Expat Community > Costa Rica

CruzinCostarica
Joined 2009
Posts: 181

Think about YOUR lifestyle before you buy real estate

15 years ago

If you have spent substantial time in Costa Rica, and know the different "zones" of the country, then the information below is not required reading., though I am sure you will agree with my "cautionary" advice...

But if Costa Rica is relatively new to you, you should understand a few things.

Costa Rica is a developing country, and no matter where you are, it is all beautiful, with literally dozens of different micro climates, but completely different then "back home".

So don't let the physical beauty of the Costa Rica lower your "common sense", you need to pay particular attention to the LOCATION you are considering investing in, as most of the locations that are selling in 2009 at "low" prices are VERY remote, that's why the prices are low.

Upward/downward pricing is always controlled by supply/demand.

While some areas are fully developed and have modern amenities, there are many areas that are completely undeveloped, no infrastructure, unchanged in 1000 years.
(Think "National Geographic Explorer")

That remoteness is WONDERFUL for Eco Tourism, but not good for modern day to day living...(or investing, little demand = slow or no growth)

By "very remote", I mean that to go from your "remote" retirement location to see an English speaking doctor, or drive to find whatever you need to "shop" for for all your needs, to see your Lawyer, see a medical specialist, do your banking, or any of the dozen items that crop up with day to day living for adults 45 to 75 years old that are moving to a new culture and country, may require an 8 to 10 hr drive and an overnight stay, making it a 2 day affair.

Remote location access is often on rough secondary roads (remote, as in "back home"gravel roads with washed out areas and bad potholes, to extremely remote, completely un-drivable roads, bridges washed out seasonally, etc.

And those remote areas typically do NOT have Internet access, and it may take a year to get you your 1st phone, electricity may go out daily, and sometimes go out for 2-3 days, and roads/bridges can be washed out for weeks at a time.

Now, understand..there are people that LOVE that lifestyle.

So if none of those "remote access" issues bother you, you can buy so cheaply it's hard to believe, and assuming you LIKE the adventure of being "way off the grid", no cell phone reception, and you like animals more then people, then you can go rustic, buy a good 4x4 and a ham radio and a generator, or install solar of other self sufficient power generation (hydro or wind) install a direct Satellite hookup for Internet, give up many of those modern living "requirements" and live anywhere in Costa Rica, border to border and coast to coast.

I have friends who have done that, and they are living a very happy, simple "back to nature" lifestyle.

But if you want to enjoy a modern lifestyle with access to english speaking doctors, daily conveniences and a healthy social network, then DON"T believe the salespeople in these remote locations when they say "and the new highway, or the new airport, or the new (fill in the blank) will be finished soon, and then you will have all the modern access you need."

In 1990 on one of my family visits here, they told me about a new highway from San Jose to the closest beach area that cut the drive time down to just 40 minutes.

They said it would be ready by 1992, and I should buy property RIGHT AWAY before the prices went up.

That highway just got started 18 months ago, and will finish mid-2010. Infrastructure in Costa Rica does not come quickly to remote areas.

Any questions, you can email me at [email protected]

Raymond

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Think about YOUR lifestyle before you buy real estate

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