Cost of living in Costa Rica... how much

Cost of living in Costa Rica... "how much can you really save? "

One thing that I usually stressed about Costa Rica has always been the price tag on living. It doesn't always mean a great deal if you can't combine it with all of the various other good things but it has been suggested i compare an income of $3000 every month and its commensurate expenditures in the States using the same amount in Costa Rica. My mate says that he thinks that this by themselves will increase my business by 25%... well, I disagree with that portion of the equation but here goes: ( and please keep in mind that I am actually out of touch with expenditures in the States )

For purposes of simplicity, it is assumed that the budget and expenditures will be for two people living in a home of around 1500 sq. feet... the husband and wife being of social security get older and retired... the home is covered, there is no debt and the state involving residence is a median:

1 . Tools: $350

2 . Insurance... car and homeowners: $250

3. Food: $400-500

4. Medical insurance: $300

5. Medical costs... doctor and medicine: $250

6. Homeowner taxes: $200

7. State and federal taxes: $100

8. Clothing: $200

9. Entertainment: $200

12. Gasoline and car expenses: $400

11. Misc.: $500

Guess I ought to have stopped... already well over $3000 per month. Obviously the above was Stateside costs.

Here is Costa Rica:

1 . Utility bills: $100 (this is higher than normal but assuming that gringos will not cut back on many things. Also includes internet)

2 . Insurance plan: most do not have any insurance but am factoring in $50

3. Food: $250... this is high but involves virtually unlimited fruits, vegetables, species of fish and chicken

4. Medical insurance: $150

5. Medical costs: doctor in addition to medicine $250... this includes the equivalent doctor visits and medication

6. Homeowner property taxes: $25

7. State and federal taxes: in all probability zero

8. Clothing: $100

on the lookout for. Entertainment: same costs but will move twice as far... $200... a good meals here will set you back $6-7 apiece.

10. Gasoline and car price: approximately the same but you will probably not really drive as far... mechanics expenses are less but gas is somewhat higher. Cars are more expensive but significantly less to care for. $400 and this sum will give you enough funds to explore nearly weekly.

11. Misc. $250

Overall is under $1800 and there are various ways to cut back.

Here is also a list of expenditures that are definitely not mandatory nonetheless probably will be utilized by most gringos:

-Maid service... clean house once each week for 4-6 hours: $15

-Lawn service/gardner: $18-20 per day... most common tools are machete, weed whacker in addition to -possibly lawn more.

-Rebuilt starter for car: $5-10 for crews and cost only for parts (estimated at $25)

-Delivery service right from downtown Grecia to house (13-14 moments away): $5

-Taxi service for same: $6

-Bus for identical: $. 50

-Bus from here to Manual Antonio, pacific side (3 hr. plus drive... $8)

-Dentist charge for fixing chipped dental (good as new.. ) $15... cavity... $20

-Dog grooming: $12

-DVD rental: same movies, identical quality $2-3 per two times.

-Coffee, whole bean, you make... one kilo (2. 2 pounds) $4. 50

-One pair, mens trifocals (yes, lineless) with test, top quality frames... $225. Superb service plan and quality.

-Many items are exactly the same cost as in the States as they are imported. A six pack of Dr. Pepper, for example is probably about the same price. On the other hand, good quality beef from -Argentina or local (remember, I said GOOD quality or equivalent) is about half the cost IF you know where to shop.

-Vehicles cost more, primarily because of the customs obligation and taxes. Figure the same car as in the States or Nova scotia will cost a minimum of 50% more.

-Gas is approximately the equivalent of $5 per gal..

You can have your own furniture designed for some sort of fraction of what a prefab part would cost "back home". If you have pictures of a style you like, take it with you. The country here is not huge on inventories and virtually almost everything is custom made.

Favorite things to do of which don't cost much...

Sunday drives (or any other day... hey, you might be retired) spend all day driving through several microclimates and topographies that vary from (as examples) volcanoes, waterfalls, large canyons and valleys, cooler hill weather, cloud forests, and farming land... total distance driven lower than 100 miles... cost with noon-time meal for two: less than $35

Gardening.. officially you could spend a fair amount of money (still probably less than 20% of what you should spend in the States though) although nearly all that live here make do with waste and "borrowings" from neighbors and maybe a little "midnight gardening". You can nearly watch the plants, flowers and trees grow daily and the variations from one season to the next are impressive. We have two trees that (and remember please, we are in the hills! ) that have grown literally 8-12 feet in nine months... is a hardwood, the other is undiscovered.

Drive to the ocean... from here to the beach only 1 hours throughout the mountains on one of the most scenic memory sticks in the country. See crocodiles, macaws, birds, monkeys... all in an afternoon. Stop at a few of the roadside stands and pick-up fresh fruit for a song.

When you discover you will discover places that will become your favorites and you will keep going back... some of ours are: the topiary at Zarcero (check out guidebooks or one line for details )... Laguna Goma, which is a lake almost in the middle of nowhere fast just outside of Bajos del Tauro which is a cloud forest just a few a matter of minutes drive from Sarchi. It is a great drive and fantastic place to spend several hours over coffee or snacks and luxuriate in the surroundings... the lake is looked at from above and boats of any sort are not allowed there. Almost like Swiss... the ferry from Puntarenas in order to either Playa Naranjo and Pacquera and in between offers literally dozens of small, white sand beaches which are usually secluded... find a boat for rent, head out snorkeling or fishing... the area is stunning and almost deserted. ( you can drive your car onto the ferry and then drive once you reach the particular peninsula). You will quickly make your very own favorites and there is literally no way that all of them can be exhausted.

The farmers' markets (the outdoor ones) normally held on Friday or Weekend are always jammed as fresh fruits in addition to vegetables from all over the area will be displayed. Sometimes fish, coffee, lean meats and other treats are available as well.

Wet season offers superb opportunities to chill out... mainly because not a lot else becomes done outdoors. If you have a metallic roof you may have trouble hearing property for sale in laguna on the sound! Get used to it... because it is part of Panama and nicaragua, and the culture. When the rain ends the sounds you hear are the flowers and plants growing.

If you don't think that you can pay for Costa Rica or you think that you may not have the ability to adapt... think about your alternatives. Meant for Rhonda and I, the alternatives in order to being here are not acceptable. In case you have reservations or if you don't think you could adapt here... come down and see if you... or if you can't. Ask questions, keep learning and reading.

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Pura vida,

Rowdy and all of us at CR Home