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Interesting Maravilla, by the way is that you in the profile pic? As a vegetarian I know that the important question is not “Where do you get your protein” but actually “Where do you get your fats from”.
I was going to point out that “45% of the wage slaves” pay no Federal income tax. But it’s not quite that simple.
http://money.cnn.com/2011/04/14/pf/taxes/who_pays_income_taxes/index.htmI guess we can can now agree the Euro will no longer be next in line for the world “default currency”. I for one never thought it had a chance (for now obvious reasons), though this was a minority opinion not that long ago. US GDP is $14,582 trillion dollars. In the near term I would say the US is looking pretty good and there could be some buying opportunity in well run US companies after the European shake up is done rattling the markets. 10% of our GDP comes from trade with Europe, fairly insignificant and certainly not enough to sink the ship should Europe sink into a recession (as it did in the 90’s).
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2011/11/uk-banks-brace-for-eurozone-break-up.html
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/gdpnewsrelease.htm
I should also add that I meant “bare bones” in a good way in relation to say like Jaco or Tamarindo which is quite bustling. Some like bustling, access to a mall etc…what ever floats your boat.
I was injured quite severely while living in Nosara. Now I like “sleepy” but having access to a hospital is nice. At the time there was no doctor available, so at 1am we had to drive to Nicoya to their Caja hospital (the road out just after rainy season ain’t know picnic). It took 20 hours for the specialist I needed to arrive as he only visits the hospital a few times a week. I was grateful for the service I received but it was pretty minimal, I was stabilized and then drove 5 hours to San Jose.
One “luxury” we have in the states is pretty good access to state of the art medical facilities along with a transportation system to get us to them. Just something to keep in mind when traveling in Costa Rica, this does not stop us from going where we want, but be prepared and have a plan when you stray from the Central Valley.
Samara is pretty bare bones, but beautiful, deserted beaches and good fishing. Check out Nosara and it’s surrounding communities. Some outstanding restaurants, amazing beaches, great surf (good for beginners).
Samara to Malpais is quite a drive, need a sturdy 4×4 that can cross some rivers. There are not many signs, but we enjoyed the ride and Malpais is a very charming community.
http://www.bluejaylodgecostarica.com/ Tico owned, we loved it.
“And look how docile we all are as they herd us barefoot through the airport xray machines, like cattle or 1941 European jews into a box car…not a peep.”
We all don’t have to agree on everything and I for one take the anonymous political rants on this board with the requisite grain of salt (I am here for news on Costa Rica living). But come on sprite, comparing “Jews being herded into boxcars during WW2” with taking your shoes off at airport security? I travel quite a bit, usually loaded down with all sorts of crap; mangy looking surf board bags, some questionable looking tattoos etc, travel really is not that difficult.
I flew in and out of MIA 6 times this year, even there it’s not bad. And West Palm is a breeze, an absolute pleasure to fly in and out of.
[quote=”DavidCMurray”][quote=”agarcia”]A poster mentioned Xandari, which is now Alma del Pacifico run by Rock Resorts. And it’s right on the beach. Very nice.[/quote]
Actually, the Hotel Xandari I was referring to is in Alajuea. Here’s their website: http://www.xandari.com/%5B/quote%5D
Funny David. We actually wound up getting married at Xandari on the Pacific, it was beautiful. We have stayed at the resorts before and Sheryl and his wife are wonderful. I was sad to see that they sold it, hope they maintain the high standards and wonderful staff. All that came were absolutely blown away by the natural beauty of the location, it silenced all those who were “afraid” to come to Costa Rica, it was life changing for many.
We did find an amazing woman who officiated that suited our desires perfectly, think “new age”. She is also an attorney and Tica! The hotel offers help with wedding planning,but we used a wonderful woman named Belle Richardson, “Ring my belle” was the name of her company, seems she left Jaco and is now running a restaurant in Samara.
The hotel and restaurant is so amazing that it was actually quite inexpensive to have a wonderful wedding. Belle decorated the outdoor Palapa with a mind blowing amount of flowers and Orchids. That along with the delicious food and great candle lit lighting was all we needed. Belle did a great job. We were married at sunset on the beach. Some guests stayed at Xandari others in some local little hotels next door that run about $35-$40 a night, kind of bare bones, but beautiful setting. Xandari was just about empty and they were really cool about letting all our guests hang with us at the pool etc…
We also considered Villas Caletas, but wanted our guets to be on the beach. We did take everyone there for a stunning sunset drink. We also hired a few vans from Kevins Transfers(highly recommend) and took everyone to Manuel Antonio.
We had a pre wedding dinner at a local restaurant just North on the Costanera for an authentic, delicious meal. Blew everyone away, especially the price.
I’ll see if I can post some pictures.
Very interesting David, thank you! I have always known I am being followed, especially when I am playing online scrabble and suddenly I am getting ads popping up regarding items I searched for days before. Coincidental or cookies?8)
I think anyone should have the right to ask about another entity’s wealth. However I equally believe one should have the right to not disclose it. Though publicly traded companies are required to report their “wealth”, I am referring to civilians.
I am never offended when one asks me “how much I earn or am worth”. I hope they are not offended when I decline to tell them:D
Rick,
Tell your experience here, love to read about the process and other folks experiences. Good read on Jaco, I guess coming from NYC, I never felt uncomfortable in Jaco either, though was aware of some of the shady stuff going down. 🙂
We have been going to Costa Rica for 8 years now and have not had a single incident or ever felt threatened. We don’t live there, but have stayed in the same place at times for 7 weeks, once in a fairly isolated home in Playa Guiones.
When I read some of the comments I can get really stressed out about CR, question my desire to live there someday. Some of the posters make it seem like you can’t breath without having something stolen, being robbed!
Then we arrive and it’s like a weight off my chest, instant pura vida!! No one sticking a gun in my face:D , nothing stolen etc…
Just a bunch of really nice people, beautiful scenery, great waves, food etc…You just feel so damn good!It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it certainly ain’t the United States. Cr is her own beautiful, wonderful person, warts and all!
We find it convenient to be close to Jaco for the farmers market, shopping, movies and a few good restaurants (Good pizza at Rio Oasis). It seems that the North end over that little bridge is a where it gets a little nasty late night, we have been to dinner here as late as 9pm and it was fine.
If you like the beaches around Jaco, I would look 2-6 km’s South, we are in Playa Hermosa (don’t live full time),great place with a diverse population. A little further down the costanera you have the Esterillos’ beautiful beaches and a variety of housing options. I have always felt very safe here with my wife and children, we were married in Esterillos.
If through the sale of your house and savings could raise $100,000 dollars, you could live modestly in CR for approximately 5 years. You could live much less modestly for closer to 10 years.
I also know at least a dozen surfers who settled in CR years ago, live in either a small home they built or a rental for $250 a month. They teach surfing or work for foreign owned hotels/restaurants and are able to scrape by in paradise. Are they “legal”? I don’t know, though in some cases they have married a tica/tico.
