Relocating to Costa Rica

PRLog (Press Release) - Sep 04, 2009 -
Relocating to Costa Rica
So, you want to relocate to Costa Rica.

This can be a dream come true for many people, but if you think that it is that easy you are mistaken.

Yes, Costa Rica is a beautiful country and a lot of foreigners live there, but the real estate prices are not as low as they used to be, because Costa Rica is the most peaceful country in Central America, and it attracts a lot of foreign investment, especially in the real estate field.

Some will call Costa Rica the Switzerland of Latin America.

So, yes, Costa Rica is the place to relocate and to invest in real estate.

There are ups and downs though.

It is not easy to get a resident status unless you are a retiree, with a defined pension, from either Social Security or a pension plan from a company; or if you have a substantial amount to deposit into a Costa Rican Bank, or if you may be able to invest in a state approved project, or to set up a profitable business. In other words you must have a source of income in order to support yourself. One must be aware that Illegal Working or illegal stay will eventually lead to deportation, and I’m pretty sure you do not want that to happen. Costa Rica has no licensing, minimum education requirements or standards of conduct for Realtors, so practically anyone can be a real estate agent and that’s not in the advantage of the buyer. How should one relocate to Costa Rica? First, travel to Costa Rica and visit different locations. There are many different sub climates in Costa Rica or better said hundreds of “microclimates”. So, first see which region of the country suits you best. Some like it close to the beach, some like it in the mountain area; some are in love with the sunny weather, others are considering it too hot. So make up your mind first, and do not even think to buy a property right away. Rent first, and get used with the Costa Ricans' way of living, study the real estate market, make friends with the local people and with other foreigners already established there. One guy used to say “I have been here for 3 years and I am still not sure where I want to live”. So, explore as many areas as you possibly can. Keep in mind that it may work out for you or it may not, so be prepared to have money to fall back on, but above all, make sure to have a skill so that you can start your own business. Depending on your financial status, there are houses to rent from 200 $ to thousands of Dollars per month. It all depends on what you want. If you buy food from the local markets and you live away from the cities, a budget of 30-40 $ a week may suffice, but don’t expect much. One of the most expensive places to relocate is Tamarindo, and it is rather impossible to find a cheap rent, unless you seek for a property outside the town. One place that I consider best to start your Costa Rican adventure is La Tigra, located in north central Costa Rica; if you want to live a conservative life style, that’s the place to start. You can always contact Bob who is living there for many years and he is a real estate expert. He can advice you on anything you may want to know about relocating: http://www.la-tigra.com/ . Also, make sure that you learn Spanish otherwise you are a sitting duck. Sharks are waiting for you, even in shallow waters!  
http://www.ireypg.com/blog/property/costa-rica-property/
To find a real estate agent in Costa Rica please go to http://www.ireypg.com/real_estate/costa-rica-real-estate/