Posts tagged Month Of The Year
You Know You’re a Local When
Nov 28th
Time moves more slowly in Costa Rica
Moving to another country is an exciting adventure. There are so many new experiences and customs that require adaptation. For a new arrival, Costa Rica has its quirks, many of them endearing and others bewildering. But after a few months, all those cultural eccentricities don’t seem so strange anymore; in fact, they feel downright normal. And that’s when you’ll know you’re a local.
1) You’re not surprised that a new SUV costs as much as a house. In many Costa Rican towns real estate is still inexpensive, starting at $50,000 for a simple three-bedroom home. New cars, on the other hand, are costly since they’re subject to steep import taxes. The good thing is that they depreciate very slowly, so you can sell a late-model vehicle in Costa Rica for about double its Blue Book value.
A properly wired shower head is perfectly safe
2) You’ve gotten used to “Tico time.” Life moves a little slower in Costa Rica and sometimes this means appointments are broken or people show up late. You know that “ahora” doesn’t actually mean now, but “later.” When you’re a local, you acclimate: if you want someone to arrive at 8 p.m., you tell him 6 p.m.!
3) You think January is the best month of the year. Forgotten are blustering winds and snow-covered streets since blue skies and warm temperatures characterize Costa Rica’s dry season, which runs from December through April. The new year brings cooling breezes and a bright sun, but the landscape still retains its rainy season greenery, making January the favorite month of many.
No fear !
4) You know better than to ask for someone’s house number and street name. Costa Rican addresses are relative to neighborhood landmarks. A typical address reads, “From the church, 100 meters north, 25 meters east. The blue house on the right.” Once you’ve adjusted, not only do these directions make sense, but you can find the blue house.
5) You pepper your sentences with the phrase “pura vida!” Costa Rica’s unofficial motto translates to “pure life” and, more than anything, it’s a way of life. It symbolizes the Costa Rican idea of letting things go and taking it slow. You’ll use it as an answer to “How are you?” or to say “Thank you” or “You’re welcome.”
6) You kiss your friends. In Costa Rica, it is customary to greet friends and acquaintances with a kiss on the right cheek. In practice, this is often an air kiss and is usually accompanied by a light hug. After you get used to it, this may be one of your favorite Costa Rican customs.
7) You love your “suicide shower.” Many homes in Costa Rica use electric showerheads that heat water on demand. Though people often refer to them as “suicide showers,” the truth is that a properly wired shower is very safe. They also save you money on your electric bill, since a hot water tank is unnecessary.
Relaxing on the beach
8) You dance in the streets. Costa Rica is a vibrant country, and it’s not uncommon for stores to have giant, street-front speakers blaring cumbia, merengue, or salsa music. Even when you’ve had a bad day, these upbeat rhythms will put a smile on your face and, maybe, a dance in your step.
9) Bugs don’t bug you. This can be a difficult hurdle to surmount, but Costa Rica’s insects don’t always respect closed doors or your personal space. Locals deal with these tiny intruders in different ways, and none of them includes hiding or climbing on top of the table. If you’ve really gone local, you may even let the spiders stay on the walls – after all, they’re nature’s pest control!
10) Stress? What’s that? Almost every expat I talk to says that Costa Rica is good for the soul. After an adjustment period, residents learn to take life slower, be more patient, and relax. It’s hard to be stressed when swaying palm trees, tropical breezes, and beautiful views surround you.
Why Costa Rica Real Estate is Hot at the Moment
Oct 19th
Anyone considering the purchase of a second home in a global destination should consider the purchase of property in a country like Costa Rica. The current real estate prices in the county are currently low but the fundamentals, market forces and the available statistics show a potential increase in prices in the very near future.Buying Costa Rica real estate now means taking advantage of the future because the signs are quite clear that the current real estate boom in the country is set to continue or a very long time to come. The information listed below shows the reasons why the purchase of real estate property makes perfect sense.
People who bought property less than two decades ago for a mere $30,000 are currently selling their real estate property in the region of $1 million and above. Some big time real estate investors and some small time ones are currently making a lot of money from the Costa Rica real estate boom and every day much more individuals and businesses are joining the fray. Price increases constantly make double digit percentage increases on an annual basis and big shots like the Marriot Corporation which is a strong investor in Costa Rica are taking big time profits in the country.
One of the major reasons why property prices have been on the increase is that Costa Rica is attracting a huge influx of property buyers every other month of the year. Prices have risen as much as three or four times what they were just a decade ago.When you compare the geographical location and the benefits of the Costa Rican economy, the current prices of real estate are cheap compared to what is obtained in other economies. You can get beachfront property for just under $70,000 and we’re talking of lovely beaches here. You only need to compare the equivalent prices for beachfront properties in locations like Arizona and Florida to understand the relative difference. You can visit http://www.costa-rica-real-estate-guide.com for more information on Costa Rican real estate.
Whenever you consider purchasing property in Costa Rica you need to take a specific look at whatever it is that you’re buying especially the infrastructure of the property. Infrastructure is what improves the value of a property in one area or the other. Certain infrastructural changes will result in an increased value in any property that may be located in that region. Changes like these may include the construction of a freeway, marina, airport or any other such institutions that will change the local economy of a place.It is essential that when you’re purchasing property you should make such purchases ahead of the rest of the pack and before the infrastructure in question has been finished. Doing this will help you take advantage of the increase in costs just after the infrastructure in the area has been completed. Location is an important property whether you’re trying to purchase this property in Costa Rica or anywhere else for that matter. You should take advantage of this factor before you think of anything else. Buying property in Costa Rica is relatively easier than buying property in most other jurisdictions.
