www.CostaRicaTicas.com

YO again Dutch:
Prolijo's last paragraph was so on the money. In fact, excellent enough to be the forward binder page on the "Living and working in CR" manual

I truly believe that the ex-pats who are the happiest are the ones working part time at something they enjoy, thereby making their leisure time more desirable. Making just enough dinero to compliment their other income which then affords them a lifestyle they are comfortable with.

The more successful gringos working in CR that I know are into real estate, buying property and building. I have a cuban amigo in San Ramon doing well and another one on the east coast that is kicking ass. King Costa, a member here, is doing quite well. Speaking the language fluently or having a partner that does is about 99% required in order not to get "screwed" and be successful. I truly believe that the ex-pats that are happiest are ones that work part time and make enough to add to their other income affording them a lifestyle they are comfortable with.

These percentages are not backed up by fact but I believe they may be indicative in making a point. As to ex-pats that work, probably only 2% of gringos & gringas may fall in a very successful investment-property category. Perhaps another 88%, as Prolijo touched on, fall into categories complimenting their skills.....teachers, tourism, sportsbook, bar & restaurant, arts & crafts, guides, drivers, tour operators, hotel innkeepers, entertainers, U.S. corporations. The remaining 10% scattered in other areas. The veteran I mentioned is a simple man and a somewhat frugal individual. Not a heavy drinker but certainly enjoys a 6-pack on certain days and rarely gambles....a little slots. I forgot to add in his cell phone cost. In my travels to central and south america I have run into some real characters who live on almost nothing...they are survivors. Some you might say are "street people." Well, I'm not into that crap. Give me a comfy abode, food and drink along with some spending dinero.

As Prolijo stated, there are certainly more economical places to live among 3rd world countries. The biggest damn problem is when the word gets out too many gringos follow and that neat little gem of a place becomes infested and living costs shoot up. Your $1,500. should be considered your just get by budget. May as well add to that with some part time 15 to 20 hours work and enjoy life that much more. Shit, old Circus here tried to sell his body but it's hell trying to live on 375 colones a day.

_________________
Damn if I'm going to repeat this shit again. I need a drink.
I've been drinking vodka every day for 45 years and I have certainly never found it to be habit forming.

Great posts from all.

A frequently overlooked component of a budget is gifts. A frequently underestimated one is travel & entertainment.

I plan to always send my K*ds birthday and Christmas presents. Also the same to my parents, and other close relatives. Its hard to have even the most nominal of a girlfriend without planning a number of "gifts" through the year.

In addition to the necessity of leaving CR 4 times a year, other travel must be considered. At least one, and most likely two trips to the U.S. per year would be necessary for me. Costa Rica is so small that after a year or two you will have seen most of what it has to offer. I still hope to occasionally visit the great cities of Europe, the museums of Mexico City, etc.

From my own investigating, and some talks with Mexpat, I have come to believe Mexico is a more reasonable option for me. Now, thats just ME. There are lots of good guys here on the board doing great in CR. And, on my future Mexican budget, you can be sure that I will have budgeted one or two trips to "the gulch" as part of the "essential cost of living!"

YO Gopher:
Yes, the trips one takes out of country is an expense to consider. I have several problems with Mexico in that a person cannot own a residence in "fee simple" that is equal to laws in the U.S. Even if you pay off the property in cash you never get the actual title. It is kept by a bank trustee and can be renewed every 30 to 50 years. Owning property on or near a coast in Mexico is more risky. There are many zones that the gov. can just take your property especially if you are leasing land and building a residence. Most people never have any problem "owneing property" in Mexico. I just have a problem with not having my actual title although many people never pay off the home during their mortgage before they sell anyway. I would only rent. NOW, with all that said, If I were a young man I would buy a place, live in it for 6 mos or a year while renovating it for resale....that is the best way to do it and make dinero at the same time. I knew several women and men that had done that 4 to 6 times. I was involved in renovation of several places in Mexico in the 80's but there was a buyer on hand to pay us and then buy the property. It became their responsibility then. If you are going to rent.....no problema.

Another aspect and major one for me is it is ILLEGAL to own or possess a firearm. If caught, plan on spending some major time in a horrid jail / prison. You will have an enlarged butt hole if and when you get out....if not dead. I will never live where I do not have the means to protect my property and myself. Especially the way drugs and crime are growing rapidly.

Also, I got tired of the system of paying people off when problems occur. Look, I had some great times there and there are thousands of ex-pats that love it there. I just personally do not want to live there. Good luck if you do and try to do it before you get much older.

Old Circus tried bull riding in Mexico but the damn matadors kept sticking me with those spears.......not fun.

_________________
Damn if I'm going to repeat this shit again. I need a drink.
I've been drinking vodka every day for 45 years and I have certainly never found it to be habit forming.

I agree with a lot of what Circus said. Without fail, every place I have investigated in CR or in Mexico has been a "renter's market." The 1% rule is useful. If a property is worth $100,000, the rent should be $1000 per month. That's more or less the deal in the U.S. In CR you can often rent a $200,000 house for $1000 a month. I would always keep my financial assets in the U.S. (or perhaps Europe), and rent in the 3rd world. I would want to be able to make a quick "adios" if it became necessary. With that said, this doesn't matter, but: Circus, I think the land ownership laws were relaxed a few years ago in Mexico. If I remember correctly, you can now hold title in fee simple as long as the property is in excess of 100 km from the coastline. Don't anyone quote me on this, and Circus may well be correct.

YO Gopher:
It may have changed in the last few years but I sort of doubt it. For me, it does not matter anyway. As I have noted before.....one should get the updated facts before venturing in any deal. As I indicated, for probably 95% of people it does not present a problem unless you are on the coast.....which BTW is where I would want to be. I love the ocean and have to be next to it. I've been searching for a mermaid for the last 30 years......always had a thing about fishy stuff.

_________________
Damn if I'm going to repeat this shit again. I need a drink.
I've been drinking vodka every day for 45 years and I have certainly never found it to be habit forming.

Well, I'm a little out in space tonight, and even when I'm not, I always forget what chapter we're in... and the administrator has to change my post to the proper section etc, etc. Anyway, I think we're in the Newbie section. IF so, I wanted to tell all Newbies to give special respect to my friend Circus. Generally he knows of what he speaks, and is an honored (I started to say old) member of the board. He holds a special distinction. One that many have aspired for, yet never achieved. To the best of my knowledge, C is the only guy in the history of our fraternity to be asked to exit the Blue Marlin on the grounds of "lowering the standards of the bar."

You'll have to ask him about the circumstances. Its a funny story! Suffice it to say...

HUGGIES FOR ALL!~~!

PS: C- do you have the old post archives of the story to give them for reference? I think its required reading.

Also; clown, halloween, pirate, etc. Loved it. Classic. And verifyably true!

I will continue to read and post any incoming ideas.

I am a bit more fortunate than I believe you know about. I will be sharing a condo with a friend in downtown SJ and it's free. He's a Nam buddy and a cancer surviver as I am, a special bond. He did very well after the war, amazingly, I did okay.

Anyway I hope to meet you all some day some way, take care and thanks for the inputs. And keep the thread going.

Dutch

YO Dutch:
Your buddy and me have a couple of things in common.

1968 - 69
Combat infantry corporal
82nd Airborne, 3rd Brigade
Hobo Woods & Cambodia to name a few

Medical problems I can connect with.

Have a good time in country and be careful out there.