Thinking of moving to Costa Rica?

Oct. 2, 2009 - PRLog -- It is very common for people who come to Costa Rica for a vacation, to never want to leave. Often when people do leave, they are doing so only to collect their worldly belongings in order to start their new lives in "the happiest nation on planet earth".

This year, Costa Rica was elected "Happiest Place to Live" according to the independent Happy Planet Index (HPI). In addition to this, Costa Rica also took top honors as the "Greenest Country" in the same HPI report.

We've all seen the ads on the internet and television, with people horseback riding, jumping from waterfalls and surfing the amazing waves of Costa Rica's Pacific coast. Not to mention the incredibly dense rainforests of the Costa Rican jungles. All of which is true...it can all be had in Costa Rica. However, moving to Costa Rica as your permanent residency has more to consider than just paradise. Let me list a few items you may want to consider before making the move.

1.) Beach life. Sounds dreamy I know! However what is often overlooked by people moving to Costa Rica from colder climates is the intense heat and humidity of life on the beach. This is no joke. It is very common to see people come to Costa Rica with tunnel vision and set on buying at the beach, only to find that a year or so later after enduring the temperatures of the scorching heat, that they would prefer to live higher up in altitude to get the cooler breezes. Beach homes require air conditioning 24/7 which in a country where electricity is tight, and expensive, this can become a problem. Humidity is often 90-100%.

2.) Creature comforts of home fly out the window when choosing Costa Rica life.  The life you once had back home, well let me tell you one thing that will ring true the moment you arrive, "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas any more."  A few of the things we (foreigners) take for granted are running water, electricity, accountability, paved roads (sin wacos) and habitual foods of particular brands. Non of which should be 'assumed' to be available to you in Costa Rica. Consider them more....well...ummm...seasonal! You'll get your water 'ahorita'. Which in English translates to, "you will get your water sometime between 10 mins and 3 hours."

3.) Bureaucracy. If you are the type of person who always wants something done quickly and efficiently.  Maybe you should think about that before moving to Costa Rica. The Tico (Costa Ricans) version of "you want it when?" is simply, "pura vida". Pura Vida is the answer to almost anything here and it means, "pure life". Not really the answer a person is looking for when wanting a time or date however you better get use to it. Costa Rica was built on paperwork. Never short on laws and regulations, Costa Rica merely lacks the funds necessary to enforce the gazillion laws the government passes.

4.) Noise. Costa Ricans appear to be immune to this but us foreigners, we never get use to this.  So unless you buy a piece of property the size of Rhode Island and build your dream home in the middle of it, you are going to hear the Ticos. Although illegal (refer to #3) it's still as common as the sunrise, that large trucks constantly...and I mean...constantly, use their engine brakes no matter if they are in downtown San Jose or in the mountains of the South Pacific.

5.) The term: Custom Order.
Almost everything that we as foreigners are use to is a custom order.  Even the most obvious of items are considered this.  In some respect I think this term is often used to charge more money for items, however it is rampant throughout all of Costa Rica no matter where you go. So when considering building a home you best consider that probably, 60% of your finishing product, will fall in to the "custom order" department and therefore raising the overall budget of your project.  This is the same for car repairs.  Almost 80% of all parts for vehicles will be classified as "custom order" and can take anywhere between 3-8 weeks to arrive in Costa Rica.

So if you feel that none of the previously mentioned are anything to worry about then guess what?  Costa Rica might just be your cup of tea!

But what would an article on Costa Rica be without some of the good things about living here?

1.) No military. Since 1949, Costa Rica has been military free. What about an invasion from neighboring countries? Well we have our secret weapons. Bureaucracy (refer above) and pot holes (wacos). If anyone has experienced crossing the border in to Costa Rica from Nicaragua or Panama, they will know what I mean.  Then once in to the country they would have to maneuver around the pothole filled streets of Costa Rica like a game of Frogger.

2.) Laid back to the EXTREME. Considering the country moto is "Pura Vida aka Pure Life", this should be a good indicator of the kind of life to expect here.  It's very relaxed and laid back unlike most countries. What we call 'time' is often referred to here in Costa Rica as 'Tico time'. A slightly modified version of reality more suited to life in Costa Rica.

3.) Oxygen. Looking for the most oxygen rich place on the planet? Then maybe the Southern Zone (South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica) is somewhere you need to be. The dense jungles and rich rainforests contribute to the areas intense humidity, where during rainy season (June thru December), it can rain 150cm a year. In the South Pacific, the government of Costa Rica has taken steps to protect the rainforests in order to avoid a repeat of the dry province of Guanacaste where, in the past, they have burned and logged large sections of primary rainforest.

4.) Sandy beaches and jungle waterfalls. Although not known for it's lakes (Lake Arenal is the only one), Costa Rica has a tremendous amount of waterfalls and amazing private sandy beaches. Especially the beaches of the South Pacific where we have yet to encounter the 'pollution' problem faced by the Central and North Pacific areas. The beaches south of Quepos like Dominical, Uvita and Corcovado, are sights to see. For those looking for privacy and relaxation, these areas should be strongly considered.

5.) Costa Rica Property (http://www.costaricapropertysite.com). Buying property in Costa Rica is a relatively simple process like it is back home.  While in the confident hands of a trusted agent, one can purchase land in Costa Rica like a local. There are some considerations with maritime zone properties however this goes for most countries. Oh and how could I forget the cost of living? Single individual can live outside of the Central Valley on $800us per month and a family with two children for approximately $1500 per month, depending on your preferred lifestyle. Cleaning ladies are roughly $20-30 a week to relive the worries of keeping a clean house.

By no means is this article meant to deter anyone from moving to Costa Rica.  It's merely a suggestion that before making such a huge change in your life, to consider a few of the challenges you might be faced with while living here but also to consider the good.

As a real estate agent here in Southern Costa Rica, I (Don Halbert) would much rather sell a property to a client who knows what to expect, without surprises, so that hopefully, in the future, they will recommend me to their friends or family. For that reason, it is highly recommended that when you are considering buying Costa Rica property, (http://www.costaricapropertysite.com) that you be sure to align yourself with a professional, competent and trustworthy agent who knows the requirements and things to look out for. Knowing you are in safe hands is half the battle when buying real estate in foreign countries.

I hope that you have enjoyed my article and if you do happen to be in the market for Costa Rica Property, that you give me the opportunity to possibly assist you in this life changing endeavor. Pura Vida!

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