A nice, short Costa Rica public relations video I recommend:
Click the lower right corner of video for full screen or go to this link:
10 Qualities of Successful Expats
Some of my most practical research information comes from current expats in Costa Rica who write blogs, newsletters or even have websites. One of my newest discoveries is a site and newsletter by Paul & Gloria Yeatman with their website at www.retireforlessincostarica.com and I just signed up for their newsletter. By doing so I received a “free gift” of a linked document titled
The Top 10 Qualities of Successful Expats in Costa Rica
You might be able to see it at this link if not coded for subscribers only! 🙂
http://retireforlessincostarica.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Top-10-Qualities-of-Successful-Expats-in-Costa-Rica.pdf
In case not, here are the ten characteristics without the wonderful, detailed discussion of each:
- Do your homework.
- If you are married, both of you must agree.
- Rent for at least one year.
- Enjoy the simple things of life.
- Have a positive attitude!
- Learn to speak Spanish.
- Join the Caja (national health care system).
- Hook into the local Tico culture.
- Hook into the local Expat community.
- Get involved . . . volunteer.
Now if you have been reading my blog or know me, you know that these are all things I aspire too already, but it was encouraging to see them listed in this way. Hope you can get to the whole document with the above link! And isn’t my research a lot of fun!
A Grand Exit or Powerful New Start?
That’s the name of today’s post in my His Spirit Blog which again today relates to my decision about Costa Rica. Today’s sermon was a stretch to relate to my decision, but in my mind during the service I was doing that. As Elisha ripped his clothing to pieces I thought about how hard it was going to be to get rid of all my stuff. But also like Elisha, to not change will keep me in my old unproductive rut. This post is based on 2 Kings 2:1-12.
Is God Laughing at Me?
Possibly the most important post I’ve made yet on this Costa Rica decision process is on my spiritual blog called His Spirit with a post titled:
If you are following this decision-making process, I hope you click above and read that one post, my most thought-out post yet.
My Study of the Areas of Costa Rica
 |
| Costa Rica Pacific Coast Sunset by Charlie Doggett |
I’ve pretty much decided that IF I move to Costa Rica, I will start with a monthly rent apartment in the center of the country while I find a rental house or apartment that I could feasibly live in the rest of my life. Always getting ahead of myself, I’ve been reading two books and lots of websites about the various sections of the country where expats live. There are pluses and minuses for each and mostly has to do with the individual person’s interests and lifestyle. Here’s my quick synopsis for now:
- THE CENTRAL VALLEY is where 80% of all residents live, both Tico and expats. It has the perfect weather staying around 72 degrees year around; the capital San Jose is there with all its good shopping, arts, entertainment and international airport; and it would be easier living there except that the costs are not always lower there. But the further from the big city you are the more affordable it generally is. It includes some mountain villages.
- THE NORTHERN ZONE is mountainous, more rural, more affordable, and has the possibility of some great views from your house or deck. I would especially like to have a view of the Volcano Arenal like I did from my hotel near there on the Caravan.com tour. There is also Monteverde and other mountain rain forests or cloud forests that would appeal to my love of nature. Though for that I would probably like the Talmanaca Mountains south of San Jose about as much and be closer to the coast.
- THE NORTHERN PACIFIC or Guanacaste is possibly the most expensive area where a lot of rich people are building mansions and it doesn’t interest me unless I got a real deal. The combination of mountains, forests and Pacific coast beaches are beautiful and otherwise appealing, though really dry in the dry season, like 4-5 months of zero rain.
- THE CENTRAL PACIFIC is very appealing and closer to San Jose for shopping, etc. and has both rainforest and beautiful beaches. Jaco is the big tourist center which I would avoid, preferring around Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park rainforest. But it is getting more popular too and possibly crowded, but still closer to San Jose than the South Pacific.
- THE SOUTH PACIFIC seems perfect in many ways for a nature lover like me and might be my first choice, though the new coastal highway has made it more popular and the rich are buying up the land fast. It would be an area I would explore closely before a final decision. And this would be closer to Corcovado National Park and Talamanca Mountains, both of which I love. There are many waterfalls in this area, the Cinca Vintanas (5 Windows, an ocean rock formation and blowholes) all of which appeal to my photography.
- THE CARIBBEAN is probably the least popular for expats other than surfers and reggae-loving young people. But it has the most beautiful tropical beaches in the country, is less expensive for housing, has jungle right up to the beach, and is a real paradise for those who live there. It is very appealing to me except for the 4-hour drive to San Jose. The closest big shopping is Limon, the Atlantic-side port, not too far. If here, I would live in the south. The north Caribbean coast has Tortuguero park where I photographed more wildlife than any other one place than maybe Corcovado. But there are no roads to Tortuguero, you have a boat if you live there!
So you can see that if I get the financial and housing issues worked out, there will still be some tough decisions for me to make. But starting in the center and exploring for six months or a year sounds like a good way to start if I can afford it.
Questioning the “Happier than Billionaires” Video
Earlier I posted a link to the popular YouTube video “Happier than Billionaires in Costa Rica,” thinking it pretty cool and certainly another push for me to move there. But another video I saw last night helped me get a reality check on it. First, note that both the husband and wife are sort of doctors (chiropractors) who closed their practices in the states and obviously have plenty of money. Second, they are “house-sitting” someone else’s big mansion they were photographed in. Thirdly, all that wine-sipping, mountain-biking, surfing, etc. is not free! They are spending a lot more than the budget they suggested they lived on.
It sunk in more after finding this funny “rebuttal” video last night by a totally different kind of guy, without money, living on the cheap, trying to get income from a travel website. He titled it “Living Like a Billionaire Rebuttal.” I have also added this in my earlier post so I am not guilty of candy-coating the cost of living overseas like the first video and most of the stuff I get from International Living website and magazine. I’m getting tired of them mainly trying to sell me something. It is interesting to note that the girl in the first video has also written a book by the same title, so the video is part promotional for her book. I bet it is working!
“Doing Due Diligence” or “Life for the Non-Rich in Costa Rica”
White-necked Jacobin Hummingbird
Savegre Mountain Lodge, Talamanca Mountains
Photo by Charlie Doggett
Another website I have discovered uses the slogan “Doing Due Diligence” which has sort of been my unstated slogan, so I like it! I hope to have many if not most questions answered before I take the August tour and be totally prepared to make a decision in September. We’ll see! 🙂 This guy is a competitor to Christopher Howard whom I’ve signed up with and even has his own shorter tour along with some interesting videos and other information on his website worth checking out:
http://www.costaricaretireonss.com/
Another one of his slogans is “Life for the Non-Rich in Costa Rica” which fits me better than some of what I’m reading. Part of what bothers me about International Living site and magazine is their focus on buying property. So I may continue to read this guy even though I’m taking Chris Howard’s tour, the best tour available by my evaluation so far. So I’m doing my due diligence by checking out everything and hope my blogging about it will help someone else facing the same decision. Now this guy, George Lundquist, seems to be a straight-shooting, get the facts kind of guy that I like from his site. So I will be back to this site and may even consider getting a private tour from him later. He lives in and seems to feature San Ramon which I haven’t given a lot of thought to yet. It has drop-dead beautiful views, is 40 minutes from San Jose and an hour from the beach. That might be the kind of in-between place I would like, especially if I could rent something with a view like he shows!
See some of the videos on his site or for more videos, another site called Boomers Offshore with videos and newsletter, or go straight to their list of 150+ videos on living in Costa Rica.
I’m finding more, but that’s a lot to share in one day! It is encouraging to me because one of my requirements is that I must live cheaper than I do now with some basic “luxuries” as a minimum like high-speed internet, good medical care, and affordable transportation in a cheap rental with a great view. I’m not asking for too much am I?
Car
Today I read some of an electronic Moon book on Living in Costa Rica and double-checked it with Chris Howard’s New Golden Door book and they both say about the same.
- It will be cheaper and easier to buy a car in Costa Rica, even though they cost about 30% more there. If you drive or ship your car from the states you pay an even higher excise tax, like 50%+ of the retail value AND the paperwork will require a lawyer.
- I could drive my old car which from Brownsville, TX would be over 2,200 miles through five countries, lots of red tape, complications, possible dangers, and the high excise tax mentioned above. But would sure be a neat adventure!
- Most people buy used cars which are well cared for there because of the high cost of cars. If I plan to frequent national parks and other wilderness areas I will need four-wheel drive on a high-riding car.
- One writer recommends the Toyota RAV4 and another said Suzukis do well there because they ride high. Most cars in Costa are Japanese or Korean.
IF I make the move this is the one area of life that will cost me more than in the states and needs to be carefully considered in my budget. One living in the city could easily get by without a car with good, low-priced bus, train and taxi service compared to the states. But of course my adventures will probably require a car.
One important area of living there is now fairly clear in my mind.
Metaphors of Modification
Hibiscus, Luna Lodge, Corcovado N.P., Costa Rica by Charlie Doggett
Metaphors of Modification
Change blows across my life’s beach,
In hopes that it will my mind teach.
Shadowed as a lacy palm-like dream,
In my eyes, wildlife and nature gleam.
Pure life soars o’er a high canopy,
Toucans, Parrots, Macaws will be.
On colorful wings of living abroad,
In tropical places where I’ll be awed.
As many birds scan for food below,
My decision processes if I should go.
Is there “Pura Vida” where I love to travel?
Or better the old ways, thick as gravel?
A lack of money for more adventures,
Creates natural need for quenchers.
Attractive promises of cheap living,
If culture and language aren’t unforgiving.
A Jaguar stealthily finds the concealed,
Telling me an answer will be revealed.
My hunt, my choice is now Costa Rica,
Though not yet ready to shout eureka!
Tropical breeze o’er life does blow,
Whipping up wild aspirations to go.
Stirring cheaper leaves of housing and meals,
But also higher costs of tech and wheels!
A “Live in Costa Rica” Tour is secured,
So that my decision will be assured.
While arranging the leaves of pro and con,
The decision process grows like a fawn.
A monkey’s howling, my process I blog,
Until a decision, lifts the fog.
Seeking God’s will, desiring His Spirit,
“This is the way, walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)
Charlie Doggett, July 8, 2014
NOTE: I started this as a learning exercise or “Try This” activity in Janet Burroway’s book Imaginative Writing: The Elements of Craft. Thanks to her for the inspiration and the more I’m sure I’ll get as I continue reading her book. My tropical metaphors may not clearly speak to my decision-making process, but as a writer I’m still a beginner and enjoy trying.
Links to Other Retirees in Costa Rica
The original post here referred you to my website and a page there I was doing on moving to Costa Rica – well, the new website doesn’t have that, but the bulk of the post was the following links which I hope are still good to help you in your research on retirement in Costa Rica.
Broad-billed Motmot near Arenal, Costa Rica on 2010 Tour
I’m reading about other people’s experiences of moving to or retiring in Costa Rica. I will try to start sharing some of them. The problem with the International Living links is that they may not let you in if you aren’t a subscriber, not sure. But there are blogs and other info about living in Costa Rica I will share along the way. Here’s s few:
- Facebook Page of a woman who retired in Costa Rica
- A Working Retirement in Ojochal on southern Pacific Coast which I would love if I could find an affordable rental there – It would be close to multiple rainforests and a cloud forest where I got my photo of a Quetzal + beach!
- Living Better than a Billionaire YouTube video – Great! Younger people! (Update) Hate to admit I was caught up in the impossible illusion that I too can live like they are in their video on my SS check. Not! Well, here’s a funny and honest Rebuttal to Living Better than a Billionaire. International Living Magazine folks also give this false impression that you can live rich on your social security check. Well, I’m learning that a reality check is needed first! Having lived in a 3rd world country before, I know the reality that money speaks there too, just like in the states. I’m learning that I will not be able to afford those beautiful views that the rich already own. So I’m lowering the expectations. (updated 7/21/2014)
- Expat organization called Association of Residents of Costa Rica which I could use later to help me with the move, IF I move!
- No Finality in a Move Abroad, article in Huffington Post – just one reason I will rent – I can change my mind at any time and go back to states
- Why Are Americans Still Flocking to Costa Rica? an article on International Living site
- AARP “Best Places” Article on Costa Rica Retirement which focuses only on the Central Valley, but it is the most popular area!