Elingles

Hi, anyone living in Ticolandia, need advice

GregII

Yo! HAHAHA! I've been there once. Good "town".

Greg.

Elingles

Greg when you say good town what do you mean? ticolandia means the whole country of Costa Rica, which town?

GregII

I know! HAHAHA! Sorry about that! It was a joke. Just a little of sarcasm to relax.

Greg.

suncr

Hi everyone.
I've just joined the forum.
I've lived in Costa Rica for just over 29 years.
I'm a resident here.
I've been back to England quite a few times. Each time it gets harder to leave.
I was there this july for 17 days. It was the hardest thing to leave.
My Parents are 88 years old, and their time is short. It's difficult to have to wait another year to see them, and I could receive "that phone call" any time.

I've been having the "home sick blues", and if I could I'd return to UK, in a flash. It's too late for me now, I'm 56. The years have flown by, Nevertheless,
I still think of the UK as my home.

If anyone would like to exchange comments, I'm here.

Thanks

meauxna

56? My husband was about that age when we married.. he started a whole new life <g>.

Never too late, my friend.

suncr

Your husband returned to England at the age of 56?

How did he get started again?

Did he get a job?

I'm more worried about life after retirement. I don't think I would get much of a pension. I do have 10 years of work in England before I left in 1979.

I would be interested in knowing the above.

Thanks for writing.

suncr

meauxna

He left England in his early 40s actually, and moved to Greece (early retirement). We met & married there eventually, and ultimately moved to the US, where he had only visited once.
He hasn't taken a j o b (dirty word around here) but we manage to generate some income. That said, he did do his 20+ years on the j o b in the UK and does receive a small pension income.

You might spend some time reading around the forum here called Moving Back to the UK; maybe you'll find some inspiration?

What have you been doing in CR all these years? I haven't been back since the mid 90s or so.. I hear it's changed a bit.
What sort of state retirement does CR have.. I know it's become a very popular retirement destination for Americans, but hadn't thought about it the other way 'round.

suncr

I came to CR in 1979, Worked with a few Computer companies, and then in 1986 I started my own company. I worked in computer repair and then into Laser/ink cartridge remunufactering.

In 2005, I went through a very dirty divorce and as a result of that I had to look for a new job. I'm working for Hp here in one of their Call Centers.

There is a National Pension scheme here, but it's not going to be enough to sustain me after I retire, and you have to have a min. of 462 monthly quotas, that's around 38 1/2 years of contributions.

If you want to retire here, and you have money or a Pension of say $2,000 plus, per month, then you can have a very good life. It's become very much like the U.S. It's allot easier to retire here than to work here. The Colon has just devalued again, and now it's around ¢556 to $1. Gasoline is about $1.30 a liter.

With only 10 years of contributions in U.K. I will get about $200 a month from the U.K. pension, and probably around the same from CR. Not good.

Thanks for writing.

suncr

fsmith80

Cheers everyone,

Recently moved to Costa Rica a few months ago (I was here in 2004 but decided to return now). This is my very first post so, hello to all. Can any of the more seasoned expats provide help with a job or job leads? Looking to work in HP call center if possible. Having trouble with residency and work permit as well. If anyone is ever around Ciudad Colon, look me up. I will buy you an Imperial!

suncr

I am "Very" familiar with HP.

Let me say straight away, if you do not have residence in CR, you cannot legally work. Hp will only employ you if your documents are in order and you have a work permit.

The other alternative is to start your own company and work within that.

It took allot of effort to get my documents together and that was along time ago. Today it is more difficult.

suncr

By the way, I guess you owe me an Imperial. I could probably throw a stone at you from where I live. Same Town !!!!!

fsmith80

Ha, LOL, I guess I do owe . Hey we will have to meet up at Oscars soon so we can chat. I am living in Las Palmas now. Do you know of any place (call center/sports betting) that I could work in while I am waiting for my residency status to change (will take anywhere from 4-6 months) who will understand my situation.

suncr

As I said, without a work permit, you cannot "Legaly" work.
You may find a company that will "understand" your situation, but they are really tough on companies that employ ilegal workers. There's plenty of Sportbook companies around.
My suggestion is to get your documents in order, and then apply.
Just because you get residency, does not automatically allow you to work.
If you can get a social security number then you're home free. Just as in the U.S.
Good luck, and where is Oscar's??
How about La Choza de Johel??? That's real close to me.

meauxna

hola again, suncr..

I've been following the thread because I get a reminder when someone else posts so I just thought I'd add a little something here..

The US Social Security number doesn't give anyone permission to work (although only people *with* permission to work are supposed to get one in in the first place now).

Sure wish I could drop in for a beer with you guys... (travel withdrawal here )