Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
ldordal – Scott is not off base here. If you apply for legal residency, there are guidelines/laws you must follow & working is one of those things you must be careful with because you could lose your residency & be deported. Seriously. We just received our legal residency. I support us by my US-based business that I run via the Internet. My husband is a chef but will not work because of our residency status. He doesn’t want to open his own restaurant until we have permanent residency without work restrictions, that way he can actually cook in his own restaurant.
If you do not receive legal residency, you would have to apply for a work permit, which you’d likely not get. Getting a work permit is not easy & I’ve only met one non-Costa Rican couple that did so successfully. Even with the permit, they opted to have a child here & were able to get their residency that way. That isn’t to say there aren’t tons of gringoes in CR working – or that you couldn’t find work – but you are taking a risk by not going through the appropriate channels to find legal work.
If you do not come as a legal resident or with a work permit, you are here on a tourist visa. If you are caught working while on that visa, you can be deported. You are only able to stay in country for 90 days. The “perpetual tourist” Scott was talking about are those people who are living here, leaving to go to Nicaragua or Panama (or wherever) for a short trip out of country, then coming back for another 90 days. Immigration is supposed to be cutting down on people who are abusing this as it is seen as a loophole around Costa Rica’s immigration laws.
Overall, the point Scott was trying to make is that if you move here & take a job, you need to be aware of the legal ramifications.
Jessica
Which group is most likely to molest has nothing to do with the point I was trying to make to Koty about owning a B&B – and I am rather surprised that concern for my children is construed as paranoia or fear, neither of which is part of my life or outlook on life. The whole point I was trying to make, which Jenny seemed to get to some degree, is that having a B&B that also serves as your residence doesn’t strike me as a good idea, especially if you have kids. My opinion – that’s it. If you have a private, separate residence on site, then I imagine that gives you more control over who is in contact with your children. During our search for B&Bs 3 years ago, we weren’t able to find such a B&B within our price range (we are a family of 6 & owner’s quarters never seemed large enough to accomodate us all).
I’d like to think in some parallel universe that people can actually state their opinion without being subjected to judgement by those who don’t agree…
Jessica
bradbard – Give me a break. There is a big difference between living in a house where sure, there may be pedophiles in every house on the street, versus inviting the possibility of a pedophile into your house as a house guest. I am not paranoid. I am realistic. There are bad people in this world (generally, not aimed at any one country) & while I cannot protect my children from everything out there in the world, I can certainly, as a responsible parent, protect them to the best of my ability within the bounds of the home I provide for them. Are you a parent?
And for the record – I will be living in Costa Rica in February. I already have a house & residency. I am realistic about living in Costa Rica, just as I’m realistic about living in Florida.
Koty – I’m not suggesting you be afraid of everything, nor am I suggesting that pedophiles visit Costa Rica more than any other country. But, I stay at a B&B on either my first or last night in CR on every trip & I know what close contact there is between guests & owners. I’m just saying the B&B idea provides an opportunity for access to your kids that might not otherwise be present. Plus, you have to consider the fact that some guests will be on vacation to have a break from their own kids & may not appreciate being subjected to yours. For me, that was a distinct issue since I have 4 kids & they can be quite rambunctious at times!
Jessica
Koty – I’ve read in your posts that you have a child. Will you be living at the B&B with your child? My husband & I also at first thought of a B&B. However, I realized there was no way to know in advance the types of people staying as guests, & then it dawned on me that I could subject my kids to all sorts of people & it may not be all positive. It was not within our budget to buy a B&B & a separate residence for us, so the B&B idea went out the window. My biggest fear in the plan was having a pedophile as a guest & subjecting my kids to danger in the name of business. I don’t invite strangers into my home now, & if you live at the B&B it is your home as well as your business. Just wanted to throw that out there to you, mother to mother.
Jessica
Rich – Definitely check out the new development, I was really surprised by the progress that I saw from February to June/July. It is very pretty in that area. ~Jessica
We bought in the Bejuco project & our house is almost completed. We started our correspondence with Bob & Jeff about 2 years ago, but didn’t begin building until this year. They’ve worked with us at every turn & I believe the Bejuco project is proof of what they are capable of accomplishing & speaks for itself.
You’ve insinuated that you won’t get your deposit back, or at least not in a timely manner, so I do hope you intend to post about what actually does happen with your situation.
Jessica
