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We chose the Beach area for its pristine beauty. We find
the neighbors friendly. We bought one hectare about 800 meters from the Beach to offer safety from the mighty Pacific. We were also withing a growth corridor that would lead to San Dominical. Unfortunately plans did not pan out and would consider selling with our plans. Could anyone suggest a realtor in the area?
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Wisconsin[quote=”knrdodd”]Congratulations:D for having the guts to get out of dodge. My husband and I would love to leave but do not have the bravery that you have nor the financial stability at this time.

We visited CR last year (Tortugero, Arenal, and Manual Antonio) and fell in love with the people and the country. While my husband would love to buy property in Arenal, my 10 yr old and myself prefer the beach areas.

We would love to hear why the people on this board chose the area that they did. How is the health care? Colleges?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[/quote]

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Thanks Friends for your time. Another possible option is to use a Panamanian Bank? Possibly with the US presence in Panama ,maybe this could be possible? The last time I wrote a personal check to someone in CR it cleared my bank in the USA in 3 days. So there appears to be no charge to write a check on a US bank in CR?
The trick with the HSBC account and the $100K would be to have a mortgage there also so the totals exceed $100K
I receive a Post Office retirement check and they allow two alotments via direct deposit so possibly I wouldn’t have to deposit the whole check.
Does anyone know if the banks offer different types of currency accounts? Euros? Canadian $$$?
Thanks
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[quote=”finca2″]Has anyone used Western Union and reteived the money in CR?[/quote]
Yes I do it all the time. Actually Moneygram.com is cheaper. Most Spanish people have 2 last names. Make sure the names are written down exactly as it appears on the recipiants ID.
They pay in cash.
Stan
Racine WI

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[quote=”Scott”]I think you’re referring to the Aden sisters: Pamela and Mary Ann Aden, Bandera, yes?

[ http://www.adenforecast.com/aboutUs.php ][/quote]
That is correct, Peter . I have followed them for 30 years. They have lived in Costa Rica. The best advice for you is to diversify. Remember what paper money is?

Stan

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[quote=”pebo”]Can anyone supply any info on approximate fixed deposit rates for funds placed in local banks in colones for long terms 2-4 yrs etc. I assume interest earned would also be taxable. Rates in N. American are pitifully low.

Thanks—–Peter[/quote]
Peter. I had a Cd with Banco de National de CR. For One year in Euros. I watched it appreciate against the US Dollar and thus the Colone. Alot of Panama Banks have branches in CR. Look up everbank.com
They have rates around the world.
I an going to reenter my subscription to the Adsen Sisters who have been in CR for 30 years. They are pretty sharp on what currencies are getting stronger. I can email you
Stan
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Racine WI

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The US dollar for the first time has fallen against the Colone. In 1982 when I first visited CR their currency was pegged at 40 to 1. I was funny going to the Europa Hotel and giving them a $20 bill in payment for a 3 couirse dinner that cost $4. It would take them a half an hour to give you change back in Colones not dollars US. They would go up and down the block for change so they could keep the dollars.
Now there has been a serious drop to 495 c to $1US. What happens if the dollar drops to 400c or 300c. Haven’t you retirees noticed the change? What can a retiree do?
Stan
Bandera

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April
How much did it cost to have them unlocked in CR?
Are phones expensive there? I have a few I want to sell Brand new unlocked.
Stan

Hi

I just wondered if anyone has had any problems with buying an unlocked iPhone 3 or 4 in Canada and getting it connected here with ICE.

I noticed that the iPhone 4 has a micro-SIM card and I don’t know if ICE provides those here or not.

My current cell has the regular SIM card…

Thanks
April[/quote]

April,
I am no expert but have a little personal experience to share. I have a friend that bought an unlocked iPhone 4 in London. He “trimmed” the regular ICE SIM card down to the size of a micro-SIM, inserted it, and voila all is well. He also uses his iPhone 4 as a “my wifi” connection for his laptop. So he can connect to the internet from his laptop through his iPhone.

My wife and I have iPhone 3s that we brought from the USA. We had them unlocked, put in our ICE SIMM card, and they work great here. I think it cost approx 4000 colones per month to add the unlimited internet connectivity to our regulare ICE cell phone plan. I can now surf the web and pull email from anywhere just like I did in the States. I can also send and receive Text messages internationally which has been very helpful.

Good luck to you and Pura Vida.
Jerry[/quote]

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So then I need an unlocked phone that can use the international freguencies??. Is the cost of a phone in CR still expensive?
Thank you
Stan

I just wondered if anyone has had any problems with buying an unlocked iPhone 3 or 4 in Canada and getting it connected here with ICE.

I noticed that the iPhone 4 has a micro-SIM card and I don’t know if ICE provides those here or not.

My current cell has the regular SIM card…

Thanks
April[/quote]

April,
I am no expert but have a little personal experience to share. I have a friend that bought an unlocked iPhone 4 in London. He “trimmed” the regular ICE SIM card down to the size of a micro-SIM, inserted it, and voila all is well. He also uses his iPhone 4 as a “my wifi” connection for his laptop. So he can connect to the internet from his laptop through his iPhone.

My wife and I have iPhone 3s that we brought from the USA. We had them unlocked, put in our ICE SIMM card, and they work great here. I think it cost approx 4000 colones per month to add the unlimited internet connectivity to our regulare ICE cell phone plan. I can now surf the web and pull email from anywhere just like I did in the States. I can also send and receive Text messages internationally which has been very helpful.

Good luck to you and Pura Vida.
Jerry[/quote]

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[quote=”2bncr”]Blah blah blah blah blah…[/quote]

BNCR
Do u have connections with the Bank?
Stan

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[quote=”funmind”]I want to build a small structure to live in and not have to obtain a building permit. Does anyone know the maximum size I can build and not need a permit. I have read 750 sq. ft. and others have told me 10 square meters…what is the law?[/quote]

Sir Please ask my arch. You can put up a temp structure you don’t need a permit. 30M2 and over Email Leo Barrantes from my thread below or I think I started a new one.
Stan

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[quote=”funmind”]That’s helpful…I am in the Nicoya municipality. Who would be my best best bet to contact to learn the rules this area…an architect, builder, or what department in the municipality?[/quote].

Sir May I recommend an honest architect who speaks emglish
Leo Barrantes. Other people on this website have used him. He replied to me.
THANKS FOR WRITING MR PUTRA
ANY BUILDING NEEDS A PERMIT IN CR. LESS THAN 30 M2 ONLY LOCAL MUNICIPALITY PERMIT AND ARCHITECTS BOARD. ALL PERMITS COSTS ARE ABOUT 1,33 % OVER CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATE. THIS IS THE LAW.
SETENA IS REQUIRED OVER 500 M2.
YOU CAN PUT ANY INFO THANKS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL YOUR FAMILY.
BEST,
LEO
He has made many designs thruout CR
His email
leobarra108@gmail.com
I wired him $19K once because I had to have a permit paid for that day and he ran all over the place to pay and I received the cash back. I don’t suggest you do this but I wanted to show that he is honest.
Stan

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TS
You should be able to see the address on your computer . After all you computer has to be connected. On your computer go to internet options under tools. Tools is a dropdown then Internet options ogen connections then click setup.
Let me know where u are at?
Stan

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[quote=”Joan&Troy”]From everything I have read on this site it sounds like electricity can become quite costly if you have more than the most minimal usage. We were wondering about the possibility of utilizing solar energy, to at least minimize the ongoing costs. Does anyone have experience with using solar option in CR?[/quote]

Sir and Madam
I have seen some do it yourself solar panels you can make very cheaply in Green Magazines like Mother Earth News. Only $16.95 to CR. I think with the breezes the country has you would be better offf with the wind. However I don’t know how high you could go without a permit. If you are building make sure you use a competent engineer like Leo Barrantes. He has designed my houses with special eves to enhance the wind; even by the beach

Stan
BBE

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David
I buy cars in the USA at 50% of wholesale and I go thru them. Like I have this Foed Minivan that runs like a top year 1998 cracked windshield for $500. I was told if I have a car try to find one that is dented a bit and say it needs repairs.
Stan
Bandera Beach

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John
Thanks
How much is the approximate cost. Can I bring my own modem?
Stan

[quote=”jdocop”]Stan, if you’re talking about the new 3g data card modem, the answer is yes.[/quote]

[Author]

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