Don’t Cross Costa Rica Off Your List
Not yet, anyway. Costa Rica began attracting retirees over 20 years ago, at a time when would-be expats didn’t have as many choices as they do now. Meanwhile, Panama, Belize and other countries have opened their doors to foreigners with liberal residency programs, while Costa Rica’s residency requirements are tighter than they once were.
Costa Rica is still beautiful, however, still lush, still filled with an almost unimaginable variety of flora and fauna. The people are still friendly and can boast a literacy rate of about 95%. (Having decided in 1948 not to have an army, the country has been able to budget more funds for services such as education and heath care.) The health care system, which is free to Costa Ricans, has been praised by the World Health Organization. The New Economics Foundation ranks Costa Rica 5th worldwide in its “happiness index.”
It’s still possible for U.S. retirees to live here, albeit modestly, on social security or a pension of just $1,500. Those who can afford a luxurious lifestyle will find numerous new developments, many of them along the Pacific. The expat population is mainly concentrated in teo areas: the Pacific area and the central highlands in and near San Jose.
True, many roads still have ruts and potholes, but a new highway connects San Jose with the Pacific Coast. Many U.S. companies have opened factories or branches in Costa Rica.
Is Costa Rica for you? You won’t know until you make a visit, look around and meet others who’ve chosen to live there.