The Caribbean of Costa Rica is an overlooked part of the country. It is growing and changing in many good ways with a town of 70k people and new hospital very close and only about 35-40 minutes to the first beach. We have a nice gated community with high speed fiber optic internet service. Send me your email and I will send you a copy of my book "The Caribbean of Costa Rica Live and Invest on the Last Frontier".

Gill Phelan
www.gvecr.com

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00abuse

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Start by asking yourselves a few questions: "What is most important to me: beach living vs mountain areas; hot and sunny vs cool and rainy; big city (San Jose) vs small town vs rural areas; cultural activities or outdoor activities; living on a tight budget vs greater comforts; own a car vs public transportation; access to medical facilities, airports, and borders (for Visa runs)". Categorize your likes and dislikes as "essential qualities, would be nice to have, or not essential", as well as "avoid", so that you can narrow down possible places to live.

Then ask for further recommendations in the online forums. Don't try to cover too much in one post on a forum - post different topics as separate questions so that responses stick to one topic.
Spend some time exploring past discussions in forums and then ask specific questions.

Research: You can find suggestions on places to live by browsing various Expat Forums, but what is right for you will be a very personal decision. Most people will tell you that "where they live" is the best place to move to in CR - so you need to state your top criteria first so the responses are specific to what you want. Visit several different expat forums for advice, such as: "Expat.com", "ExpatExchange.com", "Forums.arcr.net", "ExpatsKnow.com", and "Expatriates in Costa Rica" on Facebook.

Then visit a few locations in CR that appear to fit your criteria.

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10abuse

If you want ideal temperatures without a/c bill and a small city where you can make friends easily, I suggest Grecia. Population of 17,000. Have lived here over 2 years and you could not pry me out for a million dollars.

If you decide to check out, send personal message and will meet you in town for coffee.

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00abuse

HI, I will be traveling to Costs Rico looking for a new home this fall. I am a young 58 yr old woman . I want to move to a small town where people are active and like to get together. Would love to meet you when I come to explore Costa Rico.

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00abuse

How about Puriscal? Puriscal is known for its “perfect climate.” The average altitude is 3,600 feet, and the average temperature is 70°f, plus or minus 10°f . It tends to have a longer green season and less wind than many other locations. The local-direct bus takes about an hour to San Jose and costs $1.40 one-way. www.puriscaltimes.com

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10abuse

How about Puriscal? Puriscal is known for its “perfect climate.” The average altitude is 3,600 feet, and the average temperature is 70°f, plus or minus 10°f . It tends to have a longer green season and less wind than many other locations. The local-direct bus takes about an hour to San Jose and costs $1.40 one-way. www.puriscaltimes.com

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00abuse

Agree that this is too broad a question, so advise you to follow shermanwc's good advise.

Residency requirements : http://costaricalaw.com/costa-rica-legal-topics/immigration-and-residency/residency-general-information-and-summary/

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00abuse

Agree that this is too broad a question, so advise you to follow the good advise provided by shermawc.

Residency information:
http://costaricalaw.com/costa-rica-legal-topics/immigration-and-residency/residency-general-information-and-summary/

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00abuse

Linlewhammond,

It looks like you are creating your own "private" community. One day if you become a Tica (7 years 4 U) and you decide to run for President all these people you are meeting for coffee will vote for you!
In my case I can't be elected because I already have 2 nationalities besides being a resident here!-I also can't vote for you but I believe Pebbalita will!-LOL!

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00abuse

I have no interest in running for anything. The only time I run is to the fridge when I'm hungry.

I just like to meet people and help them if they decide to stay in Grecia.

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00abuse

Linlewhammond,
It's nice of you that you want to help people but even when they say they want to live close to the beach you always mention Grecia.
If living close to the beach was that bad we wouldn't have so many Americans and Canadians coming year after year to Playas del Coco.
Right now they are already booking condos for next year and they are fighting over them here at Cocomarindo!

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00abuse

Yes Pombina, I understand it is from my perspective only. I lived a total of 15 years in Florida near the beach. I usually don't even respond to someone saying they want to be on the beach unless they are also concerned with finances.

As we all know, electric is high here, even higher than we had in Florida. So I just throw out the option of living in a cooler place, and taking paseos to the beach.

I know you love the beach and lots of people are fascinated by various creatures, but I remember going to a restaurant there and having a huge iguana, or whatever they are called staring at me a few feet away while I ate my lunch. Another time, a huge one was on the side of cabin wall
And also bugs of various kinds love to bite me even here, but I think that is a bigger problem on the coast.


So to each his own. Pebblita praises the hills of Heredia, you praise the beach, GBP loves and promotes where he sells real estate, and ILuvCR is happy as a pig in a puddle with his Tica wife, and I am full of glee for Grecia.

Between all our glee, whoever is seeking the right place for them, I believe we all help them determine what is better for them. Actually when I think about it, Grecia has some nice Gringos, but we have more than our share of grumpy, complaining expats. I better stop expressing so much joy.

Have a great day with the sand in your flip flops.

One of these days, Coco Beach is a place I would like to visit, and maybe come to meet you.

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00abuse

In fact I don't promote Playas del Coco.
Every time I mentioned it is in reply to those who speak in a negative way about living by the beach.
As for the iguanas we love them.Even 2 days ago my husband took some photos of a beautiful iguana and posted it on Facebook.Unfortunately we don't have as many as before because sometimes 2 other cats come to visit our complex.
This morning we had 10 monkeys on a tree behind our bedroom and this time we made a video
Every time I go to the beach I can't help but thank God for being here!
As for the electricity since we put window screens we pay about $50.00 because we like to turn on the AC during the night.
One thing I know: there is nowhere in Costa Rica where we could find a 2 bedroom condo in such beautiful grounds with such a big and beautiful pool for the prices here!-And the beach is around the corner!
More buyers are showing up now and the condo next door was just sold for much more!
We thought about buying it to rent (tourists) but the Canadian Dollar is very low right now!
Almost everybody who owns here have bought 1 or 2 more condos and others wish they could do the same!
The French Canadians during the high season make this look like their "colony" They are always looking for more condos to rent for their families and friends.
We live here and yet people knock on our door asking if we want to rent!
That why I say that here people don't feel miserable by living by the beach!

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00abuse

Pombina - Sounds very interesting.

What are the temperature ranges?
About how much are the condos? Your electric is a little lower than ours and we do not need a/c. But I bake a lot of cookies!

At the other place, we had a great pool, but I am not a pool person.

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00abuse