Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
mamayannis I do agree that is costs much more than it used to, to live here, but wonder why at this point in your lives and taking your husbands health into consideration you decided to take on a house & mortgage, such a distance from town and the ‘conveniences’ it offers to many?
We are of similar ages, and live in a lovely, large 4bed/2bath rented home on 1 Hct. in a small gated community with no HO fees, including utilities for less than your mortgage payment, albeit [i]without[/i] a maid or a gardener …:wink: which is good for us as we live on a fraction of your budget.
I really hope that once you are covered by CAJA, the fees will make a difference, and that the local CAJA facility will provide good, ongoing care for your husband.
A friend told me that since they were both ‘hitting 70’ they had decided to put their home up for sale, since they knew it would take some time to sell and they didn’t want to be ‘stuck’, and unfortunately three years later, they are indeed ‘stuck’.We have previously owned homes and property here, and often discuss [i]should we do so again…[/i]
Article this morning regarding property tax, on [url=http://www.qcostarica.com/2014/05/11/tourism-drives-property-values-up/]qcostarica.[/url]
Mamayannis, at this point in the game, unless you have decided to purchase a home, you are ‘free’ to move to another area of Costa Rica, where you[i] may[/i] live for less.
Once you have received your [i]cedula[/i] you could find out that your CAJA payment is much more than you hoped for…:roll: so your budget, must increase again
This is why forum members, frequently, advise new arrivals, to try out an area [b]before[/b] making a long term commitment.
While vacationing for a short time period, many ‘inconveniences’ are deemed ‘acceptable’ although for the long term, it is a totally different matter.Where you wrote [i]”… we wish we had been told some of these things before we decided to come”[/i] I’m [u]sure[/u] we did, but I expect you didn’t think it would apply to you.8)
Declare it … or you could end up like this American family last week, who brought in over $45K and did not declare it. Article on today, 3rd March edition of [url=http://www.amcostarica.com/morenews.htm]amcostarica[/url]
Guilty until proved innocent 🙄Article this morning on [url=http://insidecostarica.com/2014/02/27/15-costa-ricans-victims-robbery-2012/]Insidecostarica[/url] regarding robberies in CR and know that most are not reported.
In the rural areas where we have lived and been robbed the police did [i]eventually[/i] come, but the culprits were never apprehended nor were the ‘goods’ ever recovered. We also were expected to provide them with food and drink while they were [i]’looking for clues…’ [/i]:roll: … and also had to provide flashlights, if it was dark, and that they took with them when their investigation was finished…:lol:
BTW residents were/are usually ‘expected’ to ‘chip in’ for vehicle repairs and general upkeep of the ‘police station’ which I have no problem with, but really shouldn’t be necessary.If you invest in a security system, not many companies will actually respond to an alarm going off.
Costs vary throughout the country.
We paid this past month 82.706 colones, per kwh and we use very little electricity per month.You can only bring ‘in cabin’ one pet kennel per ticketed passenger although 2 [u]may be permitted[/u] if you travel first or business class. Check with your airline of choice.
Also there is a maximum number of pets allowed per flight.If expecting a parcel via the regular mail system, you will [i]probably[/i] have to go to El Roble, just outside of Caldera, Punterenas to pick it up, and to pay both taxes and duty on it.
A friends young son was sent a birthday gift from his aunt, valued at $200 on the customs form. It cost the parents $350 to ‘retrieve it…’
Buy local when possible.[i]”..but I am addressing the bigger issue on why this is accepted”[/i]. What can we as ‘expats’ or even CR citizens do? Complain? We do and have, but criminals are released to do it again. No-one likes to be targeted but we can only add security features around our home … and hopes this keeps us personally and our belongings safe.
You should ask the people you have met in the area you are thinking about moving too, and ask [i]specifically[/i] if they have been robbed and see if you feel that you can live there, without living in fear.
If you are in doubt, don’t make the move.Most of the gated communities are not reminiscent of Florida, as many only have a gate to keep wandering livestock out …or in.
Living in a rural community does not necessarily make safer to live in, nor does it make it robber resistant, but for a single woman [i]maybe[/i] renting in a gated community would be best to start off with. Wherever you decide to rent, [u]don’t[/u] sign a long term lease until you are sure it suits you.Costs have recently risen, so please take this into consideration.
[url=https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/cfmbb/threads.cfm?forumid=B63CD37A-24E8-5ED2-F15B1D105DDD7D6D]Additional info on living here[/url]
[b]Playayoga[/b]…this is ridiculous!
Hope you go direct to CAJA and can negotiate or get a lower price?
Definately contact Tico Times, AMcostarica, qcostarica and explain your position
Good luck.
