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Darby, call my friend Michel Petit here in Atenas at 446-4230. He’s built several houses here and has installed at least 3-4 pools that I know of. He can put you in touch with his people. He’s trustworthy and very knowledgeable. Call evenings around 6 pm as he’s out building homes in Vista Atenas right now.
Thank you, Peg and everyone else who replied with good information. My nephew is a pilot for Continental and I asked him for help. He made some calls and recommended Continental’s Pet Safe program to ship her from here through Houston to Baltimore. It’s certainly quite pricey but well worth the $$$ when you consider that she’s a family member and you want her to be well cared for during her trip. If anyone listening wants to learn more about the Pet Safe program go to Continental’s website. Thank you again.
That’s an excellent thought. Do you know where the airlines (US Airways specifically) sells them in CR?
It is my understanding that there are only two ways to enjoy “citizenship” status in CR: by birth and by marriage to a CR citizen. That’s it. You can, however, become a resident but this status has nothing whatsoever to do with a job you may procure as an EFL teacher. I have researched this area quite thoroughly as I am a retired 33-year veteran of the profession. You can be hired to teach short-term positions for private schools; you can also be hired to work for longer periods provided you have residency (must meet monetary requirements); you can be hired “illegally” which is very commonly done. I do not recommend following the illegal route as pay is not a guarantee. It is important to always keep in mind that Costa Rica is not the United States of America. You do not have the same rights and priviledges. I think this is the biggest issue Americans fail to overcome when they move there and I find myself frequently explaining this to my visiting American friends and relatives.
The most important fact you need to know about teaching in CR is that the pay is low and it does not match the cost of living difference unless you are single and don’t require much, including a car. Costa Rican teachers with families often struggle to pay their bills. Additionally, EFL teachers are a dime a dozen there regardless of what you read on the web. They may not be very good, but almost anyone qualifies with just a teensy bit of training. Here are a couple of sites that may be helpful.
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0411/teaching_english_in_costa_rica.shtml
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=739Thank you, drushton, for posting your very intelligently worded rebuke to the anti-Israeli commentary. I thought we were talking about Lebanese restaurants!
Such comments are shameful and entirely uncalled for in this or any discussion on this board. I am deeply insulted by the person who posted it.
I’ve just recently come from Panama City and here’s my report. Panamanian infrastructure is significantly ahead of Costa Rica mainly because of American interests; i.e. the Canal, proclivity of businesses with US backing, etc. The city itself is a mini New York with congestion and high rises galore; very unlike San Jose. Theft and muggings occur just as in San Jose but there’s an added component to crime in Panama. Because I always register with the American embassy whenever I am abroad I am privy to emails from the Consular General regarding serious issues. I share this one with the discussion group:
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Date: 17 July 2006Subject: Security Update Incidents involving foreigners in Panama City
This warden message is to inform American citizens resident in and traveling to Panama of two recent security related incidents in Panama City. Local police and other diplomatic missions inform the Embassy that both incidents were violent attacks on foreigners in Panama.
In one incident, a female British national was sexually assaulted after hailing a cab from Albrook Mall at 12:30 PM on July 9, 2006. Although taxis in Panama are generally safe, please use caution when hailing a cab. Negotiate fares prior to entering. Advise the cab driver not to pick up other fares while you are in the cab. Be aware of your surroundings. Note the name of the cab company, when possible. If you feel the cab is taking you somewhere other than your destination, exit the cab when safe to do so, and head to the nearest public place (i.e. police station, mall, shopping center, or fire station).
The other incident involved an American family living in Altos de Golf. Two armed individuals broke into the house and physically assaulted two members of the family at 12:30 AM on June 30, 2006. The local police suspect that the individuals had worked for the residents in the past. American citizens resident in Panama should discuss and review home security with your family. Lock all doors, windows, gates, and automobile doors at your residence. Periodically check your alarm system. Ensure that domestic help and children know not to allow anyone in the residence without prior consent from an adult member of the household. Have important numbers, such as the local police and fire departments, readily available or memorized.
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I have never received any such warning for Costa Rica, and interestingly, I myself was hailing a cab from Allbrook Mall just 5 days prior to this reported rape.This amount doesn’t sound right for a 3-week rental. I would check out a few things before signing:
-Will your vehicle be older and in relatively poor condition? This happens frequently in CR.
-Will your vehicle be able to carry your party of 6 plus all of your luggage items? I once had a party of 5 and normal amount of luggage. We ended up with a Suzuki Grand Vitara (seats 7) and we still had to load items on top. Good thing it wasn’t raining.
-Costa Rica is not the United States. Attorneys don’t make their living off of litigation. Why the great concern with liability?My advice: get yourself a CapitalOne VISA and use TriColor. CapitalOne provides CDW with no apparent hassles and there is no 3% exchange rate charge for use overseas as of July. I’ve been using it all over CR for the last couple of years. TriColor has its snags as they all do but they are reliable and reasonable. This is so important in CR. I just returned a vehicle with a piece of the front fender missing and scratches and scrapes along the periphery. They conceded that this particular model should not be driven in CR where the roads are unsuitable. BTW, the damage was not my fault and they charged me nothing. No arguments.
Hope this helps.jreugo is correct. You need to take a few steps prior to leaving the US, though.
–make absolutely certain that your cell phone is GSM
–make certain that your provider is either TMobile or Cingular. I would not trust others which claim to offer service overseas. You may be in ‘hit or miss’ situations.
–call your provider to request that international calling be turned on for you. If your phone is already unlocked (as mine was) I don’t believe this call is necessary. But do it anyway. This way you are absolutely assured that the minute you step onto Costa Rican soil you have a phone that works, albeit at $2.29/minute.After that if you wish to swap out SIMs go for it.
Phil,
If after visiting CR you do decide to retire here I have a perfect house for you in a nice Tico neighborhood in Atenas. This house is a ‘steal’ and the owners have been trying to sell it for quite some time. They might even agree to a rental with option to buy at this point. Let me know and I’ll give you details.PS. I am not a realtor, just someone going househunting one day.
When one person in the group speaks the language, always wing it. That’s my creed. Tours are hit and miss. Additionally, you will be grouped with others most of whom have never lived in a foreign country and are clueless in that regard. You, on the other hand, have both lived and served in Venezuela for 3 years. Your point of view is completely different. The Ticos are mostly very nice people who are more than happy to help with directions, advice, etc. Go for it.
Thank you all for your responses. The going rate in Atenas seems to be $150-200/month even if the caretaker does not have to travel; i.e. can walk a couple meters down the street. I welcome all comments.
Hi George–I’ve rented 3 different homes in CR thus far. I’ve used these “for rent by owner” websites.
vrbo.com
greatrentals.com
My advice is this: Always speak to the owner directly and then operate on the assumption that not everything you’ve been told will turn out the way you thought it would; never, never, never go through a realtor
Examples of “miscommunications”:
-3 bedrooms could mean 2 “couple-sized” bedrooms and another which is very tiny and contains only a bunk bed set and the washing machine
-air conditioning usually is not “central” and often doesn’t work; your best bet is to stay in a cooler part of the CV (Atenas, Grecia, etc.) and make sure your house has a ceiling fan in all the rooms; you’ll be very comfortable with that
-it is highly likely that if you are in a city water area including gated or other “developed” communities which control the water, you will go without for a couple of days, maybe longer; depends on the backup method used, if any
-be absolutely certain that your house has an ADT alarm system that works and that you know the code if you accidentally set it off
-gated communities are no more secure than ungated; period; don’t be fooled by anything you’re told
There are many other pitfalls but I will say that all of the houses I’ve rented have been charming in their own way and I’ve been able to deal with “inconveniences”.Good luck!
Yes, absolutely. A rancho is a small structure apart from the house with sliding screen doors and windows. In the US we would call it a screened porch only not attached to the house. Here in Atenas, where you don’t need air conditioning, your house is actually like living in a screened porch depending upon how many windows you would like it to have. I’m not sure I’ll be building one on my lot as I don’t know how much I would use it.
Atenas really is lovely. I drive down to the beach (Central Pacific) or I go to San Jose and other parts of the central valley whenever I want. They are both easy drives or bus rides.
