Making the move Abroad, my experience, 7 years, Jaco, Costa Rica

Since I have lived in Jaco, Costa Rica for over 7 years now and, I guess, I show some sign of being successful in business and am still excited to be here, are the reasons why I often end up being the listener then advisor to many of the new residents in town. I give them advice on business and living in Costa Rica in general. So I thought, why not share what I regard as my best “ relocating in Costa Rica advise” to gringos (p.s. this term in Latin America is used by the nationals as all Westerners, including Canadians, even though they like to think else wise).  It is a word, which originally was derogatory, but since has become the norm and most have no clue of the derogative background.

1.) Anywhere anybody lives, you always hear people or yourself complain. Why, because the grass is always greener on the other side. So take all the rumors and complaints in with a grain of salt and not as it is legitimate as a “direct quote form the NYT.”

2.) Always remember that you relocate thousands of miles away from the U.S. and are now in the middle of Central America. If you are using U.S. customs and cultural norms; you are most likely going to get very frustrated and never are truly enjoying living abroad and taking it all in because of all that negativity you will be piling up in the back of your mind. In business and in life, I see people from the U.S frustrated because Costa Ricans often process something (a task, job, service etc.) different because they ddn’t go to he same schools, understand the same legal ideology (they use a base for of Spanish law here versus the U.S. uses a base English form of law), and they were most likely not raised with the same priorities that you have and may other differences that make cultures differing. So, in these situations sit back and relax and/or, if need be, speak kindly with the person on the other end of the situation and guide them in the way you want a situation to be handled. Perspective is the key. All of us are coming from differing backgrounds, so put yourself in their situations

3.) Take extra precautions with personal security. I tell people living here is not dangerous. The U.S media definitely does over sensitize everything, especially in regards to poverty in the U.S. Yes, I will be the first to say that the U.S. does have poverty and the poor people face many hardships. That being said, in the U.S. there are all kinds of programs, scholarships, and education opportunities. Where I originate from (Milwaukee, WI) there is a large ghetto and the homes in the oldest part are some of the most gorgeous homes, built in the 1920’s, in the city. Here they simply don’t. There is no welfare, so some of the very poor people have never even thought or imagined doing the things that al American have the opportunity and liberty to dream about. Tourists and new residents should Remember that many of the poor in Latin America truly here have nothing to lose. Many of the poor literally have nothing and there are very little repercussions. So, if they see obnoxious lavascious behavior, this could easily, become a target for some type of robbery crime; one computer on the black market might feed a family for 1 month or more. Also if you leave your lap top on a table in a crowded bar (even not crowded) while you use the john and it is gone when you return…this isn’t Kansas anymore and you cannot treat it as if you were in your home city. Treat Latin America like a big city and take precautions. When those precautions become habit, then you understand why people might rob you if they had the opportunity. If you don’t give them the opportunity, the danger stops there in Costa Rica. Generally speaking, Costa Rica is safe, and the misconception that Jaco is dangerous, is simply and absolutely not true there is only more trouble to get into in Jaco.

Take these 3 tips into account when visiting and especially after you make any big move abroad. I believe these simple rules above can apply to many different cultures and countries. When you can accept the things above and no longer obsess about it, (obsessing and hating about things like this is part of the shock of moving to a new culture, but it does leave If you stick it out.) you will see that your new countries’ grass is pretty green too and you might even take some time to smell the local flowers! You’ll find people in Costa Rica (and Latinos in general), more in touch with reality and more grounded and desensitized. If you are fat here, they nick name you “fatty,” if you look tired they tell you, enjoy the real life and take it all in by opening your mind and enjoying the culture. In business You can only force people into you desired mold by first understanding them. There are so many more things to learn as well for a well-adjusted gringo transplant, though, I believe, these things above open the door to most of the other adjustments you have to make. 

Murder in Jaco?

What clients frequently ask and there main concern when moving or thinking of investing in Central America is how is the crime? Is it safe in Jaco? I get this all of the time because there is a reputation, which is leaving Jaco, that Jaco is a dangerous place. Now, I have lived in Jaco, as single women in a single-family home for nearly 7 years. I am always great full for my safety no matter where I live, and always take preventative measures, such as; locking car doors, not showing valuables, showing respect to locals, and not putting my self in areas where danger readily exists. I consider Jaco, now more than ever, one of the safest places on the coast and of the larger cities in general. We have 4 police forces and are a tight nit community that looks out for each other and does not tolerate crime, which brings us to the “murder of Jaco.”

The story is as follows. There is a foreign (Belgium Mechanic) who supposedly has a violent temper and had an abusive relationship with his wife for years. This wife finally left him and left him for a woman! She then moved in with this lesbian woman who was a shop owner and good citizen of the Jaco area. I a fit of jealously, which this mechanic was known for as well, in which he ordered the murder. The lesbian was shot dead closing the gate of her house, in broad view, if anyone was around, in Hermosa. It was crime of passion. The community of Jaco turned out in hundreds to participate in a walk for the justice of the murderer and the support and loss of a member of the community. For a town that gets trashed by people who don’t know it, it seems like the people here are supporting and good people who can come together. Besides the drug crime, which is criminal on criminal and usually happens in places we don’t hear of, Jaco was shocked to have a murder of an innocent woman and put full support in bringing justice. This is a good community.

The OIJ is the harder crimes unit of Police for Costa Rica, although they aren’t known for catching people who break into cars, they have a great record of finding criminals and bringing them to justice. In this case, a man who walked around town as if he was innocent, but everyone knew this isn’t the case, is know being brought to justice. Bot of the people involved, the murderer and victim, were foreigners (Belgium and Argentinian). I have heard some negative things being said about Costa Rica and Jaco because of these murders, in my eyes, a crime of passion occurred which could occur anywhere. Then the community showed a huge support while the police began a proper investigation with out jumping to conclusions or unjustly arresting people. I think we should be proud of how a sad situation brought the community a little closer, and that, at least in important areas; the judicial system is still working in Costa Rica. It is a relief to me they follow procedure and do not unjustly arrest people, in a foreign country; this can be a scary thing for foreigners. It is also nice to see such an international community where everyone who is a local has respect and the support of the community. So many “foreign destinations for living” in certain areas, hold a distinct line between foreigners and locals, tis line often times dictates higher prices for foreigners, resentment, and negative aspects. Jaco is an international town and we consider those who add to the community and stay full time, a local who is truly part of the community.

I have done consulting for developers wanting to market to North Americans in places like Ecuador (very popular in International Living) My greatest concerns in those places was that, at least for the next 15 years, you will always be the foreigner with entitlement and just more. You will always be the one to take from, because of that and to be at the mercy of unjust justice systems. They were kind and educated people, with a beautiful country and culture but Costa Rica is a special. Small, liberal yet conservative, international country, and while the prices are higher than in some of the current “hot places for people to retire,” even I, who is fluent in Spanish and has hiked with nothing but a tarp form the Caribbean to the Pacific, would not want to live. People are you connections to a place, and I can personally vouch for what a cool community Jaco is, and how they can come together when they are needed, so yay for Jaco!

2CRRE took Coldwell Broker Jaco Offices under their wing and Banner: A full circle for Ms. Piper Renner

In the last couple of days was the announce,ent was made of 2Costa Rica Real Estate and Coldwell Banker Jaco, the top Costa Rica real estate agencies joining forces to be the best agency, with the top agents in Jaco.

The target, with the formation of this new team, is covering most of the real estate deals for the central pacific area of Costa Rica and being s force for which top quality service is their banner with impeccable ethics and studied knowledge of the market.  A team is only how good the people are in it, and these people, I can vouch for, are the best.

2Costa Rica Real Estate was originally established in the Manuel Antonio, then Escazu the central valley San Jose area, then, most recently, Jaco and is the top real estate agency in their marketplace. In the last year or so, the Cutter bother’s, Todd and Scott, who are the owners, have expanded to move into areas along the central pacific into Jaco Beach and Manuel Antonio. Meanwhile, Coldwell Banker Jaco, with Lisle Head as broker and owner, has been the leading real estate firm in the central pacific since 2008 and the top producing franchise in Costa Rica for many years both with a large focus on Luxury living,  vacation, and retirement properties.

I joined 2 Costa Rica because it is regarded as the top privately owned, and quality controlled, company in Costa Rica. I also, actually, worked for Lisle Head, the past Coldwell Banker broker, now 2CRRE Jaco broker, when I first moved to Costa Rica for a different firm of which he was the head. Even back in those days both Lisle and I saw each other going places and have stayed in touch, including me always staying in contact with his top agents and working with them via Coldwell Banker though out the years. Therefor, you can imagine the pleasant surprise I had from the joining of our 2 teams under the 2CRRE banner. Costa Rica is a small community and I know both Lisle and I saw the opportunities 2CRRE had in our 3 offices (Jaco, Escazu, and Manuel Antonio) and the owners who care so much about this company (2CRRE), that now we are both here. I have always appreciated and held Lisle Head’s business skills and team skills of his agents, in high esteem and I hope he has as well for me (ok, I know I m the reason they are joining our offices-lol) I am beyond happy to work side by side with them. David Karr and Nikita Mohammad are 2 agents in Jaco which I have admired, co-broked, competed, and shared thoughts with over many years and now we are together which is a real estate force to be reckoned. I am truly excited to see what this team can do.