Job Discussion Forums

Nilofer · Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 11

Folks,

Is it possible to survive in Costa Rica with a bunget of 450 USD per month?
Think cheap living arrangements, buses, weekly laundry...

I am thinking of moving to CR first and look for teaching positions once I am there. I am assuming I won't be able to get anything decent for the first 2-3 months and I will need to survive on my own savings.

Let me know and thanks in advance

glasshouses · Joined: 22 Jun 2007 Posts: 16

I don't think my wife and I life a fancy lifestyle, but when I read posts about surviving on the cheap in Costa Rica, I really don't know how you do it?
I worked in Peru for 1000US per month and I had cash enough to pay debts at home and live a fabulous lifestye (1996).
With the assumptions I made, based on my proposed salary here, I am often surprised at how pricey it is here. I have heard it likened to a smaller towns in the U.S. in terms demands on finances.
If you know all the places to save on purchases and you live with a roommate, it's much more doable. Depends where you're living here, I guess.
My salary runs out 3 week of every month and I have dipped into savings every month here.

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=56624

cocinero · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 6 Location: San Jose

Sure you can "survive" on 450 USD in Costa Rica. After all, there are people here who "survive" on much less. But that's all you're going to be doing, surviving and worrying about money all the time.

jprimm · Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 91

You can do it but it won't be fun on $450 a month...you will be just surviving and having to watch every penny and not be able to travel much.....People do, it especially the ticos, but they have a whole different system...you won't have that advantage...I would suggest getting work ASAP....Costa Rica is not a place where you can save money teaching English...if you want that go to Korea...