|
Costa Rica: Is Costa Rica that much more expensive?:
I arrived CR in 1991..moved the family in 95.
Loved it, but as it became increasingly oppressive..COL, regs, marcharmo, traffic cameras, along with the possibility of having your home retitled (stolen..not uncommon) by one of their attorneys of unmatched integrity...
Moved south to David 2011...the COL is half...no hassles with any of the above. Extremely convenient, and Boquete has the same cool climate as SJ.
Still love Rohrmoser of that era, but that place that I knew no longer exists.
Did I mention mandatory health ins...administered by docs ...some of whom have been convicted of organ harvesting??
And these laws are not written in stone, so as they get closer to default (recent bond downgrade) expect more of the same.
Panama: Precious Metals Buy and Store:
Yes there is an independent vault in David, Panama.
The problem is that upon checking I found the no. of boxes so low that covering overhead was impossible for the owner.
Also in reading their contract I found you were forced to trust them, and had little recourse if anything went wrong...such as you arrived one day to find a new store at that local.
Costa Rica: Playas Del Coco:
Residents say, "several organized criminal groups have taken over the town."
Source, qcostarica, march 5, 2016 "Playas del Coco residents fear insecurity"
Costa Rica: Traveling from Costa Rica to David Panama, Suggestions?:
I made the trip many times from Coco to the border at PC.
There should be no problem...you can park your car at a secure garage on the CR side.
Upon entry to Panama they had requested that you show 500 USD per person, along with an airline ticket to your home country...but that may have changed (have my residence here, so it´s been a while since I entered) ...
It´s about 45 minutes to David...30$ cab fare.
Costa Rica: Best country to retire?:
Old Pro
I rarely check this site, having moved south to Panama, but happened to read, and enjoy several of your recent comments.
I too have traveled quite extensively, having visited over forty countries, and owning homes in six.
Yes, I spent several months living in Canada too. Dartmouth, NS. Drilling off Sable Island, and later off of Goose Bay...engineer trainee in the mid 70s. I pass on living there though..too much like my home town on the Cape.
Up until 5 years ago, preferred living in CR. I had first arrived in 91, and life there was such a pleasure. At that time the gas stations tested vehicles for the marchmo, and it was a much simpler life, quite free of the burdensome regs they have now imposed such as mandatory CAJA, 13% VAT and going up as I understand, etc.
I was fortunate also to sell my two homes and move the proceeds out prior to the new law which imposes a 15% tax on funds wired out of country.
Of course best of all aside from the great climate in Rohrmoser was the COL. The USD was doubling in value against the colon every 6 years, going from 125 to 250, and then 500 in 2008.
There is still massive inflation, despite their official numbers, but the dollar has failed to keep pace for nearly a decade now.
Of course the choir will hear none of it. It is probably their first home as an expat, and in time like the frog on the stove, they will either try to hop out, or become a nice tico boca.
The other
Costa Rica: Looking for insight:
Hi Tex,
I had been in CR strting in 91, moved the family in 95,, departed in 2011.
I doubt a couple can get by on that amount.
My final year I was spending about 4000/mo. Granted, I was living well.
The col in chiriqui provence Panama is about half that of the san jose met. area, and a single person would struggle to get by on that amount here.
Possibly with the most basic lifestyle in David you could subsist.
Costa Rica: New law grants CR broad asset seizure powers:
AMCOSTARICA has reported today that the CR president has recently signed a law that gives the state new confiscatory powers.
"So an expat may wake up one morning to find his bank accounts, home, and vehicle are frozen and perhaps confiscated because investigators believe he has behaved suspiciously."
Costa Rica: Got the residency+Caja:
I arrived in 91 then purchased and moved the family in 95. The CR of that era is what made their reputation. It was wonderful, inexpensive, and no traffic to speak of in Rohrmoser.
I would drive and overstay my visa without incident, paying the fine when departing the airport.
In 2001 I received my private pension, and in June applied for pensionado status. Three months later I was a pensionado, libre de condiciones.
I used the resident´s association. ARCR.
By 2011 I had seen enough of CR, and moved south.
My take is most of you newbies will eventually do the same...that´s assuming the gov allows you to leave....as if you have married or had a child with a local, you may have irreparably complicated your life in CR along with your finances.
Costa Rica: "Costa Rica Could Actually Change Your Life":
You were easy pickins, Gomer.
Let us know how it all turns out.
P.T. Barnum was right.
I guess you never heard this one ...If it flies, floats, or fu&k$, RENT IT.
Costa Rica: Upskirt filmer is legal:
The upskirt is merely prologue.
This sicko was a 50 something CR gov. employee.
The kid who caught and filmed him was nearly stabbed to death coming from work the next day by two thugs who jumped him from their motorcycle for no apparent reason...funny coincidence I guess...
Just another day in sunny CR, folks.
|