Retire
To Costa Rica - An Expert Tells You How
Faced
with the spiraling cost of living, oppressive taxes and a slew of
government regulations in the U.S., people of all ages includingbaby
boomers and entrepreneurs, are searching for an affordable place
to reside outside of the United States without sacrificing their
current lifestyles. Costa Rica may be the place they are seeking.
Costa
Rica seems too good to be true. The country never experienced the
ravages and exploitation visited upon other countries in Latin America
by the Spanish conquistadors. Instead the country was originally
settled by colonists who were forced to supply the labor themselves.
Thus, a sort of egilatarian society developed with everyone doing
their share of the work, and few becoming very rich or very poor.
As
a result, today Costa Rica has the largest percentage of middle
class and the most equitable distribution of w ealth in Latin America.
In sharp contrast with the history of most of the other nations
in the region, democracy has been the norm for the last fifty years
and not the exception. The country seems to be blessed since it
recently escaped the destruction and loss of lives unleashed on
Central America by Hurricane Mitch.
Combine
this poilitcal stability and year round spring-like weather in the
Central Valley (72 degrees average), the friendly people who actually
like Americans and it is easy to see why Costa Rica has become tops
on the list of expatriate havens. There are more Americans living
there per capita than any other country outside the U.S. The country
has become very Americanized and occupies a place somewhere between
the first and third world, so Americans should feel right at home.
Newspapers
and newsletters like Internatonal Living extol the affordability
of living in neighboring countries like Nicaragua, Honduras Belize
and Mexico. However, they seem to overlook the quality of life and
tranquility found in Costa Rica. A few months ago Honduras imposed
a curfew in its capital city, Tegucigalpa, because of the proliferation
of Los Angeles-type street gangs. Granted the cost of living in
Nicaragua is lower but there is virtually no infrastructure. Belize
has some nice spots but crime is rampant in Belize City. Recently
a caravan of over 50 cars was held up at gun point by bandits in
the countryside. Mexico has beautiful beaches and offers low prices
outside of the cities but the anti-gringo mentality and sentiment
always seem to loom in the background. Safety is another concern
since six American tourists were murdered in the last year and kidnappings
are out of control...
Let's
look at what makes Costa Rica so attractive for expats. A very low
incidence of violent crime (no society is crime free), a low cost
socilaized health care system, inexpensive housing, a wealth of
every imaginable activity to stay busy and happy, two excellent
English newspapers, cable and DirectTV with all of the U.S. channels
and a myraid of exciting business opportunities for enterprising
foreigners, all help to contribute to the country's excellent reputation
as a place to live. Moreover, most people can live on less than
$1,000 monthly excluding rent. Some live for less and some for more
depending on their lifestyles.
When
you take into account all of these factors and such intangibles
as a more peaceful and laid back way of life - no price is too high
to pay for living in a unique tropical paradise like Costa Rica.
Housing is only a fraction of the cost it is in most prime area
of the United States and hired help is a steal. A full-time maid
costs around $10 per day. Utilities such telephones, electricity
and water are much lower than in North America. Public transportation
is excellent and very inexpensive, so you don't really need a car.
Costa
Rica is a healthy country. The average life expectancy of 76.3 years
is rumored to be the third in the world. The country has an up-to-date
medical system with hospitals, clinics and complete medical services
in all major cities and some towns. Costa Rica has been considered
by numerous international medical authorities as having one of the
best low-cost medical care systems in the world, when considering
preventative and curative medicine. Cosmetic surgery is affordable
and Costa Rica's plactic surgeons are among the world's best.
There
are also many tax advantages to living in Costa Rica. Investors
pay no capital gains taxes on real estate, business taxes are minimal
and high interest bank accounts are tax free. Property taxes are
also reasonable when compared to the U.S.
If
you choose to go into business, the government offers incentives.
You may also form a tax sheltered corporation and write off most
of your business expenses. Foreigners are not required to pay taxes
on external income. Internet connections average around $25 a month
and the service is excellent making it very feasible to do business
on a global level.
For
those who wish to buy, housing prices start at about $35,000 with
financing available. Beach front property may be purchased but is
usually expensive.
On
top of allthe above, Costa Rica is considered a single man's paradise.
Costa Rican women have an unparalleled reputation as being the most
beautiful, flirtatious and accessible women in the Latin America
including Brazil. The ladies of Costa Rica are more warm-hearted
and eternally devoted than their North American counterparts. They
consider you a joy. A man doesn't have to be rich to meet women
here - an $1000 Social Security check translates into a millionaires
pay in Costa Rica. Middle age men can find the "Fountain of
Youth" here since age does not seem to pose an obstacle when
meeting women. One man we met who previously resided in Mexico stated,
"For every good looking women in Mexico there are twenty to
thirty gorgeous women here."
In
sum, this beautiful little country has the warmth and flavor of
Mexico, without the anti-Americanism and fear of expropriations,
the physical beauty of Guatemala without a large military presence
and climate of fear, the sophistication of Brazil without the abject
poverty or violent crime and more winter sunshine than Hawaii of
Florida with fewer people.
Christopher
Howard has a Master's degree in Spanish and has lived in Costa Rica
and Latin America for the better part of the last thirty years.
He is married to a Costa Rican and has a 10-year ol son. he conducts
retirement and relocation trips to Costa Rica in conjunction with
The Overseas Retirement Network. For information call 888-535-5289.
Howard
just released the first and only guidebook, "Living
and Investing in the New Cuba." It is available by mail
from Costa Rica Books at the address above and from amazon.com.
The price of this unique 270-page guide is $29.95 + $3.00 postage
and handling.
