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Costa Rica vs Equador

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fredj6
  7/29/2010 00:38 EST

I have researched Equador as a place to move to. Now I am looking at CR.What I don't like about about Equador is that I can not get my car into the country as I can in CR. Is it true that you don't need a visa to enter CR if you are coming from the U.S. just a passport. I see that lliving expenses are a little more than in Equador, gasoline for instances. I would appreciate your comments. fredj6

CruzinCostarica
  7/29/2010 09:38 EST

Hi Fred,

I have clienst and freinds all over Costa Rica, from walled / gated enclosed "Gringo" communities, to living in the countryside where every neighbor is a Costa Rican, and living at the same economic level as the Costa Rican Neighbors. The 1st group have a very high cost of living, similar to the US, because they want everything the same as when they lived in Manahattan or Palm Beach. The 2nd group (I'm one) have very minimal living expenses, because we chose to merge our lives into the existing Costa Rica Tico Culture, including where and how we shop.

When you consider the average annual income in Costa Rica is 1/2 of the US or Canada, yet you still see the streets filled with modern, expensive vehicles, it becomes obvious that it is less expensive to live here. I am sure Ecuador is cheaper, and right now there are screaming cheap deals in Jamaica and Haiti.

My point is that costs of living, while important, pale in comparison to being happy/satisfied/comfortable in any place you are going to call a new home.

It drives me nuts when I see someone constantly complaining about where they moved to, only to find out the moved and invested/owned before they had spent the time getting to know the country, the people, the culture of the place they were moving too. Kinda silly when you think about it. Come spend a little time here, and get outside of the "Gringo Communities", as see the real Costa Rica. And you will find that in this small Country, there are a dozen different "Costa Ricas", travel around a bit and see if you like the country, the culture, the people, and then a specific area of Costa Rica. Then you are making an informed decision and will be on this forum telling your good experiences in Costa Rica.

If you have any direct questions (you can read my other posts and see what I do here, just "Google" Raymond Cruz Costa Rica")
you can email me at [email protected]

Have a Great Day, and PURA VIDA!

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CruzinCostarica
  7/29/2010 10:06 EST

Correction, 1/4 to 1/5th

pndcr1
  8/4/2010 20:01 EST

My wife and I had a home in Costa Rica which we sold a few years ago because of the great offer we got on it. It was a small Tico house but we really wanted to live in a different area. With the profit we made we purchased two other pieces of property, Tamarindo and Santa Maria de Dota. After all the research we have found that you are better off buying a vehicle in CR instead of importing one.

barryash
  8/9/2010 12:56 EST

I have been here 20 years from England . I am surprised about comments on research .You have to see places .The web can be misleading .
This is probably the best place to retire in the world -perfect climate (in the Central Valley only) Beach is too hot and not much infrastructure ---but idela to visit .Also some areas like Escazu ,santa Ana have all facilities like in the US being a little dated like 5 years behind . More english spoken here in these areas than Miami or LA. In fact many expats get by with no spanish .However I recommend learning some . If you want more rural areas try Atenas ,La Garita which are in Nat Geo as the best climate.

In fact more US people live her than any other country per capita .

Initial costs are similar to US for residence and car twice the price but once bought the running costs are 1/3 -1/4 of US .

The only way you can research a country is in the country .The costs are not a major factor as you can choose to live cheaply if you want almost anywhere in the world . It is all about standard of living ,comforts and facilities .Also there are many similar expats here who have chosen the place from all countries . All here and you will lose weight with good natural food .
Barry

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