www.CostaRicaTicas.com

The 2 day seminar held by the Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR)
is, in my opinion, a worthwhile investment in time and the $50 fee (continental breakfast and lunch both days)

They bring in an assortment of real estate professionals, government agency representatives, health professionals and other professionals such as lawyers, tax accountants and investment/banking locals.

The ARCR has a building at Avenida 4 and Calle 40 (about a 1000 colones taxi ride from the gulch) and held this months seminar down the street about 5 blocks at the Hotel Torremolines(sp?) in one of the conference rooms.

Of course, not everyone will get the same thing out of this seminar; indeed, there are members here that are already well versed with the ways of CR.

I took the seminar trip last (on the last Thursday and Friday of each month) and was favorably impressed with the amount of information presented and the quality of the speakers.

I have no financial ties to this group nor am I being renumerated for these comments.
I would only like to suggest that anyone moving or obtaining residency in CR strongly consider attending one of these seminars.

They also offer membership in their Association and can provide, in my opinion, invaluable assistance and competent advice.

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

Prior to my move to Costa Rica I attended the ARCR seminar. At that time it was only a one day thing but was packed with valuable information that gave me a lot of insight in living in Costa Rica.

I am now a dues paying member of the association and highly recommend that anyone living here should consider joining. The group rate savings for CAJA health insurance alone pays for the membership.

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

What are the meeting dates. I will be in Costa Rica 6/20 thru 6/26 of 2006.

Seminars are held the last Thursday and Friday of the month except in December.

For more info try:

http://www.arcr.net

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

Just curious california.... did they tell you that being a perpetual tourist was illegal??? They have made that claim over and over on their forum.

I have never heard of anyone ever being deported for this.

They have a strange line of logic. They say stay in Costa Rica for at least a yr to see if you like it before investing or becoming a resident but doing so is illegal. Hum......

Did TG try to rent you a cell phone?? Did he say no american cell phone service would work in CR???

Just curious..

they made mention of changes or potential changes in the perpetual tourist situation, but did not say anyone (at least well off tourists) had been banned.

I don't know who was heading up the seminar before, but this Piercy guy seemed honest enough.

I do remember hearing something about renting a phone for short term visitors but cannot remember which vendor, if any was suggested.

Probably if one were to visit the Associations office after the the seminar, they may encounter recommendation (sell) for a particular vendor.

I think the entire Association is under different management as some former officers apparently embezzelled funds.

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

I also attended the meeting in May, and thought it was very beneficial. A couple of amigos who have been living there a year plus are getting concerned with the poitiical rhetoric, are nervous enough to apply for residency status.

You can live in CR as a tourist, but must leave the country every 90 days and go to those nasty places like Columbia or Ecuador for 72 hrs , then return to CR.

WHile attorneys and this org have been warning about "perpetual tourism" dangers a few years now, I know many of them (us...perpetual tourists) and have never heard of anyone refused entry to CR on this basis. It is a good sales pitch though for residency and immigration "services". It is the opinion of many that the recent law changes are geared to poor Nicaraguans who much like the Mexican immigration problem in USA are becoming the target of limited access to CR. I truly see no merit in limiting "perpertual tourists" since they contribute huge revenues to the country. Like many laws in CR, they are enforced on a case by case basis. I suppose for people who buy property and are committed to living there long term, getting residency is probably a good and wise thing. But, for the near term, I dont see the new administration limiting access to CR by gringos. I have corporations and property in CR...but not residency. I would definitely take legal action if the country tried to limit my access to those investments. I'm not too worried about it though...

I still recommend people to live in CR a year or two before deciding to go through this expensive and stressful ordeal of residency. More than 70% dont stay more than 1 year...and residency is just not worthwhile for that period of time. YMMV