The Barra compound has a visceral sexuality.
Candidate number 3 (Casa Mia) is just a solid plain girl with a nice personality.
My brother and I looked at the house when we drove down in 2009. It has a pleasant look from the street. And there was something about the lines that I found enticing.
The house is the most urban of the three. It is within steps of Barra's commercial area. I would need to drive my truck from the other two houses to buy anything. From Casa Mia, I could walk to fulfill most of my needs.
I like the house's personality. It is built on one level, but in two sections. The front part of the house includes the living room, dining room, kitchen, and utility room.
The second section includes two bedroom-bathroom suites. Divided from the rest of the house by a shaded patio.
When Darrel and I looked at the house, we tried to figure out where the best site for a hot tub would be. I have sorely missed my hot tub these last few years.
I have now asked the realtor to check with Alejandro if the roof would be capable of supporting the roof. Without the hot tub ending up in the living room -- along with a slab of roof concrete.
The house is compact. There is no wasted space.
But I do feel a bit claustrophobic in the patio. That is undoubtedly because I have become so accustomed to the wide expanse of my current garden.
Even though it is just a couple of blocks walk to the beach, there is no ocean view. Not even standing on the roof.
I periodically drive by the house and check the price. It has come down over the years.
Currently, it is listed at $158,900.
So, there you have them. My three prospective brides.
Tomorrow, I will ask you to pull out your electronic ballots to recommend one or the other to me. I am also including a rental option. Just in case you feel as if my heart is not in this.
No garden and no view. Bummer.
ReplyDeleteCute and practical. Does not have 15 million steps. Can walk to stuff. Decent price.
This one seems a more logical choice.
The second one does nothing for me - indeed a narco compound. The first was pretty terrific (especially at the price) but on face value the last is the best.
ReplyDeleteHowever - Did you consider possibly engineering a less steep and more convenient approach to casa #1? Would it be possible to modify the approach and entrance to more easily access the casa?
meh
ReplyDeleteThis house is a "solid plain girl"? Wadda ya mean by dat? This phrase is an offense to all womyn who are solid and plain.
ReplyDeleteBut this place is the best of the three, plus having a more moderate price. Interesting that these houses have been, off and on, on the market for years and years. You could probably get any of the three for ten bucks.
ReplyDelete#3 is a good fit...
ReplyDeleteMy vote is for house #3 I think it is very sweet and cozy. I think the size is perfect. It also has good curb appeal. Did not like the second house at all very Miami Vice and the first one with all the steps.....great exercise but it does get old real quick. (our house in Mx has many steps and even though the view is wonderful you don't make unnecessary trips up and down.)
ReplyDeleteI vote for this one because Felipe likes it.
ReplyDeleteThe view and brightness of the first house, the pool and space of the second, and the location of the third--but I do see the dilemma.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, the good thing is you don't need your car on a daily basis. The bad thing is that you have no view or garden. IF its been on the market for 3 years, I'd offer no more then $100,000 and see what happens. After all that 4 bedroom I looked at in Barra, with views, was $85,000. Do you really want to be in Barra?
ReplyDeleteThere have been many discussions here in SMA by people wanting hot tubs on their roofs. No one, as yet, has been able to do that because of the way the houses are constructed. Maybe not so in your area.
I like the house. It looks like it would fit you well.
Do you really want to live in Barra?
The spa on the roof is not a problem if you have enough room to put in a couple of headers on the inside under where the spa would go. If the building has block walls that divide the interior rooms, the spa can be placed over top the block wall and you're good to go. A spa is not that heavy but placing it over a 20 foot span is not a good idea...
ReplyDeleteI would need some garden space, just say'in.
The interior looks nice and it is in a neighborhood. Not having to use your car for everything is a definite plus. Does the spiral staircase lead to the roof?
ReplyDeleteI vote for this house. It is obviously the most practical - a central Barra location, close to shopping & restaurants and an easy walk to the beach to view those spectacular sunsets. There is a spiral stairway to the roof where you could have a palapa built to add to the outdoor living space. Then you could put in a small hot tub in the partio, without feeling cramped.
ReplyDeleteSell the house in Salem. Buy an RV with a hot-tub trailer attached. Just travel around Mexico. When you've had enough, unhook the hot-tub, and drive the thing into the ocean. But only after having finished your last blog.
ReplyDeleteA bit too Thelma and Louise for me. But I like the hot tub idea.
ReplyDeleteIt does. But there is nothing much up there.
ReplyDeleteSeveral people have asked the Barra question -- as if it would not be a good fit for me. I am not certain why.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of a garden is a real issue for me, as you know. Reading in my garden is one of the things I really like about my rental in Melaque.
You have nailed the consistency. The three houses seem to be completely different from each other. But they each offer something that interests me.
ReplyDeleteIt is probably the most practical.
ReplyDeleteWell, certain,y for less than their list price.
ReplyDeleteStirring the pot this morning?
ReplyDeleteIt is the type of woman and house that I often appreciate the most.
It is a bit low in flash.
ReplyDeleteI could buy the lot next door for better access and to protect the view. But that would simply complicate the price.
ReplyDeleteWe would have to have our reunion on the La Manzanilla beach, I guess. Just like 2009.
ReplyDeleteIt has possibilities.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite to date. I could easily be a guest here for up to 5 days, then, because it's a beach town, I would become more and more irritable. You'd have to ask me to leave, which I would gladly do.
ReplyDeleteSaludos, Don Cuevas
Ps: have you considered the occasiona tsunami affecting these beach towns?
The architect is looking at some hot tub ideas.
ReplyDeleteWho is stirring the pot now?
ReplyDeleteThis would be my favorite if it had more garden space. It certainly is not the type of house to raise a golden retriever.
ReplyDeleteI am convinced that the beach will be my base for my life in Mexico. Now, the question is what that really means. This house has possibilities. Finances may end up making my decision for me.
ReplyDeleteThere must be one house with more than one good attribute or more of the ones you are looking for?
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to the bouganvillas that were in front of this last house? I like Barra, but don't bring up that subject to your neighbor.
So is the question : stairway to hot tub?, stairway to garden? stairway to no view? Or Location , location , location. Big plus is being easy to find you. ps, I'm a house-oholic, nine houses in 30 yrs, I can't always find what I'm looking for!
ReplyDeleteSorry, had a moment; still workin' for the man and sometimes it really shows.
ReplyDeleteNow THAT idea I really do like, minus the driving into the ocean part.
ReplyDeleteI cannot tell you how much I enjoy being free of the job schedule. Ten years ago I would never have suspected I could have so much fun in life.
ReplyDeleteI almost bought a small RV several years ago -- with the idea of spending my retirement years on the road. Having lived down here for several years, I now see the folly of doing that. Then, again ----
ReplyDeleteI suspect the hot tub would be best suited for the court yard. If I added some more plants, it could even be a mini-garden. It would be great on the roof -- if the roof had any sort of view.
ReplyDeleteThe view, like fish and company, gets old after 3 days. This is the best house of the lot, but are there only 3 houses for sale in all of Barra or wherever else you're looking?
ReplyDeleteThese were the three that I liked best. And I would gladly buy any of them. One of them is getting close to an offer this week.
ReplyDeleteI like the first house the best, except for the ejido complication. This house is good too, number two is too big. You like to travel, you need a house you can close off and leave.This one fits the bill. However, I find the price a bit high. I'd certainly offer less.
ReplyDeleteHave you considered buying a lot and having a house built? I want to buy a basic box house with four rooms and add on a big terraza .
Of course everyone has different needs and tastes. We want more covered (this is Merida and we need shade) outdoors space and less inside space than we currently have. We haven't had the visitors we foresaw coming, so I think a den/guest room makes more sense than two empty unused bedrooms.
regards,
Theresa
I like #3, and think that a hot tub in the courtyard sounds good... some friends of ours with small pools joke that in the summer they are going to have those giant blocks of ice delivered as icebergs to cool them off! Then put a palapa structure on the roof with plants around it and a hammock etc. Our upstairs patio always catches a breeze, I bet you would use it a lot.
ReplyDeleteI'd offer 85 k and work up if you had to.
This is my favorite house, thus far. I feel like I am part of a great episode of House Hunters International. And just ignore Zapata. Plain girl? She's pretty fine to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteRelative to number 2, the house is plain. But plain in a rather preppy way.
ReplyDeleteThis place is charming. Two drawbacks. It is not big enough for a big golden dog. It isawfully close to other people formy music volume. Butdogs are adaptable and volume knobs move.
ReplyDeleteThe patio in this house offers nice shady spots.
ReplyDeleteAs far at the price goes, I suspect there is not a lot of flexibility, But we shall see.
Ha, ha, ha. Can't you just see Steve doing that? NOT!
ReplyDeletePerhaps you would be interested in our house in La Manzanilla. We have just this week made the painful decision to put it on the market. You can take a look and see what you think.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tenacatitabay.com/rental_casa_lavanda.php
Pleasure is what it comes down to. This is a major investment, volume and dog is a good thing if it means added long-term pleasure. That's my two-cents. Screw the neighbors, buy where you can fully enjoy your surroundings and your leisure without compromise.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind of the future....10 years will pass pretty quick and will you want a house with steps and a circular stairway.....probably not.
ReplyDeleteUnless you have a daily maid service which is kind of a pain, (sometimes) your needs will change in the 10 years, What will you want then.
Either buy something that will be a good investment which you will be able to unload, when you downsize,later, which we all will, or get something that may be small but meets all you needs.
As some wise people have said the view, the cleaning and the ocean hassles get old after a few years, then again you could build your dream-house and by the time it's finished your needs would have been changed again.......
What a quandary....I'm glad I am not in your position..... We had no choice, bought the property and had to build something because the prices on everything were going up...
You on the other hand with SS and that pension, plus the account in the Caymans.........
Not to mention the commercial that MUST go along with a house that looks like this -- I will soon be filling that pool with pesos.
ReplyDeleteThe first rule of Mexico is not to get on the bad side of your neighbors. Relationships are primary here.
ReplyDeleteI could be a baseball cap and learn to talk septic hook-ups.
ReplyDeleteHouse number three seems to meet your needs. You can probably negotiate the price.
ReplyDeleteOr, you could keep looking.
How about a roof garden?
ReplyDeleteThen get away from them.
ReplyDeleteI like living in town where you can stroll out for coffee, but I think an "indoor-outdoor" feeling is essential. Otherwise you will feel trapped indoors... But--could you dig out the patio and put in a pool with a bridge over the pool to the bedrooms?
ReplyDeleteI think house # 3 is the way to go. I don't know about a hot tub on the roof but what about a garden? You could have raised beds or large pots and put a palapa up there. Maybe a hot tub too.
ReplyDeletePersonally I really like Barra. I think it is a charming little town and I definitely prefer it Melaque.
It would mean stop listening to music. The houses are close enough to one another that it would be like living in an apartment. Something I have not done since law school.
ReplyDeleteThere are possibilities there. But I am having trouble figuring out a noise-dampening solution. The only one I can think of is moving to the country,
ReplyDeleteI meet with the realtor to discuss some options.
ReplyDeleteAlways a possibility. But my music volume may be an issue in the village itself.
ReplyDeleteA possibility. But it is a better idea for house #2.
ReplyDeleteCertainly not number one. 60 steps at your age...I don't think so. I love number two but I would live in small house and rent out the large one. I think three fits your needs closely, but if I were you I would keep looking and seek one that REALLY fits what you are looking for. How about trading Salem or Mexico?
ReplyDeleteI like all three -- for different reasons. I just discovered a financial bump in the road, as well. We will see how that works out.
ReplyDeleteI would continue to look. Living so close to your neighbors means you have to put up with their music. See if you can rent with option to buy and try it out. I do like # 3 the best but I think you can do better. Have fun searching.
ReplyDeleteOddly, there are few houses with any personality. The dog and music factors make the country a prime spot for shopping.
ReplyDeleteIf the house doesn't meet all your needs, don't buy it....keep renting.
ReplyDeleteRe: music....what about a set of wireless headphones?
Re:dog...what about a smaller and less hairy dog? Large hairy dogs don't do well in the tropics.
We live in an area where everyone has ten acres or more-country pretty much. The guy down the hill plays his music high enough to wake the dead. The guy next down the hill came up and smashed his boombox with a 3 pounder one evening over eight years ago.(he bought a better one).We had a renter on that property before him that put in a motor cross course-we had to go elsewhere on the weekends when they had the next plot. Country property can have a bit of the noise factor.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind noise. I just want to have an opportunity to make some without being on top of my neighbors.
ReplyDeleteI have tried headphones. They are too sweaty in this heat. And then I cannot hear the various vendors on the street I need to listen for. Of course, in the country, there will be no vendors. It is a dilemma that will be resolved one way or other.
ReplyDeleteI think this House #3 has a lot going for it, including location, appropriate size, and aesthetics. However the proximity of the neighbors might concern me, particularly in an area where the climate really invites outdoor living. You may be worried about bothering the neighbors, but I'd bet 500 pesos that they will not have any compunction about bothering you.
ReplyDeleteI'll also second some of the comments below. Why compromise? Is there some reason you want to stop renting in a hurry?
I'd be inclined to buy a lot (or a tear-down) and have Alejandro design you the house you want. www.yucatanliving.com has some good articles on remodeling (they have done a lot of construction), also on roof gardening. Also by building your own place, it doesn't all have to be constructed at once. Most houses in Mexico are built in stages as an alternative to the general lack of credit. No reason why you couldn't have Alejandro design you a house that's meant to be built in stages if that helped to meet your needs.
Saludos,
Kim G
DF, Mexico
Where we are looking enviously at the prices you're quoting.
This is the winner. Joesph is for the young to many stairs and work, sorry but your not getting any younger. The other choice is yuck....enough said. This plain girl is just perfect and if you want more space buy the lot next to it. As the song goes" Never make pretty woman your wife............be happy for the rest of your life"
ReplyDeleteWith exception of the majority who want to exercise the conservative option, this would be the reader's choice. It is #2 on my list. The inability to play my music loud and to keep a golden happy limits its utility.
ReplyDeleteSteve if you got this one then I might be able to convince the beloved and fussy parental units to come and visit you one day. The others I can't make any promises about. I wish you luck in whatever you choose but this little lady seems like a beauty. I wouldn't let her get away if I were you.
ReplyDeleteI think your parents would be ecstatic visiting the country White House. I know I would.
ReplyDelete