Apartment Renting in San Jose

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  • #180030
    Marcia
    Member

    I’ve been told that there are no window screens and that most apartments/condos don’t have hot running water. Is this true? Does anyone know? I’m talking about renting in the price range of 500 – 600 per month.
    Thank you.

    #180031
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    Why would we need window screens?

    And most apartments that rent for $500-$600 absolutely DO have running water.

    Scott Oliver – Founder
    WeLoveCostaRica.com

    PS. Unless you have a medical problem of some kind, you also do not need air conditioning

    #180032
    GringoTico
    Member

    Marcia,

    I’ve slept out in the open air in the middle of the rainforest in CR and got no bug bites. Screens are just not needed. Oh sure, there are lots of bugs, but few pests. There is a month or so out of each year, I forget when, that the flies come out in masses though.

    Very few houses have water heaters. Instead they have electric gizmos attached to the shower head that warms the water. Works just fine. Not as good as a steaming hot shower, but who needs that 10 degrees north of the equator?

    Your price range should get you a very nice abode. Just make sure you look around, as the price may not reflect the quality. The Tico Times is a great newspaper down there (www.ticotimes.net), but when it comes to the classified ads, I prefer to look at La Nación (www.nacion.com), as it is not uncommon for people to try to get a higher price from foreigners.

    BTW, you won’t find “classified ads” in La Nación, they’re called “económicos”.

    #180033
    *Lotus
    Member

    Gt,

    I’m like you the Mosquitos stay away, but for many it is a real problem. My girlfriend gets eaten alive and netting is required when sleeping in the jungle or at the beach.

    #180034
    Marcia
    Member

    I don’t understand the lack of window screens Scott. Don’t you have flies, nats, mosquitos, etc.?

    #180035
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    Have you not been here before Marcia?

    The only time I get been bitten by mosquitoes is when I have visited the beach areas, there are very few bugs in and around San Jose that will bite you.

    I am not exaggerating when I say that I get bitten a HUNDRED times more by bugs in upstate New York and in Scotland when I am there for a few weeks than I have been bitten in all of my seven years in Costa Rica.

    May I suggest that you visit Costa Rica first and take a good look around before deciding to live here.

    Scott Oliver – Founder
    WeLoveCostaRica.com

    PS. As a child I grew up in Africa and the critters that bite you there are positively carnivorous in comparison with what we experience here.

    #180036
    kimyoa650
    Member

    I have to say, up in the guanacaste area, you really need screens. My daughter gets really bad reactions from mosquito bites and after only one night, her legs looked so bad from swollen bites.

    #180037
    Marcia
    Member

    Thank you Scott. I lived in Hawaii for three years and had to contend with centipedes dropping in to pay a visit now and then, YUCK. I won’t worry about the screens and I won’t worry about the insects; to do so is to be negative. I plan to put my household goods in storage in the US and visit with my son who knows the country pretty well after three years. He’s never steered his mama wrong and now there is the same advice from two people whom I respect. He says he wants me to visit and then make up my mind. I’ll have all my paperwork done so I’ll be prepared to stay which I most probably will. Thanks again.

    #180038
    Marcia
    Member

    What about San Jose/Escazu which is where I plan to live?
    Thanks.

    #180039
    jrego
    Member

    I beg to differ with some of the comments made here about the lack of biting insects.

    When we were in San Pedro and Orosi last year, it wasn’t Mosquitos but nasty little blood sucking flies that live in the lawn grass that made my legs look like a leftover dinner. I should have used the OFF beforehand. Can someone tell me what these things are?

    Several years ago we went to a lovely restaurant just outside of Canas and the first thing the waiter bought to the table, was a can of OFF.

    I must admit, I cannot recall being bothered by Mosquitos whilst in bed. I am not normally bothered by these critters, so it came as a shocker when I was attacked. My wife who was with me was actually left untouched. Go figure.

    Edited on Nov 26, 2006 13:19

    #180040
    Pachuco
    Member

    Insects of the family Ceratopogonidae. Known as no-see-ums, biting midges, sand flies, punkies, or in Costa Rica purrujas.

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