Costa Rica

[valueman]

Just got laid off - actually company closed (not costa rica) and was short listing locations where I could relocate. Been in the betting industry last 19 years and reasonably senior and wanted to know whether Costa rica was a place to consider given that I have a family to relocate (boy who is four).

Schooling, safety are big concerns and a good family life is important. We're not party animals which is the impression i get of Costa Rica but just wondering what experiences senior people in the industry have of Costa Rica. Also are there any Indians (east indians) there and are there east Indian food stuffs available. Real Estate looks dirt cheap and the climate and space appeal.

My shortlist in order at present are Malta, Gibralter (living in Southern Spain) and then the UK (which I've experienced for 30+ years).

I look forward to input from more senior or people with family in Costa rica.

 

[NES]

The seniors are the party animals in CR.

 

[VIEJODINOSAUR]

Southern Spain vs Costa Rica is a no brainer....

 

[Tortillera]

Just got laid off - actually company closed (not costa rica) and was short listing locations where I could relocate. Been in the betting industry last 19 years and reasonably senior and wanted to know whether Costa rica was a place to consider given that I have a family to relocate (boy who is four).

Schooling, safety are big concerns and a good family life is important. We're not party animals which is the impression i get of Costa Rica but just wondering what experiences senior people in the industry have of Costa Rica. Also are there any Indians (east indians) there and are there east Indian food stuffs available. Real Estate looks dirt cheap and the climate and space appeal.

My shortlist in order at present are Malta, Gibralter (living in Southern Spain) and then the UK (which I've experienced for 30+ years).

I look forward to input from more senior or people with family in Costa rica.

Private schooling will be over 500 a month alone. And far as the safety, well there are much safer places than that 3rd world dump for sure

 

[RaoulDuke]

Yes it is beautiful here. But it is no longer cheap to live here. real estate costs more here than in the states. The cost of living is equal to the states if not more. If you love outdoor activities and natural beauty it is great place to live if you dont mind it raining half the year. I love it here but its a tough place to get used too. Not to many people last down here.

 

[VIEJODINOSAUR]

Yes it is beautiful here. But it is no longer cheap to live here. real estate costs more here than in the states. The cost of living is equal to the states if not more. If you love outdoor activities and natural beauty it is great place to live if you dont mind it raining half the year. I love it here but its a tough place to get used too. Not to many people last down here.

I agree...but security is a must for your family...Costa Rica is beautiful but it has changed in the past few years..the weather from Dec to May is great, the most beautiful mornings and sunsets in the afternoon...From June-Nov is a nightmare...

People are absolutely cordial and friendly, but there are aleays the bad apples lurking at every corner...since there is no police force per se, you have to be conscious of your surroundings at ALL TIMES...

 

[Tortillera]

http://www.blackwaterusa.com/

These guys may be able to help ya if ya go there

 

[fuzebox]

Yes it is beautiful here. But it is no longer cheap to live here. real estate costs more here than in the states.

Isn't that the truth, the foreclosure market in places like Florida is insane right now...

The cost of living is equal to the states if not more.

Crazy how the prices have gone up over the last couple of years... Too many people think CR is some cheap third world playground where you can come down with a few grand and live like an emperor...

 

[NES]

I live like an emperor down here, its just that my kingdom is kinda crappy.

 

[steaktartar]

I live like an emperor down here, its just that my kingdom is kinda crappy.

:grandmais

 

[Dodgingpotholes]

I have two kids in private school. One school is all spanish speaking($200 per month), one school is biligual 1/2 day in spanish($325 per month), and my youngest is switching from the bilingual to all english school($650 per month) and there are schools more expensive than that.

I can also send my oldest daughter to medical school for $1000 per month.

Cost of living here is definitely cheaper. Excellent produce at half the price of the states whicj is probably 1/3 of the cost of Britian.

Security is definetly an issue here but if you listen to VD and keep you wits about you then you should not have a problem. That in mind everyone in my family carries pepper gas and we also have a trained attack dog. Next purchase is a shot gun. Keep in mind I have a small business here so security is even a bigger issue for us.

My advice is come down and check it out. Even during rainy season the mornings and early afternoons are gorgeous. I would also assume compared to Britian and most major cities in the US that real estate is cheaper here as is rent.

 

[JudgeWapner]

Costa Rica ain't perfect. But it's pretty fucking close.

 

[NES]

I love it, I wouldnt trade it for anything that didnt have snow.

 

[RaoulDuke]

Dodging yeah produce is definately cheaper here. Even more so if you go downtown san jose to the markets. However if you go into automercado and shop you'll spend just as much if not more than in the states. There are never any sales here. In the states a case of soda or beer is cheap. Here you pay by the can no breaks. You buy american products here you pay out your ass. Plus the meats here are nowhere as good as the states. yeah i know Don fernando is good but its still not the same. And to buy a house here or a condo is just as much if not more than the states. Shit condos in jaco are going from 300k-2 million and that place is a dump. Ive been here ten years and ive watched this country change a ton. Ten years ago you didnt hear about your friends getting tied up in there houses at gunpoint and robbed. Dont see how things can get anymore expensive here hopefully things will get cheaper as they seem to be overbuilding everywhere. However i'll never leave here I love it here and plan on moving to the beach in the next few years once I get enough scratch to build my place.

 

[RaoulDuke]

I love it, I wouldnt trade it for anything that didnt have snow.

I second that snowboarding is the only thing lacking here.