want to move from the U.S. considering Costa Rica any advice?
Replies: 32 - Last Post: Mar 9, 2013 5:29 PM Last Post By: SoloHobo
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want to move from the U.S. considering Costa Rica any advice?
My husband and I are considering moving out of the U.S. We had considered New Zealand, but after research decided NOT the place we want to raise our children.My husband needs a warmer climate,we love the Biodiversity of Costa Rica, we like the idea of being able to own firearms for our family protection. What advice do any of you world travelers have for us?
Thank You so much!
Kimi
3
You can find plenty of info by just Googling "Retire Costa Rica"...keep in mind you can only stay 90 days on a tourist Visa, then you need to make a border run and hope they give you another 90 days, but they are cracking down on perpetual tourist (people residing illegally)...then you need to go thru process of getting residency, which Boomer, Scoot and Wiremu can tell you all about that.I suggest you first spend a good 6 months renting a place there, and getting to know the culture, politics, regional issues, as well as the various climates, as it has two coast and a lot of micro climnates, the weather varies greatly between north and south, elevation and each side of the continental divide, some areas get rains in feet not inches for weeks on end...
Lot of expats down there the last 3 decades, land has been speculated and flipped multiple times, but deals can be had, get a darn good lawyer, thats most important. Tamarindo, Nosara, Samara, Mal Pais, Montezuma, Dominical, Uvita, Ojachal, Pt Viejo areas are all popular beach enclaves and are more gringos than locals it may appear. Mountain areas offer cooler living and lower cost, Central Valley is ideal...There is a Country Day School in Tamarindo, thats how Americanized that area has become.
Importing your car there is not cheap, nor is buying a new or used one, so know the ins/outs of all these cost. Agree, check out Panama and Ecuador too...and even Guatemala/Nicaragua....
CR newpapers and stuff-
http://www.ticotimes.net/
http://amcostarica.com/
http://www.arcr.net/links.htm
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Belize speaks english. There is a sizable expat community in Mexico from both Canukdia and the US. Be sure you understand things like squatting, property rights, law vs reality. How big a target you have on your back living there as an American expat, how to handle mordida and education norms. The cultures are very different. Just wanted to throw some other ideas out there.Edited by: katzgar
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I thought this was a troll until I read back and noticed the OP was from the US. As above I wouldn't mention that you want to bring along your assault rifles and bazookas, even if you normally don't leave the house without them.ARCR has a good website to begin research for residency, however you should know that Costa Rica changes the regulations every other week.
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And dont drive thru Mexico with firearms in the car unless you want a permanent vacation in a Mexican jail...11
The first thing you need to know is that only citizens of Costa Rica and Permanent Residents with valid permanent residency status are allowed to own, register or carry weapons in Costa Rica. If you have a Temporary Residency category you will be restricted. It can take a year or more to become a temp resident and three more years or probably more after that to become permanent.http://www.costaricalaw.com/guns-in-costa-rica-ownership-and-registation.html
Also this is not the wild west and using your weapon, even in the case of a home invasion, is going to put you in the middle of extreme investigation and scrutiny with a slant always to the poor "local" you ventilated and why. Hint: Make sure you have an extra unregistered gun to put in his cold hand , if needed, just to make the point clear.
The laws change here everyday and always consult and receive the latest interpretations from someone competent before making decisions about gun ownership overseas and living here in general.
