Congratulations on deciding to make Costa Rica your new home! With its stunning landscapes, friendly people, and vibrant culture, Costa Rica offers a fulfilling and relaxed lifestyle that many expats and retirees find irresistible. However, once you’ve made the big move, the question becomes: What’s next? Here’s a comprehensive guide […]
Moving to a new country is a life-changing decision, especially when you’re considering it as your retirement or relocation destination. As someone who has made the transition to Costa Rica, I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions of my life. Costa Rica, with its lush landscapes, […]
(and why they should NOT be a common practice) While border runs may provide temporary solutions for individuals seeking to extend their stay in Costa Rica, it is important to consider the limitations and potential drawbacks associated with this practice. This essay explores why border runs should not be a […]
Until recently, dogs were not part of most families in Costa Rica, nor was there any pet culture at all. Now, almost everyone has one or more pets at home. Some years ago, people were complaining that in their condominiums, dog owners wouldn’t clean up the poop their dogs leave behind. This […]
I always do a fly-over of the topic of renting in Costa Rica in my presentation at the ARCR Seminars, but because I know quite a few El Residente readers are renting, as will many future ARCR members, I decided to write this more in-depth article. Now you probably say […]
I just received an inquiry from someone who was thinking about moving here but changed his mind because of the high cost of living. A key factor is the fact that the dollar’s strength has fallen here. First, the latter is not a permanent situation. Costa Rica has always artificially […]
I have lived in Costa Rica for over 40 years. During this time there has been a whole gamut of relocation seminars, especially those that were selling real estate. However, most turned out to be “fly by night” operations trying to make a quick buck off naïve newcomers. Most have […]
For the last 30 years I have been writing guidebooks, articles about living here and conducting relocation tours and seminars. The question is, what should relocation tour really consist of? First, it should cover the most desirable areas to live and include the following: infrastructure: accessibility, good medical care, shopping, […]
Most people who relocate here are doing so to stretch the dollars they get from their pensions, retirement funds and/or Social Security. Interestingly, even those with money, some of whom can work from abroad, are relocating to Costa Rica from the U.S to live more affordably, as in the article […]
Low cost of living, beautiful landscapes, and good weather.