What is your cost of living in Costa Rica?

Home Forums Costa Rica Living Forum What is your cost of living in Costa Rica?

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #181898

    I was trying to get an idea of everyones cost of living? Im looking for people with smaller houses say 1,000 sq ft. Younger couples with no kids perhaps.

    It would just be my girlfriend and I moving into a smaller house.

    What is you monthly amount for …

    House payment
    Electricity
    Telephone
    Internet
    Gas
    Food
    Water
    Etc..

    Edited on Feb 23, 2007 12:52

    #181899
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    House payments obviously depend on the price of the house… Is that a $150,000 house or a $1,000,000 house?

    This is question for whom? Who is “everyone?” Someone living in a $500K house at the beach with three teenage children who spend hours on the telephone each day?

    Food? For what kind of food? I eat imported salmon and drink fine wines regularly? Is that what you are asking?

    The more specific your question, the more helpful your answer will be?

    Scott Oliver – Founder
    WeLoveCostaRica.com

    #181900
    Jerry
    Member

    OK… I will give you an answer as to MY situation. I own my house, cost me $12000. Done deal. My phone bills (both cell and house) run about $15 to $20 a month, both, not each… with no international calls. My elec runs me about $10 to $15 a month. My water, unlimited use, runs a flat $1.75 a month. My food varies… but averages about $100 to $150 a month. Fuel for my Rover is about $80 a month, depending on, duh, how much I drive. I guesstimate I spend about $300 a month to live, barring any minor catastrophies, like medical stuff, car repair, etc. I live in the country, in the mountains, live as local minded as a normal Gringo can expect to live. Do not have heat or AC. I have only hot … um, warm water, in my shower. I use a radio / disc player, microwave oven, gas oven, 2 TVs, and a computer. I have a wife and a 7 month old boy. PURA VIDA!!!!!
    Jerry

    #181901
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    That’s got to be the lowest cost of living I have heard of for a Gringo in Costa Rica jerry – amazing.

    What do you miss most living in the country?

    Scott Oliver – Founder
    WeLoveCostaRica.com

    #181902
    wspeed1195
    Member

    jerry,thats too cool.

    #181903
    terrycook
    Member

    Jerry, I spent 3 months in Costa Rica last year and just loved it. I had hoped to buy a second home with my wife but she has just surprised me with divorce papers. She is about to receive a huge trust fund and does not want me to be able to share in this huge money. Actually I was so take aback that I attempted suicide but my daughter (age 29) called the house and I lived. I will have $100,000 cash from the sale of our home. I am 58 and have no retirement income and will hopefully get social security if it still exists in 4 or so years (maybe 800=900 $$ I am a simple person and can do with basic needs (and safety) I have read many books and understand the pensionado? sp rules but wonder what I should do . I want to live in Costa Rica for the rest of my life. Where do you live and what advice can you pass to me. you can contact me at my email address cookterry@sbcglobal.net for the next month or so. I have been a vip member of We Love Costa Rica for 2 years
    or more and had the Tico times sent to my home so I am really very up to speed but really need a new viewpoint with this mess I am going through…thanks so much..
    anyone else out there I could use all the imput I can get
    thanks terry cook

    #181904
    Jerry
    Member

    What do I miss most living in Costa Rica??? hmmmmm…. uhhhhhh…. well…. GEEZ, I can not think of anything I miss that is even worth remembering. Kinda Freudian, I guess. LOL I firmly believe if you are going to live and be happy ANYWHERE, you gotta live as close to native as possible. There are certain ammenities you just must have, and Costa Rica has all of them I need. If there is any one thing I miss at all, it is the relative efficiency you have in the US. Generally, you can count on it back in the States. You can count on it here too, if you have a frustration fettish.
    Jerry in La Suiza

    #181905
    Jerry
    Member

    Terry, I am 57, so we are pretty much on the same wavelength as far as historical lessons learned. You know as well as I…. If she was that unhappy, you are better off without her.
    I live out in the country, La Suiza area. Very rural, but not hopelessly in the middle of no where. My advice… keep it simple (KISS). I am not looking for a smooch here, I hope you know the acronym. Anyhow, I will email you and we can keep in touch. I will be happy to spill my guts on most all of my wayward experiances, of which there is no shortage.
    Jerry

    #181906
    terrycook
    Member

    Jerry, thanks so much for the input. yes I know and believe in kiss. I would love to meet you as I too do not want any grand place just a place to enjoy a few English speaking folks and live among the Ticos. The basics are all I need as I have learned that life is too short to not live for today. I have promised my brother I would house sit while he goes on a trip and plan to leave here if all goes well in mid July.
    Please do write me as I can “feel the vibes” your my age and know what that means. cookterry@sbcglobal.net
    thanks so much

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.