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Hey all, I know this topic has been covered in passing several times, but I wanted to get a topic that had some if not all the info right here.

My buddy and I are looking to either buy or rent an apartment or house long term in CR. We are not looking for it to be in any particular place. It could be in Tibas, Desamparados, Escazu, Alajuela, Heredia, or any place really.

We're looking for inexpensive (rent), ~300/month - Unfurnished, or ~500 furnished.

2 or 3 bedroom,
1 or PREFERABLY 2 bath.

Everything else is negotiable.

Any ideas?

Broad range. At that price range you can mostly rule out Escazu and Rohrmoser. You can find some in San Pedro or Heredia. The LaNacion classifieds in Spanish have the best low priced options. If you intend to leave it vacant often you better have good security or there will be nothing left but tile and walls when you return. Also finding an area you like and looking for rent signs is a good way to find cheaper no agent places.

BKTUNA
I am never going home

Should be able to find an apartment in any of those places in the price range your are looking for. You will have to be very careful of the neighborhood you choose particularly in Desampardos. Alajuela is a bit far out but doable. You might also find something in Sabana Sur if you really look hard and get lucky.You would be much better off with a furnished place of a couple of reasons.

1. Unfurnished in CR terminology is a bit of a shock for gringos. It often means no stove, refrigerator, kitchen cabinets, light fixtures etc. Those items are not cheap if you have to supply them. Also if you do get ripped off the appliances are the landlords not yours

2. As BKT mentioned if the apartment/house is vacant for any length of time do not expect to find anything in there when you return unless you hire a house sitter. A house sitter decreases your odds of being cleaned out from 100% to about 50%.

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

Isn't there some fucked-up squatter law in CR? If somebody moves into your place, you can't get them out or something.

Yes, squatters are very real in CR, and they usually know the law(s), but there is a type of "statute of limitations" in regards to exactly what or how much time is involved. But if you have an employee (housekeeper, gardner, etc) that is being paid by you for their services, they can not claim squatter's rights. That's why many people will hire an "employee" to take care of their home/property while they're not in CR. This is one of the many reasons to have a good abogado in CR.

MG

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

There is a squatter law but it involves a lot more than just moving in. In fact it is almost exclusively confined to vacant land not homes.

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