When Chris Clarke retired from his role as President and CEO of a global executive search firm in December 2010, he and his wife Ivy had already considered their retirement options.

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New York was already too expensive and, like Europe, is in the grip of political deadlock, potentially even higher taxation and a bleak economic climate. Health care insurance was astronomic and increasing. Mediterranean Europe was attractive and easy to get to from the UK, but damned by political and economic instability.

We rejected a return to our UK roots. It would have been easy and not too expensive. However, toddling off to the local village each day seemed unadventurous, though we really miss our Scottish country dancing.




Several vacations in Costa Rica, excited us with the diversity of wildlife, the mild climate in the Central Valley, the friendly people and the spectacular scenery. The place is promoted like hell by advisors, especially retirement specialists and Realtors.




Current ex pat residents encourage others to join them here. We spent months evaluating our needs and in research.

Since our arrival, we have heard many moans about the experience of others:

  • “The place is a bureaucratic nightmare. It takes days or weeks to get the simplest thing done.”
  • “Avoid going into a bank, whenever you can. Banking is difficult to access and not customer focused.”
  • “The Ticos are nice but unreliable. Their work is not to US building codes.”
  • “Everyone we know has had a house invasion. You will be robbed.”
  • “Cars, gasoline, manufactured items and power are much more expensive than in the US.”
  • “We cannot easily get all the items which we need for our lifestyle.”
  • “Houses are easy to buy, but impossible to sell.”

We toured various areas and bought a house in San Isidro de Grecia. We are committed! We arrived in September 2011, with a relatively trouble free container shipment. We humbly recognize that we are the new kids on the block, but here is our experience so far.




Buying cars and imported items is dearer than in the US, but about the same as in the UK. The superior fruit and vegetables are inexpensive here. Gasoline is dearer than in the US, but much cheaper than in the UK.

We obtained driving licenses in a 2 hour process. The residency application took about the same. Getting a US green card was a much costlier and a multi year process. The process to get apostille documents for Costa Rica residency in the US was very slow and complicated, but easy in the UK.

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We got a bank account here easily and quickly via our US and UK banking relationships. Our experience is that all banks in all countries are bad at international stuff.
Buying a car and various insurances was simple here.




Healthcare is different, but effective and far less expensive and we had our TV, telephone and internet access running within days of our arrival.




The key to getting things done is to have the right advice and help, both professional and through friendships. This seems to apply to everything.

The list of craftsmen we are working with, to change things on the property, is extensive. All were recommended. They are doing better or comparable work to our New York experience, at a fraction of the labor cost and with a friendly attitude.




On the downside, the local cuisine is nutritious but not international.




The publicity about the weather in Costa Rica omits to mention flooding, lightning strikes, high winds and occasional dust storms. ‘The green season’ is pure spin but so far, power interruptions have been mercifully brief, we had more in the US.

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Potholes require careful driving and robust suspension.




Yes! We are concerned about the crime rate and the bad experiences of some new friends, but crime is a problem everywhere these days. We are taking what precautions we can.




Costly jewelry is unnecessary to the casual lifestyle so we would recommend not to bring it.

Retiring to Costa Rica. 10 Essential Steps.

  1. Be clear what you want and research every aspect, before you come, especially tax, residency requirements, costs and healthcare issues.
  2. Be informed – read the daily news and internet sources, before, during and after your move.
  3. Experience the weather first hand in different seasons in your potential locations. Choose your favorite micro climate.
  4. Get and pay for trusted advice, especially legal advice and property inspection. Beware of hiring smooth talking, unqualified advisors.
  5. Only buy, if you really want to commit to the long term. Do not expect to build and flip at a profit.
  6. Join groups and make friends. They are fantastic sources of help and information. Get a list of trusted tradesmen.
  7. Befriend the vendors of your property. Ours provided a complete manual of things to do re bills and the house and listed trusted local contacts and craftsmen.
  8. Learn Spanish. We are finding this rather slow and difficult, but essential.
  9. Persistence, patience and a friendly demeanor overcomes challenges.
  10. See this as an adventure and yourselves as the ones who have to fit into the new country and culture.

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Written by VIP Member Chris Clarke. Chris and his wife, Ivy are British who have lived and worked in Europe, Asia and the US. They have been fortunate in travelling extensively on the corporate dollar. When Chris retired from his role as President and CEO of a global executive search firm in December 2010, he and Ivy had already considered their retirement options. Chris wanted a haven to write novels and they both ended up retiring in Costa Rica.

Retiring to Costa Rica. Reality versus expectations with 10 essential steps

Article/Property ID Number 3406

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