Hi John,
Thank you for participating in the forum, you will get an email on any topics you subscribe to as a member. You are automatically subscribed to topics you start. Here are some answers:
I too am interested in rental properties & drew a blank at the Dutch Realtor site.
Most of the rentals on the site are vacation rentals at the beach, or commercial space, our realtors specialize more in sales as a rule. That is why searches for rentals in the central valley may return no results.
Currently pay 6000Bt amonth (152.777USD )for a large modern detached house with 3 bedrooms. Outside BKK the rental rate would be 3000Bt/month....Maximum.
Maid: $100 a month and she works 6 days and 6 hrs a day.
In Costa Rica good rentals can be found from $200 to $3000 USD per month. It all depends on what area you are looking to live in and what amenities you want in your home. If you want a modern "executive" home in the nicest areas of Escazu or Santa Ana (where most expats live), then $1500 to $3000 per month is normal. If you would like a country home a little off the beaten path, then $300 to $600 is a good range. You can find homes in the city for as little as $200 per month, but these would be older, Tico style homes (could be 3 bedrooms or larger) and in middle class or working class areas.
Live-in maids here earn about $150 per month plus 11% the employer pays for the universal health care coverage, remember you must pay an extra month's wages in December, which is like vacation pay. They may only work 6.5 days per week and less than 12 hours per day. They do get at least a half day off on official holidays and 15 days of paid vacation per year.
Can that be matched in CR?
It seems to me that Thailand is more comparable to Nicaragua than Costa Rica. Living is Costa Rica is cheaper than living in the US, particularly dining out, cultural activities, any cost of labor (like mechanics, maids, caretakers, accountants,etc.) and groceries. But is not cheaper than countries like Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatamala.
Most expats that choose Costa Rica, aren't necessarily looking for the absolute cheapest place to live. They appreciate the lack of armed insurgents, the lack of violent organized gangs and kidnappings, also the stable democratic government that has been in place for over 150 years and the fact that most Ticos are relatively wealthy. Not that poverty doesn't exist, but it is isolated, not extreme poverty and not something you are confronted with on a daily basis.
They also like the friendliness of the local people, Costa Rica's environmental efforts and universal health care. There is a very large expatriate community, that has been growing or stable for the last 20 years, so a wide variety of conveniences are available. Also Costa Rica's popularity means that a wide variety of homes and developments are available, all very similar to what you would find back home. Depending on where you are coming from you may find homes very cheap or about the same.
