Living Overseas Costa Rica [Paperback]

Living Overseas Books (Author)

Book Description

Series: Living Overseas | Publication Date: January 1, 2000

A Reference Book This guidebook addresses just about every issue newcomers must know before making the step to live full-or part-time in Costa Rica. You will learn about the cost of living ($1200 for a couple), residency requirements, places to live, banking issues, finding a job, starting a small business, and our new self-guided tour to expatriate hot spots, and much, much more.

Youll meet important contacts to make your move smoother, and learn about 14 people just like yourself whove made the move and are currently living a successful life in Costa Rica. There are over 30 photos of everyday life, so you can see for yourself things like what a $30,000 Costa Rican home looks like.

If your thinking of living full- or part-time there, reading this compact , fact-filled reference book is your best first step.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A very important and helpful book that foreigners should have if they are planning to live in Costa Rica. -- Patricia Murillo-Valverde, General Counsel of Costa Rica, Los Angeles, California

An excellent purchase for those thinking about moving down........ (Carol Weir, Tico Times Newspaper (No.1 English newspaper in Costa Rica), Costa Rica) -- (Carol Weir, Tico Times Newspaper, No.1 English newspaper in Costa Rica)

Excellent book....this [book} will help answer many of the questions newcomers ask. -- Ana Paris, General Counsel of Costa Rica, San Diego, California ,letter to publisher

About the Author

Why I chose Costa Rica. Hi readers, Back in 1992 I decided there had to be something better than Northern California's dreary winters, one hour commutes, and high cost of living. It was time to get out of the "rat race" and move to a warm, faraway place, to enjoy life on simpler terms. I decided to move to Costa Rica based on a trip I had recently taken. Why Costa Rica? I stayed with a friend who lived in a Costa Rican neighborhood and instantly feel in love with the friendly "Tico's". But it also was the Saturday mornings practicing my Spanish in the town square, learning to dance salsa and just enjoying waking-up everyday in 73 degree weather, year round. And most importantly, my small savings would give me the time to start a business or find a job for salary.

What I naively left out of my decision-making process before I moved were the more practical concerns that would have made my transition to life in Costa Rica much eaiser. I should have found out answers to questions like: Where's a good place to live? Do I need a Costa Rican drivers license? Are foreigners permitted to work? Do I need residency to start a small business or work? Are there bank accounts in dollars and how should I bring my money? Where can I meet other gringo's?

Living Overseas Costa Rica is the book I wish I had back in 1992 when I first moved there. It includes only the most "important topics" that, as someone who has been through the process I feel are the most relevant for the newcomer who wants to live full or part-time there. I hope you find our book helpful. "Pura Vida" Robert Johnston

P.S. I lived in Costa Rica for 5 years and now reside in Florida, a short 2 hour flight to Costa Rica.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Living Overseas Books; 7th edition (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966242149
• ISBN-13: 978-0966242140
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,957,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save Your Money, January 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Living Overseas Costa Rica (Paperback)

My wife and I just read this guidebook. The cover is nice and it does contain some general information. However, the information about the car taxes is inaccurate. It doesn't reflect the new changes in taxes. The part about a couple being able to live on $1000 is way off base. You may call or the Costa Rican Residents Association and ask them what kind of a lifestyle a couple can have on $1000 a month. They recommend $1500 to $2000 to have a decent life here. Clearly the author hasn't done his research.

My husband and I are shocked that this book extolls the virtues of the Hotel del Rey. Said establishment exploits women shamelessly by letting prostitution flourish there. šThey even bill themselves as the "Largest Brothel in Cenral America" and have a photo of the owner in this guidebook. We've stayed at the hotel and were shocked by what happens there. There was a shooting at the Del Rey last week and several people were woulded including a tourist.

I don't see how the book can recommend that hotel given the above.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This Guide is not up to date!, March 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Living Overseas Costa Rica (Paperback)

I just used this book here in Costa Rica and found that some of the info. wasn't correct. As the Residents Asociation states the cost of living is much higher than as described in this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Living Oveseas Costa Rica, February 28, 2000

By 

Reader from Florida (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living Overseas Costa Rica (Paperback)

Having just returned from an extended trip to Costa Rica I can say this book answered many of my questions I had. The housing section was very helpful and some real estate agents mentioned that they refer to it with their new clients. Many of the contacts listed in the book were also helpful.