I grew up poor in Central Florida in 60's & 70's and we had no ac & roaches in old frame homes. I lived with a Costa Rican mountain family for almost two weeks in 93 and they owned what I considered a nice home, but some in the rural areas weren't more than wooden shacks. The key I've learned in my 66 years is when you start dwelling on what you don't have is to stop and start thinking about all the blessings you do have!

I lived 30 yrs in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 and pretty much resembles Costa 🇨🇷 in so many ways. High costs of electricity, bad roads with pot holes, crazy driving, concrete 🏡 some with AC or not- we used 3 pedestal fans and had ceiling fans, hot humid weather, blackouts and inefficient water supply are some of the things I have endured. I am a minimalist , and I feel I can adapt to CR very easy since I already have that experience from my beautiful 🏝 Lower expectations lead to better perceptions.

I want to add that my family already knew we wanted a Tico style home in a Tico Neighborhood with no hot water. We knew this before making the final move here. We wanted to go back to basics and SIMPLE LIFE. WE found our place and love it even with the imperfections!!! OUR Tico neighbors are wonderful and becoming our friends. No HOME Is perfect. WE couldn't be happier

Sarah, I spend several months in Costa Rica every year, and you described it like it is. Lower your expectations and enjoy your time in Costa Rica.

Your video is totally ON POINT!!! I was there last year in April for 7 days & totally fell in love ❣️ hence, I went back for a month a year later. ..March 15 ~ April 15th, 2022 . Your delivery was 💯 chic, keep it up , stay real for your viewers❣️

One of your best videos, IMO. The message is an important one. Great examples. Well done and thanks.

"YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR." This saying ALSO applies to Costa Rica ! We lived in CR for 5 years, and found out : (1) houses are not well insulated; (2) most homes do NOT have A/C; (3) electricity is expensive; (4) most rentals do NOT include furniture and appliances; (5) most homes have tin roofs - which are NOISY when it rains; (6) there is no "zoning" - your house may be next to a chicken coop; and finally - (7) GET USED TO IT - you're not in Kansas anymore !

Great video - thanks for waffling on and avoiding getting to the point. Since there is so much free time in the day, this was very enjoyable. Keep up the good work!!!

First time watcher! Great info 💯

Great video Sarah, we have been living here in CR almost a month and YES to everything you said !!! We love it but we don't have expectations!!! Thanks

Having traveled to CR a couple times, the other thing that takes a bit to get used to are toilets. More specifically, how you handle toilet paper. It doesn't get flushed down the toilet. You put it in a wastepaper can and dispose of it like trash. When I asked about this, I was told that plumbing standards in CR are a bit different from other parts of the world and are not really designed to handle TP. _That_ took a bit of getting used to. That said... my wife was born in Rhodesia and grew up in Haiti. I've traveled with her to both of these. Believe me, CR is orders of magnitude nicer in terms of typical accommodations compared to either of these. Comfort and quality of life are all relative and gratitude and contentment smooth over a lot of small inconveniences! Many thanks for a really informative video! J

You nailed it, Sara!! I like it thst way.

Great video Sarah! Funny too...I laughed out loud a few times. Thanks for the grounding information so we won't be surprised. :)

Thanks for this video Sarah! I'm from Queensland Australia, so I am very used to all kinds of creepy crawlies. We have vicious mosquitoes which we refer to as the "Queensland Air Force"! So this aspect of beautiful Costa Rica doesn't bother me at all 😁

You're pretty easy on the eyes and I love your attitude!

Great topic Sarah, and so true! This is our second rental since our move 2 months ago. The first was modern and had a huge pool. This one is more Tico style. We have a couple of lizards in the house, some cockroaches (which kinda give me the heevie jeevies, but I’ve accepted), and a little crab even found his way in😆! But we absolutely LOVE this home, the area, and the neighborhood!

Love this! Ty! 😊

Absolutely brilliant ! Have lived in several countries and you are right on the mark Will be contacting you re home rental, once I know my plans Love your videos

Good advice. I think people really do themselves a disservice when they decide to move to Costa Rica without ever visiting first.

I'm just starting my planning. So excited but so much to plan for!

Absolutely love your videos... I have thoughts of becoming a resident but need to visit first. Not sure everyone will understand about bugs... Grew up in South Florida (crazy but not the level of crazy it is today) and they have lots and lots of bugs, snakes, etc. When people in California complain about bugs I just have to chuckle. Was curious about the humidity and also have seen some scary showers in some vids about housing. I was already a subsriber but just turned on my bell too....

Very informative Sarah. Just to add, if something is advertised as unfurnished it could be really unfurnished. Like no refrigerator or oven even. So to your point, it is super important to ask.

I really enjoy your delivery, so I just subscribed.

Awesome video Sarah!

I applaud you for doing this video!! Please spread the This PSA!!! American standard and amenities is COSTLY HERE

Great video Sarah. I’m moving to Costa Rica to get my life back to reality and lead a more simple life. If that comes with a rental that may not have everything I’d like, so be it. As you’ve said before, when you rent for the first time, start with a 3-month term. If you like the house, the area, the weather the apartment then maybe you can rent it on a longer term, if not, go find another place more suited for you. Do your research. There are plenty of videos out there on KZfaq that show and explain a typical style Tico house and what in general they may look like inside.

Make sense is a rainforest country and if you paid for luxury you will get it . I ‘m moving to live . 👏🏼

Great video as usual. Some people are never happy and should stay where they are!

Great topic Sarah!

I am a Tico and an architect and what he says is so true, but if it applies a lot to houses near the beach or mountains, in the city it is more common to see other things but you will have to travel 3 hours to go to the beach, I hope that can make a house, so he does it to his liking, I hope you can do it.

Good info! Thank you!

I've rented a very modern 3 bedroom 2 bath house for the last eight years near Grecia.

i love the electrical panel inside the kitchen cabinets

Great, honest description of Costa Rica!

Hola Saludos desde san Ramón de Alajuela Costa Rica.Que tengas una linda estadia en nuestro país.

Made of concrete because of earthquakes, wooden houses would fall down after an earthquake (at least 3-4/year). Not so much because of temperature, This is coming from a CRican that lives in the US. Something else is with $350 - $400k you can pretty much buy a luxury home in many places in CR. Cheaper than USA.

Thanks, Sarah!

It would be super helpful to show examples of houses ,prices...and schools.. To have a more clear idea of what to expect

Washer and dryer was kitty bought at Bestbuy

Loved the good and the bad of our trip! We will be back, really enjoyed our time there. Even our outdoor laundry facility. I found doing the laundry that way very therapeutic. Definitely could live there. But I love bugs, and nature!!

I am surprised that you had to post this video. You must have had a bad day/week. lol. I'm sure the info is appreciated and important by/for many. :)

GREETINGS FROM COSTA RICA..! 🇨🇷

I love point 1

Use Axion for cleaning your dishes. It works.

What are hoa fees?

If those little things are important to folks, they can just spend a little money and have them put in. It's a lot easier

Thank you for this video :) in terms of lease and rentals agreements and deposits - how does rentals work typically in Costa Rica ? Is it different with envy property or there is a standard ? Do we need a bank account to transfer rent is it cash ?

Great video Sarah , Concrete does not rot like wood and is faster to put up And you didn't talk about flushing you toilet paper down the toilet in some places big no no

How about efficiency apartments in/near San Jose? (furnished)

Hi Sarah, my husband and I are from Canada, sold everything we owned and crossed the border into the U.S. and are now in Florida for 3 months and plan on coming to Costa Rica to find a permanent residence where it is warm, and close to beach, safe and secure area. We have 2 small dogs 1 is 8 pounds and the 2nd is 5 pounds, will we have any problems at customs, they were vet checked and up to date on all shots in March. Sorry I should have explained we want to fly there soon with our two pups where can we reach you Sarah to help find our new home? Thanks for your expert advice.

Everything is bigger in the US on average. If a traveler is complaining about things being different in another country, he/she may not be a good candidate to travel. Maybe just stay home where you’re guaranteed to have your comfort levels met. If you’re willing to settle in and tolerate difference, get outside and enjoy Costa Rica! Pura Vida😉

Ants n bugs is one thing, snakes and scorpions is another, always look around especially at night, be aware of small tight places like between the rocks or cracks in the ground or house foundation or under planters, from my own experience in La Fortuna (not in the town but outskirts) I’ve seen plenty of both all around the house (I lived in the woods on the road to waterfall) I’m the guy that doesn’t run away from them, I’d try to catch every one I’ve seen including coral snakes and ones caught an albino scorpion under my porch, but in most cases they will try to get away from you unless you step on them or corner them, but ones I was chasing one snake with a broom trying to catch it and it got into a weird position and JUMPED at me, or sprang, if I didn’t have the broom in front of me it would spring at me, so if you are like me come on down to Pura Vida land and enjoy awesome Costa Rican nights when you can see all kinds of snakes crawling, huge beautiful moths and bugs attacking light bulbs, amazing views for star gazers and UFO chasers

It's always the same thing in every country. You pay for what you get. And depending on your luck you get a bit more or a bit less for what you pay sometimes.

The only thing you mentioned that I am struggling with is the houses with bars on the windows. Ive even seen barbed wire on the walls/fence around the house.

Hi Sarah we are a family of 5 we want to move to Costa Rica life in the USA is more difficult every day with so much polarization could you recommend us something

How difficult is home buying in CR?

Binge watching without popcorn! I watching at 1.25 x video speeded up.😀

Hi Sarah, I have a question for you, if you had some money to invest say 500k, would you buy lower priced properties and rent them out or would you buy a house that was more expensive and rent out? What would be the best bang for your investment? how much are houses compared to their rental potentials? Thanks Sarah

Sarah, I notice you don't mention on KZfaq nor do you reveal on your website your consulting fee schedule or mention costs in general. You don't work for your clients for free I can assume. What is your fee schedule? People would have more interest in your service if fees are revealed upfront. Thanks.

I noticed that most of the homes I saw had no venting in the attics...sealed up tight.

Great video! ++Car parking situation?

Could you do a video on car rental options

Just curious why you moved so many times? And what are Tenant Rights like for long term renters?

You have moved so many times is there a particular reason for most of the moves? Are you always looking for a better deal?

Hi Sarah. Would you recommend buying a home or condo? Some of the HOAS fees are steep for condos. I hope you’re well. Thanks

So finally house look more like European houses Concrete tile small appliances…

What is a price range for house rental on beach or near beach?

You forgot: Many (most) homes here don’t have grounded outlets. Nor GFIs in the bathrooms. Getting a little shock when you plug in your hair dryer is not uncommon. They put 1.5” instead of the standard 4.5” waste pipes so you can’t flush toilet paper. No exhaust fans in the bathrooms so they always smell a little moldy. Exhaust fans over the stove with no exterior vent so it just spreads the smoke throughout the house. Many homes with no plumbing P-traps so the smell of sewage comes up through the sinks and shower. They rarely (like never) slope the terraces/patios away from the house so water just puddles rather than draining. Not putting Costa Rica down. I live here. But it is what it is. And building standards are nothing like in the Western world.

why have you moved so often?

Well, i'd disagree with the standards of houses you'd find where you live, i think it's pretty much the same for every country, you get what your budget can afford, if you want a house like the US, then you'll need to pay a US-like rent with a plus because of the point you mentioned as well: Concrete. Houses in Costa Rica are made of reinforced concrete, because of high sismic activity, and they are built to last for even centuries, thats why they are the same or even more expensive than the houses in the US. Bugs are more common the closer you get to the coasts, i'd advise not to kill the little lizards or the spiders as they help to get rid of the most annoying bugs. So at the end, if you don't want any hassles, then you can rent a nice condo, but expect to pay up to 20k a month.

Can you get an American style 2 bedroom for 1000

Can you work instacart or Uber eats without having residency?

Concrete is needed because of earthquakes. Costa rica is humid and few houses have central AC. Carpet would be a muggy humid mess. Unless you live in a fancy neighborhood, gated community, with 24x7 security and an armed motorcycle patrolling and video cameras, expect bars in windows because petty theft is common. Doors/windows not shutting perfectly should be repaired (be advised diy culture is much less prevalent in CR). Gsrbage disposals are a real rarity in CR. No hot water to kitchen sink feels cheaply made imho, look elsewhere. It's actually a rarity to get appliances included in rental. In the name of profit, they'll cheap out and get smaller ones. They are more expensive since they are imported. CR is alive. Like, you can't sit anywhere for 3 minutes without something crawling on you. "Pest control" is not a thing in CR. Infestations should get controlled though, but don't expect outdoor pest control to be an easy service to procure. Real houses will have dryer hookups but it is seen as a luxury. Great video, thanks for doing it!

omg you SOO prettty can I rent and live with you? 😆 love from Guanacaste 🇨🇷

The info you provide is a 10 and your beauty a 12

Wait until they find out about the powerful sewer system, and disposing of tissue paper. 🇨🇷

Thanks for all the advise Sarah! We here in Santa Teresa and loving it :) here’s our latest vlog kzfaq.info/get/bejne/iJt3fd1_ydvJnKc.html

whats youre point

God your gorgeous so what would 125k get you and what part in Costa..wait I need hot water everywhere I hope the landscape is flat and not too hilly it's what I was going to say

I do like my suicide shower, just to take the chill off, yes it was wired correctly by a friend.

clients annoying lately with their unrealistic demands? 🤣

Be aware Costa Rica law system encourages squatters. I have been fighting for my home for a year and the system have not help me at all. The system remove all owners rights and gives your home to the squatters. Contracts don’t have any value in this judicial system

Hard watching foreign economic immigrants, give advice when they don't know Costa Rica is in fact, In North America.

Hi Sarah, my husband and I are from Canada, sold everything we owned and crossed the border into the U.S. and are now in Florida for 3 months and plan on coming to Costa Rica to find a permanent residence where it is warm, and close to beach, safe and secure area. We have 2 small dogs 1 is 8 pounds and the 2nd is 5 pounds, will we have any problems at customs, they were vet checked and up to date on all shots in March. Sorry I should have explained we want to fly there soon with our two pups where can we reach you Sarah to help find our new home? Thanks for your expert advice.