Why do we think that Grecia and Poas are superb retirement destinations?...other than convenience, population, security, beauty...
...here are a few of the latest reasons...
1. Salon Blue... open for only two months by a couple from Minnesota with four children, Rachel and Kurt offer a full array of amenities found only in the best upper class salons in the States...haircuts, styles, perms, massages, pedicures, manicures, and much much more. Kurt has been in this business all of his life and is known as one of the best in the upper Midwest. Now in Grecia, a style and cut that would cost over $100 in the States...costs less than $20 here. Only two blocks off of the main park by the red metal church.
2. Café Delicias...two locations in Grecia, one in San Ramon. Established by a local Tico couple who acquired their baking skills while living in Ft. Lauderdale, FLA. It is really more of a coffeeshop featuring pastries, and a small luncheon menu AND of course...hot and cold coffees of all kinds and fruit drinks galore. The restaurant nearest the main square has turned into a favorite of nearly all the local “gringos”. Prices?...Iced cappucino that puts Starbucks to shame...around a buck...and carrotcake to die for ...less than a buck!! Ask nearly any Gringo who has visited the area and ask them their own personal favorite.
3. Bookmans ... this English and Spanish bookstore was formerly located in both San Jose and Escazu but Russ feels that Grecia has enough gringos now to support a store here. Used and new books, used and new videos. Russ has lived in Grecia for almost 20 years and is entrenched here...so if you want the local gossip on who is who and what is happening in Grecia...stop in. Right around the corner from Café Delicias and only half a block from the square.
Real estate in Costa Rica...boom or bust....OUR TAKE...
There has been a great deal of discussion and controversy as of late about the current status of Costa Rican real estate. The Stateside housing market in recent years ( also , most real estate markets in the world...) has seen huge gains in property values nearly everywhere in the country. At present however, no one can doubt that the real estate “boom” and the days of double and triple digit yearly gains are over. AND the controversy in Costa Rica is whether or not the halt of the “boom” in the States will affect the real estate market and prices here.
OUR TAKE: Heavily “gringo” areas will definitely feel the pinch. The beach areas of Guanacaste and some of the Central Pacific will inevitably feel the bite of rising interest rates and the slowing of “easy”home equity money. Development fueled by American developers and American dollars definitely will feel the ripple effect...how extensive it will be remains to be seen.
The areas specialized in by CR Home will NOT be affected by the slowdown. WHY?...supply and demand balance will stay the same. Retirees will still continue to move down...in fact, the baby boomers are increasing in numbers and , if anything, more will move to Costa Rica as money becomes even tighter in the States. The areas we work in are still 99.9% Tico and the few gringos that are moving here ( percentagewise, that is..) are in fact, skewing the market to the upside. Playa Coco and other more popular vacation areas are skewed the opposite way , where over 95% of new purchases are by Gringos.
Prices inland still reflect inflationary pressures on the Costa Rican colone as well. Properties inland , in the NW Central Valley , have historically increased a minimum of 15-20% yearly simply because of the dollar, colone imbalance. That
will most likely continue as it has for the past 25 plus years.
It is also important to remember too, how truly small the country of Costa Rica is. ...especially from a real estate standpoint. One purchase of land in any area is know by everyone in that area within 24-48 hours after the sale is consummated. If you think that gossip is prevalent in Smalltown, USA...wait until you live in Costa Rica!
And the prevailing attitude is... “ if it can happen to Jose, it can happen to me...and my land is much better so therefore my selling price will be higher.”
All of these factors, coupled with rising commodity and oil prices will continue to force upward pressure on real estate here. A few areas, which are currently occupied by primarily gringos , will feel the pinch of prices and perhaps the markets will even become buyers’ markets for a short time. But not for long.
A few really great values:
featured properties and verbage.
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