Se Vende

--All of the Todos Santos area, and especially the area near the beach or with a view of the ocean, is divided up into lots.   Everything is for sale, and if already sold, then sprouting a dwelling of some kind, some still in the cement block and rebar stage.  The houses here vary in size and tastefulness, but since there doesn't seem to be any effective form of zoning, there are all manners of eyesores to offend your sensibilities (and also some great houses with beautiful gardens that will have you reaching for your checkbook). My pet peeves are building too close to the beach (where the dunes actually begin is disputable) and  tall houses, which I think people want so they can see farther, but end up looking conspicuous and disrespectful.

--Furthermore, most of the desert lots on the hill (where we are) were bulldozed at the time all the dividing took place, presumably to allure potential buyers (already cleared!), causing all kinds of erosion and destruction of the landscape.   If you drive north past the area of development you can see how beautiful the desert is without houses and all it's vegetation intact.  

--The Mexicans here seem happy about getting some money for their land, but I'm afraid much of the land was sold at giveaway prices (later resold at a profit by crafty gringos) and that the beauty that makes this a great place may be slowly replaced by a dusty, bumpy version of a San Diego suburb.

--Except for a week in February, Ann and I have not caught the "shopping for a lot" bug.  Land and homes are not much cheaper, if at all, than the U.S., and though it is very nice here, one of the things that we find enjoyable is freedom from any worries and hassles that come from home ownership.