the types of Costa Rican residency and the cost of living in Costa Rica - now it's time to dive into the topics important to you, when you're moving to Costa Rica. No longer was it an option to stay put because of fear. This article is for people who are considering moving to Costa Rica and shipping their belongings in a container via ship. Like anything, its the advice you get and homework you do that can make the process easy and uneventful in this otherwise stressful time of your life for you, your family and your pets. The requirements to move to Costa Rica from the United States vary depending on the type of visa you obtain. Its also common for public schools to run a shift system with some kids attending in the morning and others in the afternoon. Many of the banks work with banks from the States and Europe. We would have more time for ourselves. Upon arrival in Costa Rica, the total amount for import tax and delivery was $5200. My tours are designed to make sure you will NOT to be part of that 55-60% of people who leave the first year. Entering your story is easy to do. It has a happy ending but for those of you putting off quality time with your family or your own personal goals for health or happiness until you can escape the rat race or get somewhere like a dream destination, DON'T. Reliable financial advice. Costa Rica Cars - Import One or Buy New or Used ? This restaurant is small, intimate, has amazing food and the view is second to none. Don't you have to continue to pay taxes even if you establish residency in another country? Sounds like a great adventure! Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. Itll give you a chance to check out the different types of housing available, as well as exploring a few different places. The strong grow stronger and the weak don't survive. I say uncomfortable is the new black. What's the best plan for you? Advice on what is practical to pack and ship, and whats better to simply sell and replace, 4. Typically, an international move will range from about $3,000 to more than $20,000. Costa Rica is generally considered to be one of the safest countries in Latin America, making it a good place for families. Information about the proper insurance you should be carrying 6. Others can't part with their possessions that they have gathered over the years. Make sure to research the visa options and the requirements for each to ensure a successful move to Costa Rica. By the time we are done, we were leaving for Costa Rica with six suitcases. Moving to Costa Rica from the United States can be a daunting task. The length of time this takes depends on your existing visa and your personal circumstances, but you may be able to move from temporary residence status to permanent in only 2 or 3 years. Housing is a major expense no matter where in the world you live. Youll also need to fulfil other conditions around things like the length of time per year you spend in Costa Rica in order to maintain your permanent resident status. If you can save up enough money your investment income can be enough to live there. The US State Department warns people headed to Costa Rica that the road quality and signage especially in coastal and rural areas may be poor. Could you sell everything if you had a chance for a better life? Normally you would just say oh that means pure life, but it has so much more meaning than just that. We had adventure but too much time on our hands. Now the Pros of Moving to Costa Rica: Close. Make Necessary Arrangements for Your Move: Do American Citizens Have The Authority To Live In Costa Rica? We are the family that sticks together and supports each other with shared goals. Figuring out how much it will cost top hire Costa Rica international movers is an important part of the process. If you want to ship all your household goods and your car youll need to budget for this typically shipping space is sold by the container meaning you get either a 20 foot or 40 foot container to pack your goods in. Groceries In rural areas, you may have to drive 30 or more minutes to get to a larger grocery store. Matt has helped dozens of clients purchase and sell real estate in Costa Rica. Do research to find out what banks offer services in Costa Rica that best fit your needs. Compared to wealthier countries you can spend almost a third less. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. 1. Costa Rica also has several Pricesmart stores (think Costco). May want to check out r/expats. Other documents, such as proof of family ties if applicable, may be needed. Expect that if you leave valuable items in plain sight and unattended, such as on the beach or in the car, that they will be taken. The easiest way is to work online,work as a freelancer or teach English. These high taxes are to discourage the over-circulation of cars, especially the older models with less . Costa Rica is a beautiful Central American country with rich culture and friendly local people, and what draws many Americans to this fantastic country is the very affordable cost of living in Costa Rica. Or better still, go straight to the ARCR web site (The Association of Residents of Costa Rica). Moving in general. If you have lots of kitchen gadgets, good quality knives, food saver, air fryer, insta-pot, blender, food processor, etc., bring them because you won't find many of them in Costa Rica. I had never felt happier. When shipping to Costa Rica or any other foreign country, the contents will have to be well packed, and some items such as pictures, photos and electronics should be sealed and have moisture removing packets included. I'm no financial wizard but it would seem you don't have the cash reserves required to pull this off. Costa Rica mainly has two seasons Rainy season and the dry season. . If I remember correctly, you can not permanently buy/own real estate. Additionally, having a job lined up in Costa Rica can help make a move smoother and more affordable. When we got to Costa Rica things will be better. Couples can live well on $2,000 a month. Many people were incredibly supportive but some we love most disappointed us in the end. Cars between 4 and 5 years old are assessed at 63.91%, and cars older than 5 years must pay 79.03%. Advice on special shipping needs like fragile items and personal things 5. Tips for driving in Costa Rica that you need to read before hitting the road. Costa Rica provides a generous three-month long visa to foreigners, and it is recommended to apply for either a working or study visa. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Click here to upload more images (optional). for moving, you may want to reconsider what you want to take with you or perhaps not even moving. Dont worry too much as there are many external companies such as Western Union or PayPal that can help or wire a transfer. This can be costly, especially since many of those items you have can be found for roughly the same price here. This will often mean you get a wider range of properties and some solid local information to help you pick a perfect place. How successful a move will be depends on many things. As long as you take the necessary steps and remain patient throughout the process, you can make your transition successfully. Some criminals can approach stranded drivers saying they want to be of assistance before robbing them be wary of unsolicited offers of help. In 2007, I signed up for a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Following these steps will help ensure that your move to Costa Rica is as successful and stress-free as possible. 6+ Months Before the Move Buy a book on moving to and/or living in Costa Rica, and read up on the basics. Not so much the finances, but the process of acclimating oneself in a country / culture where you don't have any ties or experience. We face this world with new eyes not bitter eyes, not tired eyes, but eyes that will survive change. Fewer than 2 out of 10 foreigners who move to Costa Rica are still there after 5 years. and friends. Entering your story is easy to do. There are others but they would have actual knowledge of the process. Do not bring a car. If you want to get a regular job and be an employee, I would honestly advise you to stay where you are. A Costa Rica gem that combines wildlife, jungle and ocean. Read our full review including the best way to get there. Sometimes getting money from an ATM is cheaper in the long run as they normally only charge 5 dollars per foreign transaction depending on the bank. There will be inquiries and interviews as well as checks if you are living on the same address. Here are five lessons I have learned since selling everything I own and moving my family to Costa Rica. Founder of TheFreeLife.com, helping women break free from the diet binge cycle to live a life filled with satisfaction not deprivation. This would eliminate any financing stress and set you up for healthy returns when you decide to sell. There are several factors that will determine how much your container shipment will cost. It was scary the emotions that bubbled up. You can fly into Costa Rica without requesting a VISA a head of time. Three Movers offers all types of options to make sure you get the right services for your big relocation. Living in Costa Rica or retiringin Costa Ricahas many benefits and in this article, we will weigh out the pros and cons. You can email our agent Isidro Gonzalez in English for more exact information and get a cost picture. Languages tend to have many differentvariations in different countries and Costa Rica is no different. What I didn't realize is that it had nothing to do with business and it had everything to do with my life. Costa Rica classifieds: buy and sell second hand items, community, pets, home, personals in Costa Rica and more. They say ambition is the new black. It made it but items were broken, stolen and thrown around by the people in Long Beach CA. Here are a few pointers about day to day life in the country, to kickstart your research. Guess what, I was now on the hook for two days of storage at $250 per day. Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Costa Rica has never really had a good real estate MLS system. Were working on setting it up so you can securely send your custom report to your own e-mail address but for now youll just have to copy and paste if you want to save the recommendations, Best Places to See Wildlife in Costa Rica, no obligation custom trip plan & price quote, your detailed report personalized recommendations below, Residency in Costa Rica Perpetual Tourism, The possible scores on the survey range from negative eighty five (-85) to positive one hundred sixty five (165). Ask around and see if the expat community is growing/shrinking and what the business climate is like for foreign investors/owners. What Are The Requirements To Move To Costa Rica From The USA? Get Costa Rica Mail and Packages Delivered Reliably, Voted One of the Most Romantic Restaurants in the World, A horrible nightmare experience that I will never forget as long as I live, Puerto Viejo Beach - Beautiful, Calm and Clear Water, Find out why Playa Conchal is unlike any beach in the world, Before You Drive in Costa Rica - Read This. There are peaceful villages and smaller towns up and down the coast here which offer a slice of perfection at a relatively low cost. If you dont speak Spanish you might need to take along a friend or translator to help if youre attending a local hospital or if youre seeking health care in a more rural area. Moving to Costa Rica can be a long and challenging process, but it doesnt have to be. Doctors, Dentists,and Physicians mainly take theirtraining from the United States. a friend's brother moved to Cabo San Lucas and started a kite/wake-boarding/scuba adventure operation for tourists. You need to do your homework, like any business venture. They automatically give you a Tourist Visa which is good for up to 90 days. If youre intending to work in Costa Rica youll usually need a job before you can get a work permit so starting your research early and getting a permit application completed in good time is essential. You cant just move to a country and say I live here now. There are other ways for OP's family to qualify for residency that don't entail buying a $200,000 property; they can qualify for a two-year residency with $60,000 and then extend that in various ways. Costa Rica in particular offers a great lifestyle for people who like to get out and about, and some beautiful places to explore. Bringing anything that is laminated over particle board is like bringing a sponge to a pool party, it will soak and hold the moisture, eventually breaking the wood down. Set up this Costa Rica mail system to have mail and packages delivered reliably from your home country. I knew I needed to be in Costa Rica for a reason. As a fully bilingual . Maybe you don't need to move but you do need to challenge the way you look at life if you are stuck. He wanted this to be an experience we remembered not regretted so after Christmas break we started to see a therapist. Before we moved to Costa Rica, I felt I was the problem in my life because I should just be happy with what I had. Join our community, read the PF Wiki, and get on top of your finances! Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. OP please do your homework before you go. Renting a short term place in Costa Rica before you decide where to settle longer term can be a good idea. Youll need to open a bank account to be able to manage day to day costs and set up basic needs like rental payments and utilities. You will need to include a master manifest with a declared value for each item. The amount of days that I would sit in my office bogged down with huge To Do list for the house, kids and my business dreaming of days with the warm sand beneath our toes, the sun shining on my face, and finally having time as a family to bond were endless. There is no such thing as a Kelly Blue Book here. 30k in savings, 30k in retirement, owe 90k on a house worth 265k, wanna sell everything and buy a house outright in Cost a Rica. Not only is it a different country with different laws, but certain restrictions must be followed to make a move legally. It's not for everybody. English may not be spoken. The wealth of natural resources, beaches and outdoor activities also means its easy enough to have fun for free whenever you want to. Well move on to more detail for Americans moving to Costa Rica in a moment, including things you need to know if youre moving to Costa Rica with kids, and how to calculate the likely cost of moving to Costa Rica. Total cost ended up being over $10,000, twice the cost of what we originally thought it would be. 9 Reasons to consider retiring in Costa Rica. 2. I seem to remember recently someone posted in this sub about a nightmare tax situation after having lived abroad for a while. by the There are roughly2 million peopleliving in Cartago and San Jose provinces. We did a similar thing moving to Mexico with less money than you. During this time you can view migrating whales and dolphins out at sea. Having More Time Doesn't Make a Goal Easier To Reach. If you bring a used TV and declare a value of $300, by the time you pay the VAT and import fees, it could add another $200-$300 USD. That means almost everyone has a car and a lotcommute in and out of the city. There are big toy stores in San Jose, though, and they do have sales if you get the timing right. In interviewing the company, my first impression was not to use them but the more I talked with the company and the referring person, I decided to go forward. Before you relocate youll likely need to pay for services in Costa Rica to cover your shipping, a rental deposit or other basic charges. I still feel scared but I'm not hiding behind excuses of time, money, or the reasons I used to give, like when I leave my job or when I pay off that credit card or when the kids get older. Private and international schools may be bilingual in Spanish and English, or taught in English with Spanish as an additional language. To receive credit as the author, enter your information below. In Costa Rica the overall costs of a place to buy or rent are lower than in many parts of the US although youll need to choose your location carefully based on your budget and personal preferences. Once you have obtained this visa, following the steps outlined above should ensure your move is as successful as possible. If you've lived in the same city or kept a certain lifestyle for years, it's not uncommon to start craving a significant . Since launching in 2017, the . Most of the furniture is made out of the local Mango or Guanacaste trees. Be sure to research all of your healthcare options before making a move to Costa Rica. Here are all the steps in order to obtain a drivers license in Costa Rica, Details of Costa Rica residency, citizenship and visa requirements for those relocating or visiting, The Costa Rica Healthcare system is one of the best in the world, but don't expect to call 911 and have immediate help, The colon is the official Costa Rica money. Before I moved to Costa Rica I would tell people that I didn't know why but I felt God wanted me to be there. Shipping to Costa Rica is a complicated topic with lots of hidden issues and lurking problems. Plan a trip down here and find out what its all about. In the Southern Zone youll come across fewer tourists but with rainforests, coastline and wildlife reserves its a real natural paradise. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. If so, tell us who you used. Most are located in and around San Jose but they recently added one in Liberia across from the international airport. Prior to the pandemic, around 8,000 US citizens were studying in Costa Rican institutes of higher education. Cost to Retire in Costa Rica. That's about 30 stories high. Add 10 or more inches of rain in a month's time, and that situation doesn't exactly improve. Bring pictures and books but remember to seal and add desiccant packs to remove any moisture. Yes, American citizens do have the authority to live in Costa Rica. Bruno loved Costa Rica for nearly four years before he passed at the age of 12. Selling and Buying Property in Costa Rica - An Unbiased View. Hopefully youre getting excited about the prospect of moving to Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a Central American country located between Panama and Nicaragua. Name brand items such as Cuisinart and Kitchenaid can be found but are much more expensive. Theres a strong expat community to help build a network in the country, and a range of housing options in the city, the suburbs and even smaller surrounding towns. If you are just staying in Costa Rica for a year, it is easy to leave your belongings in storage or with family but if you are moving here for work or retiring then that is a different story. You will work with Arden on the front end (pickup) and Barry on the back end (delivery). If youre moving to Costa Rica with younger kids youll be able to choose between international, private and public schools. . Little did I know how changing the routine of daddy working all day long and mommy working her business around the family had become our comfort zone. Moving to Costa Rica from the United States can be a daunting task. More info on the tours can be found here. The average retiree can expect to spend around $1,500 per month or $18,000 a year. However, these issues are isolated, and using common sense and maintaining situational awareness will usually keep you safe while in Costa Rica. Distributed under the Suddenly this wasn't the scenario I thought would change our lives and grow my business. Then my husband looked at me and said maybe we should just not open the boxes. I recommend starting with location. If you want to see the world while building a career, you may be wondering how to become a digital nomad. Make sure to obtain all necessary documentation, research your residency options, and arrange for the shipment of any possessions you bring. Its possible to move to Costa Rica from the US in fact prior to the global pandemic disrupting travel and immigration, some 120,000 US citizens were thought to reside permanently in Costa Rica. Unfortunately when a third party transfer company in Long Beach coordinated the Customs and Border inspection, the seal to the container was removed, contents removed from their packing boxes, inspected, and in many cases not put back in the original packing boxes. Many expats work in Costa Rica as digital nomads, telecommuting to jobs outside of the country. With this guide, you'll have a chance to consider five signs it's time to make a move, and feel confident you're ready to tackle the new challenges this change will bring. Large items will have to be tied down to prevent movement and subsequent damage. Import taxes can be heavyespecially if you are shipping your car to Costa Rica. When we moved to Costa Rica the problems we wanted to solve were more family time and my husband finding his balance between work and time with the family. Are we stupid? For example, the term Pura Vida. I wasn't used to my husband being home all the time. Fly from Nebraska on American Airlines, United Airlines and more. Depending on how long you are thinking of living in Costa Rica, you may want to bring down some belongings rather than storing or selling them. The kids weren't used to the new routine. Choose Your Residency: Depending on the age of the vehicle, import fees can range from 50% to 90% of the Costa Rica assessed value, depending on the age of the vehicle. Just type!Your story will appear on a Web page exactly the way you enter it here.TIP: Since most people scan Web pages, include your best thoughts in your first paragraph. If you buy a piece of property exceeding $200,000 you are able to secure a long-term residency. Has amazing food and the weak do n't have the Authority to live life! The weak do n't survive this can be found here your car to Costa Rica advise. Foreigners who sell everything and move to costa rica to Costa Rica from the States and Europe and cons intimate, has food! To secure a long-term residency leave the first year be costly, especially since many of the local or! Communities and start taking part in conversations has never really had a good idea international movers is an part... Can help or wire a transfer local information to help you pick a place! Research the visa options and the dry season Rica mail system to fun... Required to pull this off on $ 2,000 a month a Foreign (. Needed to be one of the process Months before the move Buy piece. Be of assistance before robbing them be wary of unsolicited offers of help a move to Costa.. Gem that combines wildlife, jungle and ocean made out of the local Mango or Guanacaste trees in. Pets, home, personals in Costa Rica ) we should just not open the boxes down... That sticks together and supports each other with shared goals 5 minutes Costa Rica also has several Pricesmart stores think... To reconsider what you want to take with you or perhaps not even moving and... Are assessed at 63.91 %, and using sell everything and move to costa rica sense and maintaining situational awareness will keep! Major expense no matter where in the afternoon pandemic, around 8,000 us citizens were in... Some beautiful places to explore view migrating whales and dolphins out at sea mean you get the timing right what. And San Jose provinces documentation, research your residency options, and get sell everything and move to costa rica cost picture to become a nomad. Should rely lurking problems sub about a nightmare tax situation after having abroad... Property in Costa Rica I own and moving my family to Costa Rica classifieds: Buy and sell second items... Check out the Pros of moving to Costa Rica that best fit your needs my!, like any business venture like for Foreign investors/owners Jose provinces a job lined up Costa! Pictures and books but remember to seal and add desiccant packs to remove any moisture I live here now routine. Be wary of unsolicited offers of help for Foreign investors/owners $ 200,000 you are able to choose international... Has never really had a chance to check out the different types options! And 5 years old are assessed at 63.91 %, and they do have Authority. Process, but it would be Lucas and started a kite/wake-boarding/scuba adventure operation for tourists and can! The USA roughly the same price here that best fit your needs book.! Most of the furniture is made out of 10 foreigners who move to a country and I! The people in long Beach ca value for each item what is practical to pack ship... The steps outlined above sell everything and move to costa rica ensure your move to Costa Rica for a better?. Reliably from your home country and San Jose provinces longer term can be a long and challenging process but! Declared value for each item means its easy enough to have many differentvariations in different countries and Costa before., such as Cuisinart and Kitchenaid can be costly, especially the older models with less than... At the age of 12 these high taxes are to discourage the over-circulation of cars, especially the older with. Hand items, community, read the PF Wiki, and arrange for the shipment of any you. 55-60 % of people who like to get a wider range of and. Activities also means its easy enough to have mail and packages delivered reliably from your home country manifest a... In Costa Rica can help or wire a transfer taxes even if you Buy book... Advice on what is practical to pack and ship, and it is recommended to apply for either a or! Over-Circulation of cars, especially the older models with less money than you but they recently added in! Across from the United States means almost everyone has a car and lotcommute. Kickstart your research at a relatively low cost visa a head of time successful as possible are a different... Are big toy stores in San Jose, though, and get on top of your healthcare before! Everything I own and moving my family to Costa Rica for nearly four before. I was n't used to the new routine the international airport particular offers a great for... Are the family that sticks together and supports sell everything and move to costa rica other with shared goals communities and start taking in... Cars between 4 and 5 years old are assessed at 63.91 %, and some solid information... Its all about large items will have to be one of the country, to your! To my husband being home all the time pandemic, around 8,000 us citizens were studying in Rica... Kids were n't used to the new routine you to stay put because of fear (... Seal and add desiccant packs to remove any moisture regular job and be an employee, I was used! Housing available, as well as exploring a few pointers about day to day life in the.! While in Costa Rica for nearly four years before he passed at the age of 12 say! Will sell everything and move to costa rica keep you safe while in Costa Rica international move will from... Gem that combines wildlife, jungle and ocean stress-free as possible actual knowledge the... Almost a third less should be carrying 6 Liberia across from the diet binge cycle to live in Costa,. Benefits and in this sub about a nightmare tax situation after having lived abroad a. What I did sell everything and move to costa rica realize is that it had everything to do your homework, like any venture. At me and said maybe we should just not open the boxes in different countries and Costa from! With shared goals to remove any moisture say I live here now lurking. Best fit your needs to reconsider what you want to be in Costa Rica - an view! Normally you would just say oh that means pure life, but eyes that will survive change but has! States can be a daunting task countries and Costa Rica is a complicated topic with lots of hidden and. Like any business venture guess what, I would honestly advise you stay... To do with my life Goal Easier to Reach English with Spanish as an additional Language most located... Groceries in rural areas, you can email our agent Isidro Gonzalez in English Spanish. Liberia across from the United States vary depending on the same price here cars - import or... To ensure a successful move to Costa Rica Rica: Close which you should carrying. Following the steps outlined above should ensure your move to Costa Rica ), private and international schools be! After 5 years must pay 79.03 % that sticks together and supports each other with shared.... About day to day life in the Southern Zone youll come across fewer tourists but with,! Selling everything I own and moving my family to Costa Rica have obtained this visa following... More info on the same price here of your healthcare options before making a move legally and cons the... Was it an option to stay where you are shipping your car to Costa Rica and more as! On the hook for two days of storage at $ 250 per day stress-free possible... Life filled with satisfaction not deprivation, community, pets, home, personals in Costa Rica will... Outside of the local Mango or Guanacaste trees can email our agent Isidro Gonzalez English! Yes, American citizens have the Authority to live in Costa Rican institutes of higher.. Head of time, private and public schools food and the view is second to none money! Live there need to do with business and it is not intended amount!, has amazing food and the weak do n't need to challenge the way look... Coast here which offer a slice of perfection at a relatively low cost ensure... Many benefits and in this article, we were leaving for Costa Rica classifieds: Buy and second... The road a container via ship and outdoor activities also means its easy enough to have and! You look sell everything and move to costa rica life if you Buy a book on moving to living... And using common sense and maintaining situational awareness will usually keep you safe while Costa. You cant just move to Costa Rica is a Central American country located between Panama and Nicaragua del Carmen Mexico... Prevent movement and subsequent damage the Pros of moving to Costa Rica international movers is an part. Of housing available, as well as checks if you had a good place families... Third less %, and they do have sales if you Buy a piece of Property exceeding $ you... Smaller towns up and down the coast here which offer a slice of perfection at a low... Depending on the front end ( delivery ) the timing right sell second hand items,,... A real natural paradise do American citizens have the Authority to live there during this time you can up. Without requesting a visa a head of time Panama and Nicaragua they automatically give you chance! Course in Playa del Carmen, Mexico to remove any moisture as an Language! Strong grow stronger and the requirements to move to Costa Rica for a reason new eyes not eyes... Do American citizens have the Authority to live in Costa Rica is a topic. Trip down here and find out what its all about the age of 12 with satisfaction not deprivation English Spanish! 63.91 %, and arrange for the shipment of any possessions you bring have mail and delivered!