Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
You could get by with a car but as most cars in CR have a pretty low ground clearance I’d go with the 4×4… it’s rough in spots! The trip also depends on the weather… rain will make it tougher and there are spots that seem to always be mud! They’re making good progress and it’s going to be fantastic once all the bridges and new roadway are complete… shame is you’ll lose the charms and sights that a slow trip through the area provide now. Its a beautiful area of the country! I’ve sampled more odd fruits and treats from roadside vendors waiting at the one lane bridges! Part of the charm of CR…
Given the “40% within one year” quote I’d say that’s a bit high. I’d think that most folks that relocate to CR do so with enough information and determination to last more than a year. The 40% might be true over some time horizon, but I don’t think we’ll ever get a true number that is defendable. An educated guess perhaps?
Seems we have a pretty good discussion going on here, and as I had thought… it would be darn near impossible to get a real number without a true baseline. I’d add 7 to the list of folks that came and went in the past four years.
Two were dreamers that didn’t think out the move or the change in lifestyle. Sold everything in the states, built the big castle and moved in. They found they were too “isolated”. Nice folks that get points for doing something that most people only dream of. They gave it a shot and for that they will never be sorry. They made the mistake of not becoming part of the local Tico community, had they done so I strongly feel they’d still be here and thriving. As much as two people can be in love… it’s tough living alone in the castle on the mountain.
One was a “business” man that thought he could reinvent the wheel and make his millions cutting up farms into lots in the middle of nowhere. Nothing more came of his plans but a nice gate and another dirt road to nowhere. The folks that bought in to his dream will be waiting a while for that clubhouse, pool and spa to be built.
Another was a middle aged women coming out of a bad relationship (or perhaps was on the run) that came here to retire without a clue. Her spanish was limited to greeting you good morning. She made no effort to learn and stayed for about two years before heading home. I lost a bet on her, I figured she’d be gone within one.
Then there is the older retired gentleman with a small pension that thought he’d come to CR to find love with a 21 year old Tica. Nice guy, bad idea. You don’t even need to be told how this one worked out. It may work out for some guys, but this guy wasn’t one of them. Last I heard he was back in the states living with family looking for work. At least he’ll have some GREAT memories!
Another falls into the health issue move. Medical problems that needed more attention and time then living here could provide.
My last one was a nice fellow that seemed to have it all going for him. Young, energetic, artistic, had a nice art work business going. He fell for the dream and was living it. Got married to stay, that didn’t last. Seems he had too much time on his hands and developed bad habits. He fell out of favor with everyone and lost it all including his mind. A real shame.
I also know of about 15 people that have made the transition and for now are quite happy. Most are folks that sampled the waters first. Some rented and live part-time before making the move, something recommended so often to folks looking to make the move to a new location. Others own a second home in CR and live here part-time before making the dream a full-time reality. They test the waters and develop a true open eyed love for the country and the people making the full-time transistion much more sucessful.
The ones I find most sucessful are the ones that do their homework and respect CR and the people realizing they are the newcomer or guest. They have realistic ideas about CR, the good and the bad. They know that CR is not the States or their homeland and THEY have to adjust, not the other way around. They have friends in both the local and expat communities and treat each the same.
There’s a million stories about folks that come and go…. and we haven’t even touched on those on the run from the law or other problems that cycle through the country! That’s a whole other story! 🙂
Hey Scott! I’m not sure that you’ll find any reliable source to back-up the 40% figure. Much like most of the info about Costa Rica including real estate prices, Expats living in CR, and folks working illegally… it’s nothing more then an educated guess. I don’t even know what data you’d use to come up with a realist defendable figure. I’d say it’s a pretty good guess however, but no different than that of folks that relocate for the wrong reasons, don’t do their homework or move with unrealistic expectations. Living in New York we see many folks relocate south (Florida, Georgia, and such)… and my experience is that darn near 40% come back in a few years not finding what they’re looking for! They miss friends and family etc. or find that all the “reasons” they relocated having followed them. Costa Rica is no different. I’ve seen a number of folks come and go over the years! Many not doing their homework or complaining that CR was not the states! DUH! 🙂
Let’s see what your members think about the 40% figure. I’ll vote that it’s pretty close!
Pay the $26 in cash when you arrive in CR. We normally walk upstairs and pay the exit tax while we’re waiting for the car rental to pick us up. I believe they even have a desk in the arrival/immigration area too. Then tuck the receipt in your wallet or passport. Don’t pay in colones or with a credit card unless you want to be ripped off. They give you a very poor exchange rate if you do so! I’ve arrived at the airport late on departure days and watched as people wait on a long line to pay the tax. So much easier to pay it in advance and NOT be rushed.
Edited on Feb 28, 2008 19:04
Dave it seems you REALLY have the perfect attitude to do well in Costa Rica. Should you find a place be sure the first things you do is make Tico friends and become a part of the community! It will serve you well and make your dream possible with the resourses you’ve indicated. Find your niche and develop a small business, even something that just breaks even and pays for itself. There are many areas of CR that are a perfect fit for you… many over looked by the usual expat… I wish you the best! If up near Arenal give me a shout!
Hey David! It sounds like you’ve really done some thinking about this whole thing! Great! And your attitude and lifestyle will serve you well in Tico culture. I have to ask (perhaps I missed it)… are you and your lady married? The whole residency issue isn’t as complicated as you might think, but I think you need to clear up the relationship issue. A 25 year old girlfriend is not going to be covered in your desired status and pension. As your wife she would. As for the whole working issue… that’s another can of worms. I would NOT plan on finding work to support yourselves, legal work that is. You can always start a business (Mushrooms is a pretty cool idea) and pay yourselves a salary from that adventure if it works out.
I don’t want to ruin a dream but I’d have to say that $1300/mo is pretty tight for even the most fugal of lifestyles, even here in Costa Rica. I’m a pretty fugal guy and don’t need much… and a total budget of $1300/mo is tight for a couple in my opinion! If you owned a home and property outright it would be more reasonable… let us know how things go… I’m sure we might even be able to help direct you to an area that is a good fit for your lifestyle and budget.
I have to ask why in the world ANYONE would buy property sight unseen. As you see now you’re at the mercy of the developer. For the speculators and flippers it’s not a problem. They’re in and out before the music stops.I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again! There’s two things I tell everyone that gets the stars in their eyes and wants to jump into the CR real estate market. “Costa Rica is littered with the wreckage of dreamers!”, and “Another dirt road to nowhere!” The developers that spend more time developing their websites, glossy flyers, and getting people to invest sight unseen should be avoided at ALL cost!
This website provides great information for those thinking of investing in CR, read the postings, read the articles, contact members that have some experience, and do your homework!
Is there a phone number at the call center I can contact to have my bananas delivered directly to my home? LOL
Dave… don’t sweat it… just have your well deserved SS check direct deposited in your bank account and give uncle same a PO Box in the states for your address… if they ask just tell them you don’t sleep much and the you have REALLY tiny furniture. The feds can’t find Osama… so I’m guessing you’re safe.
Reading the words “If you are not a U.S. citizen or a U.S. resident, federal income taxes will be withheld from your benefits. The tax is 30 percent of 85 percent of your benefit amount.” (.30 x .85 = .255) I’m thinking it’s more directed at folks that come to work in the US then run home after they get their SS check and NEVER plan on paying Uncle Sam a dime in taxes or file a return.
How about this link… I ran into these folks developing this community while visiting Sierpe on the OSA. They really seem to be into the whole idea. The link is http://www.fincabellavista.net/home.htm
“What’s more, if you live outside the U.S., and not in a country with which the U.S. has some other treaty agreement, then 30% of 85% (a net of about 25.5%) of your SS benefit will be withheld each month in anticipation of this tax obligation. Sadly, Costa Rica is one of those countries where the 30% (well, 25.5%) withholding applies.”
Dave, where did you get this from? The issue of up to 85% of SS being subject to tax is nothing new… Uncle Sam’s way of rewarding those of us that have provided for ourselves and saved while paying the MAX in SS tax during our working years… You get the max payment… but then they tax it effectivly giving you a reduced SS payment because you have a pension, saved in your 401k, invested, and were generally a BAD person by not spending yourself into debt while working! The USA’s own little socialist program. But where did you get the whole withholding info from? And how does Uncle Sam know where you’ll be and for how long? The 30% seems pretty steep… and if you are aware of this why not just have your SS direct deposited and use your debit card to withdraw it wherever you choose call home. The US has MUCH bigger issues than trying to figure out where I’m sleeping at night…
I’d have to agree with Maravilla. I’ve taken care of Mom’s taxes for years, both before she retired and afterwards. Since her only income is SS and a small pension we stopped filing returns 10 years ago since her income was below a taxable level when the stand deduction was applied. She continues to get her SS check, and has not been visited by the boys at the IRS. Since they run their under reporter program about 2 years after the close of each tax season to pick up unreported income I’d say they have the same opinion that a return is not required when you only income is non-taxable or below a taxable level.
As for the issue of withholding and living out of the US… that’s a new one on me. Besides, with direct deposit and a debit card… does it matter where you live these days?
Having a few investments in and some experience with Costa Rica I’d like to share two things I always share with anyone that visits or is thinking about investing in CR…
1. “Costa Rica is littered with the wreckage of dreamers.”
2. “Another dirt road to nowhere!”
Neither statement in intended to be negative about enjoying, investing, visiting, or living in Costa Rica… just the reality of folks that don’t have a real plan when they jump into paradise to make their millions or reinvent the wheel. Having realistic goals and plans might not be much fun as we all like to dream big… but when you’re in paradise you still have to keep your head about you!
I hope that all works out with this project. I don’t know the fellow but I’m sure his dream was a bit bigger than his bankroll and he got caught short. All to often these projects are not backed with deep pockets but rather folks that hope to use money coming in to continue the work. I’ve stayed clear of a number of such “deals” that had me wondering who get burned when the music ($$) stops. I wish all those involved the best in finding a way to work this out.
