Moving to Costa Rica is it right for you?

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COVER STORY

MOVING TO COSTA RICA

Is It Right for You?

by Rachel Cherry White

Before deciding to relocate here, it’s important to determine whether you can afford the lifestyle you want.

Costa Rica is one of the most sought-after destinations for retirees, singles and families looking for a new place to live. Year after year, it tops lists of “Best Places to Retire” and “Best Places for Expats.” No less than three times in the last decade, it’s scored highest on the planet’s happiest countries index. But what makes it so?

Yes, it's paradise

The weather, the people and just the vibe of the place make Costa Rica completely intoxicating.

Many people come looking to flee the rat race back home. Be it politics, consumerism or keeping up with the Joneses, they feel the need to escape. And they do find respite here. Things move more slowly; no one is in a rush. There is so much beauty to behold —a waterfall here, a toucan there. Ticos are renowned as some of the friendliest and most helpful people on earth. Another factor luring many to Costa Rica is the sustained absence of an army and presence of a stable democratic government.

“My heart has always yearned for a tropical climate and slow-paced beach life,” says Marissa Floyd, who moved here with her husband and two young children two years ago. “Costa Rica has the weather I crave and the lifestyle I want for my family.”

Few would argue that the climate is divine, with an average year-round temperature of 80°F. There is a dry season and a rainy season, with many preferring the latter “green season” because a couple hours of afternoon rain makes flowers bloom and everything look lush. For those preferring a more temperate climate, the Central Valley has somewhat cooler temperatures and year-round flora.

With the new “Digital Nomad” trend gaining traction, plenty of folks are able to retain the same job they had in their home countries by doing everything remotely. WiFi quality is good in major cities and serviceable everywhere else making this an easy option. Others dream of buying a seaside restaurant or operating a hotel. It is fairly easy to open a business — requiring only a tourist visa to do so — which makes it enticing for entrepreneurs. Make sure to do research and have a good business plan. It is worth noting that a business can employ no more than 10 percent of its workforce as foreigners.

Some move to Costa Rica because of its health care system, consistently rated one of the best in the world and relatively inexpensive too. Expats who establish residency are eligible for universal Caja health care insurance coverage by paying a small, sliding scale fee. This enables them to receive treatment at any government hospitals or clinics throughout the country. Otherwise, privately delivered health care services in Costa Rica cost about one-quarter of what people in the United States would pay. Some patients come here specifically to receive services they cannot access in the U.S., including stem cell treatments for certain illnesses.

Things to consider

Costa Rica isn’t right for everyone. First of all, are there things you can’t live without? Then it may not be the place for you. Do you make twice weekly Target runs? There are no Target stores in Costa Rica. Nor will you even get your Starbucks fix outside the capital city of San José. So if you are someone who doesn’t like making compromises, think long and hard about taking up residence here.

Also, keep in mind the requirement for

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Besides Costa Rica's "maintenance-free" roads, expect the unexpected anywhere, even in your own driveway. If you were bothered by neighbors not picking up after their dog, Costa Rica may not be for you. But, beauty is around almost every bend.

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keeping your tourist visa up to date: you have to leave the country every 90 days. Most people drive or take a group shuttle to either of the bordering countries, Nicaragua or Panama. Others take advantage of relatively cheap flights to destinations like Colombia or Mexico.

From an overall expense standpoint, living in Costa Rica is hardly inexpensive. Before deciding to relocate here, it’s important to determine whether you can afford the lifestyle you want. Cost of living varies depending on where you live; the closer you are to the beach, the more expensive it usually becomes. Talk to people who live in the area you’re looking at. How much do they spend on groceries? Average rent? A night out? Take these things into consideration so there are no surprises when you take the plunge.

And don’t forget about your startup costs. For renting, you’ll need the first and last month's amount, plus security deposit. If you want to buy a home, mortgages for non-residents are very rare, so you’ll probably need cash. Unless you live in a town where you can walk or take taxis, you’ll need to purchase a car. Again, loans are difficult to get, so you may need to have cash on hand or find a place that takes credit cards. This is why you see many expats driving turn-of-the-century cars.

If you have children, school is a huge factor. Costa Rica’s public education system is not like that in North America, and most expat families choose to enroll their children in private international schools. The costs can add up.

Are you scared to drive on less-thanperfect roads? Costa Rica is notorious for bad roads and drivers. The drivers in the metropolitan area blast you with horns, roaring motorcycles and yields on red. Stretches of unpaved dirt, mud, and gravel, single-lane bridges and rivers that sweep cars away are par for

the course. And all of these must always be shared with pedestrians, cyclists, farm and construction vehicles and all types of animals. But then, if your ideal traffic jam is a herd of wandering cows, you have found the right place.

Last but not least, expect otherwise normal days in Costa Rica when your electricity and/or water stops for no apparent reason. It happens all the time and people make do.

All or nothing proposition?

The how-to aspects of moving here are up to you. Some people decide to leave their household goods in storage and rent out their existing home for a year or two, bringing little more than suitcases with clothes to Costa Rica, before deciding whether a move is right for them. Others take bolder measures in putting all of their furniture and belongings into a Costa Rica-bound shipping crate. Shipping rates vary but generally range from between $6,000 and $15,000 for a 15- to 20-foot container from the U.S. to Costa Rica. Others bite the bullet, sell everything and move down with only their checked bags. These folks usually rent a furnished space, at least at first, until they’re able to purchase their own things.

All things considered, Costa Rica offers no end of reasons for being the happiest place on earth … ask any of the estimated over 400,000 foreigners now living here. Whether drawn by the people, the sunshine or the lifestyle, they have found the allure irresistible. Turn your dreams into a reality, live on vacation every day. Pura vida.

The CR Biz article on page 30 in the main magazine "Only Fools Rush In,” elaborates on some of the key decisionmaking factors for moving to Costa Rica, particularly financial aspects.

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PURA VIDA / LIFESTYLE

THE UNPLANNED WONDERS OF PURA VIDA

What to Really Expect Moving Your Family to Costa Rica

MOVING TO CR SERIES

by Nicole Rangel

You will go crazy in Costa Rica unless you tame that type-A personality.

Most people would agree that moving is a major life stressor, but moving to another country with children adds on more layers of stress. When moving to Costa Rica with our children, I found that I was not the only one with the same questions, concerns and hopes. Each family story is unique, but we all strive for a similar outcome. Here are a few things to expect when moving to Costa Rica with children.

1

Your family will become really close Most people who move to Costa Rica downsize in some way, which means smaller homes and usually one or no family vehicle. This results in lots of time together in smaller spaces and moving around to activities as a family more often. If you move to an area where you don’t know anyone, many parents are pleased to find that siblings play together more and family meals become routine. A common conversation topic among couples is whether all the additional togetherness with your partner is making or breaking your relationship.

2

Safety is overrated

One reality in Costa Rica is that despite the many laws and regulations, you will still see babies riding on motorcycles, kids on teetertotters, children serving beers in restaurants, and a bunch of people standing in the back of trucks. It is very common to plan playdates and totally

forget to exchange car seats, get phone numbers or even know exactly where someone lives. And definitely do not look at the kitchen of any soda if you have food safety concerns.

3

Finding support wherever you go

From the moment you entertain the idea of moving to Costa Rica, you can join one of hundreds of Facebook groups dedicated to living here. Ask one question and a plethora of answers and offers to help follows. Some of these turn into offline conversations and even in-person meetings. It is even more special when you can be the one offering support and answers to those eager to live this life in paradise. This support also transcends into your everyday life in Costa Rica. Whether someone helps shuttle you to the nearest city when your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere or jumps in to translate for you when setting up a utility, Ticos go out of their way to help in the best ways. When you befriend one of them, you have a friend for life.

4

Rely on the unreliable

From communication with your kids’ school to the availability of electricity, you never know what you will get. You set up a time for your house cleaner to come every week, but yet she often shows up on a different day and/or time. The dance recital was supposed to start at 7, but it is now 7:30 and the curtains are just rising.

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Playdates are made on the spot and birthday parties planned a week in advance. This is not due to a lack of social life or planning, it is due to loving the moment and people in your life right now. You will go crazy in Costa Rica unless you tame that type-A personality.

5

Bugs, bugs and more bugs There are so many bugs in Costa Rica! Army ants that swoop in cleaning up every surface. Lice infections you can’t brush away. Stomach bugs that plague your whole family. From creepy crawlies to bacteria, you will encounter so many kinds of pests while living here. But hey, what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger, right?

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Welcome to the ‘80s

It is true that life is simpler here. Kids get dirty playing outside for hours and there is less stress about testing, rushing to/from after-school activities and keeping up with the Joneses. But that also comes at a price. It’s not uncommon in the Tico culture to brush off common bullying behavior, use female-demeaning language and dismiss responsibility for mistakes. This can be downright infuriating, especially if your child is having any social problems at school. Just take a chill pill, dude.

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World view is truly worldly

You might have moved to Costa Rica to give your family a better world view, expecting the socialization and schooling with Ticos to change your children’s ideas of needs, wants, happiness and contentment. Then you find yourself surrounded by not only Ticos but families from the Americas and Europe too. You realize the new world view you sought has truly become worldly. The blessing of exposing your children to multiple languages is amazing until you realize they have picked up more bad words in Spanish and French than usable phrases. You will also find the heartache that comes with this worldly community: people come and go often, and finding friends who stay can be difficult.

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Kids play with each other

Over and over again, I am amazed at how diverse our friend circle is, but I am most elated by how kids play differently here. Children, pre-teens and teens all play together regularly, regardless of gender, language, nationality or age. Take a group of mixed-age kids to the beach and throughout the day, you will see everyone partner up with a different kid in the group at some point. Watching a French teenager build a sand castle with an Argentine 3-year-old, or a group of boys and girls who just met team up to play a pick-up game of fúbol, makes you wonder — where in adulthood do we lose those socialization skills it takes to be productive world leaders?

The Animals

Best of all, moving to Costa Rica is about unleashing expectations, being uncomfortable and learning through it all … for kids and adults. By showing your children that you are struggling, learning and adapting just like them, you are modeling life behaviors too few people learn these days. Embrace the tranquila life and enjoy the unexpected.

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PURA VIDA / LIFESTYLE

COSTA RICA YOUR WAY

MOVING TO CR SERIES

by Jenn Parker

When things get difficult, remind yourself what it was that drew you here in the first place.

On the morning of Jan. 7, 2010, I arrived at Miami International Airport with nearly everything I owned, including a surfboard I had acquired, a Maine coon cat that had acquired me, and a suitcase filled with books. I had a one-way ticket to San José, a lease in a beach town I had only briefly visited once, a tight six-month budget, no job, no Spanish skills, and a level of confidence that can only be attributed to the unshakeable belief that the life I had imagined for myself was in Costa Rica.

I boarded that plane and never looked back. The metaphorical road ahead of me resembled the reality of many actual roads in Costa Rica — laced with potholes, lacking guardrails, heavy with hairpin turns and demanding of patience, prudence and poise.

The details of my story are uniquely mine, but many of the themes and lessons are ones that are widely shared within Costa Rica’s population of foreign residents. Approximately 9 percent of the country’s 4.9 million people are from elsewhere and have relocated to Costa Rica, according to Index Mundi.

Part of life here, regardless of where you decide to call home, is contingent on making mistakes, taking risks, and learning some lessons the hard way. However, many hardships, frustrations, and anxieties can be avoided or reduced when someone who has

“been there, done that” shares with you the kind of invaluable wisdom that can only be gained through experience.

While the list of do and don’t tips, life hacks and advice is inexhaustibly long, these are some points worth noting if you are thinking about or in the process of moving to Costa Rica, or have just done so.

As a pescatarian and produce-loving foodie, I found my food heaven here. One of the best ways to keep your food budget reasonable and take care of your health is to eat locally sourced food. Imported goods and products are expensive in Costa Rica. Take advantage of the bounty of fresh food that is grown and harvested here.

As a cancer survivor who has suffered through two severe bouts of dengue fever, broken a rib, had stitches inside my ear, and sustained multiple other injuries and weird tropical ailments, I can attest that the private health care system in Costa Rica is superior.

For families, retirees and really anyone considering a life in Costa Rica, it’s comforting to know that all your health care needs can be met here, and for a fraction of the cost of what you would pay in North America. Many of the private clinics and hospitals have a multilingual staff of highly accomplished medical professionals.

As a car owner to a future car owner, I

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Writer Jenn Parker shown in these two photos enjoying Costa Rica "her way."

advise people not to buy a cheap car. Cheap cars quickly become expensive cars. You are better off using the public bus system, taxis and friends with vehicles until you can afford a car that isn’t already on its last legs.

Almost everyone who owns a car in Costa Rica has at least one nightmarish mechanic story. Make sure you do your due diligence and find a mechanic who comes highly recommended. When you find that gem of a mechanic — and they are definitely out there — form a good relationship and never let it go!

From the perspective of a former teacher in Costa Rica, the private school education opportunities are inspiring. Costa Rica has a 97.8 percent literacy rate and classrooms filled with diverse populations of students, teachers, cultures and languages. There are a lot of private school choices, especially in San José, Guanacaste and the Central

Pacific area.

When I first started teaching, I asked a fiveyear-old student of mine, who was born in Israel, how many languages she spoke. She replied five. I then asked her how, on top of her native language, did she know how to also communicate in English, Spanish, Italian and French? She replied, “If I didn’t, how would I be able to talk to my friends?”

As someone who was seeking a slower-paced, more nature-infused and wavesaturated life, where I would actually have the time to live, Costa Rica became my spot in the world.

When things get difficult, especially things that “should” be easy, it is important to remind yourself what it was that drew you here in the first place. There is no perfect place and Costa Rica is no exception. Living in Costa Rica is only “the dream” if it is truly your dream.

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Photo: John Pierpont

PICK YOUR PLACE TO LIVE

MOVING TO CR SERIES

by John Brockmeier

Cost of living varies a great deal among different locations.

The mystique and adventure that Costa Rica offers are a big draw for those looking to be part of this special place. What are your deciding factors for moving here? What is your ideal living environment? Research and knowing what you want are very important. From weather and terrain to lifestyle and costs, there are many things to consider and Costa Rica offers something for everyone.

Your choices of living space are among the most biodiverse in the world for a country so small. Besides boasting mountainous regions, Costa Rica also has plains and grasslands, cloud forests, jungles and some of the most pristine beaches in the world. With the exception of snow and deserts, you can surround yourself with almost any type of flora and fauna.

Within these regions of the country, climate variations are also wide and diverse. Do you like rain and moisture on a regular basis? Or something in a cool mountainous area? Then the Central Valley is for you. Are you better suited for a drier climate? Or prefer beaches? Then staying closer to the Pacific or Caribbean coasts will meet your needs. Are you willing to deal with mold and humidity,

which in some places are constant? Other spots, like the northern Guanacaste region, are dry with only limited months of rain during what is affectionately referred to as green season. The rest of the year is dry and can be very dusty. Each location has its own calling for different preferences. Knowing yourself well and doing your own research from that angle is invaluable when making such big decisions.

The good life – what does yours look like?

What kind of lifestyle are you looking for? Beach life, seclusion, city amenities or a little of everything? It’s important to identify your specific likes and dislikes before picking a place. San José and surrounding areas are the closest to a truly bustling urban life you will find in Costa Rica. All the other areas are spotted with smaller cities and pueblos, each with its own unique personality.

Also think carefully about the kind of social life are you want: the expat experience of living in a multicultural place, or full Tico immersion? Is there shopping close by, or are you ok with stocking up during less frequent trips for supplies? If you have children, what type of schools are available in your desired area?

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SIMPLY SPANISH

by Sylvia Barreto Benites and Spanish For Expats

Buying and Renting Terms

Housing design options are as varied as the geographic locations throughout Costa Rica. Choose wisely!

Are they accredited, and if so, what form of accreditation? And for anyone, whatever place you have in mind, your safety and security should take highest priority.

Cost of living varies a great deal among different locations. In resort areas, prices of housing, food and clothing can be as much as 30 to 50 percent more than in other regions. Access to groceries, clothing and restaurants can be limited depending on where you live.

These are not only important budget considerations but also factors when purchasing real estate. If you are in a high-traffic area, real estate is more expensive but you

will probably be able to resell your property faster. Somewhere off the beaten path might be a fast purchase and seem like a steal, but when you are ready to sell, it might take a long time for an interested buyer to come along.

Life is not all wrapped up in a basket with a bow and plopped on your lap. There are pluses and minuses to each area of Costa Rica. You learn very fast how to deal with things here and accept those that cannot be changed. There are so many options for finding your paradise. Consider what makes you happy and go on your quest.

alquilar — to rent alquiler — the rent or rental of something (car, house, etc.) amueblado — furnished apartamento — apartment balcón — balcony cabinas —apartments, condos carta de agua — water concession letter casa — house catastro — land survey cerca de — close to comunidad residencial — residential community

con/sin aire acondicionado — with/without air conditioning

condominio — condominium contrato — contract escritura de traspaso — transfer of conveyance deed

folio real — number assigned to each property that proves registration in the national registry

habitaciones — bedrooms impuestos municipales — municipal taxes lavandería — laundry metros cuadrado — square meters mudarse — to move piscina — pool poder — power of attorney propietario — landlord uso de suelo — zoning permissions vecino — neighbor Useful Phrases

¿Se permiten animales domésticos? — Do you allow pets?

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