The Best Places For Expats to Live in Costa Rica | Where To Move in Costa Rica

To anyone watching. Sarah is absolutely right. You have to do your own research first. Decide, not only where you want to live, but what you also want to be near. definitely a good idea to also see the country first hand, because each area can be so different in geography and in climate.

[@hoot2741]

Wonderful video! I love what you are doing. It's super helpful in the very stressful decision of where to move to. Thank you!

[@costaricaforexpats]

This content is so useful for expats! Watching from Costa Rica and loving the advice.

[@sedricj5345]

Thanks for the information. Costa Rica is one of the places on my list to consider. Empty nester status is on the horizon.

[@barco581]

My heart is in the Central Valley. I would probably pick someplace like Heredia. Close to the best restaurant scene in the country, San Jose activities, SJO, etc. Yet, still has a lot of green in areas and great views. And the Central Valley makes a great base for exploring various parts of CR-it is basically the transportation hub of CR with a spoke network. Sarah, curious, have you ever lived at higher altitude in CR like San Gerardo de Dota? Nighttime lows into the 40s!

[@josue1983]

Nice place, even myself as a Costa Rican would love living there. Weather is way nicer for me.

[@glennr9913]

Costa Rica is surrounded by water. Where are the best places to live if you enjoy boating? I'd like to find a place that is convenient to a marina where I could keep a small runabout (not a yacht). Or, better yet, I'd like to have a home with my own dock. Are there areas where people have docks? Maybe on a river or a protected bay? I want to be able to get out on the water and explore, fish, snorkel, or just cruise around with friends & cocktails. Boating is great fun, but I never see any videos mentioning communities with water access. Maybe you could make an episode about boating in Costa Rica.

[@mayangoddess9949]

Thank goodness I'm holding a Central American passport in my briefcase. And... Thank goodness that my darling daughter is married to a Costa Rican citizen with family members who are living in Costa Rica for generations. EOM.

[@jeffsim4191]

Thank you for the great overviews!

[@truefriend5332]

Hello Sarah, Thank you for this quick overview.

[@BethanyDearborn]

A couple of questions for you if I may...1. Do I remember correctly that you had decided at one point to leave/move out of Costa Rica, or am I thinking of someone else? 2. I am currently researching the area a couple km north of Puerto Viejo...are there reasons you can see why that might not be a popular option? Thank you for all of your information!

[@josephdennehey4126]

Thank you!

[@susanherndon5967]

I've read a lot about the many creatures (bugs) here. Are they abundant in the houses on a daily basis?

[@joeponder9668]

Google Nauti-Luz Beachfront Villa…. What is your opinion of this area? We have been there and love it but it is very Tico. I’ve been looking at building a small spot just east of that area maybe 10-25miles.

[@MattKrivonak]

Do you only work with clients relocating? Do families ever purchase second homes in CR?

[@samuelsmith5773]

How do we communicate and coordinate a move? We’re leaving the US: why should I hire you; do you provide references; and how do we coordinate a scouting trip? I’d like to come down in Jan 2025: will a month be enough? I’d like to be there fulltime in 90-180 days maximum. How do we coordinate?

[@rondavis6662]

Just an observation. Why do you never talk about Limon or that side of the country?

[@SarahElenaDesignsLife]

@@rondavis6662 it’s one of the least popular areas for people to move. I can do a video speaking about why someone might or might not move there.

[@NewPalm]

Limon is the least popular area to move for a certain clientele base that uses Sarah. If you visit other Facebook groups, there are tons of others that move to the Caribbean side. I've been following Sarah for almost 4 years now, but I also follow other Facebook groups that focuses on the east side so that I can get a perspective from both ends.

[@gentryhunter7004]

Is there a fully developed beach town?

[@SarahElenaDesignsLife]

@@gentryhunter7004 what would you consider fully developed? Perhaps Jaco, Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio would be considered that

[@RandyMoore-pp1tg]

Is there a link or video for a scouting trip?

[@SarahElenaDesignsLife]

@@RandyMoore-pp1tg yes! You can check out info at lasarahelena.com/scouting-trip

[@jeffsim4191]

Im doing some tentative research ahead of time before booking a scouting trip with you. .. have not been able to find a consolidated list of places with international schools. Suggestions on where to look? Figured that was a good way to eliminate a lot of places to move to straight away.

[@SarahElenaDesignsLife]

@@jeffsim4191 I actually have an excel document with the most popular ones for most areas! We do share that during the scouting trip sessions that we do with people to help them narrow down areas for the trip ! Other than our own excel I don’t know of another list.

[@jeffsim4191]

@@SarahElenaDesignsLife ok sounds good Sarah.

[@SarahElenaDesignsLife]

@@jeffsim4191 it also depends what type of school you’re looking for. But main areas would be Central Valley, guanacaste, central pacific (Jacó Manuel Antonio) and South Pacific. Uvita/Perez Zeledon

[@melgreenberg2299]

I'm a little surprised and disappointed that you said nothing in favor of the Arenal area!

[@SarahElenaDesignsLife]

@@melgreenberg2299 very nice area for sure but not suitable for most people that I’ve worked with personally. Too far from major medical, no private schools for kids, too far from airport for some people and other amenities. That’s my guess as to why it’s not as popular. But for some it’s a perfect place! Remember that some vacation spots aren’t ideal for living for some people.

[@billiondollardan]

Costa Rica is a funny place. I help teach oral surgery with a group I've been with since 2012. We did several courses in Costa Rica as the owner of the company had a contact who helped him with the dental board there. Turns out the guy didn't have any contact with the board and they shut us down on a trip I didn't attend. It was pretty wild. They pulled up to a place where tons of patients were being treated with cops and ran everyone out according to my friends. Also on one cab ride to Alajuela, I was chatting with the cabbie who pointed down the road like 4 blocks from the hotel and said, "Go down there if you want drugs or anything. Gangs control this street and they probably won't kill you because you're a gringo." Cool beans

[@SarahElenaDesignsLife]

@@billiondollardan 😳😳 that is wild! But it doesn’t surprise me

[@nikkiburbage]

Welp, here in the US, especially here on the East Coast, we can show you the same places lol... plot twist- that's everywhere!

[@jeffkravitz9109]

You mentioned too many places.

[@Cherie7233]

So she’s saying ‘Don’t call me and waste my time if you don’t have Money’

[@danig9324]

Well, ya. Do you do your job for free? Can't fault her. This is her business and she's already created a ton of free content

[@glennschwoyer519]

Sounded more like don't call me unless you're serious about at least visiting

[@pharmacistmichael7820]

what is wrong with you?- as a 40+ year resident of costa rica ( ex Peace Corp) .I have lived in the Lake Arenal area for over 40 years. I have seen MANY people move from the beach to Arenal- I have never seen anyone move from Arenal-unless they were leaving the country (usually for personal,family reasons).We don't have wet/dry seasons-there is a cooling rain all year long except for two short periods.We have the second safest place in Costa Rica-according to a recent study.Do I want everyone to move to Arenal (by Lake Arenal ) ? NO! I'm just offended by our lack of even a mention ,and by your lack of preparation.Do your homework.I'm sure we all love C R