Learning about the town of San Ramon
When people think about where to live in Costa Rica, they are often drawn to the white-sand beaches of Guanacaste or the party atmosphere of Jacó and Manuel Antonio. Others like the hustle and bustle of San Jose’s tony suburbs such as Escazú, Heredia, and Santa Ana. Through the work of various travel agencies, the Costa Rican government, real estate developers, and personal references, these areas have become havens for foreign professionals, retirees, and investors.
In recent years, particularly with a huge number of U.S. baby boomers beginning to retire and prices on the rise in the more traditional ex-pat areas, people are discovering the country’s smaller cities and towns. As they approach retirement and consider their options in Costa Rica, more people are looking to return to a less hurried pace of life. They value close-knit communities, a clean environment, and less crime. After a sometimes stressful life in their home countries, people want to live the “rich” lifestyle they’ve earned while not breaking the bank. With a year-round springtime climate, stable infrastructure and variety of important services, several smaller towns in the Central Valley are attracting the attention of those considering retirement today or in the next few years.
San Ramón, located in the province of Alajuela about 45
minutes northwest of San Jose, and 35 minutes from Juan Santamaria
International Airport (SJO), is one such town.
It is growing in popularity among ex-pats but is still largely untouched
by the foreign masses. Its proximity to
the “Pacific slope” requires only a 35-minute drive to several Pacific Coast
beaches enabling residents to enjoy a very comfortable climate throughout the
year at home while taking advantage of the beaches for day-trips or overnight
adventures. While barely noticed just a
few short years ago, San Ramón has become the “up and coming area” for North
American and European retirees who wish to experience the real Costa Rica but do
not want to give up the activities and services important to them.
With roughly 70,000 people in and around this “city of Poets and Presidents,” at 3,400 feet above sea level it is the economic and commerce hub for the western Central Valley, producing sugar cane, coffee, and a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. San Ramón boasts a shopping mall, modern, movie theatre, cultural center/museum, and many supermarkets and restaurants. It also has the largest outdoor market in the Central Valley which comes alive on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings with vendors selling many types of food and farm-fresh produce.
There is a major hospital, many doctors’ offices, and the only branch of the University of Costa Rica outside of San José. At night, particularly on the weekends, the city comes alive with a number of restaurants, bars and discos. If the loud music of the club scene is not your thing, you’ll probably enjoy strolling through the town’s quaint park which is across the street from the imposing, German-built, Gothic-style church. While the park often serves as the central venue for a variety of annual events, it is also just a short walk from San Ramón’s museum that tells the story of the important role played by leading residents in the political and cultural development of the country.
San Ramón’s best kept secret is its awe-inspiring views in some areas that are like no other in the Central Valley. Because of the town’s high altitude and westward-facing position towards the Pacific Coast, a number of very close-in suburbs offer views that encompass a huge swath of coastline, all the way south to Jacó and north to Puntarenas and beyond. Of course, with a direct view of the ocean, sunsets are stunning and the lights of several coastal cities come alive at dusk.
In several communities geared to resident foreigners, it is possible to live in an environment that offers both ocean- and Tuscan-like mountain views while being only a five-minute drive from the center of town. And, because San Ramón is still largely undiscovered by foreigners—there are perhaps 60-80 full-time retirees—real estate with “million dollar California” views is still available at a fraction of the cost in the U.S. or Europe.
It’s nearly impossible to describe in a brief article all that San Ramón has to offer. With its friendly people, stunning environment, peaceful lifestyle, and affordable cost of living, it is worth exploring the area and finding out more about real estate options in this undiscovered gem. We have thoroughly investigated the area and have found two terrific ocean-view communities offering valued-price home sites and everything else one would expect including high quality infrastructure, all services, full and clear title, and a proven development team that really cares. Please review the links below and schedule a trip to San Ramón!
Ocean-View Properties in San Ramon:
Contact: pgitlin@crcommunities.com
(506) 8346-5753
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