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Arnold Ziffle

@Arnold Ziffle

Active member

American expat in Costa Rica

Forum

28 posts

About me

American

Lives in Notellin;

Speaks Ingles, Espanol, Ebonics

Registration: 28 January 2011

Activity

Arnold Ziffle replied to a thread
10 years ago
Newlife137

Any insight or suggestions please by Newlife137

Hi everyone!! My name is Cryss and I am only just starting my expat journey!!. I currently live in LA California and I am need of a major change. I have decided that moving to Costa Rica for a few months is that change. (Oct-Jan). I honestly ...

Arnold Ziffle

No need to worry about a language barrier. Head straight to Limon. Yeh Mon ! BTW. Get used to everyone writing Cris or maybe Chris. Don't correct them. It's irrelevant and proof the schools are good here. :cool: Read More

Arnold Ziffle replied to a thread
10 years ago
Dave101

Is Santa Ana safe? by Dave101

We thought that since Santa Ana is a suburb of Escazu that it would be safe. However, we have made Tico friends that tell us to stay away from Santa Ana because it is not safe. We are interested in view points from Expats and /or Ticos that really ...

Arnold Ziffle

I currently live in Santa Ana and I have never felt unsafe here. To me there is really no difference between Escazu and santa Ana safety wise. I have to say I do not go out at night that much, but I think going out at night alone as a woman is ... Read More

Arnold Ziffle replied to a thread
10 years ago
Dave101

Is Santa Ana safe? by Dave101

We thought that since Santa Ana is a suburb of Escazu that it would be safe. However, we have made Tico friends that tell us to stay away from Santa Ana because it is not safe. We are interested in view points from Expats and /or Ticos that really ...

Arnold Ziffle

If Beverly Hills had no police dept. would you live there ? Better yet. If the MS13 WAS the police dept in Beverly Hills would you live there ? Read More

Arnold Ziffle replied to a thread
10 years ago
lauramacpherson

bringing seeds into Costa Rica by lauramacpherson

We will be in Costa Rica for 4 months. I wanted to grow some veggies and herbs while we are there. Does anyone know if you are allowed to bring unopened seed packets from the US into Costa Rica? Thanks. Laura

Arnold Ziffle

Use youtube as a tool. Build your own filter system. PVC and carbon( Kar Bone). The stuff they use here for a BBQ grill. Learn Spanish. The old timers can tell you how to handle water. If you're headed to the central hellhole( San Jose, Santa ... Read More

Arnold Ziffle replied to a thread
10 years ago
lauramacpherson

bringing seeds into Costa Rica by lauramacpherson

We will be in Costa Rica for 4 months. I wanted to grow some veggies and herbs while we are there. Does anyone know if you are allowed to bring unopened seed packets from the US into Costa Rica? Thanks. Laura

Arnold Ziffle

Your laziness is my work ! I don't hate Costa Rica. (Moderated: rude comment) PP get hard to facts ! :top: ... Read More

Arnold Ziffle replied to a thread
10 years ago
lauramacpherson

bringing seeds into Costa Rica by lauramacpherson

We will be in Costa Rica for 4 months. I wanted to grow some veggies and herbs while we are there. Does anyone know if you are allowed to bring unopened seed packets from the US into Costa Rica? Thanks. Laura

Arnold Ziffle

No matter what you choose to grow make sure you can see it from the window or about the time it gets ripe it will magically vanish. No the dog wont scare them away. They have a neat system of poisoning dogs here. Dead dog. Disappearing vegetables, ... Read More

Arnold Ziffle replied to a thread
10 years ago
lauramacpherson

bringing seeds into Costa Rica by lauramacpherson

We will be in Costa Rica for 4 months. I wanted to grow some veggies and herbs while we are there. Does anyone know if you are allowed to bring unopened seed packets from the US into Costa Rica? Thanks. Laura

Arnold Ziffle

OK ,let's drop the illusions.You're bleating about dangerous roundup when the idiot CR government sprays thousands of miles of easement with it multiple times a year.OOOO Dat Bad. Well. You ever wonder why everywhere you go in CR there is a ... Read More

Arnold Ziffle replied to a thread
10 years ago
justachicaincostarica

How a car accident changed my view on living abroad by justachicaincostarica

Last May I decided to pack up my things and get out of the cold (May isn't really cold, but it isn't always warm either) and head to Costa Rica! I love the beach. I love wildlife. I love nature. So the move wasn't such a hard decision to make. I ...

Arnold Ziffle

Ticos are taught that paperwork is God. It takes 4 Ticos and innumerable papers just to buy a flashlight.MANY people die due to this idiocy and they don't have enough guts, nor brains to change it. Read More

Arnold Ziffle replied to a thread
10 years ago
Julie

What's your favourite Costa Rican food ? by Julie

Hi, Let's talk about food! I indeed love to discover (and taste!) new recipes and I would be interested to know the traditional dishes you would recommend. What is your favourite food of Costa Rica? What are the main differences between the local ...

Arnold Ziffle

Sopa: crema de pejibaye. Everything else here is crap. They haven't invented a sauce since 1920(garbage Lisano).They think all meat is to be pressure cooked. They think black pepper is spicy. If you add a little meat to Gallo Pinto you didn't make ... Read More

Arnold Ziffle replied to a thread
10 years ago
Drclynnt

Family practice physician interested in practicing in Costa Rica by Drclynnt

I am considering moving to Costa Rica to work as a physician. Would like to know the in's and out's of doing this as well as learning where in the country I should practice, self employed vs employed, and overall feasibility.

Arnold Ziffle

Back to school to certify in CR. School is in Spanish only.You still probably won't be able to practice unless you are a surgeon or specialist that we lack in volume. Doubtful. A good friend of mine made it but he was a USSR trained Cuban surgeon ... Read More

Arnold Ziffle replied to a thread
10 years ago
geoffsquire25

Short-Term Health Insurance / Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)? by geoffsquire25

Hello, friends! First-time user, first-timer to Costa Rica! My name is Geoff, and my fiancee (Lisel) and I will be moving from Denver to Costa Rica at the end of February for three-to-six months. We're moving to Nosara for an intensive Spanish ...

Arnold Ziffle

Scrounge around over here and give them a call.They'll have some English speaking people. Obamacare is irrelevant if you'll be here. You can get a policy, very reasonable through INS that will cover you all over the world. For about twice that ... Read More

Arnold Ziffle replied to a thread
11 years ago
louise71594

Exploring Costa Rica Culture by louise71594

Other than the gated communities (which we have no desire to be in, overpriced and not our style), what areas would you consider to be in a good location if someone like myself (and the hubby) wanted to spend time exploring CR, the culture, food, ...

Arnold Ziffle

If you want to learn about Costa Rican "culture" buy several brand new trash cans and a remote camera. Put some trash in one and set it out front.Repeat until they're all stolen.Confront them with the fotos and they'll swear to the baby Jesus and ... Read More

Arnold Ziffle replied to a thread
11 years ago
indisunflower

Preparing to move to Costa Rica in July for a year with me family by indisunflower

Hi there, I am Natasha. I am an Engish professor at a university in New York. I will be on paid research leave next year so we are moving to Costa Rica as of july 1, 2014 for a year. We have 2 kids (12 +8 ) and my husband is a professional ...

Arnold Ziffle

Make sure the house has security. Like Ft. Knox security. Don't forget the dogs. Make sure they're trained to only eat from you or they'll be poisoned. When you leave every 90 days make sure it's by bus or plane so you can get back in.You'll have to ... Read More

Arnold Ziffle replied to a thread
11 years ago
Daveknife

Considering moving to CR in early 2015 - brand new to all of this! by Daveknife

Hello everybody! My name is Dave and I've been poking around the forums here a bit. I just want to thank everybody right away because there's so much great info and advice here. My wife Lori and I are considering moving to Costa Rica in early ...

Arnold Ziffle

Do yourselves a favor and go visit Panama. Costa Rica is finished. Read More

Arnold Ziffle replied to a thread
11 years ago
Julien

Opening a bank account in Costa Rica by Julien

Hi all, is it difficult for expats to open a bank account in Costa Rica ? Which documents are required to open a bank account in Costa Rica ? How long does it take to open it ? Is there any restriction for expats regarding the services ...

Arnold Ziffle

Your pet parrot can open an account of it say Pura Vida ! repeatedly......and has 50K colones in its talons as a "commission" for the overly perfumed dirtbag at the window.. LOL Read More