Boomers In Costa Rica's Real Estate & More

GREAT Ocean-view lots in San Ramon!

CR Communities in San Ramon (CR Communities) has been hard at work on its premiere community, Pacific Hills at Magallanes.  With all the infrastructure in, all lots titled and ready for building your dream home, this property offers much for the retiree or investor.  Only five minutes from the bustling town of San Ramon, this 17-lot property only has a few lots left.  Most available lots face the Pacific-Ocean and also offer stunning mountain and valley views.

Lots range from $45,000 to $75,000 and range from .72 acres to 1.65 acres.  In fact, a few just came back on the market and aren't even on the site plan, both at only $45,000!  The project has water, electricity, roads and landscaping is on-going.  Clients include upscale professionals from the U.S., Canada and Europe, who will retire in one to six years, build terrific homes, and live in harmony in this peaceful community..

For additional information about Pacific Hills, click here: Pacific Hills
For additional information about San Ramon, click here: About San Ramon

For additional information or to schedule a time see the property and learn more about San Ramon, please email Preston at pgitlin@crcommunities.com or call him at (506) 8346-5753.  To learn more about one of Costa Rica's youngest developers, click here:

About Preston Gitlin from the Tico Times

Need to stay in San Ramon? Click here: Angel Valley Farm B&B

CR Communities in San Ramon (CR Communities) has been hard at work on its premiere community, Pacific Hills at Magallanes.  With all the infrastructure in, all lots titled and ready for building your dream home, this property offers much for the retiree or investor.  Only five minutes from the bustling town of San Ramon, this 17-lot property only has a few lots left.  Most available lots face the Pacific-Ocean and also offer stunning mountain and valley views.

Lots range from $45,000 to $75,000 and range from .72 acres to 1.65 acres.  In fact, a few just came back on the market and aren't even on the site plan, both at only $45,000!  The project has water, electricity, roads and landscaping is on-going.  Clients include upscale professionals from the U.S., Canada and Europe, who will retire in one to six years, build terrific homes, and live in harmony in this peaceful community..

For additional information about Pacific Hills, click here: Pacific Hills
For additional information about San Ramon, click here: About San Ramon

For additional information or to schedule a time see the property and learn more about San Ramon, please email Preston at pgitlin@crcommunities.com or call him at (506) 8346-5753.  To learn more about one of Costa Rica's youngest developers, click here:

About Preston Gitlin from the Tico Times

Need to stay in San Ramon? Click here: Angel Valley Farm B&B

Rains are here!

The Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN), Costa Rica's national weather service, believes we'll have heavier rains this week in the Central Valley and on the Pacific Coast.  Officials have said that with hot mornings, conditions are ripe for downpours in the afternoons and evenings.

For most of us, this means stunning mornings with plenty of sunshine and terrific mountain, valley or ocean views!  It also means everything is now more green and lush.  It's a great time to visit here as well with many less tourists!  It's also a good time to batton down the hatches and clean out the gutters on your roof!

PURA VIDA!

Q&A on Retiring & Investing in Costa Rica

While we receive hundreds of questions about a variety of topics related to Costa Rica, listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions.

What is the cost of living?

 

One of the greater perks in living in Costa Rica, besides the incredible climate, scenery, and people, is the low cost of living. According to an IMF study, $1,000 USD in purchasing power in the U.S. will get you approximately $2,030 in Costa Rica. So, whatever you may be spending a month currently, you could essentially double your standard of living simply by relocating to paradise. Or, you could potentially cut your budget in half with little to no sacrifice. Through the Boomers in Costa Tour we introduce future retirees and investors to not only the professionals and products to make this possible, but to a life style they can be proud of.

 

Is health care accessible and what is the quality?

 

According to the World Health Organization, Costa Rica actually ranks higher than the United States for its established health care system. It’s not only accessible, but it’s pleasantly affordable. We will introduce you to an array of health care options at much lower costs than you’re accustomed to.

 

Are there many expats Costa Rica?

 

While it is impossible to know exactly how many Ex-pats are here, as most are unregistered perpetual tourists, it is estimated that about 50,000 own real estate. The number is expected to grow exponentially as the 78 million baby boomers that exist in the U.S. alone are only beginning to retire and look at retirement options.

 

What type of people are moving to/investing in Costa Rica?

 

We find the vast majority fit into one of the following 4 categories:

 

-Retirees looking to relocate.

-Part-time residents looking for a vacation home

-Baby Boomers who are retiring early or want to drop out of the ‘rat race, ‘ and are searching for an alternative career or business.

-Investors looking for a better return on their current investments.

 

What has been the trend in the Costa Rican real estate market?

 

Costa Rica continues to see real estate price appreciation in double digits. In a July, 2007 study by “Reveal Real Estate” an organization that tracks international real estate, Costa Rica remains the most sought-after real estate destination in Central America. While it is a mature market, Reveal also found that this country offers a good balance between “risk and reward” but still offers significant capital appreciation over other investments.

 

Strong opportunities exist within certain regions, such as the Central Valley, particularly where retirees are living, rather than at the beach or near popular tourist areas. While the country lacks an MLS-type system to compare prices, construction permits were up 64% in 2006 and continue to climb in the low double digits in 2007, signaling a continuing robust market.

 

 

Is Costa Rica safe?

 

Costa Rica is extremely safe for expats. Obviously urban areas like San Jose tend to have more crime, but the majority is in the form of petty theft. Our tour introduces you to areas that are known for their safety. Peace is something the Costa Ricans cherish and want to preserve T here is no military. The government is also extremely stable and even more democratic than the U.S.

Learn more about Costa Rica by taking our highly recommended tour: Boomers Tours

All about Costa Rican Coffee!

When you think of Costa Rica, you think of its year-round tropical climate, pristine beaches, stunning mountain ranges, mysterious rainforests and friendly, welcoming people.  However, coffee is an important part of the historical fabric of the country and remains one of Costa Rica’s top exports to the United States and other countries.  No trip here is complete without sampling coffee from several growing regions.  Costa Rican coffee also makes an inexpensive gift to bring home to friends and family and it fits easily in your carry-on bag!

It is hard to confirm the origin of coffee but the most common tale is about how an Ethiopian goat herder noticed his flock eating a red bean from glossy plants.  The goat herder tried one of the beans and quickly noticed he had extra energy for the next several hours.  He brought some beans to a monk who later boiled them into a liquid to drink.  From there, news of this “magical bean” spread throughout the world.

Whether the story of the Ethiopian goat herder is true or not, coffee eventually made its way to Costa Rica and cultivation of coffee began here in 1790.  Since then, a mature industry has developed and the country’s various blends can be found in stores and restaurants throughout the world. 

Today, coffee comes in two varieties, Robusta and Arabica.   Robusta coffee beans account for about 25% of the world’s coffee production.  The Robusta variety tends to be grown at lower altitudes and is prevalent in Asia.  While Robusta produces more beans per plant, with the end result being a less expensive product for consumers, it offers a harsher taste.  Arabica coffee accounts for 75% of world production and is grown at higher altitudes throughout Latin America, including Costa Rica.   The taste of Arabica coffee is much more refined than other species and is generally more appealing to most consumers.   The Arabica bean is harder and has a denser aroma.  At the turn of the 20^th century, the Costa Rican government passed a law stating that only Arabica coffee could be grown in Costa Rica which differentiates this country from all others in the world. 

Costa Rican coffee is grown in several regions, generally in the Central Valley highlands outside of the capital of San Jose.  Costa Rica has many microclimates and due to the drastic change in altitude and climate over relatively short distances, the result can be differences in flavor in the end product.  Regions in Costa Rica famous for its coffee are Tarrazu, Tres Rios, Herediá, Alajuela, and Poas Volcano. 

Despite differences in climate, Costa Rican coffees are known more for their straightforward taste and appearance compared to more complex blends found in other countries.  With all of the “designer blends” available today, if it is a traditional cup of hearty Latin coffee that you want, Costa Rican coffee is the way to go.

The advent coffee production brought Costa Rica from a wild, tropical backwater to a more modern society with the profits from coffee going to support the development of towns, the opening of schools and medical facilities, and stronger links to the outside world.  Today, Costa Rica’s rich coffee history is remembered throughout the country in local celebrations and through a number of “coffee tours” in the Central Valley.

Don’t let your time in Costa Rica slip by without sampling some of the finest coffee in the world—and definitely bring some home with you!  In the near future, we’ll be adding specific information on different Costa Rican coffees and how to purchase coffee directly through boomj.com.  So, check back soon!

Want to learn more about living in Costa Rica, please join us on a Boomers Tour.  For more information click here: Boomers Tour information

Pay Your Bills

ICE, the local telecommunications monopoly, said in a press release over the weekend that it will start cutting off users who do not pay their phone bill the day after it is late!  They are cracking down so you should make sure you pay your bills on time!