'living in Costa Rico' Retirement  

Peter Kochen (152.163.100.67) -

Visiting Costa Rica in mid June for 10 days,purpose is to garner info for possibility of living there. I am retired with a decent pension.I am single and in good health. A few years ago I visited a office here in Clearwater,Fl,which represented Costa Rica,I cannot locate it now, any help would be greatly appreciated. I would also request some direction as to who or what organization I could contact when visiting your Country in June to facilitate me in accomplishing this goal,thank you very much, Pete Kochen

Comment #1 Trevor Chilton (196.40.43.218) -

Pete,

First off I would suggest 10 days is verrry short to explore the country due to the many microclimates and styles of living it takes some time to get you up to speed on what will fit your lifestyle and budget the variances are drastic to say the least. A chat would be much better than typing this all out. Are you familiar with www.skype.com a free voip service.

Comment #2 Nancy (64.12.116.197) -

Will I be asked to give up my US citizenship to retire to Costa Rica?

Comment #3 Del (208.155.166.235) -

You never have to give up your US Citizenship. Normally for retirement you would get Residency in Costa Rica [the right to stay in Costa Rica]. In the future it might be possibly for you to get Citizenship in Cost Rica too.

In the case of getting citizenship in Costa Rica you would have the right to vote there as well as a Costa Rican passport. You would normally then be a "dual citizen" carrying a Costa Rican and a US Passport (the US requires you always to use your US passport when enterning or leaving the USA).

If you specially tell the USA you are renouncing your citizenship then you have to consider the consequences.

You make research it more on the US State Departments website: http://www.state.gov

Comment #4 roger prather (65.10.82.251) -

i am an american thinking about semi retirement in costa rico, would i be allowed to start a welding buisness in costa rico, nothing big just something to produce some income.

Comment #5 ron byrd (24.74.60.136) -

I am 56 yr old, single, male, christian, health and fitness professional with 25 years experience in this field. I am looking to move to Costa Rica. I would like to have some helpful tips or any leads on opportunities that would be available for me. I would entertain business options in yoga, fitness, gyms, or other recreational endeavors as partner or owner. Thank you, RB

Comment #6 Lic.Gregory Kearney Lawson. (200.91.175.2) -

Peter, Nancy, Roger and Ron and those of oyu who will see this page afterwards, you will find a weaalth of free information regarding relocating, investing or visiting COSTA RICA.

We are constantly updating the webpage and if you have any other questions you can contact us at (506)841-0007.

Lic.Gregory Kearney Lawson.

http://attorneykearney.com

costarica@attorneykearney.com

attorneykearney@yahoo.com

• Kearney Lawson & Assoc. Lawyers, Relocation services & Real ...

Comment #7 Gary (207.30.155.186) -

If you are interested in information about moving to Costa Rica look at www.casacanada.net

Comment #8 bruce emerick (67.42.193.206) -

Retiree seeking non luxury housing for 4 months,beginning feb,07 in jaco.No phone,contact via email;;;;;;bemerick11@yahoo.com.I will be in the Los Angeles area.

Comment #9 Old Grump from San Jose (Contact Member) -

Non luxury as in a hut without a roof?

Comment #10 MARGARET TOWLES (167.75.254.253) -

WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIVING AN WORKING IN COSTA RICO NOT LOOKING TO BUY INFO ON RENTING AND WORKING

Comment #11 Paul (63.176.159.111) -

Why does everyone think they can just move to Costa Rica and start working like they did back home.. where ever that was!?!?

Your best bet is to plan a 3 month visit and do a lot of pavement pounding looking at property to rent/buy and what the place is really like.

Forget the internet (especially), and the newspapers for finding property. If its advertised the price is too high. If its on the internet the price is way too high.

Comment #12 Janet (63.176.159.48) -

Peter, how was your 10 day trip? What did you decide to do? How did it workout?

Comment #13 fred (63.176.159.186) -

do they have cell phone providers out there? if so how much are the rates and what kind are there?

Comment #14 Bill from Alajuela (Contact Member) -

The provider is the government run phone company. That means the service sucks. You have to be a resident (though even if you are a resident that doesn't mean anything) to get a cell phone line.

Many non-residents and the residents who are refused a line are left to getting their line in the name of a corporate or a friend.

This can lead to various problems. For example, you buy a cell phone from someone including a line. That person can then cancel the line and you've just been scammed!

If you get a line in the name of a corporation, you have to remember the line is not yours. Someone can call the automated system and report "your" phone stolen. When you go to the phone company office and wait in line for hours for help.. you might find out that they won't help you because the line is not yours!

Then you have to go a lawyer to prepare paperwork so that the phone company will speak to you to restore your "line".

With luck Cafta (the central american free trade agreement) will open the door to some competition in the cellular and internet markets in Costa Rica

Comment #15 Kim (63.176.159.64) -

Are there any requirments that are needed in order to move to Costa Rica?

Comment #16 Sage (63.176.159.40) -

What is the transportation like in Costa Rica...

Comment #17 Tian (63.176.159.125) -

Of course there are requirements Kim in order to move to Costa Rica. They've already talked about that in order to retire to Costa Rica, you have to surrender your citizenship to whatever country you belong. a somewhat brave and bold move because not all people wants to spend their last days on Earth in a country that they were not born at, but then again with all the violence, chaos and pollution then it is great option.

Comment #18 Bill from Alajuela (Contact Member) -

Why on earth do you have to surrender your citizenship to anyone?

There are normally two levels of entry into a country... residency (which can be temporary or permanent) or citizenship.

Citizenship can confer such things as an obligation for a countries draft and voting there. Residency is unlikely to have any of those obligations.

Residency will offer you the right to stay for a long time in the country and possible work. It never has an affect on your citizenship.

If you are a U.S. Citizen you can hold multiple citizenships as well. Ie: you can become a Costa Rican Citizen and still be a U.S. Citizen.

The only way to lose your U.S. Citizenship is to intentionally give it up. Some countries don't recognize dual or multiple citizen and you will lose your citizenship when you get citizen in another country. You never lose your citizenship when you get residency someplace else.

You can also give up your citizenship and become a "stateless person".

Comment #19 Luisa (63.176.159.190) - 05/15/09 22:34

You can see information regarding that matter on websites for Expat requirements upon moving to Costa Rica.

the requirements to enter Costa Rica depend on your country of nationality. Generally, citizens of the United States, Canada and the European Union countries do not require a visa to enter Costa Rica. With their passport they can enter Costa Rica and remain in the country for up to a maximum of 90 days.

While in Costa Rica your passport and the immigration stamp that was placed in it when you entered the country is your proof of legal status.

More info on the link..

• www.costaricalaw.com/legalnet/residency.html

Comment #20 Jordan (63.176.159.81) - 06/18/09 14:17

Del, what would the consequences be for renouncing your US citizenship? I can't imagine it would end up that bad.

Comment #21 Bill from Alajuela (Contact Member) - 06/19/09 10:35

No one will ever ask you to renounce your citizen to move or retire in Costa Rica.

It would be a voluntary choice and make travel to the USA very difficult. If you don't already have a second citizenship, it would make travel anywhere very difficult at you would not have a passport.

Comment #22 Rosalind (63.176.159.27) - 06/29/09 22:22

I have always been curious onto why do people retire to countries like Costa Rica or Uruguay. Aren't they happy in their own homeland which they spent almost all their life with? To what is truly saddening is when people immigrate and forget their homeland and citizenship of their previous country. If I am going to someday come to this decision I will assure I will never forget my once motherland that nurture and help me be the person that I am today.

Comment #23 Bill from Alajuela (Contact Member) - 06/30/09 07:45

First, I don't believe that many forget their Citizenship. There are at most 600 and I think closer to 300 Americans who give up their USA citizenship every year.

I think the main reason many retire to Central and South American is two fold: cost and quality of life.

Many receive an small social security pension and to live in the United States on that amount would keep someone in poverty and hunger. In Costa Rica they could live in the tropical sun and stay fed.

The United States may once have been an industrial power, but now offers little to its citizens.

Some may retire elsewhere for political reasons as well.

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