I am planning an experimental stay in C.R. soon and hope to pursue similar living arrangements that worked so well for me in the South Pacific.

p.s. Happy 8th of may to you all.

My city living has prepared me well, I think, for most street crime. I was reading a comment a traveler made about being relieved of their luggage that they left in their car at a hotel…I thinking “duh,” but of course not everyone’s had the education I have. Ever since moving here, I never leave anything in sight in my car–and truly, nothing in the car at all. I mean anything. I was taught that lesson quickly after moving here–broken into 3x (one time, my snow brush was stolen–doubt that gave them much money, but I may have missed the snow brush trade here…). A lot of it here is drug related, too. Affluent (or relatively affluent) people are often targeted–either because they are living in known rich areas or because they’re new wealth in a formerly poor area. Similarly, it’s the people who flaunt their wealth and disrespect what’s going on who are targets. I see people prancing along in my neighborhood (which has more than its fair share of muggings) with their nice new laptops. Almost makes me want to steal it to prove a point. I digess… Anyway, I find the discussion interesting.

As a 3d generation Californian, I find this comment highly amusing, and a little ignorant. The fact is, stud frame structures are among the -safest- to be in during an earthquake! Yep, it’s been tested, more than once. It’s because, like a good expat, they move -with- the prevailing forces, not against them.

The unreinforced masonry buildings on the other hand, tend to collapse in heaps. Presumably Tico architects and engineers take it for granted that they need to plan for earthquakes. Maybe even termites.

I should have explored the blog more carefully. One of your other posts…Moving to Costa Rica answered some of my questions. I still welcome anything you can tell though.

Thanks,
James

This may seem a bit off topic, but I was reading so many of your catagories, I did not know really where to post! I agree with you about the US being broken, and after reading this blog and all the comments, I decided it was as good a place as any to make a reply.

Thanks for your blog, I think it’s great and I just recently came across it. I am a Army and Navy veteran, disabled but get aroud fine. I have a BS in biology and am a photographer and have had a keen interest in CR for many years now. I want to move somewhere in Latin America so have been researching all I can and trying to brush up on my Spanish. Land developers email me all kinds of things about the advantages of their “gated communities” and condos, but I love nature and have never really been into the retirement community scene anyway. “The Real Costa Rica” has confirmed a lot of things I had suspected. Thanks again.

Now, I am 43 and wish to retire early. I receive 2,700.00 USD from VA disability and 800.00 from S.S. disabilty monthly. Could I live comfortably on $3500.00 a month there? (Thats tax free, or net). I do not want a lot, just a modest place with a good view…and I will be moving down alone.

I am pretty sure I can still receive both checks and live abroad. Do you know anything about that?

Also, I should have about $80,000 or so to bring with me by the time I make my move (hopefully this year. So my next question is two-fold…would I come out better buying a place already built or buy property and hire someone reputable to build for me?
Secondly, have you got any regional recommendations for me to look into? I would greatly appreciate any advice you can give me on this.

I’ll visit first, then I guess I should rent when I move, while I search. One more thing; I would like to not spend all my cash on a purchase. With a fixed and lifelong income I think I will be able to get a…lost for what it’s called…pension type visa or residency? Anyway, I would like to be able to finanace at least a portion of my purchase and have some to put in the bank.

I’m a tough cookie and a nice person who has traveled all my life. If and when I move down I would prefer to live among Ticos and their culture.

Thanks again, any other advice is welcome too.

James in NC

We have traveled quite a bit and lived in China for a year and prefer to live outside of an American compound. I am learning Spanish and intend to continue studying.

Where does one start in looking for a place to live? We would probably have grand kids spending some time there as well but not the entire 6 months because of school.

I have read your posts and find it very educational and enjoyable

Thanks for any pointers you might have.

Larry

Hmmmm! I see what you mean! When any of the others write something, their names appear… but when I write… nothing.

I think that must be because I do not login as a writer but as owner of the blog.

I will experiment the next time I Post and we shall see! I guess for now, no name is MY name

Also, as I have received several complaints about the other contributors not contributing very often, it will only be me for a while until I figure out how to have others who will actually post more often.