Comments on: Email from Readers http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2009/05/04/email-from-readers/ The Blog for Travelers, Retirees, Expats and anyone who needs to know the REAL Costa Rica. Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:50:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jane http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2009/05/04/email-from-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-16840 Jane Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:34:08 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/?p=703#comment-16840 Hi Judith, Sorry, I just now checked in and saw that you had replied to my post in October! Our home is in Santo Domingo de Heredia which is about 15-20 min from San Jose. If I had checked earlier perhaps we could have set something up but for now we aren't sure what that month holds for us. We may have visitors. We have had excellent dental care in CR. My daughter, age 24, had major work done including implants. The dentist we used in Santo Domingo de Heredia was top notch. She even paid my daughter two house visits just to see how the healing was coming along in between office visits in addition to a daily phone call. It was actually the surgeon who did most of the work but the dentist carefully watched over the entire process. I hope your and your husband's experience will be as good! I'm sure it will be much cheaper than would be in the US. We saved almost $10,000. Jane Hi Judith,

Sorry, I just now checked in and saw that you had replied to my post in October! Our home is in Santo Domingo de Heredia which is about 15-20 min from San Jose. If I had checked earlier perhaps we could have set something up but for now we aren’t sure what that month holds for us. We may have visitors.

We have had excellent dental care in CR. My daughter, age 24, had major work done including implants. The dentist we used in Santo Domingo de Heredia was top notch. She even paid my daughter two house visits just to see how the healing was coming along in between office visits in addition to a daily phone call. It was actually the surgeon who did most of the work but the dentist carefully watched over the entire process.

I hope your and your husband’s experience will be as good! I’m sure it will be much cheaper than would be in the US. We saved almost $10,000.

Jane

]]> By: Tim http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2009/05/04/email-from-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-16664 Tim Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:41:10 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/?p=703#comment-16664 Kind of depends on whether you want them as tenants or house sitters. If to have the home occupied, then the rent is not as important. If renting for income, talk to a local realtor. Kind of depends on whether you want them as tenants or house sitters. If to have the home occupied, then the rent is not as important. If renting for income, talk to a local realtor.

]]> By: Judith http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2009/05/04/email-from-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-16656 Judith Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:23:26 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/?p=703#comment-16656 Jane, My husband and I will be in San Jose, Costa Rica from Jan. 5, 2010 until Feb. 6 or 7 and would like to rent a place that is safe and not a tourist area. We are 71 and 72 going for extensive dental work. We would need to be able to get to the Barrio Tournon area from wherever we stay. Not sure if your home is in San Jose, but if it is and you would want to rent it for 1 month we may be interested. We live in a very nice area on a golf course in the Nashville, TN area and our neighborhood has experienced the same problems you have. Sincerely, Judith Jane, My husband and I will be in San Jose, Costa Rica from Jan. 5, 2010 until Feb. 6 or 7 and would like to rent a place that is safe and not a tourist area. We are 71 and 72 going for extensive dental work. We would need to be able to get to the Barrio Tournon area from wherever we stay. Not sure if your home is in San Jose, but if it is and you would want to rent it for 1 month we may be interested. We live in a very nice area on a golf course in the Nashville, TN area and our neighborhood has experienced the same problems you have. Sincerely, Judith

]]> By: Judith http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2009/05/04/email-from-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-16652 Judith Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:47:25 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/?p=703#comment-16652 My husband and I will be staying in San Jose, for 1 month beginning Jan 4, 2010. We are going for medical reasons and are looking for an inepensive place to stay that is safe. Not real cheap, but a hotel seems to be out of the question for that length of time. We are both in our early 70's and need to be in the downtown area. Not sure what the area is called, but checking on it now. My husband and I will be staying in San Jose, for 1 month beginning Jan 4, 2010. We are going for medical reasons and are looking for an inepensive place to stay that is safe. Not real cheap, but a hotel seems to be out of the question for that length of time. We are both in our early 70’s and need to be in the downtown area. Not sure what the area is called, but checking on it now.

]]> By: Jane http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2009/05/04/email-from-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-16650 Jane Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:41:41 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/?p=703#comment-16650 Thank you, Tim, for your comments about the security of our home. I had to laugh at your suggestion to fire our atty. :-) Unfortunately, a few nights ago one of our houses (we actually have two, side by side, one "was" for my in-laws) was broken into. The robbers hopped the fence, cut the lock on the inside gate (door cage) and kicked in the front door which is made of solid hardwood. They only took the TV, thankfully and it looks like our insurance will cover everything. I don't write this to dispute what you have said because I realize that probably happened because the house is uninhabited. We have been talking about getting timed exterior lighting and now definitely will! Yesterday we were offered the opportunity to have a tico/gringo couple rent the house. We were offered $350 per month and a year's lease. Being from the US that sounds terribly low, and I have done a little research and even in Costa Rica that is low for that location. It is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath with a good sized yard, nice back terrazza, etc. What are your thoughts on the rent figure we were offered? Other friends have said perhaps as much as $600 but we are willing to go as low as $450. Any suggestions regarding rent or extra security would be greatly appreciated! Jane Thank you, Tim, for your comments about the security of our home. I had to laugh at your suggestion to fire our atty. :-)

Unfortunately, a few nights ago one of our houses (we actually have two, side by side, one “was” for my in-laws) was broken into. The robbers hopped the fence, cut the lock on the inside gate (door cage) and kicked in the front door which is made of solid hardwood. They only took the TV, thankfully and it looks like our insurance will cover everything. I don’t write this to dispute what you have said because I realize that probably happened because the house is uninhabited. We have been talking about getting timed exterior lighting and now definitely will!

Yesterday we were offered the opportunity to have a tico/gringo couple rent the house. We were offered $350 per month and a year’s lease. Being from the US that sounds terribly low, and I have done a little research and even in Costa Rica that is low for that location. It is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath with a good sized yard, nice back terrazza, etc.

What are your thoughts on the rent figure we were offered? Other friends have said perhaps as much as $600 but we are willing to go as low as $450.

Any suggestions regarding rent or extra security would be greatly appreciated!

Jane

]]> By: Jim Rhyner http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2009/05/04/email-from-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-16647 Jim Rhyner Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:47:23 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/?p=703#comment-16647 I have read so much about the friendly, family oriented, religious Ticos and how understanding they are toward guests in their country. If that is so, how come there is such a high rate of crime that it is unsafe to walk at night? I know the poverty rate is high but that is also true in Pakistan, Indonesia, Yemen and other countries where I have gone for walks at night; of course I was careful what neighborhoods and business areas I walked in. The only country I have not felt safe to walk anywhere at night was the Philippines. I have read so much about the friendly, family oriented, religious Ticos and how understanding they are toward guests in their country. If that is so, how come there is such a high rate of crime that it is unsafe to walk at night? I know the poverty rate is high but that is also true in Pakistan, Indonesia, Yemen and other countries where I have gone for walks at night; of course I was careful what neighborhoods and business areas I walked in. The only country I have not felt safe to walk anywhere at night was the Philippines.

]]> By: gail reagan http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2009/05/04/email-from-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-16641 gail reagan Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:50:37 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/?p=703#comment-16641 No questions, just some observations from a recent trip to CR. My husband and I arrived and stayed in San Jose for 2 days and nights, drove to Playa Chiquita south of Puerto Limon, stayed for 2 days and nights, drove to Nuevo Arenal (basically, as that was the nearest town.) Stayed 3 days and nights, drove to Tamarindo, stayed 2 nights and days, back to Aleluja for 1 night, flew home. Observations: LOVED the country. Loved the visit. Much better roads and driving than we had expected BUT - a BIG but - TRUCKS and bicyclists were the worst!!! The latter driving at night, in the road, totally dark - no reflectors, light, nothing! The former were almost uniformly dirty (spewing pollution), overloaded, underpowered, in dreadful repair, and driven by lunatics. In areas where there are lots of trucks - BEWARE. Ditto those suicidal cyclists at night. Biggest adaptation was to the schedule of the day. Sun (and howler monkeys) rise early, go down early, by US standards. People on their way to work in large numbers at 4 and 4:30 in the morning, hidden away by 7 p.m. Planned our days accordingly. Rental car agents (Avis) tried their best to claim "scratches" to their vehicle. Fortunately, due to this site and a few others, we had taken comprehensive photos of the rental car at the time of rental, before it ever moved an inch. All "new" damage was clearly visible on the photos, and miniscule to boot. Nice try guys, makes me wonder "Why bother?" Do they get to pocket the money, or what? Stopped twice by road blocks of Tourist police. Both wanted passports, driver's license, car rental agreement, info regarding our starting point and destination for the day (or night.) One officer, on one stop, spoke passable English, the rest (numbering a total of probably 10-12 together)little or none. Seems a good thing to train the "Tourist" police to speak the language of the tourists. The other two stops were both along the same road, both lone police officers,standing in the middle of the road, in full daylight, altho neither had badges. Neither spoke more than a few words of English, first one wanted to impose a fine, payable on the spot or later at a "bank" with a 30% tax. We managed to convey that we'd take the ticket and go to a bank, suddenly there was no problem, no ticket, just drive safely. Second one didn't try for money, but REALLY wanted to see and handle our passports, etc. Made us rather nervous, but they were given back. No explanation given for our stop. We tried to report the "police" but no one at the phone number we were given seemed even slightly interested. AGain, because we had read this site, we knew not to give out money on the spot, especially when we had done nothing wrong. This info was reinforced by several of our hosts, who said it is a rip-off played on tourists. No real concerns about crime, safety, etc., until we arrived in Tamarindo. Our hosts met us at our car at their gates, and said "Take everything from the car, thieves will break in and steal it." Armed private guards along the road, in front of horrible, but fortunately empty condos, made for feeling of being under constant seige. Beautiful scenery, but very high personal price to be there. Can't wait to go back, comments appreciated. gr No questions, just some observations from a recent trip to CR.
My husband and I arrived and stayed in San Jose for 2 days and nights, drove to Playa Chiquita south of Puerto Limon, stayed for 2 days and nights, drove to Nuevo Arenal (basically, as that was the nearest town.) Stayed 3 days and nights, drove to Tamarindo, stayed 2 nights and days, back to Aleluja for 1 night, flew home.
Observations:
LOVED the country. Loved the visit. Much better roads and driving than we had expected BUT – a BIG but – TRUCKS and bicyclists were the worst!!! The latter driving at night, in the road, totally dark – no reflectors, light, nothing! The former were almost uniformly dirty (spewing pollution), overloaded, underpowered, in dreadful repair, and driven by lunatics. In areas where there are lots of trucks – BEWARE. Ditto those suicidal cyclists at night.
Biggest adaptation was to the schedule of the day. Sun (and howler monkeys) rise early, go down early, by US standards. People on their way to work in large numbers at 4 and 4:30 in the morning, hidden away by 7 p.m. Planned our days accordingly.
Rental car agents (Avis) tried their best to claim “scratches” to their vehicle. Fortunately, due to this site and a few others, we had taken comprehensive photos of the rental car at the time of rental, before it ever moved an inch. All “new” damage was clearly visible on the photos, and miniscule to boot. Nice try guys, makes me wonder “Why bother?” Do they get to pocket the money, or what?
Stopped twice by road blocks of Tourist police. Both wanted passports, driver’s license, car rental agreement, info regarding our starting point and destination for the day (or night.) One officer, on one stop, spoke passable English, the rest (numbering a total of probably 10-12 together)little or none. Seems a good thing to train the “Tourist” police to speak the language of the tourists.
The other two stops were both along the same road, both lone police officers,standing in the middle of the road, in full daylight, altho neither had badges. Neither spoke more than a few words of English, first one wanted to impose a fine, payable on the spot or later at a “bank” with a 30% tax. We managed to convey that we’d take the ticket and go to a bank, suddenly there was no problem, no ticket, just drive safely.
Second one didn’t try for money, but REALLY wanted to see and handle our passports, etc. Made us rather nervous, but they were given back. No explanation given for our stop. We tried to report the “police” but no one at the phone number we were given seemed even slightly interested.
AGain, because we had read this site, we knew not to give out money on the spot, especially when we had done nothing wrong. This info was reinforced by several of our hosts, who said it is a rip-off played on tourists.
No real concerns about crime, safety, etc., until we arrived in Tamarindo. Our hosts met us at our car at their gates, and said “Take everything from the car, thieves will break in and steal it.” Armed private guards along the road, in front of horrible, but fortunately empty condos, made for feeling of being under constant seige. Beautiful scenery, but very high personal price to be there.
Can’t wait to go back, comments appreciated.

gr

]]> By: Tim http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2009/05/04/email-from-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-16602 Tim Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:10:55 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/?p=703#comment-16602 Yup! 1. Change your attorney as the one you have is clearly ignorant. 2. ANY home in ANY country at ANY time in ANY neighborhood can be attacked. Could it happen? Sure. Will it? Very likely not. You are in a nice area... 3. Really... changes attorneys Yup!

1. Change your attorney as the one you have is clearly ignorant.

2. ANY home in ANY country at ANY time in ANY neighborhood can be attacked. Could it happen? Sure. Will it? Very likely not. You are in a nice area…

3. Really… changes attorneys

]]> By: Jane http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2009/05/04/email-from-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-16593 Jane Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:32:46 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/?p=703#comment-16593 Hi Tim, I sent you an "email" back in July regarding safety at night but never heard from you. You have stated how bombarded you get with email and I understand but I would still like to have your thoughts on my question. The problem is that I worry at night when my husband is not with me in our home in Santo Domingo de Heredia. I felt safe there until our attorney (a Tico) shared frightening stories with me about his own family member being robbed at their home in Guanacaste at gun point. He walked around our home and told me of all the worries he has about it. In my opinion our builder has created a literal fortress and it seems it would be near impossible to break in. We have bars on the windows, a cage around the front door, padlocks on the garage door, we're situated on a corner under a bright street light, there is 24/7 security watch that we pay for, etc. But when a Tico tells me these stories it chinks away at my mental armor and I start to wonder. We actually live in the Quizarco subdivision which is nice but it is not a gated community. We love our neighbors and have made friends with both gringos and ticos. Life couldn't be better except when I'm alone at night. I can't expect another person to wipe away my fear but I just wonder if this fear is unfounded or if there is reason for concern? I hear conflicting comments about safety...on one hand I hear there is less violence and on the other I hear things like what my attorney told me. I do think it's probably a waste of time and robs me of sleep when I'm there alone. Can you shed any light on my dilemma? Hi Tim,

I sent you an “email” back in July regarding safety at night but never heard from you. You have stated how bombarded you get with email and I understand but I would still like to have your thoughts on my question.

The problem is that I worry at night when my husband is not with me in our home in Santo Domingo de Heredia. I felt safe there until our attorney (a Tico) shared frightening stories with me about his own family member being robbed at their home in Guanacaste at gun point. He walked around our home and told me of all the worries he has about it. In my opinion our builder has created a literal fortress and it seems it would be near impossible to break in. We have bars on the windows, a cage around the front door, padlocks on the garage door, we’re situated on a corner under a bright street light, there is 24/7 security watch that we pay for, etc. But when a Tico tells me these stories it chinks away at my mental armor and I start to wonder. We actually live in the Quizarco subdivision which is nice but it is not a gated community. We love our neighbors and have made friends with both gringos and ticos. Life couldn’t be better except when I’m alone at night. I can’t expect another person to wipe away my fear but I just wonder if this fear is unfounded or if there is reason for concern? I hear conflicting comments about safety…on one hand I hear there is less violence and on the other I hear things like what my attorney told me. I do think it’s probably a waste of time and robs me of sleep when I’m there alone. Can you shed any light on my dilemma?

]]> By: Tim http://blog.therealcostarica.com/2009/05/04/email-from-readers/comment-page-1/#comment-16435 Tim Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:32:13 +0000 http://blog.therealcostarica.com/?p=703#comment-16435 Sure... now what happens when you are deported because you are not here legally? Who manages the property? If you have all that money to buy property, why not just get your residency and be here legally? Sure… now what happens when you are deported because you are not here legally? Who manages the property? If you have all that money to buy property, why not just get your residency and be here legally?

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