| Retire
To Costa Rica - An Expert Tells You How |
| In this
edition of the newsletter Christopher Howard talks about Costa Rica |
| In our
upcoming issue on Cuba, Chris will be back with an article on Cuba |
| Faced
with the spiraling cost of living, oppressive taxes and a slew of government
regulations in the U.S., people of all ages includingbaby boomers and entrepreneurs,
are searching for an affordable place to reside outside of the United States
without sacrificing their current lifestyles. Costa Rica may be the place
they are seeking.
Costa Rica
seems too good to be true. |
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| The country
never experienced the ravages and exploitation visited upon other
countries in Latin America by the Spanish conquistadors. Instead
the country was originally settled by colonists who were forced to supply
the labor themselves. Thus, a sort of egilatarian society developed with
everyone doing their share of the work, and few becoming very rich or very
poor. As a result, today Costa Rica has the largest percentage of middle
class and the most equitable distribution of wealth in Latin America.
In sharp contrast with the history of most of the other nations in the
region, democracy has been the norm for the last fifty years and not the
exception. The country seems to be blessed since it recently escaped
the destruction and loss of lives unleashed on Central America by Hurricane
Mitch.
Combine
this poilitcal stability and year round spring-like weather in the Central
Valley (72 degrees average), the friendly people who actually like
Americans and it is easy to see why Costa Rica has become tops on the list
of expatriate havens. There are more Americans living there per capita
than any other country outside the U.S. The country has become very
Americanized and occupies a place somewhere between the first and third
world, so Americans should feel right at home. |
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| Newspapers
and newsletters like Internatonal Living extol the affordability of living
in neighboring countries like Nicaragua, Honduras Belize and Mexico. However,
they seem to overlook the quality of life and tranquility found in Costa
Rica. A few months ago Honduras imposed a curfew in its capital city,
Tegucigalpa, because of the proliferation of Los Angeles-type street gangs.
Granted the cost of living in Nicaragua is lower but there is virtually
no infrastructure. Belize has some nice spots but crime is rampant in Belize
City.
Recently
a caravan of over 50 cars was held up at gun point by bandits in the countryside.
Mexico has beautiful beaches and offers low prices outside of the cities
but the anti-gringo mentality and sentiment always seem to loom in the
background. Safety is another concern since six American tourists
were murdered in the last year and kidnappings are out of control... |
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Offshore Resources Gallery
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Costa Rica 401k
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| Let's look
at what makes Costa Rica so attractive for expats. A very low incidence
of violent crime (no society is crime free), a low cost socilaized
health care system, inexpensive housing, a wealth of every imaginable activity
to stay busy and happy, two excellent English newspapers, cable and DirectTV
with all of the U.S. channels and a myraid of exciting business opportunities
for enterprising foreigners, all help to contribute to the country's excellent
reputation as a place to live. Moreover, most people can live on less than
$1,000 monthly excluding rent. Some live for less and some for more depending
on their lifestyles.
When you take
into account all of these factors and such intangibles as a more peaceful
and laid back way of life - no price is too high to pay for living in a
unique tropical paradise like Costa Rica. Housing is only a fraction of
the cost it is in most prime area of the United States and hired help is
a steal. A full-time maid costs around $10 per day. Utilities
such telephones, electricity and water are much lower than in North America.
Public transportation is excellent and very inexpensive, so you don't really
need a car.
Costa Rica
is a healthy country. |
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| The average
life expectancy of 76.3 years is rumored to be the third in the world.
The country has an up-to-date medical system with hospitals, clinics and
complete medical services in all major cities and some towns. Costa
Rica has been considered by numerous international medical authorities
as having one of the best low-cost medical care systems in the world, when
considering preventative and curative medicine. Cosmetic surgery is affordable
and Costa Rica's plactic surgeons are among the world's best.
There are also
many tax advantages to living in Costa Rica. Investors pay no capital gains
taxes on real estate, business taxes are minimal and high interest bank
accounts are tax free. Property taxes are also reasonable when compared
to the U.S.
If you choose
to go into business, the government offers incentives. |
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Offshore
Resources Gallery
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| You may also
form a tax sheltered corporation and write off most of your business expenses.
Foreigners are not required to pay taxes on external income. Internet connections
average around $25 a month and the service is excellent making it very
feasible to do business on a global level.
For those who
wish to buy, housing prices start at about $35,000 with financing available.
Beach front property may be purchased but is usually expensive.
On top of allthe
above, Costa Rica is considered a single man's paradise. Costa Rican women
have an unparalleled reputation as being the most beautiful, flirtatious
and accessible women in the Latin America including Brazil. The ladies
of Costa Rica are more warm-hearted and eternally devoted than their North
American counterparts. They consider you a joy. A man doesn't have to be
rich to meet women here - an $1000 Social Security check translates into
a millionaires pay in Costa Rica. Middle age men can find the "Fountain
of Youth" here since age does not seem to pose an obstacle when
meeting women. One man we met who previously resided in Mexico stated,
"For every good looking women in Mexico there are twenty to thirty gorgeous
women here."
In sum, this
beautiful little country has the warmth and flavor of Mexico, without the
anti-Americanism and fear of expropriations, the physical beauty of Guatemala
without a large military presence and climate of fear, the sophistication
of Brazil without the abject poverty or violent crime and more winter sunshine
than Hawaii of Florida with fewer people.
If you would like help in purchasing a property for retirement contact us here or call 866-403-1345 and we will walk you through the process of rediscovering paradise. |
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Article
Index ~ Costa
Rica Index ~ |
