THE COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE GROUP

BENEFITS OF EAST-SIDE SAN JOSE

Would you like to live in an exclusive area, enjoy a Spring-like climate all year, be amongst embassies, ambassador's homes, exclusive stores, and the best medical care? Welcome to Lomas de Ayarco, Pinares and Curridabat…in general, the east side of San José. Property here is a better value than on the west side but you enjoy the same conveniences: great schools, great shopping with two new malls, great hospitals (including a new branch of the Clinica Biblica right within the residential neighborhood!), and even the Porsche, Land Rover and BMW dealers. Here you will find beautiful custom homes, lovely new gated communities and modern condos.

On the east side of San José you will find a wide variety of neighborhoods and districts. From the flashy malls, to the bilingual (Spanish/English) and trilingual (Spanish/French/English) schools, to the sleepy dairy farms up in the hills, the east side offers you culture, nightlife, greenery, fresher weather and (best of all) lower prices for real estate. Just as the western suburbs offer close access to the west side of downtown and a head start to the Pacific, the eastern suburbs offer great access to northern and eastern sides downtown and a head start to the Caribbean Coast or Southern Zone. The University of Costa Rica and the presence of several well-established upper-class neighborhoods guarantee a wide variety of cultural and nightlife options.

Recently, there has been a great growth spurt on the east side. Some major development that has taken place within the last 18 months includes: Cemaco Shopping Plaza(a large department store), the 100-store Multiplaza del Este mall, the 125-store TerraMall, and the San Pedro Outlet Mall, offering such stores as Tommy Hilfiger, Oscar de la Renta, Kennth Cole, Benneton, GNC, etc., in addition to 40+ cinemas! New restaurants are popping up all over (Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Peruvian, Moroccan, French, Mexican, World Cuisine, etc.). The large supermarket/department store (HiperMas; like a Super Wal-Mart) has been a huge success, as has the branch of the private hospital Clinica Biblica (with x-ray and emergency room capabilities) built right within the Lomas de Ayarco residential neighborhood. Having to ask a clerk for each hardware item has become a thing of the past with the large Ace Hardware and Tru Value Hardware stores, as well as a huge new Home Depot-type center.

Probably the most notable presence in San Pedro and Curridabat is the University of Costa Rica, which is the largest university in Costa Rica. The university defines many of the characteristics of this area today. The commercial district that borders the campus is home to the famous (or infamous) Calle de La Amargura, where you will find lots of nightlife and dining catering to the younger set. The Jazz Café is especially notable for the high-quality talent it attracts.

San Pedro and Curridabat offer you many advantages and are excellent neighborhoods to live in. You will find real estate here less expensive than in the high-priced areas of Escazú and Santa Ana on the west side of San José. But you will find just as many services, especially with the two new malls, etc. You will also get a more "Tico" flavor, since not as many foreigners buy real estate on the east side of town…yet. The weather is still tropical, but not as hot and dry as on the West side. Another big advantage to purchasing real estate in this area is the high appreciation you can expect over the next few years. The market study performed for the new TerraMall indicated that the east side of San José will experience the highest growth rate within the next 10 to 15 years. The level of development recently has been explosive, and land prices have not yet caught up. In this area you can find anything except true industrial property and high-rise condominiums. Good buys can be found on elegant older homes. If you want something new, there are many upscale developments and communities, many with restricted access.

Malls/Shopping Centers:

Costa Rica Real Estate Group
San José, Costa Rica
++(506) 2272-4349

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