Costa Rica

[scarr]

Hi - We just built a cabina in Grecia. Currently we are renting. We did look at Jaco which is very much a surfer area.. being close to retirement ourselves it was not for us.. but for a younger crowd and surfing.. I 'd say yes. And the prices seemed good there. It all depends what you are looking for in CR!. . We like a local flavor and not a gated community.. Good luck. Susan

[amy4565]

Hey there,

My parents are planning a trip to Costa Rica. Its a nice place. I went there in 2007 with my parents and also want to go there again. My parents will stay there for a month.

[lilred4x]

Originally Posted by OzDoug64

I haven't been out of Australia. I'm more running from a country that used to be the land of luxury. Now it's heavily taxing and expensive. The tax office here are like black mamba's (squeeze you until you are on your last breath, extract every last living mortal from your body then move on to the next victim)

My main reason to leave is that I have a dysfunctional family that I need to escape from. I need serenity in my life as I have been close to topping myself. I really need to start a new life elsewhere as the stress here is weakening me.

I have a friend in Pattaya and another in Nan - Thailand. I'm not keen to go there due to corruption and other horror stories I've heard.

So, I'm looking for a place where I can take my 300k, set myself up with a cheap condo and live off the rest of the interest. I may be a bit short in cash though.

If I can find work that would be good. I'm a very good musician so any places that strive on music and have it everywhere would be ideal, is there a place??

Panama seems to be on the A-List at present. I'm 44 and I need a place where residency isn't too much of a problem.

i think belize may be the ticket for you. very layed back and easy going.i'm on my way from northern canada soon

[senorcostarica]

I have traveled the world and never seen a place as Expat friendly as Costa Rica
So much so that I have become part of the landscape with a property in Costa Rica known as Hacienda Matapalo-Costa Rica Real Estate:

This is an open invitation to schedule a virtual tour (at your computer) or a horseback tour of our RainForest property that is on a Mountain overlooking the Pacific Ocean

Our Pre-Construction pricing makes our luxury gated community with resort amenities a project touted by International Living and Smart Money

Originally Posted by synthia

I'm traveling in Costa Rica right now. It's a major retirement and expat destination for Americans, and even more come down every year on tourist visas to spend the winter. I'm sort of suprised that we haven't had any posts here about it. Anybody here interested in Costa Rica?

[Gloucesterguy]

Originally Posted by synthia

I'm traveling in Costa Rica right now. It's a major retirement and expat destination for Americans, and even more come down every year on tourist visas to spend the winter. I'm sort of suprised that we haven't had any posts here about it. Anybody here interested in Costa Rica?

Hi Synthia,
Yes I am very interested in Costa Rica. Having spent some considerable time considering Malaysia and their MM2H program I finally came to realize that they are not interested in my £24,000 annual income - apparently that is not enough for them. Definitely will not sell my UK property to raise the necessary funds they want to take advantage of. So I looked elsewhere and found Costa Rica to be a very liberal society and welcoming of Pensioners like me - along with plenty of our American Cousins. So my application is being prepared right now. Maybe by early 2010 I am enjoying that Country.
I have already experience of the Philippines which I think will be very similar to Cosa Rica in culture. Maybe I have to get working pretty hard on a Spanish course right now.

[gc24]

Anyone know much about Playa Samara in CR? I heard that it was supposd to be great. Looking at that place plus Boquette', Panama.

[Gloucesterguy]

Originally Posted by gc24

Anyone know much about Playa Samara in CR? I heard that it was supposd to be great. Looking at that place plus Boquette', Panama.

Not really in a position to advise you GC24. I'm rather surprised there is not a lot of activity on the Costa Rican Forum. Probably because everyone is having too much fun to be sa in front of a computer - hahaha

[gc24]

Guess your probably right. I did check that out also.

[kbrinner]

Originally Posted by synthia

I'm traveling in Costa Rica right now. It's a major retirement and expat destination for Americans, and even more come down every year on tourist visas to spend the winter. I'm sort of suprised that we haven't had any posts here about it. Anybody here interested in Costa Rica?

Definitely - we were there a year ago and it was great. Although kind of expensive when compared to Panama, a similar country in terms of things to do and see, but much less expensive, and some say, safer as well. If you want to read more about things to do in Panama, there is a useful website called The Retirement Detectives.

[ess173]

Jobs are a dime a dozen in Costa wether you have work papers or not. There are call centers everywhere around San Jose and Heredia that hire by the dozens constantly. You can get a job easily with just a copy of your passport. Most places will make you set up a bank account for direct deposit if you work for them without papers. It has something to do with them paying you from on offshore account so they can't get in trouble for it. It's a dirty loophole which they all exploit. Don't expected to be treated great or to not have to work late into the night in some cases. These are facts from my trip I took for most of last year. Craigslist and the local papers will have certain ads in them every day for english speaking call center reps. Problem with getting a job in a call center by the beach is that I don't know of any other than one over in the Limon area. Not to say there aren't any, I just don't know of them. You can also find work for room and board at some of the eco lodges on the south Pacific side. Hope that helps as far as jobs.

Housing is everywhere. They post them plainly and/or list them in the paper just as they do in the U.S. The tico-times is a good website to get an idea of prices. Many rentals on craigslist can be over priced so don't just not try and negotiate.

Grecia is a beuatiful city with plenty of places to eat and shop including an awesome central market. I lived in Poas which is about a 20min drive from Grecia because of the roads. I loved Poas. I could walk around with my ipod at 3pm or 3am with no worries. I wouldn't do the same in many other cities nearby like Alajuela.

You can live in CR without spanish and if you get around enough still bump into bilingual ticos or expats. It can be frustrating at first to meet people. Whatever you do don't work with Bruce Cohen who lives in Escazu!!! He will take you for every dollar and hour of free labor you are worth. He's a sad example of an American expat. Don't put yourself out there to be in danger and it won't happen. Just like in the U.S.