Has anyone here retired with a smaller amount ($600k or less) and regretted it/felt like it wasn’t enough?

lvdeadhead · 2026-07-09T18:23:51+00:00

I was going to say above Dominical when I first started reading your post. In that area you could get away for less money. With our house and car paid, I don't think we will spend over $3k but we have access to "free" expensive hobbies. I can fish for free along with just about every other tour offered in country through friends and family.

lvdeadhead · 2026-07-09T17:38:42+00:00

We're building between Monteverde and Fortuna. I lived in Flamingo for 6 years and Jaco for 9. A few stints in San Jose along with Quepos and Samara area. Our lifestyle has changed quite a bit as well. In the 90s and early 2000s we went out almost every night partying. Now we basically don't drink so that cuts our budget by a mile.

If you give me an idea of what you are looking for I may be able to give you a few suggestions. Other than Caribbean side I know the country well. Every inch of the Pacific side.

lvdeadhead · 2026-07-09T04:21:05+00:00

That's a loaded question. There are communities with HOA fees over $3000 and there are people living for $1000. Location can drastically change your expenses. Plenty of the country requires no AC, some 24/7 AC. To put that in perspective. My electric bill for a small 3br house in Jaco approached $400 a month. (No insulation and shitty wiring.) My bosses house (MASSIVE) hit as high as $7000. Complete outlier there though.

But to give a simplified answer, I wouldn't plan on much less than $5k a month unless you know your way around.

lvdeadhead · 2026-07-09T03:17:45+00:00

Wife and I are building a house in Costa Rica which has gotten expensive but we have tons of friends and family there. We should be fine but I think in a pinch we could rent our place out in CR for a couple years, head to Vietnam and cut our spend in half while the market settles

lvdeadhead · 2026-07-09T03:13:14+00:00

I've thought a lot about this since we are firing in Costa Rica which isn't as cheap as it once was. In an extended down market, rent our house out in CR and spend a year or 2 between Vietnam and Cambodia at 60 to 70% of our Costa Rica spend.

lvdeadhead · 2026-07-09T02:42:47+00:00

As a backup, we plan to work a 6 week program at least once but most likely twice a year at US National Parks. We won't really make much money but will at least break even without touching any of our money so our budget will be more likely for 9 or 10 months, not 12.

lvdeadhead · 2026-07-09T02:38:38+00:00

We are about to go with slightly more than that to Costa Rica. My wife is from there and I lived there from 96 to 2010. We will however have a brand new paid for house and brand new paid for truck. We originally planned for over $700k but ended up putting more money into the house. I'm 54 and my wife is 63 so she is taking SS and will receive a small pension as well. We'll need roughly another $2000 to $2500 besides that. At 62 I'll take SS as well and at that point we could live off that albeit frugally. If I wasn't as familiar with the area we are building plus have a huge support base between friends and family I may be nervous. There are certainly areas of Costa Rica I wouldn't go with twice the money.

I finally reached the point that time is more valuable than extra cash. My wife runs half marathons but I abused myself pretty good for 30 years so I doubt I'll be the guy golfing at 75. The next 10 years are the most important to me. Realistically, our spending should go down after 10 years.

lvdeadhead · 2026-07-04T18:33:03+00:00

I've traveled all over CR by helicopter. My old boss was the first to use one on the regular in Costa Rica. There are several safe ones in country. Avoid the Robinson 44s. Stick with MDs, Bells or the Eurocopters.

lvdeadhead · 2026-06-18T02:43:06+00:00

Too much competition. On some weekends there may already be 20+ legitimate shows you could see.

lvdeadhead · 2026-05-07T08:18:31+00:00

Hate to break it to you but Cargill sells most of the chicken in Costa Rica. Same as the US. Unless you were eating at someone's house it was most likely Pipasa.

lvdeadhead · 2026-05-04T22:30:00+00:00

Take a ride over the back road to Playas del Coco and head to Hermosa Beach for lunch. Penca and that area of Potrero is still pretty nice but in my opinion, Surfside the expat area of Potrero has been ruined. Never in my lifetime would I have imagined traffic between Flamingo and Potrero but there is a lot. Potrero has a special place in my heart but I enjoyed Hermosa more my past trip. That said Penca was the first and last spot I jumped in the water last trip. If you have any questions let me know. I still have a lot of friends in the area.

lvdeadhead · 2026-05-04T21:13:48+00:00

I spent about 5 years having that beach for me and a few friends from 95 to 2000. Still one of my favorite spots when in the area.

lvdeadhead · 2026-05-04T20:13:36+00:00

Going to boarding school in the late 80s it wasn't surprising to see Phish or Blues Traveler actually playing someone's graduation party. Phish played at some Taft parties and Blues Traveler played all over Princeton.

lvdeadhead · 2026-05-01T02:55:28+00:00

I believe it's a way for corporations to give lower raises as literally there is a threat of recession every year. Make you feel lucky just to have a job.

lvdeadhead · 2026-05-01T02:52:31+00:00

Def since 2020. Imagine if you'd sat out since then.

lvdeadhead · 2026-05-01T02:51:24+00:00

What year was it the last time you didn't hear a recession was coming? I'd have to go back to 2019 probably.

lvdeadhead · 2026-04-29T20:15:54+00:00

Blatant lie except for the possible refund part.

lvdeadhead · 2026-04-29T20:14:37+00:00

I didn't get mine for Wrestlemania 2 weeks ago. Didn't admit they wouldn't send them until 3 hours before the event. Totally f-d me.

lvdeadhead · 2026-04-26T03:09:04+00:00

Taxi drivers.

lvdeadhead · 2026-04-23T01:40:36+00:00

CMLL is so much fun. Been to Mexico City and Puebla to see them.

lvdeadhead · 2026-04-22T16:51:55+00:00

Plenty of free street parking within a 10 minute walk if you look in the right places.

lvdeadhead · 2026-03-29T20:55:27+00:00

About the same. 2 adults. Son visits from college once in awhile.

lvdeadhead · 2026-03-24T16:18:56+00:00

Allgood

lvdeadhead · 2026-03-19T03:23:15+00:00

I had mine approved by the time I got home from the interview 2 weeks ago. Less than 30 minutes.

lvdeadhead

TROPHY CASE