You wouldn’t buy a vehicle without test driving it first, would you?

It makes sense to me that you should “test drive” locations in a new country before putting down roots and making it your “forever home”.

Through the course of our “scouting trips” to Costa Rica, my husband Rick & I had narrowed down the general area of Costa Rica that we wanted to live in to an area between the capital city (San Jose) and the Pacific coast with a climate we could enjoy year-round. We settled on the area of Atenas.

The question of renting vs. buying settled itself in our case. Our acreage in Canada was still on the market. Our cash assets had gone into getting our possessions and vehicle shipped to Costa Rica as well as financing our first few months in our new country. Purchasing soon after our arrival wasn’t an option.

Thanks to our amazing Realtors in Atenas, Costa Rica we have been able to rent a house that meets all our needs.

It has a fenced yard and secure gate. This was critical as we have a large dog ‘Tonka’ who needed those boundaries. The house has all utilities & services readily available and is in a relatively quiet semi-rural community.

I firmly believe that renting before you buy is the wisest choice because it allows you to “test drive” different kinds of houses in different locations prior to making a huge commitment (financially and otherwise) when you buy a home in Costa Rica.

If you fall in love with a house or a location in Costa Rica, you may discover that things are different after you actually live there for a while.

Maybe you’re like us – we have always loved the beach & the ocean – but after an extended stay, we discovered that the extreme heat and constant humidity, along with tons of bugs & tourists was not the place we wanted to live. We now enjoy the beach as a day trip activity.

We know another Canadian couple who fell in love with a village in the countryside of the Poas region. They rented for three months and then decided that it was too remote for long-term living. They now also rent a house in Atenas and are quite happy here.

Had they purchased property in Poas, relocation would have been much more difficult.

If you are not 100% sure that relocating to Costa Rica on a permanent basis is what you want, come here and rent long-term. Experience daily life. Experience rainy season as well as dry season. You’ll know if it’s the right thing to do.

If you can’t imagine living anywhere else and still want to buy or build a home, then do it. Be aware that if you choose to build a home rather than purchasing an existing one you should be prepared to be on-site daily for several months during construction. Aaaah! Pura vida!

Make sure you come back soon and read Part II – Test Driving Your New Life in Costa Rica. Part-time or full-time?

[custom_script adID=97]

Written by VIP Member Peggy Stewart. Peggy Stewart and her husband Rick, both retirees, along with their German Shepherd Tonka, made the move from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada to live full-time in Costa Rica in September 2011.

Peggy has a long history as a trade Union leader and social activist, also working in group homes with troubled teens. Rick worked for almost 40 years as a forest officer with the Alberta government. After first exploring Costa Rica as a retirement destination in early 2009, they made three more trips to Costa Rica before settling in the Atenas area. They currently reside in Santa Eulalia.

The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) ranks Atenas as one of “The Best Places to Retire Abroad.” For more information about homes and land for sale in the area please contact our Recommended Realtors in Atenas Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras using the simple form below:

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.