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What is sad is thAT many of the regulars here have so much venum and hatred towards the US they are not, and probably will never experience the Pura Vida they are so quick to profess was their reason for moving here. For those that left the US because you hate it, hate it’s leaders, hate the way things are, etc. I would say……Ok, fine, that was your reason, now then let it go. You moved out, you packed up and left for greener pastures and didn’t want to stay and fight to make things what ever your version of better was supposed to be. Most of you come across as little whiny disgruntled babies because you don’t get your way. You can’t live and experience what Pura Vida really is when everytime someone says they don’t hate the US in the way you do that the veins pop out in your forehead and your soul purpose in life becomes convincing them that The US is the cause of every problem in the world today. Most who will believe almost any conspiracy theory that comes along as long as it bashes the US and it’s leaders are no better than the ones on the oposite end that will only believe everything their leaders tell them. Ignorance is not bliss, and in this day and age can be very dangerous. You have to be smart enough to not believe eveything that is said, just because it supports the hatred you have. Here’s a little secret it seems some of you have forgotten. We moved to Costa Rica because…….and here it is……but don’t tell anyone else……..it’s because WE LIKE COSTA RICA !!!!
We have made many friends since moving here two years ago. We have wonderful Tico friends as well as many expats that have become very close friends. I think one of the keys is getting involved where you live. Building or remodeling a home and interacting with the workers was one way we became more than just aquaintances with some of the Ticos in the area. My wife volunteers at the local school and teaches and art class once a week, and other expats living here help teach English and a computer class at the school. We have a common interest in helping the kids, so we became good friends with them. We are also involved with a church in the area that has activities that enable you to meet people and make new friends as well as projects we are doing to help the surrounding community. Again, I think the key is to get involved.
Our friends recently came down and bought property in August. They came back in November for two weeks to get things started on building their home. During that two weeks they had no problem opening an account with BCR (Bank of Costa Rica). The only three things they needed was passport,one letter of reference from a Costa Rican citizen…..not a legal resident, and a utility bill from the address they would be using for the account. As previously mentioned, doing it at a branch in a smaller town is probably the way to go. You do not need a corporation to open an account.
Where I will disagree with the previous post is that, you are making a whole lot of assumptions and stating them as facts. You obviously think this couple should be living your version of a stable life style. Of course you are entitled to what ever opinion you wish, but your opinion does not make their life, your reality. You are generalizing about almost every aspect. You kept bringing up reality, well the reality is it can and does work for some people. If this couple is mature and responsible and take everything into consideration then it could very well turn into an incredible experience for the kids as well as themselves. An education that money really can’t buy. Please realize that you do not have the right to dictate to this couple what maturity and responsibility is, or the definition of the two. Again, your opinion is nothing more than your version of reality. I will not argue against the fact that much of what you bring up is advice worth considering. You make many excellent points and bring up a few things this couple may not have thought of and need to consider and plan for. It is not fair of you to guarentee failure for this couple and that is what your statements do. You say they will be doing nothing more than taking a long vacation and basically ruining the lives of the children and you guarentee that if they buy property they will be selling it within a few years. Your statements at the end of your post are very condescending.
Now, onto the questions asked by Westside. First off I would say that you do have to consider in order to do what you are planning it will have to involve a scenario of homeschooling the girls for that first 6 months to a year. I see nothing wrong with taking kids out of formal school for a period of time and homeschooling them while giving them a life experience and education that money and formal education can’t buy. I won’t make the assumption that you are not mature enough to handle this decision. The thing with homeschooling is that you have to take it seriously and it isn’t for everyone, nor is it as easy as some people think it is. There is a lot of great homeschool material available that if you plan ahead could be an awesome experience for the girls. One of the beauties of homeschooling is being able to incorporate every day life into the studies. The geography, biology, social studies possibilities that could be incorporated while living and traveling here are endless.
A major part of success or failure is finances. Your post does not mention your financial situation and it isn’t any of our business. Consider though that if you are still in a position in your life where you have to generate income, you can not move to Costa Rica and legally get a job. You can own and operate a business, but that is a whole nother subject and issues. If money is not an issue,then that is a big hurdle you won’t have to jump over, or an issue that would contribute to this not working out for you guys.
If after 6 months to a year you decide this is for you, then there are great communities with good private schools where the girls can continue their formal education, social development, etc.
What I have told so many people in the last two years since moving here ourselves is “don’t let other people steal your dream”. The fact that there are children is the major thing to consider and plan for, but it doesn’t exclude you from being able to do what you are planning and making it a success for all of you.
Best tactic is to lay low and not give them a reason to strike out against us.
Now there is true ignorance
Hear heat Debbie, I am so sick and tired of people on this forum and the companies that people critisize that threaten to use Costa Ricas libel law to file a complaint against you because you say something they disagree with. I have had the threat several times myself by people that are some of the biggest hypocrits I have come across in my life time. It only speaks to the lack of credibility and real knowledge of those making the threats. They would fit right in with the brown shirts in Nazi Germany in the 30’s. Prosecute, sue, etc. anyone that disagrees with you. If a company is not willing to show you anything other than a satellite picture from 230 miles up of what their property is, I would not buy anything from them and would not recommend anyone buy anything from them either. So sue me. I dare you!
Through a friend I have heard that they are honest people. That really is all I have to go on. My understanding is that Paradigma is a group of professionals that are pooling their money and doing several developments. They seem to have some good ideas, but personally I have not seen anything other than signs in this area saying that one property or another is a Paradigma property. I live in the Parrita region and travel through out the area. If I see any progress or development I will post it here for anyone interested.
As to bank accounts I’m not sure why everyone seems to have so much trouble. Perhaps we have just been lucky to get cooperative tellers when we have gone to the bank. We opened our first savings account with $100 while on vacation several years ago. No letters of recommendation. When we moved here a year and a half ago we walked right into BCR and opened a personal savings account. No problems.
We have traveled quite a bit up and down the Caribbean coast of CR and I agree with Scott, I know of no gated communities as of yet in that area. The water is clearer which offers better diving and snorkling than you will find on the Pacific side. Better waves for surfing and boogie boarding on the Pacific side. The Pacific side though has plenty of sunshine. We just finished a beautiful August with Sunshine almost every day, with the usual evening or late night rains. If you were here last year, then you experienced one of the heaviest rainy seasons on record and for anyone that may have that as their only CR experience, they would have a somewhat skewed view of things.
I believe what you are referring to that happened in Palo Seco was simply a storm surge that happened to several beaches along this area and the waves came in much further than usual. Those are common up and down the coast, but typically will have nothing to do with an earth quake or the causes of a tsunami. Tell me where your porperty is and I can try and take some pics and send them to you if you’d like.
Exactly how is me suggesting someone keep their political views out of a post that have nothing to do with the OP’s question equate to me wanting to edit simple conversation for my own political view? There are other forums for political discussion and debate. It is political diatribe when you take part of a historical reality and combine it with a totally unrelated issue, for the sole purpose of bashing the United States. This site is called “We Love Costa Rica”, not “We love Costa Rica but hate the US and will tell you any chance we get”. I merely suggested sticking to the subject and quit creating opportunities to bash the US….or any other country for that matter.
There was an extensive article in the Tico Times last year regarding tsunamis. I apologize, but I can not reference the date of the article. The just of the article was that tsunamis do not pose much of a threat to Costa Rica because of how close a major undersea fault is to Costa Rica. Basically it was saying that even with a large underwater quake, there would not be sufficient distance for a tsunami to materialize. The world and nature is constantly changing, so one never knows……does one?
Come on Gringotico, can’t you answer a post without finding a way to try and slam the US. To blame bank robberies in Costa Rica on the CIA trained ex-contras is pretty pathetic political diatribe. From what I have seen in the media in the last three years, there are very few bank robberies in Costa Rica. Yes there is the much publicized one that resulted in 8 or 9 deaths more than a year ago. Please stop trying to interject your political views into what was a simple question.
Great advice by grongotico. I know more than one person that has gone through hell and back trying to do what you are purposing. It could definitely be rewarding, but as gringotico basically said, it might be more trouble than you are looking for. Drushton, you might consider working out an agreement with a Tico that would like to start a business but does not have the available funds. You invest as a silent partner, thus helping the local community and helping to employee as many locals as you would have if you were running the business your self. You would of course have to check with a qualified attorney to make sure it’s possible. Just a suggestion.
I’m sure others here may have experience with one or more of the questions you are asking. A good first step is to get the book “The Legal Guide to Costa Rica” by Roger A. Petersen It covers residency, and very importantly covers the laws pertaining to employee, employer requirements. My understanding is you do not have to be a resident to own a business, but you can not work in that business yourself, it has to be staffed with Tico’s. Jenny runs a well established B&B and I’m sure will have some good input. Good luck.
