Friday 17
October 2003
A Question of value
If you go back in the archives of my articles you will see how very happy we are with our lives here. I feel I need to communicate better some of the many amenities of my house and how it compares to equally priced houses here in Costa Rica.
My past articles describe how fantastic the weather, neighbors, medical care, food, etc. are, but they do not focus on our house. I continue to investigate the costs and values of the various areas of this country so I can give a comprehensive overview to my tour guests. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY even close to the amenities of this house for $60,000 to $85,000. As a side note; the Atenas area is at about 2,500 feet altitude; TOO HOT and way too much TRAFFIC for my liking. It is a perpetual LIE that National Geographic ever said it is the best climate for living. Beware of people who continue to exploit this LIE. The best weather is between 3,000 and 5,000 feet unless you insist on living on the Beach.
First of all, the apartment stays rented most of the year with little or no advertising. I currently have a waiting list to rent it. The $325 monthly rent pays ALL of our living expenses including our medical insurance, 2 phone lines, and Internet service. The only thing it does not pay is our food, toys, and home improvements. The money we have saved from our SS checks is what is allowing us to buy a more expensive lot and build a BIGGER house with an even more spectacular view.
Secondly, the Hot tub is better than any I have experienced in 33 years of owning and using hot tubs. This is really a Hydro massage not a mamby pamby bubble bath like nearly every Hot tub sold. It has an electronic Ozone generator which has twice the capacity required so, it requires essentially NO CHEMICALS and has NO CHORINE SMELL. Many of my guests (many with chronic back pain) have experienced this tub and ALL say they have never slept better after. This is an incredible asset whether you are married or single and want to entertain guests in a VERY ROMANTIC setting. I am currently helping a young, single, business man build a similar tub on his deck. There is a full Bathroom and 350 square feet of beautiful tile and Teak around the Hot tub which is great for entertaining or it could be easily turned into a fantastic Master Bedroom.
Thirdly, this house is totally engineered and built of steel and concrete to withstand any earthquake likely to get up here. The people who built the original house are from Long Beach CA. They had it designed and built and used it only 3 months per year for 7 years. I have completely redecorated and added Hot water, track lighting, and all new bathrooms. I had the Mirador engineered and actually built it stronger than the specifications. All documents were registered and approved by the proper authorities.
Fourthly, I keep reading how people are concerned about crime in CR. I have written a whole article about how it is unheard of here in Acosta. The worst that ever happens is some petty theft and this only when stuff is left out.
So, I have a question for those who are reading these articles and looking at the photos of our house. We have had the house listed for about 30 days now and over 700 people per week are looking at the photos. There has been no one interested enough to call, email, or fax about seeing it.
My question is this; why have you not contacted me about buying this house? Please pick one or more of the reasons below and email your response to me at
glundquistcr@yahoo.com .
· We are not actively looking to buy
· House is too small
· House is too large
· Price is too high
· Location is bad
1. Too far from San Jose
2. Too far from Beaches
3. Not enough "Gringos" in area
· Other ______________________________________________
I really would appreciate your answers and will attempt to fix anything that I have control over.
What a country!!!
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