Anybody know about relocating in Spain or Costa Rica?

[readmoreoften]

I am considering two moves

Costa Rica

1) The first is a move to Costa Rica around the Arenal area and opening an International Writer's Workshop. (I have 4 people who want to help me and all the contacts I need, but no start up cash.)

2) I am a lesbian with a partner hoping to start this business with two other lesbians. I know that Costa Rica isn't a gay friendly nation, but is it the kind of nation that leaves people generally to themselves?

3) If I buy property there, can I become a resident? Is it hard to live their without citizenship?

Spain

I am interested in Spain because I speak Spanish fairly well, because I love the country, because they have gay marriage, and because they have an extremely progressive government right now.

1) If I get a job in Spain, can my partner live with me?
2) How does residency happen, if ever?
3) Citizenship. Is there a remote possibility?

[fishwax]

1. I don't know the answer to those questions, but I wish you luck

I've thought about moving to both of those places as well, either once I complete my degree, or perhaps before. And I also have thought about doing an international writing workshop--I think teaching business writing might appeal to many in either place.

I'll be interested if someone with more knowledge can give you advice on your questions. Good luck! :hi:

[exlrrp]

2. My 2 cts

I have traveled all over Costa Rica and Spain and can attest to there being many attractions in both of them. MOving to either of them, while doable, can b be problematical.
I can't speak to the problems of gays/lesbians personally, being straight, but I have heard there is a strong gay scene in both places. Its not illegal to be gay in either place but there's some real restrictions on cruising in Costa Rica.I would advise just not being obvious about it (being gay)--there's many American women traveling in pairs for many reasons. I believe your partner can live with you in either place without problem
I would advise traveling to both places and spending as much time as possible there before committing to moving there. Many people speak English enough in both places but it wwould be much better if you at least had the rudiments of Spanish down.
Figure it will be more expensive to live in Spain than in America at the same level--this is just the opposite in Costa Rica tho, one shold be able to live fairly well on $2000/ month. Being any place in Spain is like walking down the street tearing up $20 bills, although its cheaper than most of the rest of Europe.
Ive been all around the Arenal area, was just there this spring. Its very pretty and still in the early stages of development. I think this will be a growing place in the future. Its way the hell out in the boondocks, though, with a 4 hour drive to the nearest thing that passes for a big box store or "culture" (theaters, etc)tho there's allot of local art. I would expect you could buy a nice plot of land there and have a house built for well under $100,000 I would also check out the cloud forest area near Santa Elena, there's many beautiful areas there. You won't have any trouble bying property as a non resident, they encourage it in Costa Rica, they encourage it.
I don't know why it would be advantageous to become a legal resident in Costa Rica, I much prefer keeping my American citizenship. Americans pretty much run the place anyway. You can buy land there no problem but i don't think you can get married.
Buena Suerte

[alvarezadams]

3. Answers

1. If you get a job in Spain, your partner can indeed opt for a residency permit. To do this you would have to either get married or declare yourselves a "pareja de hecho" (de facto couple) at the local registrar.
2. Residency, as opposed to a work permit, takes quite a long time (Spain's been swamped with immigrants). Luckily, as long as you keep your request form with you you're safe from expulsion.
3. Citizenship is possible after 10 years of residency. Right now the bilateral between Spain and the US doesn't allow for dual citizenship though.