My dream is to work on my garden

@Slims8up

Hi John.  That is an excellent Plan!!   Or... should I say... attitude. You'll fit in well here.

You should easily be able to get Pensionista Residency in CR... the minimum 'proof' of SS benefits is $1000/month... so you are good to go. The only thing that could possibly stand in your way would be the inability to get a 'clean' FBI background check.  If you have Residency, you won't EVER have to leave here; and you'll be required to join the National Healthcare system (Caja)... which isn't too bad. Currently they are making 'newbies' pay into a CR Pension plan regardless of getting pension from abroad.   It adds about a $100 to your monthly Caja payments.

You won't live like a King on that $2K... but I've been living on, around, $1000 a month plus/minus because, basically, I'm low maintenance and a do-it-your-selfer.  I own... so I pay no rent. Yearly property taxes are around $225 for me, on 1500 sq. meter land with concrete house.

I live rural... but not Remote... 30-minute car ride to nearest small city and all amenities... but I have no car... I use public transport... there are numerous  daily busses from my village to Quesada, San Ramon, and La Fortuna.

I grow some food and experiment in the garden constantly...  the 365 day a year growing season and immense amount of rain means that even a moron could have a green thumb.

Buying a 'shack' is doable... but know that even shacks here are sometimes made of concrete... cooler and less maintenance.  If you are a handy man... you can buy a fixer upper for a steal... so come down and start searching!!  Away from the central Valley and the coasts will usually deliver lesser priced options... and Tranquility.

Have you looked at the classified ads for central America??... they are called Encuentra24 ... worth a look.  The site can be a little 'wonky'... but eventually you'll navigate it.  If anything... it will introduce you to what kinds of prices are to be had in particular areas... and what kind of homes or properties, you can get at those prices.   From there, you can expand your research.

A little advice... make a Tico friend ASAP, or at least, while still stateside, find a Spanish Speaking friend.  Best to have a 'native tounge' ask about property prices; etc.  While I was here on my initial search, I had a Tico make all the inquiries and he never mentioned that it was for his friend the gringo.   Not surprisingly, prices as listed, suddenly dropped Dramatically.   Just a thought.

Good Luck to you.

Thanks for the information I really appreciate it now that I made a friend, Right! I really like the gardening thing and want to buy my sugar shack lol! No really What would you need or could you put down a down payment to pay less living costs do they have mortgages over there. And what town would be the best to keep from being bored if that's possible. I am also a diabetic I would like to have good medical service. You know I busted my ass all my life to get ahead taking jobs that I got all cash for the moment to keep up with the way of life here in the United States. I love to work I just get tired and ache a little more than I did 5, 10, 20 years ago I think I'm admitting that I need to retire, but I think like I'm a mofo when it comes to construction lol! Yeah that's right! Like I said before if I could live or afford to retire here I would and I would work but I can't give the quality or attention that is expected here in the United States, I have to worry about paying my bills I want to be aware I know I'm good with my social security and just help people maybe for a dollar or two or just to keep from getting bored. I like what I do now I'm a handyman I like to meet new people, I love my work. I am booking a flight here the next week or two to Costa Rica to get there sometime in February. I understand that there's Twilight affairs that leave here late at night and arrive there in the morning but as I look on the plane flights I cannot find any You have any recommendation how I should do this. Thanks for putting up with me I hope to get to meet you someday.

Thank you, John Cruz.

@Slims8up

Hi John.  I will try to answer as best I can.

1)  If you are inland and not inside a big town or even medium town... but just outside of it 5-15 minutes where you can have a somewhat 'rural' setting and still benefit from the amenities of the town.. you'll find properties selling anywhere from under $10k for a vacant lot (that could be anywhere from:  250 to 500 sq. meters; not on a paved road, and will require some minimal costs to get municipal water and power utilities to the site) to $25k and UP for a bigger lot, closer to a 'main' road, and already has municipal water and utilities.  Of course... a fixer upper should already have the utilities on site.. up to YOU to see if septic and water are in order.  If you want to do some serious gardening and have room for a small house and perhaps a bodega (storage and tool shed)... shoot for around 800 sq. meters as a minimum size. I know very little about mortages here; most expats go all cash... which isn't too hard if you're paying around $35-50K for an OK house on a workable lot.  I wouldn't go more than 200 yards off a paved road; and personally... I put 'Paved Road' at the top of my needs list... it rained 19 FEET here in western San Carlos on my 3rd year; I don't need MUD to complicate my retirement.

Start Looking at a classifieds for Latin America called 'Encuentra24"... click on CR, then houses or properties, and then 'areas'.  Since you have no clue about an area... just look at a map and start doing some educated guessing..  pick towns and then surf the properties that are listed.  You can generally tell by the foto that it is rural or right in the town.  Sometimes you can enter the name of a 'Canton' which is like a county...  Property taxes are very minimal here and most of us do not have Home Owners Insurance... my home is concrete and steel (welded) and there are no tall trees within 'falling' distance of my house... which is a common thing here... nobody wants a tree on their house.  I will survive a quake; and we don't have hurricanes. (too far south)  There is nothing that will burn except dinner.

Since you are diabetic, try to stay closer to a good sized town (2,500 ??) so that the local clinic is open daily and thus, good access to meds.  Off the top of my head... I would look in the areas of San Ramon, Cartago, Quesada, Naranjo, Agua Zarcas, La Fortuna, San Isidro General, Buenoos Aires, etc. or anywhere that looks 'sizeable' without being San Jose proper.  Inland is cheaper, and most good sized towns have ample public transportation.  I go everywhere by bus.  But taxis exist if and when you need one.  When you're here.. try walking around in one or more of those places... if you like the town and what it has to offer.. then life a 'few minutes' outside of it could be right for you.  Remember, even smaller hamlets of only a few hundred folks will have a 1-day per week clinic, a mini grocer, and perhaps a hardware store.  Hardware stores are everywhere... I always feel like I'm in hardware heaven down here.

Work.... NOW HEAR THIS... Retirement is work!!!  Gardening, fixing up a fixer upper, etc., will never be a finished project... so don't worry about getting bored.  You'll be busy.  Start Spanish now... that will be another 'work in progress' that will never end for you here.  I use Duolingo on-line; it is free.

You CAN live cheap here if you are clever, frugal, and stay away from typical North American 'ways'... like shopping all the time, and eating in restaurants TOO regularly.  We have local 'sodas'... cheap meals for less than $10.  Good way to meet the locals.   As an older person... I find that I want and need less 'stuff'... so when I 'buy' it either goes in or on my body; or is from the hardware store because I NEED it.  My water is less than $10 a month; my elec is less than $20/month... I don't have AC, a clothes dryer, nor cable; but I have an 'insta hot' elect. shower head.  WiFi is less than $30/mo for 'ok' and my Caja (national healthcare plan) is around $250/month.  Yearly property tax for my 1500 sq. meter lot with concrete house of 2,400 sq. Feet is $225.   Groceries 'depends'... sometimes I'm eating nothing but bananas and plantains because they are from my yard.  I try to stay away from important 'stuff'... like peanut butter; whic can be $10.  You live and learn.  It's part of the 'fun' of retiring someplace different and a little foreign.

Flights... I tended to, when doing my back-and-forths (I came here 6 times; to look, buy, bring 3 cats and anything else I could fit in boxes and bags that the airline would accept;, return to states to sell my house; etc.) book anything that got me to CR while it was still daylight (the sun goes down around 5:00... 5:30ish in May/June/Ju;y)... so I generally came thru Miami or Charlotte to come 'down' here.  It generally got me to San Jose Int'l between 2 and 4 pm.   Leaving... I did anything within my POWER to avoid going back thru Miami... it can take you over 2 hours to get off the plane, go thru passport control and migration; then go and retrieve baggage to send it thru Domestic Security, and then make it to Gate at opposite end of the airport... which is ugly and the people who work there suck.  So, depending on where you are coming from... an over-nighter might be more hassle than it is worth.  Remember... SJ Airport is closer to Miami than New York is.  Literally, my niece in Miami can get here faster than to visit her folks in Long Island.  You really aren't traveling that far.  I preferred Charlotte on my return flights.  I also wanted to avoid a hotel stay in San Jose the night before my return to the states; so I almost always had a flight that left around 10 or 10:30 a.m.   That allowed me to get a 5:30ish a.m. bus from Quesada to the Airport by 9:30 ish; if not much earlier.  Probably saved, all trips together, around a good $1000 by not staying in SJ overnight.  My opinion... I wouldn't want to get here and not be well rested because of a bumpy overnight flight.  ??

You'll figure it out.  The key is to relax and just let it happen.  Stay vigilant at first... if you look foreign or even  'lost' ... then you're an easy target.  Keep things close and not hanging out your back pocket; and beware of everybody around you... especially when near San Jose or it's bigger 'burbs'... like Alajuela city.

On my 'first' trip here... I took a taxi from the SJ airport up the 'street' about 8 minutes to a bus station in Alajuela city... close to the City Mall.  That bus station (El Radial) had buses going up to Quesada (San Carlos) where I was going to base my travels. I had a cheap room there reserved already in an Hospedaje (inn) ... $25, centrally located, clean and safe and the people helped me a LOT.  They are still my friends today.

I met a guy on the bus who spoke English; when we got to Quesada he helped me speak with Taxi Drivers until I found one that was willing to do some 'country' touring.  We met up the next day... I paid him $100 a day and WOW was it ever great to have a local do the driving, and the 'asking' ... etc.  He actually helped me, later on, to haggle the price of my house from $85K down to $40K.  He spoke no English yet we got along famously.  Eventually, we traveled for 11 days together; I saw a lot because I wasn't doing the driving.  We ate some not so great food and stayed in some not so great hotels... but it wasn't a vacation; and we managed to have some fun as well.

Always ask a Tico... not some gringo.  Hahahahaha!!!

Safe Travels.

Hey thanks for getting back to me I am born a Mexican boy in Tijuana move to United States as a child. I can speak Spanish I really appreciate this I'm getting my social security thing just got on it this morning And I am planning to have 40K plus when I move plus my $2,000 social security. I'm thinking of taking my Milwaukee tools when I move out there, with my Spanish speaking and your knowledge, shit we got the jack! Lol! God willing maybe will meet in February.

Thank you John Cruz

$40K is cutting it very 'close'... I personally wouldn't be able to do it... but I think, because you have Spanish under your belt already, that you may be able to cut through Many more barriers than the rest of us.  But it is not as cheap here as some may think... many Nicaraguans complain about how expensive it is to live here compared to Nicaragua.  You're going to have to end up 'just outside' a smaller sized town, or even in a tiny hamlet that is 10 minutes from a small town if you want that $40k to work... and try to live, monthly, for less than $1200 and save the remaining $800 of your Social Security for emergencies, future use, or at least, until you are comfortable.  The first years here can deliver many surprises.  Just the appliances for your 'shack' will crush the budget.. but there are places that sell 'used' and 'dented' appliances.  Your Spanish is going to open many doors... that is why I think you can possibly do this.  But it won't be easy.  Remember... almost all construction supplies are imported; so, a renovation or 'fix' will cost you no matter what.

Do know that during your first year, while waiting for your Temp. Residency to be approved... that you won't be in the National Healthcare system yet... so any/all healthcare costs will be out of pocket.

And don't bring those tools until you have a safe place to keep them... the dudes here are IN LOVE with power tools.  It's insane.  Everybody wants to try every tool that they see.  I have 'DRAWN THE LINE' when it comes to my power tools here... nobody can use them or borrow them... ever!!!   Look... if they break it, they will never have enough money to replace it... if they did, they would own one themselves.  And.. they may try to 'replace' it with crap from China.  Avoid that shit like the plague.  Also.. they'll 'say' they can get it fixed... 4 months later, after they have avoided you, they'll bring it back unfixed; or they'll say that the 'guy' stole it.   I have a hedge trimmer... complete strangers stop in front of my house while I'm using it and ask to 'try' it... ???????    Like cave men asking to touch my glasses...   Not really... but you get it.

If you do try to work here before you have official permission from Migration... which means that you will need FIRST to have Permanent Residency status... which takes 5-1/2 years to achieve; you will get kicked out of Costa Rica... probably permanently.   So... my advice... don't tell anybody where you end up 'settling' where you are from... just say that your family was 'from' Mexico... but that's it.  Lie if you have to... say you're from near Limon??? or Chiles... they'll leave you alone... because it only takes one jerk to get mad at you and turn you into Migracion for 'working' without permission.

You know... you 'could' start applying for Pensionista 'Residency' before you even move here... you do not have to live here to apply. You must be already receiving SS benefits to apply for Pensionista.  There are many good instructions and descriptions; on line; about what is needed to apply for the various Residency options.   If a CR address is needed; make one up; or use the hotel address in the village you 'visited'... they don't care... nothing will ever be sent to that address by Migracion... they only use electronic communications.  Make sure you have an email address and Bring it with you when you come.. don't try to start a new one here...

That way, you could get your national Healthcare started without having to wait while you are already here. 

I'm guessing, since you are voiced in Spanish.. that you could even go through the 'Residency' application process without paying a service.  It will mean making a trip to San Jose to get fingerprints or that kind of thing... and of course, to hand in the application at the Migration office in San Jose.   That could save you $3k more or less.

You have a lot of homework to do.

Whatever happens, good luck.

Forgot to add... they sell these prefabricated concrete houses here for REALLY CHEAP...   May be a way to have a solid 'shack; for very little money.  They don't come with a roof... so add that; plus, labor to 'construct' everything from the ground up.  You can do the cheap 'concrete Panel' version.... or they have a 'block' version... which allows you to have more design/layout options and freedom to put wiring where you want it.

Here's one website... I priced the smallest house (Adriana)... less than $2,000   !!   without roof, windows, doors, or floors/tile, wiring and plumbing, fixtures and cabinets, and of course, labor is needed...   but ???   

Only 2 thousand bucks!!!   That is a one bedroom with concrete 'panels' for walls....  It's something to start with...

https://mtsistemas.cr/casas-modelo/

They also do a prefab 'block' system that is a more solid house.

I could see using one of these 'systems' to add on ?? to an existing structure; or as a cheap way  to build a large open living space... and then build the baths and laundry out of block along side it.  Tons of possibilities.  The schools here often use the systems for construction of the classrooms...  Just walls, windows, a floor and a roof.

Of course, you would need a good sized 'covered' porch for outdoor living to enjoy the shade and breezes.. and a covered porch area in the back ??  for doing laundry and hanging to dry. 

I have seen both types built... I prefer the 'block' versions because they 'look' better and are more customizable.

Thank you so much for getting back to me. I did it I filed for social security I will be officially retired January 1st I am making my reservations from Eugene Oregon to Costa Rica sometime early February maybe sooner, God willing! You know I think all that construction work on building a place to retire in is a lot of work, maybe just to rent would be best I don't know I'll see you when I get there. I'm sure there's some long-term rentals. I am wanting to take it easy share the word of God and help people with their situations hopefully bringing them closer to God and  having a pina colada smoothie! Now I hope you're right when it comes to anybody/fool can have a garden, everything grows. I won't have time for much of that work, who knows! Thanks for getting back to me Nice to meet you I'll be getting a hold of you soon maybe we can have that smoothie lol.

Renting could work...  that way, if you don't like the area you are in, you can easily move on to another area in CR.

Peace.