大咖福利影院

Ellen B. wrote:

My husband is retiring this spring, and we are looking at the Central Valley area as a potential place to move. Mosquitoes love me way too much so the beach area is a no go, plus the air conditioning bills would be super high.

We plan to look at San Ramon, Grecia, and Atenas while on a trip in late May/early June. I've read about a two day seminar held in San Juan that is supposed to be educational for potential expats. Has anyone on the board attended something like this? It's held the last Thursday and Friday of every month except December.

I write YA and children's books so I will be looking for other writers/authors, but can always do critiques online if necessary.

Also, since I seem to be a mosquito magnet I wonder if anyone has suggestions for repellent?

I've spoken to someone in a Spanish class I'm taking who used to live in San Ramon. She says wonderful things about it.

We are psyched for the trip and look forward to our visit.

Hola Ellen,

Welcome to expat.com!

I do understand you're wanting to initially look in the Central Valley towns.聽 The majority of people looking into the expat life will initially feel more comfortable with established Gringo communities.聽 It is only natural.聽 It gives you a great starting point.聽 It's also a relaxing, comfortable environment to retire in.

If you are a person who prefers the fast city life,聽 a lot of noise, crowded/blocked roads, the need to be close to a "mall" and less than friendly locals, I agree that you should look into the Heredia area.聽 It is closer to nightlife, plays, etc.聽 From where I live just outside of San Ramon, I would have to drive a whole hour to reach these destinations.聽 And then I would have to come home to the absolute silence of the evening in the country.聽 Well, I do hear the stream that runs through the middle of my property year round...so annoying.聽 In the morning we are awoken by the troop of monkeys that live on the property, the numerous birds and wildlife, it's just the price we pay.聽 But oh so miss being close to those malls.聽 馃��

Emergency care is of course a long drive.聽 I live outside of the city so it does take me 10 minutes to reach the hospital.聽 I believe there is nearby emergency care in pretty much every town you listed.聽 For extreme high standard care which you might need, it is 1 hour away.

You will probably want to learn espanol as the majority of Gringos here have.聽 It will be necessary and you will enjoy and have a much happier experience with your new home environment knowing the native language.

Your idea of starting out with one of these towns is a great idea.聽 It's quiet, many Gringos to help guide you in your new life and it gives you a central location to begin exploring for what part of the country "you" find to be your piece of paradise.

If you have any questions on any of these areas, just ask, we are happy to help!

- Expat Dave
大咖福利影院 Team Member

pebs wrote:

Well done dave..spelled with SMALL "d" I guess you have a clever way of making my response disappear and it had VALUABLE information regarding a NEW hospital in out very small very peaceful village of San Rafael de Heredia..It may surface but if not you have done an injustice AGAIN by Criticising Heredia and its quiet peaceful surrounding villages a place which you OBVIOUSLY KNOW NOTHING about there is NO NOISE , no more traffic than your devine place and FRIENDLY people here you also managed to insult .... As for the Uniquely castle designed mallI have n=been twice in 27 years BUT some people LIKE a nice CLEAN Mall...next to a Price mart (like Costco) and Pequeno Mundo huge discount store not chinese goods..Or do you also hate bargains LMAO...?Shame on you Cyber bullying? PM me for the BEST new medical find with ALL tests and EKG results professionally written In ENGLISH.. on lab on site all within 3 hours .All for $195 ..Beat that Dave andOh you "hospital 10 minutes away? PLEASE give is the name so we can see what equipment and facilities are available and any SPECIALIST doctors there as inOUR new hospital?lab here in our quiet little village no traffic and GEAT roads,..so don't show your ignorance by PRETENDING聽 that you have been here,You would get a nose bleed if you left your area... Let me know if my longer ost shows up very good for those looking for Excellent INexpensive Specialists who do EKG's聽 blood tests urine and poop tests all results written professionally within 3 hour visit and a free extra visit with the dr..who charges only $80 for FULL body exam.聽 and inclus=des free visit and gives her cellphone number in case...

Your post was and is posted just as you posted it.聽 No one touched a thing.聽 馃愤馃徑 馃対

...and in no way did I find the need to personally attack you.聽 Lighten up.聽 馃檭聽 聽I've said it many times, there are many people, Gringos, that do enjoy living in the Heredia area.聽 And, as I've said, everyone likes something different and have their varying opinions.聽 They are just opinions.聽 Each person should explore "all" areas of the country and find "their" bit of happiness.

And yes, I have been to Heredia and the surrounding foothills many times.聽 It's just not for "me."聽 鉁岎煆�

- Expat Dave

TerrynViv wrote:

Pebs;
Al your comments are still there ........ You post many things that come up with you not understanding replies ....... you must have good "stuff" in Heredia!

Ohhh, that would explain a lot.聽 馃槑

- Expat Dave

Ellen B. wrote:

My husband is retiring this spring, and we are looking at the Central Valley area as a potential place to move. Mosquitoes love me way too much so the beach area is a no go, plus the air conditioning bills would be super high.

We plan to look at San Ramon, Grecia, and Atenas while on a trip in late May/early June. I've read about a two day seminar held in San Juan that is supposed to be educational for potential expats. Has anyone on the board attended something like this? It's held the last Thursday and Friday of every month except December.

I write YA and children's books so I will be looking for other writers/authors, but can always do critiques online if necessary.

Also, since I seem to be a mosquito magnet I wonder if anyone has suggestions for repellent?

I've spoken to someone in a Spanish class I'm taking who used to live in San Ramon. She says wonderful things about it.

We are psyched for the trip and look forward to our visit.

Welcome. I'll tell you to beware of tours or seminars in terms of them trying to sell you property. Otherwise some are well worth it. Just don't let yourself be talked into anything until you rent in the area for awhile.

Mosquitoes are everywhere but less in the cities. Do you want to live near town or out in the country side? Near town there are a lot less; out in the country it depends on weather and time of year etc.

I like a geranium based repellant I found here and if you look on amazon you can read reviews of various types; there are also electronic ones which seem to help. And Avon Skin So Soft has great anti-mosquito reviews too.

Where I live near San Ramon sometimes they can be pretty bad and other times not bad at all. But usually not swarming or terrible, just pesky. Overall I'd say "not a big problem".

You could always build a screened in porch as well...

I've heard b vitamins repel mosquitoes as well as certain colored clothing. Have you done some research on mosquitoes? Check the many info pages you can find on google for more info.

Good luck in your move. We like the San Ramon area, the people here are friendly and the town has all the stuff you need.