Internet Phone: New York: 315-279-6711 Toronto: 416-907-5758 // 416-461-2203
Costa Rica: Cell: 506-305-3965 Land: 506-282-4142 Ext. 101
NOTE: the New York and Toronto numbers are "local calls" for people in the area codes; calls from outside the area code will be billed at the normal rate from the caller's area code to either the "315" or the "416" area code.
NOTE: NOW THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT IS ESSENTIALLY FINISHED, THE LOG WILL FOCUS MORE ON THE RIO ORO DEVELOPMENT. IT WILL BE INFORMATIVE TO THOSE PLANNING ON BUILDING, THOSE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO PURCHASE OR TO LEASE, AND FOR THOSE WONDERING WHAT EXPATS DO IN COSTA RICA AND THE LIFESTYLE OF TWO ORDINARY PEOPLE.
The STORY: another twist but a nice one.
CONSTRUCTION:
No work-it's Semana Santa week. Most of our workers
returned to Nicaragua for family reunions.
Paul and I looked for a small stake truck but haven't
as yet found one. We will. No hurry.
Residencias Los Jardines:
RENTALS:
Unit 106 A: (Available May 1)
Ground floor, 1,250sf, 1 bedroom with office/den/bedroom, two bathrooms, two terraces, granite bathrooms and kitchen; fully furnished. - $900 mo.
Unit 120: (Available June 1)
Single floor, 1,300 sf, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, executive furnishings throughout —all rooms is beautifully decorated. The kitchen and both bathrooms have granite surfaces. The kitchen cabinets are made from natural wood; there is a raised eating counter for casual dining. The kitchen features SS appliances-- dishwasher, 6 burner gas stove, and microwave and all the small appliances needed for cooking. The wrought iron and glass dining room table seats 4. Living room features a beautiful full length book case / lighted display area with home theater system and a 42' plasma TV. On the covered terrace are a set of casual chairs as well as a 6 seat dining table. The home is equipped with a stacked washer / dryer. - $1,400mo.
Unit 124: (Available May 1)
2nd. floor, one bedroom (620 sf), fully furnished with display bookshelf/wall unit, home theater system, 42" Plasma TV, computer desk, large kitchen with natural
wood cabinets and granite counters and backsplash including valence lighting, Bedroom has a full size (matrimonial) bed as well as a single bed. There is a
matrimonial size pull out sofa in the living room. The living room overlooks the large pool and faces west. The bedroom faces east and has views of the mountains. $950 mo.
Residencias Los Jardines is a secure, gated, tranquil community with on-site satellite and / or CableTica TV, high speed internet, VOIP phone capability, 2 swimming pools each with waterfalls, bar-b-qs and social areas, English and Spanish spoken, extensive manicured gardens, English / Spanish /German / Dutch / French spoken.
RESALES:
Unit 102: A 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bathroom, ground floor unit with 1,925 sf (177 m²).
A huge master bedroom and master bathroom with Jacuzzi.
Bathrooms have marble counters and marble wainscoting. The master bedroom has a full featured closet with numerous built-in organizers as well as a place for a TV. The bedroom is located near a water fountain where you awake to the sound of water.
The “U” shaped kitchen with overhead storage cupboards is made of “cedro”, (as are all the cabinets and doors) a native wood and features full granite backsplash and counters and valence lighting. The built in SS appliances (GE fridge, GE “Profile” space saver microwave/exhaust combination unit, the 6 burner gas stove/oven, and the Frigidaire dishwasher are all included.
Off the kitchen is the laundry room which includes both washer and dryer and has a full height pantry for either kitchen or linen storage —your choice. The open concept dining area and living room has two, full height built-in lighted cabinets —one for books /display / flat screen TV, and one which could be used for a bar or dining room hutch. The ceiling features exposed wooden beams stained to match the doors and cabinetry. The separate office area has lots of windows and a built-in granite topped desk as well as a large full height storage / lighted display cabinet. The outside terrace, like the interior floor, is ceramic. The terrace ceiling is covered with cana brava, has recessed halogen lighting —like the rest of the house; provision has been made for a chandelier over where a large outside dining table could be placed. The terrace overlooks a semi-private garden which includes orchids and roses and has a walk-out to a semi-private palm-thatched rancho. The unit comes with a covered parking spot for one car. This is a re-sale due to health.
It originally sold for $227,000 and is now offered at $245,000
Note: In speaking with one agent, she is finding a
lot of clients from Venezuela-these people are getting
out while they still can and are looking to buy and to
lease. Costa Rica is seen as a "safe haven".
OUR LIVES
Weather: mostly overcast days —some rain, no wind-24C
/ 76F. It's almost as if this is heralding the rainy
season even though by the calendar, it is a month or
so early. It could be related to the presence of La
Nina in the Pacific or a low pressure situation which
will eventually move on.
A quiet week where I was forced to do nothing except
eat, drink, and snooze. Not a bad life if I could
learn to relax.
Sunday is a co-op afternoon party with beer-can
chicken being the feature attraction, fresh French
fries, salad and I'm sure other goodies. It's a 17
yr. anniversary of one of our resident couples.
Who comes to Los Jardines and Why? Listed in no
particular order:
Person 1: Single lady, mid 60's,: Tica, owner: She
wanted a safe living environment (her home had been
robbed) and didn't want to have to maintain a home.
She wanted carefree living.
Person 2: Male, tenant, early 60s, single. Retired
train conductor who previously lived in New York. He
wanted a better quality of life which included being
able to play golf when he wanted to.
Person 3: French Canadian from Quebec City, single,
male, 60ish, owner. A builder in Canada, he's found
a new mate, imports high end cars/trucks and resells
them and more recently bought and is renovating a
beach property.
Person 4: Tenant couple with young daughter, mid 30s,
Canadian (personal friends from our marina days).
These people are repeat tenants who followed Lita and
I here. They are looking for a better quality of life
and are independent thinkers; they do not want to
live life to pay their mortgage, car leases and credit
card debts and shovel snow. While they are still
working out some aspects of "Freedom 40" they have,
over the past several years spent 4 months each year
assessing if CR is right for them and how they can
sustain themselves while getting their ducks in Canada
lined up. Family life is important for them.
Person 5: Single, male, Tenant, 60ish, American,
raising his 8 yr. old granddaughter. A former jockey
and house painter, he now runs a small bingo website
and has several employees. Recent US legislation hurt
him for a while but now he's back on track. His
granddaughter is a delight; fully bilingual and
polite as can be.
Person 6: investor / owner, mid 60s, (a known
associate in Canada and who's become a personal
friend). He loved the development, felt it
represented good value and that he cold get a good
return on his investment. He and another friend own 4
houses in Los Jardines; they haven't been
disappointed in their investment.
To be continued.
Brian, Lita, Hugo and irreverent Vicka, the pigeon
toed parrot.
Contact
us at any time to purchase a new house and still be able to select your finishings.
MASTERPLAN
Overlay of Version 1 of the master plan. There will be some minor changes to it but for the most part, it is a reasonable starting point. The picture with the yellow dots represents trees. One swimming pool will likely be eliminated in favor of houses (the large one near the 2nd. pool (bottom left hand corner) This area will likely become a condominium within a condominium having it's own direct street access.
