Expert: Tucker Comstock - 6/1/2011

Question
QUESTION: I know CR has a thriving international and expat community and is a tourism destination. If my family of 6 were to move to CR and become citizen residents, I expect we would see and interact with other expats. However we plan on living outside of any "enclaves" of expats and trying to live the tico lifestyle and speaking Spanish when we are out and about. I know we'll always look and walk like Americans. My question is, what is the attitude of Ticos towards expats like I hope we end up being? If the dollar is no longer the world standard exchange currency, do you think the attitude towards US expats will change significantly? Do you think Ticos are the kind of people who will vent their frustration on my nation's policies on my family and I? Any other thoughts you have on this or related ideas would be most appreciated.

ANSWER: Dear Tracy,

I AM who you HOPE to be.  I know I will always stick out, but I also know I will always be a respected member of my local community, and my neighbors will take care of me as I have helped them when the time comes for "action".  It is not a financial thing -- it is the nature of the Costa Rican people.  I seek their guidance for dealing with local authorities, handling bugs, planting the right flowers.  They seek my help with medical problems, transportation emergencies (I have a car), community organization (dog rescue, building a speed bump in front of school, establishing neighborhood watch system for suspicious vehicles etc.)  

Your kids will fit in -- AS LONG AS THEY ARE RESPECTFUL of both adults (all adults are parental with EVERYONE's kids, so misbehavior is not tolerated even in other people's children.  It's the way the USA was in the 1950's, when a neighborhood was a tight bond.

I love being in Costa Rica, and I have all sorts of options available to me, from Australia (where my daughter lives) to USA to Thailand or England.  But I can't wait to get back to Costa Rica when I am away.

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QUESTION: Thank you for your ideas! I'm looking forward to learning gardening and goat-raising from my (future) neighbors! I can't tell you how I've wished for the "all adults are parental with EVERYONE's kids, so misbehavior is not tolerated even in other people's children.  It's the way the USA was in the 1950's, when a neighborhood was a tight bond." here!

What about the financial part of my question? I saw in your bio that you could answer banking questions, so that's why I chose you.

"If the dollar is no longer the world standard exchange currency, do you think the attitude towards US expats will change significantly? Do you think Ticos are the kind of people who will vent their frustration on my nation's policies on my family and I? "

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my questions!!

ANSWER: My neighbors know nothing of finance... dollar strength vs colones or vs. wan (China currency).  They know I have money because I have land and a car, but I am not a "financial mogol", just a neighbor.  You earn respect by being available, by sharing knowledge, not by having a superior currency.  As far as my neighbors are concerned, I am rich because I have a car; they use the bus and I don't.  

There are an increasing number of Americans moviong into the area near where I live (I was the only Gringo for years).  Most of the Gringos are retired, living on social security of $2000/month for 2 people.  They came to Costa Rica BECAUSE it was cheap, relatively good health care (you must contribute to the public health insurance -- I pay $105/month as a single person; don't know what a family would pay but not more than $200/month.... it covers you at the public hospitals, which vary from really bad -- my local hosp... to very good -- several in San Jose, including the Children's hosp. are first rate).  MOST have attempted to learn Spanish (hard to do when you are older); some haven't learned 100 words in 5 years.  Ticos are very encouraging for you to speak Spanish with them, so integrating will be easy for people who take the attitude they are NEIGHBORS, not INVESTORS.

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QUESTION: Thank you!!

I was just searching online for immersion courses that would include the kids when you responded. We homeschool and are already starting language instruction now, but there's nothing like native speaker immersion.

We're looking at probably $2000/mo for all six of us. I guess visitors/temporary residents pay for medical services and permanent residents/citizens pay  into the system?

We're looking at the inland  S. Pacific or inland S. Caribbean areas. Maybe Turrialba area. Of course when we get there and start looking for homes it may be different. Thanks so much for your time. I really appreciate your knowledge.

Answer
I live "above" Turrialba, in countryside.  Small houses rent from $190-$350/month farther up the mountain -- the more remote from public transport, the cheaper.  $2000/month works IF YOU HAVE NO VEHICLE -- cars are EXPENSIVE - 200-300% of USA cost; driving one into CR is cheapest way to get here, but you sill have to pay duty (100-150% of USA Blue Book Value for duty) within 90 days.  Gas now $6/gallon; steep roads and bad surfaces mean very bad gas mileage.

I love where I live -- no need for air conditioning or heating (I do have a fireplace, however).

I know both coasts, but I am not an ocean person so can't advise.