To me, ANYONE even REMOTELY fantasizing/thinking about moving to Costa Rica, I HIGHLY suggest you attend ARCR’s (the “Association” of Residents of Costa Rica)
"LIVING IN COSTA RICA SEMINAR"
(and I am not one to “recommend” things [I “share information” since we ALL have different tastes, experiences, etc. so I can only speak from MY experiences] but this is a MUST!!!!)
ARCR’s “Living in Costa Rica Seminar” is a VERY informative 2 day seminar that is VERY HELPFUL (though NOT “THE” end all) as it helps people get a reality check on if they could actually LIVE in Costa Rica - or work with it - to become an Expat.
Before moving here in ‘05, when I found out about it, I changed my dates/ticket at a cost to me of around $200 and with that said, it was WELL worth the investment!!!
They invite THEIR Associates from the various field listed below to share their knowledge and expertise with you.
- Costa Rican Laws and Regulations
- Banking in Costa Rica
- Health System in Costa Rica
- Moving and Customs
- Buying, Selling or Renting Real Estate
- Insurance in Costa Rica
- Title Guarantee
- Living in Costa Rica
- Technology, Communications
- Internet in Costa Rica
NOTE that they use “their associates” who are NOT always the best people out there and they DEFINITELY are not anywhere near the cheaper side (more expensive does NOT mean the best!!). They tend to be LOTS more expensive - like a basic/canned Corporation I believe is around $750 - vs $350-$400 with a company geared towards gringos.
Also, I add the “s” around “Association” because MOST people I’ve spoken with thing this is an “association” - as in organization/group. They are a MAJOR MULTI-MILLION dollar corporation - Casa Canada - http://CasaCanada.org - doing Mortgages, Real Estate (mainly higher end), Accounting, Tax Consulting, Administration of bank accounts and things++), Investments+++.
This is NOT to say they’re not “good” - I just feel it’s IMPORTANT that YOU KNOW UP FRONT who you’re dealing with and then YOU can “tap in” and decide what is best for YOUR needs!!
WHEN:
The LAST last Thurs. (8am-4:15pm) AND Fri. (8:10am-3:40pm) of most months (I know not Dec. and am not poz on any others).WHERE:
San Jose - the Restaurant in the Parque del Lago Hotel-San Jose
From the Casa Canada (ARCR Office) Building on Calle 40, turn left and walk one block North. The hotel is on the next corner and the restaurant is on the other side of the corner windows. To get inside / walk / ride / fly one-half block farther to the entrance to the hotel parking lot. The hotel entry is from the parking lot.SEMINAR PRICE:
ARCR Members: $50 (lunch and coffee break for 2 days included)Non-Members: $70 - BUT - if you join by the end of the Friday seminar, $20 will be deducted from the membership fee!
ARCR MEMBERSHIP:
$100/year for individuals withOUT legal Costa Rican residency (I think this membership is REALLY GOOD - at least for your first year - longer if you’re using their CAJA Insurance as it tends to be much cheaper).Legal Resident: $50 (proof of residency is required)
Spouses and dependents of a member can join for US $10 annually (mail a separate application form for each person).
RESERVATIONS:
(506) 2-233-8068 or (506) 2-221-2053 • seminar@CasaCanada.net(I deal Anabelle at ARCR - she speaks GREAT English and is REALLY helpful!! Tell her Vicki sent ya!!)
FORUM
They also have a "Forum"•Message Board but it's ONLY mentions THEIR Suppliers/Associates - and it's a VERY HEAVILY "monitored" (controlled) board they do NOT allow their non-associate businesses to promote what they do or even members on the board sharing things about non-members and they have blocked MANY things I have shared that were listing events and other information that I made not one colon/penny from ANYTHING I promoted there (you'd think they'd want to help the COMMUNITY - bring them TOGETHER - by having an Events section eh????). So take what you need to from this board as it IS a helpful place to search for information for those thinking of moving to Costa Rica.
RESIDENCY
One can choose to use their associates to do their residency - but I welcome you to do YOUR RESEARCH first as there are some other options that also specialize in Residency and have GOOD contacts withIN Imigracion•Immigrations and/or that are also cheaper.
OR, especially if you have an easy/clear cut Residency like Pensionado where it's Social Security or something - MANY have done it themselves (and some of those have had a better experience doing that than through some of the big agencies. Hey - it's Costa Rica - "stuff" happens [or does NOT!]).
OR, especially if you have an easy/clear cut Residency like Pensionado where it's Social Security or something - MANY have done it themselves (and some of those have had a better experience doing that than through some of the big agencies. Hey - it's Costa Rica - "stuff" happens [or does NOT!]).
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