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So 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.
What is utterly ridiculous is to think that Costa Rica is only for people that tolerate or are not bothered by crime. Who on earth can be so naive to think that there is such thing as “Paradise” or “Pura Vida”. I have lived in tough cities and can probably outsmart any thief. I just don’t want to get my goddamned toaster stolen before breakfast. Some of you, puravida fantasists, are creating this notion that in order to be accepted in “paradise” one has to put up with the thieves. Nonsense! Why don’t you wait for them with cookies by the front door.
It is me again!
I know that crime in Haiti is worse than in Costa Rica. I am sure that crime happens everywhere. This is hardly a consolation. San Jose may have a lower murder rate than Phoenix, it is irrelevant since even one murder is too many. In the last decade there has been a dramatic rise in crime, everyone knows it including the politicians now. For the last many years they attributed it to public perception or media manufactured fear. Now they all agree that it is real and rising by the day. I do not care if San Jose is safer than Johanesburg or Port au Prince; the Ticos deserve to live with reasonable security and peace.
Economic well being and education are certainly crucial components of any law abbiding society. A strong deterrent is also essential since not all potential criminals can be enticed with social programs or public service advertising. Presently, it is allowed to steal an item if the value does not surpass aproximately $200 dollars. Criminals with several convictions are allowed to go free and terrorize the pedestrian overpasses and bus stops. This criminals, as of today, know they are free to do as they like. No punishment is on the table in the unlikely case they get caught. It is somewhat reassuring that since yesterday, the authorities have a mandate and some preliminary funds to deal with this grave issue. While I would not pretend to know the solutions, I will mantain my deep concern about the rise in crime. It directly affects my property value as well as its long term desirability. A porcentage of the real estate market in Costa Rica is deeply speculative and disfunctional. At some point an adjustment of value, in the books and out, will occur. When that happens, the issue of security will show its ugly head and all of us will be affected. The concept of “full disclosure” is one that is not always pleasant or profitable. There are elements in the way transactions are made in Costa Rica and other emerging economies that are not always transparent. Ticos and expatriates may have to become less “pragmatic” and more demanding when dealing with its criminal population. Anything less will result in decreased quality of life and property values. “Casi Pura Vida, muchachos!”
By expecting less than “Pura Vida”, I may be more successful at adapting to the country. Who Knows? I may be a bit pessimistic about the abilities of the authorities but my total admiration for the Tico culture is unquestionable. It appears that this forum is allergic to any talk of crime or implementation of the law. I also bought land in Costa Rica and plan to live there. I naturally question and analyze every aspect of my move and this includes the issue of crime just as it includes the differences in food, beer, etc. It seems to me that having a “I LOVE COSTA RICA, BLINDLY” attitude can only lead to disatisfaction or eventual failure. I hope that I have not been too negative in this forum. I really wanted a resident’s perspective on the issue of rising crime. To assume that I just need validation for my decisions is unfair.
I agree that this fear could degenerate into just plain cowardice. I am a fairly streetwise hispanic man that has lived in many latin capitals. I feel completely at home in downtown Chicago as well as New York or Sao Paulo. I know that life takes risk and that the U.S is hardly a model of peace and security. I am solely concerned about the real rise in home invasion in C.R. This does not erode my affection for the country but for sure makes me think twice about what kind of everyday life I would enjoy. I lived in Caracas for four years in the early eighties and never had a problem. Twenty years later and the city has the highest homicide rate in the Americas. Many citizens have opted for moving out rather than wait out for better times. This undoubtedly has diminished the desirability of the city as well as its property values. I do not think C.R will be the same, I hope not. I also wish that it does not become another Bahamas or Dominican Republic where foreigners live behind fortified walls with armed guards at the entrance. I want to live normally just like the Ticos live. The problem is real and wishing that it goes away by ignoring it seems counterproductive. I paid fair market value for my land and the least that I require is for the authorities to protect me as reasonably as they can. What I read is that people do not even bother to involve the authorities because they are sure that the criminals will be out in a week at the most. I have hopes that they take hard look at their laws and make the appropiate revisions. What was good for France during Napoleon, may not be for a 21st. Century Central American nation. If they fail to do something, then I am afraid that Costa Rica will cease to be the peaceful society it claims to be. Many other charming societies have been ruined by incompetence and corruption. As marvelous as Costa Rica surely is, it can change for the worst if its citizens, Ticos and Expatriates alike, fail to fix this problem. I must say sincerely that the overwhelming incompetence that is evident right now, leaves a sour taste in my mouth. However, nothing in life comes easy or free, so I remain somewhat enthusiastic about moving there.
You are right too. Is up to me to assess the probability of having my house robbed in C.R. Meanwhile I will wait for the next two or three years to make this decision. I am still on the positive side but it is possible that I choose a different country. The perception of safety, whether real or not, is very important. I feel completely safe living in downtown Chicago. I do not know anyone whose house have been broken into. I walk at night and take public transportation every day. Not thinking about being robbed, as subjective as it may be, adds to my enjoyment of life. I felt fine in C.R until I started hearing about which house was robbed or not. Is not that I heard it only from the expatriates but from the ticos too. When I read Nacion’s Sucesos section, it seems like the situation is spiraling out of control. Today, the different parties agreed to create a crime commission to deal with the issue. I have great hope that they can do at least something. If in two years the statistics continue their upsurge, I may reconsider. Anyway, thanks for your views.
Sorry! It seems that every time someone brings up the taboo of crime in this forum, many object. I am not particularly fearful, just want to hear the expatriate’s view about this subject. The rise in crime in the last decade is real, not imagined. I am mostly outraged about the way Costa Rican judicial branch deals with it: 2 months preventive detention for serious crimes, police officers caught assaulting citizens and reinstated on the following day, etc. Relocating to a foreign country is a serious decision for anybody and safety is one more issue to think about. Crime can and does happens anywhere but some countries have it under more control than others. I am able to replace whatever may be stolen from my future home, my peace of mind, maybe not. I am sorry to burst some bubbles but this is as legitimate of a subject as any other in this forum.
Sprite, you seem to know a whole lot about places where you do not live. Have you ever been to Cuba? How much time have you spent in C.R? Your answers are not based on anything other than highly ideological opinions. Where do you get your information anyway, from the Martians? I doubt that all the journalists at Nacion, Al Dia, AMCosta Rica, Tico Times are employed by some sinister U.S backed news bureau. I am looking for regular residents views about crime, not “Oh, I can’t take Miami anymore” opinionettes.
Thanks for your response. I have had nothing but the best experiences with the Ticos. My only bad experience was with some Swiss tourists that were disrespecting a Tica waitress. She and I let them have it, as only a Cuban and a Tica can (with a long and baroque list of insults in spanish). I still hold the illusion of building a ecological, culturally sensitive residence in the countryside. Nevertheless, lately I have noticed an increase in crime-talk in the area. The Ticos seem obsessed with it and some of the expatriates are of the “conspiracy, ultraleft, I f****d up back home so let me try C.R” kind, unlikely to help. Also, some of the local population is being priced out of the area, adding to the stress. I have seen foreigners come and buy every Tico house on the market just to put them back for sale at triple the price. I am all for market economy but it seems like the perfect start of something unpleasant. Anyway, you guys are there so I will listen to you with interest.
I get my information from a wide variety of sources. I am not moving to Costa Rica because I want to get out of the U.S or because Costa Rica is cheaper or warmer. I grew up in Cuba and would like to live in a similar culture since going back is out of the question. Where I have my land seems very safe, nothing ever happened to me but almost everyone I know there, have had something stolen. I simply do not want to deal with it and doubt that the local authorities can do anything about it. I just want a clear idea about the issue before I move there. The area of Brazil I am looking at is very safe and has a strong law enforcement. Please, I need non-ideological advice. Thanks
