Looking for second home

Mel01 Active member

73POSTS

8 years ago

Hello ! I am retired USA expat. I am currently in Mexico but only renting here until November. After trip back to States for holidays and grandkids time I am thinking of getting a second home away from home away from home lol. Permanent residency here in Mexico but considering Costa Rica or Panama as second residency. My only concern with Costa Rica is cost, kind of threw me when I read 2000 a month if you own your home.? I live very nicely on 1500 a month here in a expat area of Mexico ( lake chapala ) and that includes rent. I don't think I would have any problems with culture or adaptation, I love it here in Mexico. And I prefer a good mix of cultures in my neighborhood. Love to travel and will split time where ever I go. Sold everything in USA and have suitcases will travel. Since I am in mountains here in Mexico prefer coast. Do I get attorney for Costa Rica pension visa in USA or wait until I visit Costa Rica? How long does the visa process take? Best place to find attorney? Thank You for any help, recommendations, suggestions.

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MauroN Serial expat

212POSTS

8 years ago

thewizz has good intentions when advising you to stay put in Mexico, but he's comparing prices from聽 the most expensive town in CR , Tamarindo.聽 I lived there for two years, so I know. There are other beach towns less expensive and $1500 will do. Do come see before committing.

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kohlerias ViP

1572POSTS

8 years ago

$1500 a month will be a very tight budget, especially at the beach, with nicely furnished accommodations. Not necessarily 'top notch', but nice. In the past few years, everything has become more expensive.

If you use AC expect your electricity bill to be in the $$$'s a month. Plus, as a legal resident you must be affiliated with the healthcare system here, whether you choose to use it or not.

Residency application will likely set you back another $2000+, and expect it to take a year or more.

I would suggest you visit prior to making any decisions.

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Mel01 Active member

73POSTS

8 years ago

Thank you for your info. I will visit but the responses to my emails show a 2000.00 cost and a years wait for retirement visa. Also cost of living looks higher than Cancun or Puerta Vallarta and I have permanent residency here.

samramon ViP

1338POSTS

8 years ago

Yes Mexico is cheaper, so if you like it there and feel safe, stay there.
Here I got my residency in 6 months and I'm pretty sure the cost was $1300 but I'd have to go back and check to be sure on the cost.
Mexico and聽 Costa Rica are very different in many ways, I've traveled extensively in both and now live in Costa Rica. Personally I wouldn't feel safe as a gringo in Mexico and I know Mexicans who feel the same way!

Mel01 Active member

73POSTS

8 years ago

LOL one reason I left Florida was because of crime. I am in lake chapala , ajijic . I walk here at night and feel safe. The house I am in is 100 years old . The owner has had it for years never been robbed. In Florida myself and all the neighbors have been robbed . Our friends business in Florida was smashed and robbed the weekend before we left. My daughter was the victim of a car insurance scam and a armed robbery and assault in one day in central coast Florida!!!!! God I feel so much safer here, can't speak for Costa Rica until I visit. So you were the victim of crime in Mexico. I have visited Mexico many times over the years and using common sense never felt unsafe ? The attorney told me 2000.00 and a year for visa for Costa Rica just got the info on my email.

giniwishes Active member

41POSTS

8 years ago

Hi Mel,

From what I am reading, you're not the kind of person who will rent a house with ocean view,聽 pool and a/c.聽 You live in the mountain and eat the traditional Mexican food.聽聽It sounds聽 like you would fit great in Montezuma.聽 We are a laid back, a bit hippie community with organic market.聽 We have mountains, rivers and beach.聽 Like anywhere in Costa Rica, if you only buy imported food, it will be expensive.聽 It's very easy here to eat cheap.聽 You could find a reasonable rent, if you rent long term.聽 Once your attorney deposits your聽 residency papers to immigration, you don't need to leave the country to renew your visa.聽 The price your attorney gave you sounds right.

I think it's just a matter of choosing the right place to live.聽 Good luck, Gini

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GinnyP Active member

78POSTS

8 years ago

Hi gang
So it looks like once I get there and talk to a lawyer that I don't have to leave after 90 days? Right?
Or will I have to keep leaving every 90聽 day?
I truly thought that once you apply, that I/you wouldn't have to leaving CR
It kinda puts that part on hold until they say "yes or no".
Am I correct

kohlerias ViP

1572POSTS

8 years ago

#10

You are required to leave before your tourist visa is up, which is usually 90 days. Once you have your comprobante , the legal paperwork saying that your application is 'under consideration', you do not have to do this, .

I understand that presently there is a backlog of applications.

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crtraveller Member

15POSTS

8 years ago

#11

I am still undecided exactly where I will live, long term, if I decide to apply for residency. I have done the cross border route a couple of times.
Presently in Alajuela and have also stayed in Santa Ana and Belen. Don't rush into making a decision. I have looked into San Ramon, but it is too foggy for me.
A good bus service is my primary concern although I have found unless you live in town or on a main road, you will have to walk or get a taxi to a bus stop.

pebs Serial expat

349POSTS

8 years ago

#12

Well but please be honest Motezuma i Used to visit MANY years ago..but now is one of the most dangeous areas to live as most of the Carribean coast is such as Limon,Cahuita etc.
Unless as most there, are drunk or "using"you may pay attention to the recent murders break ind and attacks on Gringos..much of this is swept under the rug so not to discourage tourists but Here in the Central Valley WE see it on the news and our local newspapers..try our area Heredia..calmer. countryfied yet CLOSE to towns.restaurants MAJOR HOSPITALS
MALLS etc..bus stop at our electric gate runs to all these places from our tranquil 3 acres聽 lovely with WIFI and VIEWS ..EMAIL for more info ***
Pebs
not here on this site much so better to contact me I have lived all over for 26 years..so pick my brain..

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ExpatDave Serial expat

600POSTS

8 years ago

#13

crtraveller wrote:
I am still undecided exactly where I will live, long term, if I decide to apply for residency. I have done the cross border route a couple of times.
Presently in Alajuela and have also stayed in Santa Ana and Belen. Don't rush into making a decision. I have looked into San Ramon, but it is too foggy for me.
A good bus service is my primary concern although I have found unless you live in town or on a main road, you will have to walk or get a taxi to a bus stop.

Hola CRtraveller,

Re the fog of San Ramon, in some areas this is true; however, where I live, we get very little fog.聽 It all depends on the elevation.聽 The town of San Ramon receives very little fog but when you get just outside of town at a higher elevation, you are correct.聽 One and a half kilometres up the road from us is often times cloudy.聽 At the same time, that short distance leaves us in the clear.聽 At this moment I am sitting on my deck with a very clear view of the Gulf of Nicoya ...beautiful sunny morning and 78 degree...ahhhh.聽鈽€锔徛� Looking up the hill I can see that it is indeed quite foggy.聽馃尌

This is why I always suggest to people that they stay in whatever area they are considering first.聽 In Costa Rica you can go a very short distance and find a very different climate.

Your statement on where the buses run is not exactly accurate.聽 Bus service in Costa Rica is found in almost all rural communities - including extremely rural.聽 I like to ride my moto on the many, many back roads of CR.聽 I am always surprised when I am in the absolute middle of nowhere and along comes a bus.

We will hopefully be moving soon to a very small rural town called Boca Tapada.聽 The nearest town to that is Pital - an hour by gravel/dirt road away.聽 A bus runs to Boca Tapada twice a day.聽 My experience is that it's that way in most areas.聽 In rural areas, when a bus is coming by, you simply put your arm/hand out and the bus will stop to pick you up.聽馃殞

- Expat Dave

giniwishes Active member

41POSTS

8 years ago

#14

Hi Mel,

I wasn't going to make anymore comments because all the negativity is getting out of hand and I prefer to look at the positive side of things but I will just say that we are one of the few communities that has a private security group patrolling and we are very proud to say to our tourists that it is a safe place to be.聽 Having said that, I wish you all the best聽 in your quest for happiness.

Sending good vibes to all our expats fellows.聽 Gini

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crtraveller Member

15POSTS

8 years ago

#15

Your right, the area I was considering was higher than the town. I may go back when the weather is not so wet. The buses in the more rural towns I have used left from the town plaza then straight on to center of the next town, stopping on the main road for passengers, rather than going through the streets surrounding the town. Prices were very good .

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