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 Los Jardines
is same old, same old...
CONSTRUCTION
We returned to work as scheduled Monday morning. The
fence is slowly progressing but we aren't in any
record breaking mode.
We bought a 3 1/2 ton diesel stake truck. We've spent
a few days fixing up little things and customizing it,
eg. a trailer hitch and some reinforcements. The
engine, body and bed are all in good shape. It will
take care of moving materials on site and for
goffering the odd things.
We have now approved the final site design with the
architect. He will use this draft to complete the
paperwork for site design approval from SETENA-an
environmental impact study has to be done. I
shouldn't be extensive nor difficult as we are in a
zoned residential district and are surrounded by
residences. We are respecting the stream running
through the property and all the protected tree
species as well as many of the non-protected species.
In addition, we plan on only minimal disturbance of
the soil as we will adapt our buildings to the
topography. Lastly, we will be putting in a large
black water treatment plant to address the sewage
pollution. Having said all this, we are at the mercy
of SETENA as to what info they will want, what
assurances they will require, and what new things they
might want us to do. We'll submit the paperwork in a
week and then wait, and wait, and wait...
We have commissioned the civil, electrical, and
mechanical engineer(s) to begin working with this site
plan. We anticipate it will take until June 1 to have
all this info. together at which time we will be
prepared to submit for engineering approval.
How long for both of these approvals? That is what
everyone asks. We are allowing 10 mo. in our schedule
for this to happen. There are no assurances.
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 112: (Available May 1)
Similar to Unit 120 (below) except it's attached on two sides. - $1,350 mo.
Unit 120: (Available June 1 - commitment pending)
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. - $1,400 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, bar-b-qs and social areas, English and Spanish spoken, 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.
RESALES:
Unit 112: $170,000
Single floor, 1,300 sf, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, new
furnishings. 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.
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: The rainy season has arrived; we've had
showers every day this past week. It's been nice,
actually. The garden is perking up and the plants are
happy. We've planted some sod in areas which needed
to be replenished.
This next 6 weeks is the time for June bugs and house
flies-virtually the only time of the year that we have
any flying critters at all.
One of Lita's budgies died and a pet parrot like Vicka
of a friend of hers also died. In each case, who
knows why?
A friend returned from a contract and it's always nice
to reunite with him. He's in love with a lady he met
shortly before leaving. He's here for at least 3 1/2
months; we'll see how the relationship develops. He
hosted a get-together Saturday evening and endured our
teasing.
Another friend / owner returned from his home area of
Canada. He thought he might be offered a job which
meant returning to the tax capital of the world and to
corporate life-he ran back to his golf clubs and we're
glad he's still got his priorities straight as to
what's really important in life.
The beer-can chicken was it's usual fantastic self and
the fresh French fries were delicious as well-but no
matter how good or poor the food is, it's always the
company and the camaraderie that is the most
important.
We've been experimenting with our new deep fryer —chicken wings, home made French fries (potatoes,
plantains, yucca), schnitzels, chicken fingers, etc.
It's been great but terrible healthwise for us so
we'll move on to healthier cooking (after having fish
and chips) tonight —and reserve this for special
occasions in the future.
Who comes to Los Jardines and Why? (continued)
Listed in no particular order:
Person 7: Owner, single, mid 60s, an accomplished
chef, is also does contracts as a musician on cruise
ships-most recently the Queen Mary. He wanted a
better quality of life for his income level. He had
visited CR before and when I moved here and developed
Los Jardines, he found a home for himself. After some
15 years, he's recently found a woman who he hopes to
make a new future with. He's leased out his place
when on contract.
Person 8: A Canadian couple in their mid 60s. He's a
retired engineer. She has a chronic disease and he
has dedicated himself to caring for her. They spent
winters here and lease our their place when not in
attendance. We knew each other in Canada.
Person 9: Single American, male, early 70s. Previous
financial analyst of a large automobile company and
retired priest. He lost his wife after a long
marriage. He's subsequently met a wonderful woman
here with whom he hopes to share the future.
Person 10: A late 30s couple from Germany, tenants.
They came to CR to settle after working in the US
hospitality industry. They are currently building a
beautiful house in Santa Ana. They've been here about
two years and will be moving into their new home in
late May.
Person 11: A mid 40s couple from Europe-England and
Holland-via Curacao. She works in the internet gaming
business and he is recovering from some health issues
after having worked in a number of capacities. In the
meantime, helps maintain our entertainment systems,
cigar contacts, and has perfected his "beer-can"
chicken.
Person 12: Owner from the Midwest, mid 50s, school
administrator, purchased a home in anticipation of
retirement in three years. In the meantime, we are
leasing it for him. He can't wait to get here to
enjoy his home, Los Jardines, and Costa Rica.
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.
Who comes to Los Jardines and Why? (continued)
