Santa Ana, San José, Costa Rica, was, less than 20 years ago, very different from the Santa Ana we know now; back then, it was known for the many onion plantations, big portions of land dedicated to agriculture or cattle, some didn’t think this area had a big potential, they talked about water supply problems and the clay like soils that presented drainage challenges.

Today, Santa Ana is known as one of the most exclusive and expensive zones of San José. The fast growth of the neighboring county of Escazú triggered an equally quick development of Santa Ana.

If you are considering buying  or renting a house in Santa Ana, here are some things you should know and consider.

Pros:

-Santa Ana’s location is very convenient, just 20 minutes from San José and an hour from the beachtown of Jacó.

-All public services are available and in general the service is very steady.

-The community has grown quickly, a mix of residential, industrial and commercial areas, which means most services are found very close by; shopping centers, movie theaters, different supermarkets and convenience stores, all main public and private banks, hotels, gyms and athletic facilities, community center, private and public schools, restaurants, bars, medical centers, etc.

-If you prefer warm weather, Santa Ana is perfect, the average temperature is of 28⁰C (82.4⁰F), sunny days are the tonic and it can get very hot during the months of March and April in particular; however, the area of Salitral and some parts of Río Oro tend to be slightly less warm.

-There are plenty of office buildings in Santa Ana, many of which are occupied by international companies and multinationals.

-It is considered still a safe and secure area.

-When it comes to real estate you’ll find a variety of alternatives, apartments, horizontal and vertical condos, townhouses and single-family homes of different price ranges. Luxury homes are easy to come by; exclusive gated communities include Valle del Sol which offers golf course and tennis courts, Hacienda Lindora, Hacienda del Sol, Bosques del Río, among many others.

Cons:
-As we mentioned before, this area has experienced quick growth which was also disorganized, this translates into heavy traffic, one of the main complaints of the residents of Santa Ana; however you must consider that this problem is affecting almost all the great metropolitan area.

-Limited public parks and recreation areas.

-Property prices tend to be on the up side but there’re are many different real estate options to choose from and you are likely to find something within your price range.

Advice:
Whether you are relocating to Costa Rica or you’ve lived in the country for some time and have finally decided to settle in Santa Ana, your first step should be to find a real estate agent that focuses in this area in particular; this is important because they will be familiar with the best developments in the zone and will know about fair prices and comparable properties.

Expat Housing Costa Rica is a great alternative; this real estate company was founded by Mariska van Hulsentop, who has put together a team of experienced and trustworthy agents who focus in real estate in the areas of Santa Ana, Escazú and Cariari exclusively. Mariska, as an expat understands the expectations and requirements of foreigners that are looking for the right property in Costa Rica.