Today was supposed to be election day.
The day when each of you could narrow down the three potential houses I should buy. At least, the house you like best that you think I should buy.
But Mexpatriate is a dictatorship. A benign dictatorship, mind you. But a dictatorship, nonetheless. Ruled by a first cousin of Plato's philosopher king.
And the dictator says we are all to hold off on voting until an additional candidate is added: the option of continuing my rental arrangement at Casa Nanaimo -- where I have lived blissfully since 2009. The ultimate status quo candidate.
I do not need to add much more than what you already know about my little duplex by the laguna. For the past three years, my photographs and prose have centered around it. If you like, you can look back on the poll that led me to these fine walls at we have a winner.
Voters always whinge that they never have enough choices. Well, choices there will be.
But that is tomorrow.
And, as Scarlett O'Hara so sagely said: "Tomorrow is another day."
If you're happy where you are why gamble a huge sum of money and complicate your life further? Simplicity is a virture. As much as you enjoy traveling, I think you have the best plan working for you now. What ever decision you make, I'll look forward to reading about them.
ReplyDeleteI dislike paying rent - the bottom line for me. Landlords monthly extractions form the bank account and an inability to modify and improve (major undertakings of course).
ReplyDeleteWe made a substantial amount of money buying and selling MANY houses. It was fun - now it is something to leave behind. The pride of ownership as they say - works for me.
Lived blissfully? Yeah, right. You've stayed awake till almost dawn every night due to sweltering heat. That's what you've done. Don't give us this blissful business, bub.
ReplyDeleteGee whoda thunk; it was all a trick, scam, ploy. Once a state mgmt type always a state mgmt type.
ReplyDeleteIf you are the dictator--here is a rebellion. La Manzanilla VRBO #66777 is for sale. If you go to the VRBO cite you can see not only pictures but visitor comments. It has two rentals to help you with expenses. $360K is a lot of money--maybe it is negotiable.
ReplyDeleteThe old adage, "If it ain't broke, why change?" seems to me to be perfect in this situation.
ReplyDeleteBuying a house in Mx is a dead asset. Renting is much less expensive and much less hassles.
Go back and read the post that you refer to today. There is your answer.
Hope you stay where you are and enjoy the hammock.
Steve, it is time for you to buy a house, but these three are just not that exciting. Instead of a poll on which option your faithful think you should take, how about betting on the odds of which option you're most likely to take?
ReplyDeleteWe could all become Ladbroke odds makers.
ReplyDeleteThe best outcome of this little exercise is that my Salem house is finally going on the market.
ReplyDeleteThat would be way too much money for me to risk in the ejido lottery of La Manzanilla. Even so, it is still one of my favorite beaches to visit.
ReplyDeleteBliss comes wrapped in some odd packages.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling this coming year is going to see some major changes in my lifestyle here in Mexico. I am just not certain what they are going to be.
ReplyDeleteI have been surprised at how well I have adjusted to the life of a renter. Law school was my last experience. And that was long ago. Renting has given me a good deal of flexibility in Melaque. And a sense of freedom I could not have with home ownership.
ReplyDeleteBut the times they are a-changin'.
No three card monte here. We run an honest game. Just giving you all the options. In truth, a major fact has changed this week. But more on that later.
ReplyDeleteThat's what Mark says, darn it!
ReplyDeleteWise decision.
ReplyDeleteBut we will still have our poll.
ReplyDeleteWhy has it taken so long to put Salem on the market? You have lived away for years.
ReplyDeleteAh, the last vestige of Señor Algodón in Oregon.
ReplyDeleteOut of sight -- out of mind.
ReplyDeleteEverything fades and then comes into focus.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the picture I thought, that's the prettiest one of all. Unless your anticipated change in lifestyle will require more living space, it seems you could stay where you are and not be tied down by property. Although I did like #3 a little bit. Of the three houses you showed us it seemed the most like a home.
ReplyDeleteSteve...I have heard too many horror stories about buying real estate down here...why invest such a large sum of money when renting is so cheap...and much more hassle-free for the most part. I would stay in your current casa if you are happy...and use your profits from the sale of the Salem house for your other life adventures.
ReplyDeleteThe best feature is that I can walk out my back gate and be amongst the crocodiles. Or just sit and read in my shady garden.
ReplyDeleteNot a bad suggestion. Of course,there are renting horror tales, as well. But renters have the option of indulging their gypsy genes.
ReplyDeleteDo you have to re-invest the Salem profits to avoid taxes? Otherwise I agree with renting. At lest so far.
ReplyDeleteand you close to the mosquitoes too.
ReplyDeleteAs long as I'm never whisked away by the secret police in the dead of a humid Mexican night for dissenting, I'm cool with the dictatorship.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as I suggested in my comment on #3, I'm glad you are considering the status quo. What's the hurry?
Saludos,
Kim G
DF, Mexico
Where the police are neither secret nor particularly fearsome.
Your suggestions have been very helpful in focusing my attention. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMosquitoes are a given here. But I ran into them everywhere in the highlands, as well.
ReplyDeleteNo. I should be exempt from capital gains -- unless the tax laws revert to pre-Bush.
ReplyDeleteSteve, contact me about where you rented when you first came. Your voters voted it first place, and we might want to talk about a sale.
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting twist.
ReplyDelete