Comments for Costa Rica Real Estate / Investing / Living and Retirement http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica Unbiased advice on Costa Rica Real Estate, investing in Costa Rica, living in Costa Rica and retiring in Costa Rica. By the owner of the Banana Tree Hotel Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:57:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 Comment on Crime in Costa Rica by Costa Rica Expat Blog http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/crime_costa_rica/#comment-49 Costa Rica Expat Blog Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:37:15 +0000 http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/crime_costa_rica/#comment-49 <strong>Living In Costa Rica...</strong> Living in Costa Rica is really peaceful at the most part of it. But there are some... Living In Costa Rica…

Living in Costa Rica is really peaceful at the most part of it. But there are some…

]]> Comment on Crime in Costa Rica by James Powell http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/crime_costa_rica/#comment-46 James Powell Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:10:05 +0000 http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/crime_costa_rica/#comment-46 I was a little surprised in reading this today; I guess the main reason that I was shocked was - it actually makes sense! I own a security company here in Costa Rica and often give the same advise to people about living under the criminal radar. It is sad to see the middle class vanishing in Costa Rica....but it has already began and will be very difficult to reverse. James Powell www.costaricapatrol.net I was a little surprised in reading this today; I guess the main reason that I was shocked was - it actually makes sense! I own a security company here in Costa Rica and often give the same advise to people about living under the criminal radar. It is sad to see the middle class vanishing in Costa Rica….but it has already began and will be very difficult to reverse.

James Powell
www.costaricapatrol.net

]]> Comment on Costa Rica Real Estate by Raymond Clark http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/costa-rica-real-estate/#comment-43 Raymond Clark Wed, 03 Oct 2007 07:00:31 +0000 http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/costa-rica-real-estate/#comment-43 Can you recommend a good real estate agency, who specializes in renting out places. I want to find something for Nov 17th long term. 2 months, lat a very reasonable rate In Quepos Manual Antonio area recommendation for a Spanish Immersion school? Can you recommend a good real estate agency, who specializes in renting out places. I want to find something for Nov 17th long term. 2 months, lat a very reasonable rate In Quepos Manual Antonio area
recommendation for a Spanish Immersion school?

]]> Comment on CAFTA, Big Ass Fans, and Costa Rica’s Future. by Richard Blank http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/cafta-big-ass-fans-and-costa-ricas-future/#comment-42 Richard Blank Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:52:04 +0000 http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/cafta-big-ass-fans-and-costa-ricas-future/#comment-42 You have made some very good points. I must disagree on your opinion of call centers and call center jobs in Costa Rica. Business conditions are stable and secure, not like other countries with lower levels of working conditions and unstable governments. Our Costa Rican Call Center offers the highest quality bilingual call center support for wages that are 40%-80% lower than the United States. There are plenty of English speakers attuned to the needs of the North American market. In addition, our managers aim to increase self-esteem and contribute to an agent’s professional development. They are expected to reduce the causes of burnout and eliminating attrition during a campaign by sincerely listening to all agents with an open mind. Stress works in a strange way to motivate, like reverse psychology. We are aware that adversity is a challenge and should be handled with grace and style. Every CCC agent recognizes that our call center truly cares about them, which strengthens their loyalty and commitment to the campaign. I have worked with many amazing customer services reps and very talented sales representatives. Call centers are a great way to generate business and have increased the standard of living for many Costa Ricans. Not all call centers produce sub par employees. Best of luck, Richard Blank CEO Costa Rica's Call Center www.costaricascallcenter.com ceo@costaricascallcenter.com 1-888-271-6750 You have made some very good points. I must disagree on your opinion of call centers and call center jobs in Costa Rica.

Business conditions are stable and secure, not like other countries with lower levels of working conditions and unstable governments. Our Costa Rican Call Center offers the highest quality bilingual call center support for wages that are 40%-80% lower than the United States. There are plenty of English speakers attuned to the needs of the North American market.

In addition, our managers aim to increase self-esteem and contribute to an agent’s professional development. They are expected to reduce the causes of burnout and eliminating attrition during a campaign by sincerely listening to all agents with an open mind. Stress works in a strange way to motivate, like reverse psychology. We are aware that adversity is a challenge and should be handled with grace and style. Every CCC agent recognizes that our call center truly cares about them, which strengthens their loyalty and commitment to the campaign.

I have worked with many amazing customer services reps and very talented sales representatives. Call centers are a great way to generate business and have increased the standard of living for many Costa Ricans. Not all call centers produce sub par employees.

Best of luck,

Richard Blank
CEO
Costa Rica’s Call Center
www.costaricascallcenter.com
ceo@costaricascallcenter.com
1-888-271-6750

]]> Comment on Crime in Costa Rica by Colinsito http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/crime_costa_rica/#comment-41 Colinsito Sat, 15 Sep 2007 21:55:21 +0000 http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/crime_costa_rica/#comment-41 Hola from The Other Coast. Yes, Puerto Viejo. We too have issues crime over here and I am glad to see an article that more clearly explains how come the increase in crime and what are the solutions. With so many "tax refugees"here and they can not figure out why the police force is ineffective when they only have salaries of $300 to $400 month. What we see here is lots of talk but when push comes to shove, few people want to contribute the resources needed to deal with the issue. Hola from The Other Coast. Yes, Puerto Viejo.
We too have issues crime over here and I am glad to see an article that more clearly explains how come the increase in crime and what are the solutions.

With so many “tax refugees”here and they can not figure out why the police force is ineffective when they only have salaries of $300 to $400 month.

What we see here is lots of talk but when push comes to shove, few people want to contribute the resources needed to deal with the issue.

]]> Comment on Top 5 Costa Rica Real Estate Lines by William MacDouglas http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/top-5-costa-rica-real-estate-lines/#comment-33 William MacDouglas Sat, 28 Jul 2007 00:31:34 +0000 http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/top-5-costa-rica-real-estate-lines/#comment-33 I agree, wait a couple of years, especially if there is going to be a semi recession in the USA. Then watch the prices drop as speculators (people and realtors) start to cut and run. I also found thatnyou can find real gems if you look carefully. For example, don't go near any place listed by an American realtor (Century 21 or re-max etc). They try to sell as close to US prices as possible. Instead learn a wee bit of Spanish and look at "for sale" (Vende) signs in Spanish, odds are they are being sold by Costa Ricans at Costa Rican prices. Near Samara I recently saw a property with a nice brand new house listed by Coldwell Bankers for 280k, 10 mins along the road I saw another of similar size and location, but with an older Tico house on it going for 60k. It was listed by a local realtor. Use your common sense. If your going to buy the super duper all mod cons house, yes your going to pay top dollar and a lot more. Instead do what you would do back home, don't buy the best house on a bad street, buy a bad house on a good street. And remember, if it's too good to be true, then it ain't true. Costa Rica is beautiful and Costa Ricans are nice and friendly easy going people, don't bring your hard ass, I want it now, arrogant, looking down on the locals attitude with you. You'll just be laughed at and the locals will double their everyday prices for you. Just bring a smile and enjoy the beauty. I agree, wait a couple of years, especially if there is going to be a semi recession in the USA. Then watch the prices drop as speculators (people and realtors) start to cut and run.
I also found thatnyou can find real gems if you look carefully. For example, don’t go near any place listed by an American realtor (Century 21 or re-max etc). They try to sell as close to US prices as possible. Instead learn a wee bit of Spanish and look at “for sale” (Vende) signs in Spanish, odds are they are being sold by Costa Ricans at Costa Rican prices. Near Samara I recently saw a property with a nice brand new house listed by Coldwell Bankers for 280k, 10 mins along the road I saw another of similar size and location, but with an older Tico house on it going for 60k. It was listed by a local realtor. Use your common sense. If your going to buy the super duper all mod cons house, yes your going to pay top dollar and a lot more. Instead do what you would do back home, don’t buy the best house on a bad street, buy a bad house on a good street. And remember, if it’s too good to be true, then it ain’t true. Costa Rica is beautiful and Costa Ricans are nice and friendly easy going people, don’t bring your hard ass, I want it now, arrogant, looking down on the locals attitude with you. You’ll just be laughed at and the locals will double their everyday prices for you.
Just bring a smile and enjoy the beauty.

]]> Comment on About by admin http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/about-costa-rica/#comment-22 admin Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:02:59 +0000 http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/about-costa-rica/#comment-22 Brian: I understand how you feel. Being in charge while Barry Bonds disgraces baseball would want to make me retire from baseball as well. Writing as a former little league pitcher, the homerun that breaks Hank's record, would not come from my hand - walk him in perpetuity. Walk him till he can collect Social Security and collapses at the plate. I'm joking of course, in assuming that you are Brian Sabean of the S.F. Giants, I have no idea. But one of the pleasures of Costa Rica is being disconnected from Sports. In Costa Rica there is only one sport - Football (soccer). It is followed like a religon. But it is also easily ignored. In the U.S., I have discovered recently that there is Major League Lacrosse - I wish I were joking. Let me try and give you a few one liner responses to your questions. 1. Senior citizens aren't regulated! 2. Health care in many ways is superior to the U.S. - watch Sicko. This topic requires a lengthy discussion. Starting with how we view death. But let me just say that there is excellent private health care available at more reasonable cost. Public health care is available but it can be very spotty. 3. Social Environment was excellent - one of the best in the world - but sadly is deteriorating under the pressure of the American Consumerist ethos. I will go into it more in a later post. 4. You aren't taxed to relocate. 5. Residency regulations. U.S. and Canadians are overly concerned about residency and are making a lot of Costa Rican lawyers rich. 6. Crime is increasing and more importantly violent crime is increasing in many parts of Costa Rica. Something that was rare but is now unfortunately more common. I hope that is sufficient for now. Good luck with trading Bonds! Ramsay Brian:
I understand how you feel. Being in charge while Barry Bonds disgraces baseball would want to make me retire from baseball as well. Writing as a former little league pitcher, the homerun that breaks Hank’s record, would not come from my hand - walk him in perpetuity. Walk him till he can collect Social Security and collapses at the plate.

I’m joking of course, in assuming that you are Brian Sabean of the S.F. Giants, I have no idea. But one of the pleasures of Costa Rica is being disconnected from Sports. In Costa Rica there is only one sport - Football (soccer). It is followed like a religon. But it is also easily ignored. In the U.S., I have discovered recently that there is Major League Lacrosse - I wish I were joking.

Let me try and give you a few one liner responses to your questions.
1. Senior citizens aren’t regulated!
2. Health care in many ways is superior to the U.S. - watch Sicko. This topic requires a lengthy discussion. Starting with how we view death. But let me just say that there is excellent private health care available at more reasonable cost. Public health care is available but it can be very spotty.
3. Social Environment was excellent - one of the best in the world - but sadly is deteriorating under the pressure of the American Consumerist ethos. I will go into it more in a later post.
4. You aren’t taxed to relocate.
5. Residency regulations. U.S. and Canadians are overly concerned about residency and are making a lot of Costa Rican lawyers rich.
6. Crime is increasing and more importantly violent crime is increasing in many parts of Costa Rica. Something that was rare but is now unfortunately more common.

I hope that is sufficient for now. Good luck with trading Bonds!

Ramsay

]]> Comment on About by Brian Sabean http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/about-costa-rica/#comment-20 Brian Sabean Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:12:48 +0000 http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/about-costa-rica/#comment-20 Dear {FIRSTNAME}, Time has flown by the last ten years and I am nearing retirement. I have heard the buzz about Costa Rica and have started my research. After browsing through your website, I feel an even stronger need to start preparing for my retirement immediately and my destination of choice is now Costa Rica. I have vacationed there several times and the thought of now spending the rest of my life there is overwhelming. I am in need of assistance. Retiring is not a simple matter, as you know. There is so much information I need to gather before I actually relocate. Therefore, could you please refer me to other sources and websites that have more information about retiring there? …whether they be your sites or others, it makes no difference to me. Since I am plan on spending the rest of my life there, I need to know everything about Costa Rica: senior citizen regulations, health care, social environment, relocation taxes, residency regulations, crime rate, and many other things. By the way, I will refer your site to couple of my friends that are currently looking for the same information as I am. It could be that all of us will trust your company to handle our retirements in the near future. Looking forward to getting the additional information as soon as possible. Thank you, Brian Sabean Dear {FIRSTNAME},

Time has flown by the last ten years and I am nearing retirement. I have heard the buzz about Costa Rica and have started my research.

After browsing through your website, I feel an even stronger need to start preparing for my retirement immediately and my destination of choice is now Costa Rica. I have vacationed there several times and the thought of now spending the rest of my life there is overwhelming.

I am in need of assistance. Retiring is not a simple matter, as you know. There is so much information I need to gather before I actually relocate. Therefore, could you please refer me to other sources and websites that have more information about retiring there? …whether they be your sites or others, it makes no difference to me.

Since I am plan on spending the rest of my life there, I need to know everything about Costa Rica: senior citizen regulations, health care, social environment, relocation taxes, residency regulations, crime rate, and many other things.

By the way, I will refer your site to couple of my friends that are currently looking for the same information as I am. It could be that all of us will trust your company to handle our retirements in the near future.

Looking forward to getting the additional information as soon as possible.

Thank you,
Brian Sabean

]]> Comment on Preserving Costa Rica - Hometown Heroes! by pablo caycedo http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/preserving_costa_rica/#comment-17 pablo caycedo Sun, 20 May 2007 00:12:01 +0000 http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/preserving_costa_rica/#comment-17 that information was very bad and it does not say nothing about why and how does the mono titi is in extinction so you need inprove your information about mono titi wow!!!!what a bad information that information was very bad and it does not say nothing about why and how does the mono titi is in extinction so you need inprove your information about mono titi wow!!!!what a bad information

]]> Comment on Costa Rica Beach Evacuation by dawn http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/costa_rica_beach_real_estate_agents/#comment-16 dawn Thu, 17 May 2007 17:16:54 +0000 http://www.bananatreehotel.com/costarica/costa_rica_beach_real_estate_agents/#comment-16 I have been trying to find an unspoilt place without the fear of development for the past two years. I have been somewhat held up over illness in my family but have managed to view some properties in person. It is so obvious that there is an internet price and a local price being asked all over the world. Nearly everthing being offered on the internet even in the most unattrictive, polluted and wartorn countres around the $200,000 and up range-total fantasy. It is a disaster and cannot help anyone. It is nothing more than a greedy crap game/glamour stock ploy. You are so correct in your comments. Thank you. I have been trying to find an unspoilt place without the fear of development for the past two years. I have been somewhat held up over illness in my family but have managed to view some properties in person. It is so obvious that there is an internet price and a local price being asked all over the world. Nearly everthing being offered on the internet even in the most unattrictive, polluted and wartorn countres around the $200,000 and up range-total fantasy. It is a disaster and cannot help anyone. It is nothing more than a greedy crap game/glamour stock ploy. You are so correct in your comments. Thank you.

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