“first baby boomer files for social security!”

These were headlines in many of the online newspapers that I subscribe to.   Many of you that know me know that I am generally pretty upbeat most of the time, particularly when it comes to the subject of Costa Rica.   But, I think that being away from the States for a few years has also given me a different perspective…

Firstly, I would like to state categorically that I love my country and that my reasons for moving to Costa Rica were primarily for adventure AND for financial reasons…NOT to escape.   However, that being said…I am becoming very concerned over the financial condition of my home country.   We have spent nearly half a trillion dollars on the war in Iraq, with no end in sight.  As I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota originally …many of you will remember the bridge that collapsed….and  the fallout from that has borne out , in spades, the exact situation of the infrastructure in the States.   The bill is now coming due for procrastination.  And it is estimated to be bigger than the total cost of the Iraq war by a factor of at least 2 to 1.

All of the above, coupled with the coming huge influx of baby boomers NOW filing for social security AND the shortage of commodities worldwide definitely do not bode well for those entering the retirement arena…or for those looking forward to the future.  

So…why am I writing all of this?   Well, it sure isn’t to make all of you depressed.  The main purpose is to get any of you even considering Costa Rica…to reconsider and to try to expedite your decisions BEFORE prices rise too much further.   Granted , prices ( even at double present rates ) are still a bargain when compared with Stateside or Canadian pricing.   But…the whole concept of Costa Rica is to maximize your retirement income and to ensure that you have enough to live comfortably.   It is scary to think that a family of two needs at least $3-4000 to live comfortably in retirement.   And remember, it takes half of that to live comfortably here. 

So…start getting serious…and if you have an interest in Costa Rica as an investment OR as a retirement destination…please realize that the subprime crisis in the States is NOT affecting prices of Costa Rica land ( at least in the primary retirement areas ).  PRICES WILL KEEP RISING.

All of the above being said…the following are available and prices are reasonable:

1. 500 sq. meters…smaller lot but great panoramic view and only 100 meters from a main road with utilities closeby.                                                                    $14,000

2.  One manzana ( almost two acres ) , fantastic view toward the Central Valley…100s of eucalyptus trees and coffee…utilities within 100 meters…private………   $45,000

3.  Nearly two manzanas ( about three acres ) of what is easily the best value we have at present!   Huge, panoramic views through the valleys and the entire Central Valley and its volcanos and even as far away as Cartago and almost to the Pacific coast.   The property backs up to a reserve for those who desire privacy and assurance of it.   The property slopes to a larger river about 150 meters away and is stunning.   It is a large enough property to encompass literally thousands of trees and the lower levels and high enough to have easily the “best views in the entire area”.    A house perched here will easily own the best location in town.                                Priced well below market:  $85,000  and easily our best value.

4.  We had a tremendous response to our “waterfall “ property in Bajos del Toro.   One of the most common questions was “ it a cloud forest misty and rainy all the time?”  And the answer is no.   It is probably more cloudy than properties at lower levels but it is definitely clear and sunny almost as much of the time as almost all other mountain properties are.    The vegetation is a little different than at lower levels and it is probably a little more chilly but not overly so.    A fireplace might be just the thing here for those used to more cool climates.  ( like us…being from Minnesota ).    If you have an interest in this property, please call as it will most likely sell quickly……….        Only  $75,000

5.  A cabina similar to ours is being constructed with an ECD ( estimated completion date ) of approximately two more months.   Two level, two BR, two baths, great decking, concrete, stucco and wood….   Private, almost one half acre…sloping to a river.   Trees, coffee, private .   Superb views toward the central valley.     If you have an interest, ask for the floor plan.                                                                                          $80,000

6.  We are seeing several larger pieces of land, some with Tico homes up in the San Carlos Area…personally we think that this area will experience the next real “boom” in real estate prices…sizes of properties range from 2-50 hectares, most with great views and most have rivers as well.   Nearly all of these are near liquidation costs ( people in these areas are extremely poor)…so you will see prices begin at around the $25,000 and up.    We will most likely start posting specific properties in the very near future.   But if you think that this is potentially an area that you might have an interest in, give us a holler.   We love the area and it reminds us , more than anything, of the Midwest in the 50s.   And the views, are to kill for…mountains, lakes, rivers…and much more.

7.  A little over one hectare, actually nearly three acres perhaps two kilometers outside of Sarchi…fantastic views toward town and the mountains…gorgeous setting and extremely convenient and yet private.   Currently planted in tomatoes with small river on one side of the property.                                                                                             Only $45,000

8.  Don’t forget www.lasbrisascostarica.net …. If any of you want the best there is in a view property AND security…this is it!   Lastly, we will be putting the finishing touches on Ventanas del Pacifico, our property in San Mateo…
  http://hstrial-rberg.homestead.com/index.html     .   We have just finished cutting the road in for the properties on phase one.   Everytime we go there it reaffirms how gorgeous this property is.   We are proud of both properties and believe that 90% of you will feel the same.   Ask for details.

 Items of interest, or at the very least, of note:
Those of you who have been following the CAFTA vote here , or Central American Free Trade Association, know that Costa Rica narrowly approved its passage.   I honestly can’t say if it will be a good thing or a bad thing for Costa Rica in the long or short run…but what I do believe is that Uncle Sam rarely instigates trade treaties without putting its own interests first…vis a vis NAFTA and the U.S. /Canadian treaty.   Ask Steve ( from Calgary) who benefited the most …but be prepared for an earful.  
I guess the one item about the treaty that bothered me the most was President Bush and the U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica basically threatening Costa Rica about all of the negatives that would occur if the treaty was not ratified.   What happened to democracy?
There was a huge amount of emotion generated from the vote and the one thing that stood out , in my mind, was the fact that …all throughout the campaign…no one was injured and all disagreement, albeit heated…was peaceful.

The other item that is becoming even more apparent is how truly small Costa Rica really is…we all know that it is in geographical terms …but it is definitely smaller than a great many of Stateside cities.    And those in power,  I.e., monetarily or politically all know each other.    Our attorney has introduced us to several friends holding higher political office as well as friends in various bureaucracies throughout the country.   In the States and in Canada, these machinations are on a much much larger scale and really seem to have little relevance to most of us.   Here , however, it is different.    It has really become apparent how things truly are run here….sometimes for the better…sometimes not. 

Our new mechanic, Felipe, just performed major surgery on our truck.   When we asked him how much the bill was…he just waved his hand and said that he hadn’t totaled it up yet and that he would drop it off sometime in the next few days.    And this is the same mechanic that will pick up and deliver our vehicles when work is complete.    Listen up., Mr. Goodwrench!  And this is normal customer service here. (BTW…a new head gasket…less than $150)

The rains, which have wreaked havoc on the entire country…being the worst in over 30 years…and leaving literally thousands homeless …and seemingly coming to an end.   Rain still visits us daily…but not for as long…and not with such force.    And peoples’ moods are noticeably brighter…the land is drying out and we now are seeing sunrises and sunsets.

One other last item:  we are becoming increasingly aware of the huge number of developments being aggressively marketed in the States.   And we are also being told of the ridiculous pricing being assigned to many of these developments.   People simply are not aware of what pricing in Costa Rica really is…and there is no real source that one can go to with any degree of reliability to ascertain what is a “good deal” or a “bad deal.”
So…hopefully …sometime in the next few months we will be hosting a website which will portray what is true and what is not here.  
Why us?   ….maybe for the only reason that no one else is doing it.   Others that portray themselves as being altruistic and helpful are definitely not revealing the true reasons why their websites exist.   In many cases these “helpful” websites are receiving huge commissions for specific property recommendations or referrals.   Maybe a lot of you think that this is OK, and “what we don’t know, won’t hurt us”.   Maybe, maybe not…but I am a proponent of disclosure and believe that the consumer here ( or “thinking about HERE” ) has the right to know .   Goes back to the old adage of “let the consumer beware”…but here it is a different story.    More on the site as time progresses. 

All of us are healthy, except for a few colds and sniffles.   We are all looking forward to another summer here and seeing old and new faces.  

From all of us at CR Home….Randy, Rhonda, Char and Rodrigo, Dolan and Logan, Steve and Marzena, Liffer and Yolanda and their two little ones, and of course, the Woodpecker and his many…

Thanks for putting up with my ramblings and for allowing us all to live the lives we always dreamed about.  If we had written a script it couldn’t have turned out any better. 

p.s. due to problems with past emails and servers we have switched servers in the past two weeks ...please, those of you who have filled out profiles: we have been unable to recapture your information....therefore please fill out again and send.   And any of you who have NOT received answers to your emails...please be aware that we are NOT avoiding you and please resend.    Thanks for your patience.