Scott Oliver — WeLoveCostaRica

The first six months of 2010 are already behind us and since this has been an extraordinarily good year for publicity about Costa Rica, I wanted to take a quick look back over the last six months to remind ourselves how bloody lucky we are to be living in Costa Rica:

In case you missed it, New York Times op-ed columnist Nicolas Kristoff wrote a terrific article in early January about Costa Rica entitled: The Happiest People. The first paragraph gives you all you need when Kristoff says: “Hmmm. You think it’s a coincidence? Costa Rica is one of the very few countries to have abolished its army, and it’s also arguably the happiest nation on earth.”

Kristoff adds that: “What sets Costa Rica apart is its remarkable decision in 1949 to dissolve its armed forces and invest instead in education. Increased schooling created a more stable society, less prone to the conflicts that have raged elsewhere in Central America. Education also boosted the economy, enabling the country to become a major exporter of computer chips and improving English-language skills so as to attract American eco-tourists.”

The title of Deloitte’s April 2010 report about business in Costa Rica is ‘Excellent prospects for the future of business’ and when Deloitte says Costa Rica’s business prospects are “excellent”, isn’t that great news?

Moth with it’s own fur coat..

Costa Rica was also ranked the 8th Most Stable Country in the world by The Economist, the 5th Cleanest Country in the world by Yale’s Environmental Performance Index (EPI) and the first country to be designated a “BioGem” by the Natural Resource Defense Counsel.

When the President of Intel, Paul Otellini says the education system in Costa Rica is “outstanding”, and speaks of his “…incredible engineering team” in Costa Rica and raves about the: “…caliber and quality of the people who work here”, that’s not just great news for entrepreneurs thinking about setting up new businesses in Costa Rica, having a polite, well educated, multi-lingual society is good for everyone living in Costa Rica, including retired people, right?

Can you believe these red legs and transparent wings?

The 2010 Global Peace Index was published by the Sydney, Australia-based Institute for Economics and Peace and rankes Costa Rica was #1 in all of Central America and in July 2010 Costa Rica was recognized as the Greenest and Happiest country on the Planet by the British independent research group New Economics Foundation. “Costa Ricans report the highest life satisfaction in the world and have the second-highest average life expectancy of the new world (second to Canada),” the organization said in a statement.

None of these accolades mention the perfect Spring-like weather all year round and the very amiable and attractive Costa Rican people – the Ticos – however, all of this confirms what we already know, that Costa Rica is the wealthiest, safest and most peaceful country in Central America, that Costa Rica has “excellent prospects” and is the greenest and happiest place on earth so it’s not so much of a secret anymore but maybe, just maybe there’s space enough for you…

The Violet Sabrewing hummingbird

One of our VIP Members wrote to me saying: “Scott, what you write about the cost of living in Costa Rica is too true to be tolerated. Please withdraw this article immediately or we’ll be awash in the unwashed of the Northern Hemisphere looking for a place they can survive and thrive. Can’t we just keep Costa Rica our little secret?”

Sunset from my San Jose apartment…

by Jeff Hickcox

Moving to a foreign country comes with many challenges including finding appliances and furnishings for your new home.  From time to time a new home hits the market “turnkey” with all furnishings, appliances and utensils. This is one of those special homes.

Comfortable kitchen

The seller is highly motivated on this high-quality 2,500 sf home on over a 1/4 acre of land is beautifully landscaped, completely fenced in, and has terrific views of the Central Valley and Puriscal mountain range.

Full of luxury, this single-floor home has 3BR – 2.5BTH with a solar-heated pool, 6-person jacuzzi, stainless appliances, 2-car attached garage and it’s in a great Atenas neighborhood.

Atenas is a small mountain town located about halfway between San Jose and the central Pacific beaches (both 30-minute drives with new highway). Said to have “El Mejor Clima del Mundo” (The Best Climate in the World), Atenas is home to a large expat population who enjoy the tranquility and convenience of this quaint agricultural town

This home is concrete block construction with fine finishing details including wood ceilings with recess lighting and quality ceiling fans, luxury fixtures, granite counter tops, custom cabinets, and top-of-the-line appliances, Sat TV, high-speed internet, electric front gate and an alarm system.

This home is well decorated and fully furnished including outdoor furniture. It is on of the only homes with a fully enclosed garage.

Great valley views

Located on a private road in a very desirable section of Atenas, the property is about 7 minutes from the town center. The neighborhood is an excellent blend of Ticos, Canadians, and Americans and has a local church, school, soccer field with playground, mini-markets, and a great local restaurant and bars. The elevation is around 2,700ft offering a wonderful year-round climate.

The owner must move back to the United States and is highly motivated. They are negotiable on the $349,500K price and open to financing some of the sale. This is a must see for anyone looking in this price range.

Cool off in your swimming pool.

See Virtual Tour of this Costa Rica Home

SOURCE — WeLoveCostaRica

Real Estate Investment Consultant Jeff Hickcox

This is continued from Retirement Living In Atenas Costa Rica – Free video part I here.

Many clients ask us “If I retire to Costa Rica what is there to do for retirees?” Well, once you’ve gotten settled and exhausted all of the day-tripping to see the many wonders of Costa Rica, which are often repeated when your guests are in town, there are many activities and social gatherings to keep you busy.

In our town of Atenas, you’ll find just about any activity that would interest in your home country. Within a 30-minute drive there are golf courses, tennis courts, modern malls and movie theaters, beaches, volcano tours, hiking, biking, rappelling, world class fishing and so much more.

Also in Atenas, there are a variety of social groups like womens’ clubs, garden clubs, book clubs, poker clubs, and volunteer groups along with classes for painting, dancing, cooking and Spanish to name a few. All of these activities are in addition to the morning coffee shop chat, the weekly farmers market, expat dinner parties, the countless local fiestas, and other local events.

TO WATCH VIDEO AND READ ENTIRE ARTICLE, CLICK HERE

Retiring to a foreign country comes with many challenges. First, you must decide what type of lifestyle you desire in retirement.

Lifestyle choices like climate, cost of living, access to services (especially quality health care), quality of life, social opportunities, and distance from loved ones seem to be the most important to the average retiree.

Increasingly, it is becoming more difficult financially to retire in the United States. Although real estate prices have come down in popular retirement areas like Florida and Arizona, the cost of taxes, health insurance, food, and other necessities have skyrocketed making it very difficult for North Americans to retire comfortably in the States.

TO WATCH FREE VIDEO AND READ ENTIRE ARTICLE, CLICK HERE

Contributed by Andrew Mastrandonas and Preston Gitlin from CRCommunities

Buying a home site and building your own home can be a daunting task anywhere in the world; it is no different in Costa Rica. However, with proper due diligence, and a realistic evaluation of budgetary concerns, the process can be the most rewarding way to express your dream of living in Costa Rica.

Tips For Finding Your Home Site

• Find your climate. Costa Rica is subtropical, so it seems like a no-brainer to those arriving from the North. However, Costa Rica’s mountainous terrain creates an incredible diversity of micro-climates. A few hundred feet in elevation can be significant. Rainfall amounts can vary, too. For those who can afford to, it is invaluable to see the country in both the dry season and the rainy season.
• Find your town. First, read any one of the fine books published about Costa Rica. You will learn about the town history, the people, what modern conveniences are available, etc. Once you have found a town (or towns) that seems to suit you, plan your trip to Costa Rica to see for yourself. Ultimately, no amount of research is sufficient without experiencing a place firsthand.
• Find your lot. Our communities are in San Ramon and have ocean views. We believe that the location is ideal, and offers a tremendous value. There are some fundamentals for lot buying that should be considered, regardless of location: title, infrastructure availability, and engineering. First, a lot should be researched by a lawyer who can obtain information from the National Registry to be sure that the property is clean, and has no issues outstanding. If the property is in a gated community, very often the developer will purchase a clean corporation for the property in order to make for an easy, less expensive transfer than a person-to-person sale, as well as to make it easy for the buyer to obtain their utilities. We have done this for all of our lots. The second consideration is the ease of installing infrastructure (if it does not already exist). Very often a lot that seems far cheaper than other similarly-sized lots will be raw land. The cost of infrastructure, viability, and placement can be very complicated. Be sure that you know the real state of the lot before purchase, taking into account the cost and time for development. Lastly is the engineering that a lot might require. Some of these “hidden” costs can include driveway engineering and installation, need for retaining walls (VERY costly), resolving drainage issues, creating a plantel (flat, buildable space), and being aware of home placement based on underground springs, nearby rivers, or road frontage.

Tips for Making Your Home Construction Easier

• Have patience. Like anywhere, building a home is not a perfect process. Building a home in a developing country can be an even greater challenge. By selecting a builder with strong references, integrity, and a dedication to quality, you will find the process easier than you might expect.
• Understand your financial situation prior to signing a contract. Obviously, building a home requires a significant outlay of money. Before deciding to start construction, assess your financial situation and determine both how much you can afford and when those funds will be available (if not immediately). Also, don’t only think about the cost of building your home, but what it will cost to live in your home.
• Know what you want. It’s important to have a good idea of what you want in a home prior to signing a contract. This will make the process go more smoothly and avoid costly changes once the process has started. However, this doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. If you are at a loss for ideas, talk to friends and family. Also, and probably most important, describe your needs to your trusted builder so he or she can come up with some ideas that may work for you.
• Communicate. Reputable builders want to build you the home you’ve always dreamed of and will work hard to meet, and oftentimes, exceed your expectations. However, we find that the vast majority of issues arise due to lack of communication or miscommunication. Follow up in writing on all major decisions and don’t assume items mentioned in person or on the phone will always be remembered. Your builder will likely be working on several homes at once, so it’s important you confirm all details.
• Be reasonable in your expectations. We realize that building a home is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, and it will involve a significant monetary investment. Your builder should realize this too. However, just because this is Costa Rica, it doesn’t mean it will be cheap, or it will be similar to building in North America or Europe. Things are different here (to some extent) and oftentimes things move more slowly than in your home country. However, a reputable builder is very experienced at operating in this environment and you should trust their judgment on what’s possible or not possible as you design and build your home.
• Consider micro-climates. Costa Rica has many micro-climates. It might be sunny and 80 degrees in one spot, but windy, cooler and rainy just a few miles away. As you design your home, work with your builder to better understand the micro-climate of the area you’ve selected and how to build a home suitable for that environment.

What Does it Cost to Build a Home in Costa Rica?

The final cost of your home will depend on two factors: how large your home is, and what type of finishes you select. A “cost-plus” basis is usually the best way to ensure that the construction process will be efficient, transparent, and timely. Typically, you can expect to pay roughly between $75 per square foot and $95 per square foot which will include permitting, architect’s work, construction, and the purchase and installation of most finishes such as kitchen cabinets, countertops, and appliances, flooring, kitchen/bathroom fixtures and associated plumbing, and lighting fixtures. Your builder will advise you on the type of finishes possible based on your budget. If you are unwilling to work on a cost-plus basis, a bid will be provided. However, in our experience, a guaranteed cost usually means a significantly higher profit margin for the builder. We’ve also found that sometimes contractors (the dishonest ones) will provide a low bid in order to get the job, but then surprise you later with “that wasn’t included,” etc.

In addition, it is important to do as much thinking and research about the type of home you want, the layout, size and of number of rooms, whether you want a guest house, garage/car port, pool, or other structures, prior to signing a contract. Re-work during the construction process not only can lengthen the time to complete your home but also will likely increase the cost as more material may be needed, walls torn down, etc.

How Do I Pay For My Home?

Generally, construction services are paid for in cash, including an initial deposit and then periodic payments as your home construction progresses. The schedule for payments will be determined between you and your builder. Payment is usually made by wire transfer. It is important to allocate funds ahead of time so construction of your home is not delayed.

How Long Will it Take to Build My Home?

It normally takes between six and nine months to build your home. A number of factors could lengthen the time to build your home including the extent to which pre-work is necessary (such as lot preparation), the size of your home, weather, and the availability of the materials you select. After discussing your specifications with your builder, they will give you a more specific time estimate.

What If I Am Not Living In Costa Rica During The Construction of My Home?

It is preferable to be in the country during the construction process in order to inspect the work on a regular basis. However, this is often not possible for many people. Therefore, your builder should provide frequent updates on the progress of your construction and send you photographs as certain milestones during construction are met (i.e., foundation is laid, roof is put on). If at all possible, it is helpful for you to visit at least a few times during the home construction process, particularly to pick out tiles, cabinets, appliances, and other fixtures.

We hope that this short guide gets you started toward realizing your dream of building a home in Costa Rica. We have years of experience finding land and creating communities. Please CONTACT US as you begin your search — we will be happy to assist you!

Love her or hate her, the election of doña Laura Chinchilla as the first woman president of Costa Rica signifies the majority’s choice for both the continuation of current policies, and the change in cultural perspective that her presidency represents.  She officially takes power on May 8^th with support from other women in the government who now represent 23 of 57 public posts.

Not only has Costa Rica elected its first woman president  (only the 5^th in Latin America, but one of more than 50 the world over since 1960), they have done it by a landslide, as Chinchilla nearly doubled the percentage of her nearest contender, Ottón Solís.

In my local neighborhood of Atenas, there was a marked air of festivity surrounding this year’s election.  The area was draped in the green and white of Chinchilla’s PLN party; caravans and parades would follow.  Costa Ricans who I spoke to said they had never seen such voter turnout and enthusiasm.  While Americans were screaming at their TVs during the Super Bowl, the same level of emotion could be observed by Costa Ricans in front of their TVs:  arguing, debating, and speculating, but fully absorbed by the event.

Doña Laura has been criticized by some as being a puppet-like extension of former President Arias, serving as another “president for the wealthy.”    Since the do-nothing presidency of Abel Pacheco, however, Costa Rica has been observably transformed.  Many were fearful of the swift action proposed by Arias after 4 years of sloth by Pacheco, which produced a very thin victory for Arias in the last election.   But, it seems that an objective look at the state of the nation by most Costa Ricans has led to the conclusion that the current development and change that is taking place will indeed benefit nearly all Costa Ricans.  Moreover, the policy extension can be seen as a willingness to walk the fine line of luring and placating all-important foreign investment, corporate business interests, tourists, and retirees.   If Costa Rica can continue to walk this fine line between the fast-changing modern world, and the slower, Pura Vida-defined world of its heritage, it will continue to be a shining example on the world stage.

Chinchilla has extolled the policies of President Arias, and certainly has not indicated any change in direction to what she cites as, “solid growth and development.”  She intends only to “propel them forward.”  She has also responded to polls that overwhelmingly show the concerns of most Costa Ricans:  crime, insecurity, drugs, and domestic violence.   She promises tighter border control, improved police equipment, and not to shrink from addressing some of the underlying “Machista” attitude taking place behind closed doors.  She believes that by reducing poverty and focusing on the needs of women (with a possible nationalized daycare system), empowerment will follow as opportunities are equalized.

Perhaps the largest gap between perception and reality is with the country’s ailing infrastructure.  The new San Jose-Caldera highway opened under fanfare and media attention, and now provides the ability for people to sail along on a straight, flat road.  However, it is also true that many key bridges, roads, and the nation’s ports remain in poor condition – the president-elect would do well to shore up those lacking areas, lest she encounter more accusations of putting the interest of foreigners, businesses, and the wealthy ahead of the average citizen.

It is a momentous time for the small country of Costa Rica.  As a foreign resident myself, I cannot identify as intimately as Costa Rican citizens with what is at stake, culturally, but I am overwhelmed by the courage and involvement of the people of Costa Rica in coming to such a historic vote.

Michael Anthony

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Costa Ricans have elected their first woman president as the ruling party candidate won in a landslide after campaigning to continue free market policies in Central America’s most stable nation.

With most of the votes from Sunday’s election counted, Laura Chinchilla held a 22-point lead over her closest rival. Her 47 percent share of the vote was well beyond the 40 percent needed to avoid a run-off.

The 50-year-old protege of the current president, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oscar Arias, promised to pursue the same economic policies that recently brought the country into a trade pact with the U.S. and opened commerce with China.

“Today we are making history,” said Chinchilla, who will be the fifth Latin American woman to serve as president when she takes office in May. “The Costa Rican people have given me their confidence, and I will not betray it.”

The closest contender, Otton Solis of the Citizens Action Party, got 25 percent of the votes. He and the other main rival, Libertarian Otto Guevara, quickly conceded defeat.

It was unclear, however, whether Chinchilla’s National Liberation Party would gain a majority in congress.

Analyst Heather Berkman of the Eurasia Group said coalition building without a majority would likely delay or derail controversial fiscal reforms to shore up government finances and energy deregulation.

The third-place candidate, Guevara, congratulated Chinchilla as “our president,” but he also pointed out the new political muscle of his tax-bashing Libertarian Movement Party. He won 21 percent of the vote.

Arias’ economic policies helped insulate Costa Rica from the world economic crisis as he kept a high profile on the world stage as a negotiator in Honduras’ political crisis after a coup deposed President Manuel Zelaya in June.

Read Entire Article Here

Costa Rica Beach Championships

As a former college and beach volleyball player, I was thrilled when Atenas Costa Rica was chosen to host the beach and indoor volleyball championships for the 2010 Juegos Deportivos Nacionales (National Sports Games). Beach sand and bleachers were shipped in to the Central School Park where three courts handled the men’s and women’s under 21 tournament. In addition, the gym in Atenas was retrofitted with new sport court volleyball flooring for the indoor tournament.

The event welcomed teams from all over the country and offered a great time for Atenas residents. Admission was free to the public who enjoyed the high level of competition and various food vendors. The men’s championship match for the two-on-two beach event was this Saturday. There was standing room only to watch the final between Escazu and Atenas. Escazu entered the championship match undefeated, while Atenas lost one match (to Escazu) and had to climb through the loser’s bracket to face Escazu in the final.

Both teams were highly skilled and athletic which made for an epic battle. The lively crowd was overwhelmingly routing for their hometown team and their energy proved to feed the underdog Atenas duo. Raúl Sandoval and Julio Álvarez of Atenas won the first game to the delight of the crowd, before narrowly losing the second game to force the tie breaker.

A skirmish broke out in the crowd during the second game between several Atenas fans and a single Escazu fan which caused a break in the action followed by loud chants of “Ole, ole, ole, viva Atenas!” Atenas jumped to and early 4-to-0 lead in the final game to 15, and they never looked back. With the crowd cheering wildly, the Atenas duo claimed the 2010 Beach Volleyball Championships.

In a country that is crazy for soccer and not much else, Atenas has created a legacy in volleyball. The success of men’s indoor team who are also perennial national champions has spawned youth programs for boys and girls. Their success also brings pride to locals and resident expats. The event was such a success in Atenas that the commission is considering Atenas as the regular host of the volleyball games for years to come.

For volleyball players and teams in the U.S. interested in touring and playing Costa Rica teams, a new tour company is offering volleyball tours in Costa Rica. Your teams of all ages can come to play local competition and enjoy the many attractions of Costa Rica. Find out more information at http://www.costaricavolleyball.com/.

Jeff Hickcox – Author of the Real Estate Investing Guide – Costa Rica

Private Gated Mountain Community in Atenas

Retirement or Vacation Homes in Atenas

Each of the finished homes, starting at $173K, is below $200K. They are cozy but classy affordable retirement or vacation homes with nice finishing details including granite countertops, custom wood cabinets, and quality fixtures and faucets.  Beautiful vaulted wood ceilings keep them cool all day and each room has a ceiling fan.

Community Infinity Pool and Pavilion

The homes are wired for a dishwasher, alarm, phone, SAT TV and high-speed internet is readily available, and house 1 has GE stainless steel appliances.  They’re all built to North American standards with modern plumbing and electricity, electric on-demand hot water throughout, screened windows, and much more.

Quality Homes Under $200K

The community is in a private mountain setting with an electric gated entry and amazing views of mountains, volcano peaks, and the Central Valley.  There is a communal infinity pool and picnic pavilion, along with many fruit trees and coffee plantings in the common area.  Each owner will have equal shares of the common area. The community is at nearly 4000 feet above sea level offering the most perfect year-round temperature of 70s during the day and 60s during the evening.

Big Mountain Views

For more information view property listing.