Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Many think that moving to a new country is the hardest part, but how difficult is it to settle in? Moving abroad takes guts, organization, and a lot of hard work. When moving to Costa Rica, you’ll have to plan a zillion things like, what to take and what to…
Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes With these 4 secrets to convincing your spouse to move to Costa Rica, I expect to make thousands of future expats happy. When I published Brooke’s article 4 Secrets for a happy living in Costa Rica on my Linkedin, William Robison suggested I write an article so he can convince…
Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes It’s a fact that retirement in Costa Rica is way different than it is in Florida. The reason for this blog is to show those who plan their retirement in the tropics that Florida and Costa Rica are two different worlds. Your lifestyle should indicate where to retire. I was…
Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes Christmas traditions in Costa Rica are probably not what you are used to. You can prevent culture shock by learning what Ticos do during the Christmas holidays and where they go. Christmas Eve in Spanish is Nochebuena. Adjusting to another culture is one of the most challenging things to do…
Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes Pre-construction changes are probably the most difficult ones to make when buying a home. You’re dreaming about moving into that brand-new home or condo soon and then it turns out it isn’t as great as you had imagined. For a real estate developer or a builder, a client who changes…
Estimated Reading Time: 12 Minutes I always see blogs from realtors about all the great and positive things. Most sugarcoat their reporting, but I see never one that shows the cons of living in Costa Rica. I am well known for giving it straight up, although some don’t like it. I think Costa Rica is…
Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Costa Rican punctuality, or the so-called Tico Time, will be an essential part of your lifestyle as soon as you live in Costa Rica. Tico Time is being comfortable with NOT being on time for a date, a meeting, or an appointment. This means the person is taking the liberty…
Estimated Reading Time: 2 Minutes Today I wanted to publish Victoria’s reasons for not hiring a realtor when selling your property in Costa Rica. We should always give you the good and the bad about everything, the reason for publishing these comments. We already know that there are people who think there is no value…
Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes There are a few retirement fund prohibitions when using your IRA or 401(k) to purchase real estate that you should know about. Many retirement fund owners don’t even know you can buy real estate in Costa Rica with your self-directed IRA (Individual Retirement Account) or your 401(k) (Retirement Savings Account).…
Amazingly, you’d be surprised how many “gringos” treat Ticos like shit. Because they’re stupid, they’re ignorant, they’re uneducated, dumb, or idiots. First, Ticos are not like that; even if they were, you should be ashamed of yourself if you’re one of the name-callers. I know I shouldn’t use bad language, and I apologize for the…
Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes Many people looking to relocate or retire to another country change for the attraction of a new environment. Of course, when you’ve lived all your life with cold winters, you dream of a life on the beach. But does the beach offer you a new environment that you can live…
Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes Some buyers looking to buy a property in Costa Rica do not want to hire a realtor. Instead, they prefer to purchase FSBO, which is very understandable, but a mistake. First, it’s essential to know that this word is a registered trademark. Very few real estate agents can call themselves…
Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes There are lots of retirees in Costa Rica, and in some way or another, they all communicate with their children, grandchildren, and friends back home. Technology changes faster than you want if you’re over 60 years old. I know because it drives me crazy already, and I’m computer savvy. My…
Estimated Reading Time: 8 Minutes To make it easier for you to decide if urban living in Escazu is a better lifestyle choice for you than other parts of the country, I have come up with 15 benefits. When I moved to Costa Rica in 1980, Escazu was the most attractive community for expats. In…
Estimated Reading Time: 7 Minutes When newcomers ask me if they can drink tap water in Costa Rica, I cannot just tell them a simple yes or no. I do drink the water from my water dispenser on my refrigerator. That’s more because it’s cold than I worry about water quality. My wife buys bottled…
Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes The sustainable path that Costa Rica has built itself upon has created a springboard for astonishing biodiversity. According to iNews, the country is one of the most biodiverse locations anywhere on the earth – despite only accounting for 1.3% of it. This makes the nation one of the most exciting…