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Jenny is right on all her thoughts. We have experienced the two tier pricing system on the Pacific coast where we bought and remodeled a home by the beach. You definitely have to do your homework, but I think just as important is the use of good old common sense. You invariably learn from your mistakes, and the best thing is to try and learn from the little mistakes and hopefully never make the big ones. We got what we felt was a fair price on the entire remodel cost of our home. The contractor (a Tico) quoted a total price for the labor and we paid for the materials as they were needed. The contractor ordered the material and we went later and paid the receipts. What we did not realize was that the contractor was getting a minimum of 10% kickback from the hardware store, wood supplier, etc. In some instances more than 10%. A friend had told me you can’t go in and bargain on price here. That is totally false. We buy our own materials now, we negotiate a discount on any bulk purchases or we don’t buy. We found it only takes once you walking away while they see they just lost about $2000 in a material purchase for them to be quite accomodating the next time you come in. You don’t have to be arrogant, Tico’s aren’t. Smile and say thanks but no thanks. It’s all part of the game, you just have to try to be better at the game sometimes.
Hello Scott, I would be more than happy to share our story. I’m new to your site and your forum, let me know what you would like and how I can help. Pura Vida
All I will say is be very wary of Worldwide Land Investments. There is quite a bit of information on them if you search hard enough and a lot of it doesn’t ad up. They seem to be a high pressure sales type of operation and are constantly vague on giving you detailed information. Does it strike anyone funny that the only picture they have of there supposed new development is a satellite picture from 225 miles up? I can forward some of the information to you if you’d like.
Hello Larry, your best diving by far is on the Carribbean side of the country. I moved to the Pacific side in April of last year. Depending on where you want to purchase be prepared for sticker shock in most areas of the pacific coast. That said, there are still some bargains out there. It all depends on what you really want out of a property. I will talk with some others in our area about the diving aspects along the coast and let you know what I find out. Dave
I would agree there are still bargains out there. Not every Tico has gringo green fever. It’s similiar to Dengue fever only instead of turning you a pale shade of yellow it drains your body of all the green. We moved to Costa Rica almost a year ago now and live on the Pacific coast. Property prices here have gone crazy in the last few years, but it seems especially crazy over the last 12 months. That being said I still find things that are considered good buys for my clients, well below some of the rediculous prices some Tico’s are asking. It makes a huge difference to come into an area like Jerry said and make friends. The arrogant gringo perceived to be waving cash to get his way is not going to find the good deals. Pura Vida
My wife and I are in our 40’s. We got tired of the ratrace and seeing all of our hard earned money just go to pay all the taxes throughout the year and still get stuck with paying more at tax time. We moved to Costa Rica in April of 2005 after two years of steady travel down here. We love it and have no regrets. We realize it is not for everyone, but we encourage anyone to check it out as an alternative. WE are in the central Pacific coast area and while we have not found any organized groups of gringos we have met some wonderful friends just like us who were looking for a change and probably some adventure in life as well. They range in ages from mid 20’s to late 50’s and we have become close friends with several of them. We also have several Tico families we have become close friends with. I don’t think you have to neccessarily be in an area where there are organized groups of gringos to adjust well here. I’m open to share any other experiences of our move and first year if you need some ideas and imput. Dave
