USA TODAY: …In Costa Rica, most people are attracted to the Central Valley for the great weather (an average temperature of 72 degrees), proximity to private hospitals, entertainment and better shopping, says Christopher Howard, owner of Live in Costa Rica Tours (liveincostarica.com), which offers a 10-day group tour for $2,100 a person and $2,900 for a couple, which includes hotels, most meals and transportation around the country, but not airfare.
Both medical care and domestic help are much less expensive in Costa Rica, he says. About 20% of the people on his tours decide to move there, says Howard, author ofThe New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica. “It’s not for everybody. It’s a big change.”
Howard, who has written guidebooks about several other Latin American countries including Nicaragua and Panama, says, “The bottom line is if you have $1,000 to $1,500 a month to live on, then you need to go to a place like Nicaragua and Panama to save money.” … (more)
EDITOR: Prior generations of retirement strapped Americans moved to Mexico. Now they are headed further south. They often live in communities of fellow retired Americans.
