Living in Costa Rica Retirement Relocation Tours.

Take What you Read on Costa Rica’s Expatriate News Groups with a Grain of Salt

I recently read some erroneous and unsubstantiated information about the local real estate market which was published on one of the local Internet news groups. It really hit a nerve because I am in the process of writing a 400-page comprehensive guide about the Costa Rican real estate scene. A few of these news groups do have value and occasionally provide objective  information from reliable sources about Costa Rica’s economy (see my description at the bottom of this article extracted from my bestselling retirement guidebook, “The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica”).

Unfortunately, about 70% of the material published by these groups is mindless banter and completely subjective. The inherent danger is that a lot of incorrect information is disseminated by people with zero expertise in any field related to Costa Rica other than their own short-sighted opinions and shallow understanding of the Latin American culture and economics. Just by making the move  many think they are qualified to dole out what they believe is correct advice. Unfortunately people seeking information before coming here look at these groups a prime source of data when doing their research.  Incorrect information about real estate and economic trends can lead to panic selling and buying, false rumors, wrong decisions by investors and future retirees, adversely affect people’s lives and ultimately have repercussions on the local market. Sadly, it can even dissuade people from buying their dream home out of false fear.

Granted some of the fallout from the slow market in the States has trickled down here but this certainly doesn’t justify the vast amounts of inaccurate information being put out by unqualified people on the web. Let us not overlook that there are still 70 million Baby Boomers in the U.S. alone many of whom will fuel the Costa Rican real estate market in coming years as they seek to retire abroad.

It is of paramount importance to not pay attention to the dilettantes who express their unfounded opinions on the Internet news groups just to  act like “big shots.” For the most reliable information seek out good lawyers, financial experts, experienced real estate professionals (with residency) and others who offer well-researched accurate information like I provide in my guidebooks and on my retirement tours.

Don’t get me wrong there is a positive side to these news groups which I talk about in the last chapter of my retirement guidebook, “The New Golden Door to retirement and Living in Costa Rica”. Here is what I say, “Over the last few years, online Costa Rican discussion groups have begun to flourish.  Joining one or more of these forums is way to see what issues residents of Costa Rica face on a daily basis and to keep up with a lot of what is happening in the local expatriate community.  Members can express their problems or concerns and  at times receive helpful feedback. However, be sure to check from a good source  to see if the information you are receiving is correct. Many residents contribute daily while others add something occasionally or just simply read what their fellow members have to say. Probably the main reason to follow these groups is that many friendships have been made online. Not a week goes by without numerous social activities being mentioned for the group’s members.”