Job Discussion Forums

night_owl · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 3 Location: California

I'm looking for a furnished apartment with a kitchen in Costa Rica (or Mexico, Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua, Lima... anywhere in LA) for $100-$200 per month. I don't expect anything swanky, just a decent place would be great.

I've seen some posters write that they've survived in nice digs for as little as $100 a month! Where can I call directly to get an apartment? (and avoid any agent's fee!)

Comida por favor · Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Posts: 9

Try the xelapages.com site Good luck!

Adios,

Guatemala gringa

Paulie2003 · Joined: 29 Mar 2003 Posts: 541

You probably could...but who'd want to!!??

Carina_Cisneros · Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 1:25 am Post subject: In Honduras, try...

In Honduras, try the English-language paper, which has a pretty decent online version. Many places are foreign-aid/Embassy/Rich-Retirado, etc. condos, but there are a few others too. I found my place in the capital via this paper. I paid L3600 (just under $200) for a gigantic, somewhat furnished place, with a balcony overlooking the city, up near the historic park La Leona. There are cheaper places, but you will not get much by way of location or "decency" if you opt for them in the capital. Everything changes as you get away from Tegus or San Pedro. Smaller city Nicaragua is better than smaller city Honduras or Guatemala, in my opinion.

Paper online = http://www.marrder.com/htw/

twoface · Joined: 12 Nov 2004 Posts: 31

When I was in Chapala, Mexico (a gringo community) in 1997 I was offered, and had a friend that lived in, a bachelor apartment which was fully furnished in north american standard furniture for $125 USD per month. There was a guy across Lake Chapala who we called Canadian Joe who told me that I could rent a three bedroom house near his for $40 per month. Personally I was paying $300 USD per month for a fully furnished brand new house. Many other of my friends and acquaintances were paying similar rates. I can't believe that prices are that much higher today. Just check out the local bulletin boards in the local food stores and pharmacies.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

In Mexico the most I have paid for a furnished house is the equivalent of 200 dollars.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

$100-$200 is probably a little low for major urban centers, but sounds right for smaller areas. You will need to adjust your standards down as well...dn't expect a beachside villa or American style apartmet for that price. As long as you know what to expect, you sound to be on the right track.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Not so fast. I had a decent furnished bungalow right above the main beach in Puerto �ngel for 2,000 pesos (180 dollars) a month.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I love Puerto Angel...that is a good price too.

I'm trying to make sure the OP knows what to expect, generally speaking. From experience, I've seen that many people from the US, Canada, and other countries tend to expect a little much for very little.

gambasbo · Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 93 Location: Cochabamba, Bolivia

And I was renting a really luxurious apartment with an outdoor swimming pool and 3 bathrooms for 300$ a month. Bolivia must be one of the cheapest places to get rented accommodation.

Mike

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

lol...the newer gentler Mixteca Mike! Where are you from humble peon?

Flo · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 112

You can definately find a furnished boarding house or a room in Peru or Bolivia for less than $100 a month, but not in Lima. In addition, you will still need extra money for food and other expenses. I lived in Peru for a year, lived very well (by Peruvian standards), and never spent more than $300 a month. You could easily live on less if you had to.

Twisting in the Wind · Joined: 20 Oct 2003 Posts: 571 Location: Purgatory

You could also stay at a pension in one of those countries. Back in my backpacking days, I spent as little as $1 (Yes, $1 a day) for a room in Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia--whoever said that Bolivia is the cheapest country is indeed correct. I ate in Bolivia on the street for .50 a day.

Staying at a pension rather than an apt. has its benefits. For example, you can stay at the colorful, notorious Hotel Gran Casino in Quito, Ecuador. It's a labyrinthine maze of rooms of various size with a restaurant right downstairs. No need to pay for water or cooking oil or anything. And there are other travelers around for safety, if you're concerned about that sort of thing. Hotel personnel to answer questions for you about the city, etc....

Another colorful place is in downtown Guatemala City, the Pension Meza, where Fidel Castro stayed when he was in Guatemala in the early '50's.

Those two places would cost probably between $2-7 a day making lodging about $200 a month, and if you spoke to the management they might even give you a break on the price for staying a longer time. They always did for me!

Instead of plunging right into living in LA by really being on your own vis a vis renting an apt or house, maybe first getting your feet wet by staying at a pension might be the way to go.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946