Homes in Costa Rica - Adjust your expectations!!!
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- čas přidán 16. 08. 2021
- I made this video out of what we commonly see from others who are looking for rental homes down here in Costa Rica.
These are simply observations and tips that I hope will be helpful to you in your move to Costa Rica!
Do you think you’ll be needing assistance throughout the entire process?
Areas
Rentals
Entry
Residency
Insurance
Medical
Car purchase
Car rental
Budgeting
Banking
…. Home rentals and more!
Then you may want to set up a call with us to chat about your move!
To book a call head over to our website:
www.lasarahelena.com/
Until next time! - Zábava
I grew up poor in Central Florida in 60's & 70's and we had no ac & roaches in old frame homes.
I lived with a Costa Rican mountain family for almost two weeks in 93 and they owned what I considered a nice home, but some in the rural areas weren't more than wooden shacks.
The key I've learned in my 66 years is when you start dwelling on what you don't have is to stop and start thinking about all the blessings you do have!
Agree! Thank you for your comment!
💯 true🙏🏾
I lived 30 yrs in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 and pretty much resembles Costa 🇨🇷 in so many ways. High costs of electricity, bad roads with pot holes, crazy driving, concrete 🏡 some with AC or not- we used 3 pedestal fans and had ceiling fans, hot humid weather, blackouts and inefficient water supply are some of the things I have endured. I am a minimalist , and I feel I can adapt to CR very easy since I already have that experience from my beautiful 🏝 Lower expectations lead to better perceptions.
I want to add that my family already knew we wanted a Tico style home in a Tico Neighborhood with no hot water. We knew this before making the final move here. We wanted to go back to basics and SIMPLE LIFE. WE found our place and love it even with the imperfections!!! OUR Tico neighbors are wonderful and becoming our friends. No HOME Is perfect. WE couldn't be happier
This is wonderful! Thank you for sharing Sandra! Very happy for you :)
nice attitude 👌
this is exactly what we want too! but an acre or three.
Así es estoy de acuerdo contigo,Saludos desde san Ramón de Alajuela Costa Rica.
Interesting that most tic@s have hot water....
Sarah, I spend several months in Costa Rica every year, and you described it like it is. Lower your expectations and enjoy your time in Costa Rica.
That is not how she described it. She made sure to say, "YOUR standards from the USA," as to not going to Costa Rica expecting the same as in the USA, there are clearly differences 🤦🏽♀️ I've been doing my homework for a year now... Costa Rica will be my 2nd home 🇨🇷 Costa Rica ...PURA VIDA
Great video - thanks for waffling on and avoiding getting to the point. Since there is so much free time in the day, this was very enjoyable. Keep up the good work!!!
You nailed it, Sara!! I like it thst way.
Your video is totally ON POINT!!! I was there last year in April for 7 days & totally fell in love ❣️ hence, I went back for a month a year later. ..March 15 ~ April 15th, 2022 . Your delivery was 💯 chic, keep it up , stay real for your viewers❣️
First time watcher! Great info 💯
One of your best videos, IMO. The message is an important one. Great examples. Well done and thanks.
Thank you Kevin! I appreciate that :)
Great video Sarah, we have been living here in CR almost a month and YES to everything you said !!! We love it but we don't have expectations!!! Thanks
Absolutely !!! I'm glad you enjoyed the video :)
"YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR." This saying ALSO applies to Costa Rica ! We lived in CR for 5 years, and found out :
(1) houses are not well insulated; (2) most homes do NOT have A/C; (3) electricity is expensive; (4) most rentals do NOT include furniture and appliances; (5) most homes have tin roofs - which are NOISY when it rains; (6) there is no "zoning" - your house may be next to a chicken coop; and finally - (7) GET USED TO IT - you're not in Kansas anymore !
Thank you for your input Mary. Some of those factors do depend on where you live! Here in Jaco , the majority of rentals have AC and furniture too! - Yes electricity can be pricy but I was still paying 3x as much in the USA..... The chickens .... learned that one the hard way!!
I love the sound of the rain on a tin roof
@@TheTexasTodd I do too. So relaxing
LMAO
I wish I could give it a nose twitch and be there already.
Great video Sarah! Funny too...I laughed out loud a few times. Thanks for the grounding information so we won't be surprised. :)
I’m glad it made you laugh! 😂
Thanks for this video Sarah! I'm from Queensland Australia, so I am very used to all kinds of creepy crawlies. We have vicious mosquitoes which we refer to as the "Queensland Air Force"! So this aspect of beautiful Costa Rica doesn't bother me at all 😁
You're pretty easy on the eyes and I love your attitude!
Thank you!
Love this! Ty! 😊
Absolutely brilliant !
Have lived in several countries and you are right on the mark
Will be contacting you re home rental, once I know my plans
Love your videos
Thank you for your input John! Would be happy to help you when that time comes :)
I'm just starting my planning. So excited but so much to plan for!
Wonderful!
Great topic Sarah, and so true! This is our second rental since our move 2 months ago. The first was modern and had a huge pool. This one is more Tico style. We have a couple of lizards in the house, some cockroaches (which kinda give me the heevie jeevies, but I’ve accepted), and a little crab even found his way in😆! But we absolutely LOVE this home, the area, and the neighborhood!
hahaha!! LOVE it!! Yes , I get those little crabs a lot living near the beach =D ... Even a big guy got into my shower one time!! Happy to hear you are happily in your new home!
We're you in my apartment? Spot on with the lizard and 🪳 (didn't survive) and the little crab (carefully relocated) 🤣🤣🤣
Good advice. I think people really do themselves a disservice when they decide to move to Costa Rica without ever visiting first.
Thank you for watching!
Great, honest description of Costa Rica!
Awesome video Sarah!
Thank you Sam!! =)
I really enjoy your delivery, so I just subscribed.
Awesome!! Thank you so much! I hope that you find the rest of my videos to be just as informative and useful.
Great topic Sarah!
Thank you Mareen!
Absolutely love your videos... I have thoughts of becoming a resident but need to visit first. Not sure everyone will understand about bugs... Grew up in South Florida (crazy but not the level of crazy it is today) and they have lots and lots of bugs, snakes, etc. When people in California complain about bugs I just have to chuckle. Was curious about the humidity and also have seen some scary showers in some vids about housing. I was already a subsriber but just turned on my bell too....
Hello Douglas! I am happy to hear that you enjoy my videos and they have been helpful for you. It is very Humid here in CR but the degrees of humidity vary by location and elevation. :)
I've rented a very modern 3 bedroom 2 bath house for the last eight years near Grecia.
Hola Saludos desde san Ramón de Alajuela Costa Rica.Que tengas una linda estadia en nuestro país.
Having traveled to CR a couple times, the other thing that takes a bit to get used to are toilets. More specifically, how you handle toilet paper. It doesn't get flushed down the toilet. You put it in a wastepaper can and dispose of it like trash. When I asked about this, I was told that plumbing standards in CR are a bit different from other parts of the world and are not really designed to handle TP. _That_ took a bit of getting used to.
That said... my wife was born in Rhodesia and grew up in Haiti. I've traveled with her to both of these. Believe me, CR is orders of magnitude nicer in terms of typical accommodations compared to either of these. Comfort and quality of life are all relative and gratitude and contentment smooth over a lot of small inconveniences!
Many thanks for a really informative video!
J
I actually have a video just on the toilet paper situation!! :D Here it is: czcams.com/video/5hDc4eHD8aY/video.html . Thank you for enjoying my channel John!
@@SarahElenaDesignsLife LOL! Missed that one!
I'll have a look.
And, many thanks again for making really informative and thoughtful videos. I don't think any of us realize just how biased we are until we actually travel. It's an eye opener.
I have totally fallen in love with CR - the people and the country. But I also know that this is just the infatuation stage. Gotta live there for a couple years for reality to set in.
Sorta like getting married and having kids... ;-)
Best wishes!
J
Good info! Thank you!
You are very welcome! I'm glad it was helpful for you
I am a Tico and an architect and what he says is so true, but if it applies a lot to houses near the beach or mountains, in the city it is more common to see other things but you will have to travel 3 hours to go to the beach, I hope that can make a house, so he does it to his liking, I hope you can do it.
Made of concrete because of earthquakes, wooden houses would fall down after an earthquake (at least 3-4/year). Not so much because of temperature, This is coming from a CRican that lives in the US. Something else is with $350 - $400k you can pretty much buy a luxury home in many places in CR. Cheaper than USA.
i love the electrical panel inside the kitchen cabinets
Yes!! haha!!
Great video as usual. Some people are never happy and should stay where they are!
Agreed 👍
Thank you for watching Doug, I am glad you enjoyed it!
Very informative Sarah. Just to add, if something is advertised as unfurnished it could be really unfurnished. Like no refrigerator or oven even. So to your point, it is super important to ask.
Yes you are right!
I applaud you for doing this video!!
Please spread the This PSA!!!
American standard and amenities is COSTLY HERE
Thank you Luther!
Thanks, Sarah!
You are very welcome!
Washer and dryer was kitty bought at Bestbuy
Use Axion for cleaning your dishes. It works.
Great video Sarah. I’m moving to Costa Rica to get my life back to reality and lead a more simple life. If that comes with a rental that may not have everything I’d like, so be it. As you’ve said before, when you rent for the first time, start with a 3-month term. If you like the house, the area, the weather the apartment then maybe you can rent it on a longer term, if not, go find another place more suited for you. Do your research. There are plenty of videos out there on CZcams that show and explain a typical style Tico house and what in general they may look like inside.
Wonderfully put Don & great additional advice for others!! :)
@@SarahElenaDesignsLife Thank you. I feel your frustration. 🙂
Well... There's no such a thing like "typical tico style house"... I mean, what would be the US Standard? Marin, CA or Nottoway Court House, VA? Is the same here.... A/C, balconies, indoor pools are the standard in certain areas, while bugs and theft is the standard in other areas. It's more about your income rather than a "tico style"
Así es nada mejor que una vida mas trankila,yo me sali de la capital y me vine para el campo,uuu mucho mejor el cambio,Saludos desde san Ramón de Alajuela Costa Rica.
Loved the good and the bad of our trip! We will be back, really enjoyed our time there. Even our outdoor laundry facility. I found doing the laundry that way very therapeutic. Definitely could live there. But I love bugs, and nature!!
So glad to hear that! :)
I am surprised that you had to post this video. You must have had a bad day/week. lol. I'm sure the info is appreciated and important by/for many. :)
Just a pattern we have noticed while helping find some people rentals so I thought this information could be useful to all for adjusting expectations or not have them at all! Pura Vida.
Make sense is a rainforest country and if you paid for luxury you will get it . I ‘m moving to live . 👏🏼
Exactly!!
I love point 1
Hi Sarah, my husband and I are from Canada, sold everything we owned and crossed the border into the U.S. and are now in Florida for 3 months and plan on coming to Costa Rica to find a permanent residence where it is warm, and close to beach, safe and secure area. We have 2 small dogs 1 is 8 pounds and the 2nd is 5 pounds, will we have any problems at customs, they were vet checked and up to date on all shots in March. Sorry I should have explained we want to fly there soon with our two pups where can we reach you Sarah to help find our new home? Thanks for your expert advice.
GREETINGS FROM COSTA RICA..! 🇨🇷
Thank you Jean!
It would be super helpful to show examples of houses ,prices...and schools..
To have a more clear idea of what to expect
Thank you Andrea for the suggestion!
You want to live with American standards in Costa Rica expect to pay California prices. Schools I have no idea. But I can tell you in most cases a home built to American standards in a community that doesn't need bars on the windows you will be paying the same price of a socal home and your h.o.a fees will be a minimum of 400 USD a month. Unless you build the home yourself of course. And in that case your home won't be built for a very long time lol.
expect to pay a lot more for what you are accustomed to.
How about efficiency apartments in/near San Jose? (furnished)
Binge watching without popcorn! I watching at 1.25 x video speeded up.😀
Hi Sarah we are a family of 5 we want to move to Costa Rica life in the USA is more difficult every day with so much polarization could you recommend us something
Ants n bugs is one thing, snakes and scorpions is another, always look around especially at night, be aware of small tight places like between the rocks or cracks in the ground or house foundation or under planters, from my own experience in La Fortuna (not in the town but outskirts) I’ve seen plenty of both all around the house (I lived in the woods on the road to waterfall) I’m the guy that doesn’t run away from them, I’d try to catch every one I’ve seen including coral snakes and ones caught an albino scorpion under my porch, but in most cases they will try to get away from you unless you step on them or corner them, but ones I was chasing one snake with a broom trying to catch it and it got into a weird position and JUMPED at me, or sprang, if I didn’t have the broom in front of me it would spring at me, so if you are like me come on down to Pura Vida land and enjoy awesome Costa Rican nights when you can see all kinds of snakes crawling, huge beautiful moths and bugs attacking light bulbs, amazing views for star gazers and UFO chasers
Thank you for this video :) in terms of lease and rentals agreements and deposits - how does rentals work typically in Costa Rica ? Is it different with envy property or there is a standard ? Do we need a bank account to transfer rent is it cash ?
You normally give 1 month deposit, to pay you can international wire transfer, but there's different options to pay depending on the owner of the rental.
Everything is bigger in the US on average. If a traveler is complaining about things being different in another country, he/she may not be a good candidate to travel. Maybe just stay home where you’re guaranteed to have your comfort levels met. If you’re willing to settle in and tolerate difference, get outside and enjoy Costa Rica! Pura Vida😉
If those little things are important to folks, they can just spend a little money and have them put in. It's a lot easier
Agreed!
It's always the same thing in every country. You pay for what you get. And depending on your luck you get a bit more or a bit less for what you pay sometimes.
Absolutely, agreed!
The only thing you mentioned that I am struggling with is the houses with bars on the windows. Ive even seen barbed wire on the walls/fence around the house.
Yes that can be common some places for sure. But not always.
Great video Sarah , Concrete does not rot like wood and is faster to put up And you didn't talk about flushing you toilet paper down the toilet in some places big no no
Planning that for its own video !!
that's definitely a big NO here
Great video!
++Car parking situation?
I am glad you enjoyed it! Car parking greatly varies with location and house dependent but often rentals have this in mind.
How difficult is home buying in CR?
What are hoa fees?
Hi Sarah, I have a question for you, if you had some money to invest say 500k, would you buy lower priced properties and rent them out or would you buy a house that was more expensive and rent out? What would be the best bang for your investment?
how much are houses compared to their rental potentials?
Thanks Sarah
Hi David , Thank you for watching , well it depends where in Costa Rica you want to invest , Beach side, Mountain ? Beach side is a great investment for short term and long terms rentals like Air b and b.
Could you do a video on car rental options
Great suggestion James! I will add that to my list. Here's another video you might find helpful czcams.com/video/jsYWafqzokI/video.html
If you are going on vacation and haven't been there just try to go with a large group and use a driver. set up a home base near a beach and pay the 250 bucks for a driver to take you to arenal etc... I've been a couple times but luckily we have a car out there. If I didn't have a car there that's what I would do though.
So finally house look more like European houses
Concrete tile small appliances…
I noticed that most of the homes I saw had no venting in the attics...sealed up tight.
Great suggestion!
Sarah,
I notice you don't mention on CZcams nor do you reveal on your website your consulting fee schedule or mention costs in general. You don't work for your clients for free I can assume. What is your fee schedule? People would have more interest in your service if fees are revealed upfront. Thanks.
I encourage most people to book a call so I can understand what’s appropriate for them. But we have scouting trip package which is listed on the website for $500 and a relocation package that’s either 3 payments of $550 or one payment or $1,560.
But I prefer to talk to someone first to even see if it’s appropriate to work together and decide if we are a good fit. That’s why I offer the free calls to answer questions and provide value and then if appropriate then I can explain how our process works which is detailed.
Just curious why you moved so many times? And what are Tenant Rights like for long term renters?
Hello Liza and thank you for your inquiry :) . I have enjoyed trying out different locations throughout the country. Here is a link to renters rights in Costa Rica which I hope is helpful!! news.co.cr/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-landlord-and-tenant-act-in-costa-rica/79525/
@@SarahElenaDesignsLife thanks!
Is there something wrong with people who move a lot? I think that is kind of an odd question. Some people just want to experience living in a million cool places:)
You have moved so many times is there a particular reason for most of the moves? Are you always looking for a better deal?
I have watched most of her videos over the years. I have gathered; she moved at times for different types of work, for child care, for a more budget friendly home and now to a bigger more modern home for her daughter and herself now that she can afford it.
Yes each move has had its good reasons! I also like a change of scenery!
Hi Sarah. Would you recommend buying a home or condo? Some of the HOAS fees are steep for condos. I hope you’re well. Thanks
I think it depends on if you’ll be there full time and how much maintenance you’re up for. Condos will be more maintenance but they do have the fees. A home would need more care on the outside and if you will be gone for periods you will need someone to stay there while you are gone.
@@SarahElenaDesignsLife okay. That is something to consider. I am pretty easygoing so looking for something simple. Thank you for your thoughts. Have a wonderful evening.
@@ailessonplanner it could also depend on your preferences too! If you think you may want more of your own space and privacy that is something to consider. Perhaps see what would be the best lifestyle fit for you. And the area you choose will be most important. Definitely rent first. Even rent a condo and then rent a home and see how you feel.
@@SarahElenaDesignsLife Thank you. I like Jaco. I want to stay for the summer next year. One or two months. Somewhere I can walk to most places.
@@ailessonplanner well Jaco is very walkable! We have Uber too
why have you moved so often?
You forgot:
Many (most) homes here don’t have grounded outlets. Nor GFIs in the bathrooms. Getting a little shock when you plug in your hair dryer is not uncommon.
They put 1.5” instead of the standard 4.5” waste pipes so you can’t flush toilet paper.
No exhaust fans in the bathrooms so they always smell a little moldy.
Exhaust fans over the stove with no exterior vent so it just spreads the smoke throughout the house.
Many homes with no plumbing P-traps so the smell of sewage comes up through the sinks and shower.
They rarely (like never) slope the terraces/patios away from the house so water just puddles rather than draining.
Not putting Costa Rica down. I live here. But it is what it is. And building standards are nothing like in the Western world.
Thank you Steven , you make many valid points.
It's always the little things people don't normally pay attention to that gets you when buying a home in a country Costa Rica lol. My dad lives there and did most of the changes you mentioned to his wife's house. He told me it would have been better to just rebuild a new house on the lot. Workers are slow compared to the states.
I experienced the "suicide" showers when I was there 30 years ago.
Couldn't understand why they just didn't run a grounding wire (?)
What is a price range for house rental on beach or near beach?
Jack, there is no standard rental pricing. If you want US standards and in a beach area, you are probably going to pay $1500 to $2500 in our area of the Nicoya Penninsula. If you are in the Tamarindo or Jaco area you could be paying more. If you are ok with a Tico style home, cut the prices in half and amenities in 1/3.
Hello Jack, thank you for your question. Yes , I agree with the below comment. It greatly depends on where you are and what you expect. I have paid as little as $600 here in Jaco for what I considered Tico style but very nice fully furnished and walking distance to the beach or as much as $2000 with an ocean view, a pool, and a more American standard (also here in Jaco).
We live near the beach with a furnished Tico style concrete home with Wifi and utilities for 800. Monthly. Our landlord s are Locals and we live in a all Tico neighborhood and LOVE IT. 4 BEDROOM 2 BATH. Small bedrooms but we don't care .
Well, i'd disagree with the standards of houses you'd find where you live, i think it's pretty much the same for every country, you get what your budget can afford, if you want a house like the US, then you'll need to pay a US-like rent with a plus because of the point you mentioned as well: Concrete. Houses in Costa Rica are made of reinforced concrete, because of high sismic activity, and they are built to last for even centuries, thats why they are the same or even more expensive than the houses in the US.
Bugs are more common the closer you get to the coasts, i'd advise not to kill the little lizards or the spiders as they help to get rid of the most annoying bugs.
So at the end, if you don't want any hassles, then you can rent a nice condo, but expect to pay up to 20k a month.
Never seen so many commas in a paragraph before. Phew! :-)
Absolutely ... you get what you pay for. I believe a lot of people move here with "cheaper living" in mind and I am advising that it is possible but you need to adjust your expectations. Thank you for watching.
omg you SOO prettty can I rent and live with you? 😆 love from Guanacaste 🇨🇷
Concrete is needed because of earthquakes.
Costa rica is humid and few houses have central AC. Carpet would be a muggy humid mess.
Unless you live in a fancy neighborhood, gated community, with 24x7 security and an armed motorcycle patrolling and video cameras, expect bars in windows because petty theft is common.
Doors/windows not shutting perfectly should be repaired (be advised diy culture is much less prevalent in CR).
Gsrbage disposals are a real rarity in CR.
No hot water to kitchen sink feels cheaply made imho, look elsewhere.
It's actually a rarity to get appliances included in rental. In the name of profit, they'll cheap out and get smaller ones. They are more expensive since they are imported.
CR is alive. Like, you can't sit anywhere for 3 minutes without something crawling on you. "Pest control" is not a thing in CR. Infestations should get controlled though, but don't expect outdoor pest control to be an easy service to procure.
Real houses will have dryer hookups but it is seen as a luxury.
Great video, thanks for doing it!
Can you get an American style 2 bedroom for 1000
Hello Joel! It greatly depends on your location within the country. Finding that in a beach town would be very difficult. If you were to look in the suburbs outside of San Jose it could be possible.
@@SarahElenaDesignsLife thank you.
The info you provide is a 10 and your beauty a 12
Wait until they find out about the powerful sewer system, and disposing of tissue paper. 🇨🇷
Can you work instacart or Uber eats without having residency?
I am not 100% sure but I don’t think that is technically legal
Thanks for all the advise Sarah! We here in Santa Teresa and loving it :) here’s our latest vlog czcams.com/video/R5GJzNduels/video.html
You are very welcome Natasha! I am so happy to hear that :)
And thank you for sharing your Blog!
whats youre point
God your gorgeous so what would 125k get you and what part in Costa..wait I need hot water everywhere I hope the landscape is flat and not too hilly it's what I was going to say
I do like my suicide shower, just to take the chill off, yes it was wired correctly by a friend.
They really aren't so bad!!
clients annoying lately with their unrealistic demands? 🤣
They are never annoying! Just observations that I think can help others moving
Be aware Costa Rica law system encourages squatters. I have been fighting for my home for a year and the system have not help me at all. The system remove all owners rights and gives your home to the squatters. Contracts don’t have any value in this judicial system
That's true. I have 2 houses in Costa Rica for sale only and not for rent.
Hard watching foreign economic immigrants, give advice when they don't know Costa Rica is in fact, In North America.
Hmmmm….newsflash….Costa Rica is located in Central America. North America consists of Canada and the United States. Surprised this wasn’t caught earlier.
@@bevh4408 Central America is a region almost wholly in North America, so are almost all the Caribbean Nations. Panama Canal divides North and South America The 2 continents in the western hemisphere...newsflash grade 3 geography. And NAFTA... North American Free Trade Agreement... Mexico wants you to school them junior
@@freetospeakman7925 I really do admire how you make up your own facts. Its okay; its a common practice today so you are not alone😏
@@bevh4408 no.... thats what gentrenders do. Geography not your best subject I guess. Read a book sometime maybe one that was printed before 1990 hmm. Hint, they're made of paper and some of them are in a big building thingy, called a library. Take your e bike there sometime.
@@freetospeakman7925 lets bet. No forget it I don’t want to take your money. You stating a lie over and over again won’t make it true, won’t make smart people believe you, it just makes you look stupid. Now I get why you named yourself that…enough people prrrrrobably challenged your ignorance, and you said “hey, I’m free to speak!” Lolllllll!!🤣 Again! I dare you to google it and come back. Ready, go.
Hi Sarah, my husband and I are from Canada, sold everything we owned and crossed the border into the U.S. and are now in Florida for 3 months and plan on coming to Costa Rica to find a permanent residence where it is warm, and close to beach, safe and secure area. We have 2 small dogs 1 is 8 pounds and the 2nd is 5 pounds, will we have any problems at customs, they were vet checked and up to date on all shots in March. Sorry I should have explained we want to fly there soon with our two pups where can we reach you Sarah to help find our new home? Thanks for your expert advice.