18.04.2008
Bessa
Bessa extends from Mag Shopping upto Intermares and is
the last bairro to the north of Joao Pessoa. Land is plentiful though more
expensive as you get nearer to the coast and especially to Mag Shopping and
Manaira.
Bessa boasts some fine housing between Aeroclube and the sea. Three and four
bedroom houses are available for R$250K, one such home included an office and
an edicula with four small flats for holiday rent. Another, a brand new home
with four beds and en-suite bathrooms, BBQ, garden, pool and 10 minutes from
the sea, R$280k cash.
Aeroclub is particularly useful to have nearby if you
have a private plane or helicopter. Make the best of it. Rumour has it that
Shopping Sul are going to build a shopping centre to rival Manaira shopping
round the corner. This will increase the value of property in the area.
Everyone will want to tell you that the owner of Manaira shopping lives in the
lower half of Bessa. If its good enough for him…………………. It’s true, mainly
because his family used to own most of Bessa. Be prepared to put up with his
Ferrari twice a day as he comes and goes to work.
Bessa is also blessed with squares (or more correctly “praças) with little bars
and eateries. There are several large wine bar type places and the famous Dona
Branca cachaça bar is here too. More common in Bessa than other bairros are the
shopping parades which get absolutely chock a block some evenings. Small shows
with live bands as well as bands shown on a screen are the norm. Normally they
close around 11.00pm but beware of the effects of infringements.
The latest shopping centre to open is Caiçara Shopping opening on the link road between Bessa and the BR230 or Av.Francisco Leocadio Ribeiro Coutinho. Open every day from 13.00 live bands and music along with the Gamela art gallery are there to take up your time and money. There are now three main shopping centres on that road alone.
There is ready
access to the BR230 and every major car concessionaire, major building
suppliers, furniture and electrical retailers as well as Hiper Bom Preço and
Carrefour supermarkets.
The BR230 is also the main road to the BR101, airport, Cabedelo and other parts
of the city and Paraiba notably Campina Grande. The BR230 is also useful if you
live on the northern border with Intermares as it is only a short drive to the
town centre and Manaira. Buses serve Bessa and The BR.
Where Bessa borders Manaira and Mag shopping you will find a 24 hour Pao de
Açucar and many varied stores. There is also a very reasonably priced sports
centre run by the police, next to Pao de Açucar.
In a recent survey (June 2008) the cesta basica was found to be cheapest than in any other neighbourhood. Some of the items were found to be as much as 25% cheaper.
The area is also well served by established schools
and colleges.
There are many faces to Bessa beach too (see beach
review) but parking can be difficult in some areas. On holiday weekends you may
find streets close to the beach with many more cars than normal.
Some people are turned off Bessa by the earth roads
but now is a good time to buy in when the values are lower. The prefeitura has
implemented a huge road resurfacing and drainage programme involving 60 roads
in the area which will ultimately have a huge positive affect on property
prices. The programme should be complete by the end of 2008.
If the road is not in the programme then be prepared for plenty of cleaning.
Open windows mean dust and dirt roads mean a lot of dust. In the rainy season
(normally last few weeks of May through to the first few weeks of July) dirt
roads mean mud and lots of it. It can wear you down so you should visit the
area and find out as much as possible, not just from the owner but from the
prefeitura. Also be aware that some areas of Bessa flood during the rainy
season. Another good reason to check if mains drainage has been laid.
The last point may be a significant factor if you are
planning to leave your home locked up for several months of the year. You
should seek out a reputable house/flat sitting service (see our main page). The
design of many homes allows for through ventilation at all times of the year (such
as permanently vented windows). Where there is ventilation there is dust.
On some borders of the BR230 there is a favela. Some
people don’t even know it exists but your household staff may very well come
from there. Many people also work in the stores and motels that line the BR.
There have never been any concerns expressed about the area.
Overall, Bessa offers a good cost effective, social
balance.