gently settles on your countertops, your car, your sunglasses—even your soul, if you let it. It’s a part of the charm…eventually. You’ll learn to dust with one hand while blending margaritas with the other. Leaf blowers are practically a household staple, and you may even start measuring friendships by how often someone lends you theirs.

Your new alarm clock? Mother Nature. In Cerritos, it’s not traffic or car alarms—it’s the mighty Pacific. The waves can crash so loudly some nights it sounds like a freight train is rolling through your living room. Locals call it “surf thunder.” Add in the occasional early-morning construction crew pouring concrete like they’re competing on a reality show, and you’ll quickly forget what sleeping in means. But hey—sunrises here are worth waking up for. Even before coffee.

Water? Electricity? It’s a relationship. Living off the grid sounds romantic until the water truck doesn’t show up. Or the power blinks out just as you’re blending your Baja-style gazpacho. Utilities here require a certain amount of flexibility and a good sense of humor. You will, at some point, shower with a garden hose. You will, at some point, charge your phone in your car. And you will survive both.

Internet? Sometimes. Fiber-optic is slowly creeping into the area like a sleepy iguana, but depending on where you land, streaming Netflix might require a little patience… and sometimes a little tequila. Starlink is saving relationships daily, and if you're working remotely, you’ll learn which cafés have the strongest signal and the coldest hibiscus tea.

But here’s the thing… Despite the quirks—and maybe even because of them—life here is deliciously real. You start slowing down. You notice the color of the sky. You remember the last time you laughed so hard you cried, probably around a fire pit with new friends who feel like old ones.

Tacos taste better here, even when you’re standing in a dusty parking lot eating them off a paper plate. You learn that a “line” at the grocery store is more of a suggestion. You start to care less about brands and more about breeze direction.

You’ll stop counting your steps and start counting the whales. You’ll swap Costco runs for farmers’ markets, and FOMO for foam boards. There’s still stress, of course—it’s life—but it’s softened by the fact that you’re barefoot, sun-kissed, and surrounded by natural beauty every single day.

So… is it for you? If you’re someone who needs perfect order, fast Amazon delivery, or central air conditioning in every room—you might want to book a vacation, not a one-way ticket.

But if you can laugh when your dinner party becomes a candlelit affair (thanks, CFE), or if the idea of trading suburban sprawl for desert cliffs and surf breaks gives you butterflies, then this place just might be calling your name.

I always say: Baja doesn’t just change your zip code—it changes your mindset.

Want to see if Cerritos or Pescadero fits your style?
We’ve helped a lot of barefoot dreamers and high-heel investors land in the right spot. If you’re thinking of making a move, or just want the inside scoop on life down here, feel free to say hola.