Living in Atenas – After the November 2010 storms update

First, we would like to express our sorrow for the people who lost their lives during the last bout of intense rain that passed through Costa Rica due to a low pressure system caused by Tropical Storm Tomas.

Understandably, we have been receiving e-mails from family, friends, and potential home buyers wondering if we are OK; if Costa Rica is completely underwater; or even if it is safe to travel or live here.

Atenas – which the AARP ranks as one of “The Best Places to Retire Abroad” – did receive an inordinate amount of rain for nearly 5 days straight – triple what is normal for the entire month of November, according to the weather bureau. However, there were no disruptions to speak of, the sun has returned now, and things are drying out nicely.

One thing that is difficult for people to understand who are not familiar with this subtropical, mountainous country is just how many micro-climates exist within this small area. In my home state of New Jersey the weather in one part of the state is the weather for all of New Jersey, generally speaking.

Even in a larger state like Pennsylvania, where I lived for 10 years previous to arriving in Costa Rica, there was not much variation across the state, even though Pennsylvania is many times the size of Costa Rica.

In our Western Central Valley town of Atenas, in my specific neighborhood, the climate is vastly different even from the center of town less than 10 minutes away, or in any direction by 5 minutes. The good news about this variation is that after doing one’s on-the-ground research by visiting the different areas, one can choose the location that appeals most to them: cooler with a constant breeze; hotter and dryer; slightly more humid, etc.

The reason I mention these micro-climates is that it illustrates why these local tragedies take place from time to time. This is not a countrywide problem. However, there are a few important things to note for those who are considering to live in Atenas, or any other region of Costa Rica:

1. Soil composition is very important: a simple soil study can be ordered on any property, which starts around $250. This will determine the suitability of building, and where exactly on the property a potential home can be built. Costa Rica generally does not have a lot of rock, so this test is extremely important to determine the stability of the area.
2. Living along rivers, or along the coast is not a guarantee that there will be flooding. As the report by David Karr in Jaco indicated, Jaco was unscathed by this recent storm, while costal areas farther south at lower elevations did have problems. Here in Atenas, rivers are generally very deep and allow for a substantial rise in water level without problems.
3. For an extra added measure of security, it might be important to visit a home or property in the rainy season in order to inspect any drainage or erosion issues. These issues are almost certain to be evident by mid-September as the rainy season has been in full swing for several months.
4. It is also important to remember that although it is tragic that people died during this storm, these people – of very humble means – chose to build their fragile homes in an area known to be an extremely high risk area. This was not a place where North Americans would ever consider living.

The final comment we have about these rare natural disasters in Costa Rica is that the community response is always incredible. As opposed to leaving the issue for some government entity to address, Costa Ricans and expats from across the country respond immediately in a very personal way. This sense of community is an encouraging sign, and one that endures even when the sun returns.

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For more information about homes and land for sale in the Atenas area, please contact our Recommended Realtors in Atenas by using the simple form below:

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.