@DDTica
American expat in Costa Rica
Forum
93 posts
Contacts
2
About me
American
Speaks Spanglish
Registration: 29 March 2011
Activity
Renting in Costa Rica by B&J abroad
In another form someone told me the following A expat who lived in CR for 5-6 years, said in the last couple years his rent doubled. The cost of everything there is going up, crime is a serious problem, and the infrastructure isn't as good. Costa ...
The biggest issue I see for expats moving to CR is that they try and live the same life they had in their home country. They eat the same, expect the same, and wonder why they become so miserable. Costa Rica is a third world country with third world ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica by expat.com
Hi everybody, It would be very useful to talk about the cost of living in Costa Rica. Don't forget to mention where in Costa Rica you are living. How much does it cost to live in Costa Rica? > accommodation prices > public transportation fares ...
Jerry, You do realize this is on the public forum and it was only by chance that I read this posting. If you want to ask me anything, please directly message me. The biggest issue US expats have is adjusting to the diet and slowing down ... Read More
Looking for 1 bedroom apartment near Escazu (Budget max 600 USD/mo) by oszelmarc
I'll be relocating to Costa Rica this August and I haven't found any apartment yet online.... I plan to stay at a hotel for 2 to three weeks while looking for an apartment but it would be better if I would have a place to go to directly from the ...
Thank you for your kind words. I am happy to help. October is certainly not shorts and flipflop season. In fact, bring a fleece, especially staying in the central valley. Grey windy days can be surprisingly chilly. For the most part, it is an ... Read More
Looking for 1 bedroom apartment near Escazu (Budget max 600 USD/mo) by oszelmarc
I'll be relocating to Costa Rica this August and I haven't found any apartment yet online.... I plan to stay at a hotel for 2 to three weeks while looking for an apartment but it would be better if I would have a place to go to directly from the ...
http://www.encuentra24.com/costa-rica-en/classifieds This is a good place to start. Craigslist isn't bad either. Good luck Read More
Friends in Costa Rica, help me out! by AskChrisEdwards
Hola friends and amigos. Chris here...veteran traveler since I was 17. Now 31, I am currently in playing in Colombia but wanting to spend a hot minute in Costa Rica by the coast or possibly the canyon for a few months. The last time I was there I ...
Since you live in Montezuma be very careful where you buy your fish. Currently fisherman are not allowed to harvest from the Nicoya gulf because of a red tide, so I try and buy deep water fish. Farmer's markets are certainly the way to shop, but ... Read More
Friends in Costa Rica, help me out! by AskChrisEdwards
Hola friends and amigos. Chris here...veteran traveler since I was 17. Now 31, I am currently in playing in Colombia but wanting to spend a hot minute in Costa Rica by the coast or possibly the canyon for a few months. The last time I was there I ...
Food prices are about double than in the US. That is all across the board: meat, veggies (even bought at farmer's markets) and shelf stable. Fish is super expensive and where I am living now, I can see the ocean and I buy off a back of a truck...and ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica by expat.com
Hi everybody, It would be very useful to talk about the cost of living in Costa Rica. Don't forget to mention where in Costa Rica you are living. How much does it cost to live in Costa Rica? > accommodation prices > public transportation fares ...
Jerry, I would be careful about following the above posts since they are all 5 years old. Many things have changed since then and prices are very high here, especially for food (and I am quite frugal). Unfortunately, you need to be "boots on the ... Read More
banking by jerry reid
My wife and I will be retiring soon to CR. The question I have is when we move we will be applying for a Pensionado Residence and I have heard that you could not open a bank acct. until you are approved. How do we open an acct. to live on until we ...
EVERYONE gets the apostle. Beware of ARCR too. Read More
banking by jerry reid
My wife and I will be retiring soon to CR. The question I have is when we move we will be applying for a Pensionado Residence and I have heard that you could not open a bank acct. until you are approved. How do we open an acct. to live on until we ...
Yes, Bottrader you are correct. Residency should only take little over a year. During that time, I rented and became accustomed to CR. It was a good time to leisurely browse for property and get a firm handle on what I was in for. Flower44: I hope ... Read More
banking by jerry reid
My wife and I will be retiring soon to CR. The question I have is when we move we will be applying for a Pensionado Residence and I have heard that you could not open a bank acct. until you are approved. How do we open an acct. to live on until we ...
Andrea, it is true about lawyers, but I was very lucky and mine explained to me every detail and how to use check and balances, so I did not feel helpless. Unfortunately, that is not the case with most expats. The stories I have heard and witnessed ... Read More
residence status by jerry reidelbach
Hi, does anyone know if one applies for Residence does he have to leave CR in 90 days if he is still waiting for his results or can he stay while his residence is being processed? Jerry
It's only a nightmare if you have a shitty attorney and good attorneys are not cheap. Expect to pay $3000-$5000 per application. That includes EVERYTHING: attorney fees, permits, fingerprints, paperwork, cedula, bond, etc. I see so many people ... Read More
banking by jerry reid
My wife and I will be retiring soon to CR. The question I have is when we move we will be applying for a Pensionado Residence and I have heard that you could not open a bank acct. until you are approved. How do we open an acct. to live on until we ...
You could open an account with HSBC or Scotia Bank in the US since both are found here too. But it may depend on where you want to live since both of those banks are located mainly in the Central Valley. Read More
looking to buy property in Costa Rica by rachmels
Greetings, Looking to buy in Costa Rica.Along the beach.Any advise as per location would be greatly appreciated. For now we will be hoping to use for a couple of week a year and rent to cover the costs of the property.However retirement is fast ...
Also, something that all real estate agents "fail" to mention is that you will never own concession property. All beaches are owned by the government. You only lease them. So that place you spent millions on with the soft sandy beach can be stripped ... Read More
looking to buy property in Costa Rica by rachmels
Greetings, Looking to buy in Costa Rica.Along the beach.Any advise as per location would be greatly appreciated. For now we will be hoping to use for a couple of week a year and rent to cover the costs of the property.However retirement is fast ...
My best advice to you is to rent for a year, at least. I would stay on the Pacific side and look around for what fits you. Unless you have a ton of dough to spend on taxes (up to 4% of the property value!!!), you will not live on the beach, or here ... Read More
planning a visit to Costa Rica by manitoulin
Hi - We (my husband and I) are planning a trip to Costa Rica in Jan of 2014 - We will be on the Pacific coast and wondered if there are any neat fishing villages along the coast for us to stay for 2 or 3 3 weeks?
January is a great time to visit the Pacific side of CR. Its dry, hot and they usually start working on the roads too! There are two good sections to look in to: Nicoya Peninsula and from Quepos south. On the peninsula you have numerous towns along ... Read More