daveandmarcia
American expat in Costa Rica
Forum posts
357
Contacts
4
About me
American
Registration: 03 February 2023
Activity
Anything like a cashier's check / money order available in Costa Rica? by wondering9
Hello everyone, newbie here, writing on the off chance that someone might have a clue on this --I'm currently in San Jose, trying to gather my US documents for a residency application. (Yes, I know that's not the ideal way to do it, but it is what ...
This post is living proof of Americans who come to Costa Rica to make their life harder and more complicated....It is just the beginning... - @edwinemoraHaving been here for over 20 years, I can attest to the fact that Costa Rican bureaucracy, both ... Read More
Anything like a cashier's check / money order available in Costa Rica? by wondering9
Hello everyone, newbie here, writing on the off chance that someone might have a clue on this --I'm currently in San Jose, trying to gather my US documents for a residency application. (Yes, I know that's not the ideal way to do it, but it is what ...
wondering9, your dilemma is a real one. The simplest thing would be to get a friend or relative in the States to "run" these errands for you. That might involve chasing around to the Post Office or their bank for payment, but you could be confident ... Read More
Starlink subscription by janswhite
I鈥檓 living here in ciudad colon and thinking about Starlink subscription I鈥檓 an American and would like to know can I get it all in English and is it possible to make a link into the US so I can get all my streaming because they all come ...
Trying to sort this out . . .Your Internet Service Provider (could be Starlink, Kolbe, etc) gives you access to the Internet. From there, the router that's part of the Starlink "kit" connects to the Internet. Once you're connected to the Internet, ... Read More
Thinking about moving from Puerto Rico to Costa Rica by Joseph jacopelle
hello everyone please you can call me Joey I'm pretty informal I'm new here so I introduce myself you guys feel free to introduce yourself I could use some expat help that's for sure I'm clueless I know a little bit of Spanish from Puerto Rico just ...
My understanding is that your SSDI benefit will expire when you become eligible for your Social Security Old Age benefit. Since your SSDI benefit is not guaranteed for life, I think it will not qualify you for legal residency as a pensionado. Then, ... Read More
Costa Rica Rentista Visa: Need U.S. CPA for the income letter by gnostic
Hey everyone, I am currently pulling my hair out over the Rentista visa paperwork and hoping someone here has a solution or a contact.I easily exceed the $2,500/month income requirement through passive investment cash flow from my U.S. brokerage ...
I don't know if this will help or not, but it's worth investigating. Instead of trying to get a U.S.-based accountant to provide the document(s) you need, how about trying a "Public Accountant"* here in Costa Rica. The last time we went through this ... Read More
Lets crack a joke in this stress life by Guest6847
Many of us struggle with stress鈥揳t work and in our personal life. Like any problem, stress requires a strategic approach to conquer, or at least manage. Stress is real, but we always have a choice鈥搘e can let it consume us or we learn to ...
Rene Descartes walks into a bar and orders a martini. "Would you like an olive with that?", asks the bartender. "I think not", replies Rene and POOF!!, he disappears. Read More
Relocating with art - paintings and pastels by kathleentitus
I would like to move to Costa Rica from Michigan and my most important belongings are my large oil paintings and pastels. I am wondering how safe it is to ship fragile, sentimental items like one's own oil paintings and pastel with a mover? I am ...
In 2005, we moved from the beach in North Carolina to Costa Rica. That move was contingent on being able to bring our artwork, rugs and Labrador retriever. I did all the packing except for Max. It was a lot of work, but everything arrived intact. I ... Read More
Visiting CR at end of March 2025 by bpwald
Hi, my husband and I live in the Washington DC area and are considering retirement locations. We're looking at not-too-hot and humid places like the central valley in CR. Anyone with suggestions of towns to consider, places to go during our visit, ...
The fact, if it really is a fact and not yet another figment of edwines' vivid imagination, that a third of Costa Rica's population are Mora only serves to prove that even the least among us are, nevertheless, good at something. It certainly has ... Read More
Visiting CR at end of March 2025 by bpwald
Hi, my husband and I live in the Washington DC area and are considering retirement locations. We're looking at not-too-hot and humid places like the central valley in CR. Anyone with suggestions of towns to consider, places to go during our visit, ...
W. Edwards Deming emphasized data's crucial role in decision-making, famously stating, "In God we trust; all others must bring data," and "Without data, you're just another person with an ... Read More
Relocating and business opportunities. by egatewood
Moving, Cost of living, business opportunities
The cost of living in Costa Rica depends on your needs and wants. If you can be satisfied with what's locally available, there are plenty of affordable options. If you need or want a higher lifestyle, it'll cost you more. The point is that there ... Read More
Expat banking in CR by CR Jeanne
Afternnon all:What can ya'll tell me about banking in CR? I'll be a Pensionada temp resident when I arrive in June of next year. Im thinking I'll just transfer auto-transfer my monthly Social Security direct deposit from my US credit union into ...
edwinamora, above you wrote ". . Just getting residency for foreigners in Costa Rica is a scam . . .". In what sense of the term is getting residency in Costa Rica a "scam"? Are you saying that there are people who say they can and will move your ... Read More
Visiting CR at end of March 2025 by bpwald
Hi, my husband and I live in the Washington DC area and are considering retirement locations. We're looking at not-too-hot and humid places like the central valley in CR. Anyone with suggestions of towns to consider, places to go during our visit, ...
Many, many interesting insights and observations. Allow me to add one more . . .When we landed in Costa Rica, we resolved to use the local currency (colones, that is) to the greatest extent possible. That has worked very well for us and we'll ... Read More
Autovalor for honda? by Gabardis
There is no honda brand in the list of brands! How do I estimate what is autovalor cost of honda accord?
Help me understand . . . Just what information are you seeking, and why? If you're trying to estimate import duty, that's one thing. If you're trying to resell the vehicle and need to know how much to ask, that's another. Or maybe you're trying to ... Read More
Translate feature on my phone by HOMERFROMLAWTON
i was trying to use lens feature on my phone and found out i has a translate feature. Going to be my crutch until i learn Spanish. i speak in English and it repeats in Spanish, you speak in Spanish and i hear English. Too little too late. i had ...
Apple's translation app serves us well as does Google Translate when we're online. I'm sure the Android app store will have similar offerings. I don't see a need for a separate translator.Waze is a location/direction finder which some users use to ... Read More
Managing mailboxes or PO boxes in Costa Rica by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Something as simple as receiving mail can become a whole new experience when you settle in Costa Rica as an expat. Mailing management can indeed be different from what you are used to. In order to help other expats and soon-to-be ...
We have used AeroPost for 20 years. They'll give you an address in Florida and deliver your mail and packages to their store nearest your home in Costa Rica. see www.aeropost.com There are other similar services including at least JetBox and ... Read More