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This is Really Irritating!
February 23rd, 2009
I get a lot of email as you might imagine. The vast majority (well over 99%) of the comments are positive and pleasant.
On occasion though, I get a comment that really frosts my Twinkie. This happened last night and I responded… but then I stewed about it all night! The comment and my reply appear below. I guess what really bothers me is that I spent a huge amount of time writing The REAL Costa Rica and then more time keeping things current both there and here on this Blog. I then get an email from someone who implies that I whitewash Costa Rica. I know, of course that there are people who do not agree either with my opinion or my rather blunt style of writing. Others love it as they really want to KNOW about this country, and they are concerned (rightfully) that they are not getting the facts from other sites that really do nothing but promote Costa Rica. I love living here but as I have written about 20 zillon times, this country is not for everyone. It is right for ME, but only you can decide if it is right for YOU. Anyway, if you wanna listen to me rant a bit, read on. Her quote is exact. No corrections or changes.
I have been in Cosata Rica now for almost 4 months..you web page very general and not realistic. I sat in room with 9 other people with similar crime experiences. Yes, CR was a nice place to visit and live once…but not any more. Since you like so much would you like to buy a house…we are selling and looking for a safer place to live.
Dear Person Commenting:
It is pretty clear that you did not spend much time at ALL reading the web site or this associated Blog.
Had you done so, you would have discovered that I cover the crime issue here VERY thoroughly and pull no punches. I also publish nearly all crime related comments even though I am pretty sure that quite a few of them are fictional as those crimes never seem to be verifiable.
Further, you would also have read that I would NEVER buy property in Costa Rica whether there was crime or NO crime.
In fact, I tell people time and again to live here for at least a YEAR before even considering the purchase of property.
Nobody has ever made a good case to me for buying here at all, especially if you are over age 55 or so. Younger people, maybe… but older folks? There is no financial or logical reason to buy here when rents are dirt cheap and your money is safe and available. I can relate at least fifty stories of people saddled with unsellable property because they bought too soon and paid too much.
Had you spent ANY time reading the web site and/or the Blog BEFORE you arrived 4 months ago, you would not have to worry NOW about selling property you should not have bought in the first place!
I am truly sorry you are not happy here, but as I also state CLEARLY; over 50% of those who move here return home within a year and I urge people to do NOTHING here that cannot be “undone” with 6 phone calls or less. I also can promise you that all the real estate will not be gone in a year, regardless of what some realtors tell you.
While I am sorry you are not happy, I am not at all sympathetic as it is clear you either came here totally unprepared OR you read all my warnings and chose to ignore them.. Either way… good luck.
To those of you thinking about moving here, by all means come and enjoy Costa Rica, but please read more than how wonderful is the weather here or how nice are the Ticos. This is a foreign country with different laws, traditions, cultures etc.
You will have no idea whatsoever if Costa Rica is for you until you have lived here at least 9 to 12 months, and that is regardless if you have lived in another foreign country. If you love it.. great! Buy something. Spend that money! Invest! Build a new life. Put down roots. Make Costa Rica your home!
But if after 9 to 12 months you discover Costa Rica is not right for you and you simply cannot live here for any reason, then just board a plane and return home with some great stories to tell, an adventure under your belt, and most important, and NO financial loss.
Filed under Costa Rica, Crime in Costa Rica, Culture Shock, Life in Costa Rica, Moving to Costa Rica, Real Estate | Comments (53)53 Responses to “This is Really Irritating!”
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Your blog and website are simply the BEST! Hands down. My wife and I have not even visited CR and we have contemplated moving there hopefully sometime in the future. We also rely on your postings and we feel as though we have a good sense of what to expect when we visit Costa Rica. Thank you for your time and energy.
Fans from Atlanta, Georgia
Pura Vida…
I agree, rent and see if Costa Rica is for you. I’ve been traveling there since 2001. I have seen the change. Is it the narco-money influence? Also, can you address the China connection. First a soccor stadiem, now automobiles for the police. Why is China so interested in Costa Rica? Tony
As usual, you hit the nail squarely on the head. We just returned from a junket to Houston and there are plenty of reasons we will not return to the US permanently. Costa Rica is human, but that’s where it stops. If you want to sit around Chucky Cheeses with your children, pay upwards to $3.00 for a cold drink and listen to the yammering you can have it. If you want to look at the puss-gutted men and pie-dough fannies, that’s the place for you! If you want to find washed-out places like Circuit City (bankrupt), surly clerks at Penny Company, Sears and most of the massive stores like Target and K-Mart, go for it! There are thousands of other places with high-grade plastic malls (who are going broke)! Well now , just for the asking and driving there to use your credit cards, it’s all for you. Unfortunately and very sadly, the US economy is tanking, the country is almost dead in the water and broke. Is that an incentive for you to go back? Well, for my book, I’ll take “Pura Vida”, that’s why I am here and not there. Have a nice life!
Cy Bolinger
I have been living here for fifteen months now and “me gusta costa rica mucho”. I agree with this blog not to purchase housing when rentals are available and it allows you to move about and find the parts of Costa Rica that you like the most without tying up a portion of your capital unnecessarily. Crime is everywhere in the world and not more here in Costa Rica than in other countries. I live in San Jose and have lived in other major cities in the US such as Atlanta, GA, Memphis, TN, and Charlotte, NC to mention a few and the crime I found in these cities definitely rivals or surpasses that here in San Jose. Perception is everything. If you were just held up or if you just had your wallet lifted on the bus then you think that crime is terrible. If you have lived almost a year and a half and have had very little problems then crime is somewhere else. Learn the language, talk to the people, join clubs and groups that build playground furniture or teach English to the children and you will change your experiences. Costa Rica is very much more than just San Jose. Visit the volcanoes or the beaches or the plantations or the rain forests and you will begin to see Costa Rica and the rich vestments which clothe her. Pura vida.
I think your blog is informative and I appreciate your views. I have bought property there, don’t have a house yet, but I agree it is not for everyone. If I had bought the first thing I saw I would be very unhappy. And as far as crime goes, I was held up at gunpoint in Houston and robbed, and even though I know that is also possible in Costa Rica, it has not happened in any other country yet. If the “writer” wishes to hold you responsible for their misfortune perhaps they should sell you their property…CHEAP!
Pura vida,
Roberto
I completely agree with Bolinger and Tony. I have also been here for 4 months and love it more every day. I too have been back to the states since I moved here and it only served to make me love CR even more. It is my opinion that if you are not happy, leave. Stop griping. I rent and my experiences with the people here have been positive. The people in this country couldn’t be kinder.
Idiots!!! This site has allowed anyone to share their experiences here. If they had read this site in its vast entirety and with modicom of intelligence could have read the varied opinions and true knowledge, icluding to have at least rented before buying (which can be a disaster in this country) ANYTHING that cannot be taken with them.
Crime has been covered at length without any editing…It is a country on the way down with crime, now everywhere, from agregious to light theft. It is no longer the innocent place you could walk about at anyhour any time. Etc.,etc.etc…
This is the most open and honest blog I could find about Costa Rica and kudos to you!
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Wow! I can’t believe the naievity of some people about the world outside of North America. I found your blog awhile ago when I was reading up on Crime and Criminal activity and I refer people to it whenever they ask me about crime. If you seek out the gringo area, you are going to be a target for the criminal element. We chose to buy in a Tico neighbourhood (not gated) in San Jose and have enjoyed every minute of our time here. Our Tico neighbours are warm, friendly and helpful.
I’m put off by the colonial attitude of some gringos I encounter when it comes to their sense of entitlement. Money is one determinator of life success, but only one. For many gringos here, one would think their money gives them special status.
Appreciate this country for what it provides and these people for who they are. If you want to bring about change, get active and involved. But please stop complaining.
Hi, I just tuned into this site and already I find this reading very informative. I have been reading about Costa Rica for years and finally will be taking a trip to this country with my daughter. My problem is I like it all. The city, the country and the beaches. Learning from these comments we will rent for awhile and do our investigation before we purchase. Thanks so much!
There is no perfect place in this world but Costa Rica is a beautiful country with warm beautiful people with the rest of us from all over the world
sharing this awesome country and appreciating its wonderful lifestyle and hopefully all from elsewhere are giving back to this country and its peoples the best for them they can. Yes as with everywhere there is crime and yes my hope is true sustainable developement before this country is destroyed by the greedy more and no the new laws seem more to me for the developer than the individual with perhaps those greedy continuing to gain and most of us losing our reason for being here but until that is gone I feel so blessed every day I wake up in this country sharing joy with all.
Keep your cool man. it’s just a post among the many. I’d love to visit Costa Rica someday.
I’m a costarican, I’m living in USA for 12 years, married with a “gringo” and having 2 little ticos-gringos
and we are thinking that we will like to move to CR, we don’t know if we will like to stay there, but I’m so happy reading all you, talking beautiful things about my small country, probably we are not a rich country but we are very happy people, too close to our families (grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc….) and I guess that for the reason is that americans love costaricans.
Gracias! y pura vida!!!!
Well said chica! I’ve been back and fourth to CR since 1997 and let me tell ya, your blog is as real as it gets, I love it, it gives me the scoop when I am far from my favorite spot on Earth and I can trust it…
Thank you so much for always keepin’ it real and sharing! Pura Vida all the way!
Bree
I love the blog and the site. It has taken me a while to get here but now I have both the blog and the site bookmarked.
I was pointed to CR after my experiences in the Philippines. I love the Filipinos so much that I really started thinking about retirement there. That is when someone pointed me to CR and called it the Philippines of North America (albeit from what I’ve been told, the poverty is nowhere near what it is in PH).
My single largest gripe with most sites is that they do whitewash everything so it is hard to get a good impression. Travel sites cater to travelers, not potential expats. Expats often go off on their own tangents of how great things are but skip over a few of the details.
Your site is like having a helpful hand available like my driver in the Philippines. He took me everywhere (from morning calisthenics at Manila Bay) to what can only be described as unbelievable poverty had I not witnessed it with my own eyes. Fortunately, I can plan my first trip to CR with the guidance of your wonderful site.
I have lived here for almost 6 years now and i agree, ALL the websites i have visited, even while living here, all tout how great it is and how everything is smooth and runs great!
but the bottom line is, costa rica is a 3rd world country mixed with 1st world, and most basic services run bad, but over the last 6 years have gotten far better, but there are so many “little things” that can pi** one right off, like canceling your internet, sure you got no service, but they keep billing you for months claiming you didnt follow X procedure, even though and often that same person told you it was cut off and done…
things like that are what get me, or ythe drivers in this country they all feel driving down the shoulder will get them somewhere faster….meanwhile they are only causing more traffic, frick’n idiots i tell you!
anyways, after being here for 6 years now and original from Toronto Canada, i plan to buy property (i am 29) as i want to live here, and i can accept the problems, eventually you learn how to deal with people.
ANYONE and i mean ANYONE who comes to costa rica and thinks it will be all sun and sand, sorry, wake up, get a reality check, or find better places to get info from.
Tony
“Also, can you address the China connection. First a soccor stadiem, now automobiles for the police. Why is China so interested in Costa Rica? Tony”
Shark fins… what else, it is illegal in costa rica yet somehow they are managing to exports tons and tons of them out of costa rica…..
” I can’t believe the naievity of some people about the world outside of North America”
-God must love stupid people he made so many of them
– unknown
-The only reason there are so many stupid people is because it is illegal to kill them
-unknown
Is sad but true, some people i wonder how they manage to grow up, get a job and actually live on their own… with the internet there really is NO reason why someone cant find something out or do some research
Crime in costa rica IS on the rise, for the simple reason of drug cartels coming into CR to take over the drug market, my g/f house 3 years i have been with her no problem in her area, with in 2 month 3 robberies happened, guns shots and all, April last year my house was robbed, security guard claimed they saw nothing, cause they were paid off…
Crime is rampant in ANY country, if you want trouble you will find it and if you go to the areas you shouldnt, you will find it, bottom line is be smart about it….. you wont find many gringo’s in El Pueblo past late hours yet i used to go often until 4,5,6 am with out issue, but i also knew the right people and stayed away from the wrong.
Before China it was Taiwan. Reasons… fishing in general (not just the shark finning). Ask any sport fishing enterprise and they wil tell you how their business has suffered. China also because now there is one less country recognizing Taiwan thus isolating them further before China takes back control. Trade too… China is larger.
I have also read all the unrealistic websites describing how wonderful Costa Rica and how it is the perfect eden. Most of those web sites are designed to sell you real estate. My personal experience has had wonderful stories as well as not so wonderful stories. The bad one is of course trying to use an architect to build my house in Atenas. Well… I eventually had to get an attorney. He is now in big trouble and will probably loose his license. Cudos to there legal system, the legal system is actually responding in my favor. Same crap can happen in USA. As for crime same is in Costa Rica, same as in USA, use common sense. I have not had a problem, but I do choose where I go. There are least crime areas, an example, I accidently left my ATM card in an ATM machine in Atenas BCR. Whoops, In Costa Rica??? Ah shit, I was worried. I return to Atenas the next day and someone turned it in to the bank. Now thats honest. This happen in San Jose, bank account empty and 20 counterfits out the next day.
The biggest joke is how much cheaper it is in Costa Rica, well compared to New York it is cheaper. Cars are more, anything imported is more than what you would pay in USA. I am not going to bother breaking things down, I can find areas in USA to live just as cheap. So why CR, the people are friendly, just don’t loan them money. They have far greater family unity than most places you will visit. The climate and scenery cannot be beat any where in the world. I am married to a Tico and I love her family. The biggest truth anyone can say at this website is, live here for 1 year or more before deciding if it is right. Do your homework, make friends and contacts. Just remember, one persons heaven, is another persons hell.
Hi just read the blogs…..good stuff. I have been in this country for nearly 2 years with my family. We came from South Africa. We have grown to love the 3rd world element in the country…reminds us of home. One of the few countries where you can make friends on the main highway into town
2 days ago my wife had her window smashed and lost her handbag, this took place on the bridge next to Multi Plaza..I know there is petty crime and the talk mentions an increase in crime. However I believe that in general the crime in this country is not life threatening…(unless you belong to a drug cartel) Is my opinion shared? would appreciate a few comments…Thanks for the blog and site.
Hello
Any concerns of the Swine Flu yet in CR ?
First confirmed case yesterday at my wife’s hospital. I am concerned for her.
I find your blog and website to be very well balanced. In fact, I’ve used The Real Costa Rica as an example of something I wish we had for Honduras. I’m not willing to put in the time and effort for that!
I run into the same type of thing blogging about Honduras. It’s really kind of funny when I have some people saying I’m too negative and others calling me a Pollyanna — sometimes on the same day, related to the same article! I’ve come to the conclusion that a lot of people read what they want to read. If they want positive, that’s all they see. If the writer had actually read your blog and website, I doubt that she would be blaming you for her misfortune. I’m going to guess that she had on her blinders.
I feel the same as you. I write about what I see and my opinions. I always think that those who can’t bear to read a negative word about the country are the ones who are not going to make it because *they* are the unrealistic ones.
Having visited Costa Rica twice, once in January for a week and once in March for two weeks, I can relate to both the positive and negative comments being made in this blog. On our first visit, to Guanacaste Province, we had a wonderful time taking tours, etc. We were very impressed by the kinds of ecological stewardship we witnessed in a cloud forest and on a fair trade organic coffee co-operative, and it is safe to say the country left a deep and positive impression on us, so much so that we returned in March, but this time we went to Jaco Beach, which turned out to be a mistake.
First of all, the climate there was oppressively humid, and I found Jaco to be a rather dirty little tourist town, though the beach was magnificent. Unfortunately, it seems my wife fell victim to some theft. Returning from shopping at a nearby plaza, she came back to our villa to discover that her change purse containing about $60 and her credit card were missing. After retracing her steps without success, she came to the conclusion that it had been lifted out of her bag while she was squeezing by a group of young men at the plaza, one of whom distracted her while I guess the other grabbed her bag. I realize this incident is mild compared to others reported on this blog, but it was nonetheless unsettling. As well, no more than 100 yards from the beach police station, I was approached by someone trying to sell me drugs, leading me to question both the effectiveness and honesty of the local constabulary.
Has this soured us on returning to visit Costa Rica? Not at all. Because we were able to have a more direct experience with the ticos, eating in their sodas, trying to speak quite limited and halting Spanish, the trip provided an effective balance to the somewhat artificial and too-structured nature of our first visit, and we now know that the touristy coastal area, with its terrible heat and humidity, are not for us. As well, the Jaco visit reminded us of the normal precautions one needs to take when travelling internationally. But we do plan to return to another area of the country next winter.
Hi: My wife and I both agree that if it wasn’t for the direct and blatent honesty of this web site we probably would not even have come to C.R. We now own a home near Grecia amongst Ticos who have been the most wonderful people we have ever met.They are humble,caring,loving,empathetic, protective and giving people. They give back 10 fold what you give them. I am embarassed to hear from people – no I mean “GRINGOS” who come to C.R.and try to change it/them into what they left behind. Get involved, be a part of this beautiful culture. Leave behind your negative, anal attitudes. Let the humble Ticos teach you a thing or two!
Great comments!
I have visited CR three times in the past four years and have had and no problems. Except for taxi drivers who would take advantage of a non-spanish speaking gringo.
I am concerned with reports of increasing home invasions in CR, I read a lot about Panama also(never been there)and home invasions are on the rise there also.
How do you prepare for that?
I try to deal with the facts in all situations in life, yet I can be spontaneous too. I love Costa Rica!!! For almost 20 yrs I have wanted to purchase a place there and live 6 months in the U.S. and 6 months in Costa Rica(I did buy land a few years ago,…but am torn whether to build on it or not).
The way the U.S. is…now and where I have seen it going… I now want to live in Costa Rica most of the year or somewhere outside of the country, but I have seen a real change in Costa Rica since 1992. I had my laptop stolen out of my locked casita last yr. when I was there renting for months(suppose to be safe area), with security guards(I know… it probably was the guards or friends of theirs), and have had other smaller items stolen these last few years.
I too accidently left a credit card at a Jaco
restaurant/bar that was not handed back right away(imagining a huge bill on it), and returned quickly by taxi and it was kindly returned with no charges on it, but those that I had made there. So not all people are thieves like many think. Most ticos are kind, fun, and generous-and as they will tell you too…that a few bad people(Nicas say this too)make all the rest of us look bad.
And I probably have more tico/nica friends, than I do American friends. I have been all over the country and have had amazing, best life experiences….even where times in my life when in a bad relationship or whatever back in the U.S…. I always felt like Costa Rica brought me back and saved my soul and made me happy! I truly love the country and the people, but now after reading things on here so positive -which is GREAT, and then contrary to here on Craigslist you read just the opposite, and some horrific local stories by ex pats & my tica friends… of rapes and other unmentionable things(even told near where I DO want to live-where most of my friends are), and I am NOT talking about the BIG city of San Jose or even its outlying areas. So what is the truth these days??? I, having gone every year to live part of the year in Costa Rica and loving it…am seriously seeing a crime rate increasing(surely because of the drugs and lieniancy on every crime almost, & short jail terms-and the jails aren’t that bad either-probably better than how many people live, and there is always a hot meal, and family visits-yes,I have seen it for myself-as in a quick visit,..not living there). Am now really concerned if I should buy/or build a home there at all! I don’t want to piss my hard earned money on rent either,…even if it is inexpensive-I need to watch what little I will have for retirement. I’ve been renting for all these years-I want a place I CAN call home, and not have to cart my items back and forth to the U.S.and where can I leave them that they won’t be stolen? So…I am left now more confused then ever. Any ideas?…I was so sure in 92(even up until a few years ago when I did my land purchase) and now I don’t know. Still love the country, and the people…please don’t get me wrong. As a single woman…now I am a bit frightened where I wasn’t before. Very important…especially if this will likely be it, the last move. So then remaining there I want to make sure I am making the right decision.
Hmmmm! Nice comment. Thank you.
I have been all over the world and I have to say much of the crime we experienced that happens to foreigners is drawn to them by their own fault.
We lived in Kenia, Tunesia, Mexico City, Santo Domingo, Spain, Sri Lanka and Europe, as well as US.
Yes you can imagine, we are old.
I have seen friends visiting us, rolex and gold jewleries showing off, expensive cameras openly displayed, opening their wallets showing thousands of $ bills and most expensive everything else. You draw the crime onto yourself, that’s your fault. We have locals tells them they look like the president and his wife.
A third world country is different.
CR is a third world country and what you must do, is blend in. When we travel we look like poor people, never show any money openly, never wear expensive stuff and so on. Watch our surroundings, even in the US or Europe.
We have seen gringos get robbed openly and we told them that’s your fault, why must you show your possessions in public? Have expensive gold chains around your neck? Why must you sit in an open restaurant filming everything that happens around you? why must you be so rude? Off course when they left the restaurant someone ran into them so they fell and another one robbed their purse and another one robbed the camera.
Guess what I don’t feel sorry for them.
Be humble, be courteios, be helpful, blend in,
we have lived all over the world poor countries and rich countries and had never any crime occur to us.
In regards to the break in, with security guard present, we noticed that in many gated communities the perpetrators are living inside the community. Watching ecery move, We have experienced homeowners being distracted at the frontdoors, while someone jumped through the bedroom window and ransacked the place while they were present.
We experienced on the market that people surround you, distract you and then get into your backpack, it’s different in a third world country. Be aware what you doing, be cautious, but all that negativity does not match up to the positive experience with the friendly, helpful people, who are genuinely interested in your friendship and open their heart and house to us.
I like this site, best I’ve read. I can say it’s all true because i lived there for a number of years and may return.
I like the freedom aspect and the fact that there are no real address. Therefor no endless supply of junk mail at your door step.
once you deal with the constant state of governmental disarray you learn to avoid the problems, until of coarse they change the law again regarding, inspection stikers or timbres or recidency renewal,etc.. got lucky with the new law. you can now renew you residenct at bank of costa rica. i’ve heard it’s easy. sweet.
I do like this site .It is closer to the truth than any other site I have seen.We have travelled Costa Rica for 15 years now ,so I am hardley a novice on this subject.For the last 7 years we have lived in
C R for 6 month and on our small farm in southern
Ontario from May until Dec. In my estimation the best of both worlds.For good advise:do learn spanish,and do not trust your fellow American And Canadian Real estate people until You have checked them out verrrrry carefully.Otherwise C R is a wonderful country and I love it,but it is not for everybody. be well paul w
Your website is very informative as I can tell. You got an unwarranted criticism that makes no much sense.
I just have a side question: since both Costa Rica and Cuba are high in the happy index, do you happen to have some information comparing ordinary lives in Cuba and in Costa Rica for their countrymen (not for foreigners as I know Cuba is very restrictive for foreigner’s resident issue.)
Great website without the ONE track real estate canvassing. Buying a home is a serious commitment wherever you live and it’s true you MUST know the area and country very well before making a decision to buy.
Renting is the ultimate choice, flexible and you can travel and experience different areas with relative ease and no long term financial commitment.
This site is excellent for REAL resources and information.
I’m so eager to visit CR for 3 months and intend to travel at my leisure.
Bought my first house in the UK at 21, had jealous neighbours who gave me grief but I was able to sell for a profit while they stayed depressed in overpriced property they couldn’t sell. So I have ZERO need to buy. Besides I love to travel and have moved more times than the number of husbands Elizabeth Taylor and Joan Collins have gone through.
LOL
Looking forward to living amongst the Tico’s and staying away from Condo’s, Gated Communities… Yikes!
I grow my own organic fruit and vegetables and have set up D.I.Y solar power system so I would do the same in CR if it’s right for me.
The fruit there is a paradise in itself, by the looks of it. Yummy!
Nothing but praise for this most informative website.
Just back from CR. A wonderful time, spoilt only by 2 corrupt policemen. Ended up giving them $20, but I was not speeding! I am sure the CR police force is a fine institution and that these are just two corrupt individuals, who have tainted the force’s reputation and also that of Costa Rica. Shame I can not find a CR police anti-corruption contact address. I’d love to give them the details of the two.
Do not let this put you off CR. It was a fantastic place to visit.
I want to come to CR in December. I was hoping to join an organization with a volunteer program, but they are all so expensive. Now I’m considering just flying there with a friend, staying at youth hostels, and finding someplace to volunteer on our own.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Amy
We are a young family (dutch and spanish living in switzerland) with a 4 year old son and we are considering to move to Costa Rica due to professional reasons. At the beginning we loved the idea of living in this beautiful country but we are getting worried about security issues. Is it true that security companies and police are useless and that we need to install iron bars in our home? Do we have to worry about our son? For example, of kidnapping issues when he goes to school in the school bus? Our workplace would be in an area called San Pedro de las Ocas. Is there a good neigbourhood around there where we could live more or less in peace and our son could go to a good school? You have a fantastic blog!!! Congrats and thanks for your advice!
I have visited CR many times. But since 96 I have not returned. I am pleased to find this BLOG. Some of the advise makes lot of sense.
For those who are complaining about crime, corruption and insecurity. Try Mexico, that’s where the action is. My God you could not breath without having someone sticking their hands in your pockets, or worst getting kidnap and after your family pays; they just kill you,
And the icing of the cake is that deep down inside most Mexicans resent the gringos. They blame us for everything.
Costa Rica here I come.
E
First, reading of this blog and the main web site will answer your questions.
As for moving here without spending a few months here FIRST, why that is just crazy. I can almost guarantee a disaster if you fail to check out the country before making a long term move.
Furniture:
For those that are tired of being ripped off because you are a gringo, I have found,for your help, a furniture maker that displays prices up front, delivery included and he accompanies delivery and set up to make certain all is correct. I have absolutley NOTHING to do with this store but rather to share when something is honest. It is a basically a bedroom furniture store but can make anything.
Take Sarchi exit (you do NOT go to Sarchi) and enter Grecia (pehaps 6 minutes). It is 3Km after the radial. You will go up a slight which will bear to the left and ALPIZAR Y CHACON is on your right(look closely because you can drive by it) with a small painted BLUE area in front of store on the road.
If you do not buy off the floor, it will take about a week for them to make your furniture for you.
For the novice…when a gringo is seen, the prices go up 30% minimum and sometimes double with the average being 40%-50%. So, here all is upfront. I bought a beautiful bed, modified to the matress and box spring. I have purchased before in Sarchi but knew very little at the time.
Maria: Please email me kenc174@hotmail.com. I will try to assist.
A few cautionary comments.
Once you have found the area you really want to live, after renting and testing, I think it makes sense to buy a house. Purchase prices are cheap compared to rents in Costa Rica.
It is common to see rents about 10% (per year) of purchase price — e.g. a place selling for $200,000 rents for at least $1,000 a month. In North America rents are normally 5% of value. Of course it is true that the house will take a long time to sell, so be sure (as one can be sure) you won’t be changing your mind.
Second point. Many people who defend their choice to live in Costa Rica do so by criticizing their home country (mainly the USA, perhaps because most of the posters are Americans?). That may not be the best way to make up your mind, because disliking the USA is NO guarantee you will LIKE Costa Rica. You may just be trading one list of complaints for a different list. Maybe a different country would suit you better, and you might as well check this out before moving to CR. It gets expensive changing countries.
Third point. There are good and bad people in every country. But after 6 years in CR, I think that there may be a national or cultural difference between Costa Ricans and Canadians (I don’t know enough Americans to judge). This difference can be difficult to adjust to, because it often seems like Ticos are being inconsiderate — this despite their reputation for being peaceful, friendly souls).
For example, the have noisy parties and seeming don’t care about disturbing their neighbours. Is this joie de vivre or rudeness? Depends on the point of view, I suppose, until you’ve lost too many nights of sleep, at which point it seems like rudeness.
For example, Ticos have a well-deserved reputation for being bad, aggressive, and even rude drivers. How to square this with their reputation for being a peaceful, friendly people? I won’t bore you with my analysis, but the paradox exists — daily.
And are they ill-trained as drivers or downright obtuse when they block intersections during rush hour — again ignoring the blaring horns of oncoming cars. But they will blithely block the intersection themselves when the light changes again, seemingly unaware of the contradiction, and oblivious of the effects of their behaviour.
Like when they stop in the middle of the road to chat to their friends, letting cars stack up behind them, oblivious of the blaring horns.
These are the stumbling blocks that send some extranjeros raging and racing back to the home country, while others can adapt, relax, chill out, and focus on the positive. You should decide which type you are before settling down, before making decisions that will be expensive to unravel.
I currently live in the United States and I want to move to a country that is less populated and has a lower cost of living. You have provided a comprehensive site that has taken a great deal of time to create and it shows that you are a man of intelligence. My comment is in regard to the Feb. 23 post about how you were angry about a certain comment. You spent a night being upset with an unfavorable comment (1% of all replies) and that is a shame. However, I do the same thing on a consistent basis. I am a teacher and if I effectively teach a concept to 27 students and 26 are successful when tested, I feel upset about the one student who did not succeed. I focus so much energy and thought on that one student. Why do we focus on the negatives so much? Perfectionism maybe? In your case it is a little different because a person made negative comments about the information on your website when they did not take the time to read ALL of the information completely and thoroughly. I wish you would not give people who make unjustified negative comments the “ability” to make you upset for a whole night. Those comments do not deserve the time of day. For our health, you and I both need to focus our energy on the positive comments and the negative ones that are appropriate to help us learn and grow. Anyway, I do not feel Costa Rica is the right place for me to live and it is through your candid website that I was able to come to that conclusion. Thank you and I hope that my preaching did not offend you. Michael
Once you have found the area you really want to live, after renting and testing, I think it makes sense to buy a house. Purchase prices are cheap compared to rents in Costa Rica.
It is common to see rents about 10% (per year) of purchase price — e.g. a place selling for $200,000 rents for at least $1,000 a month. In North America rents are normally 5% of value. Of course it is true that the house will take a long time to sell, so be sure (as one can be sure) you won’t be changing your mind.
I have lived here for many years and I have never yet found one good reason to buy a home here other than maybe to rent it out.
Houses are easy to buy and VERY hard to sell… and most folks pay too much as they have no idea how much to pay.
There are no tax advantages… your $$$ is tied up. You cannot move when/if you want.
Rent? The laws protect the renter but NOT the owner/buyer.
Sorry Len… I am not with you an that part of your comment.
Well…this is one huge informative site. Of ALL the information you can absorb…..it comes down to a varible common denominator…..DO NOT BUY….and…CRIME IS A REAL PROBLEM !!!!
After so many folks cramming this into your head…..why not just shut the site down….It’s the only thing you get….
Well if that is what you got out of it… probably worth reading again from the beginning. You missed the point… completely.
I must be living in a different country then I thought, This is still Cost5a Rica. The crime rate here is lower then my former home of Tampa Fl where they had 4 seperate gang shootings in one night last week when I was visiting, I got on a plane and came home the next day where i fell safer. Yes there is crime here don’t i hear about it third or forth hand, huh has it been made bigger than it really was. I don’t know I never have any problems so far, How about the person that said that Jaco beach was hot and humid, DUH where are you from all beach areaseven in the states are hot and humid…..
Thanks Tim for the extremely valuable information contained in The Real Costa Rica and the Real Costa Rica Blog. We are coming to Costa Rica in early 2010 on a fact finding tour. We have visited twice and we are now considering a move, but as you have indicated over and over, one must carefully investigate and live in the country for a while before making the big decision.
Thank again
Mike S
I have been living in Costa Rica for over 3 years. Coming from Canada, it’s been tough adjusting to certain things.. I love it here, but somedays, I just want to get out.. Culture shock I guess.. Things I love: nature, beaches, surfing, taking it easy, jungle. Things I don’t like : Crime –yes it exists… Watch the local news in the morning.. there are several murders EVERYDAY. Drug cartels, police corruption, gangs, etc.. This one has been hard for me to “get used to”.. I keep thinking that one day I will adjust to that.. But I’ll admit, I miss the freedom I had back in Canada. Also, the dishonesty… People will lie to you to save face… I’m not saying you can’t trust people here, just use caution.. I have some really great friends here (ticos) but not many.. I just find it hard to “fit in”. I try. Trust me.. But people stare at me like I’m an alien wherever I go.. just cause I look different.. Costa Rica has the good and the bad.. You have to find what you love about it, and live it.. Try to deal with the negative stuff… And yes, there is stuff that will drive you right nuts!! Try going to the bank, or ordering a sandwich… It’s such a process. I know why people complain… they want a better CR, they want it to progress…I agree there are a lot of people who sell CR as being paradise.. Well part of it is, but it’s still a country like anywhere else, it still has it’s problems.. It is irresponsible to tell travelers or others that there is no crime here.. It could potentially give them a false sense of security.. Maybe if you come from a crime ridden place, you won’t find it so bad, but for others coming from SAFE places, it could be scary.. I remember the first time I came here and saw guards and police totting huge ass guns.. I really had never seen that before in Canada.. Trust me, they have them for a reason. And you can’t blame foreigners who live in a foreigner neighbourhood. They want some of the comforts of home, be with other foreigners.. I get it.. Now I’m not saying go out with all your bling bling, but most people dont’ want to move here to diminish their quality of life. We dont’ all want to live in a tico shack with no hot water.. That’s not being a snob… That’s just being someone from a first world nation. I applaud this blog for being honest. That’s all.. Some people think the complainers are pessimists, I think sometimes they are, sometimes they are just being realists about their own experiences. It’s good to look at both sides. just try and have fun whatever your experience is.. Life is about experiences, whether they are good or bad!
My experiences with Costa Rica has been good and bad.l was held up at a night club but the idiot took my credit card but no cash.l speak to many Americans who bought real estate there and lost money when they sold it.Most Ticos l met want to be your friend only if you plan on spending money on them.Most Ticos are never on time if they arrive at all to an appointment.The horror stories of people who want to get residency there and how dificult that is especially if you hire an attorney and or even married to a tica.Police officers there rarely care unless you bribe them.But beautiful women cheap sex and warm temperatures when its freezing cold here in the U.S. makes many forget the imperfections there.
Sadly, your issue is that you came here 100% unprepared. It is common.
1. Anyone who buys land or property here without living here for at least one year is just plain STUPID and deserves to lose $$$. 60% of those who move here leave within one year and those people ALWAYS pay too much, buy in the wrong location or open themselves to fraud.
2. You are 100% incorrect regrading Ticos, but I am 99% sure that a.) You have not learned Spanish, a requirement to fit in, and b.) your exposure to Costa Ricans has been in clubs, bars and on the street. Further, as you do not speak the language, you just hang with other North Americans in those same locations.
3. Yup… there ARE people who had residency issues, but I know of NOT ONE who had issues who did their homework, contracted with a GOOD residency attorney, and learned the process BEFORE starting it. Just common sense. I know at least 700 people who never had a issue, including my sister who came and received her pensionado residency in 7 months. Costa Rica is perhaps the easiest country in the world where you can live legally.
Yup… I am sure there are bad cops. Thank God there are none in other countries.
Again, it appears to me that you hang out in doubtful locations, probably never even applied for residency (or you would not have made such a silly comment), and have had dealings with the police on a “professional” basis. I have never had to deal with the police in my many years of living here.
Finally, your comment about cheap sex? I guess that pretty much tells readers where you do spend your time.
NOTE: For readers who do NOT want surprises and who do not want to be in the 60% who leave, my tour prepares you for everytning, good and bad,that you will encounter here.
Great web site! Took a Caravan tour of c.r. last year. Our tour guide said tourism was the number one industry here so I can’t understand why the huge potholes on the main roads aound Arenal and other places are tolerated. Manuel Antonio state park was decrepit and hard to get around. Our bus driver was exceptional and a gifted driver. Had to be. Roads are terrible. Parts of the country are pretty but it is shocking to see what passes for middle class homes and the bars and coils of razor wire over the businesses in San Jose. Traffic is horrific. If tourism is so important costa rican officials have a lot of work to do. But, overall it was a good trip and Caravan did a fine job hustling us all over the country for eight days. Hotels were excellent and we took some dancing side trips to Castro nightlub in San Jose and Fiesta casino in Alajuela. I even won at roulette. Whoever reads this, remember c.r. is still a third world country and if you visit be very careful but also be gracious to the people.
The post that started this thread really does not surprise me, as Costa Rica DOES put on a good tourist face, but is very different when you have to operate in the REAL Costa Rica. I’m lucky enough to have married a Tica, and when we are of the right age, able, and the kids are OK, we’ll likely move down from the States, but I know better than to try to live in CR year round. I have been down there a bunch of times, we have a family support network, we bought land close to Dominical, and are basically set up to go when we’re ready, but I am aware enough to know that I’m Type-A, so Tico life takes getting used to. I see and hear people all the time that relate their horror stories of trying to move to CR, etc., and it comes down to being unprepared and trying to live an unrealistic dream. I know enough to admit that I’m a New Englander, and I fully intend to spend the warm part of the year here in CT for the rest of my able life. I’m still youngish, so we’ll see – I might decide to enjoy the weather in CR anyway. Bottom line – what you said was good advice, Tim. You HAVE to check this place out for a while before you go selling your house in the States, it may not be what you expect. If you can deal with the differences, which I get used to one by one, it’s a heck of a place that offers a lot, but you’d better do your research, and SPEND TIME ON THE GROUND, it’s the only way. Thanks for a great site, Tim!