New members of the Costa Rica forum, introduce yourselves here - 2021

Hi Julien, I just returned back to the US from my most recent trip to Costa Rica and it only strengthened my resolve to move there. My plan was to retire in 5 years but with things so crazy here now I may just do it sooner and am now thinking of a much more reduced pension and moving down next year. I am building a guest house here to help finance my living there as I no longer own my property there and plan on renting until I have enough money to buy a small piece of land and build a house. I'm going to be moving to the Southern Nicoya Peninsula in the Montezuma area, which is where I had my B and B before I sold it. My only concerns are getting certain prescriptions ( not opiates ) I take some specific medications...the idea of having to ferry into San Jose every month is not very appealing....and Liberia is at least a 3 hour drive...and the roads down there are rough ( to say the least ) but that's a sacrifice I am more than willing to make to live in paradise! So we will see how this year plays out and if this country doesn't get it together post- Trump then I am leaving once and for all.

Hi
I am new on this site. I've been many times in CR.
I visited for atlantic to pacific.
My wish is to live there and work as a chef and one day own my business.
I am a chef with 35 years of experience and since 15 years working in motion picture and t.v  for series
Feeding crew and tech. I have red seal certification.
I would like to get in touch with restaurant owner or chef in CR.

I also work in the film/tv business, are you with catering or craft service? What area are you looking into living? I know the owner of a great restaurant in Montezuma, I'm sure he could give you some tips on how to start a business. Many expats start successful restaurants, I think its mostly about finding the right equipment and such that would be helpful to get tips on....The restaurant is called Cocolores, the owner is Italian, they do pastas, seafood, meats and a bit of other things.....they are one of the best restaurants in the areas, always busy, and great ratings. Good luck on your journey.....

Hello,  My husband and I are looking for a place to settle down in. We are planning to visit Dominical, Grecia and Samara in January. Are there are forums to virtually meet expats at or outdoor locations like cafes, restaurants, clubs we could meet expats at in Costa Rica. We'll be willing to drive around to meet them. Thank you

Pretty much all restaurants and cafes are outdoors in Costa Rica, you're unlikely to find a virtual forum as internet is a bit spotty in many areas of the country but you can try to set something up if you get any interest. Once you get to your destinations talk to shop owners, cafe and restaurant owners as those are most likely expats.   Regular sodas ( typical Costa Rican food ) will be owned by Ticos so look for other types of foods Italian, American, Israeli, etc.... people are very open and friendly and happy to share their stories ....good luck.

I work as a craft. I also have experience in catering service cause i had one before.
I have contract for all this year but i expect to go there for the next winter season when its gonna be high time there hopefully if the covid start to decline.
I've been to montezuma before and i think i know where is that restaurant.
Thanks for helping. I will try to reach the owner.

***

Hello, Julien:

I am 69 years old, single, and retired.  I am thinking about relocating to Costa Rica from the Houston, TX area.  I would like to maybe rent an apartment in San Jose for a year and explore the country from there.  Does San Jose have some nice suburbs with expats where I could rent a place close to restaurants and a grocery store?  And a nice English-speaking Protestant church?  A modern high-rise apartment building would be fine.  Two bed, 2 bath.

Thank you.

Jim

Hi Julien and everybody else.

My wife and I are eager to start checking out places to spend next winter. We are retired in the mountains in New Mexico. We spent three winters in Puerto Vallarta, but have stayed home the last two. We're ready to be away from the cold and snow again. Right now Costa Rica is at the top of our list and we hope it will be safe to fly there this summer.

We have never been there, so we know nothing about it. Is it safe to drink the water? Can the mail service be trusted? Where should we check out as a place to spend the winter, say October through March? We loved the bay view we had at the condo we rented in Puerto Vallarta, but don't know if we can find that in Costa Rica. We tend to keep to ourselves, but we like Jazz and Latin music when we can find it. And my wife is an artist and found a good artist community in Puerto Vallarta. So we like the quiet but don't want to be too isolated.

I'll look up the climate, but are there any warnings about it. The summers in Puerto Vallarta were too hot and humid for us. The same thing may hold in the costal communities in Costa Rica.

So many questions!

Thanks and best regards.

Hack

Hello,

we will be moving to San José in a couple of months from Germany. Last station were the Philippines before being exiled in Germany due to the pandemic. We are a familiy of four and look forward to spending a couple of years in Costa Rica. As German-Colombian family we are quite familiar with living "in the region", but still hope to find some useful/freindly information and contacts here.

Cheers from cold Germany,
Mirko

Hello friend, you can find very nice apartments through AIRBNB, a very beautiful area is the Dent or Escalante neighborhood, they are very cultural places in which there is a lot of gastronomy and bars, as well as being very close to the center of the capital

Jim;

Skip San Jose..it's just a big ugly city. Look at Atenas, Grecia or San Ramon. I can't help you on the church (but it is a Spanish Catholic country) so that might be hard to find.  There is a bilingual non-denominational church in Atenas.

Hack;

EHHackney wrote:

We have never been there, so we know nothing about it. Is it safe to drink the water? Can the mail service be trusted? Where should we check out as a place to spend the winter, say October through March? We loved the bay view we had at the condo we rented in Puerto Vallarta, but don't know if we can find that in Costa Rica. We tend to keep to ourselves, but we like Jazz and Latin music when we can find it. And my wife is an artist and found a good artist community in Puerto Vallarta. So we like the quiet but don't want to be too isolated.

I'll look up the climate, but are there any warnings about it. The summers in Puerto Vallarta were too hot and humid for us. The same thing may hold in the costal communities in Costa Rica.

The water is safe to drink in Costa Rica. Most of it is very good.

Can the mail service be trusted? No.  You can use aeropost and there is mail service through Correos de Costa Rica but there is no telling if something will get delivered or not.  I'm going by what I've heard but when I winter there I don't even try to get anything delivered.

I've heard Escazu area is good for the music scene (I haven't gone there myself).  I get out of the city areas as fast as I can...

As far as climate it is hot and humid on the Coast, I think you'd prefer the central valley which has a more vibrant night life as well as much more moderate temperatures. The coast would only be an hour a way and you can still get a view of the ocean from areas like Ezcazu.

Carolyn
Living in Colorado, and Las Delicias, Costa Rica
***

Hi I'm Freeman Clark.  I'm interested in moving to Costa Rica to practice medicine.
I've been teaching medical school for the past several years and now I'm ready to pursue medicine in Costa Rica.

I guess I'm hoping someone would give this Family Practice doctor a point to begin without turning around in circles.

Just wanted to say I do appreciate this group, as strength in numbers is a valuable commodity.

Thanks for accepting me into this group.
Sincerely,
Freeman Clark

Hack
         I live in San Rafael Escazu in San Jose
It's very expensive I have 2 bed 2 1/ bath on 6th floor gated and guard $2500 a month
You can expect to pay from $1500 to $3000 for apartment in The safe areas of San Jose
Traffic is very bad here and the food, night life and clothes is just like being back in NY City

I' am looking to move to the mountain areas   I myself am still trying to find this topic where people blog you can live here comfortable on $1500-$2000 a month

I'm pushing $4800 with all my expenses and car insurance is what I paid in New York

Definitely look outside of San Jose unless you can find small house or a AirB&B

Hope this helps

Hello. I'm Kam. My wife and 4 kids are coming to Costa Rica hopefully to stay. We've been there a few times and it feels like home to us.  We are looking for builders to build on our property so any tips will help.  Also we would need to get a lawyer to buy land or house so that we won't get screwed. Any help or tips appreciated. Pura Vida!

Welcome, Costa Rica is a beautiful place with a rich culture, a fantastic place to live however there are hurdles through slow moving bureaucracies that will test your resolve, from banking to just about anything it's going to be slow. You can learn to laugh at it or you can continually be resentfull it's your choice. The later usually ends up in moving back. That being said as it stands to be known. The builder and crew you choose should be building in the area in which you plan to build. Most decent builders will require you to have plans from an Architect and certified by an engineer. The Architecture fee is 11% of the build cost and includes the permits and requires the architect to be on sight at least once a week, Architect's work much like project managers out here and are ultimately responsible in any lawsuit most times. A good reference on building cost depending on finishes can range from $800-1500 per sq M which is 10 sq ft.
All real property transactions should be done with your attorney, cars included.

JBuonopane12 wrote:

Hack
         I live in San Rafael Escazu in San Jose
It's very expensive I have 2 bed 2 1/ bath on 6th floor gated and guard $2500 a month
You can expect to pay from $1500 to $3000 for apartment in The safe areas of San Jose
Traffic is very bad here and the food, night life and clothes is just like being back in NY City

I' am looking to move to the mountain areas   I myself am still trying to find this topic where people blog you can live here comfortable on $1500-$2000 a month

I'm pushing $4800 with all my expenses and car insurance is what I paid in New York

Definitely look outside of San Jose unless you can find small house or a AirB&B

Hope this helps

Joseph, you may explore the place where I am building the house right now. It is much cheaper here, 1 mile to the ocean and secure. The architect/builder lives at the same development. All infrastructure is in place. I've compared the prices and they are reasonable. The only disadvantage (or advantage) is is far from San Jose. Here is the website: https://rinconrivercr.com/development-projects (lot sizes have been increased).

What I would advise to anyone building a home anywhere in CR, is that to make sure to add a very deep overhang,  to protect from the sun & rain otherwise the sun could make the heat intolerable when shining directly onto your windows. Plus, make sure the house has plenty of storage space and closets in each bedroom. Normal for North American homes, but not for many CR homes.

Henry
           I will check out your development and see the lot layouts, I'm not married to the lease here Puriscal

LiveLife what you wrote is right on the money “Everything Moves Slow” I am teaching myself rather then get upset and choke someone out i tell myself Let if Go You ain't in New York City No more

I heard a reasonable amount of  Expat will bailout from CR anywhere from One to Four years, I'm clearing 2 years here

Henry and Livlife both great responses and helpful

Thanks for sharing

Good day eh.
My wife and I are looking forward to our retirement in CR in Nov of this year.
We have many questions and few answers.

We are a Canadian couple, 50 years old and have sold our house (we are in the process of selling our business as well).
Our loose plan is to come into CR for around 1 Nov 2021.
We will rent a place until we find the right spot to settle on.
What does it make sense to bring with us? We were planning a 40 ft container and will bring our personal vehicle and motorcycle with us plus household goods.
I hear some things are difficult / expensive to procure and would like guidance from some other folks who are more experienced than we are.
Also - it appears that the best solution is to enter as tourists and apply for temp. residency while in country. Is this true? Do we have any contacts for reputable immigration lawyers that can help?
Our intent is to use the Rentista program to gain residency.
Anyone have some feedback on that program?
We were looking to settle around Atenas as the spring like climate is well suited for my wife. Anyone have some experience there?
My understanding is that equipment (lawn mowers etc) can be hard to come by. Should we bring a new one down with us?

Thanks much
Steve in Ontario Canada

Good Afternoon Steve and Welcome
            The shipping prices is  outside my wheel house I just came with my clothes and I keep a small Storage unit in the states with my personal paper work and miscellaneous it made no sense to bring that stuff here
I have bought most my stuff here as in furnishings, definitely pricey here
I travel back to New York Once a month so I bring back what I can't find here in my luggage

Lawn equipment is easily available here but once again pricey as everything is in CR, they have a place called EPA which is the Home Depot of CR, it's also a big agricultural country so they have farm equipment stores all over
I definitely advise renting to see if this is your 2nd half life place. Atenas definitely has great weather and stays cool all year rated best weather in CR
I am doing the tourist thing right now since I bounce back to the states once a month, I am not a fan of the the rentista program because they want you to deposit $60k in a government bank to draw $2500 a month off of
If I decide to stay here, I will do the investor program which is owning $200k of real property. Keep in mind data shows Expat have a shelf life here from 1 to 5 years and return back to country of origin.   Real estate is difficult to sell here and you aren't going to make big coin on renting it, well maybe if you own a luxury place in Escazu.  You have HOE fees at a lot of these developments and you would have to hire a property manger here if you ever decide to rent your property.  So that all cost

I have a Lawyer I've been using on some of my business deals here but only met her 7 months ago, other long timers here may have better recommendations and residency law

My advise is come and feel it out, spend time in different areas to see what fits your needs. After you spent time them proceed with retaining a lawyer
You can only stay 90 days at a clip so you will need to do border runs and don't forget you need the Health pass insurance now so you will need to buy 90 days max. They will only stamp your passport with as many days that you purchased in insurance. I know you mentioned you are coming in November but word on the street is CR may keep the requirement Perm.  And don't forget the make you have returned flight tickets

FYI... I noticed they use weed whack red pretty much every where to cut grass, the grass here is like intertwined weeds, super hard

Hope my experiences so far are helpful.

Hi,
Jeff here - just moved to Playa Langosta, Tamarindo with my wife and three teenage boys. They are going to school in one of the 4 private schools near Tamarindo. I am  running my business via zoom, and am looking for part time to full time office admin help, here in Tamarindo. If anyone is living in the area and looking for a long term job, let me know. Also, we have started a facebook group called jewishtamarindo, (the name speaks for itself) and we will be putting together Shabbats and holidays. If you are living in the area and looking for connections, hit me up.

Steve, as a fellow Canadian who lived in CR until 2 years ago, I suggest you read the website of what it takes to become a 'non resident of Canada for tax purposes.'
Personally. I would say that Atenas can get quite a bit warmer than 'Spring temperature.' Grecia or  around the San José/Central Valley  may suit your wife more.
Depending on how large a property you end up with, you may decide that a ride-on mower is called for or just hire a lawn maintenance company to keep your garden in order. With a year round growing season it could prove to be more work than you expected. Applying as either Rentista or Investor status and under 55 your healthcare coverage through CAJA, the mandatory socialized system could be in the $450+ range. And then, many expats choose to also use private healthcare as wait time can be very long under the CAJA system to see a specialist.
Best to rent until you are sure that Costa Rica is right for you. Much easier to leave rental accommodation and try out another area. As the other forum member mentioned, not everyone who moves there, stays 'long term' and selling a property can prove to be problematic. In fact, just yesterday, I heard from Canadian friends that they have at long last sold their home in Ciudad Colón, which they have had for sale for over 7 years to return to Canada.
You didn't mention whether you have previously visited Costa Rica in the past, so suggest if that is the case, you do so, before making this major move.

FYI, applying for Residency under Rentista status you are required, in fact, to deposit $60K, twice, two years apart.

Good luck!

Agree on the Atenas route.  Spent a month there and really not a lot to do.  Weather not as nice as other central valley areas.  The downtown was so-so.  Gretia nice but loaded with expats (great if that's what you want).  San Ramon is a good mix of expats and locals and has a fabulous downtown (not sure now after covid but always tons of great shops, hospital, university)  You certainly can live here for less than in North America if you know where to shop, using local farmers etc. but if you go to the "American" stores, you pay american prices.  Not everyone leaves after 1-5 years - I know people who moved here and never looked back.  Sure it's not for everyone but it can definately be a much healthier, happier lifestyle than what's going on the the States and Canada right now (especially Canada!)  -  Good luck with your move!

With the Canadian dollar, living there is much more expensive than for those from the USA.

I totally agree that many people continue to live in CR, much longer than 5 years. I lived there for 18 years and would have continued to live there but for the death of my spouse. Like me, many aging expats,  feel the need to return to their remaining family.

Hey guys I just wanted to clarify that I didn't make up the 1 to 5 year comment it was information I discussed with a friend that works for the US embassy in CR data shows a lot of Expat leave in that period of time. I agree some do stay longer or become lifers.  My case I am on the fence currently if I will stay been here 2 years almost definitely love it but I'm not retired so money and business is still key factor for me. I have my little negatives here which you have probably read in previous discussions
Most come and realize it's not a reality when they make the famous saying “I want to move here”.  The culture shock, language difficulties and # 1 how expensive it is opens eyes quickly
For instance the government when back intoa lockdown this week for certain areas in CR lowered curfew from a 11pm down to 9pm A country who needs tourist went into lock down again, that just baffles me

Just wanted to clarify

We did the reverse a lifetime ago,by leaving Costa Rica ! My Mother sold everything so we could have a better life in the U.S.(An old story).Fast forward to 30 years ago,my gringa wife and I bought back into Costa Rica and did very well with the up to day appreciation in value.During that journey in those days of the global land grab rush,we were able to meet every criminal,scalawag,sociopath and usurper that the Republic would allow into the country at that time.The honorable Licenciado,Jaime Cerdas Mora the banana worker rights organizer from the 1930's helped us trouble shoot around all this lowlife mentioned above.We built a home 3yrs ago on the Nicoya Peninsula,it was very costly endeavor because there was no way,I was going to live here again like I did as a young man before we left to the U.S.Our life in the dry forest jungle,ended up being more austere than in any period of my life anyways---so we stay on a strict budget.What is clear with the near extinguishing of the Howler Monkey,through power line electrocutions,that the global capital foreigners bring into Costa Rica offer very little in return by defoliating everything for a building they are only going to use once a year for a month and vanishing everything in their wake,including our drinking water. ......

Perhaps, but some bring in lots of money as well, open thriving businesses - not all are criminal sociopaths (although we did find that Costa Rica is a magnet for what I will refer to as "random" people) - everyone we have come across in our 11 years has a "back story".  Still a beautiful country, with beautiful friendly locals.  No different than anywhere else in the world really........sometimes progress isn't for all!  Pura Vida

What thriving businesses are you talking about ? Everything around us is for sale including the new boutique hotels.

Edwin
            Great response and congratulations on your return very inspiring story and it's great to hear of your success
I agree 100% with you on the foreigners Chaining the CR old ways along with the landscape by ripping thru the country to put up homes they rarely use only to become rentals
This put the dream of owning land and dream home beyond reach for a tico who has worked hard and saved up only be told the land cost has become 5 X the cost of its true value

Thanks for sharing

FYI.... I have met about 3/4 of the land of scammers and still meet one a month

Hmmm.... not just foreigners - what about the locals that are selling land that does not belong to them and at very inflated prices.  We have friends that were ripped off.  The foreigners have worked hard their entire lives as well.  They have brought tons of money into the country and some very prominent businesses have moved operations as well and you don't think this is good for the economy.  Times are very different now because of covid but if you take that out of the equation, outside money coming in was helping the country to be a "developing country" rather than a 3rd world country.  Yes there are lots of scammers - we were scammed by our "LOCAL" builder.  Quoted a price for a home that ended up costing almost triple - he was not American, Canadian or otherwise, but rather a local business person.  So before pointing fingers at expats, take a look at your front door.

Yes,you are correct and I will not disagree with anything in your real life living in Costa Rica comment ! With locals/Ticos,we already know who is misinterpreting facts,"As soon as they open their mouth",Foreigners are not far behind in that trait either.The old saying in Costa Rica,"you need an attorney just to get out of bed".As long as people bypass the services of a good lawyer,these property ownership quagmires will keep on repeating themselves.North Americans, hardwired,looking for budget minded construction,choose the local Ticos.They will convince that no architect is required,that the sketch/coquis on napkins is suffice,therefore you will save thousands right there.The people of the U.S.are honest and hardworking,believing that the rest of their gringos are of like mind and ethics in Costa Rica.The majority here are far from that and just a random bunch...

Wow - I did not build my home from a drawing on a napkin.  I took all the proper and necessary precautions and did have a very prominent architect design the home, hired a highly recommended attorney - did it the right way - still got ripped off!  At the end of the day, I have a comfortable home, good neighbours (expats and locals), and enjoy the laid back lifestyle of CR life - so I guess I was one of the lucky ones.  All the Best......

good it worked out for you crate. Lucky you are and with that great attitude its Pura Vida.

I built a lot over the years and have done a few of napkin croquis builds and some with architect. Not much difference. Although i dont build half a million $ beach mansions.
If starting out best to learn the construction methods the right way like how much and where to place steel rebar, the right way to do a roof and septic system etc.
But once you understand the techniques you can do something without an architect. But the munys need to be fed and are employing drones etc to track construction and come get their fees. Just like the states more control and need for taxes.
Important though to have workers covered for accidents with good insurance policy,.

And Don Edwin you are right. The whole discussion about gringo rip off artists Tico take advantage of gringo rip off artists etc could consume much text here.

Maybe best to take this discussion to another thread since this is for new introductions i guess?

but seems like no matter what the thread folks pitch in about getting ripped either by Ticos or by gringos or by both and the  whole not fair to gringos situation etc.

Julien,

I am a retired Canadian planning to move to Costa Rica (San Jose) next year.  Initially we want to visit in July or August to check it out.  We speak English and Spanish and my three kids are now working from home. 

We want to initially go for a month or two, rent a house with good internet.  What is a reliable internet company there and how much?

Eddie

reliability all depends on where you live, some places do not have underground optics yet....side bar, the town of Delicias had its internet cables stolen so the whole area on that system was without internet. Theres many options, wait til you get there, the place you rent may already have internet and it will change area by area

Edwin, where in Nicoya Peninsula are you? yes, there's a big problem with the monkeys being electrocuted in my area, it's horrible to see.....I was very lucky I bought a property that had been on the market for 6 years, when I decided to sell after 4 years I assumed it would take years and that I would be able to continue to enjoy it but it sold literally within 2 months. Now I plan on renting for the first year or two until I decide on a place where I would like to stay and then I will buy or build something. I've been in the Montezuma area for some time and my plan is to stay between there and Manzanillo beach but there are huge swaths of the country I've yet to investigate. I think anything north of Samara on the coast will be too pricey for me......