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@bpwald..We have hot humid at our beaches and cooler humid in our mountains....Hence,Costa Rica is a tropical country.....Now----are you looking to avoid mold and insects too ?

@edwinemora  thanks for the reply, we're trying to avoid hot and humid, cooler humid is fine.  Prefer to avoid mold and insects, but understand that they are a given, especially insects. 

@bpwald.....Come peak at peak rainy season(October) to see if it is even worth it for you...Like many Americans they leave during this period, you can't blame them.....But either way,check out the foothills of San Isidro Del General/Perez Zeledon....This zone has finally caught on and the prices are creeping up here too.....Look it up ! You will be surprised of the new communities on the slopes of the 'Talamanca' mountain range...

Grecia, San Ramon and Palmares, among other towns, should fit your needs. Any of those, and many others, will be much more comfortable than Washington, DC in the summer months. Been there . . done that.

I always recommend that potential newbies like yourselves consider two issues which aren't commonly taken into consideration. First, amenities. Will the area you're thinking about be able to serve your essential needs and wants? If not, keep looking. Second, most folks will want a community into which they can fit. Costa Ricans are warm and welcoming people, but that only goes so far. Even if your Spanish is good, you'll still need english speaking friends who can help with the ropes and with whom you'll have some common interests.

@bpwald.....Well,did you guys make it down here or what ?...Or are you still in Costa Rica..?..Tell us what you think, if it was everything you thought it was..

On this forum today appeared a link to some related questions to the Pensionista Visa (but from 2011).

I edited the content to what appeared to be the most relevant and useful information (contained below).

My question: For those who were self-employed contractors and might need to "boost" their demonstrable $1,000.00/month pension amount to qualify for the Pensionista visa, HOW could one go about using an ANNUITY to bolster the monthly income amount to put it "over-the-top"?

$1,000.00 pension requirement

silverlawrence New member13 July 2011 18:37:12

How stiff is this requirement when applying for residence? I make $985.00.

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Gues1230789 Guest13 July 2011 19:01:19

It is absolute, written as that in the law.  However, it is pretty easy and cheap to buy a lifetime annuity to make up the difference.  If it is in the same name, it can be combined.

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silverlawrence New member13 July 2011 19:26:50

I'm researching the lifetime annuity. Any help to understand the process would be appreciated.

Guest1230789 Guest13 July 2011 19:47:24

If you mean the residency process, it's pretty easy, but not really spelled out :-)

- collect your non-Costa Rica documents: birth certificates, marriage certificate, police letter of good conduct (this is the most confusing, because it varies from state-to-state) [NOW, documents must be within six-months old and the good conduct certification must come from the FBI with Apostilles from the FBI and the Great Seal office of the respective Secretary of State where the birth, marriage, or divorce took place and was registered]

- get all the documents notarized/certified

- get all these authenticated (sealed) by the secretary of state (for that document) [Apostilled]

- get all these authenticated by the CR consulate responsible for that state

- bring all these documents to Costa Rica

- visit the USA embassy to get the SS letter, stating that you currently are receiving [N $USD] pension

- get fingerprinted in San Jose; they will send off for an Interpol report [I believe today this MUST be an FBI apostilled report for USCs]

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At this point, our lawyer took over - got all the documents translated (official translator only) and stamped, added a letter requesting immigration, waited for the Interpol report (took about a month), then submitted the entire package to immigration.

Note that all documents have to be less than 6 months old from the time you first get it until it is submitted to immigration.  This is plenty of time; just don't count on slowly collecting your documents.

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Timing for approval varies widely.  Ours was very fast; it took less than 3 months.  Others have taken years.  Somewhere in this timeframe, immigration will notify your lawyer that they have "accepted" your package.  At this time, you can legally stay in the country, as you are awaiting your residency (no need to leave and get a new visa).

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Once immigration has "approved" your residency, they will notify your lawyer (usually there is about a month delay; you can be approved in September, and not find out until October).  Your approval date is the beginning of your "residency year" - this is the timeframe that you have to show compliance with the rules.  These are currently:

- stay in CR at least 4 months (cumulative)

- convert (@$1000 x 12 months) to Colones

When you renew, you will have to show proof that you have done this - usually via passport stamps and bank receipts or letter.  Make sure you understand what is acceptable as proof before the year is up, or you may end up having to convert a whole lotta money at the end.

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After you are approved, you will get an appointment for your Cedula (this is your ID) - this can be several months later, but it always expires on your residency anniversary.

Hope this helps,

Julie

silverlawrence New member13 July 2011 22:45:13

You are most helpful. I’m looking way out, will most likely be approved for SS by the time I’m ready.

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The income requirement really is absolute. $999.99 per month won't do the trick.

In the U.S., most life insurance agents and financial counselors can guide your search for a lifetime (that's critical) annuity*. The question is, what annuity offers the best deal for the money you have to invest and on what terms. That may take some research on your part.

It is also the  case that Costa Rican Immigration may not accept just any company's annuity plan. That, too, will require some research on your part which is why you really should engage a knowledgeable attorney here to get you through the process. My understanding is that Immigration has a list of companies whose annuities are acceptable. Let that guide your search.

*Some annuity plans only provide for a limited term of payment like (say) ten years. And some plans state that you must pay into them for a set period before you can begin to withdraw monthly payments. Others may state that you pay in for a stated time and then withdraw a one-time lump sum.

Details . . . Details . . .

Once again, Dave and Marcia, with their 20+ years of experience as expats in C.R. and background in US government, demonstrate wisdom and grace.

Gracias.

Pura vida.