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Homesteading Family Relocation

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B4family
  10/20/2019 07:08 EST

I am looking to relocate my family to CR ( husband and 5 children will be coming with) We are looking to homestead (have most of what we need on our property). Good weather for growing vegetables and fruit, laws that favor the life style and homeschooling, like minded people in the area, prefer to be able to get to the beach/ fishing within an hour drive. Like areas that are not heavily populated. Currently we mainly speak English so being able to communicate is a plus.

What cities or area of the country do you suggest I continue my research?

ILuvCR
  10/20/2019 08:23 EST

Hola! please explain "looking to homestead "?

Pura Vida!

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Mentor
  10/20/2019 10:04 EST

I suggest you do some more research. Costa Rica is about the size of West Virginia. Its not huge like Alaska which is more open to this idea. The laws are different here and you will find many challenges. First find out if you can even qualify with your income to be a resident. You will be in competition with others and I do not think you have thought this through. You also want to consider the safety of your family.

Kohl
  10/20/2019 10:37 EST

Suggest you read the info on the residency and working aspects of living in Costa Rica.

FYI, homeschooling is not considered 'legal' here.

https://costaricalaw.com/category/costa-rica-legal-topics/immigration-and-residency/

lindyluvsCR
  10/20/2019 16:49 EST

They just got done watching reruns of Little House on the Prairie.

B4family
  10/20/2019 18:43 EST

Hello, homesteading= growing own food, raising, chickens and possibly other animals, like goats or pigs or cows.... living off the land, collecting rain water. Then what we don’t need we could sell to our community. I have watched videos of some beautiful permaculture pieces of land in CR so use that growing style is what I am thinking

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B4family
  10/20/2019 18:49 EST

I have done lots of research, just have never been to CR and need to know more about location and micro climates that are present.

What challenges will I find?
I qualify with my income alone.
What makes you think I have not thought this through?

Hence the question about areas, where are high crime areas and where are the safer areas?

B4family
  10/20/2019 18:51 EST

Thank you, I have read the information on residency. I know from research there are no laws about homeschooling, but also have read of families homeschooling and one of them was also talking about a international school near them, which intrigued me and would like to know more.

B4family
  10/20/2019 18:52 EST

Actually if you are open minded and knew anything about us, my 3 oldest kids and I use to Travel full time in an RV for 4 years. And really if ya have nothing positive to contribute then maybe choose to be silent.

Lisapuravida
  10/21/2019 08:09 EST

Not sure if this helps. Are you looking for a sustainable community? I know there is one just south of me here in Playa Hermosa but not much knowledge of the community. https://stmichaelscr.com/

Kohl
  10/21/2019 08:58 EST

Suggest you read this:

https://homeschoolingcostarica.org/situación-legal

Know that once a permanent resident, PANI can and is known to 'step in' to make sure your child is attending either a private or public school in CR.

The International Accredited schools are private and expensive...however they aren't everywhere.

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sanjuan
  10/21/2019 09:40 EST

Tinamastes in Perez Zeladon, between San Isidro and Playa Dominical, has a substantial number of folks who are invested in similar types of interests. FB page is Diamante Valley--that's the local waterfall.

peter2017
  10/21/2019 10:48 EST

B4family,

Homeschooling 5 kids (in Spanish) is a full time job, even if it were legal. LOL.

You have not thought this through at all.

Substinence is possible, a lot of manual work, but it is possible. 12 hour working days for you, your wife and your kids.

You'll still need extra money coming in to pay taxes, buy supplies, pay for electricity, gas, diesel etc. But you can play the homesteading for a while until you realize that you have ruined the futures of your kids.

At that point, it will be too late, they will leave your 'homestead' and you will too after your health will decline (all thanks to homesteading).

When people say 'homeschooling' what they really mean is some reading at home, mostly from one book.

US has the best opportunities in the world for young people. Why would you want to deny that to your OWN children?

Homesteading is a stupid idea in the US, never mind in CR.

Homeschooling is a stupid idea anywhere on this planet.

lancej
  10/21/2019 11:33 EST

That was harsh but true. However there is a quality of life that I think they are searching for. Ive been in Costa Rica with my 3 kids, Whom are now 14, 16 and 20. When we got here the youngest was 3. They have been in Private schools most of the time, My X wife thought she would home school them but that was BS, and so was Cyber School. So we pay more for education than housing. 600 + 600 + 500 = 1700 a month. My oldest is just finally graduating. We did however move back to the states for 2 years in 2012 and the public school in a blue ribbon district was better than the private school education here. But the quality of life is excellent here, I love it, but can see how my kids education has been hampered. Life is not all about education, but it is..sort of when you are trying to provide for your family. I have a business in the states so Im lucky I dont have to try to make a living off of a business or a job in Costa Rica. So, I said all that to say, happy is happy, And there is a sacrifice for everything. I could make more money if I lived in the states visiting my customers more and networking but I prefer Costa Rica, Pura Vida

B4family
  10/21/2019 16:24 EST

Not looking for a community, but that gives me information to be near like minded people... thank you

B4family
  10/21/2019 16:27 EST

Thank you for the information

B4family
  10/21/2019 16:34 EST

Actually I have thought this through, you may not be able to homeschool five children, but I do a fine job of it. Who said anything about working 12 hour days, you may need to, but we do not.

I am giving my children the best this world has to offer everyday. But please stop projecting the view you have of yourself on to others.

Actually my kids learn more in one week then most public schools attempt to teach in a month, so obviously you don’t know much about homeschooling. Yes there are families that don’t educate their children, but we are not one of those families.

What opportunities do you think young people have in the u
USA?

Homesteading is one of the greatest things I have ever done. And I wish more people would homeschool their children vs trusting the government to train them up.

B4family
  10/21/2019 16:38 EST

Yes overall quality of life is important. Yes I will agree homeschooling is not for everyone, but it works for us. Financially we don’t need to work in CR to live. Thanks for your perspective.

Kohl
  10/21/2019 16:51 EST

One last comment 8-): your child/children must be under 18 to be part of your residency application, unless they are attending university or college full time, in Costa Rica. Then they would have to apply as an adult individual and require a large amount of money...

lancej
  10/21/2019 16:57 EST

Ive been in Costa Rica for 8 years without a residency. Its not necessary's long as you leave every 90 days. The benefits of a residency is being able to participate in the government hospital health insurance program, get a cedula (SS#) which will allow you to borrow money from a bank or get a job. I dont need either and I purchased a house with owner financing. Also paid cash for my cars.

sanjuan
  10/21/2019 17:14 EST

Which type of residency category do you fit into?

peter2017
  10/21/2019 18:50 EST

B4family,

It looks like you have already decided what is best for your kids.

I just feel so sorry for your kids.

Take care,
Peter

acastillo
  10/23/2019 10:04 EST

I think you'll find what you are looking for in costa rica in regards to lifestyle. I've done quite a bit of research on the homeschool situation. Despite what others say it is legal but only for kids 14 and up. There is a GED equivalent that will get them into college. It's not legal for younger kids but enforcement is patchy and relies on complaints.

Also a lot depends on the discretion of the pani agent assigned if they do get involved. I spoke with a psychologist who was hired by a family to testify to their kids education level and she convinced pani the online schooling they were getting was adequate and the case was dropped.

Kohl
  10/23/2019 10:59 EST

I have never heard that homeschooling is only legal for 14+

I had American ex-pats living beside me on an organic farm, who 'home schooled' their children, and PANI got involved, and they were 'forced' to comply with the requirements else they were told the children would be taken by PANI and so had to enroll their children in the public school system.

acastillo
  10/24/2019 08:04 EST

@Kohl Yeah I remember you telling me that before. I think you probably know the rules in costa rica are not consistently applied. Maybe the kids were under 14 or the pani officials didn't know about the program or simply didn't care to inform the parents there was another option. My experience with government officials has been they are not especially well informed or helpful. In any case the info I got about homeschooling for teens was from a gov website.

Kohl
  10/24/2019 09:40 EST

Yes, the children were all under 14.

We had left the area when this occurred.

Blueridgeboy1
  10/27/2019 14:40 EST

Telling you that home schooling is not legal in CR does not seem to have had any effect. How about learning that your idea of selling your surplus crops, eggs, or whatnot would also be illegal until you gain the proper residency to have a job? As a visiting non-citizen you would be allowed to own a business but not to work in that business. You have said several times that you have done extensive research, yet you seem to have overlooked these major flies in your ointment. Best wishes on your journey.

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