Where English Speaking People Live in Costa Rica
A July 2009 non-scientific poll by online English speaking forum Costa Rica Central Valley Living resulted in the following for the question "Where do you actually live?"
CHOICES AND RESULTS
- Alajuela : Grecia, Sarchi Poas, 7 votes, 4.52%
- Cartago, all areas plus . Santa Maria de Dota, San Marcos, 1 votes, 0.65%
- Guanacaste all areas, 1 votes, 0.65%
- Puntarenas all areas, 2 votes, 1.29%
- Limon all areas, 1 votes, 0.65%
- USA, 39 votes, 25.16%
- Canada, 3 votes, 1.94%
- Mexico, Central America & Panama, 0 votes, 0.00%
- South America &, 0 votes, 0.00%
- Caribbean, 2 votes, 1.29%
- Europe, 5 votes, 3.23%
- Africa & Asia & Oceania, 2 votes, 1.29%
- San Jose Centro, 1 votes, 0.65%
- San Jose Sabana/ Rohrmoser/Paseo Colon/Uruca, 10 votes, 6.45%
- San Jose Escazu / Santa Ana , 34 votes, 21.94%
- San Jose Ciudad Colon / Puriscal, 6 votes, 3.87%
- San Jose south side , Zapote/Aserri/Desamparados etc, 3 votes, 1.94%
- San Jose East San Pedro/Curridabat etc, 7 votes, 4.52%
- San Jose Noth side Tibas/Moravia/Coronado etc, 2 votes, 1.29%
- Heredia Centro area, 5 votes, 3.23%
- Heredia mountain areas, 5 votes, 3.23%
- Heredia: San Antonio de Belen / Cariari, 3 votes, 1.94%
- Alajuela centro , 2 votes, 1.29%
- Alajuela : La Garita de Alajuela, Atenas , Orotina, 6 votes, 3.87%
- Alajuela : San Ramon/ Palmares, 8 votes, 5.16%
Being as this is a poll by a San Jose/Central Valley group and based on the above results, it can be argued that the results exclude many English speaking Costa Rica residents that reside outside of the Central Valley area. Additionally, the poll received only 155 responses which was reported to be a minuscule 9.5 % of this relatively small group's membership - a truly limited snapshot!
However, the poll showing that most respondents live in the Escazu & Santa Ana areas West of San Jose is not surprising being as these are the best known enclaves for English speaking transplants here in Costa Rica.
Escazú, San José, Costa Rica
This is most certainly not a personal endorsement of these areas being as I am of the opinion; why would you want to move to a new and different culture only to surround yourself with all things Americana (ie: Blockbuster Video, Office Depot, Hooters, TGI Fridays, Outback Steakhouse, BIG shopping malls, etc., etc.) . Not to mention the extremely higher prices for real estate, goods and services often charged to those Gringos that don’t seek out the real Costa Rica.
Multiplaza Mall - Escazú, Costa Rica
Hooters - located in an Escazú, Costa Rica strip mall near CIMA Hospital
At a minimum, the above information gives those considering a move to Costa Rica something to consider based on individual needs, wants and preferences.
I have a great view of Escazu everyday ... as I sit at my home office desk, on the other side of the valley.
View of Escazú area - from a preferred distance
I really enjoy my mountain view and can almost smell Burger King from here ... and if for some reason I need an Applebee's burger, I can always drive on over to Gringolandia for a visit ;o)
¡Pura Encuestas!However, the poll showing that most respondents live in the Escazu & Santa Ana areas West of San Jose is not surprising being as these are the best known enclaves for English speaking transplants here in Costa Rica.
Escazú, San José, Costa Rica
This is most certainly not a personal endorsement of these areas being as I am of the opinion; why would you want to move to a new and different culture only to surround yourself with all things Americana (ie: Blockbuster Video, Office Depot, Hooters, TGI Fridays, Outback Steakhouse, BIG shopping malls, etc., etc.) . Not to mention the extremely higher prices for real estate, goods and services often charged to those Gringos that don’t seek out the real Costa Rica.
Multiplaza Mall - Escazú, Costa Rica
Hooters - located in an Escazú, Costa Rica strip mall near CIMA Hospital
At a minimum, the above information gives those considering a move to Costa Rica something to consider based on individual needs, wants and preferences.
I have a great view of Escazu everyday ... as I sit at my home office desk, on the other side of the valley.
View of Escazú area - from a preferred distance
I really enjoy my mountain view and can almost smell Burger King from here ... and if for some reason I need an Applebee's burger, I can always drive on over to Gringolandia for a visit ;o)
Posted by Bill Clanton at 8/2/2009 10:17 AM 
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Tags: Culture Home shopping Escazu Lifestyle Costa Rica Retiring stores Moving Relocation Community Location Living Retirement Santa Ana picture
Categories: Hotels in Costa Rica,Services costs in Costa Rica,Stores in Costa Rica,Cost of Living in Costa Rica,Communities in Costa Rica,Vacation Homes in Costa Rica,Real Estate in Costa Rica,Second Homes in Costa Rica,Life in Costa Rica,Shopping in Costa Rica,Culture in Costa Rica,Investing in Costa Rica,Immigration in Costa Rica,Home Building in Costa Rica,Retirement Homes in Costa Rica,Moving To Costa Rica,Pictures of Costa Rica,Home Renting in Costa Rica,Retiring in Costa Rica,Retire in Costa Rica,Living in Costa Rica
Tags: Culture Home shopping Escazu Lifestyle Costa Rica Retiring stores Moving Relocation Community Location Living Retirement Santa Ana picture
The article on living in Escazu area is merely silly. Because of proximity to the kind of shopping and availability of standard American style housing, a lot of foreigners choose Escazu area. Further, most private schools are here, such as Country Day, GreenValley, St.Marys, and others. I have lived in Escazu for years, am American. I can go for days without even seeing an American face. This article implies that the place is overridden with Americans, which is simply false. It is filled with Ticos, many earning above the per capita. Go into any Supermarket in Escazu on a given day, and give yourself 10 pts. if you even see another American. Of course Americans and other foreigners live here. It is the choice place to live. However, foreigners are sprinkled all over Costa Rica. I dare the owner of this blog to post this.
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Amanda,
Thanks for your input! Your dare to "post this" comment is the easiest challenge I have come across in a long time.
All comments (short of personal attacks) and points of view are welcome on Costa Rica Blogger ... one of the few, true resources offering "REAL, Honest, Unbiased Information" on Costa Rica.
-Bill
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I think that Escazu is indeed over-run with Americans. Last time I went through there (2 years ago now) I was shocked at how Americanized it was.
This is neither a bad thing nor a good thing, depending on your point of view.
But yes, it is very Americanized, even though many Ticos may live and shop there.(My guess is most of the Ticos who live near there or work there probably shop elsewhere, though!)
More and more, you will find Americans living all over Costa Rica, but few areas are as "Americanized" as Escazu and some of the other upscale areas around San Jose'.
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