| Even people from the US who have lived in Costa | | | | exactly as they did 'back home' in an area as |
| Rica for a few years seem to have forgotten all | | | | similar as they can find to the place they lived in |
| about the cost of living 'back home.' | | | | 'back home.' |
| When I interview people, the majority of people | | | | But seriously, if you live in an area known as the |
| are saving serious money living in Costa Rica but, | | | | "Beverly Hills of Costa Rica" you're probably not |
| a few have told me that the cost of living for | | | | going to pay rock bottom prices for anything, |
| them is not much different than the cost of living | | | | right? |
| where they used to live in the USA. | | | | There's nothing wrong with having your creature |
| I remember one conversation well because a lady | | | | comforts but if you insist on buying lots of |
| from Florida was complaining about the prices of | | | | imported food products instead of locally grown |
| some of her favorite, brand names foodstuffs | | | | foods, then you'll pay through the nose for it. |
| were much higher here than they are in Florida. | | | | If you buy your fruits and veggies from the local |
| I suggested that if she bought imported food | | | | market you'll get fresher food and be healthier for |
| from the US then the cost of shipping to Costa | | | | it, you'll have to practice your Spanish and get a |
| Rica, insurance, paperwork and the import taxes | | | | real feel for Costa Rica, you'll save a small fortune |
| obviously have to be added to the price which | | | | and you won't be given your stuff packed in |
| would certainly make them more expensive in | | | | forty seven Auto-Mercado plastic bags that are |
| Florida and I also asked her... | | | | clogging up the world's rivers and oceans... |
| | | | Not Living in the Beverly Hills Of Costa Rica - |
| 1. How much did she used to spend each year on | | | | More like the Little House on the Prairie. |
| property taxes in Florida... | | | | Last Saturday we visited an attorney in small |
| 2. How much did she spend on health care? | | | | coffee producing town about 2 hours from San |
| 3. How much was spent on flood insurance and | | | | Jose to try and find a solution to a sticky, legal |
| hurricane insurance? | | | | problem faced by the foreman who's built our |
| 4. How much did she pay for air conditioning? And | | | | vacation home in the mountains. |
| in comparison with her cost of living in Costa Rica, | | | | For one full hour this attorney listened to us, |
| you know how much she was saving? | | | | offered numerous intelligent suggestions and we |
| Just over US$25,000 per year... | | | | eventually drew up a plan which will thankfully |
| I had a similar conversation earlier this week with | | | | extract Juan Carlos from this situation and, ensure |
| a gentleman originally from California and I don't | | | | that his assets are protected. |
| know about you, but if you could put an extra | | | | Question: Do you know how much this attorney |
| US$2,080 per month in your pocket, wouldn't that | | | | charged us for this one hour legal consultation? |
| put a smile on your face? | | | | Answer: 5,000 Costa Rican colones which as of |
| We know dozens of people living in Costa Rica on | | | | today is the equivalent of about US$8.66 - Less |
| less than that ... | | | | than ten bucks for one hour with an experienced |
| It seems to me that the people that complain the | | | | attorney. |
| most about the cost of living in Costa Rica are | | | | I love the cost of living in Costa Rica. |
| the expats who come here and try to live | | | | |