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If I buy a home in Costa Rica from an American with a bank account here in the states, can we keep our money transfer here in the states and the paperwork in Costa Rica to complete the transaction?
Would this be allowed? Recommended?
I’m not a “beachy” person, but some of my travel companions usually are. Our favorite spot is Dominical. You can venture south to Uvita, or north to Jaco and Manuel Antonio. The road is very good along the coastline so day trips are easy. Dominical is a relaxed little surfer town with some great restaurants and places to stay.
From Dominidal, you can go east to San Isidro del General (45 minutes) and Chirripo Valley area (less than 1 1/2 hours) for some gorgeous mountains. Perhaps some hiking to the the summit of Mt. Chirripo. From Dominical, you would be 15 minutes from Nauyaca Waterfalls and less than an hour from some fun ziplining places. If you enjoy the mountains, cross the mountain of death and make it to the Orosi Valley area for a few days.
There are sooooo many gorgeous places to visit…..you will be back!
Loraine, I was answering Scott’s question “Is the estate tax fair?” Period! I understand taxes very well, thank you very much.
Scott, to answer you question….no, there’s nothing “fair” about it. The middle class will be taking the brunt of this tax. Those in the financial league of Warren Buffet will not be paying these taxes as they have people on their payroll to ensure they don’t. And I say good for them. The poor don’t have the assets, which leaves the middle class.
Those who have family businesses, ranches, or farms will, in many cases, lose their property/business just to pay the taxes. Having assets isn’t the same as having cash/wealth on hand.
Davidd, yep that death tax is expected to be 55% for anything over 1 million dollars. Right now, it’s 35% for anything over $5 million. A family farm/ranch/business with a home, investments, savings can easily put a beneficiary in a financial bind.
Also, now selling a home will have an additional 3.8% federal tax expense…..as though the realtors, title company, etc. don’t already take enough off the top of a sale.
Unemployment will continue to go up as healthcare related companies are already making announceements for immediate and 2013 layoffs.
It’s a mess and people are hunkering down trying to determine how to survive with more than the shirt on their backs.
I’m thankful I’m in a red state that still has a good economy as well as elected officials that will fight the feds on all the crap they are trying to force down the throats of the states.
Scott wrote:
With the ‘fiscal cliff’ in the U.S. you know that income tax rates are going up, capital gains rates are going up, rates on dividends are going up dramatically, estate and gift tax exclusions are going down – big time and, your property taxes in the U.S. will probably also be going up!Puravida!
You are on target, Scott. Finding an estate planner with some time right now is akin to finding a needle in a hay stack. EVERYTHING will be sky high in the near future and I dont’ see much being done to stop the upward trend.
To those of you who discuss the increasing prices in the CR, let me share with you that the prices are also going up and up in the U.S. Increased charges for food, energy, insurance, TAXES are just the beginning.
One place we’re really looking into has fruit growing everywhere and a Sunday morning market with VERY reasonable prices for dark chocolate, baked goods, fruits, veggies, fresh pork/fish/chicken, and homemade, organic soaps/oils/shampoos….all made by people in the area.
Our lifestyle here in the states is very simple. We live in the country, have a garden, chickens and milk goats. We seldom go to movies or any other kind of entertainment venue as we are busy on the “farm” and love our lifestyle. Our house is much too large and we have waaaaaay too much crap. We go into “town” to buy groceries maybe once a week.
When we visit CR, we stay only in places that have a Tico and ex-pat population. We NEVER stay at a resort/hotel that we could stay in the states. Sodas are our favorite places to eat as the food is soooo good and reasonably priced. Plus, we’ve learned alot about Ticos by just talking to them. I even have some of them as Facebook friends now. Oh, and when we eat out, we are never quite sure what we’re getting, but our attitude is we’re on an adventure. I ordered enchiladas at one soda and got the best chalupas I’ve ever eaten.
Noted that too, I get a lot of real estate emails about settling in cookie-cutter homes in gated communities and most look like the neighborhoods and track homes we have around us. To each their own, fine, but for me, would not want to live like a strip mall, strip neighborhood I would leave behind………..
At first, can see hanging w/expats and groups, would eventually, wantto branch out and meet/greet Tico/a and I am not the joiner type long term..[/quote]Have you spent time in CR? If not, as a traveler, I’d be more than happy to share some info on great places to visit and stay. I’m amazed at how many people have LIVED in CR for a decade and haven’t ventured across the country. It’s sooooooo gorgeous. Every trip we’ve made (5 so far) has found an extra 5-6 hundred miles on our rented vehicle.
Vern,
Where have you been looking? What’s your criteria? Go south to the San Isidro del General area or north to Lake Arenal. My observation as a frequent visitor and “blog” watcher is that so many want to move to CR, live with fellow expats in the same size homes/crap they are leaving behind. We find the simple, relaxed lifestyle to be our draw not “stuff” or the same house/property we’ll be leaving behind one day.BTW, in our dream world, we’ll be moving in 4 years at the age of 62. We want a few acres to garden, have chickens for eggs, maybe a couple of milk goats. This is our current lifestyle and plan to continue being somewhat self sufficient.
My top (must have) criteria is a (1) gorgeous view, (2) good wifi, (3) temps cool enough not to need A/C, and (4) close to somewhat decent medical facilities.
We want privacy without being remote.
I know…..TMI. lol
Dori
Dan,
Keep updating us as I’m enjoying hearing your thoughts and day to day concerns. AS we are planning on moving to CR, it’s important we understand the small frustrations/set backs/differences that can make one’s life miserable. I’ve always believe the small details can make or brake a situation.
So PLEASE keep sharing. One questions…..what was the deal about making a rookie mistake an not being able to rent a car. What was that about?
Dori
TexasDon´t forget to include Lake Arenal in your travel list in case you have not been here. Lake Arenal is and has been for 20 years my home and favorite place in Costa Rica.[/quote]
I did have the chance to spend a couple of days around Lake Arenal and I think it’s gorgeous. I tend to be drawn to the higher altitude areas….those places that have fireplaces for the evening. I am SICK of hot, humid Texas summers and want some comfort in my aging years….lol. We will be spending a a day in La Fortuna during our next trip. Do you have a view of Arenal Volcano? We stayed at Arenal Observatory Lodge and I found the volcano to be awesome.
