just do a google search...it really does look like that...the people are amazingly nice, the women are hot (the men are nothing special so it is easy to compete), the life is simple and realtively inexpensive, and volcanos, mountains and beaches are only 2-3 hours away from anywhere. A quick weekend trip is like an amazing tropical getaway for cheap. I am never going back to the states. if you havent been here...take a trip, youll love it. All you need for "decorations" is a window.
Heard great things about CR. Does CR follow daylight savings? And if you know, how is the internet service along the coast? I'm from Hawaii and somehow the wifey has gotten us living in Seattle area....threatening I must spend the winters back home or somewhere such as CR! What's your call on San Jose? Aloha for now.
How is the internet connection?? I take it you are trading from down there? Cost of living is cheap.? Do you rent or own??
no daylight savings time...I am now 1 hr behind NY and durring the summer i am 2 hors behind....so i have to be at the office before 7:00 half the time. Internet (and phone) is a national monopoly. connections are usually only very reliable in densly populated areas i am afraid. I am in an office park...so i have a great connection. At home however, dial up is the only thing even though there is a cable that runs right infornt of the hosue, they wont connect me to it. San Jose is a dump...I dont go there unless i have to...and if i have to go,i dont drive. I work just outside san jose, but turned down multiple offers from banks and brokers simply becuse of their location in SJ. working or living there will lower your quality of life.
I trade (run a fund and the international department) for an institution down here...and have a personal account as well. sounds fancy...but it is a small company...really no big deal. Cost of living CAN be cheap. Renting is cheap, but buying a house now adays is crazy, interest rates are also VERY high...10%+. I own...by default. My wife is Tica, and her father gave us a house. SUGAR MAMA! seriously....on cost of living..local items are cheap, labor is cheap, but imported products are VERY expensive. so, cars are expensive, and creature comforts are expesive. To live like a gringo here, 2000sq, ft, house, new cars, new furniture, insurance, good schools etc....you are going to pay close to gringo prices (not NY or CA...but maybe Tx prices). To rent: decent...$500/mo...niceish $1000+ mansion $5000+ To own: double all of those. interst rates:yuk 10% house 15% car 25+ credit card. gas: $4.00 gallon. cars and parts: double the cost in the states Food: half the cost (except imported items like wine) restaraunts/bars: half the cost or less Sales tax: 13% Income tax:15-30% (but easily deductible down to 15%) Property tax :1% Healthcare: great and free to cheap private school:$200-$400 month Maid:$100 for 2-3 times per week Gardner: $300 month full time Trading:...here is a secret...set up a CR or panamanian company to trade through with a CR or panamanian benficial owner...and the company only owes taxes on dividends. (w-8 foreign beneficial owner law) .My comissions arent cheap...but it pays off in the end. I have a good setup becuse I am young, have a free house, paid cash for the cars, and have a cool job...but overall it is more a place for retirees or foreigners with a few bucks.