www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Most discussions on this subject focus on investing in real estate at the beach or very near to the beach. What about in a community like Atenas? Atenas is maybe only an hour or hour and a half from Jaco and the climate there seems fantastic, besides the fact that it seems to be a very beautiful community. Does anyone have any opinions on investing in a community like that?

Piroca,
There's another forum that might interest you. The Admin is an author of several books regarding living, investing, moving, retiring in Costa Rica. His name is John Howells. You might find it interesting. It is definitely not a "mongering" type of forum. The link is as follows:

http://www.discoverypress.com/wwwboard/wwwboard.html

Hope this helps.

Mikey-B

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

I would be very cautious about investing in non tourist (ie: Atenas, etc) areas at this time. I say that because no one knows what the effect of the new Immigration law that is scheduled to kick start in August will have.

Should the government crack down on the perpetual tourist, as is rumored, then you will have many gringos moving out which will depress the real estate market both sales and rentals.

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

Excellent point Ding Dong. Noone knows exactly how this will affect the market, but I would certainly err to the side of caution. As with any Real Estate purchase, no matter where it is, doing your homework is critical. Know (and understand) all the angles before signing the dotted line. Trust noone, except (hopefully) your attorney. Good Luck.

Mikey-B

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Pardon my ignorance here but what is "the new Immigration Law" you're referring to and where can I read up more about this. Thx.

There was a discussion on this topic a few weeks ago. Check out:

https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... ght=#78207

If you do not read AM Costa Rica you may want to start. It often has information on the subject and there is always the Association of Residents of Costa Rica:

http://www.arcr.net

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

Here's a link from the Tico Times:

http://www.ticotimes.net/weekend.htm#featured_columnist

Oops. This link is from the Featured Columnist for the Dec. 23rd issue. I believe the new Immigration laws were discussed in the prior weeks' issue. Sorry for the confusion.

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Mikey-B wrote:



The December 16 article in the Tico Times is what started the whole discussion that I referred Piroca to. When you read that thread you will get my opinion on that article and the motivation of the gentleman who wrote it.

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

Thanks for the clarification Ding Dong.

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Piroca...there are many wonderful areas in Costa Rica to live or invest in. Obviously most of the money has been made at the beaches...mostly the popular ones where the tourists go and speculators have pushed the prices to ALMOST USA levels. Not neccessarily the best beaches in the country.

The key that I recommend buyers in CR is to focus on your goal and type of property you want to own. If it's for yourself to live if only part time, and you prefer mountains, clean air and remote living in a small village...Atenas may be the town for you. There are many lovely fincas (small farms) and relatively inexpensive land up there...some which have been listed in my multi listing website. As someone else stated...the problem may come to selling if that were part of your plan, especially in the short term. Theres a big difference between investing for income and quick turn around versus investing for personal enjoyment and habitation.

Another area to look if you are thinking spaces like Atenas might be the Puriscal Mountains above Ciudad Colon which is past Santa Ana/Escazu at the end of that highway. There are some beautiful "Ponderosa-like" valleys up there available at less than $10,000 per acre, but still only an hour from San Jose. You just have to like living quiet and without a lot of activities often found in the city...including mongering.

To chorus the rest here...be careful, take your time, and know your goals and your market.