www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Excellent post...

Maybe the solution or part of the solution is to have the time and patience to be able to waste time..

Probably requies being retired and without much ambition....congrats in advance when you retire

I agree but vocalizing and talking about problems in CR is one way of dealing with it. The other form is just to drink the kool-aid and turn your head and say "pura vida."

There are lots of cool things about living in CR. However, over time, certain issues become more and more pervasive:

1. Crime and security. Always and issue.
2. Bureaucracy. Stamps. Long lines. Forms. Wasting time on nothing.
3. The bad parts of the culture: laziness, passive aggressiveness, lying and petty theft.
4. Driving with amateurs on the road and horrible traffic law enforcement
5. Inflation - over 13% usually per annum
6. Stupidity like the new pista and peaje. Project is great - however - no one uses it because they are cheap and lazy.
7. Economy sucks and there are no jobs. Have to come down with money. Then, you have to fight like hell to keep it.

Good things:

1. Good selection of chicas everywhere. Getting laid is as hard as going out for a jog.
2. Can live relatively modestly and cheaply, but getting more expensive everyday (see #5 above)
3. Parts of the country are beautiful
4. The relatively mild climate, providing you don't mind the green season.
5. Ticos tend not to be violent. In fact, most are large pussies. Its the Nicas, Jamaicans and others that u need to keep an eye on.


So, if you are retired, i suppose you can cross 7 off the bad list. However, the other issues are real.

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http://TipsCostaRica.com for pratical advice on living in Costa Rica.
In order to write about life, first you must live it! - E. Hemingway.

For whom?

mh

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mh

Chi, There is something else the I think plays into what you are talking about. That is geogrophy. The whole globe the closer you get to the equator the less people have to be industrious. Catch a fish, eat a coconut, pick a bannana. Look at the globe and tell me when in history those area's have thrived. There are examples, Yes, Inca's in the columbian moutains, but the society was to the south. The Egyptons went south but the society was north. Thats about it in recorded history.

It is a thought and I am sure it plays out in how people live. Real far north and south you have to farm and store up for the coming winter. In the middle it is just for today.

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Take a walk on the wild side.

Is this a serious response or just being a smartass?

I quickly realized after a couple extended trips looking into a possible career move that middle-aged guys that still need to hustle and make a living in CR did not seem that happy at all, a couple were downright pissed off and depressed. No way I wanted to be in their shoes no matter how nice the weather or how often they got laid. Regardless of age the expats that did seem to be truly enjoying themselves and at peace had already earned enough money or had steady income from the states. Having been to a couple other countries now I know that there are nicer, (much) cheaper places to settle but the latino-ways of crime, lying and wasted time will always exist south of Texas and annoy gringos used to getting things done in a timely efficient manner. Every decision has a price to pay.

What you describe are guys who have no reason be be here. If they do not sufficient funds or pension to live without hustling they can not obtain residency and are "perpetual tourists" who are prohibited from hustling to earn a living.

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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

I agree completely. If you don't have the means to live here, then you certainly should not consider living here. This is regardless of age. However, there is an advantage with retirement as you can collect SS and seem to have an easier path to residency. I see gringos struggling in all sorts of different ways to eek out rent and food down here.

The worst case - there was a crystal meth addict that used to hang around Escazu. He spoke no spanish. He used to try to trick locals and foreigners into going to the bank with him with their passports and ATM cards to help him out. Obviously, he would pick-pocket them in the process. He was finally banished from Mas X Menos, the various plazas and I'm certain pretty much every where he went. He finally resorted to stealing motorcycles to support himself. He got so cocky that he would take pictures of the bike and put up FOR SALE signs. When he got callers, he would rob it and obviously make a cool profit. If this mother phucker is still alive, I don't see him anymore. I think he learned that CR ain't like San Fran when it comes to living like scum.

The normal case - guys that struggle in real estate or in call centers or sports books. They end up making nothing but rice and beans and endure working for real assholes. Bad career move.

The in between case - guys that become sheisters and con artists, because they didn't like the "normal case" and still need to survive somehow. This group is large and looming.

I never fell into any of these categories, because I had an income plan which included a very large chunk of savings. My income plan did not include working here, rather work as an independent consultant up north and flying weekly. The 2009 economic crisis and the crappy economy has certainly dropped a wet blanket on that plan.

BOTTOM LINE: Like was said earlier.... if you don't have the means to live down here, then DON'T DO IT. The ticos don't even want you down here. And, there are laws that are becoming tighter on the perpetual tourist thing.

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http://TipsCostaRica.com for pratical advice on living in Costa Rica.
In order to write about life, first you must live it! - E. Hemingway.

That reminded me of Chief Wet Blanket, circa 2007 in Jaco.

Flaca y Gordo...is that show still on?! I remember one show a few years ago, they had some near-nude models in a hot-tub on the stage with El Gordo. I don't think that would be allowed over the airwaves in the US, at least not in the daytime or primetime hours. Damn, those chicas were hot! They were wearing t-backs.

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

1000 + 2
I like to waste my time waiting on food in restaurants, why does it take an hour to make a sandwich?

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

Chi_Trekker, I live my life by the credo that I only control certain things in my life. One of the things I am in full control of is my happiness. If I am unhappy with something, I can do one of two things. I can accept it if I can't change it. Or I can change it for the better.

Getting stuck in the middle (being unhappy but refusing to accept things or if possible, change things) leads to being angry, resentful and bitter. I know as I use to be an angry, resentful bitter man (and, I see lots of angry, bitter resentful people in the same place I used to be every day). Then made a 180 degree change and as a result I am much happier, 100% in control of my life, and I don't walk around mad as hell all the time. I have moments ,but they are just moments, and then I return to baseline happiness.

This is not intended to be an attack on you, I just hope you can find peace in your life. So I hope you can change the things you are in control of, and can accept the things you can't control.

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Man I'm living life like a great white shark swimming with minnows! It's all about panocha, great scotch, fine cigars, loud-ass rock music and speed, speed, speed - plus spending as much time as possible in paradise on earth, Costa Rica!

I'm not bitter or resentful at CR or the culture. I'm just burnt out. I'm tired of the lazy thieves. I'm ready to move on. Years ago - I would just buy a one way ticket. Now, I have a lot more involved - 3 tickets, passports and visas. In time, I will leave here and look back at it as a learning experience. I'm not leaving with my tail between my legs. I didn't go broke or wash-up on the shore like some. I'm leaving with dignity and respect. These are values I brought with me to CR. Unfortunately, I found a lack of dignity and respect everywhere I looked. From the K*D that stole my wife's $4k diamond ring. To the gringo who tricked me into paying his rent and bills for a month. I have not seen much of any decency down here. Like I said - its culture of lies, cheating and stealing. If you can either put-up with the shit, join them, or leave them. I choose the latter.

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http://TipsCostaRica.com for pratical advice on living in Costa Rica.
In order to write about life, first you must live it! - E. Hemingway.

Chi,

Just a thought, have you considered taking a breather from the family and CR? You could head back to the states for a week or two to get reoriented.

It may help you relax a bit and put you in a place where you can rationally evaluate all your options in a better state of mind.

Taking your chica out of CR, away from her family, environment, and native language could create a whole new set of challenges.

Having your foreign spouse in the US, even a common law one, is a huge financial risk exposure. You should figure on half of everything plus the house, a car, Ch*ld support, life insurance, and alimony at minimum.

From experience, at the US Embassy, the last document you will sign before they issue Passports, SSN's, and Form FS-240 is a legal and binding agreement that you accept financial responsible for ongoing care and support.

Maybe you just need a vacation from Pair-o-dice amigo

Thanks man! I have put this option on the table too. My only problem - its hard with two Babi*s. Hard on her, but hard on me too. I would miss them with a passion. My next immediate move is to land a job in the states. Then, I would move myself upward, and settle back in. Gradually, the family would then come north too. I've thought about many weekend getaways, but my next trip would probably more tactical. Thanks for the good advice. And, thanks for freaking me out about the financial responsibility shit. Its reality and I need to deal with it directly.

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http://TipsCostaRica.com for pratical advice on living in Costa Rica.
In order to write about life, first you must live it! - E. Hemingway.

Hope you and your fam are doing alright chi..