www.CostaRicaTicas.com

If you've read my other posts, you've seen that I plan to retire to CR (or Columbia or Mexico) in the next 18 months. I spent 16 weeks in CR in 2018 living in Heredia, but also traveling to Arenal, Tamarindo, Limon, Jaco, etc. and I get the attraction of those various places. But what I saw was obviously more as a tourist/short-timer than someone who has put in time at those places. My ex-Tica gf was a big fan of Alajuela (although she was from Heredia - go figure).

I know everyone has an opinion about where the best place and worst place to rent/live is, but I believe there's something I can learn from all those opinions. There are points to be made about living near a good hospital as we all get older. There's also legitimacy about living near a cooler climate like Arenal. I'm hoping to learn why YOU live where you live. (If it's good enough for you, maybe it's good enough for me.)

Thoughts? Are you happy with your decision to be where you are? Even if it's not in CR and you're in Columbia, Panama, Mexico, etc., I'd like to hear what made you stay where you are.

Thanks for your input/advice.



The Devil whispered to me, “I’m coming for you.” I whispered back, “Bring pizza.”

What do you want to do every day? That answer will help you decide on a location. I want to be on the beach. I like to surf and scuba dive. So, in making my decision I will be somewhere on CR's west coast. My recommendation is that you consider your daily activities as you look to make your decision. Of course, with everything else, the cost of housing will be a driving factor. Here is a site that helps some:

https://internationalliving.com/best-pl ... at-havens/

Thanks Hbosbru! That link has a wealth of information. I'm still reading all the good gouge there. I'm not 100% sure what I want to do in my second retirement. I like SCUBA but I think that's something I would do about every six months or so, just because of the costs to rent the equipment, go out with guides, travel to/from the coast (unless I choose to live there of course), etc. I think I would probably get involve with volunteering. Not sure how/where, but I would want to do something with a few hours of each day.

I think when I first get there I'm going to rent in Heredia or Alajuela just because I lived in that area for about 16 weeks in 2018. After that, who knows.

Thanks again for the good info/advice. I really appreciate it.


The Devil whispered to me, “I’m coming for you.” I whispered back, “Bring pizza.”

Bear in mind that is a "rah-rah" website. International Living touts a 'unicorns and Skittles' perspective- they make money with their seminars and the associated realtors that follow them like vultures.

The same "unicorns and Skittles" mentality exists on the "Costa Rica for Expats" and "Gringo Expats in Costa Rica—No Advertising" Facebook groups. And statements of objective fact are met by a chorus of denial by the 'I'm going to be a yoga instructor on the beach' crowd that ignores the reality of high crime, etc.

You need to visit places repeatedly and at different times of the year - don't buy, rent!

Easy to buy and nearly impossible to sell.

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Any opinion or observation in the post above is purely presented for entertainment purposes and does not promote "sexual tourism" or "human trafficking". The laws of Costa Rica apply to all activities in Costa Rica. No warranty is expressed or implied. Void where prohibited by law. Your experience, observations or perspective may be different.

In exile in pu*sy prison

I love where I decided to live... about an 1 1/4 hours east of Medellin in the mountains. I have everything right here that I need (shopping, nightlife, fresh air, outdoor activities, fresh food, beautiful women and gorgeous landscapes, hospital and doctors. I try not to go to Medellin unless I absolutely have to. In my opinion, I live in the best place possible for an ex-pat in Colombia.

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If you let the devil ride, he's gonna want to drive

BlueDevil what is the name of the town you live in?--I would like to visit that area for fresh air as well as all the other reasons you have listed! Do buses go to that area?--Thanks

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I AM a Cien boy + Propina!

I live in Rionegro... where Jose Maria Cordova International Airport is located. The entire area (known as El Oriente) is worth a look as well. Many people who had been living in Medellin (and who have money) are bailing out of the city and moving to El Oriente. Unfortunately, crime from the city follows the people with money. The area is developing rapidly, too. Since I moved here in 2015, at least 6 other ex-pats (that I know of) have moved to our pueblo. Busses to Rionegro run from both Terminal Norte and Terminal Sur in Medellin. Then there is always the airport bus that leaves from Centro near Hotel Nutibara. and you can catch a bus at the airport to Rionegro. An Uber ride will cost between 48 and 98 mil one-way.

Good recommendations BlueDevil. Are there short term rentals (a week or two) that you're aware of in Rionegro or would a visitor pretty much have to stay in a hotel when checking out the area? One thing about San Jose is there's always Vista Linda Apartments in Calle Blancos to stay in for the short term while checking the area out and they're much cheaper than a hotel and they still have hot water and they're slightly cheaper than renting an apartment (assuming you could rent a place for only a month (probably not). Anyway, just wondering what the very short-term lodging situation is in Rionegro.

Thanks!


The Devil whispered to me, “I’m coming for you.” I whispered back, “Bring pizza.”

There are a couple of hotels completely off the grid in the pueblo that are inexpensive... I believe one includes a simple breakfast. If not, the owner at the local cafe will make eggs, homefries and an arepa for 6 mil pesos (about $1.95). She will throw in a free coffee if she likes you. If you want something fancier, for $62 per night you can get one of the new extended stay apartments near the new hospital, San Vicente. It's called Travelers Rio Verde Living Suites (on booking.com).

Follow up question (don't know why it wasn't my first question), what's the entertainment (i.e. chicas) situation in Rionegro? Obviously the chica situation in CR is really good (otherwise most of us wouldn't be there), but what about where you are? Is there ample supply? Are the costs reasonable/better than CR? What's the quality like (i.e. better, same, worse than CR, Columbia, etc.)?


The Devil whispered to me, “I’m coming for you.” I whispered back, “Bring pizza.”

Plain and simple: Most "like-minded, single gentlemen" stay in Medellin for a reason... and it is not the air quality, tranquility or cultural opportunities... There is some retail p4p in Rionegro, but on a much, much smaller scale... no where near the extent that can be found in Medellin. Most of the gringos, who live here, have very quiet "arrangements" with some of the local ladies. (Most of the ex-pats who live here are well-beyond the age of "sport-phucking" anyways.) However, Rionegro is ripe with plenty of opportunities to meet regular ladies for both casual dates and long-term relationships. When my good buddies from the States some to visit, they always enjoy the company of a pretty paisa. If girl-watching is your thing... there is plenty of eye candy strolling between the various bars and discos around the park on weekends. The "paisa beauty" is the same as in Medellin... just the women up here have far less exposure to foreigners.

do you live in a condo or a house BD?
how is the weather

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

We live in a house... 4 Bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths and a garage. The rent costs me $480US/month. Moved in 3 years ago when it was brand new. Great little neighborhood with both electronic security and a small security force. The weather is perfect here... what it was like in Medellin 10 - 15 years ago... eternal spring. We are 2000 feet higher than Medellin at an altitude of 7,000 - 7,500 feet. Nights and early mornings it is a crisp 55 degrees... during the daytime, it rarely breaks 80 degrees. The radiant heat from the sun can be very strong, though. Rainy seasons are October, November and half of December... and then again in the month of April.

your best bet from rio negro would be to hop on the airport bus that drops you off just behind hotel nutibara. there are numerous mps close to that area. you would be limited to mostly daytime