www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Um, "watching your back" usually has a positive meaning, as in "I'll watch to make sure nobody is coming upon you with evil intent from behind you". Perhaps "all eyes are upon you all the time" was meant.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Beaner misses some of the finer nuisances of the English language but you interpreted it correctly I'm guessing.

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[url=http://www.amishrakefight.org/gfy/]

Brother Spanky--"finer nuisances of the English language". Now that's funny--been taking Greengo lessons, have we?

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Well said Uncle Wit - and I concur 110% !!!

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

CronicRelief,

Very interesting situation you are in, and what a fantastic opportunity! If you are willing to make the adjustments to your lifestyle, then this sounds like a fantastic way to minimally wait out the US hiring issues, especially in IT right now.

In regards to where to live, I had a corporate apartment Heridia that was a 2 bedroom, 2 bath in a gated community for $600 a month. It was very nice, and backed up to a golf-course. There was internet, and if you have been traveling to CR then you are well aware of ICE RACSA! Aren't they grand!

The questions that I would ask some of these seasoned veterans would be more along the lines of:

1. Visa and work information / CR citizenship status. If you aren't a citizen then you have to go leave the country every 90 days for 72 hours at least.

2. Purchasing a car can be a treat too if you have questionable citizenship... OH! And don't forget that carjacking DOES happen in CR, more often the you might think!

3. What about the bus system... or scooters... they are just downright FRIGHTENING! The buses are not a very safe place and it's pretty easy to get ripped off on them. I have many Tico friends that have had many issues..



Those are my $.02


I love CR, and enjoy the people a great deal.... you are going about it the right way, that's for sure... asking lots of questions!

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No... I didn't give your sister cien either!

Not sure what you mean by that. Purchasing a car as a non resident is no different then purchasing one as a resident. There is no requirement to present any document other then one identifying you and a U.S. passport is acceptable.

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

Thanks for all the great advice and suggestions everyone. Great community on this board. Its always nice to hear from the voice of experience, good and bad.

I searched on the board and found a few links to local CR classifieds and prices are wayyyyyyyyy cheaper than what I see on craigslist. (thanks Captain Cohiba!) I think I will probably focus my search around the Heredia area to be close to work.

El Tranquilo, thanks for the info about La Garia, Los COlegios, Los Jardines, etc. I got them on my list for later on. They're simmering on the back burner. Guadalupe too (thanks Western!).

Bilko, I'm not exactly thrifty per say, but it really comes down to opportunity cost for me. I live in an expensive area here in the states, but because its very close to work, I take it in the rear to a tune of 55% of my monthly take-home pay. With the ever-increasing cost of living here, I'm saving nothing, barely getting by, and thinking its only going to get worse. With the high cost of gas and BIG PIECE OF AMERICANA on 4 wheels propelled by a sexy 350 V8 that I call my daily commuter, moving farther away to a cheaper apt will actually cost me in time (longer commute) and money (more frequent maintenance). If I have to give up my single-handed destruction of the ozone layer, I'd have to get back something worthly like...live very close to work in reasonable housing conditions AND have lower cost rent (read: 25% of monthly take-home income). From what you guys are telling me, I think *my* thrifty lifestyle could totally work. Thanks for the encouragement and advice....but that last one...did you say women????? I never even considered the thought...but I'd say you're onto something...If I can get them to push my MUCHO GRANDE SUV, I could save gas and afford to keep it! You are a GENIUS PURA VIDA!

Well, I guess not having a car in either country would save me a load of cash. I am willing to give it up for at least a couple years.

Dapanz1, my requirements are very similar to yours. Cellphone, cable and internet access (broadband) are all a must for me. I wouldn't go to heaven if there were no broadband there I'd probably opt for an alarm or at least lots of iron bars everywhere. Like I mentioned before, being burglarized would just piss me off. I'm pretty thrifty on normal necessities like food, cothing, furniture (who needs furniture anyways?), tv size. I have my weakness for car stuff and electronics though which I already know are taxed like nobody's business there.

Witling, I'm not set on living in CR for the rest of my life. Haven't even been there yet! I'm open to it; just gonna see how it goes on my trip. As far as returning to the US, I know that part would be very hard. I'd have to transfer back or find a new job first so that I'd have a US salary enough to manage on. Then cover the cost of moving my belongings, rent money, buying new stuff, a vehicle, furniture, etc until i started getting my paychecks. I've thought about how my 401k contributions will become much smaller along with my lower CR salary. I can handle that for a few years, but at some point I'd have to sit down and figure out if I need to earn more to secure my future, or if my future financially is fine with however things are going for me at that time.

BangBang, thanks for all the great advice and info once again. The details are extremely helpful in painting the picture in my mind. I didn't even think about the hot water thing. I guess I'm really spoiled. I'll have less cash to live on than you, and because you were so detailed, its comforting to know that its very likely that I'll be able to live comfortably down there. BTW, what's the inclosed parking entail? Is that like your own garage, a gated parking garage or a gated parking area (no solid walls)?

Another one of my main issues will be trying to save money on a much lower salary. I'm programmed to think in dollars and not colones, so the thought of possibly saving a decent percentage of my paycheck, but it being low in dollars is pretty discouraging. Maybe I need to negotiate for more money...say because I have to be able to visit family several times a year Otherwise, I'd really have a hard time saving up my colones to fly back to the US. Damn I wish I was retired.

Guys, can you imagine if BangBang had to stop visiting the MP's for like 2 months just to afford a flight back to the states?

SexxxyGirl, this is a very good opportunity. There are others in my company that are considering doing the same. Hopefully we'll get offered sweeter deals because most people are not crazy enough to move to another country. I am considering negotiating to keep my current salary. Man I'd be so rich down there!

Your housing situation sounds perfect for me. I don't need 2 rooms, but if $600 gets me all you described, thats pretty awesome. I haven't been down there yet, but I've looked into the ADSL and while it is crappy GRANDe, its better than dialup. As far as the work thing goes, I think you get can get a work visa that's good for up to 1 year; don't know if you have to do the 72 hr dance or not.

I'll probably use cabs at first while I'm down there. I'll test out the buses on the weekends and see how that goes. Thanks for all the great info!

Serious business now--We really need to gather the "Collected Wit and Wisdom Of Brother Greengo". Sold ony in the better bookstores 'cuz if you don't know history, current events and have both an excellent if skewed sense of humor AND working knowledge of English, you'll risk being hopelessly lost or befuddled. trailing a string of "WTF's "in your wake.
A beautiful exposition that puts one right in the picture, Brother Greengo. Another masterpiece. No joke.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Inclosed parking: in my case it is a covered area with ajacient buildings on 2 sides, our building on the back side, and a heavy, tall iron fence and gate on the friont with razor wire on top of the fence. There are no dividing walls, just and open area with marked off and numbered spaces for each condo unit.

Saving on less than what I make: Hell I can not do it on what I have . And I thought that at my age "what the hell, just live from day to day and have fun for the rest of my life"!! ! Problem is, as I have recently learned the hard way, everyone needs an emergency fund if nothing else. And again thanks to my fantastic CRT brothers, my problem has been taken care of!!!!!

A car here: On the income you stated good luck!! cars cost almost double what they cost in the states, gas is almost double, and as a gringo, expect to pay double for repairs. Triffic is horrendous, people drive like morons (thou contrary to what a lot of people say, I think they are for the most part, very good drivers--THEY HAVE TO BE, OR ELSE THERE WOULD BE 10 TIMES MORE ACCIDENTS ) And you can only take your car into certain areas (most of the central area) on certain days! (based on license #).

Your income: ASK; NO DEMAND!, MORE!! or more benifits, such as 1 or 2 trips home per year, housing allowance, travel expenses to leave the country every 90 days (and paid time off)-- and unless you have residency(and working here does not automatically give you residency), you will have to leave every 90 days! BUT, hey going to Nicaragua or Panama can be a lot of fun and interesting!!!! AND MOST DEFIANTLY, demand a "pu*sy allowance" jejejejejejeje!! with all the hot Latinas you will be seeing you will need it!!!

As for me giving up the MPs: AIN'T GONA HAPPEN !! Just kidding, but it would be HARD (pun intented). I mean what would be the point of living

GOOD LUCK!!!

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!