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In reply to the discussion: Our new life in Costa Rica [View all]

LakeArenal

(28,729 posts)
20. I will say we are on a very fixed income
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 10:20 PM
Dec 2019

The rule is you needs verified income of $1000.
Buying a car is a nightmare. So much so that we shipped our old car. Long... story...
Cars here may be flood damaged vehicles from the U S. Car here are three times the cost here. Our blue book value is $5000.
It cost $11000 to ship here. The state values it at $15000. There are tariffs and taxes and to renew plates slides with value of car. Ours is $600 for the year. If you buy anything big here you need a lawyer.

If you ship personal property be sure to make your inventory complete. If it isn’t clearly stated in the manifest, it may be stolen. Somewhere along the way every box is opened and rifled. Who knows who took my costume jewelry and my mother’s Pyrex mixing bowls. But all I listed was bowls and dishes. And just jewelry. So they leave a few pieces and steal the rest.

There’s no crime here in the mountains. There are crimes of opportunity. If you leave your purse unattended it might get stolen. The real crime is businesses will rip you off if you aren’t careful. I bought a piece of furniture only to see it advertised on a flyer at a discounted price. Things like that.
You have to get residency to get the socialized medicine. Residency application requires a lawyer about $3000 for two and 15 months to three years to get. But lots of folks come here on medical vacations because services are often cheaper than deductibles in U S.
Meds are cheap and for most things don’t need a prescription.

We advise to only half believe what you read in articles and books. Every single person’s experience is their own.

Living here is way different than visiting here. If you come to live make sure you clear your current bank’s position on international living. My Wisconsin bank has been a nightmare of not being told anything when I went in to the bank to inform them of our move. They freeze our accounts, locked our debit cards. Not allowed to wire money to our Costa Rican landlord. It’s been hell and mucho dinero in international calls to get some access to our money.
We opened a new American account in the south so it’s only a couple hour flight if we have to go in person to a bank. Expats are advised to keep an active American account as who knows when trump may get us thrown out of somewhere.

It’s been so hard money and red tape wise that we say if it’s this hard to go back we aren’t ever leaving.

Our new life in Costa Rica [View all] LakeArenal Dec 2019 OP
Sounds like paradise. Thanks for posting these pictures. livetohike Dec 2019 #1
We considered moving there at one time. coeur_de_lion Dec 2019 #2
Sure. But it would take forever... LakeArenal Dec 2019 #7
How long have you lived there? coeur_de_lion Dec 2019 #18
Since Sept 1st LakeArenal Dec 2019 #23
No kill is amazing but it's too bad it sounds like they are also doing no spay. I would not be UniteFightBack Dec 2019 #34
There is a great movement to spay and neuter. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #37
Great, LakeArenal! Thank you for doing that! calimary Dec 2019 #57
Enjoy every moment Ferrets are Cool Dec 2019 #3
WOW! elleng Dec 2019 #4
Yes, I'd like to know about those things too. BigmanPigman Dec 2019 #11
See comment 20. Thanks. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #24
See comment $20. Thanks. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #25
I've always heard good things about Costa Rica. If you run out of parrots and toucans, I'll be abqtommy Dec 2019 #5
Sounds fantastic underpants Dec 2019 #6
I think seeing a toucan would be so cool... Phentex Dec 2019 #8
Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Dec 2019 #9
Sounds fabulous...congratulations!❤ Karadeniz Dec 2019 #10
Since nobody else asked, what is your monthly budget? LastLiberal in PalmSprings Dec 2019 #12
I will say we are on a very fixed income LakeArenal Dec 2019 #20
If the 2020 election is stolen SallyHemmings Dec 2019 #13
Well the bugs here are giant. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #22
Okay I think the bugs are a deal breaker for me coeur_de_lion Dec 2019 #41
Oh yes. The jungle is definitely not for everyone. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #43
Those giant bugs though . . . coeur_de_lion Dec 2019 #51
Bugs bugs bugs tenaciousdem Dec 2019 #60
Stinging centipedes were not that prevalent coeur_de_lion Dec 2019 #65
Congrats and welcome to your paradise! Foolacious Dec 2019 #14
My dream, Rosarito. mountain grammy Dec 2019 #17
Really! My sister lives there, babylonsister Dec 2019 #59
I can only assume... mountain grammy Dec 2019 #61
Yes, pretty much. babylonsister Dec 2019 #63
Pura Vida as we Ticos say!! LakeArenal Dec 2019 #21
We're leaving for Mexico next week. Callalily Dec 2019 #48
now c'mon, boa constrictor draped across the gate? WyLoochka Dec 2019 #15
You open the gate wryter2000 Dec 2019 #58
Sounds heavenly! OriginalGeek Dec 2019 #16
Enjoy. Thanks for the update. mountain grammy Dec 2019 #19
No thanks. Polly Hennessey Dec 2019 #26
Wow. Have you set up the guest bedroom for us? blm Dec 2019 #27
I'm loving it proud patriot Dec 2019 #28
Kindred spirits! LakeArenal Dec 2019 #31
Two of my ballet teachers who were married that I knew a million years ago live in Costa Rica. betsuni Dec 2019 #29
Thank you. Do you find renting an AirBNB is safe or OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #30
I only have one source with regards to Airbnb LakeArenal Dec 2019 #33
Thank you so much Ohiogal Dec 2019 #32
No. We knew we wanted something tropical. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #35
LIFG, girlfwend! Heartstrings Dec 2019 #36
Couldn't have done it without the support of friends ❣️🥰 LakeArenal Dec 2019 #40
Wow that is great texasfiddler Dec 2019 #38
We live south of La Fortuna. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #39
Bananas give parrots diarrhea. nt tblue37 Dec 2019 #42
I am worried for that. He turns down everything else LakeArenal Dec 2019 #44
Well, maybe he has a mutation that allows him to eat bananas. nt tblue37 Dec 2019 #45
I only give him maybe an inch of banana. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #46
Why I still love DU: mahina Dec 2019 #50
I'll pass. James48 Dec 2019 #47
Sounds like a great adventure. Callalily Dec 2019 #49
5 Costa Rican Creatures (That Will Give You Nightmares) Marcuse Dec 2019 #52
Thank you for all of this information. PoindexterOglethorpe Dec 2019 #53
There are not piles of dead birds under them. saidsimplesimon Dec 2019 #54
Healthcare Question PNW-Dem Dec 2019 #55
I took a vacation there on the west coast a few years back Major Nikon Dec 2019 #56
Mahalo for these gorgeous pics, LakeArenal! Cha Dec 2019 #62
Sigh! We are so very lucky and happy! LakeArenal Dec 2019 #64
Pizza Ranch still in La Fortuna StClone Dec 2019 #67
I take it orangecrush Dec 2019 #66
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