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Costa
Rica is one of the original overseas vacation, expat and retirement
destinations. It’s been welcoming expats for more than 30 years; a legacy of
the year-round warm weather, as well as longtime political stability and public
safety.
And it’s still going strong because the country continues to tick the boxes of those looking for their place in the sun. Plus, because of its long history as an expat haven, it’s easier than ever to start a new chapter in your life. Anywhere you choose to move there are plenty of services set up to make the transition easy, from getting household goods and pets down to finding a dream home on a tight budget to securing residence…and everything else. One of the biggest draws of Costa Rica is the ease of becoming a legal resident. It offers a great program for pensionados, or retirees. The main qualification is an income of $1,000 or more per month from Social Security, disability benefits, a pension, or similar source. One spouse must show that income, and then they can bring their better half along as a dependent. Of course, one of the biggest perks of residency is the public health system, known as Caja. After a monthly payment based on income (most expats pay between $50 and $150), you receive completely free care: doctor’s visits, testing, prescriptions, and even major surgeries. Public facilities are some of the best in Latin America. And there are no age or pre-existing condition exclusions—everybody can join. There are also private clinics, hospitals, and doctor’s offices located throughout the country. You can use insurance (most international policies accepted) or pay cash. But even out of pocket, costs are a half to a third or even less of what they would be in Europe or the U.S. for the same procedure. It’s just one way expats cut down on their cost of living. On a cultural level too, Costa Rica offers a lot. Ticos (as Costa Ricans call themselves) are happy, friendly people in general—polite, too. In fact, Costa Rica was named the world’s happiest country in the 2012 Happy Planet Index—it won in 2009 as well. They like to make friends with their new neighbors. And if you make an effort, you can quickly become part of the community and be invited to family gatherings—family is huge in Costa Rica— and town festivals. And you don’t have to speak Spanish by the way—just a few words go a long way. A smile is universal. It’s all part of the Pura Vida attitude that permeates living in Costa Rica. It means people work to live, not live to work. And above all they value time with friends and family. As a result things move at a slower pace…and expats soon adjust. |