What is the estiamed cost to rent and daily living in Costa Rica?

[ABEHONEST]

Wonder want you pay for a better than average rent apt., or home in Costa Rica, for single person? Also, how about food, transportation [bus and cab] and entertainment. Plus, things like gasoline and hidden costs etcs.?

Who has a good idea? Thanks ABE
* Any gangs that might not like my "white" skin?

[Chopsticks]

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_countries_result.jsp?country1=United+States&country2=Costa+Rica

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living..._countries.jsp if you want to compare other countries. I think there is a pretty difference depending on what state you live in but use it as an indicator. Just google "cost of living comparison" or "cost of living calculator" and I am sure you will find something good.

That said... it is not possible to compare yourself to the average CR person, so no matter what those calculators say you will be using way more money than what it says. You should probably ask some expats on their experiences.

[chilidog]

$2k/month and you'll be living very nicely.

[ABEHONEST]

Thank you! I did find this informative website. * But, an individual's opinion who lives there could be more realistic?

http://ehow.com/about-416609-cost-living-costa-rica_.html

***As usual, this web will not open for you!

[chilidog]

I pay $800 for rent in a gated community in a nice part of town.
Electricity is about $50 (no A/C or heat needed)
Water is maybe $10.
Cell phone is $20 for 2 phones.
Internet/digital cable is expensive - I'm on the $150 plan, but you can get by with a $30 plan if you wanted.

So that's about a grand so far. I spend maybe $50 a week at the local farmer's market. We buy the majority of our food there (seafood, chicken, fruits, veggies, beans, etc). Health care is universal, so tax money takes care of that. Car insurance is paid every 6 months, and that depends on the value of your car, but figure about $1,000 a year for that.

[Scooter]

I pay $800 for rent in a gated community in a nice part of town.

Thanks for the info.

What size apartment or home is the $800 for?

Is the place air conditioned and heated? You made a point of excluding those from the electric bill.

[babyjesus]

Life in Costa Rica

Wonder want you pay for a better than average rent apt., or home in Costa Rica, for single person? Also, how about food, transportation [bus and cab] and entertainment. Plus, things like gasoline and hidden costs etcs.?

Who has a good idea? Thanks ABE
* Any gangs that might not like my "white" skin?

I moved here like 2 years ago. Things keep getting more expensive.

I've got a 3 bedroom 4 bath condo in a gated community. The community is located in a upscale part of the valley called escazu, all the ballers live in the zu. I pay $1,100 in rent. Which is golden. I used to pay $1,400 for a studio apartment in downtown San Diego. The community has a guard. But that nig sleeps all the time. I feel safe either way, my spot has a panic room. I've got a view of the valley that's worth a million bucks. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I pay about $100 a month in electricity. $80 for awesomely fast internet and tv. Water is cheap, like $20 bucks a month. I've got a cheap cell phone plan at $20 bucks a month, don't have internet, but that's what a fukin comp is for. I get a maid to clean the spot 3 times a week. She does laundry and cooks banana pancakes too.
That is about $40 bucks a week.

Buying a car in the country is pricey. 60% markup on US prices. It's crazy! I own a motorcycle for nice days and a car for rainy season. But it cost me a pretty penny. I've got insurance on both whips so if I get robbed im not out $15k.

Gas, herb, clothes, and food are expensive.COke, hookers, movies, hair cuts, buses, and tattoos are cheap. Taxi's are normal, wouldn't go long distances with them.

You won't get targeted for being a gringo with violence from gangs. You just need to pay attention to where you are and don't be stupid. I know people who have gotten jumped. Personally I'm smarter than that, I don't put myself in those situations.

I work 6 days a week here in the Valley. So this isn't a all play relaxing life at the beach. I work hard 6 days a week 8-9 hours a day. But I can't complain, it's football season!

Any other questions just ask. I've got this place on lock.


-babyjesus

[Kindred]

Wonder want you pay for a better than average rent apt., or home in Costa Rica, for single person? Also, how about food, transportation [bus and cab] and entertainment. Plus, things like gasoline and hidden costs etcs.?

Who has a good idea? Thanks ABE
* Any gangs that might not like my "white" skin?

you forgot to ask about the cost of blow! That's a "hidden cost" but from what I hear much cheaper and higher quality. My cost of living would go way down with that even if everything else was more expensive

There was a good book called
Bets, Drugs, and Rock & Roll: The Rise and Fall of the World's First Offshore Sports Gambling Empire


About the partying going on back when Bet ON sports was big. I have it saved in Amazon to read list, I know when I read it I'll want to move so haven't gotten around to it even though it's been saved there for years. If you are seriously thinking about moving might be worth a read, even if you're not it sounds like a good read.

When I got started I was on covers, and a bunch of us got sick of the BS at covers and left, one member getliquid started a small forum and we were members (don't think SBR even had a forum back then). Don't want to put it's name here because not sure it's still around and don't want to pump forums even if they are tiny that compete with SBR. But long story short I took a break gambilng for a few months and when I came back guy at the forum by the handle cantpickmynose had tried to import coke back to the US because it was so cheap and got caught and was doing time Never got the whole story and haven't been back to that forum for some time, if it's still even there. Moral of the story enjoy the cheaper blow down there but don't try to profit by bringing it back to the U.S.

[babyjesus]

There was a good book called
Bets, Drugs, and Rock & Roll: The Rise and Fall of the World's First Offshore Sports Gambling Empire


About the partying going on back when Bet ON sports was big. I have it saved in Amazon to read list, I know when I read it I'll want to move so haven't gotten around to it even though it's been saved there for years. If you are seriously thinking about moving might be worth a read, even if you're not it sounds like a good read.

Thanks for the heads up, going to buy this for the nook right now. I was actually thinking of writing a book based on my experiences since moving down here. Let's see what this guys got.

[ABEHONEST]

Nice coverage Costa Rica pals!
How about this one: Many sportsbooks, I am sure, so what can you bring to the sportbook lines-board? Cells, laps, etc? No wifi, I assume, at the "live" Books?

[Lint Pockets]

you know your life is pathetic and you have a serious gambling problem when you move to costa rica just so you can continue to gamble.

[Scorpion]

Internet/digital cable is expensive - I'm on the $150 plan, but you can get by with a $30 plan if you wanted.

.

How fast is your internet speed?
Who is internet service provider?

[DwightShrute]

Put it this way, 10 years ago I would rave to my friends back home as to how cheap thing are here. Not anymore. It's almost as expensive as North America. The climate is amazing though. Some say its the best in the world. Never too hot and never to cold.

I pay $400 a month for a decent size place close to work. Guarded community. Furnished and everything included (electricity, water, cable, internet, washing machine and dryer). $6 a week for the maid to come in once a week. Its sunny every morning so I do the 30 minute walk to the office or $2 cab ride if it rains. I work a lot so I don't need a huge place. Been there done that.

[chilidog]

How fast is your internet speed?
Who is internet service provider?

4mb down, 756 up, amnet

[yydouble]

Price Per Head services

Taking a serious look at this. Any feedback about these guys?

[ABEHONEST]

Put it this way, 10 years ago I would rave to my friends back home as to how cheap thing are here. Not anymore. It's almost as expensive as North America. The climate is amazing though. Some say its the best in the world. Never too hot and never to cold. I pay $400 a month for a decent size place close to work. Guarded community. Furnished and everything included (electricity, water, cable, internet, washing machine and dryer). $6 a week for the maid to come in once a week. Its sunny every morning so I do the 30 minute walk to the office or $2 cab ride if it rains. I work a lot so I don't need a huge place. Been there done that. [ATTACH]31000[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]31002[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]31004[/ATTACH]

Excellent write-up Dwight! I thought you were from a "shivering" Northern country. Wow! You do make it look very appetizing to want go and live in Costa Rica. How about those casinos questions? Well, if you do not want to tell everything you know, I will understand and respect that. [or you could pm me?]
Just curious Dwight: Why all the USA political banter?
Do you come across any Fer De Lances?

[DwightShrute]

Abe, I am from Canada. Been in CR off and on for a decade. What casino questions?

I am a political junkie. Canadian politics aren't as interesting nor relevant to my life as is American politics. I get paid in US dollars and also own property in the US.

http://forum.sbrforum.com/players-talk/1191732-dwights-mini-vacation-pics.html

[ABEHONEST]

Abe, I am from Canada. Been in CR off and on for a decade. What casino questions? I am a political junkie. Canadian politics aren't as interesting nor relevant to my life as is American politics. I get paid in US dollars and also own property in the US. http://forum.sbrforum.com/players-ta...tion-pics.html

Yes Dwight, I did ask some questions about those sport-books in Costa Rica, above.

[wtt0315]

what documents do americans need for working in cr? also are there any requirments as far as immigration goes for us to live long term there?

[Scooter]

baby jesus - "I've got a 3 bedroom 4 bath condo in a gated community."

What's the square footage?


Living in CR sounds like it's basically equivalent to the USA as far as price, although if your place is large, and you mention a great view, it sounds like you got a great deal. Or would you say that's typical?

I've read of the excessive cost for cars, and -from what I've read - the markup on electronics and other goods.

I've read on forums that San Jose is extremely noisy, pedestrians can get killed easily trying to cross the street given the way people drive there, potholes everywhere (especially outside San Jose), everything not nailed down can disappear, 30 - 60 minute or more wait at banks, more than a month for a bank to clear US checks.
Is any of that accurate in your opinion?
I realize that some of that, such as criticizing driving, and theft, can be highly subjective, and that there is theft to some degree everywhere. Also Las Vegas has a problem with pedestrians being killed in pedestrian crosswalks, so being a pedestrian can be dangerous anywhere.

Also told that no decent internet outside of San Jose.
True?

[dbnmln]

Visited Costa Rica for a week for the first time 2 months ago....loved it there! Would go back as the wife and I visited Manuel Antonio.

[chilidog]

Also told that no decent internet outside of San Jose.
True?

False. There are very few places that I've been to where there hasn't been high speed internet access. The rest of what you said is pretty much correct.

[DwightShrute]

Yes Dwight, I did ask some questions about those sport-books in Costa Rica, above.

I am sure ever place has their own rules.

[C.S.]

The climate is amazing though

You sure live in San Jose? 5 months out of the year I agree with you. The rest of the time the skies piss rain.
I've lived here full-time for going on 9 years. The only great thing about San Jose was how cheap it was, that changed way awhile ago.
The streets are dirty, garbage everywhere, regardless where you live. Stray dogs roam the roads, hundreds of them. A lot more crime than is reported. No respect for fellow drivers on the road (people still don't stop at all red lights). The cable company blows goats you get like 20 channels in English. Roads are a mess.
After you get bored of whoring, gambling, etc. There isn't much to do here.
If you want to live like a local, sure you can get by cheap. Want to live like the states get ready to pay up.

[ABEHONEST]

You sure live in San Jose? 5 months out of the year I agree with you. The rest of the time the skies piss rain. I've lived here full-time for going on 9 years. The only great thing about San Jose was how cheap it was, that changed way awhile ago. The streets are dirty, garbage everywhere, regardless where you live. Stray dogs roam the roads, hundreds of them. A lot more crime than is reported. No respect for fellow drivers on the road (people still don't stop at all red lights). The cable company blows goats you get like 20 channels in English. Roads are a mess. After you get bored of whoring, gambling, etc. There isn't much to do here. If you

want to live like a local, sure you can get by cheap. Want to live like the states get ready to pay up.

DAMN! What a bubble-buster!
Next thing you'll hear is that you will find Fer-De-Lances in your bed, occasionally!

[C.S.]

Sorry. Just want to give you a balanced perspective. One piece of advice though, if you do end up coming and do not have a car. Find a "honest" taxi driver or two, get their numbers and use them as much as you can. I find cab drivers here to be the lowest of the low always looking for an edge at least, and sometimes criminal minded at worst. I think if I had to take cabs all the time here, I'd be back in the states by now.

[DwightShrute]

I love the rainy season as much as the dry season. Keeps thing green and plus its still sunny 99% of the days from 5:30am to early afternoon anyways.

Yes the red light thing is funny but I like the fact that there aren't cops everywhere just looking to hand out tickets. There are less BS rules here. No place is perfect I suspect. I haven't lived in Beverly Hills so maybe there are exceptions.

[ABEHONEST]

Sorry. Just want to give you a balanced perspective. One piece of advice though, if you do end up coming and do not have a car. Find a "honest" taxi driver or two, get their numbers and use them as much as you can. I find cab drivers here to be the lowest of the low always looking for an edge at least, and sometimes criminal minded at worst. I think if I had to take cabs all the time here, I'd be back in the states by now.

Hey CS, thanks for our blunt honesty. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it doesn't.

[Scooter]

You sure live in San Jose? 5 months out of the year I agree with you. The rest of the time the skies piss rain.
I've lived here full-time for going on 9 years. The only great thing about San Jose was how cheap it was, that changed way awhile ago.
The streets are dirty, garbage everywhere, regardless where you live. Stray dogs roam the roads, hundreds of them. A lot more crime than is reported. No respect for fellow drivers on the road (people still don't stop at all red lights). The cable company blows goats you get like 20 channels in English. Roads are a mess.
After you get bored of whoring, gambling, etc. There isn't much to do here.
If you want to live like a local, sure you can get by cheap. Want to live like the states get ready to pay up.

I've read posts that are along the same lines in expat forums, along with - all homes have bars on every window, most have high fences around them, etc.

What about living on either coast?
I've read about it, but from what I've read, the nicest areas are other overdeveloped and overpriced, or underdeveloped with little infrastructure and poor or no internet.
Also - potholes, dirt roads, likely to be burglarized (or robbed or both).

[trixtrix]

Gas, herb, clothes, and food are expensive.COke, hookers, movies, hair cuts, buses, and tattoos are cheap. Taxi's are normal, wouldn't go long distances with them.

herb is more expensive than coke? or do you mean that relatively?

i don't do either, but i find that hard to believe

taxis rip the fck outta you, this is a part where it's prohibitively more expensive to be a gringo

[chilidog]

herb is more expensive than coke? or do you mean that relatively?

i don't do either, but i find that hard to believe

taxis rip the fck outta you, this is a part where it's prohibitively more expensive to be a gringo

herb is $300-350/oz. coke is $10/gram (local price - double that for tourist rate). so yup, herb is more expensive here than blow, for obvious reasons.

[trixtrix]

herb is $300-350/oz. coke is $10/gram (local price - double that for tourist rate). so yup, herb is more expensive here than blow, for obvious reasons.

what is the obvious reason?

[trixtrix]

Put it this way, 10 years ago I would rave to my friends back home as to how cheap thing are here. Not anymore. It's almost as expensive as North America. The climate is amazing though. Some say its the best in the world. Never too hot and never to cold.

I pay $400 a month for a decent size place close to work. Guarded community. Furnished and everything included (electricity, water, cable, internet, washing machine and dryer). $6 a week for the maid to come in once a week. Its sunny every morning so I do the 30 minute walk to the office or $2 cab ride if it rains. I work a lot so I don't need a huge place. Been there done that.

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[ATTACH]31004[/ATTACH]

holy fck i hoped you nitro-sanitized those.. i got diarhea from brushing my teeth w/ tap water

[C.S.]

Costa Rica is a major hub for the cocaine trade.
They can either go east by boat, or north by truck.
They make some huge busts here... hundreds of kilos.
Of course the spillage makes it to the streets, hence, cheap blow for all in CR

[jairocon]

Sounds like a fun place to live... what kind of jobs are you guys taking then... have you moved down there for the job with gambling as an added benefit - or for the gambling and adding a job as a necessity?