Retiring in Costa Rica pro's / cons - moving around (years, restaurant, best)
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I don't comprehend why anyone would retire in another country.
As I noted, my friend sets up in Nicaragua because he can live right on the ocean on the cheap. No tourists. Not a lot of rules and laws.
I've questioned him about the unrest in the country and he says it isn't where he is at and he's had zero issues. No one harassing him over smoking a bit.
I do believe it comes down to personal comfort levels. Some people are comfortable living in a foreign country while others aren't.
For myself, I have dual citizenship with a very small European country (Rep of San Marino) but wasn't born there although I spent much of my childhood there and can speak Italian fairly well. I already have a passport from there and can move there anytime I want to. Still, I don't do it because it just feels kind of uncomfortable to me. I would always be looked at as a foreigner and even though it's Western Europe, has a very high GDP, universal healthcare, I can't picture myself living there permanently.
As I noted, my friend sets up in Nicaragua because he can live right on the ocean on the cheap. No tourists. Not a lot of rules and laws.
I've questioned him about the unrest in the country and he says it isn't where he is at and he's had zero issues. No one harassing him over smoking a bit.
"Not a lot of rules and laws" has both pluses and minuses, and the minuses can be pretty damn minus. As for unrest in the country not reaching him, what if it does? We have protests in USA, but nothing like they experienced in Nicaragua last year. It's a completely different level of civil unrest that shouldn't be dismissed as easily as not in my neighborhood.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lovnova
Please, the two cannot be compared.
I'm not even sure where this comment is going, I assume you think one is so far superior the comparison is ludicrous but I'm not sure which country it is.
"Not a lot of rules and laws" has both pluses and minuses, and the minuses can be pretty damn minus. As for unrest in the country not reaching him, what if it does? We have protests in USA, but nothing like they experienced in Nicaragua last year. It's a completely different level of civil unrest that shouldn't be dismissed as easily as not in my neighborhood.
Costa Rica is an amazing country. You can jump on a bus and go across the country and feel completely safe. The bus might make a stop or two at a little roadside stand where everyone can step off and grab a bite and stretch their legs. People in that country are respectful of others. We walked all over downtown San Jose at night, no concerns, and we're not naive travelers.
I do believe it comes down to personal comfort levels. Some people are comfortable living in a foreign country while others aren't.
For myself, I have dual citizenship with a very small European country (Rep of San Marino) but wasn't born there although I spent much of my childhood there and can speak Italian fairly well. I already have a passport from there and can move there anytime I want to. Still, I don't do it because it just feels kind of uncomfortable to me. I would always be looked at as a foreigner and even though it's Western Europe, has a very high GDP, universal healthcare, I can't picture myself living there permanently.
I don't have the dual citizenship, but it's there for the asking anytime I want it. But I have no desire to live in Europe. I wouldn't know anyone and I've forgotten the language, so there would be that hurdle. I'm a first generation American who has traveled all over the world and I have no interest in living anywhere else. I'm staying put here. And like you, I would always be considered an outsider, especially since I'm retired military.
Costa Rica is an amazing country. You can jump on a bus and go across the country and feel completely safe. The bus might make a stop or two at a little roadside stand where everyone can step off and grab a bite and stretch their legs. People in that country are respectful of others. We walked all over downtown San Jose at night, no concerns, and we're not naive travelers.
Costa Rica is an amazing country. You can jump on a bus and go across the country and feel completely safe. The bus might make a stop or two at a little roadside stand where everyone can step off and grab a bite and stretch their legs. People in that country are respectful of others. We walked all over downtown San Jose at night, no concerns, and we're not naive travelers.
I'm glad you had a great time and agree Costa Rica is relatively safe (especially compared to rest of Central America) but San Jose does have some areas best avoided, especially at night.
But I have no desire to live in Europe. I wouldn't know anyone and I've forgotten the language, so there would be that hurdle.
I couldn't live in Europe year round either because it's too cold. We're here May-Sep, then fleeing when temps start to drop to a ride out the winter in a warmer continent.
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