How do I find a place to live in Costa Rica?
We asked expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered...
"I traveled all over Costa Rica after purchasing a home in Ostional and not being happy. I stayed in San Jose, Arenal, and along the beach towns of the Pacific coast. I then went to an area that was not revealed in all of the social media and publications to see what it was like and stayed at an all inclusive in Tambor. This area was like a diamond in the rough to me. So, I "stumbled" upon it, just traveling around and getting to know Costa Rica," said another expat in Paquera, Costa Rica.
"I was basically told in what area to live. Most expats live in Escazu, Santa Ana or Rohrmoser. Then I went with several agents to look at possible apartments. After that you start haggling!!! (Hagglig is essential. I have seen houses come down from 4500 USD a month to 2500.)," wrote a member who made the move to San Jose, Costa Rica.
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Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Costa Rica?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Costa Rica?
- Will I be able to find a job in Costa Rica?
- What is life like in Costa Rica?
- What do expats in Costa Rica appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Costa Rica?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Costa Rica accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Costa Rica like?
- What are healthcare services like in Costa Rica?
- What are medical services in Costa Rica like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Costa Rica?
- What are emergency services like in Costa Rica?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Costa Rica?
- How are local medical facilities in Costa Rica?
- As a foreigner living in Costa Rica, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?
How do I find a place to live in Costa Rica?
If you live in Costa Rica, newcomers to Costa Rica would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC is one of the Founders of InternationalTravel.ai and serves as Co-President of Expat Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange and InternationalTravel.ai, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.

