About KatalinaT

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Some Forum Posts:

Ireland: Rain (and Mold?) in Ireland:

I am wondering if Ireland's rainy climate means there is a lot of mold? If so, are there any areas in Ireland that are more dry where someone allergic to mold could live? I am also hoping to live in an area with a lot of expats but can't live in a city with significant air pollution. Actually, one of my attractions to Ireland is the rural life with quaint cottage-style homes, rolling green hills, and the ocean never that far away! Thanks!

Costa Rica: Mold in Costa Rica:

As a tropical country, CR has great appeal to me with my passion for gardening for wildlife - especially butterflies and hummingbirds. But I am allergic to mold - even potentially asthmatic. Maybe people like me shouldn't live in tropical countries? Guanacaste has been recommended to me but lacks the strong expat organization near San Jose that is also important to me as a SWF. Thanks for your advice!

Costa Rica: Mold in Costa Rica:

As a tropical country, CR has great appeal to me with my passion for gardening for wildlife - especially butterflies and hummingbirds. But I am allergic to mold - even potentially asthmatic. Maybe people like me shouldn't live in tropical countries? Guanacaste has been recommended to me but lacks the strong expat organization near San Jose that is also important to me as a SWF. Thanks for your advice!

Mexico: Gardening for Butterflies & hummingbirds in San Miguel de Allende:

I'm thinking of retiring to San Miguel de Allende, where I actually already lived for a year - though it was almost 10 years ago. Since then, I've been living in the States where I've become involved in gardening for wildlife with native plants. My gardens focus on attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. It's been wonderful to see Monarchs and provide milkweeds for their reproduction. I wonder if gardeners are organized in SMA and if there is much interest in this type of gardening? I'm aware gardening might be restricted to patios and rooftops in order to live in the town. Gracias!

Costa Rica: Santa Elena and Monteverde:

Hi Easyflow, I've only just started researching Costa Rica as a place to retire. The Monteverde area is one of the areas I'm interested in - mainly because of the Quaker settlement and what seems to be an opportunity to volunteer at schools there. From what I've learned so far, though, the Central Valley might be the easiest place to socialize. But that's a concept that is different for everyone....I'd want to avoid the excessive 'boozing' that's been described online and would hope for going-out-to-lunch and art gallery hopping ways of socializing. I'll be interested to follow any responses online or hear from you privately.

Costa Rica: Taking Dogs to Costa Rica:

I am wondering if anyone has experience in retiring to Costa Rica with two dogs. I have poodles - one is a 7 lb toy, but the other is an 11 lb miniature. I wouldn't fly with them if I couldn't buy seats for them. This used to be an option with Mexico flights. I also wouldn't fly with them if there are potential problems on arrival - like quarantining animals. I'd love to retire to Costa Rica, but my dogs are my best friends - so insuring their comfort & safety is my first priority! Thanks for your help!

Costa Rica: LOOING FOR SUGGESTIONS WHERE TO LIVE IN COSTA RICA:

I've been rereading "Retirement Without Borders" by Golson, which actually includes a 'report card' on weather, ease of residency, special retiree benefits, affordability, health care, English sufficient, U.S. expat community, property restrictions, serious crime, petty crime, corruption, culture, infrastructure, food variety, and access to U.S.. This is a terrific summary of everything that we must think of when we retire to a country. Some of these are major concerns about which location within a country, The guidebook's 'report card' also covers Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Spain, and Portugal. So, it's easy to compare all these countries on each one of all these retirement issues. Unfortunately, it was published in 2008! I think this type of comparison is very helpful and wonder if any of you know of a more recent attempt at a score card? The author of this book writes that "mold is everywhere in Panama...it's not a place for someone with respiratory problems". Since I'm allergic to mold and even asthmatic, maybe Costa Rica is not a place for me either? Are the drier, more desert 'like climate areas in the west or the Central Valley possibilities - or can mold be an issue throughout the year there, too? Thanks!

Date Joined:

7/29/2016

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