Pug ever since your amazing trip with your Pug's every so often I check out your wife's blog. Great info.about living in Costa Rica, I was wondering about what size income is needed to live fairly comfortable ? I may be wrong but it seems that Panama you get more bang for the buck. Nice to hear from someone living the good life. GL
Who likes the place they are living in retirement? and Why?
- Thread starter Betone
- Start date
Pug ever since your amazing trip with your Pug's every so often I check out your wife's blog. Great info.about living in Costa Rica, I was wondering about what size income is needed to live fairly comfortable ? I may be wrong but it seems that Panama you get more bang for the buck. Nice to hear from someone living the good life. GL
That's not an easy question to answer because it depends on a lot of factors. For instance, San Jose area, rural area or beach? Car, scooter/motorcycle or bus? How much air conditioning will you use? Will you eat local food or can you not do without US brands? These things could swing your budget wildly.
In general though, there are people that live here on $2000 a month but I'm not sure I'd enjoy that type of life. At $3000 a month, you could live a decent middle class lifestyle here. With $4000 a month you could live very well here. Anything above that and you can live like a king.
There are cheaper places to live like Nicaragua where you will spend about 1/2 to live as compared to here. Also, like you mentioned, Panama may be a bit cheaper although it's pretty close in cost of living. However, if money is not your sole concern, I think Costa Rica is a better over all place to live than Panama.
In general though, there are people that live here on $2000 a month but I'm not sure I'd enjoy that type of life. At $3000 a month, you could live a decent middle class lifestyle here. With $4000 a month you could live very well here. Anything above that and you can live like a king.
There are cheaper places to live like Nicaragua where you will spend about 1/2 to live as compared to here. Also, like you mentioned, Panama may be a bit cheaper although it's pretty close in cost of living. However, if money is not your sole concern, I think Costa Rica is a better over all place to live than Panama.
Pug, we just started doing a little research on a nice vacation spot in Costa Rica. Thinking about 10 days at a mid range all inclusive. Any recommendations?
Good choice to come here. One thing about Costa Rica though is I wouldn't recommend doing an all inclusive. There are many great restaurants/bars that you will want to go out and try and not be forced to stay at your hotel. The wife and I did an all inclusive in Jamaica and that was the perfect place for it because leaving your resort there is dangerous. Not so here. You will want to go out and explore.
There are many different parts to Costa Rica so with 10 days, you might think about spending 3-4 days in 3 different parts of the country.
Let me know what you like to do and I can recommend what area(s) to go to and probably some good hotels.
There are many different parts to Costa Rica so with 10 days, you might think about spending 3-4 days in 3 different parts of the country.
Let me know what you like to do and I can recommend what area(s) to go to and probably some good hotels.
If you are planning to live for a decade or more I would pick a place with a more scalable water supply. Without knowing anything about anything, I would be concerned that there are only so many millions of people that we can add to places like Vegas and Arizona before water resources become a real challenge.
Just a thought for those who think about the world beyond the temporary.:shrug:
Just a thought for those who think about the world beyond the temporary.:shrug:
Morris , i have been using this site to check out options.
https://www.airbnb.ca/s/Costa-Rica?...=30-03-2015&guests=1&source=bb&ss_id=f4zl2r2x
if your going w/ another couple this might be good?
https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/304614?checkin=16-03-2015&checkout=30-03-2015&s=7f18
Pug, can you purchase your home in CR? My wife and I have looked at moving to Mexico once the kids are off to college. Her sister currently lives in Mazatlan and loves it. My only concern is being close to the beach.(at least 5 minutes)
Also, what region? Is there much difference between the Pacific and Atlantic sides of the country? I would like to surf so I'm thinking the Pacific would be a better choice.
if your going w/ another couple this might be good?
https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/304614?checkin=16-03-2015&checkout=30-03-2015&s=7f18
Will check it out. Thanks!
Layinwood,
Yeah, you can purchase property here the same as in US. Prices for real estate just off of the beach, not beach front are reasonable. Just make sure you use a reputable realtor and attorney. Some of them are shady here.
There is a huge difference between the Atlantic and Pacific sides. The Atlantic side is run down and has a lot of crime. The Pacific side is the nice side with low crime where all the North Americans go. As far as surfing, it doesn't get any better than the Jaco beach area where I live. They have surfing competitions here all the time including some world championship surfing events.
Yeah, you can purchase property here the same as in US. Prices for real estate just off of the beach, not beach front are reasonable. Just make sure you use a reputable realtor and attorney. Some of them are shady here.
There is a huge difference between the Atlantic and Pacific sides. The Atlantic side is run down and has a lot of crime. The Pacific side is the nice side with low crime where all the North Americans go. As far as surfing, it doesn't get any better than the Jaco beach area where I live. They have surfing competitions here all the time including some world championship surfing events.
Damn, just what I didn't need is something to keep me distracted. I've already spent the better part of this afternoon looking at properties. You can get a lot of house down there for not much. I figured anything close to the beach would be sky high. I actually wouldn't want to be on the beach. I'm not a big fan of it due to the constant hassle of having sand everywhere. An ocean view would be more my liking. I'm going to check it out more so I may have some more questions for you.
If I did go ahead and buy a home is the rental market there any good? I'm not talking for vacationers but more for long term renters.
If I did go ahead and buy a home is the rental market there any good? I'm not talking for vacationers but more for long term renters.
Betone and layinwood,
Just let me know if you guys have any more questions or need assistance with anything.
Just let me know if you guys have any more questions or need assistance with anything.
