Thank you for the welcome.
I've been considering a prolonged visit to CR with the possibility of expatriation. Of all the Central American countries I've read about, CR looks to be the best bet. Actually Panama looks good also but I admit I have some unearned prejudice about Panama.
I guess my prejudice arose from movies like "A Taylor in Panama" and a few WWII stories from an uncle. I think it has to do with temperature more than anything else. I lived in Charleston, SC for 7 yrs and Florida for about 8 years. Humid heat is not new to me but it's never been enjoyable. My image of Panama is a sweat box.
I like what I've read about the Central Valley of CR. Perfect environment from what I've seen so far.
I'm 63, and have a fixed income of about $3,000 per month, that may increase once I settle a V. A. disability claim.
I'm not in the best of health but nothing debilitating as yet. My youngest son however is 30 and fully disabled. As a paraplegic, he has had some scary infections in the past but I guess it's just a quick flight to the US if he has a persistent problem. In case of an emergency, I don't know if my VA disability or his Medicare would support or pay for any medical expenses.
I stay busy by buying and selling on e-bay. Not for the money but as the reason I get up in the morning and go looking for treasures that make me $5 or $50. It not a question of how much, rather it's a question of how busy I am, if that makes sense.
I may be interested in importing Central American products through the internet. Again, not for the money as much as for my own pride.
I've also dabbled in the arts. My hobbies have always been making things. As a teen, I made music. As an adult I've done some painting and also some glass blowing. Neither of which I've been able to do lately for lack of space or climate. I love to cook as well and have oft-times wondered if I missed my true profession in return for the all mighty dollar. So I'd say, "yes! I'm ready for some laid back time."
Why go expat?
I'm just a born loner I guess. My father died when I was very young and I was an only child. I was raised by my mother who had a very close relationship to her immediate family while I always felt like the odd man out. All my cousins came from big families and were much closer and more dependent on the "Clan" life than I was. I had to be self sufficient!
I did two terms in the Navy and always felt more at home on a Navy base than I ever did in our version of little Italy in Buffalo, NY. (But oh! Do I miss the food!)
I love to visit my family but I never feel at home when I'm with them.
I've lived in NY, northern Ca., S.C., Fla., Conn. and N.C. as well as some travel to Europe and the Carribean.
I'd love to be able to have 50% discretionary income. I live well within my means but never feel financially secure for some reason. Also, I am very unsettled by the fiscal instability we live with here in the US.
I also have a few other issues.
I'm a Viet Nam era vet who went through the Pariah Scourge of the 70's. I've always considered myself a very liberal guy, as in, not judging others but always voted for conservative values. I've never agreed with my generation's belief of, "If it feels good, do it!" I've always been driven by how my choices affect the lives I touch!
Liberalism is a misnomer for people who expect every one to conform to their way of thinking! Where is the liberalism in that? Needless to say I am politically independent as are 60% of Americans who can't make the commitment to blind party allegiance!
What is my biggest problem in living in America?
I know many will take this in the wrong context but, I'm tired of listening to people who put this country of ours down but have never done one damned thing to make it better themselves. We live in an era of "gimme people!"
I don't feel anyone has the right to expect everything from their country but have never offered a damn thing in return; like donating time to their community, as a Scout Leader or serving in the armed forces, volunteering to make their community better, cleaner, safer or supporting the people who do. The kind of people who can't understand why a fireman would volunteer to enter a burning building to save a human being, let alone a pet!
I never thought I would live in an age when less than 1 out of every 100 people I meet, have never even considered military service or when someone I've met is dubvious of me, after they find out I volunteered to serve my country. Where I grew up, veterans were venerated for their contribution. If I had my druthers, I would make 6 months military duty mandatory as a prerequisite for the right to vote. I would also suspend voting rights to anyone receiving their income through any social services. If you're not paying taxes, you should have no vote in the appropriation or distribution of those taxes.
It may sound like I'm bitter but I'm not. I'm just tired of living with ungrateful people. I am already an ex-pat in my own country! That happens a lot with people who were raised in closed societies like any "Little Italy or China Town where children were raised with the ideals that their families brought to this country at the turn of the previous century. I may have grown up in this country but our ideals were those of our grandparents and those ideals were closely guarded and heavily administered by our neighborhood societies. Socially, we lived in societies that were 50 years older than the rest of America.
What attraction do I see in CR?
The laid back lifestyle for one. Once I hit 60, and couldn't work anymore, I looked back on my life as a frenzied race to nowhere special. There is a time and a season for all things. I no longer see things as hurdles to clear but as steps to take, even if I have to climb them with a cane.
Basically what I've learned since then is this: You can't change the past so don't dwell on it! You can't change the future because you don't have any idea what it will throw at you! The only thing you can do well is live, work and love in the present. It is after all, the only thing you have control over.
So far that is the lifestyle I think CR is all about.
I'm still quite away from making the leap. My life here is needed for those I love but I'm getting to the point where my family can lose their safety net. Besides, I'd love an excuse to have my family visit for more than a day or a week end. They would also benefit from having a place to escape the rat race from time to time... a place to objectively question their own choices in life.
So, again let me thank you all for your welcome. If nothing else, your lives have me making dreams instead of the goals I've always set for myself. I think this is the season for dreams.
Considering a prolonged visit to CR with possibility of expatriation
The main problem I would see if that Costa Rica is not good territory for someone with a mobility disability. The sidewalks are virtually non-existant or full of holes. If a wheelchair is used, motorized or hand propelled, it is usually in the road, which is very dangerous.
The social healthcare network may not be the best for him, and personally I would advise you against relying on the care as many facilities are outdated, but you must check these out for yourself. You cannot choose which facility to use, but are required to use the one in your immediate neighborhood. Neither can you pick your doctor, but use the one on call who may or not speak English.
It will probably take a year or more to be covered by CAJA, the health care care system here, and to see a specialist can take a year or more, so you would require medical insurance. Most companies here do not cover pre-existing conditions although yourself would probably be covered at the Veterans Care Center in Heredia.
Public buses are supposedly able to accept wheelchairs, but one shouldn't rely on this.
Getting suitable accomadations would also be a concern, since few homes have wide enough doorways & hallways to accept wheel chairs and bathrooms tend to be very small. Accessing stores, restaurants will also be a problem. While there are ramps into some facilities, they tend to be very steep.
While using ebay is also popular here, receiving items may mean you have to use a broker, pay high duty & taxes and travel to a specific location to pick up your goods, so no 'door to door' delivery.
I would strongly advise you to come and see for yourself what is or is not available to fulfil your needs.
*Most of the rural roads are gravel so could make the wheelchair difficult to manouvre, especially in our extended rainy season.
Another question on earning in CR. My hobby has been art for quite a while. Would I be able to sell my art in CR? I've thought about using my glass blowing hobby to sell in tourist shops. I always made good money selling what I make at work or at flea markets. I could also do low cost oil paintings of wild life or scenery.
I can think of many products I could make and sell to the public. Would I be able to sell wholesale to shops, or could I sell items direct to tourists at open markets? I'm talking low key, work when I want, sell when I feel like going to town etc.
As a Pensionado or if in another Temporary status you are not permitted to 'physically work' until a Permanant Resident, which will take approx 5 years from your initial application.
You could make your items at your residence here and offer them for sale on the internet.
You may be able to get a special temporary permit which is only valid for 1 (one) year, but you can't have that and a Pensionado residency status; it must be one or the other.
Dear cuppacoffee,
Very good points! I had no idea there was a vet center in the country. If I purchase ex-pat insurance for my son, will we still have to wait in line at the neighborhood health center, or will it be more like American Insurance where we can choose our doctors? Would I need to pay expat insurance too?Dear
I also thought one of the posts mentioned having to pay income tax on money brought into the country. Would that include my sons SS Disability income or my non-taxable retirement income? I did not mention his income earlier. What if some of mine comes from IRA accounts. Would that be taxable in CR? I didn't think about having to pay taxes unless I was a permanent resident.
My son's disability is slightly under $1,000 a month. Would that keep him from entering the country for months at a time or is that only if you become a permanent resident?
Your son would be your dependant since he is totally reliable on you, under the Pensionado program. He would be covered by your healthcare account, which is good or at least acceptable, in an emergency situation.
At this time, you do not have to declare your income from the USA or pay tax on it. You only declare your Pension for your residency application, and your premium will be based on this. If you 'pass away' before your status is permanant, your son will have to reapply for his own if his disability payment is at least $1000 or return to the US. If you are both Permanant residents, his payments are not a concern to immigration.
When using private healtchcare you make an appointment and go to their location, which is usually very swift, and pay accordingly or contact your insurer,
I just read on your other thread, that your son drives, so that could make a differance in that he may not be considered 'fully disabled or totally dependant' on you, so he may have to apply separately for Residency and in that case, he must have a 'guaranteed for life pension' of $1000 and if even $5 less, it is not acceptable.
I don't think that this will be a problem, but ou would be advised to speak with a lawyer in regards to this issue
He would then, have to have his own healthcare account.
Thank you for the info. Yes he does drive. He has had jobs also in the past but invariably he ends up in the hospital when he does. It could be a problem at the moment to insure an income or $!,000 per month for him but I'm sure we could figure something out.
Hello dominic135 and cupacoffee,
A new thread has been created from some of your posts on the Costa Rica forum so that you may better interact.
Cheers, 
Bhavna
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