Progress Report
April 23-28, 2007 // CONSTRUCTION LOG #133
Contact phone numbers
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: El Dorado inches forward and power outages
continue.
CONSTRUCTION
The fence inches along —see pictures.
We continue to wait for others to do their work so
that applications can be filed...
I've updated the webpage summarizing the developments
to date. That is now posted.
I have authorized the widening and hardening of a
service road as well as the construction of the
retaining walls required. This will be part of the
finished product; we know where the internal roads
are going to go so we can do this now. The dirt
removed in this process will be used to fill in
another area. Some trees will have to be removed in
the process but they are from the non-protected
species list and none are significant to our needs and
at least one is structurally unsound.
Back up generation: The current power failures are
not new to our planning. We have included the
provision of an automatic kick-in back up generator
for the security system, potable water system,
black-water treatment plant, and public lighting. We
have not yet decided to include any house lighting or
to rely on the battery packs provided for in the Los
Jardines houses.
RESIDENCIAS LOS JARDINES
Power outages: They continue on a regular basis just
a day after ICE said there would be no more. We still
don't have a consistent explanation of the problem and
therefore have no idea when the blackouts will stop.
They wreck havoc with some electronic equipment which
doesn't like power surges; surge protectors and a
transformer aside, we still have problems. Our back
up generator which draws and pressurizes our water
system as well as power our gates, failed again.
We're having to make due with City water and so far,
it is adequate especially now that we do not have to
irrigate.
Sales: I received two offers, one each for 112 and
110 but the purchasers and the vendor couldn't agree
on price.
Garden: We've experienced an invasion of tiny
ant-like bugs which like the new ficus benjamina
leaves. They ruin the leaf in the process. The
remedy We were advised that the remedy involves
trimming off all the new leaves and get rid of them
and to spray the residual tree. There is always
something to be on guard for.
RE-SALES:
Unit 112: $170,000
Single floor, 1,300 sf, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, new Hofurnishings. The kitchen and both bathrooms have granite counters. The kitchen cabinets are made from natural wood- "cedro" and has a breakfast counter for casual dining. The kitchen features SS appliances-- 6 burner gas stove, and GE "Profile" microwave and exhaust space saver unit and all the small appliances and items needed for cooking and dining. The living room features a floor to ceiling full length book case/ display/entertainment center. Areas for a computer work station and TV are incorporated. The LR features one chair, love seat and a sofa as well as 4 wrought iron / granite topped end/coffee tables. There is a 6 seat glass and wood dining room table as well. On the covered terrace is a 6 seat dining table. The home is equipped with a stacked washer / dryer. It has vaulted ceilings, valance (direct and indirect lighting). It's located at the back of the property, near the large pool; it is part of a 4 unit
complex.
RENTALS:
Unit 106 A:
Available June 1
Ground floor, 1,250sf, 1 bedroom with office/den/bedroom, two bathrooms, two terraces, granite bathrooms and kitchen; fully furnished.
- $900 mo.
Unit 112:
Available May 1
Similar to Unit 120 (below) except it's attached on two sides.
- $1,350 mo.
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, 2-bar-b-qs and social areas, extensive manicured gardens, English / Spanish / German / Dutch / French spoken.
We've had several lookers this week. Some have said they will commit; some are still thinking. We'll respond accordingly. |
OUR LIVES
Weather: A combination of sun and light showers.
Hugo is still loosing his hair and we're still
looking for the cause.
Owner friends left on Friday and others will leave on
Monday. The owner's place is leased and we will
manage it on his behalf; the other unit will be
occupied by the owner who's currently staying with a
friend on the property waiting to move in.
Comment: For 20 years I worked in an electrical power
company. The division I was involved in was
responsible for the management of the bulk electrical
system-we managed the demand for electricity with the
generation capability and mix and delivered it to
further points of distribution. As such, we had to
know what the demand was, what the 5 yr. rate in
demand was expected to be and what generation was
available now and would be available in the future.
We made sure that the powers to be knew this
information so they could plan; we were also
instrumental in analyzing power failures in the bulk
electrical system. Based on an outsider's
perspective, this function in ICE seems to have failed
miserably-in planning, in getting the government to
understand the criticality of the situation, and in
explaining what has happened, why it was not
anticipated, why the public and the government were
not advised, etc. This is not a problem which reared
itself over night nor is it a problem which will be
fixed over night. While rains and reservoirs might
alleviate the situation in the short run, and save
ICEs and the public's bacon, it's a problem which
requires focus, honesty to address, and the commitment
of resources to solve.
 Who comes to Los Jardines and Why? (continued)
Listed in no particular order:
Person 19: Owner, early 40s, single, male, USA. He
sold his auto body business in the New England area
and moved here to enjoy life. His current passion is
a charter fishing boat.
Person 20: Owner, early 50s, single, Canadian,
successful businessman, took advantage of a break in
his career, to enjoy life and play golf. He likes CR
and Los Jardines so much he's decided to stay and to
buy more units.
Person 21: Investor-future resident, Norwegian, early
70s, single male: He purchased because it was a good
investment and offered a desirable lifestyle.
Person 22: Single (but soon to be married),
American, male, early 40s, tenant: As a lawyer in New
York, he made a lot of money and moved to CR to enjoy
life and to look for opportunities here. He's finding
them in a variety of different venues.
Person 23: Tenant, elderly American lady requiring
full time care. She was brought to CR and to Los
Jardines by her son because he could afford to
provide better care and a better quality of life.
Person 24. Investors who own two units, American, a
couple in their early 60's. They may eventually spend
some time here but for now, it is an investment.
Person 25: Tenant, early 60s, married, American: A
philanthropist who is helping to improve various CR
schools. He visits his projects for a few days each
month or so and got tire of living in hotels.
Person 26: An elderly English lady requiring full
time care. Her son and daughter-in-law brought her
here from England because they could afford to offer
her better care and a better quality of life. She
loves the gardens; finding English speaking caregivers
has not been a problem.
Person 27: Single CR lady, owner, late 60s. She
purchased here because she likes the gardens and the
tranquility, single level, security (her home had been
broken into), presence of neighbors and proximity to
CIMA (health concern), and ease of house maintenance.
Brian, Lita, Hairless Hugo and irreverent Vicka, the
pigeon toed parrot.
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