Do I have to pull a card or move my clip?”. There are certainly a lot of positives about living as an expat in San Jose when it … Once you’ve actually decided to go for it, moving here is only as complicated as you make it. In the Central Valley, such lifestyles can easily amount to $3000 or more monthly. Topics covered include the health care system, where to live, and also some general information about the natural beauty of Costa Rica. It has more than enough money to invest into social development and nature preservation programs. Here are some of the best cities for an American to retire in Costa Rica: Tamarindo. Costa Rica’s efforts in environmental protection have made us better global citizens and consumers. These “perpetual tourists” are able to own businesses, property, even cars. All our focus is on family right now. (Photo: Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images ), U.S. Department of State: Background Note - Costa Rica, Costa Rica Law: Costa RIca Immigration and Residency Information, U.S. Department of State: Costa Rica Country Specific Information, "The Globe and Mail"; Home Abroad -- Paradise Found? In addition to the legal aspects of working in Costa Rica, it is important to consider practical concerns. We are able to live here comfortably on $2000 a month or less. The cost of entry is low with varying investment or pension requirements. Browse our high-quality expat network to find like-minded expatriates from the United States of America in Costa Rica. That’s not our vibe. Admittedly, it has been hard for a long time as middle-class Californias striving to give our kids “the best” and inadvertently living a lonely, false narrative. Last year he was just riddled with performance anxiety. Of course, immersing ourselves in Costa Rica’s native language of Spanish is an important factor too. We aren’t stuck to one narrative. Combine that with our culture of consumerism, statistics regarding being black in schools, the cost of living and economic segregation of most urban centers, plus just the general vibe of American news cycles, 2020 felt like a good time to radically shift what our family considered “normal”. As soon as we returned to California, I made arrangements to get back to Costa Rica within 4 weeks. Housing Costs in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a perfect destination for expats wishing to make a new start abroad while enjoying to be surrendered by amazing natural landscapes. People bring 20+ suitcases, containers of storage and, in general, lots and lots of stuff. Conditions are particularly unsafe for pedestrians, and road accidents claim the lives on average of two pedestrians a day. People live on and for the media. We buy one-way, refundable tickets in advance that we cancel as needed and plan to leave the country every 90 days. Like, how do I know when I’m in trouble? You can try living in Costa Rica first to see if you like it. Pros & Cons of Living in Costa Rica | USA Today News InterNations helps you meet and interact with other Americans in Costa Rica, living in San José, Quesada, Alajuela and many other places across the country. Living in Costa Rica as an American has obvious advantages and Costa Rica continues to attract expats in record numbers. Compared to many of its Central American neighbors, Costa Rica is extremely safe. If you and your spouse want to retire together, you can easily do … This is how we moved to Costa Rica (as a perpetual tourist, until we begin residency), in 3 easy steps…. It took us several trips to gain the courage to finally get behind the wheel. Most people visiting Costa Rica fly into this city, site of the main international airport, but head out as soon as … Unless you are retired with a pension, have a substantial investment portfolio or plan to open a business in Costa Rica, obtaining residency will be a long and not necessarily fruitful process. From the cost of housing to the price of healthcare, here’s everything you need to know about the cost of living in Costa Rica. Not as daunting as it may sound, being a perpetual tourist (along with the kids’ flex schedule) has been a great way to calm my wanderlust! Choosing where to retire in Costa Rica can be difficult due to the seemingly limitless amount of options. So approximately $3,000/month. Costa Rica's stunning coasts and rainforests tempt foreigners visitors to stay permanently. The result is a nation of laid-back, friendly, and happy people who value, not just their culture, but the stable, nonviolent neutrality of their political history. People considering a move to Central America often narrow down their list to Panama and Costa Rica. I’m sure we’ll talk more about this in future posts. Most rentals are fully furnished, complete with kitchen supplies. In summary Costa Rica has become such a popular location for north American expats looking to live offshore for obvious reasons. The general rule of thumb for monthly living expenses is to allocate $1,000 to $2,000 per month including housing, according to both the Costa Rican immigration requirements and "International Living Magazine." Expats talk about the cost of living in Panama and Costa Rica - housing costs, gas, car, electric, internet, groceries, budgets for various lifestyles and more. This is a big deal for our family who has various needs and insane medical premium costs in the United States. Being black in America (or Latino, for that matter) feels overwhelming right now. They made friends, we explored various areas of the country and I became comfortable with navigating the Costa Rican culture. Because we’re renting a furnished condo (and my husband travels back to the states often enough), all we packed was one carryon + personal item each, and then one checked bag with things like hair products, good quality shoes and lots of sunblock/bug spray. When my daughter needed antibiotics for a severe sinus infection and fever, it was $85 total. Costa Rica is one of the most popular expat destinations in the world for a reason. Those expats interested in simple living should budget $1500 or less monthly. In order for me to quit work and retire, we needed a country with a low cost of living. Here are 8 reasons why moving from the United States to Costa Rica … Last year my husband met us here, working remotely instead of taking vacation time when he asked, “tell me again why aren’t we living in Costa Rica?”. Sunsets in Costa Rica are the most beautiful I have ever seen. I don’t recommend signing a long term lease sight unseen – there are so many factors you need to be here to understand. Costa Rica provides that. In fact, every year, about 2.5 million tourists and visitors touch down in the nation ranked #1 on the World Happiness Index, and about 50,000 North American expats and retirees now live there permanently. Houses are available for under $100,000, even in coastal areas, and large apartments in cities can be found for under $1,000 per month. The Nicoya Peninsula has five cantons where middle-age mortality is lowest and centenarians are the most abundant. Living in a country chock-full of beautiful beaches, rainforests, and incredible wildlife where you can adopt a simple, relaxed lifestyle is not beyond reach, believe me.. I enrolled the kids in private school, signed a condo lease and even bought a car. Costa Rica’s biodiversity rivals other countries much larger and wealthier. In Los Angeles, a private school with small class sizes and progressive education models (such as self-directed learning, democratic models, project-based, dual language, etc) can cost up to $40,000/year. My husband’s blessing was all I needed to set our adventure in motion. Though Costa Rica is a hub for all things tropical, planning to live in Costa Rica full-time is different than visiting it is a tourist. Others choose to retire or live in relative luxury, employing full-time housekeepers, commuting by car, enjoying exquisite homes and consuming imported goods. There are families spending less and those who spend much, much more. The easiest route to residency is through the pensionado or rentista programs, available for retirees with monthly pension or social security payments over $600 per month or individuals with more than $1,000 per month in investment income. Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica is 35% cheaper than in New Haven, Connecticut; Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica is 54% cheaper than in Washington D.C. Secure housing. It’s normal for kids to be allocated ample space to run and swim while adults eat dinner or catch up with friends because restaurants account for a cultura de familia when designing their spaces. I’m in the middle of the largest urban area in Costa Rica, the capital, San José, founded in 1738. On the international stage, Costa Rica is well-regarded for its environmental and human rights advocacy and work towards peace in the region. Overall, the cost of living in Costa Rica is 26.6% lower than living in the United States. Our local elementary school is free and dual language (one of the best in the state, actually), but it’s almost 900 students and growing. According to the U.S. Department of State, the democratic government operates with a very strong system of constitutional checks and balances. Cheap cost of living, good medical care, English speaking locals, and a tropical paradise with sandy beaches. I speak the language and love the culture, and still enjoy the diverse communities built by Ticos and immigrants together. Costa Rica is well known for its move to carbon neutrality, and virtually 100% of its electricity is generated from green sources. Waterfalls are everywhere. Cost of Living: Costa Rica vs. Panama. Living in Costa Rica or retiring in Costa Rica has many benefits and in this article, we will weigh out the pros and cons. We will consider the Cons first: Cost of living is higher than other countries. Costa Rica is becoming a pretty major tourism spot for Americans these days. Potholes, dips and cracks mark the roads so severely that cars can be damaged driving over them. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Italian language and culture from Smith College. I’ll write a detailed report of our living expenses in Costa Rica, but suffice it to say it’s less than the cost of living in Southern California. It is among the best in Latin America. Costa Rica is not a third world country. Or, though sometimes frowned upon, tourists can remain in the country on 90-day visas. Costa Rica is one of the cheapest countries to live in across the world. Costa Rica a common destination for a lot of retirees because it offers a particular convenience for traveling to and from the United States and because it happens to be one of the safest countries throughout the entire region. My personal goals for 2020 are to heal spiritually and physically while growing this blog’s traffic with culturally rich and practical tips on parenting. Moving to Costa Rica isn’t for everyone, but it’s definitely a simple and chill way of life that we’re honored to explore. Gabi Logan began writing food and travel articles in 2004. Living in Panama Vs. Costa Rica Vs. Belize. It’s because the amazing benefits easily outweigh the bad, in the minds of most expats. Much like other Latin American countries, Costa Rican culture is a blend of indigenous heritage and Spanish colonial influence with a dash of Jamaican, Chinese, and other immigrant cultures lending character and customs. You can find Costa Rica expat communities living all throughout the country. Throughout Central and South America, Costa Rica has long stood out as a beacon of stability and neutrality. (Photo: Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images ). The customs agent will want to see a return ticket to grant you entry as well. If anyone ever told you that living abroad in Costa Rica, or anywhere for that matter would be a magical, fairy tale paradisaical experience, take it lightly. According to the U.S. Social Security Administration , more than half a million U.S. citizens … My husband has career goals too, so he’ll be coming back and forth until the Pura Vida vibe has pulled him in all the way in. The only stipulation that you have is to show a valid passport upon arrival. People are industrious, many seeking entrepreneurship, raising kids to ask how they can contribute to society and offer solutions. Costa Rica does not require citizens of the United States to have a visa before entering the country. Buy a plane ticket (with proof of exit flight or bus ticket within 90days). With its beautiful landscapes, tropical climate, and affordable cost of living, you can live any type of lifestyle you want. Costa Rica residency takes a fair amount of time, so seeking professional help from a lawyer is recommended. Average Cost to Retire in Costa Rica . Though many aspects of Costa Rican living are decidedly first-world, the roads are not among them. You can also buy Costa Rica health insurance for expats which are private options at a low cost. We paid cash for our Hyundai Tuscon, a reliable and easy to repair 5-seater, so our transportation costs are minimal. The kids and my marriage are both thriving, my health is renewing and even our bank accounts are enjoying the lighter load. Vs Cons. Expat Exchange: Expats in Costa Rica: Pros and Cons of Living in Costa Rica Expats in Costa Rica offer some advice on the pros and cons of living in the Central American country. Financially, if we decide to stay here long term, our goal would be to build a home with cash reserves to alleviate housing costs and secure our financial independence. UPDATE ON THIS UPDATE: In summer 2018, this American expatriate couple moved back to the U.S. after 9 years in Costa Rica, mainly for health care reasons. 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