Costa Rica

synthia · #1 (**permalink**) 27th January 2008, 06:44 PM

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 · #2 (**permalink**) 21st February 2008, 03:53 PM

Quote:

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 · #3 (**permalink**) 23rd February 2008, 03:24 PM

Quote:

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 · #4 (**permalink**) 24th February 2008, 03:45 AM

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 Costa Rica has, I'm told, repealed all the laws that allowed you to bring in a car every few years duty free, bring in household goods duty free, etc.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 · #5 (**permalink**) 24th February 2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

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 · #6 (**permalink**) 25th February 2008, 04:00 AM

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.

jshas · #7 (**permalink**) 23rd March 2009, 03:02 PM

Hi - I'm new to Expat Forum. My husband and I are interested in moving to Costa Rica to either start a business or to live/work. Any information or advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

lilred4x · #8 (**permalink**) 27th March 2009, 02:08 AM

Quote:

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 i am very interested in info about traveling to costa rica.i am a swf 49 yrs old looking for my safe haven in the sun.i think i might travel there and rent then tour around and look at homes.is it safe?will it be easy to find a place to rent?tell me all that you are experiancing.i am very interested in your journey.i wish you the very best.shelley

colibris · #9 (**permalink**) 28th March 2009, 10:34 PM

Does anyone have a suggestion for an audiologist in Costa Rica? My husband is looking for a new hearing aid and.....

#10 (**permalink**) 11th April 2009, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilred4x

hi synthia i am very interested in info about traveling to costa rica.i am a swf 49 yrs old looking for my safe haven in the sun.i think i might travel there and rent then tour around and look at homes.is it safe?will it be easy to find a place to rent?tell me all that you are experiancing.i am very interested in your journey.i wish you the very best.shelley

Synthia:

I am very interested in Costa Rica as well. What is your time line for leaving? Please feel free to email me directly at iccchristina@ameritech.net ... It would sure be nice to know someone or even travel with someone if we decide to make the move--maybe even share a place if you are open to that. I need to get out of the US. As far as what people are talking about here as far as South American "corruption" that's crap because I lived and went to school in Mexico and the police here in the US are MUCH worse than the federales, whom I had many wonderful conversations with and when a 6 pack of beer can get you out of a speeding ticket or a DUI when you have had one glass of wine, then that sounds great to me.

Let me know.
Cora