Real Estate in San Jose, Costa Rica

Last updated on Jul 02, 2023

Summary: The most desirable neighborhoods in San Jose, Costa Rica are Escazu, Santa Ana, Rohrmoser, and Sabana. The average cost to buy a nice 2 bedroom home in San Jose is around $200,000 USD and a nice 3 bedroom home is around $250,000 USD. These properties typically include modern amenities such as air conditioning, stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops. Foreigners are allowed to own property in San Jose, however, there are certain restrictions. For example, foreigners are not allowed to own property within 50 kilometers of the coast or within 100 kilometers of the border. The best way for an expat to search for a home to buy in San Jose is to use a real estate agent or a property search website. It is also important to research the area and the neighborhood before making a purchase.

How do I find a place to live in San Jose?

We asked expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:

"If you are looking for a place to live in San Jose, there are a variety of options available. You may choose to find a rental property, such as an apartment or house, through a real estate agency. You can also find accommodations in hotels, hostels, and other hospitality services such as Airbnb. Additionally, there are a variety of residential communities and gated neighborhoods that offer homes for rent or for purchase. No matter what your needs are, you are sure to find a suitable place to live in San Jose," said one person in San Jose, Costa Rica.

"I just wanted to clear up some of the bad reviews of the other guy who posted before me about San Jose, Costa Rica. First of all, if you are planning on moving to Costa Rica for whatever ex-pat experience, if possible, avoid San Jose. It is a very crowded, dense little city that is not all that interesting. Also, foreigners are more susceptible to theft here. That being said, get out of San Jose and live in any of the other great towns all throughout this beautiful country. True, transportation can be mediocre (if insisting on travelling budget), but it definately suffices. It's a small country and travelling from the Pacific to the Carribean can be done in one long day even on the slowest, cheapest bussed routes available," remarked one foreigner who made the move to San Jose.

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What is a typical expat home or apartment like in San Jose?

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About the Author

Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.