One of the biggest compromises I made when I purchased my property was that I can’t walk to anything, like a bar, food store, or coffee shop. I was really hoping to find something on the outskirts of a town about the size of Assiniboia, but still within walking distance, but Haven was just too good of a deal with big investment potential.
Isla de la Piedra, early morning noise notwithstanding, is pretty dang close to what I was hoping to find in Canada, but even better because there is also a very large full service city right at my door step. I have life in a small vibrant village with most of the basic services I need, but I can also walk and take public transportation to everything that I’m missing on Isla.
I work at a desk all day and try to get out to walk several times if I can. At Haven, that means a walk to the post office or around the block or perhaps mowing the lawn when I have grass. It’s very limiting and not particularly fun. Isla has miles of beach, tons of small streets to explore, and if I have time for a longer break, Maz is less than 15 minutes away. I don’t really bother stocking up on anything because stores are so close that a 10-minute break from my desk can mean picking up tortillas or a block of cheese at the store.
Maz feels like a very approachable city for its size. The downtown core is very walkable and there is tons of inexpensive public transportation. I think pulmonias would be great when I’m carrying heavy groceries to the panga, but I plan to learn the bus route to go to Walmart, Soriana, and the cinema. The city is clean and the parts I have visited do not have many panhandlers or homeless people. There are some sellers who will approach you, but it’s not at all a gauntlet like the ones you have to pass in border towns.
I doubt I would like Maz in summer (too hot and humid!), but the winter climate is wonderful. Today was really hot, but the nights are cool and comfortable for sleeping. My house does not retain heat, so it’s always cooler inside than out.
A lot of people told me that I would not like Maz because it is such a gringo destination, but living in the village next to Mexicans, shopping as they do, and speaking Spanish really makes we wonder how much more real Mexico can get. I have no regrets about my winter destination and am pretty sure I’ll end up spending another winter here…
That is good to hear! The noise is part of Mexico and is present in small villages or large cities so you either get used to it or you don’t. It can’t be avoided. The rest of it seems a good fit for you and that is great.
The other thing about Maz is that you do not really need a car once you get there so if the occasion arose you could fly down and get to Isla somehow (even by cab if necessary) and you would be set for the winter with everything you need close at hand.
Grant and Janet fly in, as does my new neighbour (who got delayed because of a storm in Calgary). The ride from the airport is just 400 pesos in a taxi.
My problem with going that route is my computer equipment. I can fly with the bare minimum for transcription, but I have another client with whom I use a different computer and also need a printer. I also liked being able to bring kitchen equipment and other personal belongings and getting the experience of going through the border with a vehicle.
I just looked at flight costs and it’s definitely cheaper to drive and do motels, but not by that much, and only if I drive straight through. Something to consider for next year.
Oh, you’re making me miss the Isla this winter! I’m headed down to Baja next week to explore that side of Mexico for the first time, and as lovely as the kayaking, beachfront boondocking, and whale-watching might prove to be, I fear it might not be equal the Isla and Mazatlán! They were pure magic last winter! So, who knows– I might very well be back to Tres Amigos next year!
I’m worried that I’m going to be spoiled for the rest of Mexico! 😀
That will not happen! Mexico is a country of such variety you will never tire of it. Every State has it’s own personality and in some parts of the country they do not even speak Spanish. Put Chiapas and Oaxaca in your future tour schedule.
here is an example of a place we ended up in almost by chance and ended up being the only outsiders present. The language spoken was Mayan but we managed to get along (at least ordering food and beer) 😉
We ate, we sang, we danced and we drank! All for 150 pesos for the two of us! RV parking on the site (no hookups) was free.
http://croftsmexico.blogspot.com/search?q=danced+with+mayans
I really do hope I can get a residency visa that would allow me to tool around the country for more than six months because I can’t imagine giving the southern part of the country more than a glance if I have to race through! I remember that post. What are you doing in the States?! 😉
That is why we love the Isla, is it living in a Mexican village with a cosmopolitan city nearby. I can be in my theatre seats for the symphony in 20 minutes, door to door. It doesn’t get much better. The best of both worlds.