On my monthly relocation/retirement tours and consultations my guests always ask me about personal safety in Costa Rica. I am quick to point out that I would never be living in Costa Rica for one minute if I felt my family or I were in danger. In fact, I feel much safer here than in many places in the United States.

According to the FTI International Consulting Company, Costa Rica, Chile and Uruguay are three safest countries in Latin America. On the other hand, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Venezuela and Haiti are considered the most dangerous countries in the region. Venezuela is riddled with crime as things it spin out of control and progressively deteriorate. In 2009 alone over 15,000 Venezuelans died violently.

México, once considered a retirement haven for Americans, isn’t far behind because of the violence generated by the war on drugs.

Although the homicide rate has risen slightly, this should not keep you from moving to Costa Rica. Compared with the rest of the countries in the region Costa Rica is still paradise and Latin America’s #1 retirement haven.

Recently I read an article about Americans changing their spending habits as a result of the recent economic downturn. Interviews with ordinary Americans suggest a new frugality endures even though consumer spending has risen for five straight months and retail sales for three. In the AP’s new quarterly survey, a majority of economists agreed that a new frugality will persist even as the recovery gains firmer footing. “I would call it a ‘mini age of austerity,’” said  an economics professor at the University of Central Florida. “It appears consumers will not run up credit card debt as before.”

This so-called “new frugality’ may also be reflected in Baby Boomer Retirees searching to stretch their retirement dollars by living in a country like Costa Rica. One of the main benefits to residing  here is the low cost of medical care. Many retirees in the U.S. can’t afford the country’s exorbitant health cares costs. Even if someone is lucky enough to have insurance there may be many obstacles in the road to receiving affordable health care. On the other hand, Costa Rica has a cradle-to-grave health care system for its citizens. Foreigners who become residents are eligible to join the public system called “La Caja.”  The system must work because Costa Ricans have a longevity rate equal to or better than most first-world countries. The quality of medical care is so good that the country is quickly becoming one of the world’s destinations for medical tourism. People are flocking here for joint replacements, cosmetic surgery, cosmetic dental work and  eye surgery.

In addition to medical care, labor is inexpensive as are local foods, utilities and rentals. Taxes are low in comparison to the U.S. with home prices only being one quarter of one percent or .25. Public transportation is a steal so you won’t need a car. There are a lot more perks, too.

So it appears that Costa Rica is a solution for frugal people form the U.S. and other countries who are seeking to get more for their money for their golden years.

Costa Rica requires those who want to retire here as residents to submit a police report demonstrating that the applicant does not have a police record. The country does not want any undesirable elements living here.Foreigners applying for residency have to get this document from the last place they resided in their home country.

In Spanish this document is called la hoja delectiva or la hoja de delincuencia. It shows that the applicant doesn’t have antecedentes penales or a police record. If you have an hoja de delicuencia manchada (blemished) you have some problems.

Costa Ricans and residents with permission to work (residencia libre de condiciones) may be also required to get a police report for: applying for a job, renewing residency, obtaining a gun permit or purchasing a weapon and even for becoming a member of a professional organization the like local equivalent of the AMA called the Colegio de Médicos. In the first quarter of 2010 alone over 320,000 police reports were issued. To get a police report you can go to the building just west of the courthouse in San José. By the way, this document is free of charge in Costa Rica.

People thinking of moving to Costa Rica find themselves caught between two schools of thought. The forces urging them to buy property and those telling them not to buy. Usually the former are realtors or developers and the latter are expats and others advising newcomers to be cautious. There is nothing wrong with being careful.

On my relocation/retirement tours I always address this subject by telling my clients that they have to do what’s best for them. They are the only ones who know what is the best path to take. Interestingly I get a mixture of people with different needs on my tours. Some specifically come here to buy property to live in or for investment purposes. Others have NO intention of ever buying. And then there are those who don’t know if they will rent or buy. I never pressure people to do anything but try to provide them with all of the pros and cons of each scenario.

I show sampling of property in different areas and price ranges to give my clients an overall view of what is available to rent and to buy in different locations. However, what I really emphasize on my tours is Costa Rica’s great lifestyle and the amenities the country offers Americans. That is what sells people on the country. While I recognize Costa Rica isn’t for everyone, if you get bitten by the “lifestyle bug” you will probably never get it out of your system.

I might ad that there are some advantages to buying property in Costa Rica. If you buy in the path of progress where it is easy to bail out if you have to return to the States, then it is OK to buy. If you have done your due diligence with your lawyer you can also purchase safely. Buying at the right price in the right area will insure profit if you have to sell. The other factor is plusvalía or increase in value on your investment. If you find a value property and hang onto it for the long term you will make out well. Costa Rica is a popular warm-weather destination for tourists like Hawaii, a baby boomer retirement haven and there will always be a market here because of the affordability and other intangebles.

Bottom line: due what is best for your particular situation but use your head. Don’t leave your brain on the plane.

Before I forget, read my book (Christopher Howard’s Guide to Real Estate in Costa Rica) to understand the real estate scene here. It also contains a lot of good information about different parts of the country and what they have to offer potential residents.

In Costa Rica you can reduce your month to month living expenses and live very well.

For the past 15 years I have been conducting monthly relocation/retirement tours. I am proud to say that I have personally helped 1000s of people make the move through my retirement tours and best-selling guidebooks. It is rewarding to be able to change people’s lives and to help them find success and happiness in this marvelous country.

It is very important to show my guests what housing options are available to them in Costa Rica. Therefore, I show a sampling of many types of property on my tours. Whether my clients primary interest is to rent or buy, they will have to live someplace. Fortunately, Costa Rica Retirement Vacation Properties provides me with a broad selection of homes to view in different areas. I refer my clients to this wonderful company if they have any real estate needs. I feel 100% comfortable knowing my clients are in the best possible hands. Best of all they are a buyer’s agent.

My tour is NOT a real estate tour to sell property. I do NOT and will not sell property. I sell the Costa Rica’s great lifestyle. However, I am quick to point out to my clients that I would be lying if I said the country was for everyone. I do not force Costa Rica on anyone. I just provide the FACTS help people make their own decisions.

I have been criticized by some jealous Americans because of my success over the years. My tours have been featured in most major U.S.newspapers and magazines such as Newsweek. Because I show real estate, a couple of local Gringo wannabes have accused me of running real estate tours with a hidden agenda to sell property. Absolutely NOTHING could be farther from the truth. I have a stellar reputation and my tours are the ONLY relocation/retirement tours LICENSED and APPROVED by the Costa Rican government’s tourism Institute ICT. I have a stellar reputation to uphold and have put over 30 years of hard work into my business. I have too much at stake to compromise myself. It pains me that I have to write this but feel everyone needs to know the REAL TRUTH and not hearsay.

My clients well-being is always first and foremost.

To show my gratitude to my clients and give others the opportunity to take one of my tours, I have reduced the prices of all of my tours. Some are as much as 50% more affordable. I realize that many Americans have been adversely affected by the current world economic crisis and I want to help by making my tours more accessible to all.

I want to turn as many people as I can to the wonderful affordable lifestyle that is available to them in Costa Rica.