San Jose, Costa Rica and the surrounding areas of Heredia, Alajuela and Cartago make up a fairly large metropolis for such a small country.  The population of the Central Valley is estimated at around 1.5 million. 

The downtown areas of San Jose are very urban and unfortunately face a good bit of crime, so single family homes are typically gated on the street side, with gardens and exterior areas hidden from view and interior. These older homes are usually zero lot line construction with exterior facing windows only on the street side or perhaps from upper levels.  Most of the construction is a variation of colonial, but there are also quite modern homes, some with obvious 70s influence.  Los Yoses, San Pedro, Barrio Escalante, Barrio Dent, Barrio Amon and La Sabana are some of the more residential parts of San Jose. 

The suburbs have become the hot spot for development on both ends of San Jose.  On the east side, Curridibat and Tres Rios have become wealthier areas with many residential gated communities.  On the west Escazu, Santa Ana and now Ciudad Colon have become quite developed.

Within gated communities in Santa Ana and other areas, you will find very luxurious homes, many with fanstatic views of the Central Valley of Costa Rica when the weather is clear, especially when you can see the city lights at night.

Suburban city homes are found in many different styles from mountain cabins to heavily glassed modern homes.  Homes in gated communities typically have nicely landscaped yards and are not walled as security is provided for the community as a whole. This type of construction is common in the suburbuan areas of the Cental Valley.

More commonly homes for rent in the city are available only for long term rental and likely to be unfurnished. However, there is a new market segment growing arround providing furnished long term rentals to executives and recently arrived expatriots that are looking for furnished long term rentals in the city as a base in Costa Rica.

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