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Long-Term Stay in San Jose

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Mbnupe1

Post subject: Long-Term Stay in San Jose

Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:56 am

CR Virgin - Newbie!

Joined: Fri Sep 30, 2005 10:22 pm
Posts: 7

I am moving to CR in April and staying for 6 months - maybe longer. Any suggestions on where to find a nice, furnished rental? I have only been to San Jose once, so I don't know what are the good areas. I won't have a car, so I need to be in walking distance for groceries, drugstore, etc. Also, I want to bring my dog with me. My budget is $400 - $500 US per month.

Any help would be appreciated.

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Myrivers

Post subject: Apts

Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:02 pm

Ticas ask me for advice!

Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2004 4:36 pm
Posts: 393
Location: CANADA Eh!

There are basically 3 different apartment groups most commonly listed on this board.

Linda Vista Aptos. are in an area known as Calle Blanco and are about a 20-25 minute walk north of the gulch or 10 minutes by bus. They cost between $125-145/wk. Its farther than the others but also the cheapest. Don Gordo got mugged near there not long ago and some say the neighborhood is rough. I didn't find it any worse than many other parts of SJ. Take a cab after dark if that makes you feel better.

The Scotland Aptos are about a 10 minute walk east of the gulch around Calle 25(?) (its actually indicated just off the edge of my map) and runs $250-350/wk. The $250 studios are similar in quality to Linda Vista's. The $350/wk apartments are much nicer but cost nearly as much as a hotel. Its not a bad neighborhood, but then I said that about Calle Blanco.

The Sudamer Aptos. are the one El Ciego and Y.O.M. stayed at on their last trip and I believe Don Gordo has stayed there as well, but I haven't seen them for myself. They are a little closer to the gulch but about 7 blocks to the south at Ave. 14 y Calle 7 (not far from Pantera Rosa and Ilusiones MP). They run $160/wk. The neighborhood is supposed to be like Morazon Park after dark but again I haven't really explored that neighborhood.

Do a search here under "apartments "with me as author and you will get detailed info on these places and a few others

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Californicationdude

Post subject:

Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 1:24 pm

PHD From Del Rey University!

Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2005 6:15 pm
Posts: 3785
Location: Washington, DC and Fort Lauderdale

here is a post from another website.....also, if I were planning on a 6 month stay in costa Rica and I was not a grizzled veteran, I would seek for more advice than can be found on this board. The ARCR is one such organization...of course, they are in the business to make money, so take their suggestions with a grain of salt at times, however, they do offer good tips and their seminar is a good experience for the newby to CR.

Quote:

Planning to bring your pets to Costa Rica? Of course you are! They're family too, right? I brought my two cats when I moved to Costa Rica.

Read all of this first to make sure you do it correctly.

As these rules can change, I strongly urge you to contact the Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR), a moving advisor or a relocation specialist no later than three weeks before your move as a safeguard! They will always have the most current info. Note: Often relocation firms outside Costa Rica are not current on laws and enforcement. Costa Rica specialists and moving advisors are usually a better bet.

If you follow these rules and do the final check back with ARCR, you will breeze through customs and immigration without any problems!

Quarantine and info on cats and dogs
Cats and dogs are not quarantined. You walk right through customers and immigration with the proper paperwork. You will need a certificate from your vet, and this form MUST comply with the US Dept of Agriculture format. Your vet should know all about this. Mine did. If he/she doesn't know, get another vet because THIS is critical stuff. Wrong form... no pets or long quarantine. Period!

This paperwork may also need to be validated by the CR embassy in the US nearest you. Currently it does NOT, but at any time and without notice, this can change. Check with ARCR for the current rules.

Shots (except rabies!) must be current within 30 days of transporting the animals. One day over? No pets.

Rabies shots must be over 30 days but less than one year.

You vet will know the immunizations required for shipping pets internationally. If he/she doesn't, get another vet. This sounds cold and it IS. Your vet MUST know this stuff.

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

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Orange

Post subject: Re: Long-Term Stay in San Jose

Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 1:33 pm

PHD From Del Rey University!

Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2005 10:20 pm
Posts: 12646

Mbnupe1 wrote:

My budget is $400 - $500 US per month.

Good luck, you may have a hard time finding a decent furnished apartment for that price. And then you gotta eat, and the dog too.

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Irish Drifter

Post subject:

Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 2:51 pm

PHD From Del Rey University!

Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:24 pm
Posts: 11358
Location: Sabana Oeste , Costa Rica

Considering your budget, you will have a dog, need to be within walking distance for essentials and the bus think you can forget the normal gringo long term apartments (Scotland, Sudamer, Vista Linda, etc.) and concentrate on more "Tico" type neighborhoods.

Your best bet is to pick up a copy of La Nacion and bird dog those ads. You will need some Spanish skills or will have to hire someone who can show you the areas and translate. Good luck.

_________________

Pura Vida

Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

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Bktuna

Post subject:

Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:27 pm

PHD From Del Rey University!

Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2006 7:31 pm
Posts: 3645
Location: Land of Milk and Honeys

San Pedro is your best bet for that price range:

Check

Craigslist
Tico Times
la Nacion
Am Costa Rica

Rent a cheap hotel for a week, that should give you enough time to find something. The difference between what you get for 500-600 vs 400-500 is huge. Unless bufget is very severe, the extr 100 is well worth it.

BKTUNA

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February

Post subject: Re: Apts

Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:29 pm

Masters Degree in Mongering!

Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2006 3:39 pm
Posts: 503
Location: 1,977 miles north of happiness

Myrivers wrote:

Linda Vista Aptos. are in an area known as Calle Blanco and are about a 20-25 minute walk north of the gulch or 10 minutes by bus. They cost between $125-145/wk. Its farther than the others but also the cheapest. Don Gordo got mugged near there not long ago and some say the neighborhood is rough. I didn't find it any worse than many other parts of SJ. Take a cab after dark if that makes you feel better.

My novia has a house in Calle Blanco. I don't feel unsafe at all there. It's a decent neighborhood by CR standards. Now, I would never walk around at night by myself, but together we have never had any problems. As always, YMMV, but I wouldn't consider it a "rough neighborhood".

I agree with the other poster about doing a lot of research. I would not recommend anyone moving to CR if you have only been there one time. I have been 10 times, and I would still consider myself a newbie when it comes to actually living there, getting an apt., etc. I hope you find someone you can trust to help you out with this, but if you have only been there once, you better be VERY carefull who you trust. I'm not flaming, JMHO. Good luck and be safe.

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Gringo Malo

Post subject:

Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:49 pm

Masters Degree in Mongering!

Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2004 8:28 am
Posts: 993
Location: Somewhere near the "Frozen Tundra of LAMBERT FIELD (John Fing Kerry)"

I find it necessary to respond here. Yes, Don Gordo was robbed (not mugged) at the bus stop near Calle Blancos. I sincerely believe that it was a fluke thing and could have happened anywhere in CR. If you note, even Don Gordo does not bad mouth Vista Linda. Calle Blancos is a decent, clean working class neighborhood. I have stayed at Vista Linda many times and never had a problem. I would not hesitate to return. Vista Linda not only offers a reasonably priced alternative to the Gulch hotels; but also an opertunity to meet and hang with others who are here for a longer period of time. Also, Carlos (the owner) is a friendly and helpful host who can help make your transition into the Country much easier. He also offers a discount for longer term renters and has various different sized apartments to meet your needs and your budget.

_________________
My life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming...." MAN....WHAT A RIDE!!!!"

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