San Jose : Costa rica

Costa Rica is a land of rain forests, volcanos, wildlife refugees and beautiful beaches which makes it a popular international tourist destination.  San Jose is the capital city and the largest city in Costa Rica, and with a population of about 288,000, is home to over a third of the country's population. Located in the center of Costa Rica, San Jose is the epicenter of government, economic activity, cultural events and is the major transportation and education hub of Costa Rica. The modern city offers art and architecture, historic neighborhoods, museums, markets, universities, and has become a popular tourist destination. Picture of Vista del Edificio Herdocia Building courtesy of Wikipedia and Rodtico21; picture of the Boulevard in Central Ave. courtesy of Wikipedia and Tillor87; picture of National Museum of Costa Rica courtesy of Wikipedia and Eric T Gunther.

San José is divided into 11 districts which are made up of several neighborhoods where home prices will vary. American expatriates are scattered throughout Costa Rica, most of them live in the suburbs surrounding San Jose such as Escazu an upscale area of the city, or Santa Ana which is a trendy community near the medical centers, luxury hotels, and Costa Rica's largest mall.  Cuidad Colon, another popular suburb offers beautiful countryside.  Townhouses, condos, and single family homes are all offered, with prices starting in the low $100's. 

San Jose has many museums, a historic district, several universities, a public bus system which makes getting around the city easy, and universal health care.  The cost of living is not high, and temperatures stay in the 70's year-round. Rain forests, rivers, wildlife refugees and beautiful beaches are a few hours away and offer a variety of activities which include kayaking, sport fishing, surfing, and all types of outdoor adventures.

San Jose is not considered a very pretty town and deals with a lot of traffic and no emission controls; the crime rate is higher than the national average.

Retirees who want to live in a city with transportation, universities, all types of health care and universal insurance may enjoy living here.

San Jose has a diverse economy which is driven by industry, agriculture that includes bananas, coffee and pineapple, construction and tourism.

The average temperature in San Jose is about 71 degrees.  Because of its elevation (3,839 feet), San Jose has a pleasant temperature year-round. 

San Jose is the country's only major urban center and has many choices of restaurants. The popular Costa Rican cuisine includes gallo pinto, the national dish which is a mixture of fried rice and black beans. Culturally, the town has plenty to offer with a nightlife scene and beautiful theaters that host musical and artistic presentations. The many museums display Costa Rican history and art, and boasts museums with exhibits of gold and jade. San Jose also has many parks, plazas, and casinos, along with historic neighborhoods that feature colonial mansions that are now art galleries and restaurants.