For the last six years Atetnas has been on the radar for expats for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, the price of view property is now sky high. Here is a brief description of the town and what it has to offer. Nestled in the foothills at the western edge of the Central Valley at 2,500 feet in altitude, the rural and picturesque town of Atenas offers panoramic views of the Central Valley and nearby volcanoes. The town is 13 miles from Alajuela — the main city that services the area— and about 45 minutes to an hour from San José on the old highway and 25 minutes by the new Autopista del Sol (Caldera Highway) highway. The town’s weather is its claim to fame. According to National Geographic, Atenas has one the world’s best climates. You can see the slogan Atenas, el mejor clima del Mundo (Atenas the best climate in the world) painted on the commuter buses that go back and forth between Atenas and San José and Alajuela. Really any place in the Central Valley that is at the same elevation has similar weather. In the tropics temperature is determined by elevation. The town is a friendly, small-town with a laid-back atmosphere and 5,000 residents. Another 18,000 people live in the surrounding area. It is clean with a quaint central park lined with palm trees. There are schools, banks, several supermarkets, boutiques, a community health care center, an Internet café, a sports bar and good restaurants in this town. About 300 North Americans and Europeans have chosen to live in here. Many Costa Ricans have their country homes in the surrounding hills. Atenas itself doesn’t have much in the way of variety. It’s a traditional farming town with all the basic necessities plus a farmer’s market on Fridays. For imported goods, clothes and housewares, it’s a better bet to head for Alajuela, which has a large shopping mall, or go a little further to Escazú. I have a found an alternative to Atenas with views that are just as good, an excellent climate like most of the Central Valley and lower property prices: It is called San Antonio de Puriscal. Although the area is not located right off the new highway like Atenas, Santa Ana and Escazú can be reached in about the same amount of time. The best part is that the views are drop-dead gorgeous and affordable. The place I am talking about is Orchid Point Estates. I don't usually write about real estate opportunities but know a good buy when I see one. I have known the people behind the project for twenty years and they are reputable and stand behind their product. They have lived and worked in Costa Rica and understand expats needs. If you want the views of a project like Roca Verde in Atenas at a more affordable price then this is your opportunity. Check out the website at www.orchid-point-estates.com. However, you really need to see Orchid Point in person to see what I am talking about.