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I tried to locate Jardines de Esuenos but Google doesn’t have the info under that name.
Please post the contact info for this project?This construction system from Mexico has been used for years and is a totally different method than typical concrete block and column construction. Because of the Covintec extruded polystyrene (EPS) panels energy efficiency there is now new interest as related to “Green Home Building”. EPS foam products whether used for insulation or packaging are lightweight, versatile, sanitary, energy efficient, and most of all cost effective. The manufacture of EPS foam uses less energy than that used in the manufacture of paper based alternatives. According to The Midwest Research Institute study on special packaging applications, the total energy requirements to make plastic containers (including both processing and materials energy) were lower than or equal to the energy consumed to make competing materials. Covintec is a building system that replaces traditional block, column, and beam construction.
Covintec comes in 4-foot-by-8-foot panels of steel wire mesh that surrounds expanded polystyrene, which is then covered with traditional plaster. Benefits include structural resistance to hurricane-force winds and earthquake activity; quick installation; great versatility (the panels can be used in a wide array of architectural styles); transportation cost savings because it weighs less than block; improved insulation that reduces noise from outside and between rooms; and protection from humidity damage. Plus, Covintec is relatively seismic-proof, and with eight times the thermal insulation of traditional block systems, tests have shown that it provides electric energy savings for homeowners of 23 percent to 27 percent. And because there’s no wood and the panels are embedded with steel, bugs and critters can’t eat it or chew through it to live inside.
It all sounds great and makes sense on paper but here in CR all the input I have received from contractors who have used the system over the last 10 years has been negative. I am looking for some positive input as this product makes a lot of sense with the advent of “Green Home Building”.Bill. The municipality in Santa Cruz does not have a plano regulador for Flamingo. Your area is governed by INVU by-laws. So if you’re seeking info about the road and servidumbres adjacent to your property you will need to send your builder or lawyer to INVU.
Photos of the assisted living facility as well as the Spanish Club can be seen at http://ticotomasino.spaces.live.com/
More affordable and equally clean and appointed with restaurant and pool with jacuzzi is the Hotel Santo Tomas. http://www.hotelsantotomas.com/
On Sunday I had the opportunity to visit Jo Stuart at the assisted living facility in Belen and she gave me a tour of the residences as well as the Spanish Club that’s right next door. The folks who live in the residences have use of all the amenities of the club and it is very impressive. I have swum at Ojo de Agua and the Cariari Country Club and I can assure you that the Spanish Club is much cleaner and more modern. The residences which are operated by the Spanish cultural association are available to all persons sixty-five and older and one monthly fee includes everything. All Meals, utilities, telephone, internet connection, on-site nursing, physical therapy and private transportation to run errands. Jo’s one bedroom apartment for $1000 per month was ample for a single person and some couples share this size of unit which is larger than those available for $800 per month. She even has a nice sized covered porch accessible through a screen door from her kitchen. There is no deposit or up front fee’s required to live in the unfurnished residences so they are reasonably priced. I was very impressed with the well constructed apartments and the covered living areas where the residents and their guests can sit and relax. I saw a large social room with tables and games, a comfortable dining room and physical therapy room with exercise equipment and wood floors for aerobics and other forms of exercise. The residence is Spanish style architecture with tile roofs and ceramic tiled walkways surrounded by beautiful gardens. Jo walks 500 meters down the hill into the center of Belen to catch the bus to San Jose and is free to come and go whenever she pleases. While I was visiting I saw quite a few folks in wheel chairs with private nursing assistants to help them get along. Jo said that the private assistants are not included in the monthly fee and some of them live in the apartments with the seniors who need full time help. All in all it was a great experience to visit Jo and tour this excellent facility. By the way the Spanish Club, (Club Campestre Espanol) accepts new members who are willing to pay an initial $3000 to purchase stock in the facility and then pay 18,000 colones per month.
This website was created by a very generous and hardworking man who strives to provide and share positive information about living in Costa Rica.
tomasino contributed; : “If you select a contractor with whom you can communicate and someone who understands the manner in which you’re accustomed to living, chances are you won’t be inconvenienced by the inconveniences that happen here in paradise”.
wspeed1195 contirbuted; “if you select a contractor that you can communicate with you’ve got an american leading”
Don’t try and confuse the issue with your “cheap apt.ride A bike,follow anyone with A laptop briefcase to the coffeehouse, sit close, read their window and eavesdrop on their conversation”.
Your opinion is respected as you present it but there is no benefit to you or anyone else if you manipulate positive contributions to this forum that are intended to assist foreigners with their transition into the Costa Rican culture.
Your coffee shop eavesdropping sounds clandestine. “people get taken either cause they are arrogant ignorant,or just naive.theirs nothing any web-site can do for these ailments”
You may find the following website more intersting. http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/psychological_problems.htmI am in total agreement with you Scott. There’s no question that these prices are strong for CR as compared to what our actual building and labor costs are here. However there are many wealthy folks from all over the world that are accustomed to different standards of living than the average ex-pat in CR. And these folks the Henderson’s are marketing to must feel good about spending a larger sum to maintain the lifestyle they have been accustomed to. That is the beauty of freedom and an open economy. There is a little something for all of us. Some businesses choose to cater to the high-end spenders. Go to Multi Plaza mall and look at the prices of clothing in the tiendas. Upscale clothing allows some people to feel better about themselves. That’s what marketing is all about. Convincing the general public that they need a product or service and making them feel good about their purchase. The Henderson’s are sharp business people and excellent at marketing high-end products. Apparently they feel they have a market for that facility up in Heredia or else they would not have risked the investment. I wouldn’t sleep well at night involved in this type of venture but I respect experienced developers who are willing to put it all on the line for a concept they believe in.
That’s the Henderson’s of Carico, and they have an impeccable reputation here in CR. They have been here for many years and prefer the high-end market. Probably they have clients who will pay those prices since they have an affiliated office in the Florida Keys where everything costs mucho dinero.
Marilyn and Ginger Henderson, co-owners of Carico Real Estate Co., Inc., are native Floridians with offices in the Florida Keys and Costa Rica. Marilyn has over 35 years of real estate experience.
In 1974 Ginger entered the real estate profession after graduating from the University of the Americas in Mexico City, Mexico, with a BA degree in International Relations.
In 1981 they co-founded Carico Real Estate Co., Inc in the Florida Keys. Since that time they have helped hundreds to relocate, find or sell homes and to acquire commercial or development properties both in Costa Rica and the Keys.Jo Stuart is now living in the assisted living center at the CLUB CAMPESTRE ESPAÑOL in La Ribera, Belen which is 400 meters north of the Cathedral in San Antinio, Belén
Apartado 521-4005, San Antonio, Belen
Teléfono: 239.08.27
Fax: 293.61.51
e-mail: campestreespanol@racsa.co.crEvery week I see a gentleman in motorized wheel chair driving all over the town in San Antonio, Belen. In this pueblo all of the primary intersections have handicapped ramps from the sidewalks into the streets and he gets along very well. Belen is located in the most convenient location in the Central Valley of Costa Rica just 10 minutes from the international airport and the drive to the capital, San Jose, in the evenings or on the weekend takes about 15 minutes and during the week at rush hour can be up to 45 minutes. Look at the map on http://ticotomasino.spaces.live.com to understand where San Antonio, Belen in the province of Heredia in located. This is a wonderful place to live and very affordable. We are within 30 minutes of hospitals,
Clinica Biblica, http://www.clinicabiblica.com/english/msocial.php, and
CIMA, http://www.hospitalsanjose.net.
Cable TV here is $20 p/month and internet via cable or wireless is available for $20 p/month. http://www.cabletica.com.
Shopping is a short walk to several small grocery stores or Pali which is now owned by Walmart, http://www.walmartfacts.com/articles/5084.aspx.
Only 5 minutes away on the expressway that connects the international airport to the capital of San Jose is the Real Cariari Mall with 3 floors of shopping and 6 US style cinemas and tons of restaurants. http://www.plazarealcariari.com
Less than 5 minutes away across from the Real Cariari Mall, you’ll find the hotel Ramada,
http://www.ramadaherradura.com/english/index/index.htm and
Melia Hotel, athttp://www.solmelia.com/solNew/hoteles/jsp/C_Hotel_Description.jsp?codigoHotel=5894. which are located on the Cariari Country Club golf course, http://www.clubcariari.com/english/index.html.
Within a 15 minute drive we have PriceSmart, http://www.pricesmart.com/Local/Default.aspx, which is the US based wholesale shopping club.
PS: Check out this wide open motorcycle club if you get a chance; http://www.ldxmc.comDear wspeed1195. You have the freedom to say what you mean without twisting the words of others and the group will respect your opinion. In this forum the idea is to help each other understand more about living in Costa Rica. It’s important for foreigners to understand the realities of living here in order to be happy and healthy. The text submitted reads: “If you select a contractor with whom you can communicate and someone who understands the manner in which you’re accustomed to living, chances are you won’t be inconvenienced by the inconveniences that happen here in paradise”. THE SUGGESTION WAS FOR THE READER TO FIND SOMEONE HE OR SHE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH WHO UNDERSTANDS WHAT TYPE OF AMENITIES THEY ARE ACCUSTOMED TO. THAT SOMEONE COULD BE ANY NATIONALITY AND AS LONG AS THERE IS A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE MATERIALS AND INSTALLATION METHODS TO BE USED TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT TO THE BUYERS EXPECTATIONS, THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS WILL BE COMPLETED EFFICIENTLY AND THEREFORE WITH LESS EXPENSIVE TO THE OWNER. That’s a good thing!
If you look at houses on which the exterior walls appear faded and you can see cracks, more than likely they did not use quality products or knowledgeable tradesmen. Imagine what is involved with removing the old inferior products, re-preping the surfaces and then applying the new coats of paint. I have learned after working in CR for over 15 years to use quality products and do it right the 1st time thereby saving myself and the homeowner the headache of call backs. Most Latino contractors do not understand the concept of guaranteed work and you will more than likely not receive a call back in the event of a problem. You will need to find someone else to fix the problem and pay them accordingly or if you’re really desperate, pay the original contractor to re-do his inferior work again. If you select a contractor with whom you can communicate and someone who understands the manner in which you’re accustomed to living, chances are you won’t be inconvenienced by the inconveniences that happen here in paradise.
If you are serious about moving or doing business in Costa Rica you should first and foremost plan on learning the local language and the Latin culture.
Most expats have become accustomed to things such as promptness and efficiency. That’s our baggage from our industrial and technology driven world. The expectation that these things exist in Costa Rica is our problem not the Tico’s. If you’re expecting things to be the same as in your home country then you’re bound to get disappointed. A move to another country allows you to start over with a new life and experience a new culture in a new environment.
After 15 years here, I still have to remind myself; “If I don’t expect much, I won’t get disappointed” Then I step back, take a second look at the situation that is beginning to frustrate me and remind myself where I’m at, whom I’m dealing with and why I’m here. Then the situation at hand doesn’t seem so irritating. Expats who do manage to stay for a long time in Costa Rica do so because they possess patience and flexibility.
People who become frustrated here and decide to go back home, don’t do so because they couldn’t find their favorite beverage or a suitable appliance. They leave because they couldn’t adapt to the local culture. The unexpected trials and wide differences in cultural understanding often make the transition much more difficult than expected. New resident’s who can slow down and adjust to Tico time, have a much better chance of making a success of their new lifestyles.
Obtaining residency here usually takes much longer than expected. You need to hire a consultant to get a drivers license. The list of frustrations goes on and on. The bottom line is if you are not able to slow down and adapt to the culture you’re probably going to end up back where you came from.
Culture is embedded in the language, and misunderstandings often arise due to the ways in which people of distinct cultures express and understand language content. North Americans are very direct. In Costa Rica, the Ticos don’t say things up front. It’s part of their culture and is considered bad manners. Therefore if you don’t understand the culture you get frustrated and some folks become angry and this offends the Ticos.
Misinterpretations therefore arise because Costa Ricans view expats as “rude” while North Americans find Costa Ricans to be “indirect” or even “dishonest.” Many expats feel that they have had to learn to decode what their Costa Rican associates and friends are really trying to say. It is not that Costa Rican’s lie more, it is that they are trying to save face.
Costa Ricans don’t want to disappoint you. If they don’t know the answer, they say to themselves ‘I don’t know but I want to give my best guess.’ You have to learn to listen carefully and read between the lines. A simple word like “Ya” can mean “it’s already done”, “I’m doing it right now”, or “I’ll get to it soon
We’ve all faced new challenges in Costa Rica and those of us who have been able to acclimate enjoy the benefits. The country’s strong democratic tradition, innovative environmental programs, museums, cultural activities, and cheaper living costs continue to make Costa Rica a popular destination spot, particularly for tourists and retirees.The option to live a lifestyle similar to that in a large North American city is here if you want it. Just check out the selection and pricing in any of the major shopping malls or at Mas or Menos or Auto Mercado supermarkets. Most products that are imported here from another country incur duties. These duties are built into the price you pay at the cashier. If you want to live and consume the same products available in Canada, they are available here but not cheap. Perhaps if the new free trade agreement becomes a reality, this will change. I prefer the old days before there were shopping malls filled with international retailers and Hooters. I don’t miss any of what these new franchises have to offer. I patronize typical Costa Rican businesses and my budget is much more affordable.
It’s nice to have options and that’s a new philosophy I recommend. Plans tie you down. Options offer freedom. You don’t irritate someone because you exercised an option. But there are many times when plans did not materialize as expected and someone gets irritated. Keep your options open and your plans to a minimum. Live like the Tico’s, adopt their attitude and adapt to their culture. You’ll probably live longer and happier! Pura Vida!
