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Becoming part of the community in which you live, specifically ingratiating yourself with your closest neighbors, will give you some measure of protection. If you waltz into your hood acting like a pinchey gringo, nobody is going to care if ladrones are staking out your house or walking off with your toaster and microwave. If you have a good relationship with your vecinos, they will take an interest in your well being and that of your property. Surely you know this little rule having lived in other Latin countries. I abhor the thought of being a crime victim — been there, done that in Manhattan — but for whatever reason I feel a whole lot safer in Costa Rica than I do in the States. But I work very hard to not be a target of crime. I dress like a bag lady, never wear jewelry, and never let people I don’t know into my house. I don’t even have a maid down there for just that reason. Who knows who they know and who they will tell about what kind of goodies I have? I take the same precautions in CR as I do in the States — I walk with purpose, I don’t cop an attitude with the locals, and I don’t go into areas that are risky. I also rarely go out at night, but even that isn’t going to prevent someone from cleaning me out during the day before the armed guard comes on duty. But my neighbors are vigilant, and we all watch out for each other, eyeing any strange cars that try to enter our hood, and making friends with the local construction crews who are building the houses. Nothing will keep you 100% safe, but aside from that niggling worry, I’d say that the overall quality of life is a lot better in Costa Rica than in the States. But you have to decide for yourself.
At first, I was also a bit concerned about thievery in CR. I heard and read so many stories. But after a while, I thought more about the subject and concluded that this is more a problem of dealing with an unwarranted fear than anything else. Some people are naturally fearful. Some are naturally inclined towards behavior which invites crime. Again, I think it has more to do with these things than with the country in which you live.
… and while we’re on the topic of crime, what about the land scam artists? What percentage of them are Costa Ricans?
What about the people here involved with illegally selling pharmaceuticals online?
The people with the pay-a-fee-upfront-because-you’ve-just-won-the-lottery scams?
What about the pyramid schemes? Admittedly the Villalobos Brothers was the largest one and they were Ticos (although some people believe it has always been a front for CIA black ops fund-raising) but there’s also the Genesis Fund, the Vault, Costa Rica Green and Anderson’s Ark?
What about the boiler rooms here selling commodity futures, “high yield investment programs” and other “investment programs”?
We’re talking about HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of dollars here and I would suggest that 99% of the people involved are citizens of the good ole’ US of A. With a few Canadians and Brits (Michael Forrest) thrown in for some diversification…
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comSo according to some of you, if I dress like a bag lady, constantly stay by a window looking out for ladrones, compare every aspect of life to the U.S.A, I will be fine. Well, I refuse to look like a bag lady. I don’t think that I will be the first to be robbed since I look and speak like a Tico and probably have met the thieves themselves in my many underworld explorations. Seven years ago I felt that C.R was relatively safe and the chances of having my property stolen was manageable. Seven years later and the equation is different. I could afford to live behind fortified walls and have a guard by every door. This is not the lifestyle that I desire. I remain hopeful that the upsurge in crime can be attenuated. I give thanks for your views on the subject especially the ones from people that actually live there. The others, the “Ticofans” who can’t wait to get out of the evil U.S.A and trivialize any discussion related to crime, I hope the best for you. Yet, I am afraid that your dreams may explode like a wet chicharron in hot oil. Tolerance of the unjust is just wrong wherever you are.
Thanks almaral – We have many VIP Members here who have tried to give you some intelligent advice and even though the data clearly shows that your own town Chicago has a crime rate FAR HIGHER than San Jose it seems to me and some others who have communicated with me privately that you have shown all of us absolutely conclusively that you should indeed stay right where you are and we do genuinely wish you all the best.
THIS THREAD IS NOW CLOSED – THIS THREAD IS NOW CLOSED – THIS THREAD IS NOW CLOSED
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.com
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