While the cost of living in Costa Rica has been steadily increasing over the past decade or so. But it is still an affordable haven for any expat looking to move overseas.
Moving to Atenas, Costa Rica, will give you a much nicer setting and lifestyle for a better price, on the same budget.
Rent Budget
You can expect for a single person living in Atenas to have a monthly budget of at least US$1,700. This is an average expected cost for bare bones living in a two-bedroom apartment.
For a more comfortable lifestyle and depending on whether you are moving to Atenas, Costa Rica, as a family or not, you can expect to have a budget upwards of US$2,000 per month.
It is possible that your budget may surpass US$2,500 per month. However, this would only be if you are eating out all the time, partaking in costly entertainments, and spending all your leisurely time outside of the house.
A two-bedroom apartment in Atenas, Costa Rica, will run you about US$1,000 per month. This depends on the area you are living in, but generally the closer you get to the city center, the more expensive it will be.
The price will also vary based on if you are looking for a furnished place or unfurnished (typically around a hundred dollars cheaper).
There are places in the mountains that run as high as US$3,500 per month. These apartments are less affordable, but nicer and in a much more heavenly setting.
You can also find places for as little as US$500 per month closer to the town and still very nice.
Meanwhile, if you are looking to buy a small apartment in Atenas, it runs about US$200,000.
A bigger space, with more luxurious amenities (pools, views, more acreage) will cost upwards of US$350,000.
Utilities
Your basic utilities (water, gas, electric, TV), including internet, will run you around US$150 per month.
There are plenty of ways to lower your budget, although some amenities are so affordable it’s hard to wonder why you would put them aside. Household help will only run you US$3 to US$4 an hour.
Entertainment
A nice three course meal for two people is still cheaper than most places in the United States and will only set you back around US$40.
Meanwhile, if you are looking for a local choice, you can easily find traditional meals starting at US$8 to US$10.
All in all, it is still one of the cheaper destinations in Costa Rica, and the cost of living in Atenas is extremely affordable.
The high range of the monthly budget in Atenas is comparable to the lower ranges of a monthly budget in the United States. So, it is easy to see why moving to Atenas is a great choice.
In short, you get a much nicer lifestyle, in a much nicer environment, for a better price.
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