Older Americans who are deeply concerned about their financial future

I just looked at the November 2008 edition of the AARP Bulletin. The feature article talks about older Americans who are deeply concerned about their financial future. I found it interesting that moving abroad to a country like Costa Rica was never mentioned as an alternative. In almost all of my previous articles I have talked about  the practicality of retirement in here (affordable medical care, inexpensive hired help, low cost transportation and  more). Costa Rica is one of a handful of places in the world where you can easily reduce your cost of living without sacrificing your lifestyle. In fact, in most cases you will probably have a better better lifestyle than you did in the States or Canada.

Here are some of the questions from the AARP article.

• “The market has shaken me up. I’m worried about my nest egg.”
• “My money is tied up in a money market fund and in a brokerage account. Is it safe?”
• “What about my annuity?”
• “ I live on Social Security and stock dividends. Given the market, I’m worried about having enough money to live?”
• “My insurance only partially covered my post-op treatment.  I’ve been trying to pay off the balance. What should I do about my medical bills?”

This are only a few of the concerns that were voiced in the article.

Costa Rica just could be a viable solution for some of these people.

Many of shoe repair shops can also fix leather goods like purses and even canvas backpacks

One of the main reasons people choose to retire here is the affordability of the country. Utilities, hired help, public transportation, medical care and much more are a bargain here. Something I have never written about is shoe repair.

A few years ago I purchased a pair of Clark’s shoes in the States. Those of you are familiar with men’s shoes know that Clark’s makes high quality shoes. They usually cost over $100 dollars and are worth every cent of the price because of their comfort and durability.

A while back I noticed that the stitching had come undone on both of my shoes. This is because the humidity in most closets here can rot the thread. This can happen during the rainy season, especially when one doesn’t use a pair of shoes for a couple of months. Fortunately, shoe repair in Costa Rica is very inexpensive. This is mainly because the locals can’t afford to buy new shoes each time a sole wears out, a strap breaks or some other shoe repair is needed.

In downtown Heredia, about a mile from my home, there are two shoe repair shops. You enter and there are hundreds of shoes scattered all over the place. They have a system of labeling the shoes so you don’t have to worry about them getting lost or misplaced. You enter, they examine your shoes and they tell you how much it will cost to repair them. Repairs seldom cost more than a couple of dollars. The shoe makers here are very cleaver when it comes to fixing shoes. They can repair almost any type of shoe. The only down side is that they have so many customers you can’t get your shoes fixed on the spot.

Back to my pair of Clark’s shoes. I left my shoes there for four days. When I got them back I noticed they were as good as new. The best part was that I didn’t have to spend over $100 dollars to buy a new pair. “When in Rome do as the Romans.” Here we do as the Costa Ricans and  save a lot of money.

By the way, many of these shoe repair shops can also fix leather goods like purses and even canvas backpacks. I even had a special wallet made to my specifications and numerous repairs done to other items I own like a suitcase.

These properties are found in the new growth areas of Costa Rica that allowing people to buy large lots and build affordable homes.

I just found out about a great retirement option for people who have been affected by recent events in the States. The people at Costa Rica Retirement Vacation Properties have come up with something that is the answer. I am usually quite stingy when it comes to endorsing other companies, but in this case I feel it is my duty as a relocation retirement expert to share this information with you.

Their unique program will show you how to live comfortably here on a monthly budget as low as $1500. You can do this without sacrificing your current lifestyle. Once you have your home and transportation needs taken came of, living for a lot less than you did at home is indeed possible.

They offer several property tours that really cover the whole gamut of what’s available for potential retirees taking all budgets and lifestyles into consideration. All this is showcased through their unique approach to using a new Lifestyle Property Tour format. This encompasses a 6 pack project tour that shows you all you could ever want to see.

I have been asked to personally endorse these projects included in the Lifestyle Tours by way of a stiff questionnaire and disclosure. To meet the criteria established, the properties will all have to show:

1    financial capability (disclosure)
2    Engineering infrastructure quality handled by capable firms
3    Area and amenities relative to cost
4    Location relative to needs
5    Property management capability when finished
6    control of what will be built

What I really like is the personalized attention they provide. They even offer a very thorough orientation and seminar option for all of their clients and are 100% customer oriented. I feel perfectly comfortable placing anyone who contacts me in their hands. This service really compliments my own business. I don’t know of any other company which provides this level of support to the client. They provide these services every day and their experience can make the difference between your success and failure here.

Over the last 25 years I have personally helped 1000s of people move here successfully. I have had the chance to see what works here and what doesn’t and know how much money it takes to live live here. Best of all you don’t have to sacrifice your quality of life or dignity by moving to other “so-called retirement destinations” like Nicaragua, Panama, the Philippines or Thailand where you really get what you pay for.

Costa Rica is and will continue to be the buzz word and Latin America’s retirement haven due to all of the amenities it offers. Recently, I had a woman on one of my monthly retirement tours who had been living in Panama. I asked her why she decided to take my tour if she was a Panamanian resident. She stated, “Costa Rica offers far more options and the quality of life is better here.” This is straight from the horses mouth.”

I provide my client ancillary services and opportunities like this Lots With Panoramic Valley Views Building Lot.

Recently I had the opportunity to bump into two couples who had taken my relocation/retirement tour. James and Darlene were on the  Combination Beach and Central Valley Tour. The other couple , Ron and Carolyn, took my Central Valley tour. Both couples attended a dinner party for the clients on my October Tour. I invite former clients so they can share their experiences with people who are planning to come here.

The dinner takes place at the home of someone who has also made the move. That way my clients get to see an expatriate’s home and sample the lifestyle here. My tour participants really enjoy this activity.

Back to the two couples from the first paragraph. Both couples have purchased home and are in the process of moving here. They personally thanked me from the bottom of their hearts for offer my tour and all of the contacts that have help make their move successful. They told me that without my help they could have never made their dreams come true and change their lives for the better. I really felt flattered and told them that I was only doing my job. Ron and Carolyn invited the people on my tour to visit the beautiful home they built in Atenas the next day.

So the following day while touring the Central Valley we stopped at Ron Carolyn’s dream house. It has to be seen to be believed. The house has a 180 degree breathtaking view of the Central Valley with an infinity pool. Their interior decorator did a fantastic job. The place should be in a magazine with other beautiful homes. Ron and his wife were not there during most of the construction which in most cases isn’t advisable. However, I hooked them up with a person who supervised all areas of the construction of their home  and stayed constantly in contact with them to ensure things would be done to their liking.

This is just one of the ancillary services I provide my clients to make sure they have good experiences here. I have whole network of reliable and honest people with whom work which includes lawyers, real estate brokers, architects, decorators, builders, doctors, property management people, concierge services and more.