@altonjd2
First of all... your parting comment pretty much sounds like you have a somewhat level head on your shoulders. That is a really good first 'move' when it comes to taking the leap.... knowing that you have the confidence to do it and not coming onto this or other forums with super mindless, or clueless, questions is a good start.
The advice from Jeanne, above, is really good advice. Of course, everybody is different, but generally speaking... she says good things.
Asking for tips, tricks, and 'any recommendations' should bring you good, sound advice and testimonials from people that are already here and 'seasoned'... I myself have benefited from the experience of others; even though I didn't discover these forums until 'after' 2-3 years of already being here.... So I figured it all out myself.
The first thing I did was investigate the 'Residency' options to make sure that it was doable.
The second thing I did was 'know' how long a person could stay here as an initial 'tourist'... some are shocked to know that they can't stay indefinitely... it used to be only 90 days. Right now it is supposed to be 180 days. Depends on 'the weather'.. if you know what I mean.
The third and best thing I did was to decide that I wouldn't delve into this as an American moving abroad... meaning, that within minutes of landing here.... I approached things as a Tico would or 'may'. I took a cab to a bus station and started my journey. That is how Ticos without cars get places. So I was already immersed in it (being on a bus is always an experience and one learns from observation) whether I liked it or not. Best move I made. Met a nice chap on the bus who helped me hook up with a driver ... etc. Both are still my friends to this day (6 years) With the driver, I explored where I thought, after months of google searches and map gazing; etc. ... would be, the place for me. But since I wasn't driving, I was able to really look at the CR landscapes and people, buildings, houses, gardens, etc. go by. I wanted to know how they lived and had no preconceived idea of 'how' I would duplicate my north american life in a tropical setting... where it can, depending on where you end up here... RAIN a lot, or it can be HOT.
4th... I had started a REALISTIC 'needs' and 'wants' list before coming here (I had already been in Nicaragua for 1/2 year... so I already had a bit of grit between my toes) because I knew of the few things that I could not live without... and I'm not talking about Aunt Pearls rocker, or a favorite artisanal beer... but, mostly peace of mind stuff.. like proximity to a hospital, or reliable public transit. During my initial search journey here... I played devil's advocate and made changes to those lists... knowing that compromise would be important to maintaining a healthy relationship with CR. I added 'paved road' to the list, and concrete house (no wood) as well as not being on a busy road or highway. Paved road is really important... my village has already had over 20 feet of rain this year... and it's still raining. Each area has different climates depending on elevation, proximity to wind currents, etc. My village gets 90% of its weather from the currents that come from the EAST off the carrib... and then they stack up against the mountains (literally, behind m house) and dump on us. 25 miles away can be lower, hotter, and dryer. 2 miles away can be higher, cooler, and wetter. It's a crap shoot. A concrete house is cooler (duh!) and requires less upkeep... and I'm guessing a little less 'damp' during wet season... ceiling fans are a must and if you can ... higher ceilings too. Anyway... you get the idea. So so many write on this forum that they are looking for cheap property near the beach... if it's on the 'needs' list' ... then they did NOT do their due diligence. Cheap beach property doesn't exist... nor does good hospital 'urgent' care near that not cheap beach. Look... if tons of tourists are attracted to something...then the price of everything near that 'something' will be tourist pricing. Not rocket science.
5th... Again... as I approached things as much as I could in 'tico' fashion... I looked for real estate where Ticos looked... which is not ReMax or Century21... and when I did have interest in a place... I had a Tico do the inquiring and not mention that it was for a Gringo. The house I found (a diamond in the rough ???) was listed at $85K... they quoted my Tico friend $40K... ??? Boy were they surprised when he and I showed up and told them that i would take it!!! He had already negotiated a vacant lot across the back of the property into the deal.. final price, $54K. I found the place on the on-line classifieds site called 'Encuetra24" ... I had used it earlier in my searches to get an 'idea' of what was out there 'for sale' and how areas compared; and what a Tico price included. I had done a few walk-thrus of properties listed for sale earlier in my journey just to get an idea of what the average Tico house was 'like' for somebody that wasn't dirt poor; but 'average'. it is surprisingly different. Example.. I didn't know that MOST Ticos don't have hot water in their homes... and those that do, generally ONLY have it in the shower. Same for Nicaragua... but I thought it was because of electricity being expensive there. Considering it never gets below 70 where I live, why would I need hot water to wash my hands??? So I have an insta-hot elec. hot water shower head. No dishwasher, no clothes dryer, and no AC... just like all my neighbors. Some laugh when they hear I have a hot water shower... others ask to use it. LOL Right now it is cold (well... cool, 70 can feel cold if it is the lowest temp you experience) and I'm sure their tap water temp showers must feel cold right now. So... much to consider.
6th thing... maybe for me, but I had to PLAN of everything being unexpected and frustrating and full of hurdles and delays so that I wouldn't pull my hair out. This aint Kansas. That was a good mindset when it came to renovation and construction at my house; WAITING for Residency, bus schedules, and basically, most things here. A friend told me to plan on living amongst a lot of chaos... well??? It isn't exactly like living in down-town Guayaquil... but there is 'chaos' where you would never have expected it... like standing in line. Don't ask.
7th... this is something that you'll start to recognize from just reading this forum ... Many concerns that people have when coming here and getting settled, or doing the 'move' part, etc... are because they are exporting, or trying to duplicate, their american norms to CR. My advice... just don't. Don't expect your prescription to be automatically available (find out before hand, dummy!); don't expect to find a realtor that will get you a 'steal' (don't use one... 99% of Ticos don't... why would you??); don't get frustrated with Tico Institutions (from banks to Migration, to the Caja... you won't win) and LIVE here for awhile FIRST before making the move, or before going shopping for stuff you won't use or need, or.. eventually, LIKE. People write in for all those things... pharmacy, realtor, shipping container bullcrap, waiting for Amazon package to show up... (my advice... buy it here) saving $$ on Caja costs (ask your Residency service... they should have a good idea... that is really a part of their job) getting 'dupped' by a developer... from Canada ??? What?? etc. Dude.. these issues are unknown to non-existent for the typical Tico; so they are imported. You brought it... you feed it.
8th... I did what Jeanne wrote about... only that which 'could' come on a plane trip (I made 5 between the initial search trip, coming back for house closing, and bringing 3 cats, and then return to States to sell house up there... etc.) is what came here with me... and I had it when I landed... no waiting, no taxes, not customs beyond what the airport security guys did and they were overwhelmed.. so nothing got opened. I brought, wrapped in clothes and towels and bedding and of course, bubble wrap,, dishes, glassware, cookware, tiny elec. appliances, tools, art, etc. I got rid of everything else before coming here... from weekend flea markets, an auction house (the sold my art, books, and furniture... I did really well) gifting to friends and family, and even a few loads to the charity thrift. For furniture here,.I found a few good mid-century knock offs at a place called Nordico in SJ. and the rest is either outdoor furniture (works well inside in this climate) or things I have had made by local craftsmen.. from cabinets to dressers, desk, coffee table, etc. I design it, they build it. The tropical woods are amazing, and some of the natural 'cuts' are mind blowing... art unto themselves.
No two people are alike.. so I'm just giving you my 'testimonial' if you will, of how I went about things. It's still a work in progress and the learning curve is roller coaster ish.. but I'm happy. the rain really sucks this year, and my garden is a friggin disaster... but at least I have one!!!
Pura Vida
Enjoy your new life, whether here or elsewhere.
