Kip Larsen
@KipLarsen
American looking for information about Costa Rica
Forum posts
9
About me
American
Lives in Vacaville, CA
Speaks English and a little Spanish
Registration: 03 May 2013
About
My expat journey
Costa Rica
Vacaville, CA, USA
My wife, Margaret and I moved into this house a few months before we were married in 1999. We have cared for four horses, had a herd of goats for a few years that we sold for meat, we raise our own chickens for meat and eggs, and one or two beef cattle for our beef.
Visual Effects Producer for motion pictures and television.
I am born and raised in Northern California. Our 5 acre property sits near the top of a small hill in the foothills of the Vaca Mountains, a small mountain range on the western edge of California's Central Valley. We can see the Sierra Mountains across the valley to the east and have fantastic sunrises and sunsets. The summers are hot and dry. We get about 25 inches of rain in an average year, the majority of which falls from mid December to mid April.
We are 90 minutes from the ocean, 30 minutes from one of the largest lakes in California, 30 minutes from the California Delta, 2.5 hours from snow skiing resorts in the Sierra Nevada mountains. There are dozens of rivers and streams to fish all within 30 minutes to a couple of hours away.
Vacaville used to be a small town but now has a population pushing 100,000 and is becoming more of a "city" than a "town".
I am not fond of the COLD RAINY winters. Even though our winters are mild by the standards of many - it has snowed only twice in the 14 years we have lived here and when it does it doesn't stay on the ground long if at all. But I just don't like the COLD!! I don't like it when the daytime temperature doesn't get over 60.
Activity
Handling uncertainty of visa expiration date by terig
How are others handling the issue of exits and border runs when you don't know if you will be stamped for 90 days on your entry? I had thought we could fly in from the U.S., make a border run at 90 days, and fly back to U.S. at the 180 day mark. ...
*IF* you've never been here before I'd agree with cupa about the residency application but I didn't get that from your post. I received "the "legal papers saying [my] application [was] being considered" within a week of ... Read More
Handling uncertainty of visa expiration date by terig
How are others handling the issue of exits and border runs when you don't know if you will be stamped for 90 days on your entry? I had thought we could fly in from the U.S., make a border run at 90 days, and fly back to U.S. at the 180 day mark. ...
A couple of things about your plan. The shortened Visa stamps are generally given to people who are "perpetual tourists" - someone who has not applied for residency and leaves every 90 days because they have to - it really isn't a ... Read More
HELP!!! Need good moving company from US to Costa Rica. by KatiaSunshine
Has anyone moved from US to Costa Rica recently? Any recommendations on a good moving company? We need to move two cars and all of our house furniture, clothing and kids stuff. Anything we should be aware of? All input is greatly appreciated it!
Where in the US are you moving from? How much of the preparation do you want to do yourself - are you looking for door-to-door service that you do not have to think about or are you willing to do some of the ground work yourself? Read More
Work in Costa Rica by ODAN
Hi all I need to ask about the sitaution of jobs and work. I am in my late 30's and Designer by Profession looking forward americas as my next destination. I am a Asian Designer living in Dubai. and now a days making search on dfferent central and ...
I am currently in process of applying for a cedula (residency) and working with a lawyer in Escazu that I am very happy with. It is not true that you have to KEEP $60K in a bank. You only have to deposit $2500/month in a COSTA RICA bank for a ... Read More
*Planning on moving to costa rica few questions *HELP :))) by teachdejaD
Hello everyone I am planning on moving to Costa Rica by next year. I have been searching and doing my own information but there are a few questions that I still have. I was hoping anyone can help me answer them if not all some. It would be greatly ...
All great suggestions except please, NEVER give your dog any kind of sedative when flying. A sedative can cause your animal to suffer respiratory failure! Read More
Hi everyone! Newbie here, just a bit of info. by Lauratort
Hey all! Just found this site and think it's a fantastic idea! My husband and I are planning early retirement in Central America and have been drifting toward Costa Rica for a while now. You know that when you first begin searching for relocation ...
Deborah, how can I get more info on your apartments? My wife and I plan on spending one month near the end of this year, mid November to mid December in the Central Valley. One of your apartments could be just the thing we are looking for. Read More
Spanish Language by jerry reidelbach
Hi, my name is jerry and I would like some advice on the best method of learning Spanish. I am in my late 60's and plan on moving to CR.If there is a course or something I could immerse my self in prior to moving to learn the basics until I get ...
I guess you can't insert direct links in replys. The name of the Spanish language program that I like is: Rocket Spanish. Google it. Read More
Spanish Language by jerry reidelbach
Hi, my name is jerry and I would like some advice on the best method of learning Spanish. I am in my late 60's and plan on moving to CR.If there is a course or something I could immerse my self in prior to moving to learn the basics until I get ...
I tried a lot of different learning programs and this is the one that has worked best for me: rocketlanguages.com/spanish/ Rosetta Stone and many other "immersive" programs don't explain enough about why (for instance) verbs are conjugated and ... Read More
motor scooters by jerry reidelbach
Hi,I will be moving to CR soon and would like to know what the requirements where on riding motor scooters in CR?
Ummm.... NONE?! OK... had to laugh when I read this and the above answer is a bit tongue in cheek but... I've seen entire FAMILIES on ONE scooter... no helmets, puttering down the road. Although the police wear nice helmets on their scooters so ... Read More