When looking for a property in Costa Rica, I am sure you all are aware of the things you need to consider “building wise”, yet Costa Rica has a wide variety of locations and although it is a small country, the diversity of advantages and disadvantages from one location to the other can make a huge difference: Access to commercial locations, safety, type of area, access to main cities, culture and much more.
The more secluded areas in Costa Rica may be the most peaceful and beautiful ones, yet that same seclusion can translate into big expenses in gasoline and car repair, not mentioning that the farther the location, the more security you will need both against wild animals and perpetrators. The available real estate listings in Costa Rica may not include this type of information, so make sure you ask the realtor before hand.
Lovely home for repairs: Say what!
If what you have in mind is a big property or hacienda like home, consider the cost of maintenance. In Costa Rica, weather can be a relentless enemy: rain, humidity, heat, dust and any kind of natural disasters such as earthquakes and storms will deteriorate your property. Proper maintenance may be pricey on big properties, especially if the location is too far away from main cities.
Cost of property in the main cities of Costa Rica can be pretty similar to beach homes. Costa Rica has a very neutral price range when it comes to real estate; main differences are seen depending on the location and the size of the property. If you are planning on living in the city, check for quality of services (electricity, water, telephone lines, etc). Telecommunications are very good in Costa Rica, yet some places do not have access or the coverage is a bit poor.
In cities such as San Jose or Heredia, there are very nice neighborhoods, but also some dangerous towns may be close to those neighborhood, ask questions about the surrounding towns and do not be afraid to investigate by yourself just in case; Costa Rica realtors will explain most of this information to you, but it is good to get second opinions as well.
