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[quote=”wspeed1195″] it’s for something in costa.I’m rather excited it’s been in my mind for 10 years now.folks have been Goading me to pursue it.
now that I’ve been unemployed for awhile I’m going for it.
we did the Corp. in Costa A few years ago.so,now it’s time to get shakin.[/quote]keep us updated when you get up and running so we can see what you’re up to.
[quote=”costaricafinca”]I, for one, get frustrated when responding to a specific question from a new member and it gets deleted because a link to a website is included, so why bother…:roll:[/quote]
I can’t remember that I have provided links but if so I have not experienced the problem.
Although it does not address the issue of informing all, a last resort is to send by PM.[quote=”costaricabill”] After some great “drama” the past 3 days, now nothing!:([/quote]
I think everyone is kicking back watching the political fun in the States.
[quote=”writersam”]Should I just sell all my things here and start over in CR? Some special momentos I would like to keep but wouldn’t it be easier just to start over there?
I am considering selling my car, furnishings etc. What has been your personal experience? I want to make this move as easy as possible.[/quote]
That’s pretty much a personal decision. I brought down the household and an old 1980 datsun pickup. Thank God for the pickup.
We are at about 3,000 feet near Ciudad Colon and about 5 degrees warmer than David’s area.
I think all of the moderate size towns have a national health care clinic.
We have contact with American neighbors for 2 to 3 months out of the years and spend a lot more time with our Tico friends and neighbors. There are probably more expats in the Grecia – San Ramon area than there are here.
No matter where you are there will be a pulperia where you can buy basics. For American things Escazu and Santa Ana in our area.
[quote=”gzeniou”] Just an idea…….. most Expats have a house back in the states or did before transporting to CR. It could be much cheaper to get a home equity loan (on your us house) in the states for your home purchase in CR (much lower rate and fixed at that) and then you could rent out the US house. Perhaps your rent will cover the loan payment while paying down the loan, not to mention the tax breaks and one day in the future the US house may appreciate too.[/quote]
David is right. You are at the mercy of the lending institutions down here. We sold our house in california and paid cash for this one.
The housing market in the States right now has so many owners with minimal equity or upside down it isn’t practical to think about refinancing or a second.
[quote=”gzeniou”]On the other hand, you could invest in a Duplex in SW florida NOT CR[/quote]
And you have the additional problem of being far away from the investment property. You face the same issue as everyone else. No one knows what tomorrow will bring.
I would set aside what I thought was practical for an emergency fund, say $25K or $50K and pay down the mortgage with the rest and if it is possible to refinance at the same rate you are ahead. Fixed rate is best so you know what the payments will be from beginning to end.
[quote=”DavidCMurray”]One explanation I read some time ago was that, due to Costa Rica’s relatively high interest rates on deposits, dollars are drawn here which has created a glut. With oversupply comes a reduction in demand and the concomitant reduction in value.
It could happen . . .[/quote]
Ecomonic recovery in the States might help out too.
[quote=”bogino”]I agree with other posters. If you have a problem with Bugs then Alaska might be a better choice. Bugs is a part of life in Costa Rica and they’re half the fun…..:lol::lol:[/quote]
Ever been to Alaska? They have mosquitos the size of small planes up there.
[quote=”*Lotus”]I really love these videos and all the articles about/from people on the ground in Costa Rica.
Les I love what you are doing, and I hope to be there in about 20 years. Looking forward to the next installment…[/quote]I’ll probably be hangin’ out doin the same things.
[quote=”bloucas”]Hi All. Lets talk about big ticket items, primarily appliances. My wife and I are finally making the move in Jan. We live in S. Cal. and bought a house by the south pacific coast town of Uvita. We have to completely furnish it so we will bring what we have and have some pieces built there (as recommended). The kitchen needs a re-model so need appliances. We found a Bosch gas cook top that should work well but were warned about buying a fridge here because it would not have a warranty in CR. Important because the voltage fluctuations/outages can be hard on electrical appliances (true?). Any opinions on this? We will bring TVs, stereos and other “stuff” we already own. Plan to buy a good gas BBQ here. We just bought a new mattress and will have bed built there.
Are there any other big ticket items we should buy here and ship and are there any that would be better off buying in CR?We plan on using a 20′ container (probably C Zeller)
Also, is it usually more costly to ship from west coast? Is it trucked up (typical?) from Panama to San Jose for customs? Who usually unloads the truck when it arrives at your front door in CR?
Been planning this for a couple of years and finally making it happen!!!
Bill[/quote]We shipped our “stuff” with Zeller and he takes care of everything from customs to your door.
We used a 40′ container and brought an old Datsun pickup with us. We wish we had brought the appliances and used them until they wouldn’t function and then opt for Tico type appliances which are smaller but durable.
Electrical spikes would be tough on any appliance no matter what. Some electiians here can better answer your concens about that.
[quote=”Scott”] And it would appear that the “security experts” of “homeland security” in the US failed to find these guns at the US airport he flew from, right?
Or am I missing something?
Scott[/quote]
He and his wife, Heidi Montag, were flying out of Costa Rica when the incident occurred.
There is a short story at huffingtonpost.com
[url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/14/heidi-montag-spencer-prat_2_n_716498.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter]Scott Pratt[/url][quote=”wspeed1195″] finding that finesse,and love for the trade is NEARLY impossible.
[/quote]
I was a house painter/drywall repairman in the States for over 30 years. Some of the men I learned from, like your Italian stucco finishers, were masters of the trades. Over the years I was glad I learned from them when I worked with men who had no idea what proper prep work was.When I had my own business I had one master working with me and I hired kids out of high school who wanted to learn the trades right to work with us. It was easier than going through a bunch of men who claimed they were painters and finding that they didn’t know what they were doing.
It gives you double satisfation to see that many of them went on to become masters and several went into business on their own and continue to do as I did.
[quote=”tomstew1″] Well I really don’t know how to answer your question because I am somewhat unfamiliar with CR building material terms…Here is what I do know.
TS[/quote]Exactly the response I needed.
My experience is not with beachfront or the moisture problems associated. Our home was inland about 9 miles.Your contractor gave you good advise regarding how the repairs should be done. I, too, am unfamilliar with the bonding agent he suggested but have a man who does work for me who may be able to name it. I’ll post what I find out.
The question I have is the advisability of painting stucco as the paint seals it and doesn’t allow it to breathe so if moisture gets into the stucco, over time (years) it deteriorates.
Here, Ciudad Colon, I don’t have the problem of high humidity like the beach so will add a colorant to the stucco rather than painting it.
In 10 years or so maybe you can tell us how it is holding up.:D
[quote=”tomstew1″]I have posted some new photos of the remodel of my beach house. [/quote]
Excellent. I particularly like the arches but the color change in the exterior make a huge difference too. Did you restucco with the color added to the stucco or was it painted?
Having lived many years in California I am familiar with the problems of stucco. Our home had been painted when the previous owner wanted to change the color. The paint sealed the outer surface of the stucco but over time moisture works it’s way in beneath the paint and peeling paint and stucco deterioration occurred.
Our solution was to remove the deteriorated stucco and all of the paint and apply a new coat of colored stucco. This allowed the stucco to “breathe” and eliminated the problem of deterioration.
Within the next couple of years our here home will need to be refinished on the exterior for the same reasons of deterioration beneath paint. The initial cost is higher but it lasts much longer.
