Finding a home is always the first task when moving anywhere. In Cost Rica this can be a lot of trouble yet very rewarding. Most people who move to Costa Rica rent a home rather than buy, since there are some property issues when buying here. You can normally find a one bedroom home for around 60 thousand colones a month. This is equal to around a USD $120.
You can also find a three or four bedroom house with a Jacuzzi Bath for around 200 thousand colones or USD $400. Of course prices vary greatly depending on the area you want to move to.
What should you look for when renting a home in Costa Rica? There are several important factors to consider. First of all consider the area that you live in. Is it close to any major land marks? This will often raise your rent because you are paying for your location. Next make sure that the home has bars on all the windows and if you have a car make sure that your parking space is gated. These are better than a security alarm because in general when most thieves see how difficult it will be to break in they move on to easier homes.
Next, when in the home check on how clean the home is. Depending on how clean the previous tenant was it can affect how many bugs and rodents you will have in your home. Make sure that all electrical, cable, and phone outlets are where you would like them to be and where they should be, and working! Most homes in Costa Rica are constructed out of cement which means if a wire is missing or not where you would like it to be, there is no installing a new wire. If they try to install in new wiring, this can prove to be more of a headache than it is worth.
Also make sure that the drain for your washing machine is properly located since sometimes they install the drain on the opposite side of the room where the washer is located. It is also important if you buy a dryer that you make sure they have an electrical outlet installed to handle the power requirements of a dryer.
When examining a home make sure you look at the ceiling and walls for any signs of water leaks. Water leaks can be as small as a little water dripping in your bath tub to as much as well should I say “Noah’s ark”. Two ways to know if there is a leak is to look for any signs of mold. Due to the humidity mold grows rapidly here and is easy to spot. Also look for signs of water damage on the walls if you see any you can be almost sure there is a leak.
When looking for a home in Costa Rica our expectations can be very different than that of the Tico, so it is important to know what you want and what you are looking for before you go shopping.
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I PRESENTLY PLAN ON MOVING TO COSTA RICA IN JULY. FIRST , DO I TAKE MY STUFF OR SELL IN STATES. SECOND NEED A PLACE TO STAY , RENT , 24 HRS GATED COMMUNITY AROUND SAN JOSE OR HERIDA ,THREE BEDROOMS , HOTWATER. That is it , for moment .