[Joan&troy]

[quote=”Bibi”]Thanks to all the recommendations here for ShipCostaRica, we decided over a year ago that they would be the outfit to use for our move from Virginia to Nosara.

Between Arden, Louise and Barry, we got every question (both the good ones and those from the “worry warts”) answered quickly, competently and convincingly. Stateside, Jeanne in Charleston was our helpful shipping contact.

Even when we were hit by a huge storm on June 29, taking out power for a good part of the state for several days, Arden answered our panicky emails on a Saturday, and when we decided to re-schedule the container 5 days before loading day, the team made it happen. Bumping the local packing/loading crew was a bigger challenge, but somehow that fell into place as well. 🙂

We have been able to follow “our” ship here http://www.marinetraffic.com and we know that the container has arrived in Costa Rica. We have full confidence that the last leg of the journey for our stuff will take place as planned, but we will report back, after everything has been delivered on top of our hill in Nosara.

If you are considering a move and trying to figure out which size container to use, find some containers somewhere (we found both 20 and 40 footers parked behind Sam’s Club) to better visualize how much room you will need. For a good while, we were sure we could make do with the smaller size, but as time went by, we started doubting, and we ended up filling 2/3 of a 40-footer. Difference in price is small, relatively, and we were so glad we did not have to decide on the spot what we could not bring after all. You don’t want your things to fall out when the doors are first opened! Better to have room for a “retaining wall” inside.
[/quote]

Please do post back on the site once you receive your shipment. My husband and I will be moving to Costa Rica in December and are currently getting quotes from shippers. In addition to household goods we are shipping an auto as well. We would be most interested in hearing about how your move works out. Best of luck to you!

[Joan&troy]

What is the “ballpark” final cost of shipping a car and household belongings to Costa Rica? I realize that the type of car would likely greatly influence the cost. However I’m looking for a general idea of what the actual shipping and broker type services cost. I assume one can look up on the website Scot previously listed to determine the duty/taxes to be charged by the CR government for bringing in a car.

We are about 3 years out (feels like a really, long time!) from making our move, but we are trying to get a handle on how much cash we will need on hand at that time. Any input would be great appreciated.

[Joan&troy]

Thanks for all the helpful responses! I’ll definitely let you know if we find a great bargain on fence posts!!!

[Joan&troy]

From everything I have read on this site it sounds like electricity can become quite costly if you have more than the most minimal usage. We were wondering about the possibility of utilizing solar energy, to at least minimize the ongoing costs. Does anyone have experience with using solar option in CR?

[Joan&troy]

Thanks for the input – the bid did seem a bit high to us both for material and the labor. Too bad you don’t really want to bid on the job!

I still have my initial question out there – has your experience been that contractors or other trades build in room to “haggle” with you on the price? Would your experience be that the person may have started off high to give themselves room to negotiate on the price?

Thanks again for your insight.

[Joan&troy]

[quote=”DavidCMurray”]Hmmm . . . This sounds like $6US per meter. That seems very pricey if the fence is to be barbed wire strung between living “posts” of locally-harvested cana. The only material to be obtained from the local fereteria would be the wire and staples. It might be worth a trip there to see what those materials would cost.

Could I bid on this job??[/quote]

Break down on the bid is as follows and is for 542 linear mts:
100 Postes Muertos – costo por poste 5,500= 550.000

1000 Postes Vivos – costo por poste 500 = 500.000

Labor for installing the posts & the wire 356.400

10 rollos de alambre @ 16.000 each 160.000

Labor for clearing (1 hectare) 237.600

Total project cost 1.804.000

materials 1.210.000 colones
Labor 594.000 colones

Are you serious about bidding on the project and/or do you know of anyone in the area that does this kind of work? You are correct that the workers would be harvesting local cana from the owners adjacent property. We would certainly be open to using someone else.

We would like to have this done this year as we have two concerns – first we’ve been told it’s a good idea to have your property fenced and keep the borders maintained. (our plot is 5 hectareo and is currently fenced on each side that adjoins the road) My understanding is that it is not wise to let the property appear that it has been abandoned. We won’t be able to make our move and start construction till some time in 2013 and certainly don’t want to have to deal with any squatter issues. The next issue is that I would like to get the living fence time to get established and grow prior to our moving to CR.

[Joan&troy]

[quote=”Scott”]Please clarify the price for us Joan & Troy

Is it $1,804 dollars or is it 1,804,000 colones

Scott[/quote]

The price was quoted as 1,804,000.colones or $3334.57us at 541 exchange rate

[Joan&troy]

[quote=”qtc9808″]I can refer you to a fantastic creative and honest architech that helped us design the home we are building in Guanacaste- His name is Ricardo Barrantes and he resides in Grecia. If you need me to put you in contact with him just write me at qtc9808@aol.com.

Joe

Hi Joe:

We recently bought land in Naranjal, which is near Samara. I’m not sure how close by your architect is that you recommended, but would appreciate getting his contact information. I have already contacted one architect, but would like to get at least two proposals.

Thanks!
Joan and Troy

[Joan&troy]

I saw the same article as well and was wondering if anyone had any further information regarding using your land purchase and home you build to obtain residency based on “investor” status. The information I have seen on the internet regarding this type of residency seem to consistently indicate that it is difficult to obtain residency as an “investor” and that your personal residence and/or land purchase would not qualify.

[Joan&troy]

[quote=”DavidCMurray”]Meaning no disrespect to costaricafinca, I think you both need to have a comprehensive discussion of your own personal circumstances with a knowledgeable Costa Rican attorney, one who specializes in residency matters. The new law is about to take effect. It will bring with it new requirements and pitfalls.

What’s more, the very worst thing you, I, or anybody else could do is assume that if one thing is true then something else must also be true (like that longterm and reliable rental income will suffice for income purposes). Just because it makes sense to you and me doesn’t mean it’ll fly with Immigration.

Go to the best, most professional, source you can find and get the best advice available.

If you need a referral to an attorney who has served us and others very well, send me a private message.[/quote]

Your advice sounds very sound indeed. My husband and I recently purchased some property and are still about 3 years from having enough income to meet the new residency requirements. I noted in the articles that it is also indicated that you will be required to enroll in the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social. Does anyone have an idea how much that would cost two people per month? Again, we are just trying to get an idea so we know what kind of resources we will need to make the move. Thanks!

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