Living in Costa Rica retirement relocation tours.

Costa Rica Versus the Philippines and Thailand for Retirement and Living

For the last 27 years I have lived in Cost Rica and have come to realize the benefits it has over other so-called expatriate havens. Over the years I have had the chance to observe a small number of North Americans who moved here and eventually relocated to the Philippines or Thailand. This led to me to look at why said group of people chose to leave to relocate in the far east and what the latter had to offer that Costa Rica does not.

Ninety-five percent of the people who made the move were single men. Most of them had either one or two of the following factors in common: They never were able to establish a permanent relationship with a Costa Rican woman or they failed in their attempts to go into business or make money here. I can cite dozens of examples where these factors come into play. Another reason for moving is that most of these men wanted to go to a place which was more affordable. However, the bottom line is that really “get what you pay for.”

Now let’s look at what the Thailand and the Philippines have to offer. They are beautiful countries and indeed are more affordable in some ways than Costa Rica. The private medical care is excellent, especially in Thailand. Foreigners can find companionship for a lot less than in Costa Rica. I know a couple of guys who live in Thailand because there are more golf courses and the cost of a round of golf is cheaper. Both of them are millionaires and can really afford to live and golf anyplace in the world. I guess in their old age they are watching their pennies.

The downside of Thailand is that in their summer the temperature, except in the mountains, is over 100 degrees with high humidity. Costa Rica has year-round spring-like weather. Typhoons and tidal waves have been known to raise havoc in the far east. We don’t have either in Costa Rica, just an occasional tremor.

Thailand has a military government and radical groups which have perpetrated a few bombings. The Philippines has Muslims in some parts of the country which have perpetrated terrorist acts and has been subject to periodic military coups. Asia is also a lot closer to the hotbeds of Islamic terrorism and its burgeoning and pervasive influence in that part of the world. On the other hand, Costa Rica has a democratic government and NO army or terrorism.

Furthermore, the abject poverty in both the Philippines and Thailand is far greater than the poverty than Costa Rica. In Asia many foreign men take advantage of this by exploiting the locals sexually or exploiting the cheap labor. The women tend to be more submissive because of economic needs. I know Americans who brag what great wives the women make. I am sure economic necessity is responsible for their wives being so great. Americans represent a meal ticket out of poverty. Foreigners who have failed in relationships in the U.S., Canada and Europe can virtually have a slave for a very low cost in Asia. Sadly, even sexual predators can have a field day there. It would make me sick to go into detail about the stories I have heard. By the way, sexually transmitted are also rampant in both countries.

Location is another thing to consider when deciding between the far east and Costa Rica. Costa Rica is ONLY two and a half hours form the U.S. If you have an emergency, you just hop on a airplane to Miami. The same can’t be said for the far east. Most people I know who visit there say the long flight to get their really take a lot out of them. It usually takes a few days to get feel normal after jet lag.

Other factors like better satellite TV, access to American products, an easier language to learn and a more similar culture contribute to Costa Rica’s allure.

It short, it isn’t by accident that Costa Rica has more American retirees per capita that any other country outside of the United States. Costa Rica isn’t for everyone but the quality of live is excellent. The fact that the life expectancy of most Costa Ricans is equal to or higher than the U.S., says it all.