Costa Rica Expat: Craig Williamson

Costa Rica Expat: Craig Williamson
Age: 47
Place of Birth: Des Moines, Iowa
Current Home: Liberia, Costa Rica
Lives with: Family.
Has lived in Costa Rica: 4 years

What is your occupation? How did you get started here?
Upon moving here as an Executive with the Four Seasons, and having a Real Estate Development background, I noted the level of activity. After 2 years with FS, I left and began Costa Rica Equity and Development that now has over 3500 acres under development all around.

The next step was to create an institutional sales and marketing organization. To this end, I purchased the ERA Costa Rica Franchise. This organization is guided by three benchmarks – leadership through Integrity, respect for our environment and communities, and technological innovation.

What other groups or activities are you involved in here?
I sit on the board of the Do it Foundation. This organization purchases, assembles and distributes free wheelchairs to thousands in Costa Rica.

When did you decide to move to Costa Rica?
I looked at Costa Rica for a couple years and was drawn to the people, the government and obviously, the beauty.

How did you deal with the need for a work visa, residency status, and health insurance?
I have created a department within ERA Costa Rica for those issues. This department specifically works with our employees and agents to provide solutions for visas, residency and we supply health insurance.

Do you speak the local language and do you think it’s important?
I am working on it and understand more than I speak. One of my 2008 goals is to bring my Spanish language skills at least intermediate level.

Do you miss people or particular aspects of your home country?
Being from the Midwest, I certainly don’t miss the weather. But I do miss some of the conveniences…until I go to one of the beaches here and take in that breathtaking beauty.

Do you have other plans for the future?
Business wise, we are expanding into Nicaragua, Panama, Belize and Mexico. This has begun already which requires extensive travel on my part.

Are you renting or have you purchased a home or apartment?
I have purchased a condo, but rent a home in Liberia when I am in Guanacaste. Average rents in the area are $1000 to $2000 for a house, depending upon size and location.

What is the cost of living here?
I find the cost of living here comparable to a smaller city in the Midwest.

What do you think about Costa Ricans and how they treat foreigners?
Most people will treat you exactly as you treat them. If you anticipate someone treating you poorly, your wish will come true.

What do you think of the Expat community in Costa Rica?
The Expats that live and work here are great. The issues come more with tourists that do not want to respect the country, environment and people. But this is a small percentage, as most guests to the country are wonderful.

What are the positive and negative aspects of Living in Costa Rica?
Positive: People, Environment, Business marketplace.
Negative: October

What is your favorite place to visit in Costa Rica?
I have a Charter company in Playas del Coco with Boats and Jetskis (Coco Seasport). My favorite place is to take a jetski out on a spectacular day and tour the coastline.

Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Costa Rica?
Be flexible, stay open minded, and enjoy it for what it is…paradise.

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.