The Real Cost of Living in CR

Is there something specific here you were hoping to discuss?

[quote=”aguirrewar”]you make your own conclusions based on the numbers

and I do have property in CR[/quote]

After living here full time for the past 2 1/2 years, I can assure you that the cost of living here, and the VALUE of living here can not be quantified entirely in dollars and cents.
Sure, you and others quote all of the statistics about the cost of this and the price of that, but I assure you that those same costs and prices have increased almost everywhere else, especially in the US.
As I always tell our visiting friends and family, “It is not inexpensive to live here, but it is definately less expensive to live here!”, especially when you add in the “back home” costs of real estate taxes, health insurance, etc.

What could have been an interesting conversation denigrated into pure foolishness and name-calling. So, I’m going to chime in and give my perspective on this as one who has already lived it in another Latin American “American Colony.”

Strong emotion doesn’t typically allow for clear thinking, much less productive conversation.

I am a Puerto Rican living here so we’ve already been through this whole colonization thing with the United States. And make no mistake, Costa Rica is as much of an American colony as is Puerto Rico. Actually, there are far [b]more[/b] Americans in Costa Rica than in Puerto Rico.

We cannot expect the average Costa Rican to think like a capitalist Anglo-American. That’s BS. They don’t know that system. And by the way, and let’s be honest, almost all Americans in Costa Rica are Anglos. That’s not good, bad, or indifferent. It just is and it is a fact. The Costa Rican people have been conditioned to a different system. Hey, I’m far from a socialist and love many of the wonders of capitalism but there is a balance here. You don’t destroy the traditions and culture of a country just because you can make some money. That is immoral and inhumane.

Everyone should ask him or herself whether he or she is here to help them or exploit them. Of course, truth be told, many of the people here aren’t here for either, they’re just here for themselves. [i]Punto[/i]. My God, if we’re going to live in a place we ought to be there for more than just our own pleasure. There are higher purposes in life.

If you were kicked around your whole life by poverty [b]and[/b] corrupt government, you might adopt a fetal position as well. That makes sense. If we’re going to be here, then we all damned better be here not only because we love living in “paradise” but because we give a damn about the people and helping them to have a better life while respecting THEIR country and THEIR culture. Frankly, in the short time I’ve been here I’ve seen way too many people driving up real estate prices, selling stuff on Craigslist at ridiculous prices, acting like prima donnas in their BMW’s, Land Rovers and more, and whoring around with the young women here. In the small town I live in the nationals despise the bar in town that’s frequented by Americans where drugs, prostitution and gay pride are all on display every Friday and Saturday night! The Costa Ricans I have spoken with are sick about it but they are powerless to do anything to stop it. This is a town of around 20,000 people with strong religious and cultural traditions. Is that what we bring them, all the filth and crap we have let happen in our own country that ALL of us who are here have chosen to leave?

So, which side do we fall on? Do good for them and help them or live selfishly to further erode and destroy their culture? If you don’t see that then you are blind and know absolutely nothing about being on the wrong end of the American missionary position.

Destroying their ability to own property, prostituting their young women, and much more, is NOT giving them a better life. It is destroying their culture.

As far as his “hail Caesar” comment maybe if you had ever walked a mile in their shoes, as we have in Puerto Rico for many years, you would understand the comment. The fact that you don’t understand that so many people see you as the proud and dominant American is proof that you have your head in the sand or just don’t want to see the other side. I am both, my father is Puerto Rican, my mother was America. I lived both my whole life.

I was raised in poverty and now regularly work with the highest levels of corporate America. I’m fortunate enough to be able to live where I want and come and go as I want. I am here by choice. My family lives very well. But I’ll tell you what, I have a lot of empathy for the nationals here. They’re getting a pretty raw deal for the most part.

And those are my thoughts after having lived and seen what has happened over the years to Puerto Rico which now enjoys a very high cost of living and the highest level of poverty and unemployment of any “state” in the union.

P.S. – I certainly don’t need your “sheckles” and if the other member you insulted did, he would most likely prefer to go hungry rather than to take something from you. The comment itself is gross and incredibly condescending which brings us back to the main point doesn’t it?

ricardo-cr, I could not agree with you more, well said! The cost of living will continue to rise, as long as expats continue to flash their wads of dollars or Euros, and agree to pay inflated prices on goods and services in Costa Rica. My wife and I are both bi-racial, German and Afro-American. We chose to purchase a retirement beachfront home in Costa Rica, because of the flora, fauna and the easy-life culture. I am retired military, and have traveled around the world, and experienced numerous cultures; both good and bad. I am financially well-off, however, we live well below our means. I previously traveled to Costa Rica the last 13 years, prior to our home purchase; and have seen numerous positive and negative changes. My wife is still mistaken for a Tica, and I am still mistaken for a Tico, not by Costa Ricans; rather by expats, not of color. I am still amazed at the very negative responses my wife and I receive from expat Americans and Brits, when dining out, or at the marina; that is until they see us enter our Range Rover Sport, or sunbath on our 44 foot sailboat. We have managed to merge with our Costa Rican community, and have helped our community to become a better place, for both humans and animals. There was a time, when you could live a comfortable Costa Rican lifestyle on $800.00 a month, now, that will only pay for your food, utilities, home services expenses,and fuel, if you own a luxury home. I am saddened to see what Costa Rica is evolving into, caused by negative government policies and negative immigrating persons.

Sprite,
Your points are acknowledged. I have a home in Costa Rica and Nicaragua; neither is in a gated community. I am a active member in both communities, and financially support numerous organizations and causes. I obtain tax free income, for life, and have no need to exploit anyone or anything! I avoid the tourist and expat watering-holes; and frequent local establishments, where I have experienced the occasional prejudicial expats. The point I was trying to make was, Americans and Brits do not leave their prejudicial attitutes in their home country. Rather, they still exercise those prejudices upon expats of color, whom they perceive as lower class Ticos and Ticas. You are most fortunate not to experience, or witness prejudice in Costa Rica. I worked hard and made outstanding investments, to afford my luxuries; for a very comfortable retirement.