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Here is some more information about the rentals:
https://www.welovecostarica.com/public/Costa_Rica_Vacation_Rentals_Near_Playa_Grande__Champagne_Upon_Arrival.cfmWithin 20 minutes from our place are the sizable towns of Flamingo, Brasilito, Tamarindo, and Playa Grande. I know most of them have private school, daycare centers or preschools. Also a 40 minute drive is Playas del Coco & Hermosa and I am pretty sure there are some schools there as well.
In regards to daily lifestyle here. Weather is fantastic Decemeber – May, and from May – November theres a bit of rain, nothing like other parts of Costa Rica. Lots of activities to do and places to go, many beaches, volcanos, lakes, hiking, waterfalls, etc.. Of course your idea is to work and make a living but you have to mention the reasons one lives here.. is to enjoy being here. Things can be slow at times, when trying to get things. Depending where you live, you can live in a peaceful, quiet and safe area; or in a more congested beach town where life will be a bit more action packed.
Food is pretty affordable and healthy.. lots of supermarkets around now days with most things you could need.
Though expensive the private schools here (from what i’ve heard) are pretty good. They offer shuttle/bus service and offer a lot of after school activities, sports, etc.
Of course your children will become bilingual quick and will learn not just another language, but of another culture. They will have activities and sport options, of course surfing as well.The problem for most new here is 1) making a living and 2) adjusting to the cultural differences 3)learning the process in which to get things done, and not to mentioned 4) getting used to living in a spanish speaking country.
Though with the help from others who have lived here making that transition and learning those things can be done pretty quickly.
Some of the negative things like the horrible roads, lack of services, lack of schools, are no longer a problem. In terms of “Standard of living”, things here in Guanacaste have gotten a lot better in the last few years.
Hello Sunshine,
I live in Guanacaste, near the Tamarindo/Flamingo area. If you do decide to visit, I have some rentals here which are quite affordable and very nice. I am sure I will have time to explain what its like living here and show you around.
Yes, its very true that you will not be making a salary like compaired to the US.. Your husband would not either (unless he was a specialized chef, and found a very high class restaurant to work at). As a teacher (given you find a job and are given a work visa), you could make around 800 – $1000/month at a Private bilingual school here. In the teaching profession here, at private schools, work Visas are given as many American teachers offer what “locals” do not, which is fluent (and I mean fluent) english language skills.
In our area there are at least 3 Private Biligual American Prep Schools, which is more then anywhere else in Guanacaste.
Now the best you can do is prepare a few resumes, and while you are here visit possible schools, talk with people and pass out resumes. In two weeks you could get a feeling what “life” in Costa Rica would be like, see what your cost of living could be, where you may find work, etc.
Don’t forget the cost of giving your children a American style education. Private schools can run way over $3,000 a year so keep that in mind when you are planning finances.
Nobody here can tell you if life in Costa Rica will work or not. It all depends on the skills you possess, your personality and ability to adapt to a new country, your financial state, etc. But if you are thinking about it, the best you can do is come and check it out.
Has this “Garland” guy even been to Costa Rica??
“the coldwell banker claim did seem a bit over the top, i agree. ”
Over the top, or straight BS? Did you just happen to make that up? Is that how you back your opinions, with BS you make up??
I am not going to say I agree nor disagree with the article as I am not a professional involved in Real estate and any viewpoint offered would just be an opinion. However I can note a potential buyer new to Costa Rica could learn a lot from reading it. It is true that its more of a buyers market then a sellers market right now, just like pretty much everywhere else in the world for that matter, so always make a lower offer first and then go from there.
Everyone buys property for different reasons. I would not advise purchasing property as an investment while properties are declining, as you well never know where the true “bottom” is in the market until it happens.. But if you are looking for a more affordable home, or beautiful property, to live on and to enjoy, I think there is no better investment then a property you can use and live on, or live off of. It will always be yours, (given your not in debt), and unlike fiat currencies – even if it losses value, it will still have plenty of uses and offerings for the future (plant fruit trees, and your property will always be giving you ‘somethin”!)
Property in Costa Rica is very desirable for many reasons – and none of those things have evaporated. WIth the current economic climate it may not be the “double your money in a few years” invesment.. But Property is still affordable, the country is still beautiful, all the things that drew people here before have not disappeared, plus, its more affordable to buy property now. Its also true that the market here (unlike much of the world) is not tied to mortgages that should never have been issued.
Though its obvious that no part of the world is “uneffected” by the current economic crisis, Costa Rica included, Costa Rica is far better off then many pats of the world, for many reasons.
I will do my best at translating:
The Costa Rican Tax Department wants to be more flexiable regarding the payment of the recently passed “Luxury Tax” law, which applies to Homes which value exceeds C100,000,000, and whom have published a resulution yesterday with the Newspaper ‘La Gaceta’.
The Tax Authority intends to solve the current problems which exist in making the Payment of Tax in Digital Format.
System Failures and difficulties explaining the process to foriegners are some of the main problems that many taxpayers are facing.
“Its impossible to pay”, confirms Juan Carlos Pereira, resident of Santa Ana, San Jose, who spent four days in order to complete just one of the 5 steps nessisary to pay the new Tax.
‘More Flexible’. After the Resolution, Forigners will no longer be required to provide a Bank Account and authorization for the Tax to be withdrawn directly by the Tax Authority. Now, each Taxpayer will be able to deposit the payment directly into BCR Bank Account #15201001024247707.
Another Modification will permit Taxpayers to file form D-110 Offical Receipt of Payment, which can be obtained in the Tax Administration Offices located throughout the country, and to be able to pay the amount to any authorized collection company.
Howevery, any person who has been able to access the Tribunet (digital) system, should complete the process with that platform. The account at Tribunet can be made after registering at http://www.hacienda.go.cr
The General Director of the Tax Department, Francisco Fonseca, clarified that all taxpayers should be recorded and declare under the Digital Taxation format, but now can pay via other options.
Fonseca also noted that some Foreigners explained their Bank Accounts were located outside of Costa Rica, and in some cases, the homes were in names of children that live outside the country.
There are even Costa Rican Nationals who are finding it complicated to open a bank account or file the tax online. “We are giving them another option while we are currently establishing an alternative form of payment with Digital Taxation”, said Fonseca
The Digital System of Payments was found to be in the state of repairs. Upun entering the Tribunet Website, it is announced that the system will be suspended from Friday, at 4 o’clock p. m., to the following day, at 9 o’clock a. m., in order to carry out maintenance and updating of services.
The lawyer of the business Faycatax, Adrián Torrealba, states that the Treasury Department should consider extending the deadline for the payment.
He states that there have been many “Administration Errors”. According to Torealba, the failures with the technological services, also with the coordination between the Treasury Department and the banks, could be understood as an error of administrative type.
The produced Resources from the Luxury Tax are destined to finance the eradication of Shanty Towns.
Yeah, your right.. Nobody really even tried to reply to your question. Sorry about that. Lots of us here are like a bunch of folks at the bar talkin’ story. We don’t even know what we were supposed to be talking about. What was the question again?
FYI – I own a business. Its completly legal to do so in Costa Rica. The work I refer to doing is the work my company, and my workers, are doing – and not my actual self. So if anyone wants to say I am partaking in “illegal work”, get your facts straight.
So, to best get around this problem would be too either:
– Purchase a bus ticket to Nicaragua or Panama as proof that you will leave the country (will this work?)
– Purchase a REFUNDABLE airline ticket, and just get you money back once your in Costa Rica.
Sounds fair to me. As long as there’s a Loop Hole I wont complain!
Wow I never knew so many people on here lived in Alaska at one point.. as a write this I am sitting in a small ski town by the name of Girdwood, Alaska. I am sure you all have skied Alyeska Resort or at least heard of it, or Chair 5 and the Double Musky.. I have spent summers up here with my Dad for the last 15 years. I don’t normally make it this long into the winter though.
My Dad was also here during the “Big One”, he was Sking within the Air Force base and said he could not remember it better.. he ended up at the bottom of the run by the time it was over, of course without his ski’s. Buildings were ruined everywhere. Out near Girdwood and towards Portage, on the Turnagain Arm, entire sections of habitable land dropped below sea level. Talk about a earthquake..
A lot of people say a “Big One” is due in Guanacaste. I even had a call from my Girlfriend a few months back where she was scared because the News was reporting to be prepared for a large scale earthquake in Nicoya. That kind freaked me out.. You can never really predict these kinds of things to far in advance though
[quote=”Roark”]
Oil is finite I agree, I just don’t have the fear that some people have that we will be running out of it anytime soon causing a crazy doomsday scenario where I need to run and hide in Costa Rica to wait out the economic storm.Why don’t you just appreciate Costa Rica for what it is? Why are there so many conspiracy theories in the minds of those who want to flee from where they live? I understand that you may not like all the rapid government growth over the last 10 years, and the growth still to come, that is reason enough to leave. But all these theories? [/quote]
All these theories.. Right, so many to list. Like they are my theories… and I made all this up from the top of my head. I am scared and hiding in a cave. Thats what you make it out like I am. In reality I have read the facts and don’t believe technology will save us. Your statement “Why dont you just appreciate Costa Rica for what it is?” – what do you mean by that? Please explain
The difference is, between your beliefs and mine.. if your right, you can continue your polluting life on the earth for years to come until a different devastating even occures. However if your wrong, you will go down with the rest of the sheep thinking, oh crap, maybe I should have prepared. Both ways, given the way you live your life of consumption and pollution, are negative contributions to both the planet, the future, and yourself.
If I am wrong, I will be still be enjoying a life of better living, less impact on the planet, and be thankful for the time we have here. While if I am right, well.. I would be doing the same exact thing.. growing my own food, trying to sustain myself – and will be a whole lot better off then you, and the masses.
As to your comment “Why don’t you appreciate Costa Rica for what it is??”, what is Costa Rica then and how am I not appreciating it?
Here in Guanacaste, there are lots of “Fiestas” which is a Rodeo, with food, drinks, and a dance at night. Each town has one on the weekend and its a great place to meet Ticas. You can also find a nice clean, American style place close to the beach for under $500. Great beaches all around. Lots of Americans around to talk too, all the services you could need (great good, big supermarkets, etc.). Great weather.. just to mention a few of the positive aspects of this area. Feel free to send me a message if your interested in the area, I also have a very nice 2 bedroom house open for rent here.
Oh yes of course, if the Washington Post says so… it must be true!! Forget about all fact and logic, that one little article puts it all to rest!
Forget the fact that all countries in the world (besides the Middle East, which may as well have too by now) have already reached their production peak and have since declined. They key here is CHEAP OIL, which the world economy depends. You know – gas at $3.00 gallon, oil under $100.. Keep’s the world go round. All that tar sands, Arctic Oil, deep sea deposits – you think its cheap and easy to produce?? If all oil needs rested on those LAST REMAINING SOURCES LEFT, which are so costly and difficult to develop, I could only imagine the price of oil! No, our planet depends on CHEAP and easily produced oil, to keep the economy running and to keep inflation in check. 80+ Million barrels of it a day!! Think about it.. how long can that be sustained?
The moment the “CHEAP OIL” – all the land based, water injected wells – start to decline, then the price of oil will go up, plain and simple. Have you heard of the term EROEI? If not look it up. That plays a HUGE part in oil production and how peak oil is perceived and its effect to the world economy. Its not that there’s no more oil.. its that the cheap, readily accessible, “quick to get outta the ground” oil is running out – and that’s what our economy depends on. OIL IS A FINITE RESOURCE, so to say that it will never run out is plain estupido. Now I hope you don’t start arguing about Abiotic Oil next…
Many things need to be taken into account when determining the ultimate cost of the installation. That usually determines if a solar array is installed or not. Is the installation on your roof or a mounted installation on the ground? What direction does your roof face, what type of material is your roof? Whats the average electric demand of your house? What brand of panels/hardware do you want, etc. etc. Many things determine the cost, and thus, the feasability of a Solar Array, but on average, its more expensive to do it here. Not to say it shouldn’t be done..
In Costa Rica, expect about 50 – 100% higher cost then in the US. Do not expect any tax breaks or rebates. Look at it as a one time investment into your energy needs, instead of monthly installment payments. If SHTF, your gonna be the only guy with electric around.. and for years and years. However, Solar hot water heating is affordable and pretty easy to set up. A solar array to provide your electric needs is much more complex, and expensive. Let me explain a big reason why it costs more here then the US (besides the CR import taxes added to all the components in the system):
“Grid-Tie” is how most Solar Arrays are connected in the US. It is a direct connection to the power grid, so when your producing more electric then you are using you sell it back into the Grid, and you “Roll back” your meter. At night, when your not producing electric, you buy the electric back. This means you are using the “Grid” as your “Storage” medium; meaning the old fashioned way of battery banks, charge regulators, etc. would not be needed to store and release electric during the day and night.
In Costa Rica, ” Two Way Grid-tie” (The electric company buying back power produced by renewable energy producers) has not happened. That means you have to use the old fashioned way of storing your electric producing the day and using it at night: Battery banks. This component in the system adds additional cost. But you really have three options here:
“1) Battery backup system: A set (or “bank) of batteries, with a grid-tie power inversion system makes it possible to charge batteries while the grid is up. When there is a power outage or when voltage drops, the inverter senses this and immediately takes over the power supply, drawing power reserves from the battery bank until the grid power is restored or stabilizes. This provides an uninterruptible power supply and also ensures surge protection against grid power surges and brownouts that can damage sensitive and otherwise unprotected household electronics.
2) Grid-tie co-use systems. Proximity to an electrical grid makes it possible for homeowners to design systems that are less costly than stand-alone systems. Since it requires substantial capital investment in solar panels to ensure that peak power demands are covered, a grid-tie co-use system makes it possible to design a system for routine usage only and to depend on the grid for peak power demands and thereby achieve dramatic capital savings in the initial investment. The modular expandibility of alternative energy systems in general makes it possible to expand solar array capacity and to add additional components in stages to offset the overall capital investment of a stand-alone power system.
3) Grid-tie co-use variant. Since 220-Volt appliances require dramatically greater capital investment to achieve this power voltage distribution from alternative power supplies, it is possible to design a grid-tie system in which solar panels, batteries, and inverters provide for the entire 110-volt home power consumption, leaving 220-volt appliances to be powered by the grid. In this manner, an electrical dryer, hot water heater, stove, and air conditioning units would operate from the grid, while everything else operates off of solar power.”
[quote=”DavidCMurray”] It may well be true that an in-ground eight person swirly tub would be cheaper to have built than purchasing a Jacuzzi, but will you be willing to heat the water? Electricity isn’t cheap; it’s going to be more expensive in a couple of months; and the more you use the higher the rate.[/quote]
Thats assuming electric is the only way to heat water, which isn’t true, here are the options here in Guanacaste:
– Propane
– Solar Water Heating with storage and secondary heating source
– And of course, electric.Of course you only heat the water when you want to use it. And with a in ground unit the water will stay warmer and constant naturaly. It would end up being used without heated water many times I would imagine.. like a “cool off pool” with jets.
I built a Jacuzzi earilier this year for a client, the most expensive part of it was the water heater, which was not cheap in CR. It was not a stand alone Jacuzzi but a part of their pool.. Anyways, They opted for electric, but I was able to get a high effeciancy heater from the US which I am sure reduced their electric costs long term. It even has a mini – waterfall splashing into it which you can adjust for hot, cold or warm water. A built in Jacuzzi, besides being more affordable, does not have to be located on a deck, or concrete slab, which saves more money. You can also design it how you want, pick your tile and color, shape, add a water fall or fountain, and would be a perminate investment in your property. And, btw, could never be stolen!
It may be a better investment to build an inground jacuzzi as the cost is compairable to buying an above ground unit – they are not cheap here, upwards of $10-15K for a 6 person Jacuzzi. Here is one on craigslist for sale (the first one i’ve seen) for $7,500 : http://costarica.es.craigslist.org/hsh/1469473668.html
Though building a 8 person concrete, in ground, ceramic tile finished Jacuzzi would be cheaper even then that used one.
