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[quote=”sweikert925″]Haven’t come across anything on prefab house construction in CR, but I did recently come across [url=http://qz.com/413081/portable-solar-powered-ecocapsules-mean-you-can-live-rent-and-electric-bill-free-globally/]this[/url] that I found rather interesting. Not a practical solution as a permanent dwelling, but it takes camping to a whole new level.[/quote]
Didn’t Mork land on earth in one of those?
[quote=”Scott”]Anybody have any idea what the [url=http://www.ticotimes.net/2015/04/10/president-solis-sacks-technology-minister-over-media-gag-law]Tico Times is talking about[/url] when they use the Shylockian term:
“But one resignation was not enough to make a pound of flesh.”
Huh?
Scott
[/quote]
Perhaps Solis knew the “infection” went deeper then just one person and wanted to be sure the problem didn’t return as well as send a message. Give him credit for removing those responsible for this… or keep an eye on him for being behind it either passively or directly. Either way it’s a wake up call to remain vigilant here that things that only seem to happen in “other” countries are possible here if we let our guard down.
[quote=”Scott”]Don’t like to say that: “I’ve told you so for about 8 years” but ….
The tourism minister Wilhelm von Breymann has ruled out the possibility of building a new airport, arguing that the current one has sufficient capacity and there is a more urgent need for improving and expanding the one in Liberia.
Spanish speakers can see the article at:
[url=http://www.prensalibre.cr/Noticias/detalle/20534/234/descartan-proyecto-de-nuevo-aeropuerto]Descartan proyecto de nuevo aeropuerto[/url]
[/quote]
No real surprise there! Now if we can kill off the “Disney is coming to CR” rumor people, including a couple of real estate agents I’ve dealt with, keep bringing back to life! I laugh every time I hear it…
It’s easy to be progressive when things are good. When the winds shift and things get difficult that’s when politicians and dictators like to start suppressing the media, your rights, and go after your assets. In a country like CR that has always been rather open about things you have to make these moves in very small steps. Having no army it’s difficult to make big sudden moves against your people. Thankfully this latest attempt on the part of the politicians to erode free speech and the power of the press was discovered and made public which caused it to be dropped immediately!
The fact that this even occurred was troubling. The response and subsequent reversal are reassuring!
[quote=”sweikert925″]And thanks for proving again how petty you are.
The people who read this forum for information about Costa Rica would have learned nothing from your comments on this thread other than your antipathy toward me. Not very helpful.
Why do I post statistics such as the ones I did? Because some information gathered by reputable sources are useful to a topic of discussion. No matter how many Tico landscapers you personally run into, it won’t ever be enough to conclude with any certainty how many Ticos live in New York, or how many have emigrated to the US. (You have in the past linked to sources of information you got from the internet, but let’s leave your hypocrisy aside for the moment).
Reasonable people would agree that The US Census Bureau is a more reliable source on this question than you are. (You probably disagree). Reasonable people would also accept information from the Costa Rican government bodies that CR Hoy used as the basis of their article that disproves the original theory that Costa Ricans don’t emigrate much.
If you disagree with those facts, you aren’t disagreeing with me, you’re disagreeing with the US Census Bureau, the Costa Rican Department of Migration and Immigration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. If you [b]DO[/b] disagree with them, then you should be prepared to tell us why.[/quote]
Come now Sunshine…. petty… I think not…. you’re entertainment for me and others that read these forums… we all knew someone like you back in school… you know who you were…. think about it for a moment. We all wondered what happened to you… not really but I’ll throw that in as not to appear petty.
This is a discussion forum there Tiger… not an “I can out Google you and show you how smart I am” forum. Those of us with first hand experiences purchasing, owning, selling, building, banking, visiting, travelling, and living in CR come here to exchange ideas, information, and opinions.
The big difference here is that I start my day today with a smile… off to enjoy myself… you on the other hand have to double up on the blood pressure medication before you head off to work… trying to once again convince everyone there you’re the smartest guy in the room…. how’s that worked out over the last 50 years? Still pushing paper rather than signing it I’m guessing.
Somehow I think the same result is in the cards for today Sunshine… but there’s always tomorrow!
Have a wonderful day.
[quote=”sweikert925″]That’s your only contribution to this conversation? Only someone as petty as you would “have to go there”. By the way, how many of the 11,576 Costa Ricans in New York have you personally met?
But thanks for reinforcing the point I was making – because one person hasn’t run into a particular category of people it is absurdly illogical to conclude that those people aren’t present.[/quote]
Sorry Steve…. just trying my best to be sure to make everyone aware that there are other possible explanations to the issue than the Google based logic and Internet knowledge you seem feel compelled to apply to every conversation.
As to the 11,576 Costa Ricans you state are living in NY…. How do we know it’s not 11,577…. or for that matter 9,741? You see the stats you seem so intent on using to make YOUR point are based on what? A 15 second Google search…. nothing more… and we all know that the Internet is full of nothing but factual truth… right? Did you hear that Obama was born in Africa…. and that he’s a Muslim? It’s on the internet…. I Googled it and found a source that claims it’s fact!
The point is Sunshine, if you’re going to post… post your own experiences or information you might know first hand from personal knowledge rather than trying to impress the rest of us with Google searches…. we’re all familiar with the internet and how search engines work. If you’re posting YOUR opinion that’s fine…but make that clear… don’t try to validate it with the same tired Google “knowledge” you seem to love to post as fact.
When you posted all the information on the cost of items (food and sundries) from one of your visits that was useful… and first hand information. Be it a little over the top it was YOUR experience…. and first hand knowledge that others might find useful!
Got to run…. my Costa Rican landscapers (a crew of 3) are outside cleaning up…. and I have to take the Jag down to have it detailed by the Costa Rican fellow at the car wash…. then off the play a round of golf with my Costa Rican foursome (not long ball hitters… but man are they great out of the sand traps)… then off to this great Costa Rican restaurant in Eastport for dinner.
Guess I’ll knock off meeting 8 or 9 of those 11,576 Costa Ricans living in NY today… I’ll keep you posted on my progress… won’t be long before I can personally confirm the accuracy of your numbers! 🙂
Have a wonderful day Sunshine…. and go out and meet some different people today…. you might be pleasantly surprised! Leave Google at home and have a conversation without using a search engine to fill in the dead air when you’re talking.
Cheers
[quote=”sweikert925″]I’ve lived my whole life in Chicago. I’ve never met someone from Finland, Slovakia or Bolivia that was visiting here.
Therefore, it must be true that no one from Finland, Slovakia or Bolivia has ever visited Chicago.[/quote]
Perhaps there’s another reason….
Maybe folks from Finland, Slovakia or Bolivia are just really good judges of character and are wise enough to avoid contact with folks that would ruin an otherwise enjoyable visit to Chi-town?
Sorry sunshine…. YES…. I had to go there! Happy Tax day! 😉
Very large can of worms. While forming and holding an S.A. for the purpose of simply holding property (any type, not just Real Estate… it can be a car, horses, or any other material object) that does not generate income, which Uncle Sam is looking to tax… the forms require the documentation of the value of the assets within the corporation.
That itself has trouble written all over it! While the vast majority of S.A.s held by expats are non-functioning corporations generating no taxable income of any type the form fishes for an awful lot of information on what you have… and have most likely purchased with money already taxed.
The form’s instructions seem to provide a simplified reporting procedure for “dormant” corporations but one would have to wonder if that in itself might not generate more questions requiring further answers and surrender of personal information.
Income and tax reporting is one thing, giving up information that in no way is related to the declaration of income and the payment of required and appropriate taxes is another.
[quote=”bobbyk”]I was surprised to find out how much CAJA would cost (and I won’t know exactly how much until the time comes). For that price, I could take a little vacation every 3 months. I imagine that the high rates are discouraging a lot of would-be residents from applying, and so I’m surprised that they are encouraging the perpetual tourist. But I’m new to this, so what do I know? Thanks for you thoughts and insights.[/quote]
Fortunately I’m able to maintain homes in a few nice places so going the perpetual tourist route isn’t necessary in my case. I come and go as I please and enjoy my home in CR well within the rules set forth for tourist. No need to jump in and out every 90 days. But for those that must put all their eggs in one basket and only have a home in CR… the issue of CAJA and residency is an important factor. The expense is sizable and must be seriously considered in your budget when applying for residency. And as is the case with all taxes…. they will only go up…. add to that the failing nature of CAJA itself and it becomes a very troubling prospect.
Placing yourself on yet another government radar to be taxed is never a good idea. You give up too much information and freedom. As things get worse in the world each country will be clawing at folks that have placed themselves in this position to be tapped as a source of revenue. I had originally planned on applying for residency but find that the expense and surrender of my sovereignty to be subjected to taxation by yet another failing government is not worth the benefit! Besides…. tourist are treated much better in CR…. as a source of income they benefit CR…. so what if my stays are not at a high end resort with dining at overpriced tourist traps… spending time at my home and cooking for myself is a joy itself.
Anyone considering residency must weigh all the positives and negatives for themselves and their particular situation.
[quote=”costaricafinca”]Unfortunately,while this may be so, until you go to apply for CAJA at the end of the application process, you won’t know [i]exactly[/i] what your premium will be.
So you may be pleased or not so pleased…:wink:
Thanks for bring the change to our attention, though.[/quote]Really a kick in the pants to invest the time, effort, and money and not know what CAJA will charge you until the very last step of the process. Yet another reason residency is looking less attractive. Viva Tourist!
[quote=”Baxter and Ann”]We have three dogs and 5 cats. How much hassle is it to bring your pets to retirement paradise?
We have already received info on the usda cert. Vet exams 10 days prior to lift off. How much trouble would we have renting in the countryside with such a pack?
Thanks for the good word.[/quote]
Some “family” you’re bringing! The USDA and Vet paperwork is the easy part. The expense and travel restrictions the airlines place on you are another. Be VERY clear on carrier size and quality before getting a surprise on travel day! The weather (temperature) can also become an issue so check the restrictions there as well. Once again it’s a shame to load up and be turned away at the airport.
As to living in the “countyside”… keep in mind the dangers your pets will face that you may not currently deal with. There are snakes and other hazards that will kill or seriously injure your pets. Be sure to keep this in mind when finding a place to rent. And bringing an invisible fence system might be a good idea to keep them in a designated safe area when outside. Flea and tick products are also expensive and might not be of the same quality here… so bring a good supply with you!
Good luck on moving the gang!
[quote=”rd1963″]Whats happening with Costa Rica’s neighbor, Nicaragua? Has anyone heard anything about the politics regarding the Canal? Will it get unsafe there?[/quote]
Have no fears…. their “elected” President for life has it all under control. He has some new short friends that speak a funny language and seem to have lots of spending money…. what could possibly go wrong? LOL
As to the impact on CR…. I’m sure the politicians in CR are much smarter when making new friends…. isn’t that obvious… look how well they’re running the show now… but who am I to question their actions… want to chime in Steve and give us the lowdown on how well things are going? 😉
[quote=”sweikert925″]Whatever happens with the proposed Nicaraguan canal and the Chinese role in it probably won’t come close to the dirty dealings that resulted in the Panama canal, or even the existence of the nation of Panama itself. Will there be a “Nicaragua Canal Zone” manned and run by Chinese, treated as a part of China itself, as was the case for the Panama Canal vis-a-vis the US for 76 years? I suspect not.[/quote]
The Chinese already beat that deal…. they have a 100 year no bid… no environmental study concession on the Nicaragua canal project.
I’m guessing we’ll get to see how pure the intentions of the Chinese are for Central America with the current actions in Nicaragua… the canal project and arrangements with Danny and company should fester over a shorter time horizon and give Costa Rica some idea of what they’re in for long term in their dealings with the Chinese.
[quote=”pharg”][quote=”Imxploring”]
So what might your feelings be about CR getting cozy with the Chinese? Good, bad, or neutral?[/quote]1. nearly all politicians of any nationality are venal;
2. when money talks, ethics walks;
3. not knowing the details of who gets what, and when, I am neutral until things play out.
4. At that point, any opinion I have is almost certainly inconsequential as far as the C.R. government is concerned.
PEH[/quote]I’d agree completely with numbers one and two…. as to three and four…. that’s where the danger exist is today’s world…. people’s willingness to “wait it out”…. or trust that a higher power (in government) is doing the right thing and that their opinion or position means nothing.
I often use the example of the 9/11 attacks and how the EPA (Chaired by Christie Todd Whitman) assured the folks in Manhattan and all the emergency personal at the scene that the air was safe…. only to discover that it wasn’t. And now thousands of folks are suffering the results of that government lie. It didn’t take a PhD to know that the airborne materials from the attack was full of carcinogens…. but yet we were lied to.
Those who waited to see how things played out are now suffering and dying very painful deaths… so trusting what you are told and relying on politicians is not really a good idea. Their actions and motivations must be questioned… whether or not you think it will make a difference. It’s part of the checks and balances that keep them in line!
One man standing in front of a tank may have seemed inconsequential…. yet it proved to be much more. Defining moments don’t always appear as such when the shutter clicks.
