Suggest you visit and check out various area to see what suits you.

http://costaricalaw.com/costa-rica-legal-topics/immigration-and-residency/costa-rica-approves-a-new-immigration-law/

Post a Reply

00abuse

Choosing an expat health insurance provider is an important decision. Get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family.

Learn More Get a Quote

Merry Christmas---Check out Grand View Estates. We have some awesome lots in our community where you can build a custom home of 1500 sq ft and have stream frontage on a minimum of 1.25 acre lot well within your budget. Brand new hospital right in town. Town of 70k people with all the stores and banks you need. We have a really nice balance--close to amenities and beaches and set in a beautiful and natural setting. Check out my youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jO7xlyT0GU If you send me your email I will send along a copy of my book that will tell you more about the Caribbean side.

Gill Phelan
www.gvecr.com

Post a Reply

00abuse

Saludos Steve! Buenos dias y Feliz Navidad!

It's just a guess on my part but based on your post you've never visited C.R.? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Your town selection based on the criteria "Close to beaches (either Pacific or Caribbean), medium size (40-50,000)," is very limited.

Limon is the only town in C.R. close to beaches with that type of population @ 63K. It has a reputation as being "ruff" and not generally considered a retirement destination.

Puntarenas has 35K, Nicoya 15K, Quepos 7.8K and Jaco with only 4K.

There are only five towns in C.R. with that kind of population,

San José 335007
Limón 63081
San Francisco 55923
Alajuela 47494
Liberia 45380

Read more at http://population.mongabay.com/population/costa-rica#mS4XaLGpuqWZLjj7.99

Our health care and crime rate will be argued here ad infinitum.

I'm a member of Caja, our socialized medical system and feel that it's a base line of protection but very affordable. I pay $60 per month in to the system, I feel safe living here and have never been menaced but I'm always aware of my surroundings and there are several common sense rules to follow to maintain your safety.

I believe that you'd find nice homes all over C.R. available for less then $200k and I believe that you'd certainly live comfortably on $2500 per month.

I do love C.R. and extremely happy with my "pura vida" lifestyle.

So I'm sure that someone will come behind me and try to pick some or all of this apart, welcome to the ExpatExchange!

Buena suerte, follow your dreams!

Post a Reply

00abuse

First, I apologize for the length of this post but hopefully, it will help you help me.

You are correct that I have not visited CR. A bit of background will help you help me. Most of my overseas exploration has been the Caribbean (Windward & Leeward), Ireland, & Vietnam. (Well, I guess I'll not count the last as I was sent there in the early '70's by Uncle Sam.

The #1 reason (& sorry if this offends anyone with opposing views) is political. I live in a state that has been controlled by the left for decades & the changes are becoming intolerable. If Hillary (or Bernie - doubtful) gets in, I fear the US is doomed. 16 years of liberalism will totally eliminate and chance of a conservative change.

After returning from another 2 weeks in the Caribbean (Grenada to Martinique & back on a 100' schooner) I realized that I needed to begin exploration of leaving if the political events I outlined above came true. My choices were (in no particular order) Bequia - Mac's lobster pizzas are to die for!, St. Lucia - great lionfish ceviche at the Rainforest Hideaway, Antiqua, & Bonaire. (Have not visited Bonaire I must confess.) When discussing this with a friend who lives in Florida who has also explored the islands plus CR, she stated that she felt island life was a bit constrictive & traveling between was a hassle. She felt CR was a far better choice. Thus, I am here now.

As to my criteria (which is certainly open to change). Size of town: I have always lived in smaller communities. My hometown now is 35,000 with a county population of 85,000. As to crime: Where I live now has very little law enforcement. We are a very poor county. We have 2 sheriff deputies on duty 5 days a week to cover 1,642 square miles. I am a 30+ year competitive shooter, have a concealed carry permit & rarely leave home without my Glock. I am used to living with crime. Health Care: At 71, I consider that important. Income: I am older than a Boomer, thus I am a WOOFIE (Well Off Old Folk). Looking at my income, $2,500/month would leave me enough to salt some away. If I could do it on less (considering that I would pay cash for a house), fine. Close to a coast: I live in rural SW Oregon & have a second home on the Oregon coast. Love the ocean. Housing: I live in 1566 square feet & that is more than adequate. I love to cook & would prefer an area with natural gas cook stove.

A bit more about myself. I am a widower having lost my wife (younger than I) to lung cancer in 2011. My girlfriend (who would come with) is 59. I know enough Spanish to order a cold beer & a hotel room. Would certainly take some courses before coming. Also, I plan to schedule a month of exploration probably after the 2016 elections.

Again, sorry for the length but you now have a sense of what I am considering & why. Thanks in advance for the help.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year,

Steve W.

Post a Reply

00abuse

There is a couple of things that could change you mind regarding living here. one being that until you are a Permanent resident you can't get a permit to have a hand gun or apply for a carry permit. You can't import a weapon until then, either. This will take approx 5 years.

Secondly, Costa Rica is not like most of the Caribbean islands you mention and nor is sailing a popular pursuit.

Unless you are married, you would both have to apply for residency separately, possibly under different categories which means separate health care accounts and premiums.

While $2500 is good budget, living at the beach here is not cheap, especially if you use A/C, so there may be no funds to put aside.

Post a Reply

00abuse

Hi Kohl,

I don't need to be on the beach, just within a reasonable drive to. That should reduce cost of living.

Thanks for your input!

Yours,

Steve W.

Post a Reply

00abuse

HI Steve---well I am not sure if you have been following this forum for long but I can tell you most folks tend to think that your political thoughts are not typical and I try to tell them they are VERY typical and certainly a very important factor in many folks considering a move to Costa Rica. I started my project in 2007 and can tell you just about 100% of the folks I deal with state many of the same factors and concerns! And of course we all weigh what things are like politically and economically in where we live now and where we are considering moving to--that is only normal. So thanks for your input and I hope it helps those on this forum understand that even if they may have differing opinions and interests we all need to be able to talk about these topics. I for one agree 100% about the concerns for the state of the US should Hillary win--that would be devastating to say the least! I think Costa Rica has about 200 different political parties which tends to bog things down somewhat but at least they don't have an emperor who changes laws on a whim and stroke of his pen! Check out my book and that will fill you in on what the Caribbean side is REALLY like--and that is not like about 90% of what you read on the net or even this forum.

Gill Phelan
www.gvecr.com

Post a Reply

00abuse

Consider San Ramon. Low crime rate, population 60,000, perfect climate, approx. 1 hour from the beach ($3.00 bus ride), I hour from the capital. If you want help finding affordable housing, write me and I will be glad to help.

Post a Reply

00abuse

Gill,
Watched the YouTube video. I have been in real estate lending for 25 years and have done tons of construction lending. That house intrigues me! Any photos of the completed project? Would love to see them. However, I am somewhat concerned with 80-120 inches of rain per year in your neck of the woods! :-)

Post a Reply

00abuse

I have several friends who live in Puriscal among 200+ other expats. No need for A/C. http://www.puriscaltimes.com/

Post a Reply

00abuse

We can chat about that house--- yes there are many interesting aspects to it and was designed by the owner who has spent a lot of time in Thailand and it is a perfect house for our climate. Unlike the rest of the country we don't have a wet/dry season so our rain is distributed throughout the year and historically our rainier months are July and December. The Southern Pacific side gets 120-180 inches per year. And Guantacaste is almost desert like at times and can be really hot too. We have great temps--about 85 every day and of course less at night. So, unlike many other parts of the country we don't go through the wet and dry and in some places VERY hot. We really don't need A/C and of course no heat. Check out the weather map on our site--- http://www.gvecr.com/en/location-maps/index.php

Gill Phelan
www.gvecr.com

Post a Reply

00abuse