| However, buying property is a hard, | | | | is right for you or not. Plus, you will have adjusted |
| time-consuming, risky business one that can easily | | | | to the culture of Costa Rica and it is less likely |
| get you in trouble if you do not know what you | | | | you will be the victim of a bad real estate scam. |
| are doing. Plus, if you buy a place and decide | | | | If you are going to be traveling around visiting |
| Costa Rica just is not your thing, you will be stuck | | | | different areas it may be worth it to pay a little |
| there until either you sell the property which is | | | | bit more for a Costa Rica rental and rent |
| equally as hard as buying it was, and or lose | | | | apartments that are already furnished so that |
| money while it sits empty. | | | | you do not have to continuously rent the Costa |
| Given the lose renting laws that surround Costa | | | | Rica version of a "uHaul". Storage centers are |
| Rica's many condos and vacation homes the | | | | relatively cheap back in the United States or |
| simpler way to discover the country may be to | | | | pretty much any country, so if you decide to |
| simply rent a out a condo for awhile and see if | | | | permanently relocate you can always send for |
| the country is right for you. Rental agreements | | | | your stuff later. Plus, you are no longer able to |
| are pretty flexible and protective of the rental | | | | bring your belongings into Costa Rica duty free, |
| tenant. You can sign into an agreement with the | | | | so you do not want to pay taxes on everything |
| owner for any amount of time you wish, and if | | | | you own if you are not sure rather you will be |
| you change your mind there are no consequences | | | | staying in the country longer than a year yet. |
| except for possibly the security deposit if you | | | | The other consideration about renting in Costa |
| paid one. Also every Costa Rican property is like | | | | Rica is that most landlords will not allow telephone |
| a rent controlled apartment in New York City, the | | | | service with international calling enabled on the |
| rent cannot be raised on you for three years no | | | | lines. Therefore if you want to stay in contact |
| matter how long your rental agreement is, so | | | | with relatives and friends from home you are |
| even if you only agree to stay for three months, | | | | going to have to invest in a cell phone and an |
| you are locked in at the original rate you agreed | | | | international cell phone plan if you do not already |
| to. | | | | have one. |
| Take advantage of the freedom you have of | | | | Living in Costa Rica works out wonderful for |
| being able to travel around Costa Rica. There is a | | | | some people, and not so wonderfully for others. |
| lot to see and many different locations to try out. | | | | Before buying real estate and making a |
| You can see if beach living or city living sits better | | | | semi-permanent investment try living as a rental |
| with you and allow you to find out where the | | | | around the country first to see if it meets your |
| best restaurants, night life, entertainment, and | | | | expectations. If you find it to be an enjoyable |
| hospitals are located. Once you understand the lay | | | | culture in which you would like to stay, than |
| of the land it will be easier to decide if Costa Rica | | | | consider investing in real estate. |