rainagain
American expat in Costa Rica
Forum
276 posts
Contacts
1
About me
American
Speaks some Spanish. I'm here 5 years and it gets better every day... hard during Covid because of masks and such... but I use Duolingo every day, and I volunteer to teach English to various classes in my village... that really helps my Spanish a lot. Plus, no other gringos here... so I'm immersed and th
Registration: 24 March 2024
Activity
The REAL Weather down here. by rainagain
Hola. For newcomers and those 'considering' the 'move'... for whatever reason; it may be good to hear 'actual' testimonials from those of us who are living here, some for a long time, about the actual weather as opposed to the internet ...
@Miros Krcmar Glad to enlighten at least a few... BTW... it stopped raining here... finally!!! We had the wettest November, December, and January that I've experienced in over 6 years. There are still roads that are partially blocked by hillsides ... Read More
Form Needed for Erasing CAJA Payments for the Months out of Costa Rica by mjgbenoit
My lawyer says I need to obtain a document from Immigration with my migratory movements to prove I was out of CR for a number of months and therefore didn't pay CAJA for the months I was not here. My lawyer is asking $170usd to do this for me but I ...
I use the website for various things... You can see your payment history; if you 'pay' for pension, etc. They even have a list of medications that they carry.www.ccss.sa.cr/contactoYou need to go onto the site and register before you can start ... Read More
Question- 3 things by LiveWire11C
I thought it might be fun to ask this question of those who have made the move to Costa Rica. Name 3 things: 1 thing you wish you had known before going to Costa Rica, 1 thing you wish you had brought and 1 thing you wish you had left behind.
@William Yeager Banco Nacional has a very easy bill pay system. You only have to put your utility or Caja account number in the First time you use it... afterwards, you just click on Who you are paying and your monthly amout that is Due ... Read More
Question- 3 things by LiveWire11C
I thought it might be fun to ask this question of those who have made the move to Costa Rica. Name 3 things: 1 thing you wish you had known before going to Costa Rica, 1 thing you wish you had brought and 1 thing you wish you had left behind.
@daveandmarcia My computer automatically translates the BN website into English; if I want it to. Read More
Influx of new expats ??? by rainagain
Hello. This is not about politics... but, with the events of last night in the US... will we or should we, and our Tico friends and neighbors, expect an influx of new Expats in the coming months and years?  ...May be interesting to ...
@edwinemora Edwin !!! I thought you were dead!!Hey man... really like the new Photo... You look younger!!! LOL!!I Hope you are well.Peace. Read More
Question- 3 things by LiveWire11C
I thought it might be fun to ask this question of those who have made the move to Costa Rica. Name 3 things: 1 thing you wish you had known before going to Costa Rica, 1 thing you wish you had brought and 1 thing you wish you had left behind.
Great Question !!!! You should get tons of answers... I myself will be anxious to see what others have experienced...Your Question: Name 3 things: 1 thing you wish you had known before going to Costa Rica, 1 thing you wish you had brought and 1 ... Read More
Contacting me by daveandmarcia
Dottie,This Forum has me blocked out for reasons I cannot imagine, and so far the Moderators have not resolved the problem. Please contact me via WhatsApp at **** or call me at ***/. My conventional email address is: ****Dave
@Bhavna That was a rather curt and unsympathetic response. How old are you???Remember Bhavna, many people on these forums are older and things can be confusing.Try to be nicer... I'm sure your mother would be embarrassed of you; as are, I hope, the ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica in 2025 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in in Costa Rica, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to Costa Rica or already ...
@rainagain Forgot to add this to my own post... I purchased my property (3 lots with one small concrete house) on a paved road that was a 5-minute walk to the bus stop, with municipal water and all utilities already in existence; in 2018, for ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica in 2025 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in in Costa Rica, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to Costa Rica or already ...
@rainagain Forgot to add this to my own post... I purchased my property (3 lots with one small concrete house) on a paved road that was a 5-minute walk to the bus stop, with municipal water and all utilities already in existence; in 2018, for ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica in 2025 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in in Costa Rica, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to Costa Rica or already ...
@Cheryl As Dave writes... flexibility is an awesome thing... And, like in many places around the world, how you live and how much you 'do' and or 'are willing' to spend is up to YOU.I am Single, 3 pets, a large garden, and I own my house. No ... Read More
Recommendations for a Real Estate Attorney/Notary Public in San Jose by jimforjim
Hi there,We're interested in purchasing a condo in the San Jose area and are now looking for an English-speaking attorney/notary public in San Jose that we can use to move the process forward. Can somebody recommend such a person who has done a ...
I used Helcor in Heredia for a property way up in western San Carlos. They were both realtors as well as lawyers and made it all far too easy; and fast!! Email:solucion@helcorcr.comweb:https://www.helcorcr.com/ Read More
The REAL Weather down here.
Hola. For newcomers and those 'considering' the 'move'... for whatever reason; it may be good to hear 'actual' testimonials from those of us who are living here, some for a long time, about the actual weather as opposed to the internet ... Read More
Influx of new expats ??? by rainagain
Hello. This is not about politics... but, with the events of last night in the US... will we or should we, and our Tico friends and neighbors, expect an influx of new Expats in the coming months and years?  ...May be interesting to ...
@markzele You don't need a treaty. Dealing with double taxation is the SOLE responsibility of the taxed individual.. which is and can be one of the caveats of living abroad.And yes... nothing and nobody in the US can prevent Colombia or ANY ... Read More
Caja payment by Schempf
Is there a way to lower caja payment. I pay $350 a month.I am told to get a dentist appointment is just a waiting experience. I don't trust the hospital I'm told I have to go to. Went there once with stenosis of the aorta( didn't know yhrn what was ...
@daveandmarcia Dave.... that wasn't me that wrote that. But thanks for reminding us ALL what old age can do to a person.Maybe better reading glases for the new year???Just a suggestion. Read More
Caja payment by Schempf
Is there a way to lower caja payment. I pay $350 a month.I am told to get a dentist appointment is just a waiting experience. I don't trust the hospital I'm told I have to go to. Went there once with stenosis of the aorta( didn't know yhrn what was ...
@jwboozeriii I for one will say THANK YOU for sharing that !! Adding MediSmart for a measly $175 per year is a great idea/asset. That way a person can keep their 'caja' for routine medical crap, and thus, maintain their Residency... and have ... Read More