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Guns that are meant to kill peole are necesary to keep the goverment from putting us all on drugs.
US women use more beauty products (black hair die included) than any other culture – and they have no idea what beauty is.
Ticos use more viagrs because this culture belives that sex is normal. People actually talk and touch eachother here. Women actually like men and dress for them rather than to compete with other women.
In the US sex is the big strategy that women use to get what they want. The other is to upset the emotionall stability of the family home. All of this leads back to culture. We are cultural islationist and politica; expantionist. Expanding our sick community, drug and violence culture to whoever will swallow it in the name of consuming more. Just look at how fat americans are becoming and how fat Ticos are becoming. Do you think that fast food culture and sedimentary life style the results from moving away from agriculture based society has any thing to do with it.
Sane people want to escape the US. I am glad it is filled with insanity. If it wasn’t everybody would flee and come to CR.
Ticos should continue to be cultural expansionist, and political and national isolationist.
Gringo Tico,
There was an excellent letter to amcostarica.com on Tuesday April 17th (Free Trade Treaty Tradeoff Could Be Traditional Lifestyle) that to me exemplifies why CAFTA should be rejected.
You echo it in your statement: “Costa Rica’s idealic past is just too good for most people to willingly let go of.” And why should they let go of their traditions?
The future is a state of change so holding on to the past without changing is not recommended. But the changes one needs to make to adapt with the future do not need to be wholesale changes – like the many high-rise projects that will be polluting the coastline. It’s pathetic.
You said – “The high cost of isolation will become apparent, and eventually people will realize that integration is the only option.”
I take the opposite stand and say “The high cost of Participation will become apparent, and eventually people will realize that isolation is the only option.”
Why not stick to ideals? I do. And I do not succeed at times, but I do live my ideal life and that became reality by some compromises and absolutely no “sell-outs.” CAFATA is a bad choice for adapting to the future. It is not a compromise – it is a sell-out. As the author of the amcostarica.com article explains, it will lead to materialism and less pura vida. So I guess it depends on what you think is progress. More stuff or more community interaction.
The US destroys culture everywhere its rampant marketing machine goes. Keep your culture CR. And that might mean keeping Americans and their “fortify myself in my stucco mausoleum and talk to no one except those of the same economic class as me” attitude away.
It is already affecting the CR culture as the new generation is moving farther from agriculture and becoming Gringo like snooty with some of the same “entitled attitude” as their US counterparts.
My favorite people in CR are not “Gringos,” although I am from the US, I have some good friends that get “Pura Vida” mostly old timers that have been here a long time, but the new gringos are cultural isolationist. They want there big screens and yada yada yada. Personally I wish those types would all go back to the states. I hope the “new wave of crime” will keep them at home.
I am already making my CR exit strategy. Unfortunately CR is now for business. And I am a realist, CAFTA will pass. CR will be devoured and turned into a US retirement local. All this will happen, although I wish it wouldn’t. So you have to plan for the future. Where is the next CR? I have found mine – where is yours?
Ticos should continue to be cultural expansionist, and political and national isolationist.
OK I know this is a long thread but… has anyone ever eaten at the BBQ wagon in Coco? As you are heading out of town you take the road to Ocochal. Its there on your left and liteally a wagon that serves the best chicken and ribs I might have eaten anywhere at any price. Seriously, has anybody else esten there??? The owners desevere a resturant of their own. Its indescribaly delicious. Mounds of food too and resonable. Damn I’m hungry thinking about it. Only in CR…
Sad truth is US does invest is colonies and since it picks up the bill for protecting the colonies it is entitled to some reward. Police get paid everywhere and nobody likes them, but who do you run to when there is a problem, the police. Except in CR because they are ill trained and well underpaid thus unmotivated (except the OIJ).
I am not touting the way things are, but I am aware enough not to argue with reality. And when I do I only lose about 100% of the time.
Bradbard I wish it was differnt. But it is what it is, hiding ones head in the sand does no good.
Systems are sytems and the players that make the rules of the game have ability to abuse those rules. Its up to people that have had experience with the abuse to tell others about it so hopefully they will not suffer the same abuse.
Gunnar,
I will say this, never give a property deal the benefit of the doubt. Cross all t’s and dot all i’s and from your limited info you look like you could use some advice. If you wish me to reply to your requests please send me a private email, I don’t feel right recommending services here as I respect Scott, his work and his website. The best work you can do on a land deal is the due diligence BEFORE the purchase. You have no idea the problems people get themselves into because they don’t want to spend a little extra money before the sale. And what happens is that sometimes they buy a huge problem and then they have to find out what they should have found out in the beginning. You are smart to be cautious.
I do not know what kind of hair cut you want or what kind of hair cut the people responding got, but if you want white walls around the ears or a basic Tico farmer hair cut – go for it. As far as a style cut as in the US, I have not found one competent person but I have heard they exist in Escazu. I also have the problem of finding a good to great stylist, so if anyone knows of one plese respond.
Mr Aguilar is a rich attorney developer and ex-politician. He was involved with a shady deal in Manuel Antonio regarding a bar. I am not saying he has done anything unethical but I am sure it is coincidence that his names is often found in the details of sour deals and fraud cases.
Scott B,
Gringos have been an important part of Costa Rican financing and don’t forget who protects Costa Rica, Do you remember who? Yes that’s right, it Uncle Sam and it’s on our dime. Like it or not – that gives Gringos some say as we insure the peace that Costa Rica has enjoyed for many years. However, you will not find me endorsing US culture. I love Tico culture but the attorney thing there is completely out of hand. US attorneys are more expensive but when you take the cost of living into account I think its about the same and you usually get results and attention. Not the take the money and never take your phone call treatment. Its out and out thivery.
Furthermore, permanent residents have a legitimate stake in CR and so do those who invest millions upon millions of Dollars – not colonies – in CR.
Also, CR government is the most inefficient inept government in the region if not the hemisphere (that is one of the reasons I like it here), only Mexico runs a close second.
Who runs the Government? – mostly attorney that can’t make money being attorneys. Does that tell you something? I personally hope the Ticos do not change the entire system, but if you ever have fraud perpetrated against you and you have hundreds of thousands of dollars at stake, I am sure you will change your tune in a New York minute.
Your appreciation is noted from my side – again good luck and your point of view coincides with mine (by the way). It refreshing to hear again and again that men are finally catching on to what whimps they have become in the US. Welcome to CR and may you live long and propsper – oh yeah, dont forget “go forth and multiply.”
Vegasknite,
Sounds like your time is valuable if passing it hapily is your number one concern. You sound like a decent chap so if you need any more info leave a contact number. I don’t think your personal buying details are appropriate for this space. Good luck.
Steve,
In one of your posts, you answered your own questions. I always feel there is some sort of manipulation when people ask questions and already know the answers – just doesn’t really feel like a question.Sort list of why to use a COMPETENT in the biz 24/7 agent:
First, the seller is usually paying the commissions – so how do you the buyer pay the agent?
Second, many attorneys do not cross t’s and dot i’s.
Third, if you know what property you want and you have an attorney – what you want is a consultant to make sure it is all done correctly and to advise you about preventive proactive legal tools to keep you out of trouble after you have converted from buyer to owner.
There is a big learning curve when it comes to making the transition from visitor to buyer to owner.
Most RE agents can offer you a list of properties hopefully short-cutting you to what you want.
Some can offer competent advice about guiding you through the purchase, some will even negotiate for you.
Few offer the comprehensive advice that knowledgeable consultants provide.
And why should they? You are not paying then as you would a consultant. Correct me if I am wrong but you as the buyer are not paying at all!
I think you are trying to do what many foreign beginners do, make sense out of CR using a US mind set.
Gringos always want to come to CR and teach theses “poor uneducated people” how things are done (tongue in cheek).
We could all learn about freedom from Ticos as their lack of indoctrination from the system – allows them not to feel as if they have to participate with a system they do not agree with.
Tico mindset: Let all the politicians make as many laws as they want – we are not going to participate, file taxes, stop at stop signs in the middle of the night, etc. This is because they are free un-indoctrinated people. We should learn from them.
They have a different mind set. So when you are down here – try giving their mind set a chance instead of insisting that CR sees things through US eyes.
I know I deviated from the RE thing, but I thought it needed to be said after you used the US example to illustrate RE deals. This is not the US and you would serve yourself not to expect things to be like the US (thank God – and I say that with all respect as I am a patriot).
Also trying to get a cheap fast food education regarding buying gourmet property, well lets say you pay more in the long run.
I do not know what your time is worth but mine is expensive, so I would find a knowledgeable consultant, learn the ropes and go at it on your own the second time. That’s my bottom line advice.Again another story of the huge variation between legal theroy and practical application. Practice is: people do it al the time. Theory is: you can’t because how dare a forigner work in Costa Rica!
Costa Rica attorney use the law to scare people into their offices. Its just like that story about the politician’s wives trying to steal the property in Manuel Antonio from the gringo and when they registered the property in thier names they claimed its worth as 2,000,000 colonies!
Then in court they claimed to have paid $80,000 to the snowcone salesman that had it fraudulently transfered into his name (most likley a front man).
Again theory – declare how much your property is worth. Costa Rican politicains practice: Lie about it. What should the Gringo do – most CR lawyers would tell you to ????
Theory and practice do not walk hand in hand in “paradise.”
PS all you out there watch out for attorneys who want to sell you an expensive education about CR law theroy, and then relegate your problem to the “How much can I make of this sucker before I actually have to do any work” list.
There are some good hardworking attorney in CR – but very few who will go the extra mile for Gringos.
Exactly what are you looking for? What is your budget? Heredia has many microclimates so it depends what you want – cooler weather – warmer weather, closer/further from the city, lot/farm/house. Prices there are all over the board too. Growth in Heredia is up dramatically as developers rush to create amenities commonly found in the Escazu area. I have been there a long time and can suggest areas to look in depending on your desires.
