Job Discussion Forums

[cherry cake]

Hi there -

Im looking to take the Maximo Nivel course in a month or so, they are in San Pedro area of San Jose.

Can anyone recommend a good hostel that is safe, clean, social but not crazy and close to the school that would be around $4-500 ($15-17per night) for the month for a private room w/bano? Must have free Wi-Fi too

I would consider an apartment as well, but think I might like the social aspect of a good hostel when I need a break from studying, not to mention they are usually good resources for so many other things.

Im not interested in a family stay through the school and the housing prices the school offers especially for hostels seem outrageous to me when I look on the internet and find places for 1/2 the cost! I would rather make arrangements on my own and negotiate a better price directly with the hostel off of a personal recommendation.

If you have website and/or email information for a few places I would love to know.

Outside of that and I know this is a long shot...but would anyone know of a good gym and/or yoga studio that would also be relatively close? I know I may not a have all the time in the world during the course to indulge myself but I would at least like to have the option!

Thanks in advance.

[breezee369]

hey i have a question about accommodation too...

how much is it to rent an apartment with a bathroom, hot water, maybe even a balcony???

do you pay monthly in costa rica?

any info about cost of living in regards to accommodation would be muchly appreciated.

cheers

[Justapirate]

You can find rooms for rent by looking in the online listings in La Nacion.......Costa Rica's only real newspaper for listings. You should find lots of them. Your problem will be that you won't know the neighborhoods mentioned.

In general, finding student type housing is not difficult. San Pedro is the home of U.C.R. and you can probably find something with a San Pedro address. If I were to recommend just one neighborhood to a student coming here for the first time....it would be San Pedro(There is more than one university in San Pedro)

The same goes for apartments...check out La Nacion on the Net.

San Pedro is one of the easiest place to get around...and to get around from in Costa Rica...period.

I rent a REALLY nice house with three bedrooms and 2 baths for $600 in San Jose(but I know my way around). You can find lots of places, unfurnished, for $250 and up. Unfurnished means no stove either....really just a bathroom! and two bedrooms....

Furnished places do cost more. Renting with a private family can be much easier than going it alone. Just getting a phone can take forever if the place doesn't have one(forever means forever)

[LaineK]

Hi Cherry so how is it no that you have been down there a week?

[jprimm]

Checkout Craigs List...There are a couple of temp. places that are excellent and will cost you around 300 a month. They are houses with rooms. I stayed in an excellent one in Vargas Araya, The school should also be able to help you.

[cherry cake]

Hi there -

so far everything is excellent! very glad I made the decision to go with Maximo. I put up another post in the CR section with more details about the school and how I felt about the program. Youll be happy with your choice!

with regard to living arrangements for the course or perm after the course if you are staying on... I had great luck finding a place on craigslist. I opted not to go with thru the school for an apt. and was able to find a fantastic roommate situation about a 10min walk from the school in a house.

good luck!

[carrizales]

I just put down the deposit for a course I'm taking with EBC International, so I'll be taking my course in San Jose. I arrive Jun 28 and I don't know exactly how long I will be staying. How did your course go? Are you already done or about to finish? Do you think you'll be getting a job right after you finish the course?

[carrizales]

also what hostel did you end up staying at and how much was it a night? I was thinking of doing the same thing, i dont feel like staying with a family nor getting or sharing an apartment.

[cherry cake]

The course will be finishing up the end of this week. As mentioned above Im very pleased with the decision made to go through Maximo for my certification.

With regards to living arrangements - as I also mentioned I found a place on Craigs List to live about a 10min walk to the school. If you want to stay in a hostel, that would probably run you more $$ then an apartment but that is of course your choice. Casa Yoses was one recommended to me before and is one that I know Maximo recommends as well.

The jobs depend on the school and the timing of their courses. Some look to hire every month and others only every few months - really depends. plenty of people in my class are looking for work and interviewing right now - others like myself are planning on coming back in a few months but are laying the ground work now so it will be easier to return.

good luck!

[carrizales]

you should direct some of your classmates onto here. I'm hoping to start working as soon as I'm done with the course.

[OleLarssen]

For you guys looking for a place to stay I recommend a homestay. It will give you a great introduction to Tico culture, help your Spanish, and give you a basic social network.