Why Costa Rica Real Estate?
Culture
Friendliness to Foreigners
From the top down, Costa Rica values its relationship with other people from around the world. The constitution makes mention of foreigners rights several times. Much of the topics included relate to foreigners rights to own property and business. This open door attitude transcends all of Costa Rica. A social nation with excellent health care that is available for you. World class universities in which you can enroll in classes to learn Spanish or Costa Rican Business tomorrow. Costa Rica is a beacon of freedom and prosperity in Latin America.
Tourist destinations in other countries often have a reputation for pick pockets in the streets, or tourist traps and other scams. Street crime and violence against foreigners is not uncommon in many international destinations. In Costa Rica, it is quite different. You will find that the people are much more welcoming to gringos than in other countries in the region. Costa Rican's are very hospitable and are genuinely interested in learning about North Americans, and for people from the U.S., it is not hard to integrate into Costa Rica society. Crime against foreigners is extremely rare and organized crime is not present. It is always important to use caution in places that you are unfamiliar with, but Costa Rica is a place where everyone can feel safe to experience and enjoy.
Why Costa Rica Real Estate?
Culture
Education
Costa Ricans are a highly cultured and educated people: the country has a 96% literacy among those 10 years of age and up, the most literate population in all of Central America. Many Costa Rica's founding fathers, most notably the first president, Jose Maria Castro, were primarily educators who understood the value of education as a great facilitator of prosperity and brought this to Costa Rica government during its inception. In 1869, the country became one of the first in the world to construct an education system that was both free and mandatory. Schools were funded by the state's staple export revenues, coffee and bananas. When these policies were born only one out of ten Costa Ricans could read and write. By 1920 the over half of the population was literate and by 1979, 90% were able to read and write.
Over the last twenty-five years there have been strong advances in education. During this time, the Costa Rican government has invested roughly 30% of the national budget on primary and secondary education. President Figueres, elected in 1994, advocated policies to turn Costa Rica into a front runner in this technological age. By 1998 there was a computer in each of the nation's 4000 schools and compulsory English classes. The technological and tourist industries boom of recent years have been complimentary.
Elementary and High schools are available in rural and urban areas alike. Elementary school has 6 grade levels much like the U.S,. High school has a five grade level program. Each is divided in two cycles, and upon completion of each cycle, students are required to pass tests on all subjects studied during those years. The Bachillerato Tests are required to get the high school diploma required for admittance to Universities.
The first university in Costa Rica was established in 1940. Costa Rica is now home to four, world class, public universities and many small private colleges. The state-funded universities are prestigious and very difficult to get into. Opportunities have been created for adults as well to enable them to gain the primary or secondary diplomas if they had not already.
The University of Costa Rica (UCR), the largest and oldest university, enrolls some 35,000 students, mostly on scholarships, but even paying full tuition is not hard as it rarely surpasses $200 a semester. The main campus is in the northeastern San Jose community of San Pedro but the UCR also has regional centers in Alajuela, Turrialba, Puntarenas and Cartago. The National University in Heredia, offers a variety of liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies to 13,000 students . Cartago's Technical Institute of Costa Rica (ITCR) specializes in science and technology, and seeks to train people for agriculture, industry and mining. And the State Correspondence University, founded in 1978, is modeled after the United Kingdom's Open University and has 32 regional centers offering 15 degree courses in health, education, business administration, and the liberal arts.
Why Costa Rica Real Estate?
Culture
Low Crime Rate
The crime rate in Costa Rica is extremely low when measured up against other countries in Latin America. There are several historical factors that play into the safety and security of life in Costa Rica. The first level of praise goes to the Costa Rican people. Peaceful, cultured, wealthy and highly educated describe Costa Ricans. They are more likely to stop and ask where you got something than to try to take it away. People, especially tourists, hardly ever fall victim to crimes. Another reason for the low crime rate is the excellent domestic police force. Preventing organized crime and securing the boarders from drug trafficking are their main responsibilities. It is rare that they have any crime to deal with locally with the exception of some petty theft.
Regardless, ordinary safety measures should always be taken so abide by the rules of common sense. By no means should you ever leave luggage unattended, do not look like a target (a.k.a. wear too much jewelry), keep essential documents in safe places, and do not carry excess amounts of cash and steer clear of areas that are clearly dangerous or unsafe.
Costa Rica Real Estate FAQ Index Catalog
Why Costa Rica Real Estate
- Stable government; Currency,Infrastructure,Values foreign investment, Protects foreign investment
- Investment security; excellent lending market, ROI, low tax rate, intrinsic value, insurable title/home
- Healthcare; high-quality, high tech, inexpensive, easy access, insurance
- Economic; stability, foreign investment, government, investment potential
- No ownership restrictions; valued by government, no restrictions, same rights as natives
- Proximity to the U.S.; 10 major North American cities with a 3-5 hour direct flight to Costa Rica
- Culture; high standard of living, friendliness to foreigners, education, low crime rate
- Nature; beaches, rainforest, protected lands and species, eco-tourism, diversity
The Buying process
- Finding a broker; certified, experience, track record, language, area knowledge
- Calculating value; comparative value, asking price, investment potential, true value, municipal
- Purchasing; incorporation, appraisals, home inspections, attorneys, contracts, survey map, registration, notary, taxes, titles, closing
- Financing; mortgages, documentation, banks, property protection, using retirement fund
- Types of properties; stand-alone house, apartments, gated communities, condominiums, timeshare
- Building; land & title, permits, size, utility of land, civil engineer, architect, construction, contractors
- Protecting the investment; insurance, making claims, property management
- Oceanfront real estate; defined, taxes, usage, foreign ownership
- Common & avoidable problems; liens & encumbrances, expropriation, environmental & squatters
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Why Costa Rica Real Estate?
Culture
High Standard of Living
National statistics and the census bureau show it: The highest standards of living in Latin America with a purchasing power that is much greater than in the United States or Canada. Most importantly, people who experience Costa Rica are concluding that it has a fantastic standard of living to offer a property owner and real estate owners from abroad. One can live in luxury for a couple thousand dollars a month. The country is truly a bargain compared to most places in the world for retirement, real estate prospectors and developers and second home buyers.
Expatriates and real estate owners from abroad have found that Costa Rica's high standard of living offers a lower cost of living. Costa RIca has a foreigner friendly government, steadiness politically with low levels of violent crime, a low cost of quality medical care and prescription drugs, a very stable real estate market along with the gracious Costa Rican people and culture. Those on a fixed income like a pension, social security or investment interest experience a higher standard of living and get more for their money than they can in the United States, Canada and Europe. With pleasant temperatures year round, there is no need for heating. All of the modern conveniences are available in malls and stores throughout the country. Roads are paved, homes have satellite TV and high speed internet and the water is safe to drink.
Costa Rica's health care is first rate. Life expectancy in Costa Rica is near the top in the world. Education is first rate with two major universities and a 98% literacy rate. Costa Rican culture is full of history and pride. Those who visit or live in Costa Rica who are from abroad marvel at the "Pura Vida" life style that Costa Rica brings.
