| If you plan on heading south for retirement, | | | | floors, and granite and stainless steel kitchens. |
| consider looking south of the border. Some of the | | | | You'll also save on utilities in Costa Rica, which |
| best retirement real estate deals out there can | | | | typically cost 30 per cent less than in the U.S. |
| be found in Costa Rica, Central America's most | | | | The retirement home market in Costa Rica has |
| peaceful nation, located five borders south of the | | | | helped produce a variety of attractive 55+ |
| United States. Many retirees are choosing Costa | | | | communities, similar to those in the U.S. These |
| Rica for its natural splendor, warm year-round | | | | communities offer a wide range of beautiful |
| climate, and affordable cost of living. Buying a | | | | villa-style homes, carefully landscaped parks and |
| home in Costa Rica is also a solid investment, as | | | | greenspaces, and amenities like fitness centers, |
| more retirees enter the market, and demand for | | | | clubhouses, and gathering halls. Costa Rica |
| homes continues to rise. | | | | retirement communities are also planned with |
| As a resident of Costa Rica you'll feel like you're | | | | health and wellness in mind - residents have |
| on vacation year round, but without the normally | | | | access to assisted living services with trained, |
| high prices. The cost of living is much lower here | | | | professional staff. |
| than in popular U.S. retirement destinations like | | | | Becoming a resident of Costa Rica is usually easy, |
| Florida and Arizona, and even lower than most | | | | and can be done after to you move there. To |
| other Central American countries, particularly near | | | | qualify for the "pensionado" (retired) status you |
| Costa Rica's capital city, San Jose. For seven | | | | must earn a minimum of $600 per month over |
| dollars a day you can take the bus all over San | | | | five years, while a "rentista" card requires an |
| Jose, eat three restaurant meals, and take in a | | | | income of $1000 per month over five years. |
| variety of cultural attractions. | | | | Most of your research before moving to Costa |
| Homes in Costa Rica are also very affordable, | | | | Rica should focus on finding qualified real estate |
| with luxury condos and homes typically starting in | | | | brokers and agents to work with. A good real |
| the $200K range. For that price range, you'll find | | | | estate professional can put you in touch with the |
| homes with a wide variety of amenities, such as | | | | best deals quickly, and take uncertainty out of |
| pools, spacious patios, vaulted ceilings, hardwood | | | | leaving the country. |