Sharon R. Says:
I am retired with $2,200 Social Security income. I’m interested in moving to Costa Rica with my 42-year-old daughter and 8-year-old grandson. My daughter will work and help provide. We would have an income of around $2500 a month.
Could you recommend a safe area in Costa Rica where we could live on this, including rent of a 3-bed home?
IL Costa Rica Correspondent Bekah Bottone Says:
Hi Sharon,
Congratulations on your decision to move to Costa Rica. You’ll find the lifestyle here one that allows you to slow down and enjoy each day. It’s a decision you won’t regret—I certainly didn’t.
There are many safe places here where you can live on $2,500 a month. But one in particular comes to mind.
The Central Valley is much more affordable than more touristy areas of Costa Rica along the coast, where crowds are drawn to the beaches and drive prices up.
I just returned from a trip to Atenas and Grecia, and both places have a great climate (cooler than the beach), they are close to medical care and friendly expat communities. Everyone I met just loves living in those places. I met two single people who each live on under $1,300 a month, so your family may be able to live on under $2,500.
There are lots of US-style homes available in the Central Valley (with more finishes, more light, and bigger appliances) but also plenty of traditional, simple Costa Rican-style homes. To pay less, I would look for these local-style homes.
However, children and pets can get expensive. I could not live on $2,500 on the beach (I live near Tamarindo) with my two children, and I wouldn’t be able to do it in the Central Valley either if I wanted to send my kids to private school and live the lifestyle I desire. Yet many local families live on much less.
There are many questions to consider, all of which will impact your cost of living and choice of location:
- Are you planning on getting residency or staying on a tourist visa?
- Where will you send your grandson to school?
- Private schools in the Central Valley cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000 per month. If he speaks fluent Spanish, he may be able to go to a public school, but that depends on the school if he is not a resident, so you need to research that more thoroughly, depending on the area you prefer.
- What do you want to do for healthcare?
- As a resident, you could use the Caja (the socialized system), but if you don’t speak Spanish, that could be difficult, and it is not always very convenient. For example, you often need to wait in line for appointments early in the morning, and they are not guaranteed. Personally, I usually pay out of pocket for office visits (around $45).
- Will your daughter work online?
- You can’t legally work in Costa Rica until you are a resident, and wages are much lower than we are used to in the US. I think it would be easier to relocate if she were to make $1,000+ a month on top of your Social Security.
- Do you plan on buying a car or using public transportation?
The best way to answer all of these questions is to join us in San Jose July 18-20 for our Fast Track Costa Rica conference. I will be in attendance, as will many other experts about living in Costa Rica, including attorneys, healthcare professionals and more so you’ll get the knowledge and expert contacts to help make your move with confidence.
I suggest joining us and taking some time after or before the event to tour the country and get a first-hand impression.
I would check out these areas: Naranjo de Alajuela, Sarchi, Atenas, Grecia, La Uruca, Cartago, and Orosi.
Life around Lake Arenal is also calm and relaxing. You may want to check out La Tronodora, Tileran, and Nuevo Arenal.
Read about many of these places for free on the IL website.
Good luck with your adventures.
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