I have heard many retirees, from all branches, have moved to Costa Rica for retirement over the past years.
Just curious if anyone can shed light on the quality and cost of living in Costa Rica.
I did a search and it said it is the only Central American Country that has NEVER taken a direct hit from a hurricane. That is a plus right there!!
Any opinions, pros and cons are solicited.
Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!

Personally, I have never been to Costa Rica. Nevertheless the feedback I get is also very positive. If language is not an issue, it seems to be a nice choice. As a kid my father was offered the job of Secretary of Agriculture at Costa Rica and he was more than willing to pack everything and move us there. But my mother was concern about the civil wars going on at the time in Nicaragua and El Salvador, which if my geography is correct, both border Costa Rica (one North one South). Outside that, I don't have much to offer.

Thanks for the response, that would have been exciting as a kid, I would think.
I have done more research, and the cons listed are not bad at all, I have found no showstoppers.
But I would have thought someone down there would have posted here, must not have much internet there!
Some very interesting history having to do with the Iran/Contra affair took place in Costa Rica. Col. North and his band used a ranch there to support some ops, at least according to what I read.

Bob,

I am shocked you’re contemplating moving from Texas!

Actually, last year my wife and I visited Costa Rica and they indeed have pristine beaches, wild jungles, and minimal traffic. However, after talking to an American tour guide and from my perspective, I would not recommend moving to Costa Rica. Though Costa Rica is a beautiful country and cost of living is relatively cheap, there are some negatives, such as the government is corrupt, real-estate is extremely expensive, the language barrier (it would be humorous watching a Texan attemtping to converse with a local) etc.

Again, it’s only my perspective.

Take care and I hope you’re enjoying retirement,

Andy

quote:

there are some negatives, such as the government is corrupt, real-estate is extremely expensive, the language barrier (it would be humorous watching a Texan attemtping to converse with a local) etc.

No Andy, I am contemplating Costa Rica, NOT Florida!!!!!! I lived there for 15 years!!!

Good to hear from ya, you old Salt!

I have a single cousin who is a Captain for US Airways.. He makes trips down there (vacation) for some R & R.. I have seen several of his pictures... the women down there are apparently doing something (or many things) right...

Next time I talk to him I'll have to ask him about property & the like..

Wray...

Thanks Wray, I will be looking forward to that SITREP.
I just told Randy two days ago I thought you were in the Caymans, he was going to call you, but I thought I saw a post where you were headed south the second week of Jan.
Anyway, all info on Cost Rica will be appreciated. Have you ever been there?

Andy you ever gonna retire? We were stationed together on the Rambler when I was a seaman and later you inspected my galley on the Staten Island.

Good to see your still kickin.

Will~

Hello Old Shipmate!

I have many fond memories of the RAMBLER and I remember you, Jack Slayden, MCPO Sam Eubanks, CWO Paul DiMauro, etc., quite well.

The CG is not as fun as it used to be...very few base bars, no alcohol on ships, DHS is tightening the screws, and the list goes on.

I am coming up on 25 years of service, and will probably retire after my current tour in 2010.

Take care Will,

Andy

This will be a good one to post, as I do have a little bit of expierence about this quaint Central American Country.
However, a little geography first.
A. Costa Rica borders Nicaragua, and Panama.

Ok, about the corruption, as anywhere else in the world there is corruption, albeit in the past 2 years the Ticos(costa ricans) have been going nuts with curbing the corruption issues.

Housing. Like anywhere else. I'd rent first, before buying a house. The market has exploded in the past few years. Especially for the US market (damned Gringos). If your looking to buy expect to pay at least 150,000. Get legal advice, and make sure you register with the US Embassy. I've seen so many US citizens get screwed over, for not following the law. I got my house for 30,000 about 5 years ago. It's now worth 150,000. LOL

Major areas with a high concentration of US Retirees. Ezcazul, Jaco, Manuel Antonio. Stay away from Sabanilla(thats where my house is, and I dont want it to get more expensive. LOL...

Now, getting around in Costa Rica. It's getting better. I've seen street signs. However, an example of getting directions to a friends house is like this. 200 meters south of the san pedro church, yellow house. But thats for everything, so if you get a car. Be smart enough to buy a GPS to be able to navigate.

Cost of living. Not bad at all. The exception is gasoline at 5.00 a gallon. The tico government is no friend of Hugo Chavez. But cigarettes are around 1.10, you'll pay about 20.00 for electricity, 10.00 water, who knows for your telephone service. Which is about to change. Internet... Most people either have it, or have access to it.

A touchy subject is TLC(Central American Free Trade Agreement). It was ratified last October. Expect a lot of changes in the coming years.

If your gonna retire down there, go to the CR Consular website closest to your house. You can find it through Google, or www.state.gov . If you decide to go contact, and register with the US Embassy in San Jose. Always a good idea. Remember to pay your taxes too. Seems more people get arrested for that for simply not knowing.

Crime. Well it's there. Normally the visitors fault for not knowing.
A. Common sense
B. The local area
C. COMMON SENSE
Yes common sense goes a long way.
Pretty much petty crime. Stealing out of cars, purses, wallets.
If you choose to do the 90 day shuffle, I recommend you don't. Have fun visiting Panama, Nicaragua, or San Andres Island.
If you choose to move. Please PM me. I'll send you information on a international shipper who'll move your house hold goods to Costa Rica. No money for me, I just trust the company.
Hope this helps out.
Pura Vida!!!!!!

So our government is corrupt free, our real estate is dirt cheap, taxes are "What Taxes"?, are we talking of the USA? Give me a break. But I'll give those thinking that we live in Wonderville, USA the benefit of the doubt and add, that perhaps moving to one of these countries (Costa Rica, Dom Rep, Agentina, etc) perhpaps you move, but you leave a large portion of your interest$$$ in Wonderville, USA (e.g. your cash). I seriously doubt that someone will be thinking moving abroad and living from retire paycheck to retire paycheck. Becuase if he/she is, whoa, for that I don't know what to say!

Keko
How are you doing? Well, too be honest. Some people do prefer to live outside the US. A lot of service members married foriegn nationals, or enjoy the quality of life. However, depending on the laws of the country, the interest of your money is NOT in the United States. Unless such persons wants to. However, in order to be a pensioner in Costa Rica, one has to make at least 600 a month, and have a Costa Rican Bank account. Which, if were receiving money through direct deposit, we can elect to send to the banking system of our choice. Also, a lot of retirees are Disabled Veterans. No offense, but if your making 2,000 a month in retirement, or disability. Your going to live very well. A lot better then 2,000 anywhere in the States. Some people depending on there rate/mos don't want to start over. Thats a fact, and atleast there going to be able enjoy themselves, and start a fresh life wherever one chooses. I did stress on the idea that real estate is high, corruption is there, but thats soon to change, especially with the market. Uncle Sam will want there taxes paid.

Lafman, I hear you loud and clear. Actually, my wife and I have joke about moving to the Dominican Republic...now we are not joking about it. But my point is that I don't have to take all my eggs w/ me. I can leave some eggs behind in case the basket is dropped wherever. I can have egg$$$ here in the US save and sound working for me. And the procedures from those eggs, being send to me at a local bank, while preserving the principal back here. But I hear you loud and clear.

Keko
I wish you luck in your future endeavors. I apologize if my last post was a little to fwd. Have a great day.

No it was not. Actually, it was very good. I appreciate it. Thanks.

I've been living in Venezuela for a little over a year now. As of today, I have no plans on moving back to the USA. My wife was born here, and her entire family is here. She has an awsome job, that pays very well (for Venezuelan standards). I haven't worked in over a year, and have never been more content.

IF you move to Latin America, remember, it is not the USA. You will see things that you would never see there. Thier is a different way of life, and culture in Latin America. Learn to accept it, as a way of life. If you can accept it, and even enjoy it, you'll love it there.

quote:

Originally posted by 1F:
Anyway, all info on Cost Rica will be appreciated.

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23068811/

www.costarica.org

sc Goodluck..Hope i Helped.