Man, 71, who left the US to live in Costa Rica hoping to save money reveals his living costs have actually DOUBLED since relocating Gary Keenan spent most of his life in his native Albuquerque, New Mexico Nine years ago, he decided to sell his company and move out of the country But he eventually discovered the cost of living was not as amenable as he hoped By Rachel Summer Small For Dailymail.Com Published: 16:01 EDT, 24 June 2024 | Updated: 16:18 EDT, 24 June 2024 e-mail 15 View comments An American man who'd spent his life in Albuquerque, New Mexico , decided to retire to Costa Rica nearly a decade ago, only to discover the cost of living isn't nearly as cheap as he'd believed it'd be. Nine years ago, on the heels of a divorce, Gary Keenan, 71, decided to sell his company and move out of the country, resettling in Costa Rica's Central Valley.
For a while, he was elated at the change of environment, from southwestern urban sprawl to the vast, natural tropics of Central America. But, nearly 10 years on, it's became undeniable to him that affording the lifestyle there isn't exactly as easy-breezy as the region's idyllic environs. Nine years ago, Gary Keenan, 71, decided to sell his business and leave Albuquerque - where he'd spent most of his life - and move to Costa Rica (stock image) Compared to the United States, he told Business Insider his car cost twice as much, groceries are roughly one-and-a-half times more and rents are as high as ever, especially in areas popular fo.