Marko, it's interesting that the idea of San Diego and Tijuana becoming one city is relatively new.
I beg to differ. I was a reporter with the old Blade-Citizen in Oceanside (RIP) in the mid-'80s and early '90s (freelancer in the '90s) and there was a ton of talk and articles about that very idea, due in no small part to NAFTA (recently passed) and the subsequent increase in maquiladoras.
(Which were considered a bad thing at time because they were another way the U.S. could keep manufacturing wages down..BUT without having to move to India or China....)
But back to TJ/SD as one...
In addition, there also was a lot of talk then that people had it wrong: Tijuana didn't need San Diego, SD needed Tijuana because if Tijuana were to disappear, the San Diego economy would suffer greatly due to having no really inexpensive workers right nearby.
I believe that's even more so today.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
Also, if I may ask: where did you grow up in SD County? I'm from Cardiff/Encinitas. Grad of UCSD.
Hi Jean, thanks so much for your comment and pushback. I would definitely agree about your take on maquiladoras and the low-wage economy as a whole. There certainly is a level of wage exploitation that is made obvious by the stark contrasts of the border. But I would not agree that Tijuana doesn't need San Diego - I think the cities are inextricably intertwined. I don't know which needs the other more, or if its even possible to estimate. But the future of both cities is tied together. And I think the cities are a microcosm of the larger interdependence of the two nations. What do you think? I grew up near Old Town, in Mission Hills. Grad of UCLA!
I live in La Paz (Baja California Sur) and have used the CBX numerous times. Super easy way to get to San Diego (and beyond). Also, thanks for the link to Andrew Selee’s book. Looks really interesting. I’ve added it to my list of books to read.
Well, I've done the drive before and it took me a few days! So a plane makes a lot of sense. Baja is the closest state to California, but man it's remote!
You definitely should! It’s really useful for getting to smaller (and not so small) destinations. When I was staying in Oaxaca I was able to fly straight to Tijuana in 4 hours, rather than connecting through CDMX or LAX.
Marko, it's interesting that the idea of San Diego and Tijuana becoming one city is relatively new.
I beg to differ. I was a reporter with the old Blade-Citizen in Oceanside (RIP) in the mid-'80s and early '90s (freelancer in the '90s) and there was a ton of talk and articles about that very idea, due in no small part to NAFTA (recently passed) and the subsequent increase in maquiladoras.
(Which were considered a bad thing at time because they were another way the U.S. could keep manufacturing wages down..BUT without having to move to India or China....)
But back to TJ/SD as one...
In addition, there also was a lot of talk then that people had it wrong: Tijuana didn't need San Diego, SD needed Tijuana because if Tijuana were to disappear, the San Diego economy would suffer greatly due to having no really inexpensive workers right nearby.
I believe that's even more so today.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
Also, if I may ask: where did you grow up in SD County? I'm from Cardiff/Encinitas. Grad of UCSD.
Hi Jean, thanks so much for your comment and pushback. I would definitely agree about your take on maquiladoras and the low-wage economy as a whole. There certainly is a level of wage exploitation that is made obvious by the stark contrasts of the border. But I would not agree that Tijuana doesn't need San Diego - I think the cities are inextricably intertwined. I don't know which needs the other more, or if its even possible to estimate. But the future of both cities is tied together. And I think the cities are a microcosm of the larger interdependence of the two nations. What do you think? I grew up near Old Town, in Mission Hills. Grad of UCLA!
I live in La Paz (Baja California Sur) and have used the CBX numerous times. Super easy way to get to San Diego (and beyond). Also, thanks for the link to Andrew Selee’s book. Looks really interesting. I’ve added it to my list of books to read.
Nice! Yes, I think there are even connections to places like Loreto, which saves a lot of driving time from the border!
Yes! I’m always amazed at the number of people that get off the plane (that I’m taking to La Paz) in Loreto!
Well, I've done the drive before and it took me a few days! So a plane makes a lot of sense. Baja is the closest state to California, but man it's remote!
Fascinating. I had no idea about the Tiajuana airport but that's a hack I'm going to keep tucked into my pocket!
You definitely should! It’s really useful for getting to smaller (and not so small) destinations. When I was staying in Oaxaca I was able to fly straight to Tijuana in 4 hours, rather than connecting through CDMX or LAX.