| Why live in Costa Rica? |
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| Written by OffshoreWorld | |
| Tuesday, 22 February 2011 | |
Why live in Costa Rica?
Recently I led a group of prospective residents on a trip around Costa Rica. After a week of traveling and attending a series of informative seminars, most of my clients decided they would like to live here for at least part of the year. Some of them even wanted to invest in real estate. It comes as little surprise that they felt this way. Costa Rica has more Americans per capita than any other country outside the United States. Why do so many people want to live here? The most obvious reason is the climate. People are tired of freezing winters, scorching summers and the high utility bills that go with them. In Costa Rica they can enjoy one of the best year-round climates in the world (72 degrees average in the Central Valley.) We have only two seasons here, dry and rainy, both with an abundance of sunshine. We rarely need air conditioning and never need heat. Costa Rica has more winter sunshine than Hawaii or Florida and fewer people.
Costa Rica is called the Switzerland of the Americas by many due to its neutral political status and spectacular mountains. From the huge, curling waves of the Pacific coast, to the sight of molten rock tumbling down the sides of a volcano, Costa Rica’s natural beauty has something for everyone. This unique little country offers a real paradise for the nature lover, fishing enthusiast and water sports fanatic as well as the retiree.Many come here for the lifestyle. Costa Rica fits the bill for anyone sick of the hustle and bustle, seeking a more laid-back way of life. One of the tour participants remarked, Costa Rica reminds me of the U.S. about 40 years ago when everything was unspoiled, unhurried and less crowded. It will also appeal to people of all ages seeking to move to a new and exotic land outside the States and Canada, as well as the energetic entrepreneur, the burned-out baby boomer, those sick of long rush-hour commutes and anyone seeking an alternative way of life. This beautiful country is so appealing because it has the warmth and flavor of Mexico, without anti-Americanism and fear of government expropriations; the physical beauty of Guatemala without a large military presence; and the sophistication of Brazil without the abject poverty and with far less crime. But Isn’t It Expensive? Although much has been written about the high cost of living here, what you spend depends on your lifestyle. If you must have a luxurious home, drive a late model car and buy imported goods, you will spend as much or more than you would in North America. But if you live more like the locals and watch your spending, you will spend considerably less. Many Americans living below the poverty line in the United States can live in moderate luxury on a modest retirement or investment income in Costa Rica. The favorable exchange rate and low rate of inflation let you stretch your dollars here. The cost of food, utilities and entertainment are all substantially lower than in the United States. Costa Rica’s affordable medical care is among the best anywhere. The quality of health care is comparable to North America but the prices are one half or less. Considered by many to be the healthiest country south of Canada, Costa Rica has a longer life-expectancy than the United States (76.3 for men, 79.8 for women), rumored to be the third longest in the world. In most areas housing costs are less than what you would be accustomed to paying in the United States. I just purchased a new three-bedroom home in San Francisco de Heredia, about five miles from downtown San José, for $85,000. It has a cathedral ceiling, sits on a 270-square- meter lot and is very comfortable for three people and a dog. I have a 15-year mortgage and pay $600 monthly including insurance, with a nine percent loan from a Costa Rican state bank. Besides our home, I have two cars and a full-time maid. Household help makes life easier. (You can hire a full-time maid for as little as $200 per month or $1 per hour.) My son goes to one of the best private schools in the country. I eat out a few times a week and enjoy various types of entertainment. We spend a week at the beach during Easter and go to the United States every Christmas. Our monthly expenses are about $2,500. Costa Rica’s inexpensive medical care, affordable housing, excellent transportation and communication networks, and abundance of activities with which to stay busy and happy, all contribute to the country’s appeal and place it at the top of the list of retirement and expatriate havens. According to a survey of potential foreign retirement areas in the Robb Report, due to the high quality of life Costa Rica surpasses all countries, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, Portugal, Australia, the Caribbean Islands and Greece. What Sets Costa Rica Apart from Its Neighbors? Nicaragua, Belize, Honduras and Guatemala have lower living costs, but you get what you pay for. The quality of life and lack of infrastructure in those countries leave a lot to be desired. Safety is a concern, especially where paramilitary police have power or where police are corrupt, as in Mexico. Costa Rica is politically stable and is unique in having no army. Although theft occurs, violent crime is minimal. One expatriate said about Costa Rica: “country has one of the most pacifist cultures in the world. Think of it: it has been almost 60 years since Costa Rica outlawed the army. This is the reason that I always return to Costa Rica its lack of an army. When I first arrived here in 1978, they used to boast that they had more teachers than policemen. I don’t know if that is still true but they still put more emphasis on education and health than any other Central American country, not to mention the States and many European countries. Needless to say, I made my move twenty-five years ago and have never looked back. I love the country, the culture and the people. My adopted country has been very good to me and I have found success and happiness here. ｡Pura vida! |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 22 February 2011 ) |
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