“I traded all that in for the Pura Vida Lifestyle”. How many times have each of us read that statement? With me I traded one paradise for another. Having lived in Muskoka, Canada and selling Real Estate there, I came to Costa Rica for some new adventures. Traveling through most of Costa Rica, those adventures started on week one.
Where do I go?
Born into a trucking family, driving was in my blood, and touring around Costa Rica remains one of my hobbies. Where do I go? That is probably an area that I differ from most people. For me submersing in a variety of Costa Rican cultures, has been both interesting and rewarding. Having taken some time to operate a business in San Jose, to doing what I knew I would do (Real Estate) from my first week in Costa Rica, it has been the people and places that give me the best memories.
You will not find that in a travel brochure.
Spending days and nights in Ticos homes is always a treat. There is always a pot of rice and some beans ready for family and friends. I remember the night I was asked to stand up and take a bow 3 times, just for spending the day in the sugar cane town of Pitahaya. Watching the Oxcart parade in San Jose, buying dynamite, then spending the day digging gold in Las Juntas. Spending the afternoon with a group of Ticos at their friend’s waterfall near Turrialba. The night I stayed at a coffee plantation. What a great family they were. Volunteering to teach English in Coco. Then of course, there’s fishing, walking the beach, monkeys, mud baths, catching a world class ocean view, or everything in between. I could fill this magazine. Oh, and that first week? Traveling through the mountains south of Cartago, I stopped for a coffee. A young couple had just leased the restaurant. A coffee to go turned into an hour of communicating without knowing each other’s language. One of the best hours of my life. A Tico young couple determined to make their new venture a success. WOW! Reminded me of me. You will not find that in a travel brochure.
Who Am I?
Theo Veenstra, born in Brampton Ontario, Canada to Dutch immigrants. My first vacation in Costa Rica was February 2008. During one adventure driving a car from Canada to Costa Rica in 2012, I decided to also become an immigrant making Costa Rica home. 2014 was the time to live here full time, later becoming a Costa Rican / Canadian dual citizen.
Real Estate?
How do I look at Real Estate? What is the goal? Strictly investment and business, then the returns need to make sense of course. That said, I was lucky enough to start selling Real Estate in cottage country of Muskoka. That included both full time retires and seasonal families. Having also worked with an older demographic, one thing stood out more than everything else. “LIFE”. Whether buying or selling people wanted help with a piece of their life. I have never forgotten how important that is, And I base myself around helping people accomplish just that.
How? Why?
How? It is quite simple. Everything starts with being in the best environment available. I picked Playas del Coco and the Papagayo area, then joined the best group of realtors I could find. That is the Tres Amigos group. Why? Nothing is more important than surrounding each deal with great professionals. Together they have incredible knowledge, great contacts, operate an exceptional data base. And are most willing to share their knowledge. Along with this area being 20 minutes from Liberia International Airport including its direct flights, accessible medical care, options for schools, shopping, restaurants, and entertainment lets me hand my friends and clients a gift basket in a foreign country. Check the testimonials on my website, www.letsbuycostarica.com and it will hit you. Tres Amigos Realty Group and Papagayo are the right place for me.
What is most important??
People come to paradise for many reasons. Sun, surf, ecosystems, beaches, fishing, birds, adventure, escape from the cold, or to relax. There are a 1000 equally good reasons. Each one valid. A couple things are true, each of us shares something in common, and it can be hard to explain our experiences in Costa Rica to others. For me, what is most important is probably also what keeps me here. I learn so much about this culture and in turn about myself, like riding a bike for the first time. Lastly that stuff they call snow. It looks good from here. Feel free to contact me anytime and start living the Pura Vida Lifestyle.
Theo
