What is the REAL Cost of Living in Costa Rica?
One aspect that i have continually careworn approximately Costa Rica has usually been the price of living. It doesn't constantly suggest a lot in case you cannot combine it with all the different right things however it has been cautioned that I evaluate an earnings of $3000 according to month and its commensurate expenditures inside the States with the identical quantity in Costa Rica. My buddy says that he thinks that this alone will growth my business by using 25%...well, I disagree with that a part of the equation however here is going: ( and please understand that i'm clearly out of contact with prices inside the States )
For purposes of simplicity , it is assumed that the finances and expenditures are for two human beings dwelling in a domestic of about 1500 sq. toes ...the couple being of social safety age and retired...the house is paid for, there's no debt and the nation of residence is a median :
1. Utilities: $350
2. coverage...automobile and house owners: $250
three. food: $four hundred-500
four. medical health insurance: $three hundred
5. scientific prices...doctor and medication: $500
6. owner of a house taxes: $two hundred
7. nation and federal taxes: $one hundred
eight. clothing: $two hundred
9. amusement: $2 hundred
10. gasoline and vehicle prices: $four hundred
11. Misc. : $500
wager I have to have stopped...already well over $3000 in line with month. glaringly the above became Stateside costs.
right here is Costa Rica:
1. Utilities: $a hundred (this is higher than everyday but assuming that gringos will no longer cut returned on many things. additionally includes internet)
2. coverage: maximum do no longer have any coverage but am factoring in $50
three. food: $250...that is high however consists of genuinely limitless fruits, veggies, fish and fowl
four. medical health insurance: $one hundred fifty
five. medical charges: doctor and medication $250 ...this consists of the equal doctor visits and medication
6. house owner taxes: $25
7. country and federal taxes: likely zero
eight. clothing: $one hundred
nine. leisure: identical fees but will move twice as a ways...$2 hundred...an amazing meal right here will set you lower back $6-7 apiece.
10. fuel and automobile price: about the same however you may possibly not drive as a long way...mechanics payments are less but gasoline is slightly better. motors are extra costly however much less to take care of. $four hundred and this amount will provide you with enough budget to discover almost weekly.
11. Misc. $250
general is underneath $1800 and there are various methods to reduce.
right here is also a listing of fees which can be absolutely now not mandatory but probable could be utilized by most gringos:
-Maid carrier...clean house once weekly for four-6 hours: $15
-lawn carrier/gardner: $18-20 in keeping with day...most not unusual tools are machete, weed whacker and -possibly garden greater.
-Rebuilt starter for automobile: $five-10 for labor and cost best for elements (estimated at $25)
-transport carrier from downtown Grecia to residence (thirteen-14 minutes away) : $five
-Taxi service for identical: $6
-Bus for equal: $.50
-Bus from right here to guide Antonio, pacific side (3 hr. plus pressure...$eight)
-Dentist charge for fixing chipped tooth (precise as new..) $15...cavity ...$20
-dog grooming: $12
-DVD condo: same films, same quality $2-3 per nights.
-coffee, entire bean, you brew...one kilo (2.2 kilos) $4.50
-One pair, mens trifocals (sure, lineless) with examination, top quality frames... $225. great service and nice.
-Many gadgets are the same fee as in the States as they're imported. A six percent of Dr. Pepper, for example is probably approximately the identical fee. on the other hand, right fine pork from -Argentina or neighborhood (consider, I stated accurate fine or equivalent) is about 1/2 of the value in case you realize where to keep.
-cars price greater, on the whole due to the customs responsibility and taxes. parent the equal car as within the States or Canada will value a minimum of 50% greater.
-fuel is about the equivalent of $5 in step with gallon.
you could have your very own fixtures designed for a fragment of what a prefab piece would cost "lower back domestic". when you have pictures of a fashion you want, deliver it with you. The united states of america here isn't always big on inventories and clearly the whole lot is custom made.
preferred things to do that don't fee a great deal...
Sunday drives (or another day... whats up, you're retired) spend all day using thru 5 microclimates and topographies that fluctuate from (as examples) volcanoes, waterfalls, huge canyons and valleys, cooler mountain climate, cloud forests, and agricultural land...total distance driven much less than 100 miles...price with lunch for two: less than $35
Gardening..technically you can spend a fair amount of money (nonetheless likely much less than 20% of what you would spend in the States even though) even though maximum that stay right here make do with cuttings and "borrowings" from neighbors and perhaps a little "nighttime gardening". you can nearly watch the flora, flora and timber develop every day and the differences from one season to the following are remarkable. we have two trees that (and bear in mind please, we're inside the mountains!) that have grown actually eight-12 feet in 9 months...one is a hardwood, the opposite is unknown.
drive to the ocean... from here to the beach only 1 ½ hours via the mountains on one of the maximum scenic drives inside the usa. See crocodiles, macaws, parrots , monkeys... all in a day. stop at one or two of the roadside stands and select up clean fruit for a music.
whilst you discover you may find out locations that becomes your favorites and you'll preserve going again...some of ours are : the topiary at Zarcero (test out guidebooks or one line for information ) ... Laguna Hule, that's a lake almost inside the center of nowhere just outdoor of Bajos del Toro that is a cloud wooded area only a few minutes force from Sarchi. it's miles a first rate power and wonderful place to spend an hour or over coffee or snacks and experience the surroundings...the lake is viewed from above and boats of any type are not allowed there. almost like Switzerland...the ferry from Puntarenas to both Playa Naranjo and Pacquera and in between offers actually dozens of small, white sand beaches which are almost usually secluded...find a boat for hire, cross snorkeling or fishing...the location is stunning and nearly deserted. ( you may pressure your car onto the ferry after which power after you attain the peninsula). you will fast make your personal favorites and there may be literally no way that all of them can be exhausted.
The farmers' markets (the outdoor ones) normally hung on Friday or Saturday are always jammed as fresh end result and veggies from all over the area are displayed. every so often fish, espresso, meats and other treats are available as properly.
wet season gives notable opportunities to relax...specially due to the fact no longer lots else gets accomplished outside. if you have a steel roof you can have hassle listening to over the sound! Get used to it...due to the fact it's far a part of Costa Rica and the tradition. whilst the rain stops the sounds you listen are the vegetation and flora growing.
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