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- rent vs own: our view is that renting is better. It takes a long time to figure out "your" "best" spot, and owning means you are stuck in one place. If your neighborhood changes, too bad. It is easy to buy, hard to sell. I've seen the same "se vende" signs the entire time we've been in our apartment. Also, the laws here favor the renter. For example, your contract can (by law) be extended to 3 years w/ no change in the terms, aside from a by-law determined increase (if the rent is in dollars, then NO increase is allowed). 

- costs will be all over the place.  I don't really even think there is a "typical" price .  And it is hard to find out what other homes in a neighborhood sold for.

- rents are also all over the place, but mainly depend on location. Small towns will be cheaper. San Jose East or West will be more expensive (we think because of all the foreign government officials - subsidized housing, etc.). (see my blog, label = cost_of_living)

- a modest house would probably be 3 small bedrooms (room for a double or queen bed and a dresser, sometimes w/ no room on one side to get out), 1 bathroom, kitchen, living room/dining combo, pila/terraza (a place outside to do laundry, usually w/ a double sink).  Unfurnished rentals *might* have some kitchen cabinetry.  Should have a sink, but nothing else - no fridge, no stove, etc.  It *might* have a 220 electric stove connection, but a modest house probably would not have a 220 drier connection.  It could have cement or possibly a tile floor, and probably a corrugated tin roof. Probably would have bars on the windows and doors, but might not have a gate. Higher-end apartments/houses would have cabinets and 220 for both stove and drier. They should have bars and gates. The easiest apartment to find is a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom. Most homes are *very* private (this was perfect for me, but took some getting used to for my husband).

- expat communities: only three? hmmm. Gringos (and other expats) pretty much live all over the place. Even places that have a reputation as gringo communities aren't 100% gringo.  For example, Escazu is often cited as such, but it is very much a tico town. It is expensive, but it was that way before "the flood."  The best thing to do is to list what is important to you, visit several places, live several places, modify your list, ask around, look around, etc. I've posted our list, and it certainly did change!

- definitely do your survey trip! do several! move down, and move around! don't feel that you have to make such a huge decision (where should I live - forever) based on what will end up being very little information.  Take your time. Coming in "spring" could be good (I assume you mean the USA spring ).  "Summer" here in Costa Rica has just started, and will end some time around end of April. May can be very wet, but then June/July rains let up a bit. August through mid-November is pretty darned wet (usually).