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Lisle55 are you in the real estate sales business in Jaco? My guess is yes. There were a very high number of cash buyers in Florida also. A lot of flipping there, as is going on in the Jaco area. I’m sure you are familiar with the Costa Montana project and others by Costa Developers in the area. A whole lot of flipping going on there. Guys buying three, four, and five lots and turning em over. If that isn’t a recipe for disaster, watch out….
Good luck to you in the sales business, if that is what you do.
Wow Scott,
Thousands of apartments and homes under construction. I hope those people will have a good security plan.
Again I think you know what I mean by over-development, for example when the infrastructure and services cannot keep up with growth. That is already the case when the government cannot provide basic security for the citizens and visitors. This is certainly the case in the Jaco area without the added “THOUSANDS” of new apartments and homes under construction. Again I hope those people have a good security plan.
Again my thoughts, although I think they are valid.
Scott,
How many single family residential units, multi-family units and multi story residential units do you suppose are under construction or in the permitting stage for the area between Los Suenos and Esterillos. It’s staggering to see the promotional material available for projects in this region. When you can’t leave your car unattended at anytime even in the Los Suenos area, I believe (my personal opinion) that area is in for a big financial shake-up. Very similar to the Florida you often speak about.
Scott,
I think you know exactly what I mean when I say over-development, and crime in Jaco has been a rising problem for some time. Not just “Hookers in Jaco”. And not I am not comparing it to rain forests either. I don’t believe it is a good idea for you to compare other areas to Costa Rica, because you might not like the comparisons in some cases (like the Jaco area).
I understand you must continue to promote development in areas like Jaco to protect your realtors, but I also believe you need to be cautious at the same time.
But Scott please remember these are just my thoughts…
Scott,
I am sure you are a very intelligent man, so you can certainly see the over-development of the Jaco area also, can’t you?
With the growing crime in this area, real estate in the Jaco area will certainly be headed in the other direction soon, don’t you think? Brownouts are not a problem in Costa Rica? Scott, I would love the hear your thoughts…
Thanks for your insights.
Soflodoug,
We will certainly see the “editer” I guess he meant editor on a website soon after his home is stripped of its belongings posting his troubles. I think he should build his home in San Isidro next to the EL General Mall, it will be a wonderful experiment for him (or her) or his or her “ilk”. “Editer” you have put so many words in my mouth I don’t know where to start, so I won’t.
Have fun in San Isidro, I’m sure with your reasonable attitude the Locals will give the respect you deserve and you will be just fine. Keep your eyes and ears open while you are there. Good Luck to you, thanks for your wonderful insights.
Soflodoug you certainly get it….
Sprite,
Superior to Costa Rica is a personal question that includes many factors. I have looked at properties in the Patagonia region of both Chile and Argentina. These areas have significantly lower crime than the developed areas of Costa Rica and are quite beautiful. Also the wine regions of Argentina (Mendoza) are very desirable, and under consideration.
This is quite a bit of topic, but since you wanted to know… The crime in these areas are not a large problem like in Costa Rica and the land prices are still reasonable.
Back to the topic at hand, it seems you are coming to realize crime is a real issue in Costa Rica. Do you think it should be ignored?
I have been traveling to Costa Rica since 1982, fishing and surfing. I mainly visit the central and south Pacific areas from Hermosa down to the Panamanian border. Petty theft has always been a problem in these areas. In the last few years I have met son many Ticos and gringos that have been robbed. Not just petty theft but all of their possessions stolen. The Ticos I know have said that the Country is changing for the worse and they fear for the future. They are not able to leave their houses for any period of time without having someone the know stay in their place. A bad situation.
I am not personally frightened, but have wanted to purchase property around the San Isidro area but have come to realize that it is not an option for the reasons mentioned above.
It makes me sad because it is truly a wonderful place.
There is an increase in development activity along the central pacific like never seen before. Many of these projects are in their infancy and the prices are approaching those prices as seen in the US. If I were an investor / homebuyer in the Jaco area I would tremendously worried about my investment dollars, euros, colones ets…
CR is as popular as ever as a destination, but with the rapid increase in air fares and with the increase in property prices along with steadily rising crime, I believe the Jaco area will be the first you will see have a deflation in property values. It is just my opinion, but I think it is valid and not unreasonable to assume this will happen. Too many gringos in an area with way to much crime.
Sprite,
I am encouraged that you may be getting it. It is not because crime is a little worse than it was 10 years ago. Crime is getting bad in Costa Rica. Just read the Jane’s report about the opinions of Costa Ricans about their own Country. Maybe in the area you visit there is not a problem and I am sure there are areas all over the Country that are not, but theft and other crimes are becoming an occupation in CR and is growing rapidly.
This problem will threaten the viability of the real estate industry, tourism and the like. I believe many Costa Ricans understand this and are concerned. We all know it is a very small percentage of the population that are criminals, but going unchecked it is just a matter of time that this problem will have severe consequences.
Warren,
Right on target, the outer areas and not only San Jose are having problems with crime. If you are not ready to acknowledge the problem you are not ready to address the problem.
Warren you get it……
Sprite, the more you type the more we can only sit back and say wow, where is this guy coming from???
And Sprite says:
“The problem is that in CR, hard stats are difficult to come by if at all. Everyone is left to rely upon word of mouth as to whether crime is overtaking the country or not. It sounds much more believable to me that what is really happening is not a fierce increase in crime, but rather a substantial increase relative to the past and that word of mouth hearsay about this increase is running through the society like a scalded monkey”.
Sprite how about an analysis from Jane’s or do you think it is hearsay running “like a scalded monkey”.
From 2008 Jane’s Information Group:
“Renowned for being one of the safest countries in Central America, Costa Rica is beginning to suffer from increasing rates of violent crime and murder. An April 2008 opinion poll indicated that Costa Ricans view insecurity as the most important issue facing the government, even above the rising cost of living.”
“Crime rates are still low on a comparative basis; in 2007 the murder rate was 6.6 murders per 100,000, the lowest in Central America. However, violent crime is rising more rapidly, with the government stating in early 2008 that robbery rates have risen by 700 per cent since 1990, while drug-related crime is up 280 per cent in the same period. Moreover, crime is becoming more visible; the execution-style killing of five Panamanians in Costa Rica in January 2008 sparked widespread concern about the impact of drugs trafficking on crime rates in the country. Indeed, the police stated that the murders reflected a growing trend for contract killings connected to the drugs trade.”
Sprite, a 700% rise in robberies since 1990, just keep ignoring it, say it isn’t a problem, it will certainly improve. Proof; According to Jane’s Costa Ricans feel this the most important issue they face, even compared with inflation which has also been a real issue in Central and South America.
Just keep ignoring the problem, it will get better all by itself.
The simple fact is that the government is not taking this problem seriously. Seeing a few policia downtown is not addressing the problem. Theft in CR is now an occupation and is not being addressed. Until it is I believe the Country as a whole is in danger of losing it’s appeal as a retirement and tourist locale. For some, this may be a welcome outcome, but for the masses that have invested large sums of money in real estate and businesses that cater to these groups, watch out for your investment dollars, colones, euros whatever.
Sprite,
Again you must be kidding, a well traveled individual like yourself. Crime in Costa Rica is on the rise and is getting much worse. Crime rates in other parts of the world maybe constant or increasing, but Costa Rica crime is rising rapidly. If you have property there just keep telling yourself that there is no problem and I’m sure it will get better.
The reason I posted this item was to try and spark some interest in doing something. If the government of Costa Rica does not address this problem in a swift mannner, everyone in the Country will suffer. Decreased visitors (maybe some would prefer less), decreased property values (maybe even some would prefer that). The crime in Costa Rica is a real problem, maybe not in very isolated areas but don’t kid yourself it is happening all over the Country.
I remember what Jamaica used to be like in the 1970’s, a great place to visit, beautiful country. Now unless you go to an all inclusive resort it is not wise to travel anywhere in Jamaica.
Watch out folks, without some intervention this is coming to Costa Rica.
