2021 Home Guide In the first half of 2021, the south side again led with 18% market share, but tied with the South Shore of the bay in the first quarter, (which encompasses everything south of the downtown south side, primarily areas such as Amapas, Conchas Chinas, Garza Blanca and Sierra del Mar), while in the second quarter Nuevo Vallarta came in second with 12% of market share. The area around Pitillal, including Versalles and Fluvial, also had a strong market share with close to 12%. Versalles has a number of new lower-end priced projects on the market and Fluvial has been selling quite a few residential lots lately. The average sales price in Versalles and Fluvial is half what it is in most other popular regions such as in the downtown area, the Hotel Zone, and Marina Vallarta. “Maybe the bigger question is what do the different neighborhoods offer,” said Monica Miller, a real estate agent with Ryan Donner & Associates. “In Vallarta we are fortunate to have a neighborhood that is a fit for everyone.”
Colonias offer different charm and cHarastEristics Selecting the neighborhood you want to live in depends on your needs By Jerry Jones If you’re looking to purchase a home or condo in Puerto Vallarta, you may be asking, what is the best part of town to live in? We can’t really answer that question – truly everyone has their own preference, which may not match yours. You can search social media for the best places and end up with your head spinning on the variety of opinions. But, it can help to learn a little about the main areas of Puerto Vallarta and what makes them each unique. That may help narrow down your search. We also suggest, as do many real estate experts, that you rent in an area before you buy. It may help you learn some small but important details about the neighborhood that you’d never know by just visiting a few times.
“If you are super social and want to be where the action is then downtown is the place for you, keep in mind that like anywhere else in the world the closer you are to the action the more you are going to have to spend. Downtown Puerto Vallarta can keep you busy day and night, with a great selection of restaurants in town and on the beach, shops and galleries to browse through during the day and evening entertainment that will amaze you.” Alfonso Davalos, a realtor with The Agency Vallarta, said he recommended Bucerias as a potential area to buy. “I love the tranquil vibe that the town offers,” he said. “It has a perfect combination of big houses, restaurants, condo buildings, coffee shops, yoga and pilates studios, etc.”
Emiliano Zapata (Zona Romantica)
We didn’t have space to mention all of the great areas of Puerto Vallarta, and have just focused on a few of the most popular areas. In addition to the colonias listed below, you may want to check out Nuevo Vallarta, Sayulita and Yelapa as additional options to explore.
Emiliano Zapata, (Zona Romantica is technically not a colonia but it comprises a few different colonias, including Amapas, Emiliano Zapata and Alta Vista) is probably the most popular colonia with the LGBTQ community. It’s walkable and home to many of the gay bars and dance clubs, gay beach clubs, the gay beach, and numerous restaurants. You’ll also find plenty of places to shop, get necessities, and boutique hotels. The area is an interesting mix of modern Mexico and old town charm. It’s about a 20 minute or so drive from the Airport, and other places like Costco. Home and condo prices are high in this area due to the popularity and proximity to the beach. Be prepared to pay top dollar.
According to the local MLS report, in 2019, 23% of all sales took place on the south side of downtown Vallarta, primarily involving the sales of new condominiums built behind the beach in the downtown core. Next was the Hotel Zone with a 21% market share. In 2020 the south side increased its market share to 27%, followed by Nuevo Vallarta/Flamingos with 17%.
“The hottest neighborhood for both sales and rentals is Emiliano Zapata (Zona Romantica) because of the ease of access to the bars, restaurants, shops, and beach,” explained Ryan Donner, owner of the local real estate firm Ryan Donner and Associates. “As Emiliano Zapata has become increasingly more expensive though, buyers are looking for more affordable op-
Puerto Vallarta is probably one of the most gay-friendly cities in Mexico – if not North America. It’s home to just over 290,000 residents, and there are some neighborhoods (colonials) that have more gay residents than others.
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Jay Burchell, a senior sales agent with Timothy Real Estate Group, echoed her comments, adding “there are many places in and around Vallarta for foreign buyers to call home. It all comes down to what a buyer is looking for in a neighborhood and how much they are able to spend. If the buyer is looking for absolute peace and quiet then our suggestion would be the south shore, it offers great properties in all price ranges and the beaches are beautiful, the south shore highway 200 is a lovely drive,” he explained.
Home Guide
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