It's now up to you.
You have heard each contender's pitch. So, pull out those electronic pencils and help Steve Cotton settle a portion of his indecisive life.
There are four choices. Each with advantages and disadvantages.
Because I am one positive Joe, I will accentuate the positive for each of our candidates.
Number one: Little Room with a view -- That vista over Tenacatita Bay is worth twice the price. Cozy. Easy to maintain. Perfect for the writer who wants to get away from it all.
Number two: White House South -- Without the headaches of That Other Place up north. Plenty of room. A bedroom that would please the Sultan of Brunei. A small municipality to itself. Perfect for a big dog and big sound music.
Number three: Casa Mia Not Yet -- The coziness of option #1, but on the flat lands. Urban. A walking place.
Number four: The Beloved Garden Apartment -- Shade. Breeze. Garden. Laguna. Crocodiles. Squirrels. Birds galore. All at a renter's price.
The poll is to the right. And will stay open until the end of today (Friday).
My future is in your hands. At least, to the extent I put it there. Think Mexican presidential elections in the 1980s.
Considering how much you travel, I voted for your garden apartment.
ReplyDeleteSaludos, Don Cuevas
The garden apartment is perfect for your gypsy heart. Follow your heart in this matter.
ReplyDeleteI voted for the apartment, but I noticed the reference to the "big dog" under White House South. Is that your next adventure?
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is a bit odd, I voted for number two--you can do a lot with that garden and have a big dog. It would be fun to live there.
ReplyDeleteIt would be like living in my own hotel.
ReplyDeleteI do like living here.
ReplyDeleteEven if I put down roots, a garden is a good place for them.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good possibility.
ReplyDeleteSince someone will inevitably figure out that you are made of pesos, i vote for the narco compound. Also, there is room there for a gringo gardener/driver.
ReplyDeleteI could be my own stimulus package.
ReplyDeleteThe garden apartment and invest the money from the sale of your house.
ReplyDeleteSurely you could have a smaller dog in your garden house in Villa Obregon.........
I probably could have a Jiggs-sized dog here. But I will need to discuss that with my dog rescue land lady.
ReplyDeleteI voted apartment...I think you can do better than any of the others. This way you'd have the fun of continuing to look. I viewed it this way:
ReplyDelete1. the ejido problem and all those steps
2. lots of maintenance and cleaning
3. doesn't seem as nice as the apartment, really
4. it's been good to you so far, why mess with a good thing?
When you find "the one," you won't need to poll your readers to be sure.
But where would be the blog fun in that?
ReplyDeleteThe garden apartment seems to fit your needs for now. If and when you find the right house, you will know!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe one of the three houses is what I need.
ReplyDeleteOverwhelmingly, the garden apartment!!!
ReplyDeleteIf and when you get the "itch" to experience another wonderful place in Mexico or elsewhere, it will be much easier to make the change. Additionally, you will still have access to (I hope) your assets if a better opportunity or need arises.
As for the blog and "readers", more polls, on who knows what. It seems that many like to give their two centavos worth, and more so when asked!
Have you considered taking your dilemma to Home and Garden TV's "House Hunters International"? They'll turn you into a worldwide celebrity and maybe give you a free dog as part of the deal.
ReplyDeleteal
Good Morning, Steve…
ReplyDeleteAmusing, your quest for a new abode…fun, to be sure…some selections are lovely and great buys. However, after reading your blog now for many months I can't help but conclude that your health should be the very first thing to consider before investing in a new home. You are in terrible shape.. your blood pressure must be 'out of sight', and yet you keep eating, eating, eating all the worst possible foods for good health. Since you asked for comments I thought I'd add mine to the pile. Curbing your gourmet eating style will be the hardest thing you ever do, but it does become a habit after awhile, and looking in the mirror will be a great pleasure. If you spent as much time reviewing the nutritious eating sites rather than hunting for a different abode to fill your time, you would certainly be rewarded for the effort. Just my two cents. -smile-
aw steve, wish you had time and money enough to live for awhile in all 3 of the houses, though number 3 would be our choice. but, if it were up to us, we'd choose the 'beloved garden apartment'. seems edenic. san & dave back home in boring salem, OR.
ReplyDeleteOnly you can know which place is exactly right for you. But I voted anyway, and I voted for the garden apartment. If the only choices were the three houses, I would have voted for #3.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts would be to stay away from all the stairs. In other words either house # 3 or stay renting the apt. as you travel lots and house maintenance tends to tie a person down.
ReplyDeleteHave you checked out the houses on the bluff overlooking Costa Careyees? Those palatial digs is what I see you in......
ReplyDeleteCasa Mia. While the patio is small, it is perfect for a traveling man.
ReplyDeleteThey are fantastic, but well out of my price range. However,I could get back to playing polo there.
ReplyDeleteBut it is always nice to have a conversation.
ReplyDeleteTurn me into a worldwide celebrity. I was under the delusion that I was already there.
ReplyDeleteI will be back up in a couple of weeks to get the Salem house on the market. I always thought it would be a perfect beach house -- in Pacific City.
ReplyDeleteOf course, if I bought a house, I would travel less. The house itself would become a project.
ReplyDeleteAnd maybe it is time for me to be tied down a bit.
ReplyDeleteI am as likely to change my eating habits as I am to become a monarchist. My blood pressure is great down here. One of the joys of living in an environment of adrenalin rushes.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have taken precautions. I have left a lot of sharp objects around my computer. When The Big One hits, I can go out like a Roman. Of course, when my maid finds me a week later, what I will go out as will be the trash.
And I like how it generates chat.
ReplyDelete"Say hello to my little rental". I'd expect a wedding invitation before seeing you settle into any of the three candidates!
ReplyDeleteLike a wedding reception-open house combination.
ReplyDeleteI hope whatever house you pick you have room for a new Goldie. I read back a year ago about Mr Jiggs first coming to Mexico from your files. t really broke my heart but I think he must have been one of the luckiest dogs to have you as an owner. I never have had a golden retriever but my 2 brothers are both on their second one, my parents had one and I dog sat for 2. they really are amazing dogs. So my vote is more for a dog and find the right house to go with it.
ReplyDeleteCheers from a very cool rainy Vancouver after almost 3 months a good weather!
I did vote on your poll, for the short of it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope your dream(s) comes true...
As one gets older, one tends to want to drive less, so I voted for the urban #3 within walking distance of restaurants, stores, the beach, etc. I'm in my mid-70's and enjoying the slower pace and more relaxed feeling once I gave up my car and the hassles owning that entailed. But think you're likely to stay where you are - when you find "the one" where you want to spend the future you'll know it. I do like the idea of future polls - as you say, it gets the comments rolling.
ReplyDeleteI voted for the garden apartment since I think if you're going to buy, you shouldn't be making any compromises. So wait until the right thing comes along.
ReplyDeleteI also personally think the first step toward buying Mexican real estate is waiting for some kind of panic in the Peso exchange rate and buying your pesos first. On something as large as a house, a few percent count, and the peso seems likely to hit 14+ around the time that the US Congress is pushing the fiscal cliff solution out to the 11th hour and 59th minute.
Once you have your cheap pesos in hand, then look for the perfect place. Until then, I vote for renting and collecting some interest on those pesos too.
Saludos,
Kim G
DF, Mexico
Where Disqus seems to be eating my comments lately.
The peso idea is good. But it would not apply to any of the three houses I am considering. The houses are priced in US dollars. I will pay in US dollars to sellers who are either Canadian or American.
ReplyDeleteGood point about the car. But I am not certain it is universal. My mother is in her mid-80s and drives everywhere. I suspect it is also in my genes. Going for drives is one of my favorite recreational activities.
ReplyDeleteI would settle for a nice bit of compromise. If I get a dog, I can stand to live almost anywhere that will have me and the golden.
ReplyDeleteA golden is quickly getting added to the mix. In fact, I may even be able to have one here at the rental. We shall see.
ReplyDeleteOf the 3 I liked # 3 but if the garden apartment is still in the running, are you sure you really want to move? Barbara made a good point about a smaller dog and so did Don Cuevas regarding the amount that you travel.
ReplyDeletePerhaps, "if it ain't broke don't fix it"?
I just have the feeling it is time to do something completely different.
ReplyDelete#2 (the old girlfriend) as you know is my favorite.... perfect for a new dog....
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it is.
ReplyDelete