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 a few happenings
CONSTRUCTION
Condominio Hacienda El Dorado:
Re. Logo: We’re still working on the color combination.
Re. Site Plan: Based on our on-site analysis, we have only three trees in the “protected species” category which represent construction problems for us.
Palm Thatched Ranchos: We had an overnight visit from the Guanacastan builder who built our palm thatched ranchos. A wonderful man and a very competent builder. He’s become a friend as well and I expect to use him on El Dorado. We viewed the land and he’s thinking about some unusual designs. In addition, I asked him if he knew someone who could carve tree trunks which could be used a columns in “rustic” style houses. He does. The craftsman carves animals, birds, and????? This completes one supplier void. I had wanted to build some rustic type houses at Los Jardines but it didn’t happen. I still want to build this style although I have a lot of learning about how to do it.
Fencing: we keep plodding away at it —not much to show for our work so far but remember, this is only to keep a core group of workers on site doing useful work.
Other transportation: We have determined that we need an ATV to help the maestro de obra (site superintendent) to move around the property. We also need to purchase a small truck —we don’t want to get into the transit business but it would be handy to have a small stake truck for little items.
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
The Parrot and the Cat: On Wednesday night I did my “nature call” and noticed feathers on the bathmat. On closer inspection they didn’t seem to be “green” but I couldn’t be sure. I carefully cleaned them up and looked the cat in the eye —which didn’t even wink— and went to bed wondering if the parrot had met the cat at very close range… The last thing I wanted to do was raise the specter of this scenario with Lita... I awoke early and listened for the parrot’s squawk —for only this time, I was relieved to hear it. Perhaps Hugo is only warming up for the parrot scenario...
Parrot and the Rain Storm: We’ve had two heavy afternoon rains and it’s been very hot (for us) with little wind. Perhaps the rainy season is beginning but it seems a bit early calendar wise. The parrot got caught in the tree in one of these rain storms and was squawking his extreme displeasure, I came to his rescue. Instead of playing his silly bugger hide and seek game, his little neck shot out it’s full length plus and he grabbed the stick with full beak biting capability —he was going to be damn sure he was getting on it for the ride to dry quarters. He jumped off the stick and into his cage as soon as he got near —there was no fooling around. In case you’re wondering, a thoroughly soaked parrot looks as miserable as a thoroughly soaked cat!!!!
Grease Fixings: Nine people on Friday night for fish and chips with malt vinegar at “The Pub” in Escazu... fantastic!! Saturday night, 12 for chicken wings, wine and beer, fries, and Caesar salad around the pool at Los Jardines. These are not healthy meals but they sure are delicious.
Golden Mile: the area along what is being called the “Golden Mile” continues to sprout new buildings —in addition to the new strip mall, Wendy’s, KFC and McDonald’s, I see new hoarding and a well known architect’s name and separately a huge sign in another location on which the owner wanted to build a hotel. We’ll see what signage goes up.
Semana Santa: it’s started —it’s the biggest holiday of the year. The Central Valley people will migrate to the beaches and it will be peaceful here and chaotic at the there. Our workers have been working Saturdays to make up for the non-paid time during this week. Now they will be able to take the whole week off; most of them will return to Nicaragua for family reunions.
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.
