Living for less in Costa Rica
Living in the right country outside the United States can make all the difference in the world.
Those living below the poverty line in the United States will also find Costa Rica to their liking. Like most other countries in Latin America you should be able to live in moderate luxury on a modest retirement or investment income in Costa Rica.
Most citizens of the United States and Canada feel comfortable living where they have always resided. Some are lucky enough to have invested in property and have good retirement programs, affordable health insurance, stocks, bonds or IRAs to ensure a good quality of life during their retirement years.
Others may not have been as fortunate. They realize that they may have not planned well and may be a little short on money to maintain their present lifestyle. A simple solution is to try to lower their standard of living and be more frugal in their own country to compensate for poor financial planning and/or bad investments. They can downsize to a smaller home, move to a more affordable but less suitable area, give up their yearly vacations, fire the gardener and cut back on other areas of their life to just scrape by. But what if they could move to another country with the same amount of income and improve their lifestyle dramatically instead of reducing it?
Living in the right country outside the United States can make all the difference in the world between just subsisting and maintaining the lifestyle to which you are accustomed. Costa Rica offers a viable alternative.
The idea of living overseas is not new. The huge number of Americans due to retire is staggering. Currently almost 40 percent of the population of the United States is over 50. By 2020, half the U.S. population will be over 50. Most Americans ages 41 to 59 say they will move when they retire.
December 11th, 2008 at 7:55 am
This is an awesome-post. I am glad to post my comment on this blog. This post is much informative for the people who are willing to live in Costa Rica.
April 5th, 2009 at 1:30 am
Hello,
I’m curious what your thoughts are about doing technology business in Costa Rica? Specifically software training, web design, freelance design work, tech support for mac and pc and video services (for realtors and tourist related marketing websites).
I just retuned from Dominical / San Isidro areas in CR and loved it. It seemed to me that there were opportunities to start and grow a business there (after paying to be a corporation.. though some said if you are doing business on a small scale not to bother with the corporation license). I still have some clients in the US that I would bill through paypal. We do have some $ to start up with and to get a cheap place ($375) in San Isidro. We would be happy to live with a Tico family as well and help out around the house/farm, teach English or computers in exchange.
The area we are looking at is the San Isidro area.
We also are looking into Nicaragua, though I’m not sure how ideal that country is for ex-pats searching for a cheap, safe, easy to get around place with great weather, fresh organic food and low allergies (our main motivators)
Thank you very much for you thoughts on this. I have talked to a few other designers who gave me good feedback, but I value your opinion very much. Great website!
Nate
April 5th, 2009 at 5:42 am
Nate,
Thanks for your nice comments about my website.
Dominical/San Isidro is a nice area in which to live. The latter is growing by leaps and bounds and I am sure that there are plenty of opportunities for enterprising expats. There is a lot of competition in your field at present. You won’t have a problem with your U.S. Clients but should have a corporation to run a business here.
Nicaragua is a beautiful country but has a lot of problems starting with the government. Business opportunities will be scare as long as the country doesn’t have its act together.
Sincerely,
Christopher Howard