Waterfront Villa Rental

02/16/2024

Back in 2018...
https://www.waterfrontvillarental.net/post/london-summer-so-much-to-see-and-do

02/16/2024

Back in 2018...

In summer, in London, there is no lack of local events going on at any given time. The hard part is trying to decide what your priority is. Do you want to visit only tourist sights or do you want to venture off the beaten path & challenge yourself to find some fun local venues. How much time will yo...

07/07/2023

Seat pricing on airplanes is the perfect analogy for the wealth gap

On the last leg of a family trip to Mexico, as I struggled to get comfortable in economy class, I looked around and realized that seat pricing on airplanes is the perfect analogy for the wealth gap in America.

It’s always been the case that people with money can buy themselves a better position in life. But the gap between those who have wealth and those who don’t is widening. Much like seating on an aircraft, the differences are stark: Up front you’re treated royally, while those in the middle and the back are often uncomfortable, getting squeezed with little room to maneuver.

“The middle class, once the economic stratum of a clear majority of American adults, has steadily contracted in the past five decades,” the Pew Research Center said in a report last year.

In analyzing government data, Pew found that the share of adults who live in middle-class households fell to 50 percent in 2021, compared with 61 percent in 1971. Yet the share of adults in the upper income tier increased to 21 percent from 14 percent during the same time frame.

Wealthier fliers — or those with enough reward-points clout to snag an upgrade — can afford to pay for first- or business-class seats, allowing them to board first, sink into wide comfort and sip water or alcohol as the masses slog to their cramped quarters.

Those with a little more money can buy seats with extra legroom.

Want a window seat? Pay up. Need an aisle seat to stretch out? That will cost you, too.

Fights ensue because people recline their seats, often making the person behind them even more uncomfortable. When you crowd people into tiny spaces with few resources, tempers flare. The same happens when lower-income communities or schools are deprived of the same amenities afforded in wealthier areas.

When I booked my flight on a major carrier, there was an up-charge for certain seats. But it didn’t come with additional leg space. It was for a better boarding position. I would be paying for the privilege of jumping ahead of other travelers. That would, in turn, allow me to snag the limited overhead bin space, because budget-conscious travelers are increasingly bringing on more luggage, in part to get out of paying to check their bags.

“Since 2020, the richest 1% have captured almost two-thirds of all new wealth — nearly twice as much money as the bottom 99% of the world’s population,” according to a report this year by the international advocacy group Oxfam.

“A tax of up to 5% on the world’s multi-millionaires and billionaires could raise $1.7 trillion a year, enough to lift 2 billion people out of poverty, and fund a global plan to end hunger,” the report said.

Think about that the next time you fly.

- NY Times
July 7, 2023

10/05/2022

DiAnn working the gardens in this French chateau for a few weeks…

02/15/2022

April and May are still great times to visit the desert. Especially when you are staying lakeside at the Villa. Check our schedule & if your dates aren't available just send us a message to see if we can open up the Villa just for you. We will often close off our schedule just to give the property a little rest but those dates can be flexible.

01/28/2021

Just another beautiful sunset with the moon. Due to the Corona virus we have been staying closer to home and with fewer reservations this season we have enjoyed our home more than ever. Its the perfect place to relax considering the current situation.

We are still open for reservations but only for the entire home through Vrbo so check our calendar if are looking for a lovely place to relax. Golf courses are open and there are plenty of outdoor activities to do.
Photo taken by Lakes resident Raf Corbett.

10/04/2020

We love to spoil our guests with nice things when they stay at the Villa but when we come home to find this we aren’t very happy.
Our brand spanking new stainless steel BBQ which had never been used looked like this and these pictures are after spending an hour scrubbing carefully with cleaner & steel wool. I’m not sure what they were grilling but there was so much grease caked on.😳 I don’t think they even wiped it down at all. 🥵

😟

12/19/2019

Longing for a break from the winter cold??
We still have a few openings for February. Our private community clubhouse is available during your stay.

11/28/2019

Highlights of the Property & Clubhouse

10/31/2019

Needing a break from the cold winter months? Winter is the best time to visit the desert. We still have availability for January 2020 and offer discounts for weekly and monthly stays. When booking with us you also have access to our clubhouse amenities which is included at no charge to you. Check it out.....

10/22/2019

Newly painted walls, new sofas/chairs give our gathering room a new look.
Just in time for our busy time of year.
# waterfrontvilla @ Tempe, Arizona