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Potential Long Term Visitor

12 years ago
So it seems my search for a new home for my family has brought me to Costa Rica. I have been researching various locations for the past..3? 4 years?
My list has included Merida/Mazatlan in Mexico, Jamaica, Ecuador and Belize. My beginning research Costa Rica came up but I dismissed it as already discovered and probably too expensive based on a quick look on craigslist rentals. I have revisited recently the idea of Costa Rica because of certain amenities that I need, that I may have to just suck it up and pay more expenses in Costa Rica to be able to have everything I need + .

So, here is my background. I am looking to move somewhere for approximately 5 years. Long term goal. Could be shorter, could be longer. Out the gate I will be keeping my home in Canada and renting it out. I will be returning back to Canada for visits with friends and family at the very minimum every summer for a couple of months.
I really do not want to tangle with immigration. From what I have read we can stay for up to 3 months, leave for 72 hours and then come back for another 3 months rinse and repeat. Is that accurate? If so, sounds awesome. Every three months going for a long weekend to Nicaragua or Panama? No problem.

My family consists of myself and my husband and my soon to be 5 year old daughter. It also consists of my retired parents.

We want to be on the coast or within reasonable driving distance to the beach if the property has a pool. And we 100% want to rent and not purchase.

I need a location that is relatively close to a private school and is furnished and I 100% need internet as that is how I earn a living. As long as I have a stable internet connection (high speed) then I can earn my income.

All that being said, I am completely lost as to where to look. Would like to be in reasonable distance to other expats - so we have people to reach out to for assistance until our Spanish is up to par. Also I dont think my mom will be able to learn Spanish, so having expats around might be best for her.

Help? Thanks very much.

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William Russell
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