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Costa Rica Living

Diverse tropical jungles blend with sandy beaches and modern cities to create the popular destination for living abroad that you find in Costa Rica. Whether you want temperate or tropical, the average temperatures range from the 70s to the 90s year round.

Cost of Living

Housing is much less expensive than in the U.S. with utilities, satellite television, cellular services, and the like at reasonable rates. Costa Rica functions on the Costa Rican colon although the U.S. dollar is accepted unofficially in some places. Enjoying a stable, competitive economy, Costa Rica relies on tourism, agriculture and its electronics exports.

Healthcare

With no army to support, the government of Costa Rica provides universal medical care via a well-run national healthcare system. It’s citizen boast a life-expectancy of 76 years, higher than most countries in the world. Up-to-date hospital and medical facilities, clinics and services in all large cities and some of the smaller towns gives Costa Rica one of the best low-cost medical care systems available. Dental care and cosmetic surgery are both affordable and top quality.

Safety and Stability

Costa Rica enjoys a stable and establish democratic government and a low incidence of violent crime.

Activities

With more than 20,000 U.S. expatriates living there, Costa Rica offers one of the highest standards of living of Central American countries. Because the economy is tourism driven, you’ll find theaters, fine dining, and art galleries in addition to its natural beauty.

Accessibility

Multiple airlines fly into Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaria International Airport in Alajuela or Daniel Oduber International Airport, Liberia, Guanacaste including discount airlines Jet Blue, West Jet and Spirit Airlines.

Where to live?

Here are three communities with larger expat populations to explore:

  • Grecia:

 Population:  15,457
 Distance to San Jose:  45 km

Often described as Latin America’s “cleanest town”, Grecia is small enough to be friendly, yet large enough to have community services and shopping. The Central Market is a popular place for locals and expats alike.

  • Alajuela: Population:  50,000+ Distance to San Jose:  17 km

Alajuela, known as the City of Mangoes for its Central Park liked with Mango trees, is somewhat larger and nearer to San Jose, so services, shopping and transportation are more accessible.

  • Escazú: Population:  15,000 Distance to San Jose:  12 km

As one of the oldest cities in the country, Escazú residents boast a prestigious address in near proximity to San Jose. Many expats make their home here with its accessibility to shopping and entertainment at the Multiplaza shopping mall and movie theater.

 

Costa Rica Living information provided by the Jason Will Real Estate Team, located in Daphne, AL 251-866-6464.