How to find your perfect master planned community in Central America
OK so you’ve found a beautiful condo with a great view of a surf break. Or a luxury mansion where you can impress your friends with your lavish international lifestyle.
But can you really love your home if you don’t like your community, the surroundings or your neighborhood?
We don’t think so. So we encourage you to become a real estate community profiler. Start by figuring out exactly what you’re looking for, the kind of lifestyle you enjoy, the amenities you need and zero in on the community that delivers. Do this before you start comparing individual houses, lots or condos.
To get you started on your profiling, we’ve put together a list of 8 types of master planned community you’ll find in Central America.
1. Status communities
Status communities are at the top of our Price Rank. They tend to be beachfront, exclusive, and packed with community amenities – such as a golf course, marina, hotel, private club, fitness center, sports facilities, convention center, etc. If you’re in Costa Rica or Panama you may even see a top tier brand name associated with the community. Think Four Seasons, Trump, Ritz-Carlton… Properties in status communities tend to be large custom built houses or upscale condos.
2. Golfing communities
Yes, you’ve guessed it. Golfing communities have golf courses and attract golfing enthusiasts. The graphic shows the completed golf courses in the countries we cover. Costa Rica leads the field with 9 with more under construction or planned. Most golfers like to play on different golf courses so remember to look for the geographical clusters within (say) an hour’s drive of each-other. Read more on golf property in Central America.
3. Surfing communities
Walking barefoot out of your property, surf board in hand, straight out to the break is something surfers dream about. Luckily in Central America there are many property developments where this is possible. In fact we’ve found over 60 master planned communities located within walking distance to a surf break. We also looked at developments within an hour from a break and the list is longer.
4. Historic communities
It’s really only Nicaragua and Panama that can boast ‘historic communities’. In Nicaragua these are clustered in and around Granada; purportedly the oldest continually inhabited city in the Americas. Nicaragua also has Leon, a city that rivals Granada when it comes to the colonial feel. But you’ll find more master planned communities located around Granada. If you’re in Panama, head straight for the Casco Viejo area of Panama City for colonial buildings with serious curb appeal.
5. Retirement communities
As North American retirees take stock of economic realities, it’s clear that many are looking for a more affordable life overseas. The retiree trend has not escaped the attention of real estate developers and we’re seeing a growing number of communities, or sections within communities, designed specifically to cater for the over 55s. Look out for on-site medical facilities and organized social activities such as bridge, painting, yoga and so on.
6. Escape communities
International real estate (and vacation homes in particular) are commonly marketed as a form of escape. An escape from the stresses of the modern world and the hustle and bustle of 9-5 living. Places where you can switch off your cell phone, unwind and embrace a simpler, less hurried lifestyle. Destination resorts have popped up all of the place, sometimes in very remote areas to cater to this need. The remoteness is repackaged as a benefit that delivers ‘space and privacy’.
7. Urban core communities
Moving overseas is not always about fulfilling your escapist dream (See #6). Sometimes you want to be close to amenities and be highly accessible. Panama City stands out in this regard. It’s the most cosmopolitan of all Central American cities and a world class financial center. We’re not just talking about coffee shops, restaurants and nightlife but world class shopping centers, banking, theater and fine arts. The Central Valley area of Costa Rica probably comes in a close second.
8. Eco-communities
One of the characteristics of the post crisis investor is an interest in “contributions to larger concerns such as environmental preservation, the local community and sustainable approaches to building, water, and energy”. Recent years have seen a huge growth in master planned communities embracing the sustainability agenda ( and no, not just in Costa Rica). It’s sometimes hard to get past the green-washing but here’s a list of projects that have made public disclosures. The green trend is here to stay, we just need better ways of distinguishing the projects that churn out empty eco-cliches from the ‘intentional communities’ that are taking real action on the ground.
Now you’re ready to start finding a master planned community that fits your lifestyle. Are there any categories we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments. And once you’ve narrowed things down don’t forget to ask these 10 questions before you buy.
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