costa rica tours cheap
costa rica, what is required of Americans to rent cheap?
My apt lease expires in Mar 2010. I was touring Costa Rica and loved it. I lost most of my income when the stock market crashed so I’m living on a limited income, retired, no family and alone. What is required of Americans to rent an inexpensive unfurnished studio or one bedroom apt in a safe area within bus or taxi range of the capital, markets, shopping centers? I previously owned a vaction house in Mexico so I speak fluent Spanish. Need to know rent rates, requirements, suggested neighborhoods??? Please help a senior citizen make this happen. Thanks for your comments.
Look at outlying areas, Cartago, San RAmon, Alejuala, SArchi, Naranjo, Atenas. All are about 1 hr from S. Jose. Avoid Escazu, Santa ANa, CUidad Colon- all are pricey.
Most have rentals aimed at foreigners but the rates are raised for them. So use the SPanish classifieds instead. If possible have a tico(a) friend make the first contact and get the rental rate stated before you go to see the place- otherwise once the owner knows he/she is dealing with a foreigner the rate will climb. Staying near schools and churches tends to improve security. USUally living near other government buildings also helps (health clinics, libraries, municipal storage sheds, etc).
Getting outside of the main area of any of the towns and into the barrios drops the rental rates a lot but local bus services also drop. You will have to compromise.
THere are increasing numbers of elderly foreigners that shares houses and apartments, split the rent. I would not like to do it myself but it often works out well. Be sure you are the legal tenant- the one who signs the contract- so if you want you can get rid of someone you can’t stand.
EDIT. Avoid hiring any body to help you find a place, especially the foreigners that offer property managerment services (especially true in Atenas- the place is clogged with real estate leaches).
Costa Rica: The happiest nation in the world