artefacts
and furniture we have gathered from our travels
around the world. This chest from India is one of our favorites!
Catholic Church in San Felipe
Welcome to la "Encantadora!
Location:
San Felipe is a suburb of Oaxaca just 10 min. from the centre of town. It is a small Zapotec village situated in the beautiful foothills of Oaxaca, Oaxaca. Many say it is rapidly becoming the Beverley Hills of Oaxaca as much of the land has been bought by wealthy locals and foreigners alike. This mixture of wealthy landowners and the local farming community is exactly what gives the town its unique flavour and the two live together in relative harmony. It is not unusual to see a BMW passing some donkeys carrying wood to be used for cooking and the herder just a couple of steps behind.
Anyone who stays here for a while will get to know his neighbours and feel comfortable with the area.
Accomodations:
This luxury 4 bedroom colonial home offers peace, security and serenity with private gardens, cobble-stoned street, community park and babbling brook within a private gated community with the convenience of a short bus ride to the famous ‘zocalo’ (central park and shopping district) of Oaxaca.
Amenities:
Fully equipped kitchen, formal and outdoor dining areas, WIFI high-speed internet, home-theatre system with B-Ray Hi-res DVD, 47" Sony LCD and Surround sound system, separate CD player for music and satellite TV. Quality furnishings throughout. Private patio off living room for cozy get-togethers, private off-street parking and real-time alarm system. Free long distance calling to U.S. and Canada included. Gardner and full-time live-in maid included. Villa "La Encatadora" is waiting for you!
Chris and Helene
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Oaxaca has a dry season that runs from November thru April during which there is little or no rainfall at all. Although that is precisely what makes living here so attractive, it also raises some serious issues that the buyer or renter needs to consider before making a decision.
Reliable water supply.
This is probably the most import of all because the supply of water during this season is sporadic at best. All homes in the city area that depend on the municipal water supply have problems on an on-going basis. Make sure the house you are looking at can ensure that you won't be stuck during your stay here. La Encantadora has a separate deep well that has prevented us from ever coming even close to dry!
Security
There is no doubt that break-ins and theft are common irrespective of the location. This is not restricted to Oaxaca but many places in Mexico as well. We have never felt in any danger when wandering the streets at night but in order to sleep soundly and with peace of mind, there are three things that you should look for:
1) In general it is preferable that one live outside the core of the city where access to and from an area is easy from a number of routes. Suburbs like San Felipe have only one access road which makes the area less attractive to would-be thieves.
2) Living in a gated community adds even more of a deterrent because if a thief breaks into the compound, it is highly unlikely they will be able to carry anything out.
3) Last but not least, most houses have sophisticated real-time alarm systems to further discourage the intruder.
Pressurized water system.
Most houses in the area rely on gravity to receive water from their "tinaco" to their fawcetts and showers. This means that many have to shower longer because there is little real pressure to get to you - the guest!
Proper sewage.
Reliable water supply.
This is probably the most import of all because the supply of water during this season is sporadic at best. All homes in the city area that depend on the municipal water supply have problems on an on-going basis. Make sure the house you are looking at can ensure that you won't be stuck during your stay here. La Encantadora has a separate deep well that has prevented us from ever coming even close to dry!
Security
There is no doubt that break-ins and theft are common irrespective of the location. This is not restricted to Oaxaca but many places in Mexico as well. We have never felt in any danger when wandering the streets at night but in order to sleep soundly and with peace of mind, there are three things that you should look for:
1) In general it is preferable that one live outside the core of the city where access to and from an area is easy from a number of routes. Suburbs like San Felipe have only one access road which makes the area less attractive to would-be thieves.
2) Living in a gated community adds even more of a deterrent because if a thief breaks into the compound, it is highly unlikely they will be able to carry anything out.
3) Last but not least, most houses have sophisticated real-time alarm systems to further discourage the intruder.
Pressurized water system.
Most houses in the area rely on gravity to receive water from their "tinaco" to their fawcetts and showers. This means that many have to shower longer because there is little real pressure to get to you - the guest!
Proper sewage.
Most living abroad take that as a given. However, many of the sewage or drainage facitilities available are old or faulty. The unfortunate result of this is that despite the beautiful area one lives in, the occasional whiff of raw sewage in the air can make life most uncomfortable.
La Encantadora has all of these important features!