The Baja Citizen

Archive for May 9th, 2012

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Parque Piedras y Pajaros in Downtown La Paz

May 9, 2012

A new public park has opened in downtown La Paz. Parque Piedras y Pajaros or the Stones and Birds Park was inaugurated on April 13th, 2012. The park was constructed for the benefit and enjoyment of the community of La Paz.

Officiating at the opening along with La Paz Mayor Esthela Ponce Beltran were Cristina Walton from the Walton Family Foundation and Lucia Frausto from the International Community Foundation. Parque Piedras y Pajaros is a private park provided for public use by Tenaja Holdings. The Mayor expressed her gratitude to Ms. Walton and Tenaja Holdings for their initiative and said that downtown La Paz needs support to grow and become a place people can be proud of.

Parque Piedras y Pajaros was named from a poem of the same theme. The poem is proudly displayed in both English and Spanish on the east sidewall for all to enjoy.
The new park is centrally located on Constitution Street between Madero and Belisario Dominguez and in the mayor’s words, “ Is a place for the citizens of this city to relax in tranquility.” The park is free to the public and will be open everyday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

: Local News
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The Shoppes at La Paz Now Open!

May 9, 2012

With an investment of nearly 750 million pesos, La Paz Mayor Esthela Ponce Beltran and investor John C. Pentz at the ribbon cutting ceremony last week inaugurated the new The Shoppes at La Paz. The new mall is located near the north exit of the city, across from Wal-Mart and beside Home Depot on boulevard Agustin Olachea (Las Garzas).
Pentz explained that the mall is located on 72 thousand square meters and will include one more anchor store to compliment Liverpool, 126 retail spaces that will include 13 fast food stalls in the food court and 6 sit down restaurants. A second Cinepolis movie theater with eight screens is planned, as are recreational areas.
The Shoppes at La Paz will become La Paz’s first and only destination mall, adding a mix of local businesses with high-end franchises from Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey, many of which don’t have a presence yet in Baja California Sur.
La Paz Mayor Esthela Ponce Beltran said she was honored to be able to cut the ribbon for The Shoppes at La Paz, which gives a new face to La Paz for the community at large and to those who visit. It is a new opportunity for La Paz to grow and create new job opportunities.
Also on hand representing the State government was Joel Avila Aguilar, Secretary of Economic Development. He said that it is a great day for the state of Baja California Sur as it is proof that the state offers excellent conditions for investment and new business opportunities.
With the opening of The Shoppes at La Paz, Avila Aguilar said, “I am optimistic for the future of the state. All interests want to continue to promote Baja California Sur as a place where there are favorable conditions for investors and an environment for peaceful labor.”
The Shoppes at La Paz is projected to bring 1000 new jobs to the capital. Construction of the mall was started in the summer of 2011 and was officially opened to the public on the 27th of April, 2012.

: Local News
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The New Math for Retirement

May 9, 2012

Jim Donahoe
Back in the day there was a lot of talk about buying a second home at some great paradise location, like La Paz and splitting time in retirement between a principal residence at home and the second home. My, how the world has changed for so many baby boomers looking to retire to a comfortable lifestyle envisioned for so long. The economic abyss that has consumed such a large part of many folks’ nest eggs has forced us to re-evaluate our retirement plans.
We have started to re-analyze the cost of maintaining the lifestyle we had planned. What will it cost for health care, food, transportation, entertainment, travel and such? We are also reviewing home ownership costs – maintenance, mortgage, insurance, utilities and property taxes?
For many, after examining the numbers, buying a dream home in Mexico appeared as more of a mirage than something actually attainable. The numbers simply wouldn’t work. Enter the New Math for Retirement. For some, a revelation takes place after this financial check up. What about considering La Paz for the primary residence?
If your dream was to live in paradise for 3 or 4 months…why not make La Paz your primary residence? How much could your sell your current home for? What could you buy as a replacement in La Paz? Here, you can purchase a home or water view condos starting around $150,000. By selling there and buying here you are applying the New Math and your depleted nest egg will begin to grow again. Now, compare home ownership costs. Start with one element – property taxes. My friend, who owns a half million-dollar-La Paz-home recently paid his 2012 property taxes – $325. He sold his US home for $600,000. His annual property tax bill for that home was $6,500. The $500 per month saving works well for him in maintaining a comfortable retirement lifestyle.
Now compare other cost of living expenses. How about health care? Did you know that you can purchase an individual Mexican health insurance policy for less than $400 per year, not per month? The quality of health care in La Paz is very good. Recently, my friend, who just moved here and does not have insurance, got the flu and went to a local clinic. 45 minutes, English speaking doctor cost $40 pesos – a little over $3 US and prescriptions filled next door for $97 pesos – $8 US. How does this compare to a visit to your doctor back in the US?
How about food – groceries and eating out? If you insist on brand names and top restaurants you will not experience a big savings. However, once you get to know La Paz you will find great local grocery stores and terrific, affordable restaurants. For example, my friend and I love shrimp tacos. So we go to Pepe’s on Prieto. We each have two shrimp tacos and a drink. Total bill – $76 pesos or $6 US for both of us.
As much as I disliked the New Math when going to school in the 60’s, I love the New Math as it applies to affordable cost of living in La Paz.
By the way, the rumors are true. Summers get a little warm in La Paz. If you do need a break from the summer heat, take a holiday. Visit family and friends or travel to some other exotic locations. After all, you can afford it, simply by applying the New Math.
Jim Donahoe has been a licensed real estate broker for 30+ years, has consulted throughout Western Mexico for the last 9 years and has been a full-time Paceño for nearly 3 years. Jim is the Broker Manager for Linda Neil Properties in La Paz. jimdonahoe@me.com (612) 140 1054.www.lindaneil.com

: Real Estate News
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CostaBaja Unveils New Private Residence Club

May 9, 2012

CostaBaja, the residential, master-planned resort community in La Paz has announced the launch of The Residence Club at CostaBaja, the first and only new real estate option in the city that offers equity fractional ownership.Owners will enjoy stunning three-bedroom townhomes and exclusive privileges and access to the amenities, services and facilities provided by this master planned community and by CostaBaja Resort and Spa, the first five-star hotel in La Paz. CostaBaja is partnering with DCP International, a leader in the design, sales and marketing of Equity Residence Clubs at more than 30 resorts around the world.“We’re excited to add The Residence Club to our already extensive real estate offerings,” said Alejandro Yberri, CEO of CostaBaja. “This new option opens up ownership at CostaBaja to a wider range of prospective residents and provides an alternative for those who have a limited amount of time each year to enjoy their vacation home.”The Residence Club at CostaBaja is located in CostaBaja’s hillside Las Colinas community and features sweeping 360-degree views of the Bay of La Paz, Gary Player Signature Golf Course and Sea of Cortez. Each of the residences comes fully-furnished and are maintained by CostaBaja Resort and Spa management, ensuring worry-free ownership and hassle-free vacations.
Owners also enjoy comprehensive CostaBaja Club membership privileges, which provide access to the Beach Club, Gary Player Signature golf course and Espiritu Spa. Owners also have access to a private electric passenger cart, resort shuttle service, clothing and equipment storage, housekeeping, pre-arrival grocery shopping service, bell service, and a Club Concierge.
The Residence Club at CostaBaja is a fractionally owned residential property. Buyers receive an interest in the residence without the hassles of full-ownership. Like other forms of real estate, ownership interests can be sold, willed, deeded or placed in a trust.
“Over the past 20 years we’ve designed and operated Equity Residence Clubs at prestigious resorts in some of the world’s most sought-after destinations, “ said Steve Dering, principal of DCP International. “We believe La Paz is one of Mexico’s great up-and-coming cities and CostaBaja is a tremendous addition to our portfolio.”
CostaBaja Resort & Marina is a 550-acre resort community situated on the Sea of Cortez just north of La Paz. It is a residential, master-planned resort community that offers a variety of exceptional real estate opportunities, state-of-the-art 250-slip marina, a hotel and spa, an 18-hole Gary Player Signature Golf Course, tennis courts and a marina village complete with shopping, galleries and fine dining restaurants.
: Real Estate News
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Chef Aaron Beltran Camacho: A finalist at Mexico’s Chef of the Year 2012

May 9, 2012

Chefs from around Mexico gathered in Mazatlán, Sinaloa on February 28th and 29th, 2012 to compete in Mexico’s annual culinary competition El Cocinero del Año, or Chef of the Year, which last year was held in Los Cabos.
Twelve chefs from diverse States in the Republic, including La Paz’s very own Aaron Beltran Camacho, competed for the coveted distinction using the kitchens at the University of Durango, Mazatlán campus.
“In my work, what I am passionate about the most is that I am always in projects or working on new ideas. There is always this possibility for me to look back and learn from the smallest details. For me, the enjoyment of the kitchen is that everything started with an idea, an emotion, a feeling.”
Chef Beltran Camacho is no stranger to the Chef of the Year event, where he likes to compete annually.  For him, the event is the benchmark of gastronomy competitions in Mexico where the primary aim is to promote Mexican cuisine and promote the culinary profession, something he is very passionate about.
“I have been trying to work on a personal project of mine for awhile now.  I love learning about and researching Mexican food and cuisine.  I think travelers come to La Paz and they want to try and enjoy food from La Paz, from Baja.  So I think it is important to find out more about ingredients and dishes from the region.  What do we have here to work with? Where did these ideas come from? How can we combine original ingredients from here and prepare delicious plates? So many questions and things to find out.  Slowly I am preparing these dishes here in Mis Amores.”
Mis Amores is a Mexican food restaurant that serves popular dishes from all over the republic.  However, Chef Beltran Camacho is slowly introducing to the menu dishes made from ingredients that are from Baja California Sur – including scallops, chocolate clams, mangos, pitahayas – dishes that are representative of the cuisine of the area. And he is having fun.
“At the moment when you create a dish, everything you have lived through, studied, learned, goes into that dish and to have people enjoy what you have prepared is the greatest feeling.  I have had judges from the Chef of the Year competition tell me they would like to come here to La Paz and Mis Amores and prepare food with me.  That would be wonderful; to work with them on Baja Californian dishes.”
Mis Amores is located on Marquez de Leon and Guillermo Prieto, right next door to La Cava del Patron.  Call 128 7761 for reservations.
Chef Beltran Camacho, who performs his magic at Mis Amores Wine & Steak House on Marquez de Leon in La Paz, has studied, traveled and worked in Mexico, the U.S and Spain perfecting his dishes and learning new skills.
: Local News