15 lovely Apts. that you design...

I will be retiring in about 6 weeks and moving to Central America. I really like your idea on shared condo/apartment facilities for retirees. As for me I would require either a large one bedroom or a two bedroom /with bath, kitchen and living area. I would also require internet access, either wireless or wired (I could administer or assist with the network). A workout room and pool would be nice. Please keep me posted on any developments.

Texan3202 Skype ID: osi922

Why a small apt. grouping? The overwhelming wisdom is to move to Nica for awhile, buy nothing, move around in hotels or rentals, and learn a bunch about what you would like. Excellent advice. If an affordable apt. complex was down there already you would see a steady stream of the above mentioned people looking for others who might share their experiences. Good for everyone, and kind of what this website takes the place of.

The small apt. grouping, inspired from the cohousing model, could offer a few rentals and allow for a nice place to live with shared amenities. Buying land, building a house, and maintaining it yourself can be a daunting task, especially if you plan to travel home or go to the beach for the weekend. Travel sites are filled with beautiful homes for rent at a hefty sum, but remain empty most of the time except for the maid who is paid to stay there and look after your stuff.

The small apt. grouping would be set up to take care things. A daily manager has the keys to the vehicle owned by the association, the maid looks after the pool, your neighbors can be trusted because you watched over their interests when they flew home last month. The equity cost of extra rooms and shared amenities was spread out long ago during the building, and now things are in place to allow income over time.

**a garden courtyard, with a pavilion to sit under **a shared room for group meals or classes **now send word to Maria down the street that 15 owners have signed up this morning for a catered fish dinner tonight **we better add a sink, clean up area, and maybe a bar-b-q to the side **make that room mostly open to the garden, and add a studio/workroom in the back where I could paint and owners could build stuff and do hobbies (if you need a piece of wire or a clamp to glue something, you'll know where to go **this space could be used a lot, so we better call it a common house and have the day manager keep an eye on it

**Spanish style, poured concrete, covered walkways, and lots of arches **start with a large rectanglular lot near the center **build the walls that mark the property edge all around **all apts. are backed up to the walls and face inward (nothing special, as that's the way it's mostly done here) **8 two bedroom attached condos on one side, and 8 more on the other **plan ahead for accessability, and make the doorways wide and the showers wheel-in **2-story, with owners below and several rental rooms above **also 2nd floor areas to congregate, catch a breeze, read in a hammock

but my needs are probably less than Capt. Ron. One bedroom, one bath, with an extra 1/2 or 3/4 bath. But, I absolutely adore the courtyard gardens. And I also like the versatility of an open floor plan. keorge

Being single a condo would be a good choice for me, but one thing I hate here in the states is the fascist Home Owners Association. I understand some minimal fee would be require for upkeep on the building itself, but this should be minimal.

My ideal condo would be 2 or 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms with a nice private balcony. I do not need more then the basic adjournments.

1st Capt. Ron