As we watch the news on the TV, internet, and newspapers, we are constantly reminded of the high price of living. Gone are the dreams from our youth of an easy retirement in our dream homes with nothing but the worries of a relaxing day in the sun. As mortgage rates and foreclosures reach an epidemic rise, uncertainties and worries overwhelm us, and make us feel, as those days are not possible.
Heating oil in parts of New England right now is approaching five dollars a gallon. We have become complacent with gas at the pump being over four dollars a gallon and the, at one point in time, inconceivable notion of a hundred dollar plus fill-up has been a reality for quite some time now. The forecast of things to come in the immediate future with the changing of the presidency in the US in November and fluctuation of the value of the dollar to the Canadian creates doubts of any kind of permanence.
We see in the media those thoughts of yesteryear and still know of those select few retiring to the exotic places that we only so recently vacationed and pondered the thought of tearing up the return ticket and saying adios to the gridlock. Luxury yacht sales, homes and automobiles purchased with the DuPont Registry , Robb Report and Sotheby’s are more common than one might think. I read of a Yacht Rental company in Norway that has a 240’ yacht (which is not their largest in a fleet of 17 yachts) that rents out for $179,000 a week, and they are booked for the next 14 months.
I became aware of what was going on with the “opposite end of the spectrum” when I recently moved to the charming little town of Barra de Navidad nine months ago. The authenticity of what you would think of when imagining an unspoiled area, yet with a few of the conveniences that we become accustomed to, could not be more correct. With the same weather climate as Jamaica and Hawaii with unobstructed sunsets of the sun, melting into the Pacific Ocean it is hard to believe that it has retained its charm. A small town feel when, after not too long, you have picked up the language and found yourself feeling like a local.
One of the bigger dilemmas here is deciding on what your favorite place for breakfast in the morning (Bananas). On the other hand, there is debating with fellow tourists and ex-patriots where the best taco stand is (Taquaria Ramos). Of course exploring for the best place to sit with a margarita and watch the sunset never tires, but I have found that most were correct in telling me about Sea Masters. Moreover, finish your stress free day with a romantic dinner for two (Isadora’s) that overlooks the beautiful Grand Bay Hotel.
There is of course, there is a language barrier for those of you who do not speak the language, but you can rest at ease for an area that has been a common get away for people in the Pacific Northwest since the sixties. It is best to have the basics down however. I always feel, no matter what country you visit the ease of knowing the essential words of who, where, what (as in what did I just eat), how and most importantly, the please and thank you, make your visit that much more enjoyable. Forget the when; you are in paradise.
So amongst the multi-million dollar yachts and homes from Architectural Digest, how does the “common person” get to enjoy the same slice of Heaven? Surprisingly enough, here in Barra, there are more than enough options in a wide variance of prices. With new housing and condominium developments constantly breaking ground in the immediate area, as well as resale prices still affordable, your options begin at around $100,000. The value of your dollar in the housing market here goes an astonishingly long way. Of course, there is the apprehension of buying real estate in a foreign county. The great people at RE/MAX Costa Bella have been selling real estate here for years, and have amazing relationships with all of those involved in the process. It is much easier than one would think.
Therefore, there is still hope for the endless days of sun and fun, and with flights departing daily from Manzanillo’s International airport just a 20-minute drive away, you are only hours from being here. There is only one way to get a sense of what I have been rambling about, and that is to see it for yourself. Oh, and did I mention that gas is only $2.70 a gallon?
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