I’m looking to spend winter months some place warm. I’m over the midwestern winters, and the grey skies. Initially I was thinking of buying property in Georgia, NC, etc but I already have one rental and I don’t think I feel like dealing with another. My next thought was to just rent some place for a few months, but upon looking at VRBO it was more than I wanted to spend on rent. So my DH suggested Costa Rica and it is quite reasonable. So I’m looking for thoughts/input on the idea. My main concern is that I feel safe. I looked at a few rentals but some of them while nice were quite secluded. I’m thinking I may be more comfortable in a a condo.
If you are not really fixed on a place or a time frame I would ask everyone you know if they have any options. My husband will retire before winter. We are open on options. My sister has a warm weather house but she prefers to spend the Christmas holidays back in the midwest with her children. So we can do a week or two there. My FP has a client with a condo in Naples that he rents out for just expenses. No profit. My BIL travels extensively and sometimes he finds a Airbnb or VRBO that has one extra bedroom and he wants to find an extra couple. We plan to be flexible with travel the first year.
I adore Costa Rica. The coast can be really really hot if that is what you’re looking for, but the mountain areas have a lovely climate. Maybe take a vacation there for a couple weeks to see what you think and in which areas you might want to rent. I believe there is an online expats group where you could ask questions, too. Look up association of residents of costa rica (ARCR). I would not do any long term renting without visiting first. There are a lot of different areas and driving distances are misleading because of the roads and mountains.
@MaterS that’s a good idea but I don’t have any friends that are retirees lol, other than my moms friends and none of them leave Ohio during the winters. . I’m much younger than someone who would be considered a snow bird.