Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: One Quart of Knockoff Brand Motor Oil at the Home Improvement Store = $12
When people think of Costa Rica they imagine palm trees, ocean vistas, and hammocks.
Expatriatism promises a simpler lifestyle that doesn’t include a cubicle or constant texts from bosses and coworkers.
After spending a little time back in the United States, it appears that Costa Rica has become the “go to” place for anyone wanting to escape and live as a castaway on some far away beach. Most of these folks seem to fit into one of three groups.
First Group of Runaways: The Criminals
I watched a variety of NCIS shows, and somewhere in the script they inevitably discover that the criminal is planning to board a plane to Costa Rica. Other prime time shows have their character—usually a Wall Street financier— skipping out on his firm and disappearing into the heart of the Osa Peninsula. If any of these TV shows are based in truth, my husband’s crazy security plans must be working. These hooligans have not come to my doorstep as of yet.
Second Group: Political Idealists
I’ve recently learned on Twitter that Rush Limbaugh once stated he would move to Costa Rica if Obamacare passed. Now everyone is asking him to follow through on his promise. I’m not sure why he picked Costa Rica since this country has a socialized healthcare system, but maybe he is searching for a happier life. If that’s the case, he’ll find it here.
Third Group: The Hopeful
Others hope that moving to Costa Rica will change them for the better.”I don’t know whether I should get sober or move to Costa Rica,” one woman wrote on Facebook.
I vote for both, preferably the former first. It’s a bad idea to pack poor habits when relocating to a foreign country. It’s stressful enough getting used to intermittent utilities and avoiding pot holes deep enough to break a tie rod. As for tie rods, ours seem to be holding up. And from what my husband tells me, they should be fine for a while since we can’t start our car. He has been a steadfast optimist since the day we met.
I remember him once saying, “Not only do we have a septic tank issue, we will soon have no water. One problem sort of solves the other, doesn’t it?”
Rob is an unwavering “septic tank half empty” kind of guy, always looking on the bright side when faced with crapper adversity.
My Conclusion
What have I learned from this recent visit back to the States? The stressed out want to move here, as does the guy who stole your grandmother’s retirement fund. Political radio personalities have picked this country as their exile when boycotting presidential agendas, while others hope to make better choices and shed their addictions with a change of latitude.
All I can tell you is that I was one of those individuals who was burnt out from the rat race. Maybe that was my addiction as well. It’s easy to become a workaholic. It can sneak up on you disguised as the American Dream. The interesting thing about my journey is that I still have a strong work ethic, however it has taken on a more creative form. What I have discovered is that when I do creative things, work no longer feels like work: I finally feel like I have a life that fits.
If Rush Limbaugh does move here, as long as he sticks to discussing the incredible birds that land on his porch, he’ll be welcomed with the same Costa Rican spirit that I was. He may even become my neighbor, and I’ll show him my favorite snorkeling spot.
So if you’re starting to feel stressed out, just keep calm and move to Costa Rica. It’s a great escape. Or if you’re looking for a lighthearted adventure story, read Happier Than A Billionaire.
If you haven’t gotten your septic tank issue fixed, I’m reminded of the tip that someone gave me in case I bought a home that had one. They said to flush a pack of yeast each month. Not sure if that works since I didn’t end up with a home with a septic tank, but might be worth a try.
Now that we are building our house, we put in a special system that utilized all the water for the garden. I feel good that I’m conserving water, and hoping that my septic tank issues are in the rear-view mirror.
Would love to do it. Takes lots of money though doesn’t it?
It all depends where you plan on living here. We lived in Grecia for about $1000 a month, but that was about 4 years ago. The beaches are about 20%, sometimes 30% more. Just like anywhere else in the world, there are more and less expensive towns throughout the country.
Hi Nadine, I feel like I’m one of those stressed out Americans who idealizes a life abroad while sitting here and typing this from my work laptop. At any rate, this is fun to read. I am practically ashamed to offer a small correction – you meant to say “tie rod” instead of tire rod.
Thanks Matt! I tend to make up names for car parts. “that thingy” or “the do-dad piece” is my usually vocabulary for all things car related. Whenever I make a mistake, I’m always hoping for the kindness of strangers to alert me of them.
As for being a stressed out American, I know how you feel. When I look at my first book, and see how I started it, it’s amazing how stressed I was, and how much I needed to get out of the rat race. I appreciate you following my nutty journey. I’ll be building a house soon, so perhaps you can also follow me in the psychiatric ward, because I’m surely going to end up there after it is all said and done.
Hola Nadine,
I had to reach out because we are moving to Costa Rica this summer! We are a family of 5 plus our dog, Scout (a golden retriever) and we plan to spend at least one year there. Any advise for us? I just finished your first book and loved it- both entertaining (super funny) and also informative! One question is burning in my mind because it’s a concern for me at this point…. What do you do with your dog when you want to travel?? It seems that you did quite a bit of traveling that first year and did not have to take him/her with you. As much as we enjoy the idea of traveling with Scout, we also want to feel like we have some options to travel without the additional logistical challenges- whether it be for pleasure or our required 90 day visa excursion. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Cameron, I don’t think you will have a problem finding someone to take care of your dog. There are always people available. It is a very friendly country and you’ll make a bunch of friends along the way.
What Rush said:
So a guy calls up and says, “If all this happens, what are you going to do?” And I said, “Well, if doctors are not permitted to opt out of the government insurance pool and so forth, Medicare, Medicaid, whatever it is, and if they’re not allowed to establish a private practice with private sector patients paying their own way, then I’ll go to Costa Rica.”
Well, that has been turned into I’m going to leave the country for Costa Rica and move there if Obamacare passes. I’ve had all kinds of reporters: “Are you serious? Do you really mean this?” So I’ve had to patiently explain today to people who do not bother to stay informed on this stuff what the genesis and the primary context of my comment was. I said, “Look, there are insurance companies who don’t want to be put out of business.” We’ve talked to them on the program. I’ve talked to them privately. They are establishing health care clinics with quality doctors in places like Costa Rica. They’re going to continue to sell policies to people who have the ability to fly down there and get treatment. If I have to get thrown into this massive government health care insurance business and end up going to the driver’s license office every day when I need to go to the doctor, yeah, I’ll go to Costa Rica for treatment, not move there. So they’re just in a tizzy out there, between Costa Rica and Eric Massa. So — (laughing) — it’s going to be a fun day. Heck, it already is a fun day.
It’s all very funny how he threw in Costa Rica. So random, so ridiculous.
Most third world countries offer the good the bad and the ugly. I happen to be Asian who’s live in the US nearly 40 years but has made preparation to move back to my birth country. Whether you choose to go to Costa Rica or where I came from just make sure you know exactly why you want to transport yourself to a less hurried way of life and in exchange know the things you have to give up for it. Also that you have enough funds for the relocation. And research the culture the politics and the people’s mind set as they will somehow directly impact the quality of your life.
I agree. That’s why I make sure to present both sides in my books. Living as an expat may not be the right decision for everyone, but it was the right decision for me.
I’ve learned a lot from your blog. I’m trying to figure out which category I fall into.
LOL… I think most fall into the third. But I’ve met quite a few interesting people down here!
I came for the dollar beer, but I haven’t found it yet.
It’s worth the search Bill!
So basically your on a Beer Run-eh?
LOL. More like find-a-hammock run!
Wouldn’t “septic tank half empty” be more optimistic? LOL!
You are certainly right about that Mike. I’m a more “My septic tank has runneth over” kind of gal. I immediately think the worst and Rob constantly thinks the best. We make quite the team.
This is great, and so right on. Costa Rica sure does attract lots of different types, but many do fit neatly into one of those categories. I fit into the same one as you, the ‘escape the rat race,’ though I too find myself working a bit more here than I expected. Writing about beautiful beaches, amazing hikes, and wildlife is definitely better than writing about the law though, that’s for sure! Great post, Nadine.
I understand how you feel. Although I liked being a chiropractor, it’s nice to not talk about degenerative disc disease a hundred times a day. It was just time to move on. And although I am still working as are you guys, I believe it’s the weather and blue skies that make everything so cheerful. There are so many difficult things here you need to adjust to, that without these palm trees, I might get grumpy. But even with a malfunctioning septic tank, I can still see the bright side of things.
Always love your posts – can’t help but giggle a little.
Thanks Ann, I strive to get a giggle out of you!
Very funny post! Rush better not come to Costa Rica. I am moving there to get away from him! I am becoming very calm and will see you soon as a neighbor you will love to be friends with!
LOL… I can be friends with anyone. Just as long as they are not complainers. You can complain, I surely do. But if you are one of those people who just seems to hate everything and everyone, it will be hard to be friends.
It’s a nice change to read a post that does not seem to be plugging something. The other gets stale. I enjoyed this a lot!
Thanks One Fly!
Great post, you always keep us giggling. – from a North Carolinian hopeful of expatriatism:)
I giggle a lot down here, not as much when there are septic tank issues, but I have been known to laugh at those as well!
Folks living in Belize tell us how they don’t like expats working there in jobs native Belizean people can do. Is Costa Rico more accepting of outsiders working in their country? Do you need a work permit?
You cannot take a job away from a Costa Rican, so working here without work permits is illegal. The work permits cost a lot of money for an employee to apply for one, so you really must have some skill that they cannot find anywhere else. It is legal to open a business, and that is what I find most expats do.