www.CostaRicaTicas.com

In another topic Circus wrote about the poor quality of the breakfast at the Pres.. Mendobrew liken C.R. to a becoming a "C" or "D" destination.
in the "Restaurant review Section. "
When I was down in April I also noted the decline in the Breakfast at the Pres.. rising over all cost. I was there helping a friend move in to his town house he bought 3 years ago at 72,000$. He 's now back here in the US and his house is on the market for 145K. He was telling our group the cost of living is rising at about 10% a year, he can longer afford to live there, what after 6 months?? He says there's a definite attitude change in the Ticos and Ticas toward Americans.
I don't know, I always though if I hit the Lottery I'd buy a place down there, but the cost of realestate has sky rocketed in the last three yrs. My friend, like me, lives on a retirement plus a little investment.
Others tell me Nicargua is place to move to and great place to monger in is, Columbia (Medellin)
Any thoughts???? or observations??
Flacoduro

Sometimes I don't think places change as much as we get used to them and don't find the same spark, notwithstanding cost of living increase of course. Unfortunately every country is getting more expensive to our weakening dollar. I still enjoy CR but just for a visit. I imagine you start to see a lot of things, the realities, when you live there.

There's a lot of U.S. investment going on in Panama these days. Back when I used to travel to Costa Rica in the 80s, no one wanted to go to Panama except to ride through the canal. I haven't been there in years, but I understand it is improving for visiting gringos.
Still, it'll have to improve quite a bit to top Costa Rica.

Every place has its pros and cons. Personally the only Central American country I would consider, other than Costa Rica, would be Panama. Nicaragua is very politically unstabel and could become anti-gringo very quickly.

Do not have enough knowledge of the South American countries to comment but I have heard good reports about Argentina.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

The poster is right about Nicuragua. They are aligned with Chavez. Both Costa Rica and Panama are aligned with the USA.

Panama has 2 advantages. It is cheaper and they have better infrustructure (roads, electricity, bridges, stuff like that). It is a lot hotter because it is so flat.

Costa Rica has a better cliamte, better healthcare, more tourism options, less extreame poverty and better educated people. Panamanians are not as warm and friendly like Ticos.

I don't know this for a fact, but I do not think there is anything like the gulch in Panama. I have no idea what the prostitution laws are down there.

The other day I had a long time resident tell me that he saw no reason to buy a house in Costa Rica. His reasoning as follows (yes I did post this elsewhere, sorry):

#1 - No tax benifits
#2 - Much harder to sell than it is to buy
#3 - Financing is expensive.
#4 - Your capitol can get a better return elsewhere.
#5 - Rents are cheap.
#6 - Laws BIG time favor renters
#7 - You can get out of any lease in 60 days
#8 - The landlord is stuck with you for a minimum of 3 years. It is almost impossible for them to get you out.

Investment properties are another story, but for living, it is better to rent.

I was one persons opinion. Not necessarily my own. Worth considering however.

Losing its mojo? In terms of what?

If you are talking in terms of investment opportunties or real estate, then maybe so.

But if you are talking in terms of a vacation destination or chicas, absolutely not. I would guess that the majority of guys who travel to CR have no interest in investments or real estate, just cheaper pu*sy.

In terms of breakfast Orange- it's gone to hell!

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Only for tourists who are confined to gulch. There are great breakfast options in the burbs.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

How 'bout all of the above ?!?!?!?!

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Maybe so but this recent post concerning Idem puts the "cheaper pu*sy" reason in serious trouble if many others follow their lead.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I was under the impression that there was an area in Panama City that was "similar" to the gulch. I don't think there's anything like the "Del Rey" there, but I have always thought that P4P was alive and well in Panama. Am I wrong about this?

Tman or Papichullo? Any comments?

MG

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

There have been reports that P4P is alive and well in Panama. No place similar to the BM but plenty of action. Lots of Colombians without the attitude of the CR Colombians.

Sure Papichullo can give us the true story without the sales pitch others bring to the table.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Fimiliarity breeds contempt.When the flavor leaves the gum it's not the same.As for me i really like CR because it's still new to me.

42,000 or $82 a pop at Idem is insane. I used to really like this place, but if that is true it`s off the list..

Heck it`s only a bit more than that in the states at Asian Massage places.

I can't see Eddie copying Idem's move. He's a smart businessman. He's already going to be making more money, and raising prices at all at this point would make him look greedy and opportunistic. It may price out, or jus piss off, some people who would then go to NF ($40) or Del Rey at that point. Once you raise prices to a point where business is down, your best talent starts looking for better options, and then the whole thing starts to snowball. As less customers come in, more talent leaves..... and so on.

And for those of you who are wondering if it's for real, HolaB, along with several others, have confirmed it with sources close to the action and in the know, so I see no reason to doubt it.