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Frustration
Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Alajuela » San Ramon
October 26th 2006 by Just Jen
I’ve been having a hard time blogging lately. The thought of not blogging anymore has been prominent. I’ve had something to say but am having trouble conveying it in a nice way. To heck with that, this is my blog and I can write whatever I want. This is a blog about our experiences in Costa Rica, the good, the bad and the ugly. If you don’t like it, don’t read it. My frustration of late is due to the people selling real estate in our area.
Many are lured to Costa Rica for the cost of living, the ability to buy property at a reasonable price and live a peaceful life at a fraction of the cost of life in the states. That’s great, it’s why we moved. Part of my frustration is that I’m going thru the “I’m here so close the doors and don’t let anyone else in” syndrome. I can get over that as I’m sure some of the people moving may eventually become friends of ours, who knows, after this blog, maybe not. That’s the easy part to get over.
Tougher to stomach is the shear number and type of people moving to the area. We found our paradise in San Ramon, the quiet, simple country town suits us well. We’ve made friends and are happy here. There is nothing we want to change about San Ramon. We’ve adapted to the Tico lifestyle. We don’t long for the way of life we left behind. We are happy to be living in a culture that is driven by relationships and not the almighty dollar. We live on a small pension that allows us not to have to earn a living here. That isn’t true for many who have or will move here.
Many who move here need to make money. The easiest way is to sell real estate. Next comes operating a B&B or running relocation, adventure and retirement tours. If you doubt me, just look thru the other travelblogs on this free site used to advertise their businesses. Everyone needs money to live, I get that. Making an honest living is one thing, boasting about making money off of other people makes me sick. I hated it in the states and even more here because in many cases it is the Tico who gets the short end of the stick and the foreigner
Pamepering does wonders for the soul
Callista and I did manicures, pedicures and Reiki recently to help get rid of negative energy.
Another reason for my frustration of late, at our local market the other day I heard more English than Spanish. I didn’t move here to live in an American community. I moved here to get away from them and their money hungry ideals and live amongst the Tico’s and their culture. If I wanted to live near Americans in Costa Rica I would’ve chosen to live in Escazu or another Americanized community. We were told by a new realtor in the area he’s hoping to initiate the ‘pub crawl’ in San Ramon, one bar, one drink until you crawl home. WHY? In my opinion, San Ramon is just fine the way it is. If you want to instigate something why not something that helps the culture instead of promoting the negative? The bars here are not close together so that means “WE” will have to add drunken Americans to our list of things to watch out for on the roads when driving.
To sum things up and hopefully put this issue to rest in my head I’d like to say I, we do not and will not endorse any tours, hotels, B&B’s or real estate people. After a great deal of consideration I’ve decided to continue telling our story including our experiences with tours or hotels but they are our experiences not endorsements. While we’re still happy to meet any blog readers who’d like to get to know us while in the area we will not accept invitations to meet at your hotels. Please respect our lives here and understand that we are working to develop our lives in a foreign country according to our values and do not wish invite the negative energy I associate with people selling Costa Rica.
Please remember these are my feelings, one persons opinion. It is not my intent to offend anyone. If someone is offended perhaps they need to do a little soul searching themselves. As for me, I'll do my part to steer clear of money hungry people so blog readers won't have to read my rants about them anymore.
Hasta Luego,
Jen
15 Comments - Add Public Comment or Send Private Message
October 27th 2006 - Saratica:
Hear, hear. Although we are moving to Escazu to be nearer the theatre, I hear exactly what you are saying. As a former real estate broker, what those people are talking about is speculation: buying property solely to make money on the appreciation.
Sickening that they would take advantage of the locals this way and so blatantly. Couldn't they at least have the decency to be slightly ashamed of their behavior?
Unfortunately for them, luckily for you, they are on the wrong side of the curve on this idea... Anyone who jumps into the speculation game at this period in history is going to be burned unless they are very, VERY lucky.
Just my dos colones. Which I earned thru hard hard experience. BIG HUG. Come visit me in Escazu when you need a gringo fix... or anytime! xoxos.
We're looking forward to seeing you in Escazu. Other than going to the play we've only been there one other time, on our tour for one night a year ago. It'll be fun having you show us around. We here you can find anything you're craving there. Let me know if you find pinto beans in the markets, the ones mom sent with a friend got confiscated at the airport. I'll be waiting for your version of the with story as well. :) Thanks for the hug, I needed it!
October 28th 2006 - Tayutic: Thanks
I really appreciate your point of view, our fear as costarricenses is that we wake up one day and we discover that the country that used to be ours isn't anymore, stories are told about lands and beaches were people used to go before someone thought it was better to put some fences, I welcome everybody wo comes to my country, but I don't want to become the guy who cuts the grass from a property that used to be mine and sold for 1 colon, and later resold for $100 000 dollars, and this happens... But thank you again, for trying to understand us and our culture, If all the people that comes here was like you, open minded, and not trying to put Mc Donalds in every corner it would be much better.
I can't thank-you enough for commenting!!!!!! The people here captured my heart the first time I visited. It breaks my heart to see them taken advantage of. I feel loved and accepted by the people here, something I never felt living in the states. Gracias para leer mi Blog. Jen
October 28th 2006 - Jessica: I totally agree
We are moving there in January & I agree with your point 100%. Of all those realtors, how many have legitimized their residency status? Of the tour operators, how many have been there longer than 5 years? It is unfortunate that the expatriates who want to respect the Ticos because we realize the privilege of living in their country (like us) must live side-by-side with the expatriates who only want to turn a profit & see no problem with stepping on Ticos in the process. I, for one, wish there was more regulation of these types of businesses because if the immigration laws were applied, many of those gringoes would be deported!!!
I thought I was alone in my feelings. It's so uplifting to hear there really are more people moving here with similar values . We tend to shy away from expats in San Ramon because so many are connected to the real estate game. The North American friends we cherish live in
other towns, no connection to the local hyjinx. Great point about the residency issue! Don't even get me started on the men who come here for the young Ticas, get 'em pregnant and don't marry them.
October 29th 2006 - Jim in AZ: You Go Girl!
I've been coming to CR the last 3 years and San Ramon has been the area I go to. I just hope that your views get thru to the ones that feel nothing when stepping on others to reach the next dollar/colon. I enjoy reading your open and honest blog.
Hubby was nervous I'd get tons of negative emails on my rant but I've gotten nothing but support! Thanks for commenting, it means a lot and encourages me to keep writing, the truth as I see it!
November 1st 2006 - cleo:
We haven't even moved there yet and I was already feeling the way you do. We've noticed so much attention to the area that we thought maybe we were making a mistake...I don't want San Ramon to change into a million dollar tourist trap... it's in jeapordy of becoming the very thing we want to leave behind. I wish something could be done.
We haven't met any honest american realtors to help us and we're getting FRUSTRATED right along with you!!!
I can say the American Realtors honestly want your money. :) I'm hoping most of the people with the bad attitudes will just move on. By not going to places many of them hang out we really are sheltered from the garbage. We went into "their" territory the other weekend that's why I was fuming. It is possible to stay away from the negative type. We've made some awesome friends from the states here. Great people with great hearts. Keep the faith, we don't want to let "them" win.
November 6th 2006 - Cindy: Frustration
Jen, I'm so glad you wrote this. We were there in April, fell in love with Costa Rica and bought a lot from George, whom we dearly love. I feel the same as you about not wanting to let any more people come into the country. ha! I can't help worrying about the bad Americans/Foreigners stripping the innocence from CR and it's people. I just hope what we love does not get ruined by money hungry insensitvive people. Hopefully, the majority will be people like you and the other nice people that have written in this comment column. We will be there permantly in six years (after we retire) and we would love to meet you. Cindy
November 9th 2006 - Jose in San Ramon: Valid Points
Jen, you make valid points, but the picture is much bigger and can be quite different from what you say.
I have a small B and B in Alajuela, I built it from the ground up with a lot of hard woirk, and I´m proud to say it´s done well and provides a needed service for a fair price.
I´ve also bought land here in San Ramon and have had a part in building over 17 houses for very nice people who are enjoying life here in their retirement years, in a safe and secure area. The land was bought at a fair price from a local farmer who is still my friend and who has seen how hard I have worked to make his cattle pasture a good place to live. He has seen the caliber of people I have brought to their little community, and who provide employment to a handful of locals who celebrate events with us.
The dozen or more people who are living here because of my activities are but a small fraction of the total population, are quiet and well mannered, and their lifestyles enrich our total community. Most of them are trying to learn Spanish and enrich their own appreciation of Tico culture.
I do not have a lot of money, the activities I do I have to do to make a living, and I hold my head up as I walk through town, knowing I am doing it as well as I can. I run Solo Bueno, an Internet Cafe and Bookstore frequented by the local expats, and I hope you will come by and say hello sometime.
I can understand your sentiments, but most of the bad apples are not in this area.
I appreciate your comments. My opinions are based my conversations and dealings with people newer in the area than yourself without the track record you speak of. Unfortunately, there are bad apples in every bunch. It's just the way it is. Those bad apples reflect badly on good guys as well. Perhaps the good guys should band together to to drive the unscrupulous out? My blog is simply one persons opinion perhaps soured by my experiences but none the less a valid opinion. I sincerely appreciate your comments and encourage others who have strong opinions to have their comments published along with mine for blog readers to consider. Something everyone should know if they don't already is that I speak, write honestly from my heart. I welcome the opportunity to share my life's philosophy with anyone who cares to listen. Perhaps then it would be easier for some to understand where I'm coming from in my opinions. Sincerely, Just Jen
November 13th 2006 - costaballena: You see it like it is!
Good for you Jen to see and say it like it is! I, too, can't fathom ex-pats on entended tourist visas, iilegal to say the least, exploiting Costa Rica in the name of the almighty dollar. Can you imagine the baby-boomers visiting CR in the near future and looking for their piece of paradise? Every Tom, Dick, Harry and whoever will be on the frontline trying to bait their fish. Not only will they make a ton of CASH escorting the BBs around but they risk also to make a nice commission or profit on land they bought for peanuts from a Tico farmer or Tica widow in her aging years. Buying land at a fair price is questionable! Just read all the real estate websites time to time and it is flagrant to see a parcel of land in the Central Valley property for sale for 500,000+, which was formerly a family finca. Unless the developer paid to the owner at least 400,000 of the selling price, well, it's manipulative speculation pure and simple and only creates animosity in the community. It's not a question of being in the right place at the right time but more or less disinheriting Ticos of a just $ value to their property. Why do you think the attitude of Costa Ricans concerning petty theft towards Gringos is not an issue with them? Simply because the Gringos have merited this in one way or another. If being disinherited of a just value or knowing of the many instances by rumour or local gossip, Ticos are not going to sympathize with the situation and sadly, ex-pats who have nothing to do with this are penalized and affected.
All of this is supposedly in the name of making a living! What gives them the right to exploit Costa Rica and the Ticos by selling their land at inflated prices and touring around the country vanting the beauty and the tranquility and paraise found for big $$$? Of course, the answer is always the same, ''we are creating jobs in the community''. Certainly, jobs at 800 colones an hour! WOW! Low-end paying jobs such as gardeners, cooks, cleaning ladies created to run their businesses and make even more $$$.
Regulating real estate and tourist businesses laws should be established to eliminate unscrupulous practice. A hefty capital gains tax in real estate transactions, a real estate and tourist business licence for residents only after 5 years of residency and excluding pensionados from working since the first reason they have come to CR is to retire.
In closing, I agree with you on not getting started on the men and the Ticas. That's a Pandora's Box!
Keep up your good perspective and writing!
Thanks Costabellena! Sometimes my words worry the family but in the end they agree what I'm doing is right even if it can be uncomfortable. Reader comments keep me going when the outside world overwhelms me. I'm thankful for each and every comment made as I know it means that person had to step out of their own comfort zone to write as well.
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