Month: November 2012

Migrators

Keeping a property “back home” and having a property in Costa Rica is a common device used by many here in The Zone (Costa Ballena). This is especially evident this time of year as we transition into the dry season and familiar faces that have not been seen for some months start to reappear.

Retirees: once again a mainstay of expat residents in Costa Rica. These have the financial wherewithal to keep a home here in Costa Rica, as well as “back home”. This is a rather common scenario for migrators.

Canadians: This group of migrators is in an almost enforced pattern of migration. Canada has a socialized medical system that seems to work pretty well. However, in order to qualify for this health care, they must spend (and this varies by province), roughly half of the year in their home in Canada.

Most provinces and territories also require residents to be physically present 183 days annually, and provide evidence of their intent to return to the province. (Click for reference)

I have some Canadian clients who had intended to fully relocate to Costa Rica. Upon discovering this fact about qualifying for health care, their plans changed and they became migrators.

Life-stylers: this flavor of migrators have the enviable status of being able to maintain a home here as well as “back home”. They come for the season of their choice, and then spend the rest of their time in whatever pursuits they have elsewhere.

Upside / Downside:

With a single visit, it becomes apparent that Costa Rica is popular for a reason. One can actually relax here.

Quieting down the internal dialogue, when once experienced, becomes important.

Read more

I have dedicated much of the past 7 years of my life to working in real estate in The Zone, now commonly known as the Costa Ballena. Despite having closed our office, I would like for the accumulated experience of those years to continue to be of service to those looking to move, live or simply invest here in Costa Rica. It turns out that my toe is indeed staying in the industry, and interestingly, in a rather passive way.

I have not yet announced my new consultation service, but it has begun, simply due to e-mails and phone and Skype calls from people who read this blog, or word of mouth publicity.

The sub-text to this article comes from a phone call that I received 2 days ago from a young couple in Oregon. I had worked with the man’s parents, showing them property a couple of years back. They make up an interesting and growing demographic for The Zone: people moving to Costa Rica that want to simplify, and lessen their dependence on utility companies, grocery stores, and even the government. In other words: off the grid-ers.

I love the way he put this. I think that this one line “not looking to reform the system, but instead create a parallel” to the existing one, typifies what so many feel in today’s world. His call resulted in an initial Skype consultation that lasted more than an hour between his wife, himself and me and dealt with topics ranging from finding a re-location property, getting residency, cost of living, bringing a family-member-dog, buying versus bringing a car, home-schooling, health care and so on.

In my recent visits to the States, and also in discussions here in The Zone with visitors and expats, I observe a trend away from reforming the existing system.In one statement, he effectively voiced a sentiment that seems to be gaining ground these days. The feeling that the current system is in a state of decay. What I appreciate about this statement is that this is not a defeatist position. Instead, he wishes to create a parallel way of living. Well put man! And I think that living in Costa Rica offers a viable option for this strategy.

Read more