new member

[adventuro]

Hi, I have been reading this board for quite sometime but have had difficulty figuring out how to join............so much for my  computer literacy..........anyway I appreciate all the posts and it all helps me in my process to get to know a calena.........I have lived quite a few months the last several years in costa rica and have traveled to colombia a few times.  anyway I want to see if this gets posted..........have a few questions I would like to ask the experts.........adios

[Pete E]

... in response to new member, posted by adventuro on Feb 26, 2004

I am interseted in your experience with Costa Rica.Wayne who used to post here moved his sailboat business to Costa Rica but hated it there.He said without his Colombian wife the Ticos would have ate him alive.He had nothing good to say about them.The business was succcessfull and he was able to sell it and move back to California.
My impression is since they were the first Central American country to really welcome forieners that prices are high relative to other latin countries and there is sort of a socialist type government that protects tico workers to the point of gross ineffciency.
What does a beach front lot cost now?Minimum,average,in a location that is good,no problems?
How do you compare it to Colombia?To me Colombia has it all but security.

Pete

[Gator]

... in response to Costa Rica Questions, posted by Pete E on Feb 26, 2004

I took a look a CR, abet years ago, and found it expensive, lacking in cultural activities, and quite frankly somewhat boring.  There was also a lack of adequate shopping, though this last appears to have changed, at least on my last visit several years ago.  Also the CR government has repealed many of the "perks" which were associated with foreign retirees living in Costa Rica. These included duty-free importation of household goods and a duty-free car every five years. However, to off-set this, the duties on most of these items have decreasedbut still cost an arm and a leg, especially when it comes to moter vehicles.

Those are just some of the reasons I chose Colombia (well, I must admit, marrage to a wonderful Colombiana from Cali had a little something to do with the move.)

I agree with cancunhound on most of this points:

1) Good deal (looking even better of recent)
(2) The climate - always pushing "almost hot"
(3) Good jumping base for excursions
(4) Direct access from the US
(5) Negligible homeowners' fees, taxes and upkeep
(6) The dining options are great
(7) Great vacation spot for the family
( It just feels like home when I step off the plane

except # 3 and #6,  IMHO opinion for this aspect you can't beat Bogotá.

Good luck, but I personally, would not move out of the USA until I living in my choice for a minumum of three months.
You will find, in many aspects, living outside the USA can be considered "camping out" but I would not go back.

Good luck,

Gator

[larrydarrell]

... in response to My two centavo's worth, posted by Gator on Feb 28, 2004

That is interesting.  I have been to both Colombia and Costa Rica and was not particularly impressed by either, from a cultural/entertainment standpoint, although CR has a lot of outdoors activities.  You say that CR is lacking in "cultural activities"; I would have thought the same about Colombia (that seems to be confirmed by your list of things you like about Colombia - no cultural activities).  The problem with all the SA and LA cities I have visited is that none of them comes close to offering the entertainment/cultural activities of the giant cities like NY and LA and SF (I know, those places also have huge drawbacks).  I would be interested to hear what cities in LA or SA you think would be interesting to live in since you seem to have travelled around quite a bit.

[pablo]

... in response to Re: My two centavo's worth, posted by larrydarrell on Feb 29, 2004


Buenos Aires offers as much if not more than the North American cities you listed in regards to entertainment and cultural activities.

[Gator]

... in response to Re: My two centavo's worth, posted by larrydarrell on Feb 29, 2004

nt

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: My two centavo's worth, posted by larrydarrell on Feb 29, 2004

I have not personally managed to get futher south than Colombia - so far Bogotá clearly is the winner hands down as far as the cultural stuff.  Mexico City would be my next vote.  I just don't get very excited about going to either of those places (too big).  Cali doesn't bring that much to the table in that aspect (and probably why I like it so much).

[adventuro]

... in response to My two centavo's worth, posted by Gator on Feb 28, 2004

Gator, are you living in cali right now?  Do you have a phone?? And is it possible to call you??  I am buying a condo in cartegena but also am thinking of buying one in Cali also.  Would love to connect with you.  Thanks, John

[pablo]

... in response to Re: My two centavo's worth, posted by adventuro on Feb 28, 2004


Hey John,

I'd be interested to hear about your comparisons between CR and Colombia.  I'm assuming you prefer Colombia over CR as you have bought property in Cartagena but can you tell us some more about your experiences in CR or shoot me an email.

Gracias,

Pablo

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: My two centavo's worth, posted by adventuro on Feb 28, 2004

That's ambitious?
Is perhaps your name not really John but rather Michael from Seattle?   If so, my wife and I enjoyed our stay at your remote place north of Golfito in CR a few years back

[adventuro]

... in response to Costa Rica Questions, posted by Pete E on Feb 26, 2004

Hi Pete.  I have appreciated your openess with your recent challenges and changes with your life.  I respect your ability to work through your feelings but have the strength to forge ahead into the most uncertain future.  Change has always brought me opportunities, but in the moment, it has often felt like living hell without an exit. As to Costa Rica I cannot tell you much about beach front prices but say I know that they are very high and for me at least, consider them outrageous.  Costa Ricans, in my view, and I want to make that very clear, from my point of view and my experience, are very self centered, lazy, and all too ready to take advantage of any person that they can, whether it is a foreigner or even one of their own people.  Their opinion of themselves and their country are way, way overated.  Are there exceptions, yes, I am sure that there are many.  But the number of bad experiences that I have personally had and that friends and acquaitatiences have had is very high.  There is a lot of crime in Costa Rica which of course the travel agencies are never going to bring to anyones attention.  In my opinion it is way oversold............maybe great for a week or two vacation..........yes, I would agree with that. But to live it has little to offer.  Prices are way higher than in Colombia.  Right now I am in the process of buying a condo in Cartegena.  Just hope it gets done.  Always a steep learning curve for me in a foreign country with just about everything.  I just wonder what took me so long to realize how much Cartegena has to offer.  And I can only say that anyone who has known both Costa Ricans and Colombians........at least for me that is..........there is absolutely no comparison..........the Colombians are so, so much friendlier and warmer and willing to take an action and help you out without regard to getting something back.  Well, not to get carried away I will stop now.  Pete if you want feel free to call me.  I have a cell and am in Cartegena right now.  Just send me a note to my mail box.  Thanks again Pete for your openess.

[Pete E]

... in response to Costa Rica Questions, posted by Pete E on Feb 26, 2004

I live in Cali now and will answer all questions regarding my experience here.

Pete

[larrydarrell]

... in response to And - -, posted by Pete E on Feb 26, 2004

You say above that Colombia "has it all except for security."  Previously you seemed to indicate that you did not like it there at all (food, slowness etc).  What changed your mind, apart from finding a girlfriend?  I spent 10 days in Colombia two years ago and was not impressed by the non-female aspects of the country - especially the heavy passivity and demoralization etc attributable, presumably, to war etc.

I am planning to move to LA or SA in a couple of years for the usual reasons.  I believe that the malign U.S. men-women situation is likely to adversely affect the personality of even the best Latina and therefore would not bring a Latina here.  I gather you are considering moving out of Colombia if you marry your lady.  This sounds like an ideal solution if, as seems very possible, one finds the right lady but she lives in an undesirable place.  But how responsive are most of the Latinas going to be to moving away from their families?  One of their best characteristics is their close-knittedness to their families - obviously moving to a Spanish-speaking country that is fairly close to their home is better for them than moving to the U.S., but it still seems a risky move compared to keeping them with their families.  Thanks.

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: And - -, posted by larrydarrell on Feb 29, 2004

Overall I like it here.I got over my attitude about the food by finding good food.
There are ways they do things that can drive you nuts unless you just flow with it.
As far as girls moving,most probably do want to move to the US.My girl says she will go anywhere I want or stay here,whatever.We are going to try and find beachfront property somewhere,most likely Panama.She is fine with that,likes the idea.Its a short flight to Cali from Panama to see her family.I don't know if we would have a problem with the father of the kids over them leaving.He became a Jehovas Witness and it broke up the family when my girlfriend was unwilling to change her life to fit his beliefs.The oldest son,12,will not talk to him.The youngest boy,5 this week,does spend time with him.

Pete

[Calipro]

... in response to And - -, posted by Pete E on Feb 26, 2004

Pete,

I'm seriously considering buying an apartment in Cali and living there one day. I have always enjoyed Cali and even though I have never stayed for over a month at a time, I have never wanted to cut a trip short.

So let me have it! Don't hold back because I want to know every detail that you don't like about Cali and what you do like also.