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Many who are visiting Costa Rica for the first time are pleasantly surprised at the high standard of living in Costa Rica. A huge factor in the influx of Americans relocating to Costa Rica is the standard of living in Costa Rica they are able to obtain for far less than it would cost in America -- in fact, someone making a mere $2,000 USD per month would be considered quite well-to-do in Costa Rica and would be able to live a lifestyle that would never be possible back in the United States.

There is nothing you could be leaving back home that cannot be found in Costa Rica, and in virtually all cases, people in Costa Rica can enjoy the same luxuries for a mere fraction of what they think they will cost. Costa Rican living is hardly any different from that of any country in North America or Europe -- minus all the stress and commotion, of course.

Beyond maintaining the same standard of living in Costa Rica that you were used to back home, you can easily and affordably upgrade your way of life after moving to Costa Rica. For example, a typical maid in Costa Rica earns about $1.50 USD per hour; if you paid $2 USD per hour, you would be seen as a generous employer, while really getting your whole house cleaned for very little by American standards. In fact, at this wage rate, you could employ four Costa Ricans for less than the federal minimum wage for one person in the United States, while knowing that your employees were able to live comfortably on their salaries, too.

Need modern appliances? Broadband, high-speed Internet connections? Cellular phone service? Costa Rica has the infrastructure in place to meet all the needs of the 21st century, and a significant percentage of the population is already connected to the latest technologies. Costa Rican life may be calmer and more peaceful than what you're used to at home, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your creature comforts for a little quiet!

The standard of living in Costa Rica is very high, and most foreigners are thrilled to learn that they can live an upper-class life on a middle-class salary by moving to Costa Rica. For those investing in Costa Rica, the rewards are even greater, as you can live an upper-class life in Costa Rica and make an upper-class income by American standards on the returns you'll reap from your investment properties!

by David Lovendahl, Costa Vista Marketing