Author: Ivo Henfling

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Ticos returning home find adjusting difficult in Costa Rica

If you are Costa Rican and left Costa Rica several decades ago, you will find adjusting difficult when you return.  You probably think that returning home for your retirement is pretty easy. Well, let me assure you it’s not and adjusting is difficult, much more than you’ll expect. Costa Rica, like all other countries, has…

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Can You Retire on Social Security in Costa Rica?iconwht

Can You Retire on Social Security in Costa Rica?

Estimated Reading Time: 10 Minutes Is it possible to retire on social security in Costa Rica and live comfortably? Retirees on U.S. Social Security, or Canadians on the Canada Pension Plan, seem to be attracted to moving to our beautiful country (I, too, hate cold winters!) I often receive emails from future retirees asking if…

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7 Essential items needed for the ultimate home office

The internet allows us to work from home, so a comfortable home office is now more important than ever. Some 20 years ago, few people had a home office. Few professionals worked from home, like surveyors, real estate agents, insurance agents, and maybe civil engineers. Others, who sometimes took work home, had no more than…

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FAQ | Does the rent include the utility costs in Costa Rica?

A frequently asked question from clients is if the utility costs are included in rentals. It’s a great question because the utility costs can increase significantly. So the utility costs can cut into your budget tremendously. The correct answer to this question is that sometimes it is, and sometimes it is not. The inclusion of…

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Do you still have to pay the mortgage after your house was destroyed?

Most homeowners in Costa Rica don’t even think about fire and earthquake insurance and if they still have to pay the mortgage after their house was destroyed. You own(ed) a house in Costa Rica. This house was destroyed by a natural disaster or fire and you are paying a mortgage. What should you do? Can…

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