William B. Says:
I’m 85 years old, is this too old to move to Costa Rica to live full-time?
IL Costa Rica Correspondent Bekah Bottone Says:
Hi William,
There is no simple answer to your question; only you can decide if moving to Costa Rica is the best place for you to live full-time.
But I can offer you advice to help make the decision.
For example, at 85 you likely want to be close to top quality medical care. Living in the Central Valley will keep you close to the best medical facilities in the county.
By almost any standard, Costa Rica has some of the best healthcare in Latin America. Not only that, but the country’s public and private health systems are constantly being upgraded—new hospitals, new equipment, and improvements in staff training.
San José, the country’s capital located in the Central Valley, has the best public and private medical care in Costa Rica. This of course makes the Central Valley in particular a popular spot for retirees.
Other Central Valley communities you should look into include Grecia, Atenas, Heredia, and Alajuela.
You can use the links above to begin researching each community.
While doing so, keep the following questions in mind:
- Do you depend on family for help with daily tasks?
- Do you need at-home medical care?
- What types of medicines do you take regularly? Are they available in Costa Rica? (It would be best to visit a pharmacy and learn first-hand information.)
- Can you get the services you need at the Caja public healthcare system in a timely fashion, or would you prefer to use private insurance?
Our Fast Track Costa Rica Conference takes place in San Jose, July 2024 18-20 and might be the best way to start all your research. Do you plan on attending? I would love to talk more and introduce you to many others who can share with you during this process.
Hope to see you there!
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