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Relocating to Costa Rica means more than beautiful beaches - Yes, Costa Rica has beautiful beaches, beautiful mountains, awesome panoramas, but Costa Rica is also a very cultured nation with art museums, good entertainment, ballet, and a wide variety of activities that make living there an ongoing delight. The real estate is a bargain compared with the U.S.A. and Canada and you don't have to be a resident to buy it. And there is more, much more, 147 pages of information on why you want to move to Costa Rica and how to do it. Now a report by Christopher Howard that covers everything you need to know about relocating to Costa Rica - Click Here to learn more about Costa Rica -

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. 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.

"Why Costa Rica?" No stranger to Costa Rica fans, Christopher Howard has written extensively on the nation. He has lived in Costa Rica and Latin America for the better part of the last thirty years.  He is married to a Costa Rican and has a 10-year old son. He conducts retirement and relocation trips to Costa Rica in conjunction with Live in Costa Rica Tours. For information call TOLL FREE 800-365-2342. By Christopher Howard Escape From America Magazine Newsletter Index Learn to speak Spanish More on Costa Rica Submit an Article to EFAN Subscriptions are Free

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. 

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...
 

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.

Read Christopher Howard On Costa Rica Mr. Howard is also the author and publisher of the 14th edition of the best-selling travel/investment/overseas living guidebook, "The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica" ISBN 1-881233-58-8. This guide may be found in all major U.S. and Canadian bookstores, on the Internet through amazon.com or be ordered directly by calling 800-365-2342 or by writing to: Costa Rica Books, Suite 1 SJO 981, P.O. Box 025216, Miami, Fl 33102-5216. The cost is $17.79 and eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.

Costa Rica is a healthy country. 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. 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. 

Christopher Howard has a Master's degree in Spanish and has lived in Costa Rica and Latin America for the better part of the last thirty years.  He is married to a Costa Rican and has a 10-year ol son. he conducts retirement and relocation trips to Costa Rica in conjunction with The Overseas Retirement Network. For information call 888-535-5289. 

Howard just released the first and only guidebook, "Living and Investing in the New Cuba." It is available by mail from Costa Rica Books at the address above and from amazon.com. The price of this unique 270-page guide is $29.95 + $3.00 postage and handling.