[Laura K]

My husband, son (7), and I will be moving to the central valley August 2010.

Which apartotels,etc. in the central valley would you recommend?

We have no pets and my husband and I don't smoke.

For rent, we would like to pay $800 per month or less (not including utilities, etc.)...at least 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom, air conditioning, and high speed internet.

Also, someplace where we can get around without a car.

This post has been edited by Laura K: 25 April 2009 - 01:45 PM

[costaricafinca]

I thought you were 'off to the beach'!
Here is a link to some condos, Villas Cariari which isn't exactly what you are after. They are in a great area, very safe and quite. I do know that they have substantially lowered there rates, but you need to ask them about that, as they haven't changed on their website.
If nothing else, it is a great place to stay until your 'stuff' arrives and you have found suitable accommodations. I know there is an international school very close.

[Laura K]

costaricafinca,

We were off to the beach but my husband, Randy, feels that we should live in the central valley first before living on the beach.

His reason is so our 7 year old son can adjust to living in Costa Rica and we don't have to buy a car right away.

Thank you for the link.

Laura K

[Johnhw2]

costaricafinca, on Apr 25 2009, 01:14 PM, said:

I thought you were 'off to the beach'!
Here is a link to some condos, Villas Cariari which isn't exactly what you are after. They are in a great area, very safe and quite. I do know that they have substantially lowered there rates, but you need to ask them about that, as they haven't changed on their website.
If nothing else, it is a great place to stay until your 'stuff' arrives and you have found suitable accommodations. I know there is an international school very close.

I am planning a trip to CR in August, a week or more in the central valley and a week along the west coast. I will have at least 4 adults with me and perhaps another couple all relatives of my side or wife's. These look like a good option even for a week stay, is there something similiar closer to Escazu/Santa Ana area? I know this Cariari area and its really not too far distance wise but not sure how long it might take with current traffic situation. I havent been to CR in 4 or 5 years now. Thanks for the help this idea gave me.

[costaricafinca]

Johnhw2we live in Guanacaste, so don't know of other similar places 'in town'. Our friends lived there until last month when they returned to Canada. Their 'excess visitors' and they had lots, always stayed there. The area is nice to walk round, and you can usually walk around the golf course. I think the 'Villas' may offer a pass to use the club facilities if you ask them.
We will stay there when the need arrives.
And I would reply to your concern "I know this Cariari area and its really not too far distance wise but not sure how long it might take with current traffic situation", hey... you have a week!


I will add though, you will be amazed at the changes in the Santa Ana, now. It is so built up, you will hardly recognize it.

This post has been edited by costaricafinca: 25 April 2009 - 12:44 PM

[Johnhw2]

costaricafinca, on Apr 25 2009, 01:43 PM, said:

Johnhw2we live in Guanacaste, so don't know of other similar places 'in town'. Our friends lived there until last month when they returned to Canada. Their 'excess visitors' and they had lots, always stayed there. The area is nice to walk round, and you can usually walk around the golf course. I think the 'Villas' may offer a pass to use the club facilities if you ask them.
We will stay there when the need arrives.
And I would reply to your concern "I know this Cariari area and its really not too far distance wise but not sure how long it might take with current traffic situation", hey... you have a week!


I will add though, you will be amazed at the changes in the Santa Ana, now. It is so built up, you will hardly recognize it.

Thanks again for your guidance. I must confess my top concern about Escazu/Santa Ana area is traffic. It wasnt good when we were last there but coming from Houston, we are use to traffic. However the roads were so narrow and with the growth I need to see how it is to decide. We do not need to travel during so called rush hour so day time and evening traffic is my focus. I know its beyond your sphere of travel.

[costaricafinca]

I understand why so many feel they need to live near some of the many conveniences that the bigger towns/cities have to offer, but I, for one, didn't move here for such 'benefits'.
Just let me walk out my door to see some of the eight species of hummingbirds that frequent our garden, each and every day. Walk the farm, watching other birds, looking for different plants and other 'creatures' if I am lucky.
And, you know, I am lucky!

[Johnhw2]

costaricafinca, on Apr 25 2009, 02:13 PM, said:

I understand why so many feel they need to live near some of the many conveniences that the bigger towns/cities have to offer, but I, for one, didn't move here for such 'benefits'.
Just let me walk out my door to see some of the eight species of hummingbirds that frequent our garden, each and every day. Walk the farm, watching other birds, looking for different plants and other 'creatures' if I am lucky.
And, you know, I am lucky!

You do indeed sound very lucky<G>.

My interest in Escazu/SA also has to do with the cool climate there and medical facilities. My wife's health requires constant monitoring of blood work etc, she averages 2 trips a month to Doctors or the med center here for blood work/MRI etc. Her care is under the guidance of one internal medicine doctor with specialist once or twice a year depending on if her lupus is flaring or calm. We indeed would like the natural wonders to be in our backyard and hope her health is better in CR, less stressful, and a climate that suits my warm nature and her desire for warmer temperatures out than I. The balancing act of marriage for 38 year<G>.

I may not haven given the pacific coast a proper look. Our stays there have been at Villa Caletas as well as the Los Suenos Marriott and a few days aboard a small cruise ship right off the pacific coast. It seemed warm to me all the time we were there, but perhaps I need to consider up the hills or mountains near the West Coast..I understand San Ramon has a nice climate with the Pacific in view at a distance from some locations. Perhaps I need to spend more of my upcoming trip on the west coast and nearby hills.

[jdocop]

I'm with CRF all the way, except we will be at a different spot than she. The main thing is to be far from the 'madding crowd.' Fortunately, we don't have any particular health issues, and our attitude is that that would be a bridge to cross if/when we come to it.

[costaricafinca]

San Ramon has fog...and lots of it! We have gone there on numerous occasions to the veggie market and on many days it was down to the ground until mid-day. It is definitely not somewhere I would choose, although I have heard it is good for orchids! I read on another site where there was many robberies in Los Angeles Sur and it said that "...it was extremely foggy, and that's when they like to strike because it muffles the noise of alarms".
I realize that medical facilities often 'top the list' for many, and can understand that. My husband has HBP which has been under control since we moved and I am extremely healthy so the medical facilitities are not an issue, as of now.
Consider the other side of San Jose past Cartago. Some lovely areas there with views that are unbelievable. Cooler, there too. Or check out Heredia, but I think you already mentioned that is where you were going to look.
You will find something that suits you both, I am sure.
Plus, I think they have birds elsewhere...

[Laura K]

costaricafinca,

Thanks for your information.

We are still considering Heredia.

I'm sure there nice places to rent for $800 per month or less.

Laura K

[Johnhw2]

costaricafinca, on Apr 25 2009, 03:57 PM, said:

San Ramon has fog...and lots of it! We have gone there on numerous occasions to the veggie market and on many days it was down to the ground until mid-day. It is definitely not somewhere I would choose, although I have heard it is good for orchids! I read on another site where there was many robberies in Los Angeles Sur and it said that "...it was extremely foggy, and that's when they like to strike because it muffles the noise of alarms".
I realize that medical facilities often 'top the list' for many, and can understand that. My husband has HBP which has been under control since we moved and I am extremely healthy so the medical facilitities are not an issue, as of now.
Consider the other side of San Jose past Cartago. Some lovely areas there with views that are unbelievable. Cooler, there too. Or check out Heredia, but I think you already mentioned that is where you were going to look.
You will find something that suits you both, I am sure.
Plus, I think they have birds elsewhere...

Thanks for the guidance as always. I have not given East of San Jose any consideration thus far. I assumed locations east would be very rainy. We spent a week in Santa Ana a few years ago during November and it felt cold and the rain was pretty constant even there so a month on the west coast at that time maybe necessary anywhere in the central valley area. Are there any cooler locations toward the west coast that do not have the fog issue of san ramon without getting too hot or are those two mutually exclusive desires of mine?

[costaricafinca]

In November it could be raining everywhere! Last year, it set new records.
We lived just outside of Turrialba, and never felt is was too wet ot or too cold. Orosi is definitely wetter. But anytime you are getting really high altitude you will get more rain. Heredia gets more.
This is why, us 'old timers here on the forum' say 'rent first' to be able check these things out.

[settleincostarica]

Laura K, on Apr 25 2009, 05:08 PM, said:

costaricafinca,

Thanks for your information.

We are still considering Heredia.

I'm sure there nice places to rent for $800 per month or less.

Laura K

I live in Heredia and before that, lived in Cartago (and in San José before that). As you travel east from San José to Cartago, anything east of Currdibat you will get considerable rain in the rainy season. Curridabat is known somewhat affectionately as "cielo roto" ("broken sky") because of how often it does rain. Cartago is likewise much more humid than either San José or Heredia. Cartago is known as the "Ciudad de las Brumas" ("Misty City") because of the fog that has always descended from the peaks (Irazú). Years ago, they used to have the farmers' market in the Parque Las Ruinas (park in city center, where the ruins are) and you sometimes could barely see the produce some mornings, shrouded in cold fog). Orosí and the Valley is indeed wetter. Never lived in Turrialba, but the rains tend to be mostly downpours whereas in Cartago you have many "cat hair" showers, a fine rain that will last an afternoon.Turrialba was once classified by the Ministry of Education as a "Zona Tórrida" (Torrid Zone) and paid teachers extra to go and teach there. According to many, though, Turrialba as a city has many amenities. I currently live in Heredia and couldn't be happier. It is drier than San José and considerably drier than anything east of San José.


Carlos

[costaricafinca]

Carlos, it is good to have you 'on board' as the more people that actually have lived/live here can give much more information on someone who vacationed for a short time. I know there is fog higher on the road which can make driving a nightmare outside of Cartago, but I have never experienced it 'downtown'. This why they installed 'cat's eyes' at the side of the road....and why they produce some of the best veggies in the country!
Good thing we all like varied climates!