Hello all... Just wanted to throw this one out there as many of you are 'looking' for properties to build on. I just saw this on my dog walk... thought it was quite good... but maybe not for you. You be the judge.
I was walking my dog and saw a really really nice property that just went up for sale. 12,000 square meters... just under 3 acres. It's NOT at a high altitude if you're looking for cooler temps in the tropics?... but about 900 feet above sea level and plenty of expats and millions of Ticos live at or below that level... Yes it is warm, but nights are cool, and breezes are common. I really can't complain. You can stop now if you want some 'altitude'...
It's a very pretty site. On the 'only' street in a village on a dead-end road... about 500 meters from a main highway. Village hasn't much... but is, in my opinion, prettier than the average. Elementary school, church, communal kitchen, soccer field, cemetery, salon (gym/assembly space) super-mini market; bus stop with dailies to San Ramon, Quesada, Fortuna. There are tiny cafes, called 'sodas' within 2 minutes of the village. Perfect for breakfast out.
The street is paved and actually has curb & gutters. It is not a busy street nor does it have a lot of residential on it (village population is around 150:).. maybe 15-20 houses along a stretch that goes up into the hills. Directly in front of the property are three, well maintained 'Quintas' on the other side of the street... which are weekend houses for people from the city. They aren't there every weekend, nor do they rent them to partiers. One of them is currently for sale; cute, modified A-frame, plunge pool; on the creek. They have hedges too. The only full-time neighbor would be to the far left of the property. The guy is what I would call a young 'gentleman farmer' ... he's a cop; his wife is a teacher; and they maintain a few cows, a spirited 'fancy stepping' horse... and their dogs and cats. Their livestock are kept on a part of their property that is far away from the one that is for sale... thus, no smell. They have a lovely 'entrance' to their little piece of heaven, with an allée of trees along the driveway up to a tiny 2-story, tin, barn-like abode that is their home. It looks like something you would see in west Texas near Austin. Behind this sale property are no buildings... just trees and perhaps some agricultural space (I haven't walked back there... it is private) before it goes straight UP... these foothills wrap 2 sides of the town; we sit in an ancient, extinct, volcano basin. Beyond them are the Monte Verde mountains... The right side of the property borders a stream with year-round water...thus, you could engineer some of that water into a water feature if you wish... tilapia pond, koi, or even just something decorative. Very common here to do that. A guy that lives close by on the other side of the road uses it for just that. His garden is a local attraction. I've seen some good sized turtles in that creek. The rest of the property has a 6-foot high, manicured hedge creating a private border on three sides; making it private from the street, and everything else except for the river.
This is the interesting part; the property is currently maintained as an 'event space' ... It has at the far back, right corner, a small soccer field that is not too visible to the street, and then... on the right side closer to the big front gate, a large picnic pavilion with crude 'cooking' accommodations; a good sized swimming pool, a basketball court, and of course some restrooms and showers. Not sure if the restrooms are 'outhouses' or if they have flushing toilets. The property doesn't have a lot of mature trees 'inside' it... but there are many trees on the other side of the hedges. The property has municipal 'delicious' water; and of course, electricity... maybe wifi?
The far left side of the property is just grass... where it borders with the cop and his wife (really nice people... not from the town) and could easily be 'separated' into one or two good sized lots to be sold off (the village is considered to be quite 'nice' for the area; quiet and convenient to the highway; popular with city folk for 'country' houses) that would have their own entrances from the street; or you could build on them the type of houses (to be sold) that would attract good people who won't fill their yard with broken cars and dirty kids. Thus, you have some control and can attract good neighbors; and make your own property smaller and thus, require less 'work' to maintain... remember... the growing season here is 365 days a year. No down time, except for a bit of a 'lull' during the dry season... which always depends. Probably a good property for people who like a design/build project with an almost guaranteed favorable outcome... right next door.
So there is NO house on the property... which means that you can start from scratch and build something with HIGH ceilings and good access to cross breezes; and accommodate it with AC, or hookups for eventual AC; and plenty of shaded outdoor living space. The soccer field could be a great location for a house... or even a guest house; or a private garden for naked romping... as it is the most private part of the property... and next to the stream. Maybe the picnic pavilion is renovated to accommodate overnight guests from 'back home'?? Or it just acts as a place to hang out next to the pool... maybe incorporate your garden shed/bodega into it; or a work shop/garage.
I'm not sure if the hedges have barbed wire fences 'inside' them... but that generally is the case around here. Thus, security with an aesthetic touch.
I don't live in the village, but close, and go more than 1x per day through the village with my dog or to teach English. Other properties have been sold around here lately to Tico city folk... they tend to go fast if they are big, and have the ability to maintain some semblance of privacy. It's a peaceful spot... I'm thinking that for 'inside' the village proper, it's the best piece of land that exists that isn't a farm. The village is:
1 hour north of San Ramon (by car); 75,000 people + amenities;
40 minutes due west of Quesada (by car); around 65,000 people + amenities; and 55 minutes south of La Fortuna (by car); touristy, great day-trip for getting something to eat that isn't rice and beans; buy an overpriced t-shirt; or get a day pass to one of the natural thermal spas. Sometimes... you just want a burger.
Buses to all three places daily... but much slower than a car.
The neighboring towns (both are less than 10 minutes away) have hardware stores, pharmacies, groceries, bakeries, bike shop, mechanics, and other amenities... and even some fast food (pizza. fried chicken) etc. Just no gas station... that's a 1/2 hour away. Whatever.
The village has 6 creeks/streams running through it coming down out of the mountains... not uncommon to have various types of herons and egrets and such... and you can hear the Congos (howler monkeys) from far away up into the mountains almost daily. Plenty of bird life to say the least... along with some iguanas, pizotes, wild mountain chickens (don't resemble chickens at all) and the occasional 'hunter'.... coyote or even a puma or ocelot. We have somewhat of a micro-climate here.... and usually get 'some' rain even during the dry season, as wet air from the Caribbean makes its way across the northeast part of CR and smacks into the mountains and stops... keeping us wet/green. There is some lumbering activity in the area... up in the foothills; so good access to interesting species and cuts of locally harvested wood. The Ticos here consider themselves to be in the canton of San Carlos... but we are technically 'in' the canton of San Ramon... although cut off from San Ramon city by mountains. There is a municipal office 2 towns over for paying taxes or dealing with building permits; and the village has an EBAIS clinic (nat'l healthcare) that is open on Tuesdays... we can go to other villages on 'their' clinic days if need be, as long as they are in San Ramon canton. Same doctor... who usually sucks. The water company office is right on the edge of town, but you have to go to Quesada for dealing with electrical contracts... only one option. They also provide the cable and wifi.
If anybody wants the phone number... let me know. I would, if I were you... have somebody who speaks Spanish call to inquire about the price ... if the Seller hears a gringo accent on the other end, the price will be 'different'.... 99% sure of that. My guess is that a Tico developer will gobble up this property fast... it could easily be divided into 9-10 smaller lots; or more. It is construction ready... and the gardening possibilities are endless. Even if you only want to live on half of it... that would leave almost 1.5 acres for subdivision or 'sell as one'. Of course, the buyer of that would always have the option of dividing it and it's nothing for lots to be less than 400 sq. meters here... so that option may warrant some thought if you want to keep it peaceful and 'low' in population; and of course; pricier lots means buyers with some 'means;. Selling the lots could be profitable if they are marketed properly.
Peace all.
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