La Paz: Season Two

Rent, Buy or Go Home?

We looked at a rental the other day. The price was right; it’s within a block of the Malecón; there were two bedrooms and a deck; and the owners are even Oregonians.

Chatting over sopa de tortilla afterward, however, it was clear to both of us that there wasn’t enough light; the apartment was worn thin; and our guts said no. 

Carlos, the real estate agent who had shown us the place–the most laid-back agent we’d ever met—happened to walk by the café at that moment. We told him how we felt and did he know of something with more light? He had an idea, he said, he knew someone and would ask about their casitas. As he walked away, I asked Ed if he had our phone number. No, he didn’t. Ah well, we had his card if we wanted to pursue those casitas. 

This was our first look at any rentals because we’d been convalescing the past week with colds that we had picked up somewhere on the way here. In our already weakened conditions from previous colds, we were ripe for new infections. After our tours to the islands and swimming with whale sharks, we crashed. 

So now we’re pretty much out of our funk and have moved to accommodation #3. It’s a great AirBnB, on the Marina Cortez, with a great view of a portion of the bay that sees boats of all sizes coming and going, dolphins playing, Frigatebirds and pelicans soaring, as well as a barrier peninsula called El Mogote. El Mogote is mostly sand and mangroves and an important bird habitat. There’s also an unfinished development out there. Evidently there was some greasing of palms and a developer got to build out there, but hadn’t done due diligence around environmental concerns. As of 2013 the development was ruled illegal by the federal courts, so no more building.

Deck with a View

Anyway, this new accommodation that we like so much has led us to consider buying a new two-bedroom condominium, adjacent to where we are staying. (Evidently this project has not raised community alarms like the Mogote project!)

Granted, this may seem like a rash and quick decision, but hear me out.

First, we really like La Paz. It’s a place we can see ourselves living in for some period of time, following interests and finding a life. The city is tranquil, beachy, and also very Mexican—a place Mexicans like to live and vacation. We rarely run into Americans or Canadians. It may be the time of year, but it’s quite refreshing!

Second, the project has a lot of money behind it, with well-knownMexican investors, developer and architect. The project should finish.

Third, this is a very desirable location and should have good resale value.

Fourth, it is a two-bedroom and you all can come to visit. But not at the same time.

In light of this, we’ve been doing our research, and talked with a lawyer. Good thing we did. There are so many fees to pay when buying property here, that what seemed affordable for us suddenly seemed not so affordable.

However, not to be deterred, we came up with an offer based on advice from the folks we are working with. We know it won’t be accepted as is, but we hope for a response that keeps us in it.

Then this morning, we got a call that we could meet the developer, who would be the person looking at our offer. He answered a number of questions we had about the unit that we’re interested in, and of course he said he would consider our offer.

As Ed says, now it’s out of our hands. If it doesn’t happen, so be it. 

We say that, but we do want it to happen. Though as I write those words there is a bit of a lurch in my stomach. It’s such a damn risk. Yet there’s an appeal in that. 

We love Ashland, and to return and buy a new home, and come here for some part of the winter seems reasonable. But buying in La Paz seems fun, risky, adventurous, and a challenge. 

And just now, I’m just reminded of a quote that arrived unbidden and anonymously in my email box long ago when I worked at OSF. Maybe it was 2004 or so. The only reason that I remember this, is because I kept it on my bulletin board the rest of the time I worked there. (Plus I have the internet to check my memory.)

It went like this:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

It seems particularly appropriate given our current view.

Must run now. Time to see Episode 4 of “Game of Thrones.”