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Much more likely they’re loading up to keep the F.S.A. (Free Sh*t Army) under control when things collapse. These are the folks that are use to getting everything handed to them and are prone to riot, loot, and become violent when things get tough. Just look at any disaster in recent history. It’s not the tax paying working folks wading though waist deep flood water with a 50′ TV or a box of beer!
Problem is no matter how big a “civilian” Army the feds put together it won’t be enough!!!
[quote=”ajhubb12″]Venezuela is a very bad place right now. I considered it until she told me how things were there. I also considered the Philippines, Indonesia, Argentina, Fiji, and Bora Bora. I thank you for clearing things up for me. This is why I wanted to talk to someone that actually lives in Costa Rica, because I would be able to find out the truth. We aren’t married right now because of me. we plan on it thought. I know it makes things easier.[/quote]
You need to completely research the different residency options before making any choice, be it here in CR or elsewhere. If you intend to play by the rules your current marital status, age, assets, and income structure will make relocation to Costa Rica VERY difficult and expensive as Bill has pointed out. Cost of living is only one part of the puzzle in relocating, having a legal status to remain is another issue completely!:cry:
While your current income might provide you enough to live comfortably in CR it will not satisfy the residency requirements for any of the categories without a MAJOR cash outlay.
Best of luck in pursuing your dreams!
As they say in Costa Rica… “Easy to buy… hard to sell.”
The most important factors in buying in Costa Rica are doing your homework, understanding the cultural differences, and having a plan!
Once you’ve done all those things it can be a wonderful buying and living experience!
Not sure what Mel was thinking. I guess making major mistakes isn’t that big an issue when you have mega bucks.
It sounds like you however have done it all John… and I wholeheartedly endorse your plan, in fact I’m a bit jealous!
Like it or not Bill makes several VERY valid points. Like any investment you need to do your research and look at all the available opinions. Having witnessed NUMEROUS folks make an uninformed big move to CR over the last 11 years only to last less than a few years it’s important that anyone thinking of making the move to DO THEIR HOMEWORK!
This website is a GREAT resource for doing just that…. you’ll get the good, the bad, and the ugly! Suck it up and get real before making a move that will seriously impact you and your loved ones!
Just two weeks ago we had a neighbor in our community return to the US after only a year. He made all the wrong choices based on BAD information from fluff websites and some real estate agents that were much more interested in a commission than a proper fit for a client. He made equally poor financial and personal choices that not only impacted him but his wife and kids as well. I guess the movers and the real estate agents were the only winners in that mess!
A good real estate agent is a tremendous asset and I’ve had the pleasure of working with a few on this website that were worth their weight in gold!
BTW: I won the bet that neighbor wouldn’t last. And now he has several hundred thousand dollars tied up in a property that he has to wait for the bigger fool to fall in love with to cash out. The moving expenses alone would have made me sick to my stomach!
Falling in love is easy…. It’s the break up that really sucks and gets very expensive!
Border runs can be hit or miss. And like many issues with the government and their employees here, it depends which way the wind is blowing. A couple of years ago as a frequent visitor to CR my passport was full of entry stamps to CR.
Mind you they were accumulated over several years and reflected visits lasting at most 2 weeks perhaps 3 or 4 times per year. In no way a PT doing the border shuffle. The official at immigration looked at the passport flipping through the pages he then paused for a moment and then stamped it giving me only 15 days instead of the usual 90.
This happened during a period that the PT issue was hot and reforms where being planned to the system.
The rules are very fluid here. While the PT issues seems to come and go it might be best to have a more legit plan should the issue become one that will impact your planned stay.
Good luck and enjoy!!!
Not sure of your situation Victoria but be aware just because people bring information to light that we’d rather not have become public doesn’t meet the legal requirement to take action against them. Attempting to go after someone for doing so might very well open you up to an action against you that WILL result in legal ramifications you might not have anticipated.
If you’re referring to the annual tax on corporations (both active and inactive) I don’t think the government has yet passed replacement legislation for the law that was on the books but found to have been passed improperly. You can count on it somehow finding it’s way back into existence.
As someone who paid the prior annual corporation tax I wonder if I was the fool for it brings up an interesting question. For those that did not pay the prior tax for the 3 or 4 years it was in place, once it was declared null and void can the government take any action against those that did not pay for past taxes due?
This time I’ll wait and see how things shake out before paying anything.
Could not agree more. If the cost of block scares you off it might be best if you rethink the whole idea of building. I’ve seen some of the “new” cheaper building techniques and while some look promising IF done properly I question the long term durability. This is Costa Rica, keep it simple, stay with what works. Remember this…. there’s often a reason some things are more expensive…. because they’re better!
Funny…. our politicians in the US have allowed millions to enter and remain in the US illegally all while violating dozens of laws currently on the books…. and now they want to keep US citizens from leaving!
Pretty soon having a passport and playing by the rules will be more of a burden then it’s worth.
Folks flowing across the US border without the need for one has been the norm for a while.
4000 Cubans in CR looking to simply walk into the US without the need for a passport.
Syrians looking to migrate without rules.
Seems the politicians in the US want to lock the doors on a house on fire refusing to let those inside get out!
Getting more and more like the Matrix every day!
Just the same outright market and financial manipulation that’s been going on for years. If big brother (insert whatever country you want) didn’t do so they wouldn’t be able to keep housing, feeding, and providing for the walking dead in society that they promise the world to. And when that happens anarchy follows. Unfortunately as Bill has pointed out the endgame is coming, a mathematical certainty that is unavoidable. Kicking the can down the road works for a while, manipulation and lies work for a while, but in the end reality always wins out.
Rewarding reckless and irresponsible behavior just encourages more of the same. The international banking disaster was NEVER resolved, just postponed. It’s going to be a rough ride, are you prepared?
It seems government’s push to a cashless society where they can track and control every aspect of your life is becoming the accepted normal with people. Quite insidious. When did paying cash become a crime? Or somehow an indication of some sinister conduct. I prefer to pay with dead presidents. Keeps the banks and all the other entities out there that make a living skimming from my spending out of my pocket.
Sure the politicians want to convince you that they have to have the ability to track all transactions to keep you safe from terrorist… but who are they kidding. There’s a much bigger picture here.
I don’t know George. I’ve never done business with George. If he prefers to deal in cash perhaps he just doesn’t want to deal with bounced checks, bank fees, processing fees, credit card fees, transaction fees, account management fees, charge backs, processing holds, credit and check fraud, and all the other hassles that exist in trying to run a business. Cash is a simple and straightforward transaction. No middleman or banks grabbing a piece of the pie. As for receipts, did anyone ask for one? I’m sure he’d provide one if you needed it for some reason. I’ve taken numerous tours and excursions that didn’t hand me a receipt…. after all it’s not as if I’ll be returning the “product” for a refund.
Having a reputable local management agent run the rental property including check in, check out, cleaning, and minor repairs and maintenance is the best option unless you live on site and will be doing things on your own. Depending on the services provided and if they book the rental your cost would be 10% to 20% of the rental fee.
Accounting and taxes can also be managed by an attorney working with the agent. Many good real estate offices also do property management. Check around, get some references and take it from there.
My feeling is that sites like Airbnb take a pretty hefty chunk of your rental and have no skin in the game. They also provide a great service for those that aren’t interested in seeing what other options are available in their particular situation.
[quote=”costaricafinca”]I understood that you couldn’t claim your CAJA coverage as ‘insurance’ when out of the US…as it isn’t considered ‘insurance’ but the socialized health care system of Costa Rica.
Of course, I could be wrong :shock:[/quote]The same can be said about Medicare…. the difference of course is with Medicare you’re forced to pay into it for 45 years before you can claim your coverage…. if you live that long! LOL
Please don’t confuse plain and simple advice from folks that have experience in CR with doom and gloom. It’s not cheap to live in CR unless you really go native. Your current income will provide you with a comfortable lifestyle. Had you said you were coming to CR with the minimum required for residency it would be another story. Even Ka has had his ups and downs and has had to adjust.
Take in all the information and advice from as many sources as possible and balance the good with the bad. The danger to pets is real so be warned.
An open mind and spirit of adventure will go a long way in making your CR experience an enjoyable and successful one!
