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I think you are right Maravilla. The VA told me that if I move to Costa Rica I would only have to return once a year for annual physical in order to stay in the VA medical system. I think this young fellow need to find himself a VA counselor and tell him/her of his plans which should not in anyway jeopardize his benefits for just asking about what might be. Or he might look for a non-profit VA support group to lay out his plans to for advice. For example, here in the state of Oregon we have our own state VA and they will advise you about their experience in working with US VA Department. If nothing else he can call his local congress person and ask to speak to the person in the office who handles veteran affairs for his member of Congress. Over the years I have gotten excellent advice from my former congress member in Washington and here in Oregon, both employed excellent people who knew the ends and outs of the VA system.
I would guess that if you would go on George’s website and ask him this question, he would tell you the answer. My business dealings with him showed me that he is very much above board on what he does. I don’t actually know how he has structured the business portion of his Pura Vida life, but I am pretty certain after his tour, he is being fair to Costa Rica and following the laws without exception. I would guess that everyone he visits on the tour that is from abroad is doing the same also.
As a sidebar, when it came time for me to depart the tour, I gave Oskar; his driver who I think is his business partner for the tours, a tip. Later when they dropped me off in downtown San Jose after helping arrange to change my next day plans so I could follow up on an unexpected opportunity I discovered while on the tour, I tried to give George his portion of the tip money I had brought with me. George insisted I go back out to the van and give the rest of my tip to Oskar which told me his heart was in the right place about what he is doing. George is a free spirit that you don’t often meet in business, but do ask him your question. I bet he will tell you to come on the tour and find out, which will turn out to be the best advice you will get about your goal of moving to Costa Rica! George and Oskar give you the visual experience of everything you are reading in the books.
Tom in Portland on a budget!
Was Oskar with him? What a pair they both make, my May tour was great and I bet I know exactly where you were staying in San Ramon! It was nice to think of the beautiful evening of rain we had when stayed in San Ramon. Remember I am from Portland and I do from time to time admit to liking rain.
Tom on a budget in Portland.
The United States is only in the early stages of this financial meltdown. Those of us in the middle class have rejoiced at what Wall Street has done in the past 25 years moving up to become 21% of our GDP. Of course the stupidity of my own life is that I thought living on inflated housing prices and increased credit was actually real increase of my own wealth. Dumb me but at least I joined the party with Wall Street. The United States is now a nation high on debit with nothing to show for it but mortgage and credit card statements. But I must say Wall Street has done a fine job of once again convincing the government to bail them out once again. Since both political parties drink from the same money trough, it was to be expected that the Congress and the Administration would give Wall Street what it wanted.
I love the my fellow citizens like to yell “commie” or “socialism” when our nation comes up against our own stupidity when we fail ourselves in the face of our own greed. If you want to check out more you may consider watching Kevin Phillips, author of “BAD MONEY: RECKLESS FINANCE, FAILED POLITICS, AND THE GLOBAL CRISIS OF AMERICAN CAPITALISM,” at this link, http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/09192008/watch2.html .
His talk with Bill Moyers is about 26 minutes, you can also print off the transcript to study later.
Now I am off to find my path out of my credit and inflated housing value addiction.
Thanks,
Tom in Portland no longer on a budget since my bubble has busted!I took George’s tour in May, it was worth every penny! George does a good job, showing you much, explaining much. The interesting things is when I am day dreaming at work, which is most of the time, I can actually project myself back to the tour and remember things George explained to us. You will love the driver of the van Oskar, what a delightful man! Both George and Oskar take very good care of you. By the way, if George tell you restaurant has particularly good dish, get it because it always turns out to be true.
Tom in Portland on a budget.
Dear grb1063:
I read on the Internet that Amazon plans to start selling soon in Costa Rica. Boy, that sure makes my day. Did you see anything in the Seattle newspapers or media about this business expansion? I hope it is true, now if I could only convince Trader Joe’s to build one store on the east side of San Jose and one on the west, then my move to the Orosi Valley would be perfect. Believe I have tried to interest Trader Joe’s headquarters in this idea, but so far, no response.
Tom on a budget in Portland.
Dear ShawnLorenzoYork:
I have been on this website for about three or four years. I have a budget similar to yours give or take a few dollars. I sometimes sign myself as “Tom on a budget in Portland Oregon,” which tells you that I don’t have the resources that many on this website have. I would like to suggest three things to you that will help confirm you can have what you want in Costa Rica without breaking the bank.
First, carefully study Scott’s materials. He gives you a lot of good information for very few dollars. Take what he suggests from his materials and watch other website so you can see what is happening in your price range. This isn’t a fool proof plan, but it helps strengthen you knowledge of many parts of the country. I have about twenty or so real estate website I have watched almost weekly since they have in one form or another, confirm the advice laid out in Scott’s book. I am sad to report that from time to time you will see someone buy a house that you have watched for a year or so that looked like the perfect spot for you. Oh well, you can find others!
Second, take George Lundquist tour. It is worth every penny because he gives you in four-days enough information by showing you the “what and how” of making your Costa Rica dream a reality. Many of the things George showed me on my tour I could never afford to buy, but in the end I met the one person that could help and mentor me. That was Steve Riley in the Orosi Valley, who immediately understood my vision, goals and what resources I have to make my home a reality.
Third, go and see Steve Riley, his wife Nancy and their wonder dog Ms. Lola Mae, spend a few days in Orosi to get a feel for the community. It is a pretty remarkable place, everyone is friendly to you. In fact when I returned after I finished George’s tour at Steve’s invitation, I never thought I would come away from my three-day visit owning a small but very sweet piece of land in Costa Rica. I have a view, I have a small stream, and I have the opportunity to hire an excellent gardener who can help me achieve my dream who lives just across the road from me.
I think the most important thing to keep in mind is that doing your homework well as study is the best preparation you can do. Scott has always been willing to give me his best advice in the past over several projects I was hot for I found on the Internet. His advice on the next questions I needed to ask was always right on the money. As a side note, when I went to setup my corporation for my property, my new attorney told me he was amazed that I was asking him all the right questions. He wanted to know how I become so well informed about the legal structure of buying property in Costa Rica. So my study and preparation really paid off since I knew what was happening while the took the steps to complete my purchase. So making this adventure is what will keep you on track and help you to find the best value for your budget.
You can find your dream property on your budget if you keep in mind you will probably have to work harder to find and/or build a sound home compared to those who have six or seven times the budget you and I are talking about. They can demand more attention, we will have to walk through the process probably on our own efforts. Remember we Americans always seem to want many choices, but in the end you are only to select and pay for one. Now I am reading books on house construction and collecting pictures from the Internet of houses that I find to my liking, this is my next phase.
One big hint I can tell you is that pre-fab houses probably fit best into what kind of budgets when each have. Scott just posted a great series of pictures and article on pre-fab wood panel house building. About two weeks ago I settled on the idea that is probably the type of house I will build in the Orosi Valley, half way up the mountain where I bought my property.
If you want, you can ask Scott to forward me an email if you want some of the links I have collected on pre-fab houses or ask other questions.
Good luck!
Tom on a budget in Portland, Oregon.You might want to check out a Costa Rican company in Cartago called Grupo Xilo,
in Alto de Ochomogo – Cartago. The website is in Spanish, so it took a bit of work to get the information about pre-fab wood houses I was looking for. I think they may have products you are looking for is I guess my point!Later,
Tom in Portland on a budget!Does anyone order food stuffs from Amazon.com in Costa Rica? The prices are very good, but I am afraid the shipping costs maybe over the moon! Where do you buy big cans of either olive oil; large cans of Greek-style black olives; and restaurant-size (1-lb container) of spices like cumin, turmeric, basil, etc?
Also, does anyone know the name of the restaurant supply house on the east side of San Jose that is a cook’s paradise? Do you know if they have a website or not?
Thanks,
Tom on a budget in PortlandThis is how we are now helping the poor in the United States:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uynPB_NNrug
and
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/08082008/watch2.html
After I watched this program, I was truly sick to my stomach that I am a citizen of the United States, but hey, it is a good business model.
Thanks,
Tom in Portland on a budget.Yes Ginnee, it certainly was you I was talking about. I hope all is well with you guys. I really love the color of the stucco on the new house. I think it will change slightly in different kinds of weather. Look real good!
Sincerely
Tom in Portland on a budget!Maravilla:
You can get to the town of Orosi by bus from Cartago; it is only about 20 miles. So if you can get from San Ramon to Cartago by bus, you can get to Orosi. How can we exchange email addresses so I can tell you more? Scott doesn’t recommend posting your personal email address here, any suggestions?Thanks,
TomYou may want to take a look at Ginnee y Felipe Hancock’s blog at:
http://www.costaricamountain.blogspot.com
Ginnee spent a week or so ago writing me emails of great information about their building experiences. I am planning to put her advice together into a paper since her thoughts, notes and experiences help you to really understanding the pre-fab construction experience. I plan to visit INPREFA in March to check out their company, their link is http://www.inprefa.com/empresa.htm . I have heard they have a good reputation for their products.
Thanks,
Tom in Portland on a budget.
