single woman considering move to costa rica

Hi
I'm Brad
Attending TEFL in Barva
Homestay thru jan in San Pedro.
Really like the area.
Starting Pensionado at ARCR
Looking to find quiet safe place to live and teach volunteer. Retired lifelong sailor hoping to be home from the sea, looking for place to spend out the years somewhere around here at this pleasant altitude and location. Saw your posts and thought I might contact you for more information and possibly a place to live.
Be glad to answer any questions you may have if possibly there is an opportunity for me. Quiet single widower honest intelligent self sufficient non drinker/smoker handy etc..
Thanks for the consideration or any referral/advise you may have
Brad
Capt- brad- 617 - 'at' that msn site..minus the hypens

Captbrad617 wrote:

Hi
I'm Brad
Attending TEFL in Barva
Homestay thru jan in San Pedro.
Really like the area.
Starting Pensionado at ARCR
Looking to find quiet safe place to live and teach volunteer. Retired lifelong sailor hoping to be home from the sea, looking for place to spend out the years somewhere around here at this pleasant altitude and location. Saw your posts and thought I might contact you for more information and possibly a place to live.
Be glad to answer any questions you may have if possibly there is an opportunity for me. Quiet single widower honest intelligent self sufficient non drinker/smoker handy etc..
Thanks for the consideration or any referral/advise you may have
Brad
Capt- brad- 617 - 'at' that msn site..minus the hypens

Note: the last response to this thread was over a year ago so you may not get responses here. You might do better starting a new thread.

Hi Brad,

I'm located in Montezuma, about 2 k from the beach.

I have a small 2 bedroom house for rent. Let me know if it's of any interest to you.

Montezuma is a very nice laidback village. 

Have a good night. Gini

Hi Brad,

I'm located in Montezuma, about 2 k from the beach.

I have a small 2 bedroom house for rent. Let me know if it's of any interest to you.

Montezuma is a very nice laidback village. 

Have a good night. Gini

I moved here as a single woman when I was 63 and I think one of the main items of security for me has been that I live in a gated community. I do live in Alajuelita which is 6 miles south of San Jose.  I adore the Central Valley. If you watch the news here, it seems that there is a lot of crime here (we get a bad wrap, even though it is one of the poorest areas of Costa Rica, second only to Limón)  But I have never feared for my safety.

I also advise friends to come down for a trail stay, for at least 6 months, before making a total commitment.  This can save a lot of expense if you do that.  Visiting here and living here permanently can be very different experiences.

I hope this helps you make your decision!  I have never, for even a moment, regretted moving here and I hope that will be your experience.

Hi
Thank you for the reply and offer.
I am in school thru to January so it will be awhile. Would like to stay up in mountains were its cooler, heat and humidity turn me sloth, but the moderating beach has all ways attracted me. I'll be traveling all around at some point, I'll stay in touch, you see my em,open a line if you want, get some more info, and maybe stop by
Most appreciate the kind offer to an unknown, a little busy now, but intrigued for sure. My time line may not work out for you, however would be pleased to have you in my network...haha...the Sea calls me back yet still...Il Mare owns my soul..

Hi SallyRose
Thank you for your encouraging reply,  your kind wishes appreciated.
Thought and planned long and hard and hopefull before coming here..again..from 35 years ago bringing a boat thru here north...inspired me then out of MANY places ive been and since... so finally full circle back...just hafta see.. God willing...pack the sea bag and wander on, if not.

CaptBrad, As a Pensionado, you are not legally permitted to work, even to teach TESL. Wages earned and hours worked, are usually, low although this part doesn't seem to apply to you.
Please read this article

Hi kolerias
Thank you for this important information.
Will be sharing, looking into this, and my school, thoroughly, and let you know what I find.
Was aware of most of it, most legit schools and volunteer orgs are aware and will obtain the permits, and tax docs, required as these are "jobs" that a CRequenio cannot do and the country obviously welcomes and needs these services. Especially in volunteer situations. There seem to be alot of offerings, so I must think there is a way to do this, 'above board'.
Thanx

One cannot have a work visa, when they have a Temporary Residency cedula, such as Pensionado Of course many 'work without one', but tutoring or helping a neighboring group is different from a filling a position where a local certified 'worker' is paid to teach English, so this is/may considered taking away a job.

Only a potential employer can apply on your behalf to get a work visa.

Brad
Don't believe all you read here..there are lots of nay sayers but I know many who et either Volunteer work or get help from schools in Heredia.
.Keep up your hopes..Also I often have House sitters on my property who help out in return for lovely little apartment inGorgeous MILD climate of Cenral Valley..
Good luck PM me if you like..

Hi Gini
Interested in your place.
Looked more into montezuma and I am going to have to come take a look at some point.
As I said, busy through to about 21st December when take another road trip of discovery. Was doing the coast from Hermosa all the way to Nosara.and Samana. Would have added Montezuma, Tortuga etc, and visited you but for time crunch. Took ferry and looks like easy-er way than go around, especially regarding roads down in that area need more time.
So!
End of dec road trip is planned directly to montezuma.
If place is still available, then will come see.
Excellent references. Possible boat job offer.
If you consider possible, please send some photos and details. I'll be coming anyways to see in person and stay awhile.
Thank you again for the offer.

Hi,

Sure! Sounds good.

Just make sure you get in touch with me before coming down.  Just in case I rent it!

I would like to send you a video of the property but this site doesn't permit it.  Let me know if you want me to send it to an email or phone. 

Don't hesitate if you have any questions, it will be my pleasure.  Gini

Supah!

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WhatsApp
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Be sure I will give you plenty of notice.
Totally understand as availiable
Thanks

Ok! Keep in touch.

Hello all
I’m probably coming to costarica soon
From North Africa Could use some help and advice
Please contact me directly it’s urgent
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Suggest you read the requirements for living legally and (not)working here.

Hi
I just read your post. Did u. Move to Costa Rica? It’s been 7 years?☺️

no I did not with this covid can't.  house is almost complete though.

Hi there

I'm 60 and about to sell up and move to Costa Rica as well.  Being English, I'm not sure if the US and Canadians will be Ok about joining groups there etc.

I have a couple of questions -

I would like to know how people set up groups and people get to hear about them?

Is there a FaceBook group for solo ladies moving/ or have moved to CR?  If not shall we set up one?

Carmen x

Hi there

I'm 60 and about to sell up and move to Costa Rica as well.  Being English, I'm not sure if the US and Canadians will be Ok about joining groups there etc.

I have a couple of questions -

I would like to know how people set up groups and people get to hear about them?

Is there a FaceBook group for solo ladies moving/ or have moved to CR?  If not shall we set up one?

Carmen x

Carmen....Have you even been here to Costa Rica before ?

first ?  have you spent any length of time here?   extended time here or jumping in?  if the latter do so first. And where do you plan to live here? i am in the southern zone ojochal

The general wisdom on the street is, do not move to Costa Rica without having rented there first. One should rent at least partly during the dry season and partly during the wet season, and set up housekeeping so that you have to do errands like banking and grocery runs etc so that you get a real feel for what it's like to live there.

Costa Rica isn't for everyone. Many return to their home country within 3 to 5 years. I returned after 6 only because it took 3 years to sell my house.

Coming to Costa Rica on a whim worked out ok for me.i came i liked 9 years later still here.take a chance and live your way

For forieners no but CR is forcing vaccine on our youngest school age children and parents have no rights or say about it. Many had to get the jab to go to work. Costa Rica is turning into a police state. Been here 9 years and have definitely seen more check points and harassment by the police. always carry 20 thousand colonies for donation.

@JamieC

    Hi Jamie i read your reply to sherry I am in her same situation but I am nervous because i would be going with only my social security check but i want to leave here i do not think i will make it if i stay, i sound like a weirdo and really i am not just been in a bad relationship for far too long i am 56 and am alone and want /need to start over is it possible to do all alone

There are plenty of single women expats living in Costa Rica and plenty of folks living exclusively on their Social Security incomes. To succeed, you must make careful plans and you must be prepared to make some sacrifices and adjustments to your expectations.

One of the wonderful things about Costa Rica is that, in all major facets of your life, a range of options is available. Housing, food, transportation, medical care and more offer more and less expensive choices. It's up to each one (or couple) to decide what's most important and how and where they'll compromise.

@Pebbalita

Well Pebbalita... you obviously don't get too close to authentic Tico living, because putting toilet paper in the trash can is normal almost EVERYWHERE except Resorts, Hotels, or 'nice' houses where a larger, multi-sectioned septic tank is installed.  Where I live, and in the cities closest to me (San Ramon and Quesada) I have never NOT seen a trash can next to a toilet... and many times, a sign telling you to USE it 'please'. And I'm a man... so those trash cans in the men's toilet stalls are not for tampons.  Most tico houses have a small concrete tube, turned upright, as their 'septic' tank... no bigger than a keg of beer.  Yes...  they should do better... but even the building supply places only have single tank septics...  and in case your head really is in the sand... the 'paper' doesn't always sink to the botom right away... thus, it can clog the 'exit' from the tank to the drain field.  You just don't know anything.  Have you ever asked anybody about this???????   

Banks, Restaurants, Dentists Offices, clinics, stores, etc...  everybody wants you to use the trash 'can' that has been provided.  They just don't build SUPER DUPER sewer treatment plants here.... And you don't have to be a Nuclear Physicist to 'figure out' how to neatly 'wrap' you dirty paper with a little 'clean paper' and drop it into the provided  trash receptacle.   Really...  anybody that doesn't like it can just leave now. 

I met a tourist couple and the 'woman'  complained  to me that they were lectured by their hotel staff after the first 3 days because the trash can next to the toilet in their room was EMPTY when the cleaning staff was doing their job.  She said it was 'below' her to do that.  And if you are one of those 'types' that thinks the 'rule' is for everybody else except you... then Karma will find you. BELIEVE me when I say that I gave the two of them really good BAD directions before the drove off.

Please everybody... don't be foreign shit-heads (no pun intended); Respect the Costa Ricans and their living standards and practices.  You are a visitor here... even if you've been 'living' here for 25 years.  No wonder the 'world' hates Americans.

Happy pooping.

@davidraycr1234

So leave if you don't like it.  Maybe all of you crazy anti-vaccers can all go and live 'together'... make that 'really really close together' on a melting glacier in Greenland.

@sherryring

yoga, biking, gardening, and tennis.

So...  finding out if an area, town, or small city has a hospital is quite easy... google "hospital in Nosara" and you'll get your answer... which is NO.  There is a medical 'center' in the small city of Nicoya...  but they are not calling it a 'hospital' for a reason.   Costa Rica only has around 34 hospitals for the ENTIRE country... compared to over 60 hospitals in West Virginia... which is the same approx. size... but WV has less than 2 million people... CR has now, over 5 million people.  You do the math.  There are numerous clinics all over CR... but 99.9% of the time not open 24/7.  AND... over half of CR's hospitals are in the greater, Central Valley area... where almost 50% of Ticos live.   You should also know... Ambulances here generally have only one person in them... the driver, who is not a Medic.  And... perhaps even more important... the Ambulance has to travel TO YOU first; and then FIND YOU; and then, hopefully, get you somewhere where they can help you if you haven't already flat-lined. 

Look.. don't let a somewhat minor or even serious medical emergency turn into a TRAGEDY.   Smart expats living NOT CLOSE to a hospital will write that you need to KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS... which, more often than not, will be Ticos.... they are the ones who will most likely get you to the hospital... even if it's just because you accidentally cut off your thumb trying to extricate the water from a coconut. 

Imagine calling for an ambulance only to find that the person on the other end of the phone line doesn't speak English... and why would they?????   Also.. most of us don't have 'real' addresses here.... outside of cities and bigger towns, roads don't have names and houses don't have numbers.  They just don't have addresses here... so you'll have to explain where you are, or where the 'victim' is in bad Spanish... and then wait/hope.   ???

If you want Ocean and a hospital... try Florida.  In CR you'll be limited to Limon, on the carrib. coast... (not safe for a single white lady); the central pacific beaches that are 'closest' to San Isidro-General; and the north pacific beaches closest to Liberia.  Tons of beach places exist... but are you getting seduced by the 'postcard' ??? and forgetting about Logic and Common Sense???    Numerous expats on this and other forums have written about 'starting' at or near the beach; and eventually going 'closer' to the types of amenities that address their needs and wants... which are generally closer to population centers.   You don't have to live in the Central Valley for that... but there are great towns in that proximity that offer good authentic Tico life as well as comfortable climates and a quiet lifestyle; yet are not 'hours' away from San Jose and the airport. 

So let me cut through the crap and suggest you do this first before you make the 'leap'.. 

Make a needs list... a serious one.   Keep the 'wants' list at the back of your mind.

It is really really important.  You may even have to make some compromises... but if watching the sun set over the Pacific means you'll be dead in ten years because you couldn't 'get' to a hospital in time... then you decide if that is worth it.  Only you know you.

You can do Yoga anywhere; or start a yoga group in your new location.

You can bike on the road in front of your house.  Biking is 'big' here and you'll find somebody near you who would enjoy a partner.

Gardening...  My god...  the entire Country is a garden.  You can even just do 'nothing' and things will grow!!!

Tennis... you aren't going to see tennis courts in every town or even every small city... it just isn't popular here except near higher education institutions, Resorts, or expat enclaves.   My gut says that if you are living in proximity to a bigger population center.. you may find a tennis court.  I even considered building a tennis 'wall' in my garden so I could play/practice against it; better than nothing.  Costa Rica is all about Soccer, then running/walking; biking; surfing; and Rodeo.  It's not a sport obsessed nation.

As for safety... I believe it is safer here than it is in most American cities and Big towns... But you can easily find out from the 'locals' where to and not to go.  The US Dept. of State will also give you a list of areas/places to avoid.   Just use common sense.  Don't be somewhere where there aren't others around.  If out at night... don't be in remote, dark locations.  It's all simple logic.  If an area doesn't look too kosher... then it isn't!!   Once you leave the city of San Jose... where there are some bad barrios and even the good areas can get 'sketchy' at night... you'll be fine.  Just use your head.

There are expat 'concentrations' ... everywhere, both bigger groups, and scattered ones.  Grecia area.  Sarchi area.  San Ramon area.  Atenas.  The 'nicer' beach towns ? and even La Fortuna has a very healthy expat population .... it is spread out because the area has such a plethora of great attractions to live near (lake, volcano, nature and wildlife reserves, rivers, natural termales (hot water); waterfalls, swimming holes, rainforests, etc.) 

But there are expats ALL OVER Costa Rica...  you just don't know it ... nor would you unless you lived there.  I am the only gringo in my village; but I occasionally meet other foreigners who live in nearby towns and villages...  we just aren't 'organized'... mostly because we don't need to be. 

So you decide...  Maybe you will need other expats around for support.

For me...  I was more interested in living with the Ticos because after all.. who is going to have more information about Costa Rica than somebody who has lived here for their entire lives???   

Good luck to you. 

@Linda1511

Linda...  It is illegal for you to work in Costa Rica without Permanent Residency (takes about 5-1/2 years to get that) and also, Official Permission to work for 'pay' by the Dept. of Migration here in Costa Rica.  They generally say 'no'  unless you have a badly needed 'skill' that is in short supply here.  ??   The gov't of CR wants all jobs to go to the Ticos first.  The Nicaraguans that are here get special permission because their country has become un-livable for 85% of the humans that are there.

It's not like you'll be moving from Maryland to Wyoming...  there are rules.  Costa Rica is a country; and there are rules.

If you work without Residency and Permission... and you get caught... you'll be escorted 'out' without any time to prepare or arrange anything... and most likely, you'll be forbidden to return here.  Hell... they'll even make you pay a 'fine' before giving you the 'boot'. 

You may want to spend some time doing your homework first, before jumping on the 'fun ladies group' bandwagon; or even this forum, for guidance.  We expats can help with questions and such, but you really need to do your due diligence first.

@Didikay

I have also heard that Tamarin do was a nice place, maybe a little more costly. I want  to stay for a month a get a feel of the land. I will be coming in the green season, July or august, so I need to stay away from the Pacific north as it gets saturated . I will have to check the stats on Monte Verde. I don't want anything,fancy! Any ideas? I'm used to the Florida heat and humidity so as long as there are fans I don't need air conditioning. Also will be walking and will need public transit near by. Thank all...

Didikay...  not sure where you are getting your information.  Tamarindo is a Tourist Place.  There is nothing 'Costa Rican' about it... it could be anywhere.  Why would you go to a resort/beach town to learn about a country??? 

Wet season... if you think that staying away from the Pacific north is going to, by chance, avoid getting rained on...  you have no clue.  The entire country is wet during dry season...  I live south of La Fortuna... we have had 7 FEET of rain since June 1st.  But coming during wet season is a good idea... you really need to know what the wet season is 'like' before you decide to live here.  Life does not 'stop' during the rainy season (which is called 'invierno' by all Ticos)... so plan on getting wet.

Non fancy hotels are everywhere.... but usually not close to 'attractions' ... especially remote ones.  Look for places called 'Hospedajes' which are simple 'inns' that are usually OK and sometimes even have hot water.  They almost never have food.  You can pay as little as $30-50 dollars per night.  Some can be a little 'floppy'... as in, "pay by the hour"... if you know what I mean.

Your attitude about the heat and humidity is PERFECT for visiting and living in Costa Rica... The tropics are wet and warm and that makes it beautiful.   I love that you are prepared for that... so many come onto these forums and ask if it is humid???  or hot???   Really????   did they just fall to earth??

I'm a public transit fan too..  I made sure when I was searching for a place to live that it was near a bus route... I got lucky and I'm 300 yards from a bus stop that is on 3 routes... so I can get to La Fortuna, San Ramon, and ciudad Quesada.  Know this... there are also taxis almost everywhere... and in the rural areas.. 'pirate' taxies.. which aren't really illegal.  Most of the time, I know the pirate taxi guy by name, his familly, etc.  They give out their phone numbers and you can call them almost anytime.  Comes in handy when buses get cancelled for holidays and such.

Good luck

@sixtygirl

What's your question??

@rainagain

Hello all... just realized the original post was 10 years ago...  ignore all that I wrote.   

LOL!!!!

Hey Dave

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