We are a couple with two small children taking a sabbatical year in Costa Rica. We know we want to live in the central valley but uncertain where would be best.
We are thinking of Heredia and possibly Grecia, although I worry it is too remote. We are on a tight budget, in need of a home that is furnished and has high speed Internet (preferably wireless). Neither of us speak Spanish.
Any thoughts, suggestions, insight?

Hi Canucks,

They are several great areas to live in the Central Valley and where you choose to go will depend on your needs.

For example, are your children of school age and what kind of school do you want them to go to? Where classes are in Spanish only, English only or both?

For a school that either has classes in English or in both language you will end up having to take them to a private school which will run you from $5000 to $10,000 a year and that includes transportation.

What Exactly is a tight budget?
if you want to live in a very "Americanized" part of town like iun Escazu you will pay around $1,200 and it does not always include furniture.

If you want another safe area but more in a local setting on the other side of town you could move to Montelimar and there you can pay from $300 an up for a decent furnished place.

For internet, you can probably find one that is internet ready but you will have to buy the wireless tower yourself.

Hope this helps.