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While at the construction expo, we spoke with the area owners for this building technology. Very intriguing concept. Has anyone had experience with Styrofoam Insulated Concrete Forms? Here is their website: http://www.buildwithfastbloc.com/the-system
The material cost is in line with concrete block but the time to build can be reduced by a third. The insulation, strength, and earthquake resistance are better than block.I too have worked with Randall Zamora at Costa Rica ABC after being referred to him several years ago through this website. He is knowledgeable, fairly priced, and does good work. He certainly knows the “ins and outs” of the tax, acctg, and business issues that we foreigners have. He also speaks excellent english. Pura Vida, Jerry
We want to stay in Escazu with ideas of her attending Country Day School. I’m just wondering about suggestions for good, safe living locations in the Escazu area with other kids or expat families her age. Our rental budget is probably between $1500 to $2500.
Also, as we are not planning on a long term stay, is it better to bring your own car or buy one?[/quote]
Call Diane Sobel-Globerman 8377.0060. She and her husband own several homes in Vista De Oro which is within walking distance of Country Day School. We have some friends that lived in one of their homes for about a year and it was a great experience. Bring a car for which there is a good market here like a Hyundai Santa Fe or a Honda Mini Van. This is a simple process and we can discuss it off list if you end up coming down. Pura Vida, Jerry
[quote=”aprilbinnie”]Hi
I just wondered if anyone has had any problems with buying an unlocked iPhone 3 or 4 in Canada and getting it connected here with ICE.
I noticed that the iPhone 4 has a micro-SIM card and I don’t know if ICE provides those here or not.
My current cell has the regular SIM card…
Thanks
April[/quote]April,
I am no expert but have a little personal experience to share. I have a friend that bought an unlocked iPhone 4 in London. He “trimmed” the regular ICE SIM card down to the size of a micro-SIM, inserted it, and voila all is well. He also uses his iPhone 4 as a “my wifi” connection for his laptop. So he can connect to the internet from his laptop through his iPhone.My wife and I have iPhone 3s that we brought from the USA. We had them unlocked, put in our ICE SIMM card, and they work great here. I think it cost approx 4000 colones per month to add the unlimited internet connectivity to our regulare ICE cell phone plan. I can now surf the web and pull email from anywhere just like I did in the States. I can also send and receive Text messages internationally which has been very helpful.
Good luck to you and Pura Vida.
JerryInterestingly, [i]Banco HSBC[/i] does not report our mortgage interest to IRS but it’s never been a problem.[/quote]
Does anyone know exactly what the banks here report to the IRS?
[quote=”Livefreeordie”][quote=”pharg”][quote=”Scott”]So Jim – What happening with the BBQ restaurant?
Are you up and running?
Scott[/quote]
I live up the road from Jim and he is indeed up and running. When I saw his sign go up I dropped by and met him. We sampled his BBQ and it was good. He is about 3 kilometers East of El Christo de Sabanilla and about 200 meters before you get to the Super de Todo in San Ramon de Tres Rios.
Pura Vida,
JerryI want to chime in and offer a different perspective and experience. I moved here with my family and three young children, now 5 1/2, 5 1/2, and 8 yrs old at the end of 2007. As usual, all that David Murray has said is true and presented in an informative and kind way. I do not have much time to write this post so I will cut to the chase. It all boils down to dollars and a choice of how you live, whether you live here or in the US. The difference here is that, in my opinion, you are offering your children a much better way of life. On the East side of town (San Ramon de Tres Rios) where we live, there are fantastic bi-lingual and tri-lingual schools that offer an educational experience that will prepare your children to go to the States or abroad for College. The cost ranges from $400 to $900 per month per child. This is comparable to what we were paying for our children’s private school in Texas. I would NOT send my children to public school in either Texas or Costa Rica as long as I can afford not to. Housing here for a nice US style four bedroom home is 1500 to 2500 per month and you can find a very adequate Tico style home for half of that. Electricity is half what it cost in the US and water, telephone, and cellular phone cost are incredibly low. We spend about $50 per month for water, home phone, and cellular. High Speed internet is relatively expensive at about $75. We choose to not have a Television but think that Cable is 20-50 depending on the number of channels you want. To participate in the caja for healthcare, which is required of residents, is $125 per month for our family and we continue paying for our AETNA insurance in the States in case of a big emergency or illness we can head for Houston or Miami. If we need to go to a local Hospital, Clinica Biblica or CIMA do a great job and I feel very comfortable with either of them. We buy fresh produce each weekend at the Feria and my guess is that it is one third of what we would pay in the States. Meat is a third less than in the States. If you buy food or consumer items from the States, expect to pay 30-100% more than in the US. We have converted to Tico brands for many staple food and household items and are fine with them. We have our house cleaned four mornings each week and it cost about $150 per month. In summary, our expenses here are about 60% of what they would be in the States. Now, the big question, WORK. Every thing David said is true and correct and you will need to figure out the residency question and you can’t go to work here and take a job from a Tico. I work in the US for a US company, completely through the internet and through an IP phone. You call our office in Texas and it rings right here in my house in CR. Any “telecomuting” job or internet job, that you could do in the US, you can do from here. I travel to the States every other month for a few days for appts. If you are serious about moving here, find a way that you can work completely from home. There are many ways to do this and earn a good living. If you establish your “tax home” for IRS purposes here in CR, you can each make up to $92,900 and pay no taxes. We have wonderful Tico, Gringo, and International friends, a great Church, a wonderful climate, a great school, and we feel safe and healthy. The kids are now fluent in Spanish, I am 70% there, and we go out of our way to engage in Tico culture. Like anything in life, if you want to do it, for the right reasons, you can figure out the details and make it work. There has not been a single day that I have regretted moving and living here and I literally thank God every day for the opportunity to live here and offer this alternative view of life to my children. If you would like to talk or communicate off list, please ask Scott for my email and phone number. Good luck with your decision.
Pura Vida,
JerryWhat is the website URL for information regarding the new gun laws? The link from your post returned me to the forum. Thanks! Jerry
Robert,
Please allow me to chime in. I highly recommend that you contact, and work with, Javier Zavaleta of http://www.residencyincostarica.com who can guide you through the process and get you on the temporary “Rentista” residency track. He knows this stuff inside and out.
Basically, you will need to meet the requirements of “Rentista” including the bank deposit and accompanying documentation, buying the required amount of colones each month, and not working as an employee of a Costa Rica employeer be it foregin or domestic.
Now, for the foreign earned income exclusion, you will need to meet the specific “tests” to determine your “tax home.” You can find all the information you need here: (http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=97130,00.html)
Amazingly enough, if you truly move to Costa Rica before January 1 of a calendar year, show that you are a resident (temporary is fine), intend to live here permanently, and are still living here on Dec 31st of that year, you should pass the “bona fide residency” test and Costa Rica will be your “tax home.” For 2011 the exclusion amount is up to $92,900 of your earned income. It does not matter that the income is earned from your employment by the US company and is paid to you in the US. If you are living here, and working out of your home, then this is your tax home if you meet the other tests. THe fact that you company has approved your living and working from here will seal the deal. You may want to consult a tax professional, who has experience in this particular field, to make sure you meet all the requirements. Good luck and Pura Vida![quote=”ticorealtor”]plates… yep… the funny thing is that I asked the customs guy what do we do when your plates were stolen.. he said ask some one for new plate… he was tipping his head to a gavilan. Then I asked well if we have to pay 37 dollars for one can he get me Minnesota plates…. they said no problem..hahaha… I should have asked if he had hawaii…hahah[/quote]
TicoRealtor,
So would you buy illegal plates and drive with them in the US?
Jerry[quote=”ticorealtor”]… Well like my wife says you can save lost souls while living in Escazu with a hot tub.:)[/quote]
TicoRealtor,
You lost me on this one. What does your wife’s saying mean in this context?
Thanks,
Jerry[quote=”ticorealtor”]This is not a slam but it is very interesting on how you could make a real good living as a missionary.
I also noticed that a lot of them are real hesitant on saying they are missionary s.[/quote]
Welcome to CR Ticorealtor! I look forward to meeting you in person now that we are neighbors. What makes you think the missionaries that you met at the mall make a real good living? Many of us with kiddos on the east side go to the mall to walk around, ride the train, and meet each other to visit. It is one of the cheapest forms of entertainment around.
We have quite a few “missionary” friends and most of them are supported by churches, friends, and family. Personally, I haven’t met any that live ostentatiously or wastfully. By and large they are responsible, respectful, and committed people who blend in by learning the language and integrating themselves into Tico culture. I have a huge amount of respect for people that sacrifice a “career,” being close to their friends and family, and the ease of raising a family in the States for their deeply held beliefs that they should serve others.
They don’t go out of their way to advertise that they are missionaries because in many cases their work is very personal and oftentimes people they encounter have a prejudice when the word “missionary” surfaces.
I have to say that I would much rather raise my children around our “missionary” friends than around many of the “chip on the shoulder” Expats I have met here in CR.
Contact me when you get settled in.
Pura Vida,
Jerry Thompson
