Anyone Have Experience with Living in Costa Rica?

I know people here that have as well as Panamá, Perú, Equador and México before they moved here. Best advice would be to rent a furnished apartment for a couple weeks in different places before you decide. Even if you settle on a certain city and country that's a good idea to test different parts of town. A place that might seem perfect might have all night parties next door on the weekends.

Cheap, beautiful beaches, mostly very friendly people. If you have a cleaning service or maid you WILL get pretty pilfered. There are some sketchy urban areas, as in most cities where you are not safe. If confronted with civil litigation you will not prevail, but if accused of a crime you will be fairly treated,some penalties are harsh. If engaged in any enterprise you will notice the Seeming lack of motivation of the locals. It's always after Siesta or mananya....hard to get stuff done, it's their culture, not laziness. Don't expect to st waited on or greeted in a business. Not gonna happen, you are expected to ask, they consider it impolite to come to you, causes lot of confusion at restaurants, waited seemingly ignores you, you feel snubbed. Go to the counter and inquire what's cooking and negotiate your meal. You may be beyond rude if you too and leave. Best to his your own table and offer to clean up after yourself, mostly they won't let you, but that's what a polite customer is expected to do. Just be sensitive to the culture, he points and communicate best you can and you will be fine.

good luck with that, they have a communist in office who is following the NWO plan. At least you have a fighting chance with the 2A

Are you talking about Costa Rica or the United States?

Cause that's why I"m considering leaving the US.

I'm here. It's a lovely country and relatively inexpensive if you keep away from beach areas. Towns like Atenas, Grecia and Neuvo Arenal seem to attract a lot of expats, so you'll make friends quickly enough.

Costa Rica is a good starting point, but places like Panama or Thailand are so much better.

It is a great place for me.
I have a 30 acre farm and another property in
the southern zone. Love the beauty of it all.

Newer cars, trucks, SUVs are expensive to buy
and maintain, annual tag fees are ridiculous.
Food is more expensive as well.
The locals are generally not violent, but petty theft
Is everywhere, all the time, pervasive.
Be very careful, been coming more than 30 years, never been
robbed publicly, but housecleaners and farm workers have
stolen cash, tools, gasoline, kitchen utensils, dog food, etc.
Cops are generally very polite, never a problem for me.
Nice laid back lifestyle, shorts and flip flops year round.

A lot less tourists now, less crowded roads.
Lived here with permanent residency for the past 12 years.

Pura Vida!

For some reason, I thought that about 90% of people in Costa Rica spoke English but it's about 10%. Looks like a great place. A lot of Americans visit.

There aren't many countries in the world that aren't fucked up in some way. It's all to do with YOUR attitude. You can't really do much about fucked up governments, media, culture or fucked up sheeple/tards, you can only improve YOURSELF.

"The Kingdom of God is within you."
Luke 17:21

Avoid the dinosaur park.

You're about 20 years late.
Costa Rica has been a hot spot for Americans and not really that cheap these days.

Bill Holter, co worker of Jim Sinclair, lived there 2006 to 2011. Nice place, but he says repeatedly that when TSHTF, you do NOT want to be a gringo there. You will be the first to be targeted. Find a cheap place in the rural USA, get food preps and a gun. Do not be in Costa Rica when the system goes down.

I followed an expat forum in CR for a few years. Many said they regretted not settling in Panama.

lots of crime towards foreigners.

Heard Belize is going all out for expats. Belize consulate offers to accompany and help get established. A few years ago they were considering some self-governance within expat communities.

Yeah, and how many other things has Holter said repeatedly
that are BS also.
The opinion of BSer is of no importance to me.

But, if others don't want to come here, I don't care.
I am happy here.

Alternative media financial commentator as lived in CR for years and has had a series of horrible experiences, most especially being royally screwed over because he’s a gringo. I would NOT move to CR, virtually EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING is corrupt. Also, it’s widely reported that crime is getting g quite bad, especially in capital city San Jose.

Ever consider proofreading your posts?

There are several former US retired communities there

I believe if you contact these communities they can help with your relocation. ..anewer questions on where to live, not to live ect

Belize has more English-speaking (and black) people than other Central American nations but crime is VERY high. Who would’ve guessed?

Watch some Youtube videos.

But like anywhere else it prob depends on where you live and who your friends are.

Mind if I ask where you lived prior to this?

Did you speak Spanish? Did it take time to get accustomed to it?

Targeted by who? Locals?

Panama has the same beauty of CR?

I will let you in on a little secret (looks around)
Check out Azenhas do Mar in Portugal.
You won`t be disappointed.

I’d say move to Panama!

Thanks. That was a great tip.

Went on a blind date with an ex-pat visiting Vegas once again after having relocated to Costa Rica. Anticipating this question I asked him re the pros and cons of living in Costa Rica:

He's a surfer and outdoors enthusiast so loves that about his new homeland. Mangoes and juicy and plentiful as are other native produce.

However anything not grown or made locally is insanely expensive and takes forever to ship. He's arranged for family in the States to send him his Amazon requests. Otherwise he'd have to pay 3 or 4 times the price.

He loves the local dish of arroz con pollo but except for just one Italian restaurant created by an Italian chef married to a local Costa Rican, so that he could bypass ownership laws, it's almost impossible to get other types of cuisine.

Rent, maid & cook service, help is cheap but thievery by all is commonplace. Be forewarned. Sense of entitlement of ripping off rich foreigners abounds even if you speak Spanish fluently.

Also there are huge bugs & insects everywhere, especially during the rainy season, and absolutely nothing works. Expect huge bugs every time you lift the toilet seat or the toilet tank.

Still the locals are very happy and content with minimal possessions and a basic but healthy diet. Influence of the Catholic Church? Yes everyone is Catholic and almost all regularly attend church.

I went in may all over the country on a tour and I don't remember bugs being a huuuge deal anyway. it seemed like a cool place to live, they have every kind of potato chip or cheese puff plus a McDonalds