The majority of the homes are from another century. Oh, that’s right, nearly everything is from another century, another millennium. Never mind. Anyway, old can mean full of character or it can mean complete with wrinkles. With spaces for rain water to accumulate or just plain fall through the cracks. True, this is not specific to downtown, relating to construction issues rather than to zone. As usual, we offer a list of advantages and disadvantages to help you make your decision.
PROs
• Colorful, truly Mexican area to live, with genuine character in the streets, the homes, the people, the entire surroundings.
• Access to some of the best restaurants in the country.
• Very close to most cultural activities, parades, concerts, events.
• Generally very friendly neighborhoods with extended families.
• Good access to shopping.
• Close proximity to classes, learning centers, workshops on the island.
• Ease of city transportation almost anywhere.
• Good beach access.
• Views from the hills above downtown are excellent.
CONs
• Can be noisy.
• Close proximity of neighbors; smaller lot size.
• Events can cause the temporary detour of vehicles and public transportation.
• Parking can be problematic during heavier seasonal periods.
• Older buildings can have structural, electrical or plumbing problems.
• Rebuilding or renovating may require specific permits.
• Hilly streets above downtown frequently experience water run-off.
If you are focused on living downtown and want to live in a modern building, there are actually several of those on the horizon. Check out the cover story, with Paradise Hill offering contemporary split-level Mexican-style villas with all the modern amenities just minutes from the heart of downtown. Just across the river in the Romantic Zone, the other cover project, Ocean Side, offers another option for community-style living in a secure building with easy access to everything. An interior courtyard and third-floor pool area opens onto a central patio for entertaining guests, friends and family. Both developments provide parking within the complex, a major consideration even though parking is becoming more available.
The heavy bus traffic through downtown on Morelos going south and Juárez going north is a reality that hasn’t changed despite repeated promises, surveys, reports and corroborations that the situation is untenable. So don’t hold your breath that it will change any time soon. But, one day, we’ll be surprised by a smoother traffic pattern allowing not only easier access for vehicles, but an increased measure of safety for pedestrians.
Just north of downtown off the traffic path is La Joya - the complex designed by the same builders responsible for Real del Mar and Punta Esmeralda - within walking distance of downtown and across the street from the beach.
Private homes, apartments and condominiums come on the market regularly. Some of the properties large enough to establish both residence and business are Casa Romance Escondido and Casa Miguel, both with three levels and just two blocks from the Malecón. (Represented by Venegas Realty and Coldwell Banker, respectively.)
In the Romantic Zone are the Meza House, an architecturally amazing property with impressive city and bay views; Casa Angelitos, just off the road to Mismaloya; and a number of Gringo Gulch properties featured in a previous article on that area. Check with your qualified AMPI realtor for additional options.
