[VADA HOPKINS]

We checked out Panama last year.  A lot of what you hear is not true.  I think that Costa Rica is much cleaner.  The information says that up to 30% of the people speak English.  I do not know who they are as they do not work in grocery, drive taxi’s, work in drug store, wait tables, and having to go to the doctor without helpful people in the waiting room I would have been sunk.  Found one doctor that spoke a little English, I have a LITTLE Spanish and sign language were able to communicate.  The drivers are absolutely crazy and my husband would not drive so we had to get drivers every place we went which added to cost.  We rented a condo as planed to stay a while to try it out and needed to get groceries.  The prices were high and eating out was no cheaper than in the states.  We had been told that prices were like here in US in 60’s  this is a big lie.  The humidity is VERY high a lot of the time and in short we are planning a long trip to Costa Rica to check it out.  Now all of these things might not be a problem to you if you are aware of them but not when you are expecting something else.  The other thing is Do NOT go there if you are handicapped.   I notice this because at one time I had to use a wheelchair for a long time.  The only thing you could do is be taken to the mall and get around there but the sidewalks are tough and there are no ramps into restaurants , theaters, or actually anyplace at all.

[VADA HOPKINS]

Do you have any idea about golf there and the costs for residents? My husband is a golfer and would like to have some idea we are thinking more in the area of the central valley. Glad to hear about the water. What about shopping in the smaller towns? Probably more like medium towns not really tiny. We currently live in a town of 20,000 in NV and have grocery, doctors , and Walmart. Is there anything like that?

[VADA HOPKINS]

What about utilities? We think maybe the central valley how are the rentals priced as want to check out before buying. Can we get English TV? What is the cost of internet? What about driving costs gas, insurance upkeep? Do you have any ideas about bringing personal items and car? Would you be better off selling car and buying new one there? We were in Panama and they drive like there is no traffic laws at all how is the driving in Costa Rica? Am I asking too many questions?

[VADA HOPKINS]

We want to go check things out when are you thinking of going? We would not be able to go for several months as still saving after checking out Panama. Wish we would have gone to Costa Rica to begin with. We would most likely be looking in the central valley. We are in our seventies and worried about the state of the health care with all the cuts in Medicare for people over 74.

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