Costa Rica

[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?

[cindyinbaku]

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?

My hubbie and I speak often about going there to Retire.

[OzDoug64]

Originally Posted by synthia

Anybody here interested in Costa Rica?

Hi Synthia, from a process of elimination Costa Rica has come up trumps, except for squatters and difficulty gaining certified land ownership.

All else looks good though.

I would like to find out from you if Panama would be a better solution.

Doug

[synthia]

Panama still has all the extra privileges in place for people who want to retire there. Costa Rica has, I'm told, repealed all the laws that allowed you to bring in a car every few years duty free, bring in household goods duty free, etc. I've also had a couple of people tell me that there is a growing resentment there against the Americans who have retired there.

Panama is much closer to being a developed country, and is cheaper. I thought it was cheaper four years ago, and I'm meeting people on this trip who agree with me.

Have you been to Costa Rica or Panama? If you've narrowed it down to those two, your next step should be to visit.

[OzDoug64]

Originally Posted by synthia

Have you been to Costa Rica or Panama? If you've narrowed it down to those two, your next step should be to visit.

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.

[synthia]

Central America isn't exactly the place to go to get away from corruption. I think you should plan a trip and spend some time here, at least a couple of months, before making any decisions.