In past articles about retirement in Costa Rica I have talked about all the country has to offer for Americans who want to move here: great weather, excellent health care, friendly people, NO army or terrorism, beautiful beaches, mountains and countryside, excellent housing options, an incredible lifestyle and a whole lot more. Unfortunately living here is not for everyone. I would be lying if I said it was.

Some people discover after living here for a while the country just isn’t for them. Most return to the U.S. but some choose to move to neighboring Nicaragua or Panama instead. What I have noticed is that the people who choose these country’s are usually the misfits from Costa Rica. Most often they are the ones who say they can’t afford  to live here and are willing to sacrifice Costa Rica’s great quality of life for a downgrade in the nearby countries. With the exception of two people, I don’t know any foreigners with a lot of money or who were successful here who moved to either Nicaragua or Panama.

Others who moved to the neighboring countries were troublemakers or couldn’t get along with anyone or just had to leave  because of legal troubles. One chap I met got involved with an under age woman and had to flee Costa Rica. Another guy represented an investment group that defrauded its investors. While another person was an alcoholic and  got into a lot of problems and made many enemies here.

I realize I am generalizing but what I just said is more the rule than the exception. Both countries seem to be receptacles for undesirable  Gringos with a lot of baggage.