www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Ah yes Tibas where they occasionally, after being ordered to by the health department, pick up the garbage Sorry Pelo could not resist that I know they solved that little problem

Yes Tibas is cheaper than Escazu or Santa Ana. Yes the western burbs are higher priced than than the east. Comparing east to east you have 3 bedrooms in a house for $150.00 less per month than he is paying for a condo in San Pedro. I still think $900.00 per month for an unfurnished condo in San Pedro is a little over the top.

Just my opinion but since I an one of those guys who live in the western suburbs of San Jose my opinion might be biased.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Oops, duplicate post sorry

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Luck,

Nice digs! I have been trying to see what is realistically available on a budget of $2500 - $3000/mo, and your breakdown of the monthly expenses and the itemized upfront costs is exactly what I've been looking for.

Just curious, are phone and insurance costs (auto/health) included in the above?

Definitely interested in seeing the condo pics, thanks!

Buda

I.D.,



Yep. That was back in 2005. I'm not sure why, but my part of town was never affected.

It was about the same time that A.M. Costa Rica had this to say about your neck of the woods:



http://www.amcostarica.com/111805.htm

Our garbage problem has been solved. If I'm not mistaken home invasions remain a problem in Escazu. I recently saw on the local news that it ranked third in CR--right behind San Jose proper and Desamparados.

Seriously though, obviously Escazu is a really nice place to live, but there are plenty of other parts of San Jose that may offer more value for the dollar. You have to admit that you're paying a premium price because it's where most of the Gringos live. Like I said, "Get out of the Gultch--and Escazu"...and YMMV.

You may end up living in the western suburbs; but, if your looking for a place you shouldn't automatically rule out other options.

_________________
It's faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, and more money--Tom T. Hall
No man is a failure who is enjoying life--William Faulkner

He said it's not a condo ID it's a house pay attention will ya? and that's what I thought but the place looks brand new in the pics, especially from the outside. Since they haven't built the parking garage yet maybe it is new? I had an amigo paying 650 or 700 for an apartment in san Pedro a couple years ago and it was a dump compared to Luck's place. When's your next cookout?

Hey shouldn't this thread be in the Living in CR section?

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Greengo.....seems you've figured out how to do it "on the cheap."

I have had three apartments in CR.

The first was a month to month furnished in Rohrmoser small two bedroom for $550, nothing fancy but nice safe and convenient.

The second was a much larger and private twonhosue style condo in Trejos Montealegre, Escazu. It was $700 unfurnished.

My current apt is in a secure building in Escazu centro which I love. For me the area is the perfect combination of a ez going Tico area, but nestled in all the convenience of greater Escazu.

I pay 500 for a furnished two bedroom and cable, internet and utilities run around $150 a month.

There are reasonably priced places in Escazu, Santa Ana and Rohrmoser but you need to get out and look for them. Craiglist and TicoTimes are listings at gringo pricing.

Maid service is about $2 an hour at the most, can be had for less

Where I live I can go to Gringo food places and pay US prices when I crave a good burger or sandwich or the local sodas where I can eat a full cooked to order meal with drink for $3 to $4.


I live where I can catch a taxi or bus within 100m meters of my front door. I use cabs a lot less than I used to and actually prefer riding the bus in most situations.

Asking what it costs to live here is way to broad a question. I live nicely on $1,200 a month not counting bar tabs, gambling and girls.


BKTUNA
I am never going home

You can live very well on $3k/mo here. Your standard middle class family is living off of maybe a combined $12-1600/mo salary with multiple K*ds, so yeah 1 guy living in an average neighborhood can do nicely.

Not counting buying high ticket items like plasma tvs or cars, your basic living expenses can be kept under $1k leaving you $2k for the party budget (ie. beach trips, girls, gambling, booze, etc).

_________________
heredia porn king

Luck,

Thanks for posting pictures of your condo - Modern 4BR, 3 1/2 BA for $750/mo. or $130,000 to buy is great! (maybe not too crazy 'bout the 3 stories though ) After seeing photos of both of your dwellings, it's nice to know that you can get contemporary-styling in a great location for a decent price. I need to get off the internet and get my ass down there and see what's available for myself!

Buda

I would like to stress that what it costs to live here is, just as in the states, totally dependant on what your personal standard of living, needs, expectations, lifestyle, and precieved social status needs are. I too live in San Pedro in a very nice (by my standards) modern (10yo) American style FURNISHED condo. Very convient, quite, and secure. My costs are:

1. rent--$400
2. condo fee (guard, water, maintance) -- $50
3. electric---$50 (I cook a lot and entertain )
4. cable and internet (with priemum chanels)---$61
5. phone---$6
6. food--$250 ( I buy all my meat, chicken, fish, fresh vegges and fruit in the markets in and around Merecado centro)
7. buses and taxi (very seldom use a taxi)---$40

total=$861

I am trying to live on just my Social security so that leaves me about $700 a month for chicas. And in the MPs, thats about 5-6 sessions per week. Also I have have several "friends" that visit my house for almost nothing (usually taxi money, a couple of dranks, and maybe a meal)

NO complaints and no regreets--love my life

_________________
Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

My costs to live in CR are essentially

1. Rent—zero (own the house, taxes are minimal because it is a farm)
2. Guard (one bag dog food) $20
3. Electricity and water $70
4. Cable and internet $60
5. Phone $12
6. Groceries $350 (buy at the local feria)
7. Diesel fuel $50
8. Housekeeper $200 (full time live-in)
9. Restaurants $50
10. Entertainment $150