|
Costa Rica: Wanting to relocate to CR:
One thing about bringing 3 dogs is that most of the schools are in San Jose or outskirts and it might be very hard to find a rental to accept 3 dogs in the city.
I know someone currently looking for a house to rent in the country for 2 dogs and a few cats and that is even hard to find at a good price.
Another point is you make very little money teaching English here.
Costa Rica: expats leaving CR:
The main reason people leave Costa Rica after building a big beautiful house is :
1) they didn't do their research first and didn't come here to live for a few months or more first as part of that research;
2) they didn't learn Spanish
Then there are those who:
* don't like the bureaucracy here with government and businesses
* get their house broken into or some other crime
* don't like the bugs or the weather or some other such thing (not all places have a bug problem; not all places have bad weather but some have both)
* some just prefer the U.S. and after living here awhile they want to go back.
Then the houses stay on the market a long time because there are so many houses and properties for sale here.
One reason houses don't sell is because Costa Rica used to be a lot cheaper to live here than it is now so many who used to be able to retire well on Social Security can no longer do so and another reason is that it is often harder to sell a house in the USA than it used to be so people can't move here and buy a house.
Costa Rica: 90 day border jumpers:
You can buy a car. And I know at least one border jumper who's been here for 15 years and has a car, house, etc. As far as I know, he's never gotten less than 90 days visa on his jumps back in.
Personally I would hate doing that every 90 days ad infinitum but he seems not to mind.
I think some border jumpers maybe have legal problems back in the states which prevents them from applying for residency here (can't get a police letter of good behavior or something...)
If he ever gets denied entry I'm not sure what this guy will do as he owns a lotta property here.
I hated border jumping and was so very glad when I got my residency!
Costa Rica: Looking for Used Car - Starting ~7/30:
I know a couple who just bought at the auto dealers there on the coastal highway towards San Ramon and did well and others who looked for cars from private parties for sale.
Cars are THE major expense and "problem" in moving to Costa Rica. We're trying to decide whether to ship it or buy it. The import fees and shipping are high but most cars in Costa Rica have been shipped and import taxes paid so it's about the same either way, no? At least if we buy it in the USA we can drive it for awhile before shipping it down and know what we have. (At least here the odometers cannot be turned back, for the most part and you can get a history print out to see if it's been in an accident, see if it's been maintained by someone with receipts, that type of thing...)
We only have $8k for a budget so God knows what we're going to end up with. Not much in the way of a 4x4 I'm afraid... but it is what it is. "God help us!"
Costa Rica: Finding Costa Rica:
Day trip: Los Angeles cloud forest tour - about half an hour north of San Ramon. $25 for the tour I think. It's a lot like Monteverde only without the crowds, and less driving.
Overnight: Arenal Volcano - try Los Lagos hotel with its own hot springs, crocodiles, ant farm, gardens etc.
I 2nd the notion of a ferry trip over to Montezuma. Great little beach town with some nice restaurants - funky buildings but good food.
Dominical south of Matapalo is a nice little beach area too. Mostly surfers but older people can find it pleasant as well.
Costa Rica: A wonderful business open to anyone in CR:
I have investigated a lot of network marketing businesses and unfortunately most of them are - how do I say? - less than totally above board.
Most make money by getting the sucker, I mean, the new "distributor of our fine product" to buy in. Those at the top make the most money by getting more people to buy in, and those at the bottom who bought in usually don't make much money.
About 1-2% of network marketers make money; that's a fact.
So whether THIS is that type of business or legit I don't know but this is what we must ask to find out:
How much $ does it cost to join? And after you join how much more do you get hit up to pay if you "really want to make money"?
Most of them have different levels and they convince you to buy this or that to "really" get ahead and "really" make the money.
Personally I will never buy into any business like this if it's more than $100 to get in. I've done it before and you know how much I made, even with my hard work?
ZERO.
But my "sponsor" made some thousands of $... but then finally she ended up making next to nothing, too. To really make money you have to get in at the beginning and get lots of suckers; no, I mean "distributors of this fine product - whatever it is" - to buy in "under" you.
So just be careful. Heck, this MAY BE a great way to make money. Honestly the product sounds interesting. But if I have to "buy in", then no thanks.
I am a member of a network marketing system myself. But I don't have to have ANYone under me, to make money, and it cost me ZERO to buy in. Have made between $500-1500/month for several years with part time effort.
But I really don't try to talk people into joining under me. In fact I have ZERO people under me. (Admittedly this is rare, but it just goes to show: NO buy in and NO people under me. Those are signs of a legit business. If I see a big buy in (over $100) I RUN away as fast as I can!
Costa Rica: Organic family- seeking tips:
Just know that it's not always easy to grow food even if you have great soil.
If you are near a jungle like some properties you will have animals nearby and they will come to eat your food: monkeys, deer, raccoons, agoutis, cats, wild pigs, possum, you name it!
Is it possible to grow your own food organically? Yes but probably not as easy as in the USA.
You will want to do a LOT of research. Ants can be a major problem as can other insects.
Much food (and land) is sprayed with roundup. Even "organic" crops land is sprayed with round up.
Yes there is some organic food but you may have to compromise. If you don't want to compromise don't move to Costa Rica unless you can find a neighborhood near an organic farm that grows everything you want/need.
I love Costa Rica and this is not a "negative" post, it's just reality. If you want a wide selection of organic food (although expensive) stay in the USA.
However in a few years the USA economy may collapse and things may get very bad there so there may be "other" considerations as to why you may want to move to Costa Rica even if you have to eat some non-organic food...
Costa Rica: Anyone have opinions or knowledge of PREFAB construction?:
We are looking to build a house for under $30k on our property and are looking at two prefab companies.
Wondering if you know anything about them that you could share - either experience or observations or opinions:
1) Concrepal - prefab concrete homes
2) Maderas Kodiak - prefab compressed wood homes - this operation is run by a guy named Web Seed. Know of anyone who's used him or his prefab Maderas Kodiak construction?
Am also interested in any recommendations for other prefab or low-cost construction you know of.
Thanks!
Global Expat Forum: Shipping an auto:
Can't help you but can you tell me where you're shipping from and how much it's going to cost you with shipping and with import tax?
I am trying to decide whether to ship or to buy down there.
Costa Rica: Yet another U.S. Couple considering CR for retirement!:
LOL. Wine is more expensive in Costa Rica than in the USA for the most part, as is beer and liquor. Strange but true.
They mostly sell wine in boxes if you are looking at cheaper daily wine... My friend and I joke about our "box of wine and bag of salsa"!
However I love living in Costa Rica because of the relaxed lifestyle, friendly people, abundant nature and cheaper health care and minus the fascism that is increasing in the USA.
As to the Central Valley look at San Ramon which is the western most part of the Central Valley but it's less gringo-ized and cheaper to buy property, and the town has everything you need without being over-populated.
| 
Login to Contact samramon
About samramon
