Influx of new expats ???

We were researching a potential move to CR if the nutcase got elected again. But we found there were a lot of issues we weren't interested in tackling to live there. We're still looking and Portugal keeps popping up. That was our first place of interest prior to CR. It might be our next trip.

What are the issues you're not interested in tackling?

As one who spoke no Spanish when I arrived, allow me to caution you that learning Portuguese won't be easy. Among other things, there are thirty-eight (yes, 38) verb tenses to conquer.

@daveandmarcia

LOL....  I'm crossing Portuguese off my list.

Verbs in Spanish are difficult enough. I personally have worked hard on it... but I'm drawing the line at verbs outside of the basic present, past, and future... I won't live long enough to learn the rest.  But I'm doing well and good enough to live and communicate here.  But I will say to those who are new or going to be new to Spanish... pronunciation is very very simple.  Each vowel has only one sound; except 'y' which they don't consider a vowel.. but it is (just like 'y' in English... what you see is what you get; once you learn the alphabet (99% similar to English) the 'sounding out' of the words is a breeze... unlike English.

After, Laughter, Slaughter

Where wear, hear here, see sea, too to two, won one, There, their They're, caught, bought, not knot, no know... ?????   

I've been teaching English here... I really feel sorry for my older students; I have to tell them that there are no rules... they just have to memorize things.  That's when they stop wanting to learn it.... LOL

peace all

I think there will be some knee-jerk reactions that will fade...particularly for people who have never traveled to Central America and who learn it isn't quite as easy as shopping for a home on Zillow.  There will be some (like me) who are interested in the area because of prior experiences with the people/places...and the election disaster has re-surfaced some of my thinking on where I'd like to live,

Paul 😊

@potterypaul

I think that is a wise response. 

There are always people who say... " If ______ happens, I'm outa here!"   And I'm sure it is the same this time.  They won't go anywhere, at least, immediately.

But this time around, I fear, that if you-know-who follows through with some of his threats, many will believe that they don't have a choice; or, they won't be able to sit by and watch it happen.  When basic norms get thrown 'out'... many people won't be able to cope, or won't be interested in 'waiting it out'... 2028 is 1000 years away if you live in the States right now.

Last time, I thought about 'jumping ship' but didn't say anything... but one day at work a few people were sitting in disbelief at some of his words... and it was only 4 months in...   I thought to myself, "this can only go downhill ... it will not magically get better."   I said to my coworker, "he's going to get people killed" ...   oddly, my job ended soon after, and I considered the 'stars' aligned; at least for me.  I put the wheels in motion and was gone before the following Xmas... luckily before covid.     

Long Story Short... glad I was here for the Pandemic, he did get people killed, and I"m still glad to be here. 

Coming to CR  ?????  It was not EASY and don't go thinking that there is a magic 'service' that will do it all for you.  It takes research, footwork, an open mind, a bit of caution, and an 'inner' push. 

No... moving Abroad isn't for everyone ,,, you won't have a concierge who will help you out with a fixed smile; because it isn't always a vacation here... Nor Anywhere.

And CR is a big change... especially the climate and the culture.. don't be fooled by the 'richest country in Central America'... just because it is, doesn't mean that EVERYBODY is rich, educated, or open to Gringos.   There are plenty of really really poor people; High School is 'optional', and hating Americans is as normal here as it was in Europe during Regan.  But not everywhere... and I feel very welcomed 99% of the time.  But I try really hard not to be a pushy American; I never ask ANYBODY to speak English... (why would they??) and I make the effort, always, to do things their way even if I think it is chaotic and crazy.   It's like marrying into an Italian Family.  LOL!!!!

But you really have to check out more places than what you see on the typical tourist video...  go where the Ticos live to see things you wouldn't expect... or ask about an area that you want to know more about... HERE on the forum.  We could possibly tell you a thing or two.

Anyway... I hate that people now see leaving their lives in the States not as an 'adventure' that they've always dreamed of... but as a requirement to survive; if not physically, then mentally.

If you think CR may be too small and 'limited'... Colombia has become RED HOT for foreigners to move to (up 1,700% since 1990... not a typo!!) and things there are measurably Cheaper than here...  they do tax your foreign income, even Pensions, but you can apply to have those 'amounts' removed from your taxes back in the USA.  Just different, but an option.

Happy Moving Folks

Thanks for your post. As a US citizen that had a plan to leave the last time DT was elected (but was shelved due to COVID), I and my husband are now 10 years older and looking for options- again. Last time, we were younger and were looking to buy property in southwestern France. This time, we are not YET looking to buy- we are looking to rent for some period of time before we make a permanent change. The stress of it all is just not conducive to healthy living and again, we are older now- so every year counts!

@Jtuck2

Hello. My husband and I were looking at Portugal but learned our SS benefits would also be taxed in Portugal, which essentially meant income would be cut in half between the US and Portugal.  Hence, we learned that CR would not tax our SS or income we made in the States while living in CR.  We are looking at CR because DT will be in office, and CR recognizes same-sex marriages.

Good luck!

It's true that Costa Rica does not tax foreigners' incomes, but there's good news if you're serious about Portugal. While Portugal may tax U.S. SS benefits, the U.S. IRS Code makes provision for an offset. If you pay income taxes to another country, IRS gives you a means of not also paying on your U.S. income tax return, so in fact there is no double taxation. Trust IRS; there's a form for that.

I will be in Costa Rica for two weeks in February. I am interested in meeting ex pats in Grecia, Nuevo Arenal and Playa Hermosa/Guanacaste. Any help on contacting groups in those areas, or nearby, will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

@daveandmarcia

Colombia does the same with regards to taxes.  And prices on many things (including food, rent, utilities, etc.) are roughly half the price of CR... they have an expat population that increased 1,700 %   (not a typo)  since 1990.   I guess the so-called 'end' to the drug wars made it seem safer.  Just stay out of seedy areas and sex trafficed zones... the cities are full of undocumented Venezuelans trying to survive and selling their bodies to do so. 

It's on my list if CR gets 'old' or too expensive to make it worth staying if I can find similar for less money.. and I'd love to live where things are less expensive and where there is some good history and culture... plus, they have more airports, more good sized towns at higher elevations, etc.  And of course... the coffee.  I once traveled from Medellin down to Cali... the entire journey was full of amazingly beautiful mountain towns, tons of coffee plantations, and some smaller sized cities.  Most temps seemed to be similar to towns outside of central valley CR; or cooler.  And real mountains!!   with snow on top.

@rainagain

Great post and perspective. Thanks

@daveandmarcia

but you still pay significantly more taxes in Portugal than in US. Especially if you have annual income above 60K euro the taxes are punitive in compared to US.

@rainagain

Please note that Colombia has no treaty with US to prevent double taxation and Colombia tax foreign income however there are legal loopholes for our social security.

@markzele

You don't need a treaty.  Dealing with double taxation is the SOLE responsibility of the taxed individual.. which is and can be one of the caveats of living abroad.

And yes...  nothing and nobody in the US can prevent Colombia or ANY foreign country from imposing taxes on foreign occupants.   CR is now taxing new residents from 'some' countries, like the US, an approx. $100 'tax' or add on, to their Monthly Caja (national healthcare.... mandatory for Residency) fees... which is being discussed A LOT on here by people who want to lower their Caja fees... which is not possible 90% of the time.  Many countries, and even US territories or possessions, will tax your income coming from the states or country of origin... including social security.   That is why the IRS has something called the FTC... which is Foreign Tax Credit.

You simply pay the tax to Colombia (or whomever) as you must, and when you file your taxes back in the states (which you have to do as long as you are still a US citizen... even if you are NOT receiving SS yet) you apply for a deduction under the Foreign Tax Credit. 

I don't know the ins/outs of it... but it's obvious that 1000's of people are relocating to Colombia and are not having a problem getting that deduction.

Like some of the other posters here, my wife and are indeed looking at CR as a possibility if things get too bad here. We've been to CR before, like it, and recognize the reality of moving to another country for any reason. In fact we really hope it won't come to this, but we want to do our homework and be prepared if our "red line" is crossed. That said, we are coming again in mid-March to do a combination vacation/fact finding mission. I'd like to thank all the members of this forum who take the time to post such valuable information.

Based on what I can find from the internet we are eyeballing a few different neighborhoods around SJ. I'm certain that there are nuances to each area that will not be readily apparent. Like the earlier poster asked, if there is anyone in SJ that would be willing to have me buy them lunch we would love to get some personal perspective. I've already asked this in a separate post, but I'll let it go after this, as I'm not looking to be a nuisance. thanx.

We have been here ten years, did not leave Canada because things got too bad, but rather to enhance our retirement.  Spent ten years looking at alternatives and landed here.  We are in Puriscal, which is an hour and a half from San Jose. If you visit near here we will gladly talk with you.

Thanx, where you're at might be a little out of the way for us, but I will let you know. I read your bios and it sounds like you have an ideal situation.

Peninsula de Nicoya/Guanacaste is for the wealthy.....Those days of affordable beach living is over for Americans...It is mainly for the global capitalist investing in airb&b...Those thinking they can just move here are in for more than a 'rude awaking'....The reason I can afford to live in this corner of Costa Rica is because I was the only Tico who did not sell any part of my land to the global onslaught, that started post 9-11,,,

@edwinemora

Edwin !!!   I thought you were dead!!

Hey man... really like the new Photo...  You look younger!!!   LOL!!

I Hope you are well.

Peace.