Comments on: Cost of living in Costa Rica http://www.sowrey.org/2008/07/cost-of-living-in-costa-rica/ A miscellany of know-it-all-isms by Geoff Sowrey Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:27:17 +0000 hourly 1 By: John Newton http://www.sowrey.org/2008/07/cost-of-living-in-costa-rica/#comment-9806 John Newton Mon, 03 May 2010 01:03:08 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/?p=1017#comment-9806 I know of building lots for $22,000 in the South near Uvita, and a new home built on the lot is less than $60,000 A mortgage on that amount wouldn't cost you $1,000 per month. A duplex can be bought for $85,000 to put on that lot, and the income on the second unit will pay most of the mortgage. I'm not a real estate agent, that is just the route I took. If you want full information just contact me at havanabanana48@sympatico.ca I know of building lots for $22,000 in the South near Uvita, and a new home built on the lot is less than $60,000 A mortgage on that amount wouldn’t cost you $1,000 per month. A duplex can be bought for $85,000 to put on that lot, and the income on the second unit will pay most of the mortgage. I’m not a real estate agent, that is just the route I took. If you want full information just contact me at havanabanana48@sympatico.ca

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2008/07/cost-of-living-in-costa-rica/#comment-8173 Geoff Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:49:55 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/?p=1017#comment-8173 Hey Dennis, Sadly, we learned that after-the-fact. Sadly, we came down here without any appreciable information on costs, etc., or the differences in prices if you knew what to look for. We relied far too much on our relocation company (an absolutely terrible excuse for a relocation company, if you ask me), which is how we ended up in the nightmare we're currently in. If I could go back 18 months, I'd change a LOT. Hey Dennis,

Sadly, we learned that after-the-fact. Sadly, we came down here without any appreciable information on costs, etc., or the differences in prices if you knew what to look for. We relied far too much on our relocation company (an absolutely terrible excuse for a relocation company, if you ask me), which is how we ended up in the nightmare we’re currently in.

If I could go back 18 months, I’d change a LOT.

]]> By: Dennis http://www.sowrey.org/2008/07/cost-of-living-in-costa-rica/#comment-8169 Dennis Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:09:36 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/?p=1017#comment-8169 You may want to look at "Craigs List" for rental places many under $1000.00. My one bedroom in Sabinalla costs me $450.00 a month all inclusive, furnished. Maid service 2 times a week and my laundry done for $5.00. Very nice area. right on the bus route. You can eat at any soda for 2 or 3 dollars. barter for everything The longer you are here the cheaper it gets...Pure Vida You may want to look at “Craigs List” for rental places many under $1000.00. My one bedroom in Sabinalla costs me $450.00 a month all inclusive, furnished. Maid service 2 times a week and my laundry done for $5.00. Very nice area. right on the bus route. You can eat at any soda for 2 or 3 dollars.
barter for everything The longer you are here the cheaper it gets…Pure Vida

]]> By: Hugh Rowley http://www.sowrey.org/2008/07/cost-of-living-in-costa-rica/#comment-6767 Hugh Rowley Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:39:27 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/?p=1017#comment-6767 At 74 I was hoping to find a paradise that was an inexpensive place to retire, or perhaps find a place that I could both retire in and work part time. As a Realtor with 9 years experience selling oceanfront luxury condominiums, I thought Costa Rica might be the answer, but with my lack of the local linguistic skills I may not be able to work. I now I read on this site, opposite of what I have been reading elewhere, that Costa Rica prices for food and lodging and services are FAR below what one is use to paying in the U.S. and Canada, I'm not so sure Costa Rica is the place to head to. At my age, I don't want to make any costly mistakes. I have $3000. a month to live on if I don't work. Any suggestions? Many thanks. At 74 I was hoping to find a paradise that was an inexpensive place to retire, or perhaps find a place that I could both retire in and work part time. As a Realtor with 9 years experience selling oceanfront luxury condominiums, I thought Costa Rica might be the answer, but with my lack of the local linguistic skills I may not be able to work. I now I read on this site, opposite of what I have been reading elewhere, that Costa Rica prices for food and lodging and services are FAR below what one is use to paying in the U.S. and Canada, I’m not so sure Costa Rica is the place to head to. At my age, I don’t want to make any costly mistakes. I have $3000. a month to live on if I don’t work. Any suggestions?

Many thanks.

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2008/07/cost-of-living-in-costa-rica/#comment-6159 Geoff Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:06:35 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/?p=1017#comment-6159 Hey Deepak, I know many Ticos who can live on $1,500. But you do have to accept that it's not a lot to live on. As far as renting, that I don't know. I came across one place that was just under $1,000/month, and that was at the low end of the "fancy" places. You can find a lot cheaper elsewhere, but I neither know what those places are or whom to talk to about getting them. Hey Deepak,

I know many Ticos who can live on $1,500. But you do have to accept that it’s not a lot to live on.

As far as renting, that I don’t know. I came across one place that was just under $1,000/month, and that was at the low end of the “fancy” places. You can find a lot cheaper elsewhere, but I neither know what those places are or whom to talk to about getting them.

]]> By: Deepak http://www.sowrey.org/2008/07/cost-of-living-in-costa-rica/#comment-6147 Deepak Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:19:09 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/?p=1017#comment-6147 Just wanted to know Is $1500 per month is sufficiant to survive in Costa Rica? Which is the Cheaper and best place in Costa Rica to rent the Home for 3 member? Let me know if you have new infomation that you can share with me as i am coming for the first time in Costa Rica .... Thanks Just wanted to know Is $1500 per month is sufficiant to survive in Costa Rica?

Which is the Cheaper and best place in Costa Rica to rent the Home for 3 member?

Let me know if you have new infomation that you can share with me as i am coming for the first time in Costa Rica …. Thanks

]]> By: Leonardo Picado http://www.sowrey.org/2008/07/cost-of-living-in-costa-rica/#comment-5594 Leonardo Picado Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:15:15 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/?p=1017#comment-5594 Geoff I saw Kung Fu panda two weeks ago with Spanish subs, you should give Terramall (in Tres Rios) a shot, they've got a decent cinema and usually give you a choice of both options. The buses don't have written routes (not that I know of) pretty much all buses go to San José and back, there are new "Rutas Intersectoriales" that appeared about 2 months ago, you could find out about those. Geoff

I saw Kung Fu panda two weeks ago with Spanish subs, you should give Terramall (in Tres Rios) a shot, they’ve got a decent cinema and usually give you a choice of both options.

The buses don’t have written routes (not that I know of) pretty much all buses go to San José and back, there are new “Rutas Intersectoriales” that appeared about 2 months ago, you could find out about those.

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2008/07/cost-of-living-in-costa-rica/#comment-5498 Geoff Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:58:47 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/?p=1017#comment-5498 Do not apologise, Ivan -- that's very helpful information!! Thank you very much! Do not apologise, Ivan — that’s very helpful information!!

Thank you very much!

]]> By: Ivan http://www.sowrey.org/2008/07/cost-of-living-in-costa-rica/#comment-5495 Ivan Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:35:16 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/?p=1017#comment-5495 I would really really recommend you to use the Aeropuerto Taxi service (when going to the airport of course) a lot safer and professional even though I know is expensive. Same thing going from airport to home. About the regular taxis.. make sure they use the meter or "Maria" (that's how we call it here). DO NOT get into a taxi without the meter and/or a sign in the doors or in the roof, those are called "Piratas" or "pirates". Those are unofficial and they don't have insurance and many other things... You may also want to call for a cab directly you can try these numbers: 2289-0026 and 2289-0826 (they are for Escazu/Santa Ana) Sorry for the extend comment, just wanted to give you some tips about the taxis here in Costa Rica... I would really really recommend you to use the Aeropuerto Taxi service (when going to the airport of course) a lot safer and professional even though I know is expensive. Same thing going from airport to home.
About the regular taxis.. make sure they use the meter or “Maria” (that’s how we call it here). DO NOT get into a taxi without the meter and/or a sign in the doors or in the roof, those are called “Piratas” or “pirates”. Those are unofficial and they don’t have insurance and many other things…
You may also want to call for a cab directly you can try these numbers: 2289-0026 and 2289-0826 (they are for Escazu/Santa Ana)
Sorry for the extend comment, just wanted to give you some tips about the taxis here in Costa Rica…

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