Cost of Living

The cost of wood in Costa Rica

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Being from the Pacific Northwest where construction lumber such as hemlock, pine and Douglas Fir are inexpensive, I had a little sticker shock here when buying ordinary utility wood. Even the least expensive, malina, which is bug resistant but mainly used for concrete forms, is more than utility grade lumber in the U.S. However, I have access to a dozen tropical varieties of wood here that are inexpensive relative to what you would find in the U.S. if you could find it. Wood continues to appreciate in value here and many species are now protected from logging, but those are measures implemented to reduce deforestation.

Submitted on Feb 28, 2014 - Category: Cost of Living, Network: Costa Rica

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CREnvy

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I'm on my third career in life that of being voluntarily unemployed! The first two were house construction and later hi-tech as a software engineer. I was fortunate to be able to retire early in Costa Rica back in '07. With my wife and younger son we bought land and built a dream house with that million-dollar view you hear so much about. We spend time raising coffee, bananas, and fruit trees. My wife is an accomplished artist and has discovered new media to express herself here including beautiful ceramic mosaics. Pura vida! P.S. Now, in 2021, planning our next move ... to México!