RETIRE IN SUNNY COSTA RICA

Are you as stressed as I have been at times? Shoulders tense, eyes burning, headachey?

Close your eyes for a few seconds, just long enough for the image of the computer to fade.

Roll those shoulders a few times.

Take a few deep breaths.

Now…start pondering what YOUR perfect living situation would be.

Would the temperature be mid 70′s to mid 80′s every day but cool down at night? With trade winds to naturally air condition your home?

Would you like to be with in an easy drive of white, grey, black, and beige  beaches?

When you wake up in the morning, do you want to hear birds, feel tropical breezes moving through your curtains and across your body? Do you want to start the day with organic coffee, fresh fruit, organic eggs, home made bread hot from the oven? Perhaps a touch of local honey on that bread..

When you walk to your window  what do you want to see? Lush green mountains, orchids, butterflies, hummingbirds…

Do you want to live a little bit out in the country where you step outside at night and see a million stars in absolute stillness or in the heart of the city where you can walk to everything?

If any of this resonates with you, consider San Ramon, Costa Rica.

We have spotlessly clean 2 bedroom apartments in great locations starting at $300 a month and prices go up from there. Price depends on:

Location, size of rooms, how modern the kitchen and bathroom are, how large the yard is, the view. Ocean views are the most expensive. Large tile baths with both showers and tubs and double sinks will increase the price, especially if there is one in every bedroom, and yes, a number of homes are built this way. Large kitchens with lots of cabinets and granite countertops  will also increase the price but they are available.

I recently saw a property that had a spectacular mountain view, with TWO homes on it for $150,000. You could live in one and rent out the other. One was brand new and the other was just renovated and had a lovely fireplace. Both had 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. The yard was small. It was 8 minutes outside of town, but one minute from a paved road. This type of property should sell quickly, as the owner said he was motivated and would negotiate.

A lot here sells from 20,000 to 300,000…all depending on the size and the view!

So if your dreams are now of Costa Rica, please call 506-500-Sunny   for a rich life in Sunny Costa Rica.

Or “How to Live in San Samon on less than $10 a Day” and love your life.

Plan A.

1. Lets start with rent. You can rent a fully furnished room with private ceramic bath, two meals a day, Internet, cable, Magic Jack and gym membership for $200 a month. These rooms are within walking distance of everything so you wont need a car or a taxi. They also come with a large walled in patio for contemplating the beauties of San Ramon. They also have a few cats and will feed your cat premium cat food and include Kitty Litter in the rent.

2.Spend $50 a month for a membership in the health insurance program or for private insurance.

3. You now have $2 a day for entertainment. On Wednesdays, first run movies at the Mall are less than that. You can have a coffee and a pastry for less than that. You can take the bus to the beach for the day.

4.Books. Join a local English speakers group and attend their book swaps. Books are free and you get to take home the same number of books as you brought.

Plan B

1. Live where you work. This essentially is a free way to live. And you will find yourself working whenever you feel creative, a real plus.(middle of the night, early morning, etc).

2, Hire a cook. I did this yesterday. She lives next door and used to own a restuarant. For $3 a day she brings me a LARGE plate of food (enough for lunch and dinner), heavily leaning towards fruit and vegetables, all home made of course and delicious.

Plan C

1. Move in with friends. Depending on the number of friends and the lavishness of the house, this could be anywhere from $50 a month on up.

2. Divide the household chores and cooking chores and costs. Cooking costs are less with a group and will probably run you $50 amonth for a group of 4.

3.Share a car. Share the expenses of the car. Again, should run you about $50 a month depending on how much YOU use it.

Hope this gives you an idea of how very inexpensive it can be to live in San Ramon!

So my sister has returned to Minnesota and I am left to reflect on her visit.

It was fun even beyond what I had imagined to share with her all the little places I love here, and to discover more. We had adventures, we had misadventures. We had sister fun. There are some videos of

Deb at the beach in Costa Rica

karaoke from her last night here that will never be shown on the internet.

On the way to the airport, I asked her what she liked best about San Ramon, Costa Rica, as a place to relocate or retire. I thought she would mention all the things I love (warm people, great food,  beautiful weather), but her top pick was that she feels it is the land of opportunity…a great place to start a business. She has had her own business before and she and I are going to be providing tours here for San Ramon Homes Rent or Buy. . She is just delighted with all the options for that.  She said that San Ramon feels like the United States in 1980….open for business.

I am glad she feels that way because it will encourage her to move here. But I also said to her as we approached the airport, “Just in case I did not spell it out, I am really happy here.” And she laughed and said that it was very obvious.

For me wealth has always been about happiness. If money cant buy happiness what good is it? And happiness is about living joyfully in the moment, with good friends, good ideas, good books….oh…and a very soft cat.

Costa Rican soft kitty