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- Thread starter American
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I gave this one a quick read.
http://geocities.com/a57ngel/py/costa-rica.html
A lot of it was dated, no longer the case. It's clear that the author left the country on a sour note. Maybe you can't blame him, from his accounts it's clear he's a sucker and as he mentions he got taken by a girly, like that could never happen any where else.
I would recommend to anyone that puts a lot of stock in this read to think twice, the guy tries to come off as an expert on Costa Rica after 2 1/2 whole years of living here.
This is part of his first paragraph...
"Well, I've got news for you. Costa Rica is an OK place to vacation but a poor selection for living."
...that's just basically incorrect. I know plenty of foreigners quite happy with their lives here, including myself. No place is perfect but if you like an easy going, fun lifestyle in an incredibly scenic country with a moderate climate, Costa Rica has more bad than good. Also, the culture here, although it is changing, is much less violent and more openly affection that we are in the States, I personally see that as an advantage for raising children.
http://geocities.com/a57ngel/py/costa-rica.html
A lot of it was dated, no longer the case. It's clear that the author left the country on a sour note. Maybe you can't blame him, from his accounts it's clear he's a sucker and as he mentions he got taken by a girly, like that could never happen any where else.
I would recommend to anyone that puts a lot of stock in this read to think twice, the guy tries to come off as an expert on Costa Rica after 2 1/2 whole years of living here.
This is part of his first paragraph...
"Well, I've got news for you. Costa Rica is an OK place to vacation but a poor selection for living."
...that's just basically incorrect. I know plenty of foreigners quite happy with their lives here, including myself. No place is perfect but if you like an easy going, fun lifestyle in an incredibly scenic country with a moderate climate, Costa Rica has more bad than good. Also, the culture here, although it is changing, is much less violent and more openly affection that we are in the States, I personally see that as an advantage for raising children.
I agree with you on most points except the violence and crime. I think the level violence and crime in Costa Rica is unbelievably high. I have people constantly coming to me with stories about how they were robbed at knifepoint, gunpoint, assalted, cell phones ripped out of their hands, car windows smashed, houses broken into, etc. This isn't normal. There is a reason why you can't leave your car anywhere unguarded and people have to live in houses that resemble bird-cages with the gates to keep people out. Overwelming violence is frequently used and often very small amounts of money or valuables are involved. Every one is a potential target, locals as well as foreigners. They especially prey on pedestrians, people hailing cabs and waiting at bus stops. If you drive that improves your odds significantly against being assalted. Staying away from bars late at night (especially Pueblo) also improves your odds.
I'll take a pass on the "colegios" too, unless we're talking about "Country Days." Or is it "Country Daze"?
The main reason I posted those was for comic relief. Those guys said some pretty humourous takes on some aspects of life here, although I don't think comedy was their intention.
I'll take a pass on the "colegios" too, unless we're talking about "Country Days." Or is it "Country Daze"?
The main reason I posted those was for comic relief. Those guys said some pretty humourous takes on some aspects of life here, although I don't think comedy was their intention.
thruth.....Sorry to hear that. The crime is unrelenting here. People can pretend it's not, and that it happens to other folks, but this is not a safe country to live in by any means. Wait til December. Everyone gets their "aguinaldas" (X-mas bonuses) and it's open season on the streets. You'll see about 5 banks robberies a week too.
The thing is, these criminals are very confident that there will be no consequences to them for the crimes they commit.
From what I've noticed in reports, a large majority of these crimes are done by males in the 17 to 25 year old range.
The thing is, these criminals are very confident that there will be no consequences to them for the crimes they commit.
From what I've noticed in reports, a large majority of these crimes are done by males in the 17 to 25 year old range.
Also deserving mention are some of the worst driving conditions one will ever see, resulting in Costa Rica being number 2 in the world (behind France) for traffic accidents per capita. The shits and grins of it is that insurance is not mandatory here, so frequently someone will slam a shitbox into an expensive car, and they get out and the first thing they say is that they have no insurance and they have no money. Hospital care is covered by paying for your yearly registration, but one is wise to fully insure their vehicle, especially if it's expensive.
I'm not crazy about the corruption and poor service across the board that one generally encounters here as well. Often government office workers and utility workers (government monopoly) solicite tips/bribes just to perform their normal job duties that they are salaried to do. Get pulled over and you can buy off almost any of these traffic cops for about $13. Put that last cop comment under the good things about living in Costa Rica.
I'm not crazy about the corruption and poor service across the board that one generally encounters here as well. Often government office workers and utility workers (government monopoly) solicite tips/bribes just to perform their normal job duties that they are salaried to do. Get pulled over and you can buy off almost any of these traffic cops for about $13. Put that last cop comment under the good things about living in Costa Rica.
I definately wouldn't try to say that there's not crime that's obvious. Latin America in general is ridden with petty crime in particular, you can't leave anything any where for 2 seconds. Also yes there are muggings car jackings etc. Those evidently foreign are at a higher risk because of the assumption that they have money. On the other hand in 12 years I've never been mugged (knock wood) despite countless hours spent walking around and partying at all hours in just about every part of San Jose. Any way like I say I won't deny there's crime that would be dumb, San Jose in particular is a tricky place and you need some street savy to get around.
When I said less violent I mean the main stream culture not the criminals. My parents moved around a lot when I was growing, as we Americans know that means at least one fight the first week at every new school. I taught grade school a little while here in C.R. and personally have never heard of that here. Besides that they don't play football, hockey or box. In general it's a less agressive culture, you see few bar/street fights and when you actually do see one most of the time the guys don't even know how to fight. The only exception to that is that in some of the rural areas there is a tradition of machete fighting. Finally as I say along with less agressivness they are more openly affection, parents towards children and vise versa, siblings towards one another, friends towards one another, teachers towards children, etc.
When I said less violent I mean the main stream culture not the criminals. My parents moved around a lot when I was growing, as we Americans know that means at least one fight the first week at every new school. I taught grade school a little while here in C.R. and personally have never heard of that here. Besides that they don't play football, hockey or box. In general it's a less agressive culture, you see few bar/street fights and when you actually do see one most of the time the guys don't even know how to fight. The only exception to that is that in some of the rural areas there is a tradition of machete fighting. Finally as I say along with less agressivness they are more openly affection, parents towards children and vise versa, siblings towards one another, friends towards one another, teachers towards children, etc.
