Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Costa Rica Expat Forum

25 Countries where your pension check goes furthest

New Topic Newest First
PuraVida
  7/6/2019 15:47 EST

According to the Gobankingrates.com report. Costa Rica is #24. In the United States, according to GOBankingRates.com, the average Social Security check of $1,349.25 a month falls short of the average cost of living of $1,699.76. https://qcostarica.com/25-countries-where-your-pension-check-goes-furthest-costa-rica-is-24th/

ILuvCR
  7/6/2019 18:59 EST

Interesting, thanks for sharing your source!

Please do go to the article and see that list of 23 countries that are cheaper than Costa Rica,

With just several exceptions I wouldn't be caught dead in most of them,

ie:

4. Indonesia. Total monthly expenditures: $450.89
3. Turkey. Total monthly expenditures: $434.64
2. Morocco. Total monthly expenditures: $432.02
1. India. Total monthly expenditures: $283.60

Yea, right!

La vide es buena in Costa Rica if you can afford it!

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

lindyluvsCR
  7/6/2019 22:21 EST

There is not a country cheaper than Costa Rica where I would want to live. I have a friend that went from CR to Ecuador, but it is a lot colder than I like. She sends pictures of what she eats in restaurants that are cheaper, but a lot of weird stuff that I would never eat.

If there is another country that you think is better and cheaper, then after you actually live there, get on that countries blog and promote it.

ILuvCR
  7/6/2019 23:34 EST

I understand that our little slice of paradise, Costa Rica has the highest cost of living in Central America but also the highest standard of living.

You get what you pay for.

La vida es buena if you can afford it!

PombinhaCoco7
  7/7/2019 16:55 EST

I copied and paste the link but I couldn't find the article.
I don't know in which place they rated Portugal this time but the tourists who come here and who also spend a few months there are always asking me why we are not there.
The cost of living is much lower than here and rents as well.
What I find more expensive than here is real estate for sale.
There is no reason for people to be offended if there are other countries
that got a better rate than Costa Rica.
Bryan Adams and Madonna chose Portugal.
Brian Adams even votes there.
They didn't choose Portugal because of the low cost of living since they have a lot of money but because they genuinely love the country.

ILuvCR
  7/7/2019 18:54 EST

Portugal is not on the list in this article.

https://qcostarica.com/25-countries-where-your-pension-check-goes-furthest-costa-rica-is-24th/

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

PuraVida
  7/8/2019 11:12 EST

I don't think that Costa Rica will make the list of 25 next year because of the new tax laws that went into effect July 1st. The simplest way to explain the changes could be through a modest explanation: all goods and services will experience an increase of 13% sales tax. This increase in the cost will be absorbed by consumers. Nevertheless, it is not that simple to apply, implementation of all aspects on the new law become a bit more complex for expats, corporations, property, and income tax on capital gains. The next time that you consult with a lawyer in CR, you will be charged 13% tax on top of their fees.

PombinhaCoco7
  7/8/2019 13:44 EST

Pura Vida
I know a lot of people who are dissolving their corporations and others are selling their property.
Some of my friends sold it before the new law came into effect.
There are also families applying for Permanent Residency that I helped with by giving them all the information and now they have come to the conclusion that it;s better for them to rent here than to buy.

peter2017
  7/8/2019 17:16 EST

I am not sure that this list is very accurate. I lived in Hungary for a bit, and it was way more expensive than CR.

In CR, we spend about $1,700-2,000 month, not including rent.

free2024
  7/16/2019 15:07 EST

Is it possible to have an article like the top 25 cities in CR where your Social Security goes the furthest? I could be entirely user input based. : ) CR is my choice, just not sure which cities offer the most bang for my buck.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Living in Costa Rica GuideLiving in Costa Rica Guide

Our Living in Costa Rica Guide is a primer on everything about living in Costa Rica: best places to live, cost of living, pros and cons, healthcare and insurance, and more.

Costa Rica Forum Costa Rica Forum
Join our Costa Rica forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Costa Rica.

Contribute to Costa Rica Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Costa Rica.

Best Places to Live in Costa Rica Best Places to Live in Costa Rica

If you're dreaming about living in Costa Rica, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Costa Rica in 2023.

Healthcare in Costa RicaHealthcare in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has both public and private healthcare systems. When you become a resident, you must enroll in the public healthcare system (CAJA). Many expats use the public system for routine healthcare and have private expat health insurance for specialists, surgeries and emergencies.

Cost of Living in Costa RicaCost of Living in Costa Rica

If you're moving to Costa Rica, you'll want to understand the cost of living in Costa Rica. Lifestyle, location and health insurance are part of the formula.

Moving to Costa RicaMoving to Costa Rica Guide

Moving to Costa Rica has become more popular among expats. Making this choice requires a lot of research to ensure the expat experience you hope for will be realized.

Real Estate in Costa RicaReal Estate in Costa Rica

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Costa Rica.

Pros Cons of Living in Costa RicaPros & Cons of Living in Costa Rica

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Costa Rica.

Retiring in Costa RicaRetiring in Costa Rica

Advice for people retiring in Costa Rica.

Visa and Residency Costa RicaCosta Rica Visa & Residency Guide

Applying for residency in Costa Rica can be a daunting process. Which type of residency is right for me? Do I need an attorney? Do I have to leave the country every 90 days? What is a cedula? This article answers these and many other questions.

10 Tips for Living in Costa Rica10 Tips for Living in Costa Rica

If you've recently arrived in Costa Rica, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Costa Rica.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Contribute to Costa Rica Network Contribute
Help others in Costa Rica by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Costa Rica.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal