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Sounds like your mind is made up! LOL For me taking on an “adventure” does not include being driven around in bullet RESISTANT cars in the company of men with machine guns…. but I guess if the price is right…. go for it…. but remember… they are not GIVING money away…. there is a risk associated with taking on this adventure… one that I for one could NEVER put a price on! Good luck!
The boys and girls in Washington won’t let that happen… but the “fix”… be it “new” rules for both plans… or the DRASTIC tax increases they’d need to fund them as presently structured will bring this country to a NEW understanding of what POVERTY is…. time to start a victory garden and start bartering for the things you need!
As long as it keeps letting off pressure as it has for the past 40 years I guess we’re safe! My guess is that it will go silent before it ever lets off a big bang… the question then will be… what will come of all the tourist spots around the volcano?
I have to agree with you on that one Scott… I’m up in the mountains over Lake Arenal… seems to be a good place to wait out what we all know is coming!
I can’t wait for your take on that!
There’s no doubt that global warming is… and will have a big impact on coastal properties all over the world! And there is going to be a resulting impact on the MILLIONS of people that live in these areas. I’m not sure where I read it (not from Al Gore’s slide show)… but the projections are that sea levels will rise about 21 feet above the current sea levels within the next century. It’s something to keep in mind for those thinking about investments in the low lying areas and beach communities. Having a home on the east end of Long Island (NY) I’ve seen the result and can say first hand that sea levels are rising. The USGS (United States Geological Survey) many years ago placed GPS markers along the coast (and elsewhere)… I enjoy trying to locate them with my handheld GPS… sad to say…. many are now “unrecovered” as they say….they’re now under water. Say what you want about global warming… but I for one believe it!
The issue of collecting social security after dropping your US citizenship I believe is a non-issue…. because there are lots of folks that were NEVER US citizens collecting both in the US and in their home countries to which they’ve returned! Your past payments and benefit don’t cease because you choose to change your country. As to the IRS getting it’s fingers into CR… that’s true to some degree… but there’s plenty of ways to stay under the radar.
Nice idea Sprite…. but Uncle Sam see’s it differently! Check some of the articles over at “Escapeartist.Com”… you see that if our greedy uncle feels that your only reason for leaving was to avoid taxes (future included)… then he thinks he has the “right” to come after you! Remember… most of us have money put away in tax “deferred” accounts (IRA’s, 401k, 403b, And 457)… and he wants to be sure to get his share when you take it out! The idea of something being “legal” or “constitutional” has very little to do with the Uncle Sam treats his taxpayers these days! The government knows that those of us smart enough… or brave enough to think about leaving are most likely the same folks keeping the system afloat… so he has NO intention of letting us go without a fight! And I’m not talking about the millionares out there… I’m talking about you and I!
How about the local credit unions and co-ops? I’ve had nothing but problems with the public and private banks (nothing major just poor service and bumps)… I guess it comes with dealing with the big guys. Yet my CoopeMex accounts run like clockwork! They pay the bills (water/electric/phone/cell) on all my properites, provide EXCELLENT service, know my name, treat me like family, and make banking a pleasure…. not a task to spend hours on! And I’m by NO means a BIG $$$ customer! Even when I’ve had difficult situations that required some attention (not created by them)…. they’ve been great!
This might not be an option for some folks… but for me I’m VERY happy with the service. Something to think about.
Just one thing…. DON’T exchange your dollars at the airport…. they give you a VERY poor exchange! You can use your dollars until you get to a bank… if you’re arriving on a Saturday you may have to wait until Monday to do so. Just bring your passport and dollars in and mention “Cambio”.
Here is a link to the latest exchange rates. http://www.bccr.fi.cr/flat/bccr_flat.htm
Sounds right! Electricity in CR is just like the states. You should have two “legs” (110) and a neutral… Be sure that your main service lines into the house can handle the additional loads if you intend to use 220 for the dryer and the stove. I paid a little extra and had the heavier lines installed when the house was built. Be sure the builder wires the stove cutout and the dryer location with a 220 volt outlet. Don’t forget the boost pump and water heater if you intend to use 220 volt units there as well. The wiring connections (cord) will come with the appliance, if not you can purchase one and hook it up yourself. Pretty simple.
Take a look at the stove…. is it wired directly to ICE with the wire headed into the next room?
I almost forgot… looking at the exposed plumbing in the bath would seem to indicate the place doesn’t have running hot water (Sink or shower)… but perhaps I’m wrong! Oh the value… $600k and cold showers…. paradise living at it’s best!
Edited on Jul 12, 2008 10:53
Thanks for the wonderful laugh Scott! Looking at the pictures of that $600,000 mansion had me rolling on the floor! But I have to disagree that the problem was the photographer…. the place is a MESS! Even someone good with a camera couldn’t save this one!
Designed all wrong, Kitchen is a mess… Stove hanging into the next room… no fridge that I can see… perhaps it’s up against a wall in the living room (seen it many times… must save on the commute time from the sofa for another beer)…. bathroom plumbing exposed, cheap fixtures… and the list goes on! The “project” was a Tico castle gone wrong! I’ve looked at many houses in Costa Rica… and this one is typical of the poor planning of many! The tip off is usually the kitchen… I’m not one to spend hours there cooking, but a functional layout is usually a good indicator or the overall quailty and design of the house.
I remember looking at a listing on line of a nice looking home in CR… and the pictures of the kitchen didn’t look all that bad… but for one thing… a can of Raid insect spray sitting on the table… very visible in several shots… kind of killed the tickle I had to look at the place! That’s where a good photographer can help…
Edited on Jul 12, 2008 10:50
I’m sure that’s part of it… then there’s also all of us with vacation homes that travel to CR 4-5 times per year. Add all the folks doing the 90day in… 3 days out thing because they can’t stay legally. All of which are counted as “tourist”… no doubt the economic problems in the States and elsewhere is having an effect on the “true” numbers.
