New House, high end construction (concrete, granite, hardwood etc), 2200 sq, ft. in a gated community, Paid $152K in 2009. Current value+ $220K; Condo fees =$85/mo. (including front yard garden maintenance, 3 armed guards 24/7); Property Taxes= $185/yr.; Electricity and water= $80, Internet (high Speed) + Cable= $80.00; 2x/ wk. maid service= $100/ mo.; Gardener for back yard. $20/mo. Eat out most meals in restaurants $500/mo. Car insurance (all inclu.) $75/mo.: Gasoline $1.30/ liter. Movies Reg. $4.00; I-Max; $7.00; Weekend at beach resort or hot springs. $160 for 2 nights for 2 people. Restaurants for 2 for 2 days= $90.00 (Most are within 2 hr.s drive). Of course you could easily spend double this amount if you are not familiar with the region without any added value in comfort or quality of location.

Weather is near perfect -- Daytime high 24 C. Night low 18 C. everyday all year round, hence no costs for Heating or A/C.

Best schools are private and rates are very reasonable by North American standards. I'm single so cannot quote costs.

Clothing is about 25% to 100% more expensive for quality American style clothing so I do my shopping on trips abroad.

Car repairs/ home repairs. Replacement Parts are expensive but labor is cheap. Eg. brake job 4 wheels on an SUV: Total cost parts & labor $150.00. Car paint job=$599; House interior paint job. Paint about the same as Canada or USA but labor only $150.

Business clubs, investment clubs, golf club memberships are all available at a fraction of the cost of most American or Canadian cities.

I completely agree with this assessment of prices for Heredia. My only concern is the opinion that the house has increased in value ~40% through the largest global crash of real estate prices in modern history. While this is a common opinion in Costa Rica it is not reality. Real Estate is stagnant here as is it is everywhere else. I have several friends that are sitting in houses on the beach that they hoped to flip and now cannot sell for a price better than they bought it for. And beach real estate is doing better than other real estate ( and that is not saying much). Having said that, I am sure you could easily sell that property to an American who sees it as a great deal compared to the US but they better bring their cash. A bank will not have the same opinion of the value. Besides that, his estimates for costs were spot on!

No rent, as I own my house. Tax on house $100 per year. Value of house $80,000The house in front of mine rents for $400 mo.

Gasoline is about $5.00 gallon. Cable + internet is $95.00. Groceries about $600 month for
2 people at Walmart. Fresh food is cheap if one goes to the saturday market.

Health care is available by the government with no pre-conditions but long waits may be required.
Cost is about $50 per month. Most people use cell phones. Long waiting period for a landline.
A private doctor visit costs $40 or more.

Almost anything available in the USA is available here but at a higher price.
The daily special at small restaurants is about $5.00.

No A/C is needed, Electricity is about $50 month. Water is safe to drink out of the faucet and costs about
$10 per month. I spend about $2,100 per month.

My house is for sale. Tel from USA 011-506-2262-4016
Marcus

Sounds an amazing part of the world to live in. I've always wanted to live in Costa Rica - ideally somewhere like this:



Cost Rica sounds an amazing place to live and a sound investment! I found some great info about the country on this forum - thanks! Costa Rica here I come!