CiaoCiao,
It’s always good to see some “thought provoking†threads, and this one has really made me ponder MY situation. I’m sure if you talked to enough people, that the list of “differences†between CR & the USA would be a mile long, but here’s my dos colones. Sorry for the length of this post, but it really got me thinking.
First, let’s ask some simple questions: First of all….Why do we GO to CR? Why do we RETURN to CR? Why have some members decided to relocate, and completely MOVE their lives to CR? I’ll bet you’d get plenty of diversified answers to these questions. And I know that the more time you spend in CR, the more differences you’ll find between the two countries. But I believe that the answers would all be different, due to
(and depending on) the person’s REAL reason for being in CR in the first place.
Naturally, for us non-residents of CR, our reasons for being in CR, as well as our agenda while we’re in country, are much different than the people who reside in CR. And because most of us are there “short termâ€, the differences that we notice (between CR & the USA) will be entirely different than those differences that the “residents†see every day.
This brings up another point. I’m sure that many members dream about living in CR full time. We already know that a handful of our members live there full time. Plus, we see comments all the time, from members
who can foresee themselves living there in the future, some who have already started to put their plan(s) in motion. But ultimately, (this is for residents) why did you originally move to CR full time? And (this is for future CR resident dreamers) what are your reasons for wanting to move to CR full time?
Do you simply want to get away from the rat race in the good ole USA? Is it for legal reasons? Do you just want a change of scenery? Are you searching for a better “quality of life� Do you want a never-ending stream of chica’s in your bed? Are you looking for a less expensive lifestyle? Are you looking to live in a different climate? Or is it something else?
Personally, I learn more and more about CR with every trip I make. I see more (and learn more) about the differences between our two cultures. I learn more about the Tico’s, and their lifestyles. I learn more of the “inner-workings†of the people. I learn more about business and finance in CR. I learn more about the country, and the geography. But, along with this, I also learn more about myself, and what type of life that I’d like for my future.
I currently own three condo’s, and 2 businesses in CR. I have a Tico abogado (attorney). I have three Offshore Corporations, registered in CR. I have a Tico business partner. I have a local CR property management company, who handles my real estate holdings and rentals. I have an office in the lobby of a beachside hotel in Guanacaste. I have accounts at two different local banks in CR. I have a CR Driver’s license. And I have many friends in CR. But, even with all this, I still could
NOT live there full time. As other posters have already said…It’s not for everybody. And based on what I’ve learned, seen and experienced, living in CR (full time) is not for me. But it's great to see members living there full time, and loving it, with no regrets.
For the past 3 years, I’ve been running many different scenario’s in my head, regarding what it would be like if I relocated my life to CR, full time. Financially, I would have no problem. But, mentally / emotionally ? I couldn’t do it. Even with my legal and financial ties to Costa Rica, I could never live there full time. I feel like I would be sacrificing too much. I feel that I would be giving up too much. Granted, life in the good ole USA ain’t what it used to be, but there are still too many “positives†for me to leave it all behind. Eventually, I might think different, but for now, I don’t think I could do it.
It would be tough to leave family behind, but I know that they’re only a plane ride away. I am not anywhere near fluent in Español, but I’m sure it wouldn’t take long, if I were to immerse myself in the culture. There are so many “pro’s & cons†to both situations, living in the USA and living in CR. But for me, I’ve come to a conclusion that I hope will pacify both sides of the equation.
In approximately 3 – 4 years, I plan to start taking “extended†vacations to CR (or wherever). I still intend to keep a home in the USA, but I will probably spend one month at a time in CR, every 3 or 4 months. For me, this would be better than leaving everything behind, and moving to CR full time. I will be able to maintain a nice residual income from various business interests and investments in the USA and CR. And I can still enjoy my life while I’m in CR. After a month in CR, I return to the USA, back to the “real worldâ€. I take care of my domestic, legal and financial stuff for the next 90 days in the USA, as I plan for my next 30 day stay in CR (or Colombia or Panama or Thailand, etc).
To me, this seems like a win-win situation, where I get to enjoy the best of both worlds. By the time I start getting fed up with all the bullsh*t in the USA, it’ll be time to head to CR for another month of R & R. And by the time I start to miss my life back in the USA, it’ll be time to get on a plane and head home to the USA for another 90 days.
Anyway, that’s my plan. And (I think) by doing things this way, it’ll make it easier to handle the differences, both positive as well as negative, between CR and the USA. Then again, I could be wrong!
Again, CiaoCiao, thanks for starting this thread, and I’m sorry if I went too far off course. Carry on……..
Mucho Gusto
