The artisan bread at Baca - the greengrocer on the corner by the municipal market - costs me 30 pesos. I don't buy it often as I bake my own.
I get my bacon inside the market sliced to whatever thickness I wish.
The only time I go to a supermarket is for something like New Zealand lamb or a very occasional trip to Toyo Foods for my oriental condiments.
Everything else I can get at the market or within a few blocks and I met friends and neighbours.:)

When we are away, we prefer shopping every other day for wine and food, not once a week like we do back home. I believe that we will fit right in the immediate area of the old city.

The locals shop every day, even the little old (87) lady down my street who walks to the market every morning.

My concern is about your plan to walk around town and find something.

The signs you will see will likely point you back to an agency anyways. Like I know that Selva Romantica has at least some units thru Vallarta Getaways. So rather than trouping around the streets, I would simply make an appointment at their office at Romy Plaza and meet Saskia or Emma and see what they have to offer. My second concern is that February is high season and good places at reasonable prices are mostly booked in advance.

Units in buildings like Vista del Sol are individually owned, so hooking up with the specific owner who probably doesn't live in PV when you happen to walk by may not be as easy as you are picturing.

If you do want to do this route, I'd suggest heading inland to the more local neighborhood away from the tourist area. Walk up into the part of town around the central market which Cabron often mentions. Streets inland past Aguacate, like Jacarandas, the area between the river and B. Badillo/Dieguez.

But if you really want something like Vista del Sol or Plazamar I'm not sure how that's going to work out on the ground.

Please understand I'm not against arriving without a plan in PV. I've got no problem with spontenaity!! I just think you could achieve the same (or better) results going online or thru an agency. 20 years ago, my answer would have been different.

I have spoken with Saskia and several other persons in that field. They are able to accomodate me with a condo that looks quite acceptable in regards to location but not in price. The amount that seems to come back frequently is 2,500.00 to 2,800.00 per month... and we dont even get to see the premises before we book. I cant help but return to Playa del Carmen and compare. Last winter we rented 2 different condos, OK, I knew the manager in the first one (Kax-xel on Constituyentes)for 1,100.00. The second month we rented in Villas del Carmen, just 4 blocks from there for 1,150.00 and these of course are in U.S. dollars. We were able to visit both condos beforhand. It seems quite clear that when you work with a rental agent on the internet you pay a whole lot more than you would in person and you dont even get to visit. I dont seem to have a choice but keep all my notes with me and walk the neighborhood. I also get the impression that PV is much more expensive than Playa... what do you think Suze ?

<<when you work with a rental agent on the internet you pay a whole lot more than you would in person and you dont even get to visit.>>

That is simply not true. Saskia's places would not be any cheaper standing in front of her in town, than online in advance.

I have never been to Playa so can't answer that question. But Vallarta is not cheap. And rents are almost double in "high season" which is part of the problem. I had paid $45-69 per night in low season, same place that rents for $125/night high season.

I'm just not picturing how this "walk the neighborhood" is going to work for you in PV. The people who are renting apartments are not at the building. You'll only be getting phone numbers from signs. Do you speak Spanish?

Maybe you should go back to Playa del Carmen?

Seriously, and I meant that in the kindest way possible.

You'll need to lower your expectations about the kind of apartment you want to rent. You can get a local-style place, away from the beach, for less. You're looking at the really nice high-end, more desirable buildings, and not liking the going rates.

I do wish you luck and I hope you prove me wrong and find some fantastic place for $1000/month by walking around PV.

As Suze says it depends on the time of year, for example, you could get this condo for $600 in the low season, but it's$2,200 in the high season.
http://vallartainfo.com/rentals/palomar.html

Wow, cute place, cabron. I might have to take you up on that... low season next year!!

Thank you kindly Cabron, I will definitly put it in my notebook...