Costa Rica is the prevailing tourist and retiree destination for Americans, Canadians and even Europeans that hearing people say they are thinking about relocating to this beautiful country or reading about it on social media sites is now a very common thing.
Usually those who are thinking about moving to Costa Rica plans to get a residency, purchase a house of their own and put up a business. It may seem so easy and simple but realistically it takes more than just a simple planning and organizing. Rushing things and permanently uprooting yourself from your home country to move to a foreign country may become disastrous if you do not set proper expectations or prepare accordingly.
To ensure that you can live your dream and enjoy the Pura Vida life you may want to go thru the tips we have prepared for you that way you can avoid any problem in the future.
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- Costa Rica truly is one of the most beautiful places on earth but know that you also have other options if you want to live in a tropical paradise.
Due to Costa Rica’s popularity, the cost of living has dramatically increased wherein some areas have gotten as expensive as living in major US cities. Countries like Panama and Nicaragua are good choices. The cost of living in Nicaragua is much cheaper compared to other Latin American countries and surfing is also out of this world. Panama is a very good choice because it does not take much to become an expat in this country plus buying a car and opening a business is relatively easy. - Getting a residency in Costa Rica takes time unless you marry a local, but either way it would still involve a lot of money. But you do not have to worry about residency for now because you can still stay in Costa Rica for 90 days with a tourist visa. Once your 90 days is up you can leave the country for a few days or hours and come back with a new visa that would allow you to stay in the country for another 90 days. Furthermore, you can get a driver’s license and live normally even without a residency. Having a tourist visa would allow you to keep your options open and know for a fact that this is where you want to re-establish your life.
- Before taking the leap and deciding to move to Costa Rica permanently it is highly advisable that you visit the country (especially during the rainy season) for a prolonged period of time to get to know the country and its culture. Visit and try to live in different towns for two to three months before committing to the place. Do not by any means try to live like a tourist where you will just party all night long or lounge by the pool to cool off, rather you should meet locals and other expats living in the area and traverse different parts of the country to get a real grip of the happenings in Costa Rica. Moreover, no matter how beautiful a place is, it is always good to visit your home country and bond with family and friends or experience cooler weather. This would help you rekindle your passion to live in Costa Rica.
- If you are considering purchasing real estate in Costa Rica it is best that you try to have an understanding of the real estate market first to avoid the common pitfalls that other expats have fallen into. Find an inexpensive real estate property you can rent to give yourself enough time to learn the ropes. It is prudent that you wait for at least a year before buying a house and lot and you should make sure that you hire the help of a reliable real estate broker and a reputable lawyer who would help you with all the legal procedures.
- Be careful when opening a new business in a foreign country to avoid risks and possible financial loss. There are times when you need to have a Costa Rican partner on the paperwork to set up your business which may complicate things for you. As mentioned above, you should know how business is during the rainy season to be able to make an accurate projection on profitability before investing your life savings. If there is a need for you to work and make money you can always work as a teacher, realtor, work in tourism or work online.
Get Your Free Copy of “Secrets of Buying Real Estate in Costa Rica”
Property Ownership Types
Is the Property Really for Sale?
What is the Maritime Zone?
Myths About Squatters
Construction, Architects & Engineers
Purchasing Under a Corporation
Financing
And so much more……..
