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Tracy,
Go Bulls. I transferred to USF from HCC and then completed my Masters in Physical Therapy at the Hogeschool Eindhoven in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Speaking of personal preference, Holland was too cold for this Florida boy. I basically spent my summers from Mobile, Alabama to Key West, Florida, so my life was always focused around the beach; crabbing, fishing or diving. The problem is, Florida, is not affordable for people like me anymore. Now, I can walk from my house, to one of the most beautiful beaches, that I know of, in only ten minutes. Maybe that’s why I tolerate the heat. Regarding gringos; they are here if you want to see them or there are plenty of options to immerse yourself in the Tico culture if you would like. That is what helped me learn the language. I took classes five days a week for an hour and then worked with the Nicas and Ticos working on my house. Like Sprite said, knowing Spanish is “key” to being enjoying life here. Otherwise, at least for me, its not home. Think about how it would feel in the US and not speak English. You would either stick to your foreign peers or you would be accepted and enjoy the life around you. Just my dos colones.
Edited on Apr 30, 2008 18:04
Tracy,
I lived in Tampa for 36 years (I’m now 38) and have been living in Playa Conchal for the last two years. I have to disagree that the beaches, at least in Guanacaste, are hotter than Clearwater Beach. The difference that makes it more tolerable for me is, the lack of humidity during the hottest months. Now, I’m just talking about the area you’re considering moving to. In case you are not familiar with Conchal, we’re about 15 minutes south of the Surfside area. I just had a friend move into his place in Surfside. It is hot here, but we don’t even turn on our A/C until sometime after 10:00am until about 4:30pm. One reason for this is we have a new four month old baby. Having said that, being from Florida, I definitely need to have it “chilly” in my room at night to go to sleep, so I run my A/C then as well. But sitting inside or outside during the morning or night hours is not a problem (for me anyway) and even in the daytime, at a soda or something, in the shade or with ceiling fans, it is tolerable as well; meaning I don’t sweat. You couldn’t do this at Frenchy’s on CWB now could you? Now I’m sure there are plenty of beach areas in different parts of CR that are hotter and more humid than Florida, but my experience, in Guanacaste, it is that the lack of humidity during the hottest months of the year, that make it more tolerable; for me anyway. Surfside has a large amount of Can/Am ex-pats. All you need to do is go to Maxwell’s or The Castle for a happy hour and you’ll be able to network with people who can give you advice on where to go for certain things. Hope this helps.
Edited on Apr 29, 2008 18:22
crbuilder, what happens if someone does use the yellow DensGlas for the exterior and stucco was applied?
My wife and I did the Rentista Residency a few years back when it was $60k per couple. Now I believe it is $60k per person. Anyway, its basically deposited in something similar to a CD account (which accrues minimal interest) and we receive a direct deposit from this account, which is in dollars, into a Colones account at the beginning of each month. This is supposed to be returned over a five year period. Its definitely not enough for the two of us, and now our son, to live off of, but its money that you know will be coming in each month. Hope this helps.
Sipp12,
Something interesting I saw today that you may or may not be interested in, but I thought of you when i saw it. How special of me huh? Just kidding. Anyway, on my way to a clients house in Tamarindo I noticed these new green and white flags on the side of the road just past Camina Lomas to just before the vets office in Santa Rosa or Villa Real (not sure where one ends and the other begins). But these flags were for a new development, obviously large scale commercial. So, being the inquisitive person I am, I pulled over and copied down the web address, http://www.milleniaparc.com to see what it was (is). It seems the developer of Bella Colinia is also behind this project as well. This also led me to their website and the website of their marketing company, etc… No real point here except I only hope that what I’ve moved here for (peace, quiet, natural surroundings, beautiful beaches, monkeys, birds, etc…) isn’t severely altered by all this. I’m not against progress; I just hope its RESPONSIBLE progress. If you want you can email me directly at crbeachrentals@yahoo.com Thanks and take care.
Thanks sipp and I’ll take you up on that lunch next time. Regarding the road, yes, they started fixing it Monday and the crew has now passed my house. I have to give credit also; I did HEAR A RUMOR, that Bella Collina was paying to have it repaired. Tell your developer contact thanks (if this rumor is true), everyone I’ve talked with in the area appreciates it. Also, let him know if people were soliciting assistance for the cost, neither I, nor my neighbors have been contacted. But I dont live in a large development either. Just FYI. Hope to see you soon.
Thanks John. After that last post, I understand, even more now, your point about real estate promoters becomming “offended so easily”. But sipp, i think he was thanking me for the “tips” I reccomended. Let’s not be so sensentive. Oh, and sipp, speaking of “reckless claims”, was it really the developer that said,”..in fact there is not only enough water to supply the project to completion but in reality there is such an excess of water that the developer has agreed to supply the local municipality” or did you just throw that in yourself? Anyone who claims to have “an excess” of water, in Costa Rica, especially Guanacaste, could only be accused of making “erroneous” statements. Still waiting on details of the water agreement. But again, this is just my opinion. Sorry to hear you were visting last week and we couldnt get together. What did you think of that road to the project? Pretty jacked up wasnt it? Have a good day sir.
Regarding Skype; you can also purchase a Skype phone, connect it to your router and when people call, it rings on your Skype phone, even if your computer is not on. They offer a lot of cool products (even a cell phone, but isnt available for use in CR yet). Also, the sound quality is usually good even though we receive our internet via satellite here in CR. For us, this was the only option because there are no land lines or cable TV in our area (yet).
No sir, I apologize to anyone if I sound that way. I guess thats the problem with text. I was just giving you some feedback on your initial post. If everyone read, I just stated what I’ve HEARD. Then I posted some tips for buyers, buyers on ANY project, to ask their developer before purchasing. Just as Scott always says, DO YOUR DUE DILLIGENCE AND NEVER BUY OR PUT MONEY DOWN ON PROPERTY SITE UNSEEN. But I guess, in the end, that’s a personal decision as well. As for breaking ground; I think it would be best for you to tour the site yourself. My UNDERSTANDING is they have only broken ground on the Piazza or Amphitheater (pardon my spelling) but no condos. However, I could be completely wrong. The pictures on the website look nice though, huh? I give em credit though; at least they went with an amphitheater first and not some fancy gated entrace like most of the other guys. Take care.
Edited on Nov 21, 2007 14:10
No, nice try though… Actually, I guess I would have something to gain right? That new “excess” water supply you mentioned could be used by the whole community, true? No, you see I just live in the area. I surf, fish and do some property management. I think a quality development would be nice for the area here, so I wish the developers well. I dont quite understand the whole “Tuscany” thing though. Tuscany is in Italy right? But that’s personal preference. I like chicken, you may like pork…who cares right? I think the local population (transplants anyway) have become skeptical because nothing has been going on for so long (when are they breaking ground?). We’ve seen this movie before. Know what I’m saying? That’s all. If all goes well I guess we’ll be neighbors soon huh? Take care.
Thanks Steve for setting the record straight. Like I said in my post, these were just RUMURS that I HEARD. However, anyone looking to buy property should absolutely question the water source in ANY PROJECT. I think the experts would agree that many developers will say they have plenty of water with the hopes that there will be. One thing people can do is ask the developer 1. Where the water source is coming from (well or public), if well, again, what is the source? ex. aquafer, etc.. 2. If by well, how many wells supply the project and what is the depth (meters) of each well, 3. How many liters per minute are supplied from each well, 4. Ask to see water test for cleanliness 5. Ask to see the applications from the developer to the municipality for EACH well 6. Check with the municipality to confirm these wells were appropriately applied for and are LEGALLY REGISTERD. These things may take the buyer a little time but, FOR ME, this info provides the proof of knowing my investment has AQUA. Maybe Scott or crbuilder could provide other tips for confirming water supply for potential buyers. On another note, I’m glad to hear “..there is in reality an excess of water that the developer has agreed to supply the Local Municipality with this excess supply.” I guess since there is not currently a public water line from the village of Matapalo to the area the project is located in, the developer will be installing a water main from their source to Matapalo (in the Municipality of Santa Cruz)or to Santa Cruz itself? That would be great because then all us on the road from Matapalo could tap in (legally) for a great water supply! Thanks again for the info.
I live down the road from Bella Colina and I’VE HEARD that they only have enough water for the first phase. I’ve also HEARD they were changing the master plan from a “Tuscany” theme to something different. But these are just the “neighborhood rumors”. Its a great area though, isn’t it?
No, I didn’t see that article. However, that is an interesting take on it though (construction workers and drunks poaching eggs). We’ve got our share of both here, that’s for sure. Also, as the article states, its acceptable here, maybe not by all, but by many. Its a given anytime I walk into the local salon in Matapalo for a beer people are openly consuming huevos tortugas. To me, I don’t get it (but then I’m not Tico or Nica). They take a raw egg in a shot glass (without alcohol) with chili sauce and toss it back. Now what’s tasty about that? Do you really taste anything besides the chili sauce anyway? Quien sabe? As far as MINAE; yes my wife did call and they were going to go talk to the guard about the situation. We haven’t been to the beach since Wednesday last week. I’m going through withdrawals, so if i make it today I’ll ask him if MINAE made it out. Ciao.
Edited on Nov 20, 2007 05:33
We’ve been without power since 8:00 or I would have posted earlier, but that’s for another thread. So my wife and I went back to the beach this morning with the dogs and again there was evidence of turtles last night as well as some that had hatched this morning. While walking we saw a guard (he’s been there before but works for the property owner). I asked him if he saw these guys stealing eggs yesterday, because when I was there I didn’t see the guard. He said yes, that when he was done eating lunch he was doing his rounds, caught them with a sack full of eggs and told them to leave and not come back. He also told us that MINAE does patrol the area but not on a consistent basis. He says, he calls them when needed and has a good relationship with them. Hopefully he was being honest with us. He also told us how to contact them directly. Thanks for you help.
Thank you. I’ll let you know how it goes with MINAE. I did speak with someone last night who said the same thing and also told me they (MINAE) have an office/station in Playa Grande. After going to Tortuguero in October and learning how many of these guys actually survive, I think it sucks they have to deal with humans interfering as well. Yesterday I told my caretaker what happened and he says he can buy a dozen for 700 Colones. Thats just sad.
