Interested in relocating to CR

[bwballer]

My wife and I recently visited CR ( the northwest coast ) we spent 10 days and loved it. We had always planned on moving to Mexico. Now I want to explore possibilities of moving to CR ( and either operating a business or locating a place of employment ). I have no idea what direction to turn or where to go.
   I am in sales ( floorcovering ), but I am very open to any type of sales. I know I can do very well in any type of sales ( time-shares, real estate or anything else ). I have a very upbeat personality so anything with customer/guest contact I would excel. I am of 1/2 Mexican and 1/2 Navajo ( Native American ) decent. I do not speak Spanish but I grew up with my parents speaking it and could pick it up easily ( I can understand some ). I have a Bach. Degree from a Private Liberal Arts College here in the U.S. Can somebody help lead me in the right direction ? Thanks alot.

[Russ]

Hi, thanks for stopping by.

For a sales job that sells products or services to local  companies you have to be able to communicate effectively in Spanish, but there are many people working in real estate sales that don't speak Spanish fluently.  Although you would definitely want to make speaking the language a top priority.

Are you interested in the Northwest Pacific, which of course currently has many good opportunities, or were you also considering other areas?

When are you planning to make the move?

Do you have any way to establish legal residency?  We haven't seen the new immigration law come into play as yet, but there is a possibility that it will hinder people from working as "perpetual tourists"

[bwballer]

I appeciate you taking the time to reply to my posting.

   Yes that is what I was thinking. A sales position in real estate, time shares or even in managing vacation rentals or a small hotel ( Bed and Breakfast ). I do realize that I would need to speak Spanish fluently. As I stated that would be no problem to learn as I grew up with my parents and grand parents speaking Spanish. In these fields of employment most of the customer base would be English speaking.

   I know I would do well in any of these fields. I am the type of person that is probobly labeled a workaholic. I love to set goals and work towards that goal ( I am also the type that will outwork the next person ) .

  Yes I do like the Pacific N.W., but I am open to other areas. I am mostly looking for an opportunity. Are you from the U.S. ?  If so, how did you end up in C.R. ?

  I am open as to when to move. I am not opposed to moving in a short time. I just want to be sure that the opportunity is right. As I do have a family. I do am dertermined to do this it is just a matter of when ( not if ) I am moving.

  I am not sre how to establish residency. Not sure what I need to do once I know of a position. What do you know regarding this matter ?

  I do appreciate you taking time to help inform me - I know there are alot of issues and bridges to cross.  thanks alot. I look forward to hearing from you, RAY

[Russ]

Well real estate is a great place for workaholics 

I am from the US and have been in Costa Rica for 12 years.  I blame my wife for keeping me here, she is Costa Rican and we met here.  She says she only invited me to stay with her for a while so I could get settled and I still haven't left     

As to residency, most of our clients qualify either as pensionados, rentistas or inversionistas.  See some details here: Costa Rica Residency Status
But you can also work here under a work permit.  This is filed through a letter to immigration on your behalf by an employer.  You can get hired from the U.S. and your employer will make the arrangements. 

A wide open field now is in the customer service centers that many companies are setting up.  Costa Rica's time zone, educated population and hard working employees have made it a hot bed for call centers.   The people hired locally make good money for Costa Rica and I am confident that anyone hired from the US as a native speaker for improving customer service or supervising would make US type pay.  Or at least a higher level of pay than the Costa Rican staff.   Fujitsu, HP, Alienware, and IBM are some name companies that have set up new service centers here recently.