[enduro]

Mark

I grew up in England where thatch roofs are commonplace in many locations.

Firstly, having removed one to install a tile roof, I can tell you that infestation was an issue, we had all sorts of bugs crawling on us and this was in England!!! I can’t imagine what a thatch roof would hold in Costa Rica, even a synthetic one!!!

Secondly, the roof structure to support the thatch was extensively twice what we needed for the slate tile we installed afterwards. I’m not sure if synthetic thatch is THAT much lighter. The thickness of the thatch was almost 20 inches when we took it off and it had been on for well over 50 years!!!

I would look at what David suggests, use metal with insulation, just make sure that you put a mesh on the ends of the runs of insulation to keep the critters out. It will be cheaper and you won’t hear a thing.

Brian

Edited on Aug 31, 2009 23:57

[enduro]

Just a pointer…

Costa Rica looks for a Guaranteed income from an outside source, not necessarily being a “pension”, so the VA income IS acceptable if you can get paperwork from the VA to show your entitlement…

I do agree with Imx though on how would you satisfy the 4 months in country aspect of the status?

As for waiting until you retire from your current position, I would start the process shortly (couple of months) before retirement, and as you would have your VA income AND a Government pension, you would have more than needed for the requirements. That said, assuming the rules don’t change again, as long as you can show that the VA income is guaranteed AND is sufficient as you say to meet the requirements, then you don’t have to disclose the Government pension to enable the process.

This will ensure that you meet both financial requirements and after you retire, the “Time in country” requirements and do it comfortably.

Edited on Aug 30, 2009 10:23

[enduro]

One option is to buy the materials yourself, that way you know what you are getting… then hire local labor to install it all or just help you… the cost this way is ,minimized and you can be sure of what goes into the finished projects.

just my 2 cents worth…

Brian

[enduro]

IMX

I understand the perplexing issues here, but we’ll have to wait until it is printed in La Geceta. I’ve been checking daily, but nothing yet. It appears some changes can be printed within a week or so, others take about 6 weeks. There doesn’t appear to be any pattern, as in what is more important or who signed it… I guess it’s when they get the full paperwork, then they print it. Sounds like the way a lot of things work like in Costa Rica… when they get to it… lol

[enduro]

editer

You mentioned that you have a pensionado application in process, once you receive the folio number, which means it is process at Migracion but not yet approved, then you no longer need to leave every 90 days. If anyone queries it in CR just show them the Folio number and they will be able to find it in the computer (or Call migracion) and they will leave you alone.

HTH

Brian

[enduro]

Imx et al

Under the current rules, there is NOT a requirement to join CAJA… yet! However you would then have to pay “private” medical costs… which could be more.
Having a child or marrying a Tico/a wouldn’t get you past paying for CAJA as all Ticos have to pay now anyway.
David mentioned in another thread that the 13% “tax” is applied after you have shown verifyable expenses, therefore your mortgage/rent, utilities, food and such like would be deducted from your income to give a “net” income which would be then liable to the 13% charge. This is much better and a very feasible way of doing it. It is based on remaining disposable income which if your budget is relatively tight, the 13% would be negligible. This still needs to be verified in the new bill that this is in fact the way it is calculated, but it makes sense, especially when you look at what Ticos earn.

Brian

[enduro]

Good point grb…

[enduro]

David

So, If I understand you correctly, if my pension is actually, say $2200 per month, I really only want to show proof of $1000 so that I only pay $130 instead of $286 if I declare all of my pension… hmm wonder what I’ll do?

Thanks
Brian

[enduro]

Actually no I’m a British born naturalized Canadian…who’s going to retire in Costa Rica… Once you have your VA Pension, you’ll qualify under the new rules…and no you can’t work not even for $2…

[enduro]

Floyd

There are different ways to become a resident in Costa Rica, and I assume as you are a vet, then you would probably become a “pensionado” ie, a person with a retirement income. Currently this amount is $600, however in 6 months time it will be $1000 per month. This has to be guarateed and certified. There are lots of other things that need to be done other than getting a passport, but I would say that you need to visit Costa Rica first to see if you can adjust to the lifestyle, heat, rain, food and general way of life.
There are many different areas of Costa Rica, suitable for different things dependant on needs… How hard it will be will depend on what you want from it and whether it can fulfill those needs.

So,to sum up, read lots of info available here and lots of other places, travel to Costa Rica and discover it yourself, find an area you like and then look for your options…

Hope this helps a little, Pura Vida

Brian

[enduro]

There is a story in Am Costarica friday about UBS in Switzerland having to give up names of 52000 american account holders… in part of the story it states that Costa Rica has agreed, under similar pressure from the US, to pass legislature to effect banks to report US account holders to the IRS in the US. This obviously hasn’t passed yet… but it is said to be in the works… we all know that will take a while…
here’s the link to the story…

Enduro

[enduro]

Andy

I watched ALL the videos, you did a very good job chronicling the steps of your move south, it shed light on stuff that needs to be attended to prior to moving. Even though you were very thorough, there was still stuff that should have gone in the container as mentioned… albeit a minor error, it is a simple lesson learned. I hope everyone that views them gets something out of them like I did.

Thank you, and pura vida

Brian

[enduro]

I believe there is no duty on motorcycles when bringing them into the country. I may be wrong, but seem to remember that being mentioned somewhere I’ve been reading… Hopefully someone else will confirm this too

Brian (enduro)

[enduro]

Use the search function on here and you will find many answers to your questions. Most of them have been asked before. Then try asking something more specific. I’m not trying to be curt, just you asked for a lot of info…

[enduro]

Here’s a sign in San Jose showing the new restrictions. Picture taken July 10

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CRC_Traffic_Restriction_Sign_07_2009_6307.jpg

It states between the hours of 06:00 and 19:00
the restrictions are:
Lunes (Monday) 1 y 2
Martes (Tuesday) 3 y 4
Miercoles (Wednesday) 5 y 6
Jueves (Thursday) 7 y 8
Viernes (Friday) 9 y 0

The restrictions are effective within the ring created by routes108, 100 and 39 circle.

Here is an extract from “Insidecostarica.com” on July 20th:

“Transport officials reacted quickly to draft a new decree and put it in place in only 5 weeks, something of a record in Costa Rica.

The new decree, which may be subject to another Constitutional Court challenge, is basically the same as the decree struck down, but with a different fil number.

The decree restricts the circulation of vehicles with a license plate ending 1 & 2 on Mondays; 3 & 4 on Tuesdays; 5 & 6 on Wedensdays; 7 & 8 Thursdays; and, 9 & 0 Fridays.

The hours of the restriction are from 6am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, save legal holidays and cover the area bordered by the Circunvalacion on the west, south and east and Calle Blancos and La Uruca on the north.

The fine for violating the restrictions is ¢5.000 colones, for now. On September 23, when the full effect of the new Ley de Transito begins, the fine jumps to ¢34.700.”

So there you go… hope this clears it up for you.

Brian (enduro)

Edited on Jul 26, 2009 11:20

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