BajaNomad

The NRDC visits The Villages at Loreto Bay

vgabndo - 9-27-2006 at 08:14 PM

The NRDC magazine came in the mail today. (Don't tell Blackie) There is an article on finding the REAL Baja. Some of you might find it interesting.

http://www.nrdc.org/onearth/06fal/openspace.asp

Phil C - 9-27-2006 at 08:35 PM

Seems like Ms. Davis, (she certianly has the right town), has the right point of view.

bajaguy - 9-27-2006 at 08:39 PM

Her reference to Ensenada as "a seedy border town" doesn't win her any points.........

[Edited on 9-28-2006 by bajaguy]

Paula - 9-27-2006 at 09:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Phil C
Seems like Ms. Davis, (she certianly has the right town), has the right point of view.


I agree with Ms. Davis too. A few points things of note in her piece:

1. I hope that organic farmer comes knocking on my door in town:bounce:

2. Tortilla fryer oil??? Now there is a resource I had overlooked!

3. Loreto Bay a recreation ofan authentic Mexican fishing village? Maybe a fantasy Mexican fishing village in a Barbara Cartland novel:lol::lol:

Sallysouth - 9-27-2006 at 10:32 PM

The water from the SOC as an herbicide? Salt kills vegetation, right? What am I missing here?
:?:And to Paula, that seems to be exactly right out of a Barbara Cartland movie! Have you seen the "Villages" in person???Pack em in...get to know your neighbor(like it or not):wow:

[Edited on 9-28-2006 by Sallysouth]

Phil S - 9-28-2006 at 08:01 AM

Sally. I've met several of the "full time" owners. They love it. The term, "it takes all kinds" also applies here. Probably people who are tired of lawns, gardens, etc & have "been there, done that" see this as an opportunity to 'finally' no longer be a slave to their home lots. I lean to that direction now that I'm retired & have done my miles of lawn mowing, and I'm not there anymore!!!! Can't be much different that people who live in "row houses" in the large cities. It is a way of life for those people. So why not work here also? Many are being bought & put into the rental pool. So there will be a lot of "temporary" visitors to the area, that could end up buying into the project. And some would say, "not for me." Look at Cabo. Well maybe 'don't look at Cabo'. I've been looking at it for say 15 years, and must admit, it is becoming a crowded city, and no longer a 'fun place to go for many'. But it is putting people to work in a 'service industry', who might have ended up coming to the U.S. seeking employment. Scary part is the crime that comes with the growth. And from my point of view, a country that has problems dealing with 'crime', because of the culture. Anyone want to add to that?

[Edited on 9-28-2006 by Phil S]

Don Alley - 9-28-2006 at 08:27 AM

Paula and I have both seen the Authentic Mexican Villages of Loreto Bay many times. Yes, they do pack them in. And I can understand the desirability of such small living space, as Paula and I just sold our large stateside home and lot for something a little more manageable. LB is not for us, but I can't say it's not atractive.

But there is a "circle the wagons" element to the development, as the development takes the lead in furthering the Fonatur master plan of Loreto as a workers' slum surrounded by outlying foreign developments. In town we see the groups of single men, clearly from "someplace else." We see the agressive muscle cars cruising the streets that seem to represent another culture, another Mexico somewhere beyond Loreto, beyond Baja Sur. We see the new prosperity in the form of new cars, new appliances and new construction, but we also see the once empty storefronts packed with workers, bedrolls spread in rows across the naked floors, with one toilet and no showers. And we lock our houses up as best we can, make arrangements with our friends and neighbors to water the plants and watch our homes while we are up north, and when we receive an emailed list of a dozen other American homes broken into in Loreto in the past month we hope our place will not be added to the list.

Like Phil says, the scary part is the crime that comes with the growth. And the growth is so rapid that I fear the police of any culture would have trouble keeping up with the acompanying growth in crime.