The recent financial crisis has been hard on Americans from all walks of life even those who are more affluent. What I have seen recently is that many of the people who are taking my monthly relocation/retirement tours are trying to salvage what they have left including those who are well off.

Mark and Darlene are a good example of people from this group. They are both in their sixties, have Social Security and other assets. Their home was valued at over $1,000,000 before the crash. Now they are trying to sell in at a reduced price but without losing all of their equity like many others who want to bail out of the U.S. They also took a big hit in the stock market. With a water bill of almost $1,000 monthly, plumbers who charge over $100 per hour, changes in the United State’s health care system on the horizon and other huge expenses, they want to live for less and enjoy their retirement. They do not want to out live their nest egg in the U.S. They want to have money to travel, pursue a new hobby and take full advantage of their remaining years.

The solution: Like a growing number of savvy people they decided that moving to Costa Rica is the only way they can achieve their retirement goal.