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" update and return to normal.
CONSTRUCTION
Condominio Hacienda El Dorado:
Re. Logo: I'm waiting for the first draft.
Planning: We eliminated the tennis court and added a
squash/racket ball court and physical fitness center.
We have relocated one of the 4 swimming pools, and
moved the location of the administrative office.
Re. the small "quebrada" through which some brackish
water flows: we have submitted an application to
determine which government authority is responsible
for this.
We've gotten permission to cut some of the trees which
do not fit into the plan.
We've started to construct the perimeter fence.
Next week, we will purchase the Bobcat we've located
and it will be on site. We're now checking out the
ownership and title of it.
Residencias Los Jardines:
Everything is working smoothly-golfers are golfing,
sun is shinning, plants growing, pumps working,
internet and satellite TV are also working. We
delayed by one week taking out of service the large
swimming pool. Beginning Wednesday, it will be down
for about 10 days.
Mosquitoes: we have to spray again. The first time
didn't do it. The company is honoring it's guarantee.
Hopefully, they will be more diligent this time about
covering all the areas.
Saturday we awoke to a power outage. On their own
initiative, the gardener / mtnc. person started the
generator which provides power to the water pump and
to the entry/exit gates. Evidently, some training is
sticking.
We've had a fair interest in leasing this week; we
have nothing to offer for immediate occupancy.
Through musical chairs, we will try to maintain a
higher level of occupancy than would otherwise be the
case.
I've had three requests from RE agents to connect them
with our cabinet maker. I've also had two requests for
"consulting" on private homes. I'm not interested but
will provide names and phone numbers and in other ways
useful contacts and information.
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 107: (Available June 1)
2 floors, 2 bedrooms (one on each level),
2 1/2 bathrooms, Jacuzzi, office, executive class
furnishings, east facing terrace looking over the
large pool and mountins; west facing terrace viewing
sunsets and mountains; ground floor back terrace for
outside, private dining. Large granite "U" shaped
kitchen with SS appliances. Beautiful! - $1,650 mo.
Unit 108: (Immediate)
1,750sf, 2 floors, 2 bedrooms (one on each
level), 2 1/2 bathrooms, Jacuzzi, walk-in vault,
executive class furnishings including a 42" plasma TV,
east facing terrace looking over the large pool and
mountains and a ground floor back terrace for outside,
private dining - $1,650 mo.
Unit 120: (Available June 1)
Single floor, 1,300 sf, 2 bedrooms, 2
bathrooms, executive furnishings throughout, including
a 42" plasma TV + 2 conventional TVs, beautifully
decorated, granite bathrooms and kitchens - $1,400mo.
Unit 124: (Beginning May 1)
One bedroom, 620 sf;
2nd. floor, sleeps 5 (1 double and 1 single in master
bedroom / 1 pull out sofa (double); full kitchen with
eating counter. Full display
cabinet/bookcase/computer desk. Home theater system
with 42" plasma TV and 2nd. TV in bedroom.
Beautifully decorated and fully furnished. On site
satellite TV, CableTica TV, high speed internet, 2
swimming pools each with waterfalls, social areas,
mainly expat community, security, extensive manicured
gardens. Separate storage locker. Shorter term (less
than 6 months) preferred.- $950mo.
Resales:
There's no unit available at the moment.
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
Wedding Guests: The last of the wedding part left on
Wednesday. We breathed a sigh of relief and
immediately settled into "rest" mode. Neither of us
wants to relive the past three weeks but we are
satisfied as to how things went.
Friday night we celebrated the successful conclusion
of the wedding and several of those who helped us,
Lita's birthday, and the anniversary of the date we
met 23 years ago.
A seed planted: About 5 years ago, I conducted a
"focus group" discussion in Toronto. I advertised in
one of the newspapers inviting people who would like
to contribute to the design of a resort community in
Costa Rica. About 20 people responded. One of those
was outstanding in that she thought carefully about
her answers and indicated she had a plan. I have
continued to send her my weekly construction log but
had had no exchange with her. She contacted me this
week and will be dropping by Los Jardines in mid
April.
A new car dealership is being built on the "Golden
Mile" near us and another new mall is planned for the
same area. This area continues to explode.
Paul and Esther took a few days to explore Guanacaste.
I'm sure they will return with heat prostration, a
few stories, and some amazing observations.
The parrot has chewed "observation" holes in the
fichus tree where we baby-sit him. On each of the
four sides of what could be a perfectly groomed tree,
he has eaten a 1/2 meter round area; he moves about
through the inner branch system of the tree to these
four portals. From the portals, he can see what's
going on, play hide and seek, and otherwise be his
socially wicked self.
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.
