Ciudad Colón, 25 minutes west of San José, is quickly becoming a favorite with the expat community. This stately two-storey, three-bedroom Ciudad Colón residence with a splendid view of the western end of the Central Valley is the perfect home for someone - or the family - who would like to make Costa Rica a permanent home. Just off the spacious living room/dining room ensemble, leading to a lovely back-yard patio and terrace with a wonderful view of the surrounding hills, is a modern kitchen connected to a cozy breakfast nook. Ciudad Colón is on the new route to Orotina leading to the Central Pacific beach resorts of Jacó and Quepos/Manuel Antonio; once it is completed Jacó will be just over an hour away. It is also located within 15 minutes of Santa Ana and the Forum and Forum II, home to the offices of all the Fortune 500 companies located in Costa Rica; tennis courts; the large Multiplaza Shopping Mall; Courtyard Marriott; modern supermarkets such as AutoMercado; the country's first Wendy's franchise; Outback; acclaimed local restaurants such as Lo Spago (Italian) and La Tasca (Spanish/Argentinian); and popular bars such as Brad's and the unique Motor Psychos bar.

The three bedrooms on the second storey are large and have excellent views of the surrounding area; each has its own full bathroom, and there are two half bathrooms on the first floor. The Master Bedroom has its own private ceramic-tiled balcony. Other features of this very attractively-priced and conveniently located home include a well-kept garden and a medium-sized swimming pool with a BBQ patio area right next to it.

LOCATION: Ciudad Colón, 10 minutes west of Santa Ana and 25 minutes west of San José.

PRICE: $470,000, now rented but an excellent investment

For another property in the west end of San José, see Family home in high-deamd Santa Ana