Costa Rica
Costa Rica – What You will Learn
This website about Costa Rica is like no other
Because our mission statement and what we believe in is this:
You will always get the truth from us… and you will get the “good, the bad and the ugly” … not only because you deserve to hear it but because it is the right thing to do… Even if it means that we lose a sale.
If you’re ready for adventure… then you’re in the right place!
Costa Rica… “Small in Size…Overwhelming in Diversity and Variety”
Costa Rica is on almost everyone’s “bucket list” as well as “at least one of the Top 10” countries for retirement or for relocation.
Nearly everyone has been to Costa Rica… and the vacations rarely disappoint.
But they also don’t give a clear picture of what the country is “really” like…
… which is both good and bad.
Bad because no one should even consider moving to Costa Rica without knowing “the good, the bad, and the ugly” about the country…
Good because the good feelings will likely stay for a long time and first impressions make a huge difference to almost everyone.
Shortly into your reading of this website you will be offered some Ebooks about Costa Rica which will give you a much better idea of what the “real” Costa Rica is like…which, of course, is always subjective.
And it is not meant to be a substitute for “test driving” the country… or renting… which is something we always recommend.
Moving on… about the country itself…
Costa Rica is small… it is, in reality, a much smaller country than most people realize. It is the size of West Virginia, which is one of the smaller states in the U.S.
People talk about biodiversity and they talk about all of the different climates and areas of the country… but in reality most people never even visit most of the other areas that don’t interest them.
If you like beaches… why would you want to visit a cloud forest, right?
Or if you like the mountains, why would you want to visit a tropical rain forest and sweat?
This is a huge attraction for Costa Rica and the people considering moving to the country.
On any given day you can take a drive and see two oceans, mountains, cloud forests, vast agricultural lands, some of the best surfing beaches in the world…volcanoes, coffee fields and banana plantations, the island where “Jurassic Park” was filmed, one of the world’s few “blue zones” where inhabitants routinely live over 100 years of age, lakes, hot springs, rivers, areas containing the largest concentrated biodiversity in the world ( 5%+ ), huge hydroelectric plants which contribute nearly 100% of the country’s power, and much, much more.
That does not include the country’s larger cities which hold museums, orchestra and opera halls, and some of the world’s best hospitals and health care services, which cover all of Costa Rica’s citizens.
And don’t forget some of the world’s best deep sea fishing, surfing, golfing, and soccer.( well, maybe not the “world’s best” for the last two )
Watch the video about Costa Rica’s beauty and diversity!
What follows is a brief description of the various areas of the country:
You can access it by clicking here…
Rather than go on and on here about what to expect from Costa Rica and life there…click below ↓ and you can access a book with much more detail about the country. You will gain immediate access to a portion of “Costa Rica…the Land That Time Forgot”( no need to leave your email address…just click for immediate access)
What should you expect if you decide you are genuinely serious about moving to Costa Rica?
More specifically, “if I move to Costa Rica, how will I be able to live? What can I afford? What is alike and what is different than where I am today?”
I have included below a link to various costs and expenses from people that are currently living in Costa Rica and keep careful track of their expenditures primarily so that others can get an accurate idea of living costs…
This is from a site www.retireforlessincostarica.com.
Highly recommended … Paul and Gloria not only have a great site and keep meticulous records of their household expenditures but are a wealth of information about what to avoid and what to look for if you are thinking of relocating to CR.
Now, after reading the above you might be saying either… “that’s not too bad, I can handle that”.. or … “wow, I expected that I would be able to live on a my social security in Costa Rica!” … or … “that’s less than I would spend back home… I can really afford to upgrade!”
Well… actually depending on who you are what you are used to AND what you NEED… here are a few comparisons and basics that you probably knew very little about:
- Gasoline… almost twice what you pay “back home” … primarily because all gasoline is imported. And taxed.
- Cars… import duties as well as shipping costs from overseas will drive car prices up to at least double. And you can count on the quality being worse … gives new meaning to the phrase “let the buyer beware”
- Land prices… you would think they would be less than what you are used to… but… unless you live in one of the high cost areas of the States like California… they are high. Ticos( Costa Ricans ) have always regarded land as the safest place to park their savings. Actually, gringos moving are one of the best buys as they will simply “want out” when deciding to sell.
- Construction costs… You think labor costs have jumped “back home”…. When we first moved to Costa Rica shortly after 9/11 we built our first home for around $35 per sq. foot. Now? More than triple that. And it doesn’t include land preparation, landscaping, architectural fees, and of course, the workers are “supposed” to pay their medical insurance costs but rarely do.
- Anything imported costs MUCH more. Buy locally produced fruits, vegetables, etc and even furniture from locals… hand crafted goods in the country are phenomenal and a bargain. And if you are looking for vehicles, appliances, etc. keep your eyes and ears open for “gringos” selling.
Make certain that you do your comparison shopping of estimated costs and your “wish list” BEFORE you move to Cost Rica… otherwise you will be in for a very rude awakening.
Now… I hope that you have read most of what is above… and linked to… but probably many of you have skipped directly to the real estate portion of this site.
But before you jump right in you need to know a couple of things:
- This is NOT a typical real estate website. The owners of this website and company have both had extensive experience with Costa Rican real estate and the country itself. They KNOW what is a good price, what is overpriced, and what you need to “watch out for.”
- Real estate in Costa Rica is largely unregulated. If you do not know exactly what you are doing, you are setting yourself up for disaster. And it is NOT the same as your system “back home” despite what some realtors will tell you. NOT EVEN CLOSE.
- Most potential buyers have no idea what is a good value and what is NOT… and worse yet, many buy property which cannot be built on or even have access to utilities in some cases. You cannot be too careful here.
- Take your time. Make certain you know which area you want to live in… If you choose the beach, know that the gnats and mosquitos can be horrible… know that crime is often higher than inland… KNOW WHAT TO EXPECTas best you can and prepare yourself through visits, reading and talking to others on forums and your computer. There are a large number of expat forums which can help a great deal.
- You will likely see prices on this site that will be below the competition. Please know that they are REAL prices, they are not just “bait” to get your attention. We really do have significant contacts from both Ticos and gringos that want and need to sell. Most other realtors simply post prices that sellers want … and they are often unreasonable. Get the best price you can!
One last thing… with all of the turmoil and unrest that exists in this world of ours…Costa Rica truly remains a beacon for those looking for an unspoiled and nearly untouched paradise. It is NOT isolated and yet maintains its integrity and remains honestly dedicated to its “puravida” attitude, maintaining the country’s unspoiled resources and treating people … ALL people… with respect, dignity and yes, with open arms. And instead of being spoiled and ruined by such an attitude as many fear will happen… Costa Rica continues its attitude and remains a refuge for many who proudly call it home.( and for those who are concerned about this attitude, problems are SIGNIFICANTLY less than almost all other nations on earth )
The country is not perfect and will not pretend to be.
We love it here and welcome the opportunity to show it to you.
