I wasn't being sarcastic. When I had a home in San Pablo - or Swamp Pablo as many refer to the area, we experienced hurricane Keith. There was 6 ft of water in my grand floor of my home. We hosed it out, threw away a lot of stuff, and started over. Yes, there was always the risk that it could happen again, but the risks are fairly minimal.
Homes in the UK have been flooding each and every year for years, and yet people stay put. There are huge forest fires in California and Florida every year, but people stay. There are tornadoes throughout the midwest, but people hang in there.
Everywhere has risks. Each owner has to weigh up what they are willing to put up with - what they are willing to risk, to live their dream.
I don't see where or when I tried to imply that buyers shouldn't know risks before they buy.
You know that I am a full disclosure sales agent.
We have to remember that different people value different properties for a wide variety of reasons. I imagine South Beach will probably sell in similar price ranges as Reef Village. Hey, less than $150K for a water front condo with pool, bar, gym etc is not a bad deal - if you like that kind of thing.
South Beach will only help appreciate the value of your own property and your neighbours.
Yes, progress sucks. We would all love to keep San Pedro to ourselves, but that isn't the way it works.
Constructive critisism is always welcomed. Come up with some solutions to perceived problems. But please don't have the attitude that "I have got what I wanted, now I am going to discourage all the new comers from enjoying the Paradise that I love. I want to keep a status quo and enjoy my home without those pesky johnny come lately people ruining my peace and solitude."
My Dad lives in Florida too. And when there are storms, and hurricanes, and freezes, and tornadoes and brush fires, and raised home owner rates, and high insurance rates and high property tax rates - you know what I say???? Dad, come on home, the climate is lovely.
Hurricane Dean damaged 90% of the piers on the island this past storm season - and now the piers are fixed. Who fixed them? The people that care, and need the piers.
No one is making more (significant amounts of) Caribbean Land. There will always be a market for caribbean water frontage. There will always be a huge demand for these properties, and they will always sell.
For those that may believe I might have a vested interest in South Beach - I don't. In fact I would love if the island would stop development for a few years and improve on infrastructure. But I know that won't happen.
We will all need to adapt to the progress and changes.
We can do this gracefully, or kicking and screaming. I know which route I have chosen to go.
I have been here almost 30 years, I grew up here. The changes have been astounding and shocking. Some changes are good, some are bad. We need to find our "happy and safe location" and enjoy it. Life is too short to spend too much time raining on other peoples parades. I spend a lot of my time explaining reality to folks that have wonderful stars in their eyes - enamoured by the island and island living - most come back and give that life a try. It works out for some and others find that they need to move on... But thank goodness they took the leap and tried. Eyes Wide Open.
Nowhere is perfect, and everyone that knows me has heard my complaints - but all in all - I wouldn't want to live anywhere else on this earth at this time in life.
Viva San Pedro!