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Jpipes61 wrote:

Expat Dave,
total rookie, in fact still in the starting blocks, possible already stretched but not sure and there are 23 miles to go.

re: the "nice cost of living on 1500 - 2k a month. 

Being a spoiled american brat,  Yea I am practicing before arriving.   We are planning on buying a home for the and then not have home payments.  I can hardly fathom 2k a month,  but is that "middle america middle class type living or is that budget conscious coupon clipping type living,   and please these are not meant to be stereotypes , but honest questions trying to comprehend. 

I have visited many times with the thought always resting in the back of my head - One Day.   And it looks as if that day has the chance of becoming a reality.

Thank You in advance for your time,  and I love this blog so far.

Joe

Hola Jpipes,

Welcome to ´ó¿§¸£ÀûÓ°Ôº!

As it sounds like you've read, your cost of living will depend on your lifestyle and whether you can pay cash for a house.  As long as you don't have rent or a house payment, I would say you can live comfortably on $2,000 per month.  Again, just depends on "your" lifestyle.  That's about what I live on each month.  Nope, I don't coupon.  Plus the fact that there's no such thing here.   

Once you're here a while you will learn how to live more frugal if you are like most or the average Gringo.  You can't really compare what the average American spends compared to living in CR.  It's not the same life.  In North America we have it in our minds to want bigger and better.  You're constantly bombarded with commercials for new cars, restaurants, bigger houses, etc., etc.  You don't have that here and don't need it.

Once you're here, IF you assimilate, you will understand.  It definitely has to be experienced to really fathom.

Happy to help answer any questions you may have.

- Expat Dave

GinnyP wrote:

Hi all
What's there to do during the week, horseback riding, tours, ect..
Day time and/evenings
Any suggestions?

Hola Ginny!

One of my favorites for horseback riding and zip lining on the same day is: 

It's priced at about $100 per person but it's an all day thing.  You ride horses up a really nice trail for about an hour or so and then zipline down and repel down many waterfalls.  You're on zip lines for about 4 hours - guessing.   At the end they provide a meal as well.  I've done it a few times there.

During the rainy season there's also some nice whitewater rafting - class III & IV rapids.  They say that they will be running class V as well but that's only during heavy rains and I don't know that I'd trust the guides here with class V.

Night life:  As Kohlerias was saying, this would be for the most part in the larger cities.  Best way to experience them is to go with the plan to spend the night.  Depending on where you live of course, but it's easier if you've had a few drinks and for me I don't like driving at night here at all.  Many sections of the roads between San Jose and my house do not have lines on the road.  Driving at night is not safe.  Most of the local on-line newspapers will list what happening on the weekend on Fridays.

Have fun!   

- Expat Dave