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, power outages
continue and Hugo's crazy!
CONSTRUCTION
The fence continues to inch along and the service road
widens. I've reviewed the application for the
environmental report and found it lacking; I'll
review it again on Thursday.
I also reviewed the architect's first draft of houses
he's proposing for some of the larger lots in Phase 1.
While we made a number of revisions, what was obvious
from my study of it, is that we can have a number of
variations which is a win-win situation from the
builder's perspective and from the purchasers. Once
the actual house is located on a specific lot, the
topography will also determine landscaping features
which will further personalize it. As of now, these
houses will be around 3,000 sf, 3-4 bedroom plus
maid's quarters, with two car parking. Hopefully,
these revisions will also be ready for review on
Thursday. We have to work on the exterior design
features.
RESIDENCIAS LOS JARDINES
Power outages: they continue and are annoying but we
are learning to live with them. Published schedules
of outages are a product of someone smoking something
and actual outages bear no resemblance to the
schedule.
Sales: we sold Unit 110 this week-it will close
towards the end of May-- and an offer is in on Unit
118. Neither were "officially" on the market but we
knew the 110 owner was interested in entertaining
offers and the 118 owner has not been able to sell
his Florida condo so has changed his plan.
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.
OUR LIVES
Weather: A combination of sun and light showers.
Hugo: The blood tests and skin biopsy did not yield
any clues nor did a detailed examination by the
specialist. After 78,000 colones ($150.00) the
conclusion was that Hugo is "crazy". Their reasoning
was that since they did not find any physiological
tell tail signs, the problem must them be
physiological. The suggestion was that he was
suffering from anxiety, depression, or stress, etc. I
had difficulty accepting this since I've never seen a
more laid back, easy going, pampered cat and have not
seen any behavior I associate with any of those
conditions. He has constant love and attention,
always has food and water, has no enemies on site,
neither dogs nor other cats, comes and goes as he
wants. He ignores the parrot and sleeps on the bed
when the parrot is playing with Lita. When the doc was
explaining to me his diagnosis of Hugo, Hugo was
sitting in his open carry-all quietly listening to
this. I accept they didn't yet find the physiological
cause of the hair loss but I have difficulty accepting
the psychological explanation. So where does the case
of hairless Hugo? Out $150 and no closer to an
answer. I've changed the diet and will observe.
Texas Hold'em: A group of 8 people got together and
held what they hope to become the weekly poker match.
Fixed buy-in (10,000 colones / $20 US) and an
evening's entertainment. Everyone had a great time.
Off to Granada: On Sunday we leave for Granada to
return on Wednesday. As usual, we are looking forward
to this. Three people expressed interest in coming
with us but in the end, they all changed their minds.
I'm planning on visiting some different restaurants
and trying some different food in our repeat
restaurants.
A re-connection: In January of 2002, I held a focus
group discussion in Canada in which I tried to get
some ideas re. resort design, features, priorities,
etc. It was moderately successful. One of the
participants arrived at Los Jardines on Friday. While
she might be interested in purchasing at some point in
time, it was nice to give her a list of her written
responses to my questionnaire and to show her what's
been built. Aside from all that, they were really as
interested in seeing the parrot as they were in the
development itself-Lita and her parrot are becoming a
bigger drawing card than the development itself. I
expect that soon they will want a performance contract
signed.
Brian, Lita, Hairless 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.
