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Did you know there are a ton of perks of living in Atenas, Costa Rica? What was a quiet little village is now one of the largest retirement destinations in Costa Rica. Don’t get scared; only a few thousand retirees live in Atenas, I’m sure you can handle that! There is still plenty of space left for you and your spouse. Are you wondering what the perks of living in Atenas are so you can compare them with other destinations?
It all started around 2003. Atenas was a small village with less than 30,000 inhabitants. Atenas is located halfway between San Jose and the beaches, and it was reasonably accessible in those days. The only traffic was on Route 3, primarily local tourists from the Central Valley to the Central Pacific beaches. The gas station and the Coop were getting a lot of business, but mainly on the weekends.
A couple of Canadian real estate developers created Vista Atenas. Getting started wasn’t easy, as there was only one real estate agent in Atenas. That was also the year Isa Jones and her family moved to Atenas from Colorado. The best climate in the world (what an incredible slogan!), the natural beauty, and the location are just a few reasons they moved there in those days. Isa retired and moved back to the States many years ago, and since then, Marian Veltman has been our Atenas agent for many years now and can skilfully guide you through all the hurdles of moving to Costa Rica.
Once Vista Atenas was sold out, the developers split up, and one created Roca Verde and the other Hacienda Atenas. That was the beginning of a new retirement community, as they were ready to start selling in 2006. Unlike other retirement destinations, Atenas never suffered from the bubble. Now, you’ll find 5 “gated communities” in Atenas. In 2010 the government inaugurated Route 27 between Ciudad Colon and Orotina, and the traffic flow started changing. Beach traffic didn’t come through Atenas anymore, which changed the lifestyle of the Atenienes back to a laidback and leisurely lifestyle. By then, the small village had changed into a town (not a city) and had become an exciting place for many to retire.
The Perks
So let me tell you about the perks of living in Atenas now.
- The best climate in the world (great slogan!)
- The best coffee in the world – Ateneo
- Authentic character
- Country Living
- Socializing with English-spoken people is easy
- Many volunteering opportunities
- Day trips to the beaches, volcanoes, nature
- Several great bakeries
- Organic delivery service
- Two-day a week Farmer’s market
- Labs for your medical check-ups
- Private medical service with English-speaking doctors and private ambulances (Linea Vital)
- Red Cross, government clinic, and fire station for emergencies
- English-spoken veterinarians and pet supply stores
- Great local and international contractors for construction
- All types of local stores, such as grocery stores and hardware stores.
- Central location to the international airport
- Happenings such as theater & music performances, potluck, and fairs
- Great variety of restaurants (local food and international) and coffee shops
- All necessary maintenance services such as pool and garden maintenance, plumbers and electricians
- Several gyms and fitness, yoga, Zumba, thai chi, and others
- Webshops for online shopping deliveries
- Pickleball and tennis courts
- Wellness centers, BootCamp for exercise and diet
- Worshipping for many religions such as Catholic, Apostolic, Christian, Baptist, Pentecostal, and others
- BMX bike park that focuses on freestyle biking for all genders and ages
- Mountain views, nature views and the most incredible valley views
Value
Last but not least, another one of the perks of living in Atenas is value. Real estate in Atenas offers excellent value if you plan to buy a home here, which is the biggest perk. Opposed to other cities and towns like Escazu and Santa Ana, most homes built in Atenas are one-story ranch homes, many with incredible views.
If you want to live in Atenas, you should consider hiring Marian to purchase your new home. Feel free to contact Marian at your convenience.
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