Costa Rica Real Estate News – When choosing where to live in Costa Rica there are a few considerations to think through. People are happy in all parts of Costa Rica. It has been voted one of the happiest countries on Earth. To decide where you personally would find the most peace and fulfillment consider these three things: climate, price, and infrastructure.
Did you know there are 27 weather patterns in Costa Rica? It’s smaller than most U.S. states, yet from the coast to the highlands you can feel you have traveled the world. Heat is common near the beaches. Temperatures are above 90 degrees. A/C can cost you $400 a month so if you don’t like the heat look for a different Costa Rican climate, like a cloud forest.
In San Jose or it’s surroundings you will still have moderate heat (78 degrees, or so) but less humidity. This is my personal preference. I spent some time in the mountains with cool cloudy nights, around 50 degrees. The mountains have higher humidity but lower temperatures. I can see many people from North America preferring this climate.
Real estate can go from dirt cheap to more expensive than in North America. Expat and beach communities are the most expensive. There are million dollar homes in this third world country. Some San Jose suburbs offer affordability along with the opportunity to live with locals. San Ramon, Atenas, and Ciudad Colon are inexpensive alternatives that are still near small cities. $60,000 can get you a couple of acres in the mountain towns. Home rentals are available beginning at $300 per month, with some over $2,000 per month.
Consider what kind of infrastructure you will need and what you can deal with. Do you need to be near a hospital? Beaches are normally about 3 hours from major hospitals so reconsider bumming on the beach if you have health concerns. Do you need to shop in large malls and be near movie theaters? How important is internet connection to your daily life? How do you feel about driving on dirt roads? All of these aspects get significantly improved the closer you get to San Jose. There are many options and choices so the possibilities are endless.
The best advice for expats looking to move to Costa Rica is rent in several different areas until you find the place that is right for you. We all know how big a pain in the ass it is to move.
