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RichBaja
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Loreto or La Paz
If you were gonna move to one of these cities which one would you choose and why? Also why would you not choose the other?
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Bajatripper
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La Paz, because we enjoy the late-afternoon summer breezes known as the Coromuel, and Loreto doesn't have such a nicety.
But seriously, La Paz is a larger town, with the amenities that go with size, and--unlike Los Cabos--is still a Mexican town (about 70 percent of our
tourism is national, Los Cabos is just the opposite).
For info on the price differential between the two, you might consider U2U'ing Mitchman. He recently made just such a choice between the two locations
and is far better informed than I.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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BajaBlanca
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ohhhhhhhhhhhhh what a hard question. both are so beautiful and fantastic. but if you twist my arm here is my input:
LA PAZ - big, more services. historical. near lots of cool places like todos santos, la ventana, cabo .... ferry to mainland. airport. more medical
services.
LORETO - amazingly charming. small. good hotels and restaurants but still old style Mexico IMO. airport. near Mulege. near Bahia Concepcion. nearer
to LA Bocana (couldn't resist that one !!!!)
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Bajatripper
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
ohhhhhhhhhhhhh what a hard question. both are so beautiful and fantastic. but if you twist my arm here is my input:
LA PAZ - big, more services. historical. near lots of cool places like todos santos, la ventana, cabo .... ferry to mainland. airport. more medical
services.
LORETO - amazingly charming. small. good hotels and restaurants but still old style Mexico IMO. airport. near Mulege. near Bahia Concepcion. nearer
to LA Bocana (couldn't resist that one !!!!) |
Nice summation, BajaBlanca.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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RichBaja
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BajaBlanca, You have to vote. 8)
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Mulegena
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If Cabo San Lucas is like Las Vegas,
then Todo Santos is like Santa Fe, New Mexico.
If San Ignacio is like Taos, New Mexico,
then La Paz can be reckoned to San Francisco.
Loreto... is Loreto.
I vote La Paz (or San Jose del Cabo)
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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sancho
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Comparing towns is such an individual decision, I tend
to like them all, besides Baja, someone had some not
so pleasant things to say about Mazatlan the other day,
Maz may not have the geographical beauty of some spots,
which I suppose puts some people off who don't appreciate
a Mexican town by itself.
But I prefer a Mexican town, one with which, if you strip away the
Tourist portion, that town will still be there. I worked with
a guy who said he spent 7 yrs. in GuerroNegro, obviously
my ? was, what did you do in GN for that long. He was
a manager at the Salt Mining area. He said you can find
beauty anywhere, GN might be a challenge, but I'll always
remember that line. My vote La Paz, one of my favorite cities in Mex
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Bajahowodd
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I did not vote. Both Blanca and Sancho made very good points. So I'd have to flip a coin. Both places are great.
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bajabass
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After 8 months in La Paz, there is only one place I'd like to try instead.
That place is Loreto!!
La Paz is great, the "feel" is right. I think for a smaller town, Loreto would be the obvious choice. It really would depend on your personal needs.
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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bajabass
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Oh, I voted La Paz, I think the fishing might be just a little better, year round.
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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Bajahowodd
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Methinks the isue is that whe living in Loreto, on occasion one may pine for the shopping available in La Paz. While when living in La Paz, one might
pine for the tranquility of Loreto. Just sayin'.
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Loretana
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The nice thing about Loreto is that La Paz is only 3 hours away.
The other great thing about Loreto is that no one ever gets murdered there.
"If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration."
-Nikola Tesla
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Pescador
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They are both overgrown and crowded in my way of thinking for a place to live. They are fun to visit for a day or two, but holy cow, live there, I
hope not.
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Bajatripper
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| Quote: | Originally posted by sancho
Comparing towns is such an individual decision, I tend
to like them all, besides Baja, someone had some not
so pleasant things to say about Mazatlan the other day,
Maz may not have the geographical beauty of some spots,
which I suppose puts some people off who don't appreciate
a Mexican town by itself.
But I prefer a Mexican town, one with which, if you strip away the
Tourist portion, that town will still be there. I worked with
a guy who said he spent 7 yrs. in GuerroNegro, obviously
my ? was, what did you do in GN for that long. He was
a manager at the Salt Mining area. He said you can find
beauty anywhere, GN might be a challenge, but I'll always
remember that line. My vote La Paz, one of my favorite cities in Mex |
I absolutely love Mazatlan, particularly the way they've managed to keep the tourist district separated from Old Town. At the more recent megaresorts,
often the Mexican population centers have developed from squattersville status and have little character. Mazatlan was a respectable town way before
tourism became a significant factor of their economy.
Now, Guerrero Negro--that would take me some major adjustment to.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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scouter
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having spent time in both years back they both have so much to offer but I have a soft spot for Loreto, it seams to have some mystic that holds my
heart..
I hope you enjoy what ever path you take....
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MitchMan
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I started coming to the baja and fishing it in the late 80s. Then in late 90s decided to buy property and set up a base in the baja. But, since I
had not seen much else in the baja, I took a 30 day trip to all the coastal towns in the baja and several on the pacific mainland coast. After all
considerations, I decided that Loreto was the best, all things considered and in my view the most beautiful. Take a look at sunrise over Isla Carmen.
Plus, Loreto was the most lay back and serene in my opinion.
There are many things to consider when looking for a place in the baja. I am cost effecient in general and since I visit the baja 8 to 10 times a
year, I needed certain criterion. Availability of flights and cost. Need to live next close to the airport so that I do not have to pay an arm and a
leg to get from the airport to the house or take buses on extended trips - inconvenient and time consuming and costly - adds to the cost of each trip.
Also, Loreto was a great fishing town. The fishing grounds were one mile straight out from the beach.
Now, things have changed. Hardly any flights going to Loreto, and they are very expensive, and none available from So Cal to Loreto via Volaris (very
lost cost airlines). Have heard that the fishing is not nearly as good as it once was, but I think that goes for most fishing spots these days.
Noticed since I have been in La Paz the convenience of having all the services and administrative offices and many, the medical facilities and
services, many accountants and lawyers. Loreto has one accountant (or at least used to have only one) and the service was terrible. Got ripped off
by one of the few attorneys there too. Nothing like competition to keep professionals in line.
Both Loreto and La Paz are reachable from the border, that is a necessity to me. One big thing that really got me about Loreto since 1999, real
estate is 2 to 5 times more expensive in Loreto than in La Paz and there is no economical or business reason for it. Loreto continues to shoot itself
in the foot. Plus, two years ago, the property tax doubled, I heard that it had something to do with mayoral corruption.
Cannot, absolutely, cannot tell you how great it is to be in La Paz with regard to access to professional services, big stores, governmental
administrative offices, plenty of construction and maintenance talent available as well as hardware stores, an actuall down town area, and plenty of
food and food variety as well as all kinds of restaurants. You know you can get Sonoran beef at WalMart. How can one help but feel good about having
a Home Depot, Sams Club, big movie theater, and hospitals!
So, the conveniences and services that wll be all important from time to are to be found in La Paz. That has alot of value, alot. But, I will admit
I like Loreto better for the beauty and serenity hands down over La Paz. But,again, for a commuter like me, the flights are cost prohibitive alone,
and the cost of real estate is to high to make any logical sense.
I hope I did not offend anyone. I have a very soft spot in my heart for Loreto. If I were to live in Baja full time and not have to commute back and
forth to California, I think that I would opt for Loreto, but I would also keep my place in La Paz, .... just in case.
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danaeb
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I had to make that Loreto/La Paz decision a few years ago, but for me it was probably easier. I grew up in San Diego c.1949. La Paz has that same
feeling. Not big time, but not that far from the village. I lived in a neighborhood of Portuguese fisherman in Point Loma.
I think La Paz has a great vibe.
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
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BajaBlanca
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oh danaeb - I lived in Pt Loma/OB for ever 20 years and I taught (at least I tried to) English to the Portuguese wives of those very fishermen..... at
the Portuguese church.
Ok, I have to choose, right ? then my choice would be loreto. smaller which is what I love. gorgeous beach to look at, which is what I love. Fresh
fish to eat, which is what I love. Little crime, which is safer.
really really hot is a big issue. why not choose some place on the pacific to live and fish on the sea of cortez when you want to ?????
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danaeb
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I'm thinking along the same lines
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
oh danaeb - I lived in Pt Loma/OB for ever 20 years and I taught (at least I tried to) English to the Portuguese wives of those very fishermen..... at
the Portuguese church.
Ok, I have to choose, right ? then my choice would be loreto. smaller which is what I love. gorgeous beach to look at, which is what I love. Fresh
fish to eat, which is what I love. Little crime, which is safer.
really really hot is a big issue. why not choose some place on the pacific to live and fish on the sea of cortez when you want to ?????
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The Asuncionistas almost have me convinced to make a summer camp on their side.  
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Leo
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Mood: could be better
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Loreto is not a city, so the comparisson is not right.
Do you like city-life, the answer is LAP.
Also what time of year you plan to ber there.
Loreto is a lot colder in Jan, - Feb.
The grass is always greener....
and so, there is always a better spot in Baja
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