Living the Good Life by Retiring in Costa Rica
If you are considering making a move after you reach retirement age, you will find that there are many advantages to retiring in Costa Rica. It is a beautiful land with abundant plant and animal life. Not only that, but there are many activities for you if you are retiring in Costa Rica.
Before you decide whether you are retiring in Costa Rica or not, you should see it first hand. There are tours designed for the person thinking of retiring in Costa Rica in mind. You can see a sampling of Costa Rican homes and find out the best locations to buy a home. You can also get information from Americans who have moved there.
If you would rather explore the country on your own, you can make the trip and stay in one of Costa Rica’s fine hotels or other accommodations. You can stay in the country on a tourist’s visa for three months. This is a good amount of time to determine if you are interested to live in Costa Rica.
When you come on your own, you will need to find a real estate agent. The agent can help you explore the housing market available to those retiring in Costa Rica. Beware of scam artists that pass themselves off as real estate agents.
A reputable agent will do business with those retiring in Costa Rica in a professional way. If you are in doubt, you can get information from any of several sources. One is the Costa Rican American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM). They can sometimes tell you when an agent is bad news. Remember that in Costa Rica, the rule is “let the buyer beware.”
One way to find out about the culture and the details of retiring in Costa Rica is going to a gringo bar. These bars are good places where you can find foreigners who have moved to Costa Rica. They will be more than happy to discuss with you all about their own experiences of retiring in Costa Rica.
One thing you might learn about retiring in Costa Rica is the rules for taxes. Sales taxes on goods and services are about thirteen percent. Your pensions and any money coming from another country will not be taxed. However, if you earn any money in Costa Rica, you will have to pay taxes. There are property taxes for those retiring in Costa Rica, but they are low.
If you do decide on retiring in Costa Rica, you might want to become a resident. You can become a pensionado by simply collecting $600 or more in pension or Social Security income. You will be required to exchange at least $600 from dollars to colones. You will also need to live in the country a certain portion of the year.
Once you become a pensionado, you have many rights and privileges of retiring in Costa Rica. You will have healthcare and many other benefits. This is important because those retiring in Costa Rica will find a very good healthcare system in place.
There are many reasons for retiring in Costa Rica. Perhaps you like the scenery. Maybe you are attracted by the low cost of living. Whatever the reason you come, retiring in Costa Rica can be a very happy choice. |