From the moment we began doing research on a possible Costa Rican retirement, we were immediately inundated with sales pitches from real estate agents who were trying their hardest to convince us to build our dream home in Costa Rica or (at the very least) purchase someone else's dream home.

As we soon learned, real estate sales is a huge business in Costa Rica and Gringos are it's most lucrative customer base.  We decided on a strategy of renting as opposed to purchasing.  For us, buying a house offered no clear financial or tactical advantage - so why tie up the cash?

Through a little bit of networking and some incredible luck, we found a very nice, single family home in the Central Valley, just 6 km north of the town of San Ramon. 

For only $600 a month, we get a fully furnished 3 bedroom house with a killer view of the Los Angeles valley.  Our rent includes electricity and lawn maintenance.  A far cry from what we were paying back in Charlotte North Carolina!

So as I said before... why buy?  In a year or two, Fran and I may want to move to the beach.   Now the decision is easy... pack up all our stuff, hire a few Ticos to move us and off we go. 

Now that's what I call Pura Vida!