For those of you geographically challenged, Ralph is based again on this trip in TJ, which is just across the border from SD (likely because of costs, more on that below). L'il Piggertits lives in SD with his mom and grandma (grandparents?), and likely the Disney Diddler as his everyday dad. I'm not sure if it's the Vickers side or Faith's mom's side. Faith moved to the SD area a while ago, likely to be closer to Disneyland (and to get away from the implosion and imminent singularity of her parents' failed marriage.)
Regardless, here's a map!
San Diego is an expensive place, even just to visit, in part because things get really sketchy as you venture south. (Also a lot of the issues that plague LA also plague SD- limited development, topography constraints, liberal politics...) Even Chula Vista, a city just south of SD, is not a place a lot of people will rush to go to. (There is some gentrification happening, particularly along the coast. Less so inland.) I doubt Ralph could afford a hotel or airbnb unless he was way up in North County (Oceanside or Escondido), or way east (Santee or further). Then the uber costs start rising through the roof. So Ralph made the "frugal" choice of staying in Tijuana, which is pricey for Mexico but a right bargain compared to San Diego. (Note, I don't know where exactly Faith lives, nor where the detention center is that Xander has to visit his dad at. San Diego isn't LA big, but as you can see from the map, the city and surrounding communities are extensive. TJ could still be a retarded choice for Ralph.)
Why doesn't everyone do this, camp in TJ and spend your days in SD? Well, the border crossing is a bitch:
Ralph supposedly has a retard (replacement) US Passport now, so crossing back and forth should be simpler than when he was "smuggled" across as on previous trips (likely stuck using a passport card, so land crossings only). But it still can take hours. That's why most people opt not to go back and forth on the regular (although some brave people do commute this every day, typically working in SD but living in TJ).
TJ has a lot more access to whores and somewhat more access to illegal drugs, certainly more so in Ralph's price range. As has been mentioned upstream ITT, the underside of TJ is also really good at fleecing gringos, and it is much more violent than even San Diego or LA.
Ralph will eventually be the death of himself- it just depends on whether it's a choice of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or too much drugs in too short a time, or mouthing off to the wrong ése or chica. Hanging around in TJ won't extend his life any- the air quality is shit, the water polluted (even for Mexico), and the crime....
Edit: expansions and fixing phrasing
>*looks at the womb* SHUUDAH BEEN ME
