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• 11/27/2009 6:47 PM michael alan wrote:
  Bill, CONGRATS! on the 2-year Anniversary. You write a GREAT blog full of MUCH needed, un-biased Costa Rican information (considering the literally thousands of costa rican websites that SUCK), especially for people who 'live' or want to 'live here. Keep UP the good work.
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  1. 11/28/2009 9:36 AM Bill Clanton wrote:
     Thanks Mike,
     
     Coming from a Costa Rica videographer and blogger that is also a straight-shooter, I really do appreciate your compliment!
     
     -Bill
     
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• 12/2/2009 8:49 AM Rhonda wrote:
  Hi Bill,
  
  Love your blog site and just became a fan on Facebook.
  
  I'm seriously considering moving to Costa Rica in the next 3 months or so with my 14 year old daughter. Your blog has so much useful information, but can you give me any tips of where I should start as far as planning the big move.
  
  I was thinking of starting off going the route of the "perpetual tourist" and then apply for a work visa, however, it just dawned on me that I might not be able to work in Costa Rica on a tourist visa. I plan on reading your new immigration laws more in-depth.
  
  In a nut shell, my daughter and I are starting over. The economy in the US is going downhill fast and I've been out of work for a little over a year about the same time my ex-husband decided to abandon the family and flee the state. I've burned through most of our savings & now am on the verge of selling everything and moving to Costa Rica.
  
  Surprisingly, most of my friends are very supportive. I'm a professional graphic designer and have done a small amount of research regarding advertising agencies/graphic design firms in Costa Rica and am hoping that finding a job won't be that difficult.
  
  Do you happen to know if I can maintain some of my US clients and get paid in US dollars while living and doing the work from Costa Rica?
  
  If you have any insight on that I would really appreciate it.
  
  It's all so overwhelming and I'm not sure where to start. I'm sure you get a lot of questions because you seem very knowledgeable about the country. Please let me know any info you think might be helpful to moving to CR.
  
  Thank you in advance.
  
  Rhonda
  Reply to this
  1. 12/2/2009 9:54 AM Bill Clanton wrote:
     
     Hi Rhonda,
     
     I'm sorry to hear of your struggles but glad you are asking good questions before pulling the trigger on a move that can be romantic in theory but very different and difficult in execution.
     
     Moving to a foreign country with a different language, culture and laws as an adult(s) with a financial nest-egg and/or guaranteed income is a challenge on many different levels.  Making such a move with a school age child, limited resources, needing  to leave the country every 90 days in which to remain in-country on a valid tourist visa and having no legal right to earn a living within a country is a tall order - but not impossible.
     
     As for your ability to obtain a Costa Rica work visa, it is supposed to be based on your unique ability to perform a function or service that cannot be effectively completed by a Costa Rica citizen or resident.  The most common example of such a job would be that of a teacher that speaks English as a first language.  Graphic design and advertising would be a tough sell to immigration as to why existing Costa Rica citizens cannot perform this job.  That said, in Costa Rica there is always a way; but the path move prove difficult, time consuming and even expensive.  Best bet for acquiring such an in-country work visa is to be hired by a large corporation with financial clout or an individual with political connections - even then, wait time can be years from start to finish and such a work visa is always subject to renewal review and rule changes (ie: existing work visas can be denied in the renewal process, causing you to lose an existing job and the ability to be hired by any other employer).
     
     Although you are not employable within Costa Rica on a tourist visa, you are allowed to run your own business from anywhere worldwide.  Your best bet for continued financial sustainability IS to continue working with new and future clients via your business by way of remote or 'telecommuting' services.  Costa Rica companies looking to hire your firm for work can do so on an out-sourcing basis ... paying your company directly via invoice.  I strongly suggest talking with both a reputable Costa Rica attorney and accountant regarding these matters.
     
     Please do be sure to review the Costa Rica Blogger post titled "Costa Rica's New Immigration Law - A Quick English Overview Guide" for more specific immigration related information.
     
     Rents can vary from $250/month to $1,200/month depending on location, amenities and Gringo vs. Tico pricing.
     
     Besides work/income and housing, you will need to make a major decision on your daughters education.  Private bilingual or English only schools are readily available but can be costly.  My own son's current school costs about $3,600.00 annually when you add-up all expenses (ie: tuition, uniforms, books, supplies, tutoring fees, extras, etc.).  Other schools can cost upwards of $12,000 annually.
     
     My total monthly expenses run about $1,200/month for everything but this is an extremely frugal budget considering the private school, owning a car, etc.
     
     I hope you found my candid information to be straight forward so that you can make an educated decision about what is right for you and your daughter personally.
     
     -Bill
     
     
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• 12/2/2009 4:56 PM Shira wrote:
  Hi,
  
  I am interested in finding a place to live in Coronado - Specifically Las Nubes - Would anyone on here be able to help me out?
  Reply to this
  1. 12/4/2009 6:58 AM Bill Clanton wrote:
     Hi Shira,
     
     Bill Clanton here from Costa Rica Blogger.
     
     First of all I just want to confirm that you mean the Coronado in the San Jose Province – northeast of the Central Valley past Moravia/Guadalupe. As you may know, Costa Rica has many towns sharing the same names all over this small country.
     
     If so, do you already live in Costa Rica? Where do you currently live? What exactly are you looking for?
     
     I ask so that I have an idea of where to start looking, in order to possibly give you some direction.
     
     -Bill
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     1. 12/4/2009 7:27 AM Shira wrote:
        Hi thank you sooo so much for emailing me.
        
        My boyfriend is from Costa Rica he is attending vet school in Coronado. Yes its the Las Nubes de Coronado past Moravia.
        
        I move permanently Feb 6th and we have been looking for something to rent in the area. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
        Reply to this
        1. 12/4/2009 7:30 AM Bill Clanton wrote:
           Hi Shira,
           
           You will not find anything on the Internet as far as rentals go for the area you are looking at … this is ‘tipico’ Costa Rica, non-tourist, word of mouth area.
           
           Las Nubes de Coronado is east or up the mountain further from the vet school that is technically in San Rafael de Coronado.
           
           Here in Costa Rica a short distance can make a big difference when it comes to weather due to changes in elevation. Las Nubes means clouds in Spanish – because of the elevation residents of Las Nubes are often in the damp, misty, rainy clouds. Meanwhile residents 5 minutes downhill in Coronado, San Antonio de Coronado, Dulce Nombre de Coronado, etc., etc. are enjoying a sunny day.
           
           If your boyfriend is a Tico and attending the vet school, he would be your best resource. He can ask at school, check the public message boards at the local stores (flyers), etc. He should know the area, the people and be able to speak the language while getting good answers and obtaining ‘Tico pricing’ on rent vs. a Gringo that goes looking and gets quoted twice as much because of the local pre-conception that all Norte Americanos have money.
           
           Hope this helps.
           
           -Bill
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           1. 12/4/2009 7:32 AM Shira wrote:
              Yes thank you! He mentioned checking the boards last night .
              
              Thanks for the info
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• 12/11/2009 6:50 PM Edgar wrote:
  Hi Bill,
  
  I am writing from Singapore. I am representing a bunch of MBA students under University of Strathclyde.
  
  I am reading the various blogs about Costa Rica as part of our research.
  
  We have been assigned to work on a project entitled “Costa Rica in 2020”. A scenario analysis research.
  
  I am hoping to get your input on the following questions.
  
  1) What are the main issues affecting the growth of Costa Rica?
  
  2) What are the first three words that came to your mind about Costa Rica?
  
  3) If you can change one thing in Costa Rica, what would that be?
  
  We look forward to your assistance. Much appreciated.
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