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Life in Costa Rica

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Sweetleef4
  5/29/2023 10:24 EST

Is it as great as it seems?
Is the paperwork complicated?
Any suggestions of a nice, safe, active place to live comfortably on $2000.? Id like to be near shopping, entertainment and buses
Im excited to hear from everyone and learn from you

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ILuvCR
  5/30/2023 09:32 EST

Hola Sweetleef4!

I love it dearly, been here full time for eleven years now and will live out my days here but,

It's NOT for everyone!

"Paperwork"?, everything is more complicated here.

Of course, "comfort" is subjective but to " live comfortably on $2000.?" I'd say that's bare minimum for one person to "live comfortably".

Some type of "shopping" is everywhere, buses are everywhere if you could figure them out and "entertainment"?? It's all about the natural beauty for me.

Come early and often. Stay in as many places for as long as you can in different areas and in both seasons before trying to settle down.

Costa Rica favors the bold, self-reliant, confident, patient person with a great sense of humor about things especially themselves.

Pura Vida!

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designguru
  6/16/2023 18:44 EST

It is great. What the other person, above, said was exactly right.
It's not for everyone; and if you rely on 'society' to entertain you now... then maybe you need an english speaking place to live; and not Central America. Entertainment, if you are thinking movies; theatre, live music, etc... is really only in the cities... or tourist areas.
I feel that I am entertained by everything that is new and interesing... from nature to the people to the foods and yes, even the rain!!! I just love it.
The paperwork isn't that bad; I know people that moved to the USA and it was far more complicated.... just be prepared to work at it and make sure you use a good service to help you. It depens on what type of residency you want/is available to you in your situation.
Shopping is everywhere unless you live in a village of 300. Busses are everywhere... but especially on main highways. I did my homework and made sure that I lived near a bus stop where busses stopped regularly for GOOD destinations. For example, I can get a bus 300 yards from my house that goes to LaFortuna; San Ramon; and Ciudad Quesada... Quesada being the closest. It's a city of 60-70 thousand... shopping; medical, vet, dentists, banks, restaurants, etc.
I live on less than $1000/mo. but I own my house... so rent isn't an issue. I don't have cable because I don't have TV... i have wifi and use computer for movies/news. water is less than $10/mo. and electricity is less than $20... i only have hot water in my shower; and no air conditioning... but i have high ceilings and ceiling Fans are all i really need. Most nights are comfortable and we are between 2 oceans... so breezes aren't rare.
'Safe and active' can be almost anywhere... but less remote is probably safer. Example: the areas around Sarchi, Grecia, Naranjo are busy but not hectic; nice climate; good transportation, near SanJose + Airport... but not in the city and way less crime. Yet close enough to go shopping for whatever you will need. If you live in a touristy area, it will be active and fun... but you'll pay more... Example: La Fortuna... the area is a tourist mecca... the Volcano is wonderful as is the lake and all the natural wonders in the area... but pricey. Yet... you can live along the highway that goes from La Fortuna, south to San Ramon... and find smaller towns with cheap cheap prices and yet remain close to the highway (walk?) for busses that go to the bigger places. All towns have minisupers for basic groceries; and there are plenty of produce markets too.
Look around.... some people swear by the southern pacific areas; some love Guanacaste; etc. I wanted 'authentic' ... so I picked a tiny village, no english speakers, but good access to big towns nearby. My big property was $54k and i put $35k into it to make it more up to date... it's nice... probably too much garden though. Being here made me learn Spanish faster because there are no 'immediate' english speakers around my village (a scattering of people from US/Canada/Europe are in neighboring villages but everybody is like me... they weren't looking for an expat community)
and I volunteer english classes which helps me even more with my Spanish and i know everybody in town now (5 years).
I often think how it would have been if I wasn't as adventurous, open minded, and patient. It was a little hard at first... I am from a big city and not being able to even order a pizza was really really tough... but I have adapted. The locals have lived here forever and they don't seem sad; in fact; they actually seem to LIKE each other,
... so ????
Best of Luck,
Pura Vida
(learn Spanish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

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