How do I find a place to live in Costa Rica?

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

"Costa Rica is a great place to live and there are many options for finding a suitable location to call home. A good first step is to research the areas of the country you may be interested in and determine what type of lifestyle and accommodations suit you best. You can research online using resources such as TripAdvisor, Airbnb, and Craigslist to get an idea of what is available in each region. Additionally, there are a variety of real estate agencies located throughout Costa Rica that can help you find a suitable living space. Ask around for recommendations and make sure to select a reputable agency. Finally, you can reach out to the expat community for advice, as they are generally well informed about housing options," commented one expat who made the move to Costa Rica.

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"Yes, finding the right location to live in, can be more important that finding the right home. Many expats want to live at the beach...especially from the snowy north...until they find that the heat just doesn't work for them. So, if they have purchased a home there, they could be stuck with it. So, suggest you rent for an extended time period so that you truly check out the different neighbourhoods, learn where the bus routes are, where the roosters start the earliest and the karaoke bars are located... It is said by many, that it is very easy to buy, but often very hard to sell. Many say that between 50-60% of the expats, return home within 3-4 years. Often broke. Costa Rica is no longer a cheap place to live. However, it can be a great place to live, if you can afford it," remarked another expat in Costa Rica.

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How do I find a place to live in Costa Rica?

If you live in Costa Rica, newcomers to Costa Rica would love to hear your answer to this question.

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.