[tomstew1]

I have traveled around the NP basically from Nicoya to the West, South and East looking for property to buy. I can offer you my opinion.

I really like it for many reasons as follows:
The area East of Nicoya heading to the ferry is beautiful…in certain areas you would think you were in the California coastal area south of SF.. Alot of green even in the dry season, not many gringos and the roads are good.

South of Nicoya around Carmona is like going back in time. It is not uncommon to see a cart full of lumber on the highway behind a pair of Oxen. It seems like going back in time 75 yrs or so. Once you leave Carmona roads are terrible going up in the mountains towards (westward)Los Angeles/San Francisco area, but when you are up there the views are to die for. You honestly feel like an explorer more so that a expat on a journey.

West from Nicoya takes you to some beach areas and these areas are beautiful also.

Nicoya is a crowded town; kind of a regional epicenter with most everything you need. I would not want to live there just due to its location..I like the ocean/water and I am a fisherman and its too far to travel to fish (couple of hours to Garza Beach)…Garza Beach is nice, but damned expensive.

In general it is drier even in the rainy season. The mountains do not seem as high, but the Cerro Azul mountain range is plenty tall to get in to good weather (daytime high temp) if the heat and humidity is not your thing.

Overall I like the area, I just couldn’t find the right spot at the right price or I would have bought there…I ended up buying on the Pacific Coast just south of Quepos…I like it there also…

[tomstew1]

Well from the perspective of a permanent move I can say that due to having seen both sides; poor and comfortable financially speaking I worry about my money running out before my breathing stops (permanently). I just turned 49 and my wife is 41.

Actually I don’t know if I want to live in CR permanently…We have a plan of the following:

1. Searching the country for a desirable location. (Accomplished this task. Took from 08/2006 until July of 2009).

2. Buying a house and remodeling to our specs. This is being done as I type this response.

3. Making extended stays and acclimate to being away from my business and other differences.

I have a successful business that I have built over the past 21 years and it is hard to become a part-timer for me.

We’ll see how it goes I guess…I do know that I want a slower paced life and CR should give us that..I love the beauty of CR and the only thing that turns me off is all of the theft issues. While my home is being remodeled I am actually PAYING a local family to live there; otherwise I wouldn’t have anything left.

I look at it this way…..A professional baseball player strikes out or otherwise doesn’t get on base 7 out of 10 times and he goes to the Baseball Hall of Fame….He is batting 300. So Costa Rica is one of my at bats…Hopefully it works, but if it doesn’t, I’ll try something else (keep swinging)!

TS

[tomstew1]

David/Mediatica:
Thanks for both of your responses….Now I have a decision to make between the two.

Have a good week.
TS

[tomstew1]

Good Morning David.
I read one of your earlier post about you having a solar water heater. If not too much trouble could you point me to a location where I can buy one? Also, could you share your cost and other info?

I would like to make a decision relatively quick. I am headed back to CR at the end of January to meet my contractor who is doing some remodeling. I would like to either buy a tankless or solar and get the ball rolling on this while I am there.

Thanks again,
TS

[tomstew1]

I have a house on the beach in Palo Seco….I have an electric water heater, one small ac in master bedroom and one refr.
Electricity bill averages $45/month…
TS

[tomstew1]

I WOULD like to know where the drugs and prostitution is….please

[tomstew1]

David:
I would love to come by…please shoot me a private email and I’ll contact you.

Thanks,

TS

[tomstew1]

email is: toms@tomstewartinsurance.com
I appreciate all of your reply’s….will be down in early sept to inspect one and go from there….

Thanks again,
Tom

[tomstew1]

Scott:
I will be in CR Sept 4th…Can you get me Tom’s number if he is close to San Ramon…I would like to meet with him and see his work compared to Roy’s…

Thanks,
TS

[tomstew1]

Sprite:
I’m NW of San Ramon outside a little village called Rio Jesus….Beautiful views to Gulf and Pacific. Puntarenas actually looks fantastic at night….about 3000′ elevation…I have a builder named Roy that another gringo in SR recommended….I’ve seen his work from forms on the slab to finish and he does good work….I just want to speed up the process for the Cabina and hopefully save a little money to put more in my main house….I spoke with my gringo friend last night (Ben Cart) and he and I are going to tour one of the precast plants located around Palmares…I’m headed down sept 4th to meet with Architect and attorney in SR….

Where are you located both in CR and stateside?

TS

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