That's a very nice video.🙂 I am Thai. I wanted to live in Thailand but there are some reasons that forced me to change my mind. Thailand is the paradise for many people from Western. I realized there are so many great things in Thailand. But unfortunately, it's not my place. Sometimes there are unbelievable exceptions for someone.
I'm from a country neighbor of CR and I have some friends living there, and all of them coincide that it is kind of tough to get use to their culture and can't bound with the people because general speaking, Ticos feels that they are in the top of the world.
Rule of thumb: If you're moving to another country because the cost of living there is much lower than in your home country, remember...you need to live like a local when you move there, not like you lived in the place you moved from.
There re fancy areas in all countries. You can live as fancy as you want in any country as long as you can pay for it. There re 3rd world areas in USA and 1st world areas in developing countries. It all depends on the area you can afford and that's in any country in the world.
@@susanafernandez4164 What he wanted to say, is bea local, not an expat, If you want to live like rock star will be expensive in everywhere, but if you live as a local is more affortable the cost of living
@@javierreina3364 He did say that. He's assuming that to be happy you must put down roots, and not become a constantly vacationing rich brat like Susanna Fernandez.
I m from Canada and decided to move to Costa Rica when I was 21....it s been 23 years already and I m not going back to Canada. This is not a perfect country, but it has something special and unique that is difficult to describe. When I go visit Canada I feel like a stranger. Best tip I can share: Blend, blend blend with people and the culture, learn spanish. I was not retiring, but starting my work life. I built my life from the ground up there like any other tico. Find a job, buy a car, then a house, then have a kid. My face looks Canadian but from deep inside I feel I m a tico. I dont regret having moved here a single day since then.
Muchas gracias por su comentario. Como costarricense me alegra que haya podido desarrollar su vida acá y que se sienta como en casa, ¡uno de nosotros!🌴
Exactly, I never got to see a manager of a country club playing golf. I am living in a most wanted place in the world for fishing big games in Brazil - Pantanal - My house is three bolck away from Paraguay River, and I don't do any fishing! LOL Cheers from Brazil.
@@TravelingwithKristin Saying "the neighbor's guavas are always sweeter" No, no, in reality these are far from been sweet. We should appreciate the country we born, because despite the problems, we always will be foreings somewhere else. We can mingle, but we will not blend in. Go travel!
I am costarican, born and raised, work in property management and tourism in general; and i've seen all sorts of tourists and foreigners coming to CR looking to retire. What you say in your video is true but also, in my personal experience, some persons come to this country with unreal expectations and not willing to learn how we live and our customs. About people getting scammed and ripped of, i can say that a lot of times, this is done by other foreigners, not costa ricans (which some do screw tourists or investors). But i think the biggest problem and that's why some cannot get past that curve, is that they are unwilling to 1- learn spanish, 2- learn our way of living, 3- realize that this is not their country and things are done differently and we think in a different way, 4- we do not have to put up with bad attitudes just because you carry a passport and dollars. And yes, it is an imperfect country, just as any other, but there's a reason why they moved here, enjoy it and learn to chill a little. :)
Client is king, you do not want to put up with bad attitudes , neither does your client. I am a world traveler I know every country is different even within the same region. I do speak several languages and understand the differences. Costa Ricans need an attitude adjustment.
@@ruthrecalde2858 it's happens when people is sick of expats thinking that they are the owners of the world, if we will go to they countries, we have to adapt as they are, why we have to be as they want in our houses?
@@johnslugger ran into an old retired Coast Guard guy in Panama; sailed all rope work, was alone now as his brother had died. He didn't even know how much money he had coming into auto. deposit since he didn't spend money. Always a linein the water. I went to his bank to show him how to use his card. There were hundreds of thousands of dollars. I contacted his family in Canada to let them kthnow he was all right and healthy. But I couldn't imagine if he had run into the wrong people and disappeared. Good thing he ran into me!! Total off grid. WE have off grid too, here in the Rockies, but most have huge pensions to fund the groundwork; retired teachers, Dr.'s, dentists, and other professionals, or those that just ended up with all their relatives money!!! Good for you and the other families.
What I’ve noticed traveling the world (I’ve been to 52 countries) is that what you “need” is cheaper outside the U.S., what you “want” is more expensive than the U.S.
I had big plans on living in Santa Teresa (buying a house) after visiting many times for the prior 4/5 years. a friend recommended doing a long term rental first so I moved there for a year....unfortunately it didn't work out. But anyone coming across this...id recommend doing a long term rental first and deal with the prices, infrastructure instability, jungle living, etc... most may have visited in the summer months but its a whole different story making it through rainy season. muddy roads, floods, etc...
When I was young, I travelled to Europe and ultimately settled in The Netherlands where a friend helped me to get a job. My intention was never to stay, but I ended up staying for 5 1/2 years anyway. Circumstances brought me back to the U.S. for another 12 years and then I got the opportunity to return to Holland where I ultimately met an old Greek boyfriend from 25 years prior and we moved to Greece for 11 years until his death. I returned to The Netherlands for work and then retired at 60. My intention was to move back to the U.S., but by that time America had changed so much from when I had left it (plus I had adapted too well to the Dutch 'democratic socialist' system) that living in the States would have been far too costly for me. This makes me very sad because nothing would have pleased me more than to have died in my own country. I'm nearly 73 years old now and have come to the realisation that no matter where I have lived, I adapted perfectly fine .. whether inside the United States or outside of it. I didn't necessarily prepare for a life in a foreign country, but when I got there, I chose to live like the natives do, learn their language and their customs and never to compare them to America's way of life. We shall see where it all ends one day. Thanks for your insightful video.🌹
Democratic socialist system? The Dutch system is not socialist. Plus their taxes are much higher than in the U.S.? Don't know what you are talking about. Sure certain parts of their system is partially run by government but it's no more socialist than the U.S. I think you are just a lazy person who wants to live off more productive peoples dime.
@@kenkenichi7461 The Netherlands is also a monarchic country that unlike other monarchies, all its powers are controlled by the 'elected' parties. Like most Nordic countries, the Netherlands IS a 'democratic socialist' country because of all the interventions and control the Government has over its citizens, yet all the freedom of choice, freedom of trade and freedom of ideology. And no, I've never been a 'lazy person' who has not paid into both the Dutch and the American systems my fair share of taxes. In fact, you might like to 'thank' me for having spent an entire career serving my country AND saving lives at the same time. You have a great day now, ya hear? 🌹
@@LindaCasey It's just funny people like you love socialism and vote in politicians who will increase taxes to the point of near slavery, artificially boost inflation through central banking, leave the country seeking a cheaper lifestyle to simply go to worse places. Taxes in the United States use to be 1% and anyone who worked could afford to buy a car and house and provide for a family off one income! My point is it's disgusting to listen to people complain about prices in the U.S. when they are the root cause of the price increases because of their beliefs and the people they put in office. Americans need to focus on what they had and can possibly have again instead of believing other places are so great with socialism.
@@kenkenichi7461 what an ignorant fool you are! Do you know this woman? Her past? The things she achieved? The languages she learnt? No. You're an ignorant clown who most likely will never do half the things this lady has done and yet you call her names. For a mediocre small mind like yourself, she is a lazy person eventhough she just open her life to us and explained how she worked for so many years. What have YOU done big mouth?
USA citizens wanting the simple and less expensive life of native Costa Ricans in Costa Rica, yet wanting to live a USA lifestyle with all its accouterments but without paying USA prices for it.
Basically this for many expats in all of Latin America. It's not just like the US only cheaper. Most people blow their money on a house while houses are often the biggest savings if you get out of the expat bubbles and go into the higher elevations where you don't need air-conditioning. Find a place where you don't need a car. I'm in a town of 50,000 in Nicaragua and can walk to computer stores, small groceries, the banks, the post office, and a number of restaurants. Cabs are reasonable but shared. Mexico has a higher minimum income per month than all the other countries but the rest are all around $1000 a month for one, $1200 for couples if the money comes from a government pension. Also, anyone who doesn't have legal residency is an illegal alien even if you pretend to be a tourist for ten years. Countries ignore this until they don't. Nicaragua was ignoring that foreign residence didn't keep them informed of moves until it didn't. Now renewals are every six months, $52 paid in Managua. Crime is under-reported everywhere. Get a decent dog and follow what local women do -- if they don't go out at night, don't go out at night. Much crime here is non-confrontational (grab and run) or involved social engineering (a friend let in a man who said her landlord, whose name he knew, sent him). Think about why you want to be somewhere, not as an escape from the US. If you just want to live in an expat community, you might as well stay in the US. One piece of advice I found before I moved down -- don't do anything the first year you can't undo with two or three phone calls. Rent for at least six months, probably a year, and if you're not fluent in Spanish, consider renting indefinitely if you have a decent landlord. Bilingual nationals are your best sources of information. I've been in Nicaragua over ten years now. I like it, but it's definitely not Paradise. And if you want a car and all the electronic toys, and some trips to other countries, a US style house and a/c and a servant, it's not going to be cheaper. None of these places are so poor now that you'll live like a rich person on a $1.5K a month pension. The rich in Latin America are quite rich.
That's what it is. I told my mom when asked if I was preparing for retirement and what my plans were. I told 1st thing is I don't want to end up like those old people sitting in a Cadillac on a parking lot waiting for a store to open just to bust out a cane or walker and waddle in with a bunch of nonsense. If you are planning to live is simple life then start preparing for it and live it without being dependant on all the extras.
We were in Italy few years ago...enjoying the culture, incredible scenery, people, food, wine...this one particular wine was amazing. We'd visited the vineyard, met the winemaker...just incredible. Thus we had a couple of cases shipped home. We had a party and opened a few bottles...it was then I realized...it was just average red table wine. It was the Italian experience which made the Wine. Moral of the story...Vacation is generally not like real life.
As a Costa Rican from the Central Valley, I have to say that this is a pretty balanced summary of things. I have to underline that going to a country for a prolonged time and not trying to adapt/mingle with the locals/learn the language is always going to make things harder, I also consider it shows many times some disrespect and unwillingness to really know the place and its people.
I'm from Trinidad and Tobago and I had to complete my last semester in UCR back in 2014. My colleagues and I explored a lot, some nights we would walk home, we felt so safe. I just love CR, I always say I would love to live there.
@@soflodoug What do you mean? CR is not that insecure, the UCR is in San Pedro and although some places could be dangerous, not all the place is like that. I've walked from the Mall San Pedro to Avenida Segunda (Alaina might know what I'm talking about), late at night and nothing even suspicious happened
I've lived in CR for 30 years, and still live in CR part time. But due to my health (including my Diabetes type1) I have to live in the USA part time as well. My daughter started Kids Saving the Rainforest in Manuel Antonio in 1999 when she was 9 yrs old. I am still the President and love helping to save the rainforest in this amazing country! Pura Vida!
WOW! Thank you - so much! After hearing from so many YT influencers and expats on how (we) (should) move to CR, this brings a huge balance in it's perception. Thanks again.
This was very level-headed. I'm Costa Rican and lived in Canada for 7 years, going on for 4 in Germany. The cultural dip part is so spot on. Adjusting to other cultures is tough.
I lived in Costa Rica for about a year in 1975. The first three months in Dominical, one month in Santa Ana, seven or eight months near the top of Volcan Barva, and a few weeks in Puerto Limon. It was a great time to be there. Not much in the way of tourism and very little ex-pat-ism. We never had hot water for bathing. We had logs for heating (it was cold at night at 7,000 feet) delivered by a cart pulled by oxen. I baked bread in the small cast iron stove we used for heating the place. In Dominical we had electricity for three hours in the evening, a shower with water from a hose whose other end was secured in a stream up the hillside, windows with wood shutters and no glass or screens, and our weekly 40 km shopping trip by school bus to San Isidro took four hours in each direction. We travelled by train to Limon, sitting on the back of the caboose watching the track pass under our feet and taking in the spectacular mountains, farmland, flower farms, and finally the lovely painted houses on stilts in the lowlands. Am I making you feel homesick? :) I am English and have been living in Canada for the past few decades. The strange thing is that I felt more at home living in comparatively basic conditions in Costa Rica than I have ever felt here. I easily adjusted to CR but even after all this time in Canada I still find the culture alien. I can't say I like N. America. I lived in Germany (Bonn and Tuebingen) for a while and felt as though I belonged there. I also lived in Morocco for three years. No problem there either. I think it is almost impossible to bond with a place with which you feel no affinity.
@@anncoffey8375 I think the thing is culture. North America lost all culture as it left it all behind from the count they come from. Although nice places in Canada, Quebec and the Yukon are the only two provinces left with home grown culture.
@@terrymckenzie8786 Don't forget Newfoundland! Rural areas in Alberta and Saskatchewan too. I agree about Quebec, but I have no opinion about the Yukon because I've never been there.
@@anncoffey8375 Yes there are pockets in other areas also. Even Saskatchewan with the old timers and their John Deere hats😅 . I was in Whitehorse this summer and many Québécois were moving there to live. I asked one why so many Québécois were moving there and he slyly said that when you leave Quebec you don,t see any culture until you get to Whitehorse. I understand what he was saying and we both laughed.
Back in the pre-internet days, travel magazines, wrote about the rising costs of living in CR and the fact that it would increasingly feel like its being overrun with tourists. The writing has been on the wall for a long time now.
yep. back in 2010, i was told/warned by two separate boomer couples (who didnt know of one another) when i was medium term (a few months) in playa maurata, mexico. told me CR cost of living is bad, and dont go there for a lengthy stay if that was an issue.
So why People still moving and tourism. Can you guys make or have a idea to stop that. Is alot of countrys dont have many tourist and they still there. 1 year with almost not tourist and we still alive.
I have lived in Costa Rica since 1998 (24 years as of this writing). I expected a lot of exaggerated BS when I started to watch this video but I am happy to say I found it very accurate and balanced! Costa Rica is not for everyone but for many of us it is home. (I think I might actually have culture shock if I moved back to the U.S.!) I'm glad to see you talked about the acculturation cycle (It's true!) and about expectations. Unrealistic expectations are a big factor in people being disappointed with Costa Rica, As for Grandkids, Costa Rica aside, I know so many people who aren't living where they want but are living to be with there grandkids! Thanks for your realistic and balanced assessment of Costa Rica. I'm sure it will help many people decide.
Glad you found my video accurate and balanced, James and thank you so much for sharing your experience. Indeed it is not for everyone, I would still be happy to visit.
Very on point and well thought out. Having been a career U.S. Merchant Marine, I spent a lot of time in Costa Rica with friends who lived there, and they all had similar experiences to those you noted. Also these same issues can be applied to other countries such as the Phillipines, Mexico, even Israel to mention just a few. Keep up the good work, people need this quality information.
I've lived in Costa Rica for 21-plus years. I came down (Houston, TX transplant) three months after I finished college. Initially, I was uncertain about my decision. Years later, when I think about returning to the U.S., my stomach turns. That is to say, I love living here. BTW, I live in the mountains, 20 minutes from the closest beach (Playa Dominical). I live without A/C, and my monthly electric bill is about $20.00 USD. My municipal water bill is about $10.00 USD.
I'm thinking of going to Costa Rica for vacation to see if I would like to retire there. I'd love to talk to you and get some ideas on places to visit that might be a great retirement town.
I visited your Dominical beach and originally thought it was a sunning beach only to discover a nasty angry continual rough sea beach! The place is really dangerous! The place is a fishing village and the Saviche was the best I had ever eaten as it was super fresh! Glad to have visited it but would not venture in that angry water!
"If you are happy within, you will be untroubled no matter where you live." Thank you for being so real Kristin, I'm glad I've stumbled on your channel.
I retired 10 years ago and moved to Thailand 4 years ago. Life lessons: 1) Retirement is not like vacation. 2) Don’t move to a foreign country expecting to live your same life as back home but only cheaper. Both of these lessons fall into the category of realistic expectations. Maybe a corollary lesson is that you need to live your own life.
Martin, do you regret moving to Thailand 4 years ago? Knowing what you know now, what, if anything, would you do differently in preparing to move to Thailand?
@@James1787Madison I do not regret moving here at all. I am married to a Thai woman and plan to stay. I don’t regret my 60 years in the US but it was time to move on. Kristin has great advice about what to consider before committing to living overseas. Visit the place before you move and keep an open mind about what you are willing to change about your life circumstances. There will be change. Embrace it.
Perhaps but I always recommend exploratory trips first especially for retirees over the course of your life. Then once you think you like a place stay with or near a trusted expat for at least a month, longer is better and learn from his or her routine. I noticed sucessful expats tend to have certain personality traits.
As a Costa Rican I agree and disagree with some of your statements, of course it is your personal experience about the country. My recommendation for those who want to leave here is to install a power back up to avoid continues interruptions of electricity (some days it is bad and annoying) or solar panels, water back up as well and be very patient when you want something delivered to your house. You won't get many things as fast as you want so plan ahead and it is polite to learn Spanish to not face a language barrier. Costa Ricans will help you to learn. (start with bad words to break the ice). I know several foreigners (specially Americans) that have leaved in the country many years and they only know how to order Cerveza so learn the language to not get fckd up, learn the language to avoid frustration and learn the language to grow your own intellect In Costa Rica everybody is welcome :)
I’ll never be able to speak Spanish. My mouth won’t make the words. It’s not disrespectful, it’s just how it is. Many people come to America and never learn the language or just the basics and that’s fine. But people who say “learn to speak English” to them are rude and disrespectful.
@@barockhill really. it's super easy man. I learned the basics in 6 months, later I made it smooth and fluid. You can't say something to yourself that you can't acheive. Just, submerge into the adventure of learning, and enjoy, don't thinking how it will end.
@@milanradulovic3915 Your advice is good advice for most - but I also know as a former special education instructor & as a daughter of non‐English speaking Canadian immigrants? Some people truly aren't great at learning second or third languages. Of course, the younger one is when they try learning, the easier it is. I'm a polyglot myself & have no trouble leaning languages. My mum & dad & 1 brother are great at it too. But my grandmother tried yet never picked up more than 10 English words. She was brilliantly intelligent otherwise, & spoke several other languages but found English really difficult. My other brother had a minor head injury at 12 & though it seemed harmless at first & luckily mostly was? It DID Wipe out the 2 extra languages he'd learned & he wasn't ever able to learn any other language besides English afterwards. So yes - Do Try hard to learn • of course • It's possible to speak semi‐well in several months. But if you've studied 1yr. with no improvement? There might be a learning disability affecting your language acquisition & processing centre. But yes • Make a good effort • of course!! Gracias & te deseo buena salud y felicidad💜🫂⚕☮
@@barockhill People go to the USA and don't learn English because they work above 80 hour weekly, that it's not the situation for an american in Costa Rica or any Latam country, and that thing about your mouth don't make the words es pura mi3rda, your human phonetic system can make any human sound of any language. Oh "electric skeptic" has a good point, if you are over 60 years old, you are absolutely right, learning a second language past 60 is a powerful challenge. But even so, if you are retired you have all the time in the world to face it and all the resources available to achieve it.
@@AmberAmber yeah, there are circumstances that completely are understandable, like in injury. But from what I heard from Ticos that is only American thing about "can't learn" spanish. So, going with fact about disability for whole nation, doesn't catch a point. I think there is more about arogance of whole community and leak of the wish to learn.
This is a GREAT video. At age 76, newly retired, I had been looking into moving to CR for this past year. The more I looked, the less I wanted to move to Costa Rica. Vacationing there even seemed dodgy. Your take convinced me that travel...to any or many countries in the world, makes a lot more sense. And this video has freed me to plan trips around the states and Canada as my first step. Thanks!
Nice, thank you. My first reaction was 'No way I'm going to listen for 20 minutes' until I noticed I'd already been listening for 10! Wish you had given me a way to contact you for help with our desire to relocate.
My family and I lived there for 7 years. I agree with everything mentioned and would only add the difficulty banking. Crazy wait times because people pay all their bills at the bank, you have to prove where deposits originate, and don’t even think about borrowing money for a house (10-12%). For us, it’s just MUCH cheaper to live a middle class lifestyle in Tennessee. But we LOVED the weather, the beauty, the people (except the thieves).
I'm 78 years old. My family is mostly disconnected with me by miles, personalities and history. I believe moving somewhere you can share you life with feeding birds, taking care of animals on a farm and experience wildlife rather than hoping to join other family networks would. be next best to ideal. Being alone anywhere is tough if you don't have any connections to nature and sometimes with friendlies.
Nice to meet you, Juli. I think you would like these videos about what I like and dislike about living abroad, touching on topics like loneliness: th-cam.com/video/ZwxGU1jhPKs/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/JmE3RuO3wOI/w-d-xo.html
Hit that right on the head!! Excellent comment. I live in a cabin in the woods of Oregon. It took me 5 years to get back into the natural rhythm of nature. But now it will never leave- I’m good forever (except where there is limited natural environment.)
@@karynneilsed.s.5677 We probably have a lot in common. I too worked K-12 as a School Social Worker and Counselor. My credentials are MALS, MS several endorsements and licenses. I could never go back to that setting. I'm not a botanist, arborist, horticulturist, zoologist, animal husbandry expert. But, I like nature as it presents itself when it is free and safe. I live on 2 acres in the middle of a city. The animals here are neighbor's dogs and kids, squirrels and birds. I'm using tons and tons of wood chips to enhance my soils. As we age, we all have more aches, more cellular damage, less resiliency, and more recovery time from injury. We need lots more steady as she goes exercise daily along with a good diet. We need quality, knowledgeable, intelligent and sensitive medical care. We also need to figure how we intend to die. Alone? By our own hand? With long lost relatives? In a hospital or medical care ward? I believe in enjoying as much of life as is possible but dying alone seems like the only option for me. That's not depressing but it is real. Who has time for others these days? Hopefully I'll be as smart as a dog or cat who knows enough to go off into the woods to die a natural death alone and return their bodies to the other living creatures, to earth healing, and cosmic dust. No one ever discusses this future when they talk about the fun times of retirement in exotic places.
Good discussion. I lived in Costa Rica for 5-1/2 years. I left because I realized that I could keep up with their inflation on my SSAI payout monthly. I moved to Medellin, Colombia in February 2019 to enjoy a 30% to 40% boost in buying power I had discovered possible on my fact finding trip in November 2017. Moving to a new country is not an extended vacation, but it's a lifestyle change. South American is the last stop on my bucket to due list I wrote up for myself in 1957.
This very well balanced. I played it for my wife because we travel to about two countries a month since retirement and every place we go she wants to relocate to. Even the taxi driver in San Andreas Island Colombia was trying to tell her we are seeing the country through rose colored glasses. People have to be realistic and manage their expectations even my dear wife. 😊
I can relate. My boss at work used to tease me that I always wanted to move to every place I visited. Now I realize it's because I was in "vacation mode." It's a totally different experience than actually living there.
It's actually really hard for a typical North American to adapt to a Latin country. We have been spoiled with an infrastructure that runs fairly smooth on a day-to-day basis. But we really are spoiled because when we have to wait in a line that's a block long all of a sudden we just can't handle it.
Even when you move from Central America to the US you get spoiled, but I'll be living half of my time in Nicaragua and the other half here in the US to balance things out once I retire. At least those are my plans 😂.
Do Costa Ricans tend to hate Americans? A friend of my parents moved there and she seemed to quickly absorb a hatred for America like a sponge takes up water. To hear her talk now you'd think America is the worst country in the history of the world.
My parents lived down there for a few years, they were retired, visited, bought property, built a house....then another American "expat" in their town swindled them. Scared them into coming back to the US for a little bit, then stole their house, forced them to spend a bunch of money on Costa Rican attorneys who couldn't do anything. They loved it down there and an American conman destroyed their dream retirement. He's still down there. My mom has since passed away, and my dad isn't too far off. Now, I am making plans for my own trip to Costa Rica, and I'm gonna find Ed. Don't know what I'm gonna do yet. But he's got a karma debt that needs to be paid.
@@EveofJen I have a feeling he stole it on paper. So as far as all authorities down there are concerned, he's the legitimate owner and I think he's probably renting it out to travelers or maybe he's sold it by now. Idk. But one day, when I have the financial means, I'm going to figure out what happened.
The crook's probably long gone but good luck anyways. However, I'm just a little curious if you don't mind (without going into too much detail), what happened? Loan or investment swindle, were there any crooked Tico lawyers or gov't officials helping him, etc?
God help you. I feel for you and the parents. the frustration, helplessness. When you find him at least cut off the guys balls. I think murder is still illegal in a lot of places.
I was really appreciative of your comments!! I was busy and couldn't wait to hear you. After hearing about it, what came to mind is that what ever I have inside me, is what I am creating and I will be doing that no matter where I am. I moved in "retirement" from a San Diego Beach town, (Encinitas) to Cocao Beach Florida to loose the mortgage. It was an amazing move where all the stress came off. And lo and behold, I found myself "still" enough to hear my right path and stay on it. I put on my virtual "Noise Cancellation Headphones". LOL. And "let in" the gems around me. I could do this letting in so much more and now that's what I am working on. I love Cali because there is lots of high frequency awareness. Although I brought that with me, I came down a notch or two because it wasn't all the time being fed and nurtured with such a high energy. I think this is what the people are feeling who leave. They have to work a bit harder to be happy and healthy. Now I am feeding and nurturing my plants, my home, my food, my business and although I make less money with that type of balance, I should be just fine. You are right, there are all kinds of reasons and one thing I will never do is go into the "slide" of kicking back and being docile in the name of being "old". I will keep being active, vibrant, keep my diet and exercise and meditation and music and laughter. And through it all, I train myself to look only at my best life and. . . . . smile. It really works. Good luck to everyone on the path of applying more richness to themselves and remember, KEEP NURTURING THE GEMS if you want to have/keep them in your lives.
That's why I adore the Toyota ad when a bear gets separated from the ice and he landed in a city, and well, he gets a job in a supermarket as a bagger. He is adaptable! I am that too! ha ha
Im from Costa Rica and we moved to the Texas last year. Is waaaay cheaper living here and better quality of life. Unless you are retired or have money, not the place to live. Vacations are awesome tho, the country is so so beautiful!!! But yeah, sadly, very expensive and not very safe . But I also noticed that most of North Americans don’t even try to learn Spanish, they expect everyone to speak English, and most people do, education is good, but if you move to another country YOU are the one who needs to learn the language.
If i go to any country, i am suppose to know the language, r u serious? Nobody would ever travel. U want me to come and spend my money in your tourist industry, an industry that is responsible for a significant part of your economy, u should put more emphasis on your people Learning english. I was surprised to see so few Costa Reacons spoke english. Remember one of your biggest employer is the U.S.
@@jameshurst6119: James, slow down and re-read what she said: “If you MOVE” (as in permanently) to a foreign country it is your duty to learn their language. A foreigner must communicate.
@@jameshurst6119 amm this is about LIVING in Costa Rica not traveling for tourism. Maybe pay more attention to the video before getting so upset about not knowing Spanish. Lol
@@elcee7800 I am from the U.S., I i know many spanish who and will not speak english. Those were as a rule older folks. Lots of the people who come hear r retires, learning a new language is difficult for them, and many (as in my elderli hisp friends in the states) just do not want to deal with it. It blows me away that so many crs get upset that u do not speak spannish, and they have no idea how long u have been here. Any time a hisp trys to speak english no matter how bad the effort i compliment them as a way to encourage them. I have never gotten that consideration. Even u acted indignate about the fact in your opion.
I'm now 73 and moved next door to Costa Rica in Boquete Panama. Two of my children married Panamanian nationals they met in college and all live in the USA paying my Social Security haha. I moved to Boquete in 2016 to shack up with a widow I met at one of the weddings. Bought a house in a second home Panamanian neighborhood, adopted dogs, toured the country with a guide - highly recommended. Met many expats of whom I like about 3. Covid cut the lifestyle short for several years as said kids made grandchildren. Now I split my time between Mid America USA and Boquete. My entire monthly expense to live in Panama is like $300 fixed cost which includes a car and house as I have no debt. We eat in and I hike the mountains daily because I like that. I can walk to town center in 40 minutes and the nearest grocery in about 20. We have no heat and require no air conditioning. I can be standing in the Pacific ocean in a little over an hours drive and in the Caribbean in 3. Only thing I'm missing is sailboat. Eventually age will force me to return to USA where I can get medical care as I'm pay as you go in Panama which can be risky. I've lived many places in the US from the country to the big city. I like Panama and my kids would like me to keep the house for them and my grandchildren. So I will.
I like this woman. She has one of the least annoying deliveries. I like that she doesn't bludgeon you to death with cliche's and an overuse of ' amazing ' ' super ' and phenomenal '
That was a great and comprehensive treatment of the subject of why people leave ANYWHERE. I’m an older long term working expat, and have lived in a Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore (currently) as well as Ghana, Ireland and Qatar. I find that ex-pats get targeted more in developing countries. We’re basically assumed to have more resources and are therefore targets of opportunity. Also I’ve discovered that the police and judicial systems in many countries aren’t always “principle based” and are often on the predatory side of the equation. It’s one of the reasons I do appreciate Singapore. It’s safe, clean, and well administered. As much as I like adventure, I’m done with third world countries, and all the uncertainty that goes with them. While no place is perfect, less developed countries are less developed for some very specific reasons, many of which are reflected socially in terms of safety, justice and responsibility.
@@Victoria-rl4cu No, Victoria, they didn’t , and Ireland isn’t exactly a developing country, is it. I enjoyed my 3 years there, although they weren’t challenge free by any means. The types of challenges were of a different nature, mostly bureaucratic, but that’s a different subject. I was two years from applying for citizenship, which one can do after 5 years, but I got a job offer in Singapore which was too good to pass up. Now I’d have to start over.
As a Miami native in my mid-20's in the '70's, I loved my year teaching in a Tokyo business college, and subsequent six years in Hong Kong, where I enjoyed positions with the HK Hyatt, a large American pharmaceutical firm, and as office manager for an international American law firm. A positive life-changing six-week sojourn in Bali induced my eventual return to the States, to the Pacific NW, ostensibly to 'drop out and grow veggies', which I basically did for the subsequent 30+ years. Now in a rural setting in the Great Smoky Mountains of western NC, I find I increasingly miss the foods, sights, equatorial warmth and general excitement and quiet joy of being an expatriate. Extended travels in Canada, Nepal, India, Brazil, Uruguay, Thailand, China and the Philippines among others have all been of great interest and culturally enriching, but SE Asia holds a special place in my heart. My few weeks on holiday in Singapore whilst living in HK are fondly remembered. For some time I have been seriously considering Costa Rica as a final retirement-within-my-retirement destination, but the crime rate herein mentioned came as a surprise, and represents a strong and compelling deterrent. Safety and stability being foundational considerations, Singapore is now firmly in my sights. Thank you kindly for reminding me of this special place!
Lived in Costa Rica for 11 years before returning to the US. I don't regret the adventure but it was good to be home again. Still have a 16 acre property in Puriscal that I'm willing to sell at a deep discount just to be completely free to move on. Do NOT buy land unless you are SURE you'll be staying. You, likely, won't know that until after about 3 years or so. Great job, Kristen! Pura vida 💯
Thanks Luz! Glad you had a great adventure but also that you’re feeling settled at home right now. I completely agree with you on the property, too. Hard to re-sell
This a very straight forward presentation about moving to another country, not just Costa Rica. We visited there for a month in 2011 with the idea of moving there and we were shocked at the high price of living. We enjoyed it, but chose to return to the US. In 2017 we moved to the mountains of central Mexico. Many of the issues you mention are valid here as well. However, we have become part of the community, it takes patience and a strong desire to make it home. But now it is home, and we are grateful every day for our lives here. Thank you for a well balanced view of moving abroad, whichever country is chosen.
Many years when I first went to Costa Rica there was relatively little crime and the prices were low on most things. The best way to avoid getting charged on the Gringo price scale is to have a native get things for you at the price the locals pay. Meantime watch your back where ever you go. Costa Rica is still nice but not as nice as it was back in the day. Too many negative elements have come in from outside the country. You could also say the same thing about the US.
😂😂 gringo price scale. Sorry for all of you guy guys. It has to suck having higher prices just because of your background, I would have normal prices if I moved since I am also central American and look like the typical inhabitant of Costa Rica
When I first went to Costa Rica, it was fun to take the bus down to the Mercado Central and check it all out. Now, there's no way you would catch me there. Even my Tico friends tell me you are very likely to get robbed and stabbed.
This is very well put. I have lived in Mexico for the past 20 years, am married to a Mexican, and don't run at all with the ex-pats. They do stay in their own little bubble and the older ladies really complain about how the 'help' robs them blind. I think to myself, 'then why do you live here'? You really do appreciate life so much more when you just go with the flow.
I've lived here 20 years, I agree with you on mindset. You have to live with the people, not the tourists. She lived on the beach, in CR, the beach is the highest crmie rate in CR....,why...tourists. Money.
Excellent attitude and philosophy. Only thing is that the Tico mindset has changed in last 10-12 years. They have become somewhat gringoized. Greedy and trying to get over for a buck. My first time there, a taxi driver insisted on giving me every centavo in change back, it was his pride! That doesn't happen anymore that's for sure. There was a different vibe before. Pure Vida was real a d not a phony tourist expression. But stay happy there, it's still a beautiful country especially in smaller less touristy areas and less developed beach towns.
Agreed with this mindset completely mate. I would also mention the total lack of any specifics about the cost of living there besides the ridiculous "few hundreds of dollars" per month for ac, what is that, 6 bed 5 baths mansion, a hotel? Plus the quite revealing fact of where she is coming from when she said that she never heard of anyone been robbed or home invaded in the place that she live back in the States. Upper middle class or up upbringing in the "finding herself" phase, not a person that i would take advice in such matters.
Finally someone that explains it like it is instead of "hey leave the US and you'll be happy". There is a reason why so many people from latin america do everything to live in the US, I am one of them. My wife and I will be retiring to CR but on different circumstances since she is a Tica and I have lived there for 7 years. Americans see youtube videos and think they gonna have a vacation experience every day when they move over there. Also most Americans living there dont speak Spanish and still wonder why they not having a good time
The middle class and rich do not migrate from Latin America. Usually are the very poor that do anything to come to the U.S. Personalky I’m trying to move to Latin America since healthcare in the U.S is unreal!
@@jorgecampos9659 I agree with the healthcare part but you are wrong about the immigration. I won't say rich people, but plenty of middle class come to the US, the difference is we come here legally and you don't hear about us in the news. You think is poor people from other countries that come on an H1B visa?
@@TravelingwithKristin You are in tilte to you own decision and own it. Dont blame anothes from you mistake. You live in Costa Rica 8 years building a Company make money and of couse you life in Costa Rica was no all miserable like to make it sounds in this video. You are the only one shame you self for you decision. You choce Costa Rica, Costa Rica dont choce you.
@@dhibba52 on the contrary I understand it because I’ve lived it every day for the last 15 years. Costa Rica is a beautiful place to live if the person comes with the expectations to lay down roots and assimilate but if not it will become fast and furiously frustrating. If I miss understand where your coming from then my apologies. By the way, I have the privilege of being full blooded 100% Tica but raised in the states and after 37 years of living an amazing life in the states I came back to my birth place (which I left when I was 7). As I said, it’s beautiful and I love living here but it wasn’t easy or effortless for that matter!!!
I am from Costa Rica raised and born. I do actually feel that a lot of the surprises some foreigners get when they arrive here are due to their own fantasy of what Latin America is about. I cant count the times I had being ask by foreigners on the internet if we have electricity or if we party everyday. Also a lot of them had have the mentality that here in Latinoamerica everything is party and we are so easy going that we do not have works or complicate lives. On the same time, there is an idea that living in Costa Rica is like having a vacation in Costa Rica and that it is not realistic in any country. Another thing that I notice is that a lot of foreigners don't learn spanish and even when you can find people here in Costa Rica with a very good level of english, some people dont speak it. Another point, prices are higher in Costa Rica that in other Latin American countries but you need to understand that the minimun salary here is higher. Violence in Costa Rica is relative if you compare it with a country as the US, not a single tico will left their camara or phones exposed alone and it is true the organized crime has increase as well . But for example situtation as shootings in supermarkets or schools is something that does not happen here. Other stuff, our health service is public, that means that we wont ever have the problem that our insurence wont cover something, but when you have something public is not as efficient as something private (economic principle) but there are also private health services in Costa Rica and actually they are very good (but you would need to pay this and and it is expensive), actually for example Costa Rica have a better immunization schedule that many countries in Europe and the USA. And last but not least, and I have notice this with men a lot of them get the idea that we latinas are "easy" girls and thats unconfortable if I am honest. Update: please take into account that I am not saying that foreign men are perverted. It is okay to found love in another country I was refering only to the guys who oversexualize latinas. So if you found latinas cute thats ok, you have a taste, the problem its when you meet a latina and the first thing you asked her it is to have sex because you think she is going to be more "easy" than the girls of your country.
>and I have notice this with men a lot of them get the idea that we latinas are "easy kind" of girls and thats unconfortable if I am honest. I know you think you're being sly trying to shame those "men" by saying how that makes you "feel" but you know they think that way for a reason: *it's true.* Source: I'm from a Hispanic country myself and have seen this dynamic countless times from the point of view of a local. It's a truth universally acknowledged so to speak and no one from any of these "latino" countries can deny that this is TRUE with a straight face and if they do they are lying to you. Anyways, it can make you feel however you want but those men didn't get this idea implanted on their brains by the holy ghost and you know it: they got it because that is indeed the case that girls have an easier disposition towards them. BUT it's not because latinas are easier than girls from other regions necessarily, it's just that the foreigners (especially white) are generally assumed to be loaded and hence of high value to a lot of women in these countries. Many girls are also dying to leave their respective countries and see foreigners from developed nations as a way out to a better life. This is natural and it's an instinct ALL women have, that all people have really. It just so happens that foreigners will of course take advantage of that general disposition ("easy kind" in your parlance) towards them by the local girls in Costa Rica and take a sabbatical there. Well d'uh lol. If anything, you need to have an "uncomfortable" talk with your fellow Costa Rican women but you know they won't listen so you decide to come on here and gaslight people online when you know the truth. Maybe this is just your way of #ImNotLikeOtherGirls your fellow women from Costa Rica? In any case, the responsibility will of course lie with the women there so begin your "uncomfortable" talk there.
What you wrote is true for one type of foreginers the most, here is my example my older brother went to the study excange in to the US from the Europe back in 1993 he lived by the US family whos father was a college professor and jet when he arived they show him a washing machine, a colour TV and some other stufs as something new because a poor guy come from the small country in the Europe in to the mighty US. They were very nice to him otherwise that's why he after a few weeks of living there tried to explain them how we live here in the Europe. Unfortaly they just say sure, sure like a poor euro boy try to look less poor, then my brother did a mistake he wrote a letter to the father (was before internet btw) to send him some photos of our house, cars, area, vacation spots... to show the US family a reallty, luckly for my brother the pictures arived in to the US less than a week before he need to return in to the Europe, because otherwise nice US famy changed their atitude imiadetly after they saw the photos to the worse, it was a bad last week, namely our house was better then theirs we have a solid house/ brick house, my brother and I had a colour TV in our separate rooms, they saw our vacation house near the sea (btw only 3 rooms but nonetheless) etc
Points the are legit in any country if you are no prepare, research you will be dislike ting in every country even if you move from one state to another. Happens to me moving from Naples Florida to Paterson New Jersey I was in shock, no parking space, crime, poverty, trash in the streets. But I move there for a reason and was me Social Work. Im Proud CostaRican and I live in US half of me life.
When I used to go there in the 80's and 90's, I'd go for two months with like $500 bucks. Jaco Beach, Hermosa Beach before they got "touristy". $5 for a room, $2-$3 for a meal
This is so true even here in the state of Florida. many move here after they retire but end up moving back to their home state because of their grandchildren. Grandparents play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren. My sister and brother in-law did the same thing, they were only here in Florida about 9 years and moved backed to Michigan to be with their children and their grandchildren.
@@TheSwissChalet i think is normal . if my grandma lived at the beach while growing up, i would ve been very happy to visit her.. Growing up i had 3 neighbors who's grandma lived at the beach and they would take me to visit her and it was lots of fun.
@@susanafernandez4164 many families with small children cannot afford to fly on a plane every time they want to visit a relative. Not only do you have to get multiple plane tickets, you often need a rental car, then food, juggling a car seat, etc...not worth it when it’s a thousand times easier for the retired person to go to the family instead of the other way around.
I lived in Costa Rica 2009-2015. I met a Nicaraguan girl and we got married and now we have been together 5 years in Nicaragua. I agree with many of the reasons you stated and noted those same things. I think beyond superficial reasons such as food, nature, beaches etc. people move to a new country for more profound reasons and are disappointed when they realize that it didn't offer the solutions they were looking for. I got the impression that some people were unhappy with their lives in their developed countries and decided to move to a new country simply because it would validate something about their worldview, or perhaps compensate for unrealized personal goals, or perhaps because they felt alienated in their own culture, left out, left behind, or even in some cases as an act of "rebellion" against their home country's values. Once the initial rush of a new environment wears off they realize they are often still the same unhappy person but without access to the same support network, friendships and rituals (a favorite seasonal activity, a certain home cooked food). I think that disillusionment is impactful enough for people to start looking for excuses to return home, and not wanting to blame their own rash decision making, blame a myriad little reasons about their host country to justify their feelings. In any case the selection of the host country was secondary to the decision to remake one's life regardless of where or how. These are bad reasons to move to a new country. In my opinion some good reasons to move to a new country would be: experience personal growth (any negative experiences contribute to what you are learning), to give to others (build friendships, do charitable work), to share the good of your own culture with others and learn the good of a new culture (habits, language, music, etc.). These reasons are external focusing on REAL life, real people, connection with the new country...as opposed to INTERNAL, thinking living in a new country will be a mystical transformative experience that will validate us or somehow make us more valuable than others. Other countries are just the same as everywhere else with the same problems but exacerbated by the fact that differing values mean you will see things that upset you (sick, wounded dogs roaming the streets in packs, unusual degrees of poverty, etc.). Very informative video and very balanced, thanks, I really enjoyed it!
I am Glad that you said that, it's true, when we move, or spend a prolonged period of time in a foreign country, after a while, we realize that life is just about the same everywhere, but that in our homeland, we may have a Support System that may Not have elsewhere, So vacationing in certain spots is better than staying there to live. Just visit as often as you can or like, but Not stay to live. !~~~~~ is a way of enjoying what you like about the place for the time period you spend there, but don't have to deal with All the bureaucracy and challenges of when you are settling somewhere permanent. !~~~~~
My cousin went to CR and rented an airbnb and on the 3rd day she went back to the house and everything was GONE! When the investigation came through they told her that the people who rent the house was the ppl who robbed them, thats f'ed up
@@brucecates3772There are bad people everywhere, in Canada you just have to be very unlucky to find them, Canada can be an exception and they have a very low crime rate, but in 2019 there were 678 homicides in all of Canada and I can assure you that the relatives of these people could not believe that this happened in their country, I repeat, there are bad people everywhere, many are luckier than others and that is why they have not found them.
Great video. I have visited CR several times and spent a great deal of time house hunting. Ultimately, I realized (with a very patient realtor) that the perfect house for me is a gated home in a secluded area. But then I realized I can seclude myself in many countries around the world so why choose this one? This epiphany caused me to stop and rethink what and why I was trying to move.
For me, its expensive, I adapt. I have caja, a healthy lifestyle. Its a great spot for doing the inward journey, healing. I love my simple life here. But I hated it for quite awhile. I got ripped off so many times....many times by other expats. All of the negatives your mention exist....4 hours to go 12 km. If anything, this place has taught me patience, to be chill and to have great boundaries with others. So glad I stuck it out. I have wonderful Tico friends, not many expat friends. Your perspective is awesome.
"to have great boundaries with others" ... I'm not entirely sure what you mean by this, but what I've found in living here for over a decade, is that I MUST establish clear boundaries in order to survive.
A very good video, Kristin. I watched your video on the best places to live in in Portugal and we shared comments. What I see now, from watching these videos, is that there are a lot of people moving to Portugal, or thinking of doing so. Also, there are now tons of videos about expat life in Querétaro and Mérida, in Mexico. Ecuador seems to show up a lot too. You never find a video from an expat or a retiree who has moved to Brazil. I guess it is the high crime rate and the economic instability or maybe Brazil doesn't make it easy to get residency. The advantage of Mexico of course is that people can stay there for 180 days and go back to the border and renew their tourist visa. A very big disadvantage is the high crime rate and the corruption in the police and government officials. In Portugal we have amazing safety, little corruption, and a good healthcare system. Unfortunately, a lot of the ocean water is freezing cold and winters in the north are not very tropical. For me the big positive of Portugal is the proximity to Spain and even France. You have all of Europe at your fingertips, or should I say at your car's tyre treads. Once again, a great video. Very professional.
Although it was only for a two week vacation I found that most people in Portugal do you speak English and the lifestyle is comparable to western European countries.
My cousins lived there for 10 years. Their property got squatted on *while* they were actively developing it. One day they were working on it with backhoes and clearing it out. The next day, 20 guys with machine guns from the local drug lord were there. A few weeks later, they went to court and the local drug lord had paid off the judge and the property was awarded to them under squatter's rights laws. Their entire retirement nest egg along with kids college funds. Gone. They still have 2 properties and one was rented to a guy who stiffed them on rent for a few months and they just sold up and left. They were able to recover around 600 grand split between 4 people from their remaining properties. On their way out, someone poisoned their dog, who died of kidney failure a few months later in Canada. Very sad. He was literally falling apart as the pads fell off his feet and eventually they had to just take him in for the big sleep.
Lived in San Jose for three years and could never understand why streets have no names, houses with no numbers. It was a lengthy phone call to order a pizza for delivery.
I was there for a couple of months to learn Spanish. I learned that all directions are given with visual references. The problem is that some of the references are long gone.
As a costarican i totally agree with this, for us is quite simple because we are used to it, but for someone coming from a contry with a better organized adress system it must be hellish, adding to that the more specific vocabulary you might need to explain where you are. Thankfully the government is now labeling some streets (at least in San Jose) so it might make the job a little easier, on the other hand, numbering houses is just a distant dream.
@@GDMTroll Then the Costa Rica system is notoriously corrupted. That's their culture and its inefficient service. They will never change. Therefore, Costa Rica sucks because I was there and it was bad in the nameless maze streets of San Jose.
What a remarkable “spot on” commentary about the reasons people come and why many end up returning home after living in Costa Rica. After 15 years of calling Costa Rica “home” this video rang very true for my wife and me. Thank you for sharing such a well balanced video. Well done.
If you are no controble in you own countrie the most smart decisions was to research the best location according to you needs in the first place. And when you found out is was a big mistake to move down there, why you still thinking to move back to you Country. Gringos don't really like to suffere they buy a slave to do that.
After having lived abroad, I learned to love and respect other cultures from around the world. One of the most important things to be able adapt to a new culture or country is that you change (move) your perspective. You have to immerse yourself into the local culture, whether you love it or not. You have to know the history of the country, learn about different ways of living, of doing things, new ways of thinking, learn their idiosyncrasies, and become familiar with their behaviors. You have distance yourself from the "being a foreigner in a foreign land" perspective and behavior. Avoid engaging the locals like a tourist, integrate into the local culture and become more like being one of them. You don't have to comprise your social or family values or social behavior for this. Just being nice, polite, and respectful will do many wonders and will take you a very long way. I love Bollywood just as much as Hollywood.
My father lived in Costa Rica since I was 15 years old and now I am 64. I have seen a lot of change and what you are saying is very true. To the point you cannot live in a bubble, everywhere on this planet has a down side and you can only hope the up side is better. I appreciate your transparency about Costa Rica. You forgot one thing though. How do you become a millionaire in CR? You bring 2 million. Respect John in Encinitas
Excellent presentation Kristin & I am not surprised by your report. I am thinking about moving to Maine as I can't stand hot or humid weather of the south. I have vacationed there several years and loved it much. The weather in Costa Rica and bugs would drive me crazy!
Kristin Is amazing the amount of knowledge that you have acquired and that happened because You have had the courage to go abroad and see for yourself. Congratulations.
I'm costarican and I haven't had dengue ever or weird diseases related to bugs or mosquitos etc. Very few places have issues with floods or earthquakes etc. There are huracanes in the US, snow etc. I think you are speaking about a couple of locations maybe, San Jose and some coasts. There are many other beautiful places in CR with lower cost and very low crime. If you just buy prepared food it could be very expensive too but not more than in the US.
like a hamburguer at the airport is 25 dollars, the drink above 5, and that is just a snack! are you kidding me? dont hide the real FACTS, my friend. why an uber ride costs 100 dollars from a bus station to the airport? can you explain why?
@@Malexa32001 Uber is actually quite cheap here. Was the $100 ride to the airport from the terminal at the beach in Guanacaste? I've never heard of a $25 hamburger at the airport but I suppose it's possible. Airport food is generally more expensive in just about every country where I have visited. I'm sure you can find a more expensive hamburger somewhere in New York City, Tokyo or Paris. One should always check the menu before ordering at ANY restaurant. When traveling I always take snacks or plan to dine before or after being at an airport. If I can't, there are many, more reasonable options for dining at the airports in Costa Rica.
13:58 "That country doesn't have to change for you." I'm American and still live in the US and I also feel that it would be easier to move to another country than to hope that the US changes for me. I plan on moving to the Netherlands, which seems to be my ideal country despite the high cost of living. The Dutch are known for being frugal anyway, so adapting to their culture will help me adapt my budget.
Spot on. This country (USA) is slowly eroding away from what once made it great. Better to just move away....see the world...learn new cultures...and, if desired: Move back home (in USA), bringing your new knowledge and skills to familiar territory. That way, you would be so much more diverse; and ready to teach the world what you know.
Just visited the Netherlands. Everyone speaks English but oh my goodness, the INSANE high cost of living was absolutely shocking compared to Germany, where I currently live.
I've lived here 14 years. It's very affordable, compared to the US, if you live like a Tico. I didn't move to CR to live like a North American. Generally good info for other people to consider, though.
Yep, I live like a Tico - most of the time. 14 great years in Grecia! Can't imagine ever leaving. It's home. Don't much care for other expats in general...
I've been living in Costa Rica for eight years now, your video is pretty accurate, pros and cons you mention are spot on. Ultimately, it comes down to the individual's adaptability and likes and dislikes.
Indeed! It totally depends on the individual's preference. I know a few people who have been living in Costa Rica same as you @ArgenCars CR. Glad you resonated with my insights and thanks for sharing! Keep safe!
We're planning our second visit. Are they enforcing digital ID and vax mandates to work? How are the covid restrictions? Thank you! We wont be in any main cities, more local traveling and sleeping in hostels.
Thank you for taking the time for this video. I myself will be spending my winters here very soon. I love my summers back home and yes...family is very important to me so that can't be comprimized. However on the safety side, every country has it's challenges and people who make a living in criminal behaviour. I can say from a personal standpoint, I feel safer here than most any place I've been in the US. I find that the people here look out for one another and as an expat, you'd be included in their circle.
Costa Rica has a huge property theft problem and a lot of the times, the lawyers are part of the scam. My wife’s dad got scammed big time over there. It’s been over 15yrs, 8 different lawyers, and he’s still trying to his his property back.
@@MoreToTheTruthThanMeetsTheEye Yes. You have to routinely check online to see if your property is in your name. And yes Daneee is right, it is a big problem and the lawyers are in on the scam. If your property has been stolen and you don't have attorney money, you lose.
I am from Canada , I have lived in CR for the past 29 years , I moved here very young and started my own business , it’s not an easy place to do business as the government is very anti business , and yes it has become very very expensive due to over taxing , there is no utopia but I am not ready to go back to Canada
Kevin, is not just about taxes. Salaries are a reason. CR has one of the highest salaries of latam, that drive up prices, but not in a bad way, that way Costarricans have a higher purchasing power then its neighbors
I met an older gentleman on my way home from a brief vacation in CR. He was from the Chicago area, and had moved to CR for retirement. He basically said he didn't know anyone or have family there, and so I assume he got bored and lonely, and after a while he decided to return to the US.
I lived in CR from 2003 to 2019 and your video is basically right. I used to brag to my friends back home at how much I could buy at the store for $50 when I first got there. A few short years later that wasn't the case anymore. Markets are definitely the best places to lower your food costs. While we all have our unique experiences living there, as I was listening I could definitely relate. Good job.
Wow! I wasn't expecting much from this video and it turned out to be extremely helpful and accurate. Besides a few CR-specific points, your expert advice applies to pretty much everywhere. I first emigrated to the the US to study and work until i realized i need something else so i then emigrated to Portugal. Thank you so much for this video and best of luck!!
Damn. Great video. I’m living in Brazil now and already lived in CR. Was considering moving back but this video just made me realize that within a short period of moving there, I would feel the same way about CR that I currently feel about Brazil. You may have just saved me a lot of hassle and time!
Glad you are back and please take good self care to prevent burn out. My first burn out happened in the US because I adopted this Accomplishment self worth based culture. Since then, I had to be very conscious of where I put my identity and worth knowing I am a human being with boundary and limits. It is very tempting and a constant struggle trying to not give into this cultural norm but it is possible when I consciously practice establishing boundaries and limits without feeling quilt and "I am doing enough syndrome ." I really appreciate your vunerbility and sharing your human experience of Burning Out in the US. It is so real and genuine. So happy to see you coming back and taking better care of yourself. Thanks for sharing.
I loved my first several months in Costa Rica and made excuses for negative experiences. Then I went in the dip for a few years living in the Central Valley. Then I moved to a rural northern area 5 years ago, and guess what? An old farm boy is totally at home and never happier.
I feel for those who have left and maybe they have left feeling defeated. I don't live in Costa Rica and haven't ever been there but am thinking about it. Just about all the reasons that Kristin has listed as reasons for living are easily understood and I was able to overcome all those obstacles. Although I now live in the US I suffered reverse culture shock upon returning here after 20 years in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. More and more I am considering moving back to maybe a new country that I haven't lived in before, Costa Rica Panama, Ecuador and Portugal are all on my list. The very best thing that prepared me for living in the countries I have lived in was to learn Portuguese in Brazil and Spanish in the other two countries. Several have commented about the wisdom of becoming like the natives that you live with. I would do anything to NOT act as a foreigner because you set yourself up for failure if you expect everything to be like home regardless of where you come from. Part of the experience is broadening your perspective and learning the culture and integrating with that culture. I hope this helps someone considering to move around the world.
You’re not missing anything - Costa Rica is mediocre at best. Far too many better places at a marginally higher cost. Spending a bit more coin can get a small plot in places like Hungary, Poland, or Estonia … different weather, but much cleaner & higher standards.
I could relate a lot to many of your comments and observations about living the Ex-Pat life abroad, particularly in the tropics. I separated from my wife of thirty-plus years in my mid 40's. We grew apart and I just wasn't happy with her spendthrift ways. I had read books as a young man about living in the South Seas. I took a few months and visited several island groups and loved all of them. Most had serious impediments to immigrating by U.S. citizens so that narrowed my choices significantly and not being independently wealthy I needed to find something to do that would finance my life. I finally settled in Western Samoa for reasons of a business plan, a somewhat established infrastructure, and a perception that nearly all the people I came in contact with spoke English fluently. Perhaps the biggest problems eventually falling into focus had to do with culture shock, and the effect it had on me. Over two and a half years I became more and more homesick for my friends, family, and the familiar conveniences of living in the U.S. I think it is important to have a base to live from, but limiting yourself to one third-world country can be a huge problem. I spent a few weeks with Dengue Fever and it was a real drag! Women with whom I had much in common were scarce and like yourself, I was a target of repeated theft and general taking advantage of my lack of local knowledge. Every time I thought I was catching on to the eccentricities and peculiarities of living in Samoa something would happen to jerk me back to the reality, that I still had much to learn. The scarcity, (and resulting expense), of common items, (for example, Heinz Ketchup), popped up on a regular basis. In short, though, it always boils down to "cultural differences". I won't try to dismiss my age as a factor either. In my 20's I was much more pliable and less set-in-my-ways. I lasted about 3 years, then on a vacation to the states, I just didn't go back. I forfeited my portion of a tuna fishing business and boat, a pickup truck, a motorcycle, jet boat, and jet ski. I liked to pretend that I would return if and when I found an American lady who might want to share my tropic life, but I think I always knew that was unlikely. I still love the South Pacific but I have no illusions about my ability to live the rest of my life there.
@@dawnemile4974 I can see your confusion. Many people separate yet remain technically "married". It seems that neither of us could officially give up on our marriage for several more years. We finally divorced more for tax reasons than anything else. At the time of our divorce, we had actually been married from 1973 to 2018. Approximately 45 years. Though we actually ceased living together in 2000. And yes, I will concede, it was as "crazy" as it sounds! I refer to it as a "30-year marriage" because by both our estimations there were about 30 good years out of the total. As a postscript, we get along very well since our separation but have no illusions of ever living together again. We share a grown son and often have holiday dinners and birthdays with him at his home. These events are cordial and even friendly. The venom that once inhabited the breakup period of our relationship is long gone.
Kristin, you made the right choice to live in different places...your youth, business and the experiences will only expand your horizons and make you oh, so much wiser. I'm a bit older, but were I your age again in today's moveable feast world, I'd do the same. I became ill in my early 40's, fought disability to the point of re-education and bankruptcy, and was still unable to work in the end. After losing everything and fighting to keep working and maintain a lifestyle to which I had made myself very accustomed, then being abused, robbed, and surrounded by strangers who took advantage of my poor health, I left the states and just drove south. I really had no idea where I was going; didn't care either. For the first time in my 43 years, I threw every last bit of caution to the dirty wind. I still visit Cali for health reasons, but most of the year, live in a great old UNESCO site in a very safe area, with a wonderful landlady from the US. It took me almost 10 years to find this pretty-near perfect place, but now in my mid-60's, I live simply, safely, at peace and so affordably, I've managed to saved a few bucks, something I'd have never been able to do in the US. Moreover, I learned a valuable lesson. Take care of yourself and help those whom you can, but always remember to first figure yourself into the equation, (especially at my age), and live like a local, a few steps higher if you can. I've learned to do with less after many lessons, and I'm blessed God's always been my best friend. For that, I'm truly grateful and now, I never forget it. Continued success and good health on your journey, Kristin. Always, always be your own best friend. Ultimately, you and one to depend on, regardless, are ALL we've got (no doubt, God's an awesome choice). The key is to recognize this before and during, not when its time has come and gone. Wishing you all the best y muchos besos y amor. P.S. Maybe a few self-defense classes, 'cause samba may not save your gorgeous young life.😉😘
I was born in Costa Rica and moved to the U.S when I was 9. I'm so used to see the "good" videos of Costa Rica and there's a certain pride of talking about the the "good" of Costa Rica. I found your video to be very realistic and honest. The reasons you give in the video are valid and true. Good Stuff! Pura Vida!
El Pura Vida ..a mexican expression thats stayed in Costa Rica while filming a 1956 movie called Pura Vida , Gilberto Martinez Solares was the mexican movie director.
You saw your friend from 10 years ago and realized how time flies. With time being limited and fleeting you wanted to broaden your experiences as opposed to living in one place for decades.
I lived in the US for 5 yrs, had decent job with good salary however, that was not the life I wanted to myself, and I retuned to my country, Costa Rica. My reason? Family, tranquility, no corporate stress, looking for a more relax way to live. Since then, I have traveled to more than 20 countries for vacation, but I keep coming back, because this is home to me. Btw, really good video, very accurate information.
I'm happy for you, Diego! The pace of life in the US is even challenging for anyone who grew up here. I managed hotels in the US for most of my career and, because I speak Spanish and lived in southern Mexico for a couple of years, I really got to know my housekeeping staff very well. And I used to eventually ask the one's who'd come here when young, settled down and married and raised children here, if they think it was worth it. Almost to a person they said they never imagined how hard it was to live here even though they prospered. Disfruta la vida tranquilla!!
This is a great video, and its cautions about moving abroad are broadly applicable. It took about five years of living in anorher country for me to understand a totally different world view and mode of human interaction. After another six years I went back to the US and it was really hard to get used to it. Sadly, people in the US have little interest in hearing about other countries, even though we are surrounded by people from all over.
My experience exactly. It took five years to understand a completely different world view, and I think it also requires living like a local, not in a privileged position. It is also sad that people in the US don't want to hear about other countries, even when that information would possibly help them a lot
"You find it's just another country full of regular people...and you're still YOU" That is so deep and true. You are clearly a well educated person you know a lot about human psychology. These are exactly the things I am preparing myself for and the emotions I am trying to keep at bay. There truly is no "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" It's comes down to me (again). Thank you very much for your insightful commentary. So tired of hearing from people with hurt feelings about a place or folks who have some kind of agenda. Refreshing!
Living here for 13 years after lifetime in California and I still love it. Expensive? Maybe. But not like Calif. I have just as high or higher quality of life.
You are 100 percent right. I lived in Puntarenas for a year…hotter than blazes before relocating to Alajuela. All my friends and family assumed it was so cheap to live there. It wasn’t! It’s the hidden costs. If you don’t get residency you have to pay to travel out of the country four times a year. Even if it is just to Nicaragua or Panama it can kill your budget. A maid might be cheap but expect to pay through the nose if you need a laptop! I left my car behind in the USA, took public transportation and shopped in local markets. I didn’t live in an American enclave, I was as native as one could get…I even speak Spanish but eventually I returned the the midwestern usa! You nailed it in this video!!!’
Hello, I enjoyed your video - so comprehensive. I lived in Costa Rica as a Peace Corps Volunteer 1965-1967 (Las Canas, Guanacaste). Love it and many years later considered moving there to live. Now, at the age of 78, I've decided a visit will do nicely; better to remain here in DC to be close to family. Thank you for sharing. Costa Rica seems greatly changed since the time I lived there. Having so many ex-pats there has surely changed the flavor of things. Be safe wherever you land and be well.
Why I Left the US (new video): th-cam.com/video/HJ4oh7IAaeE/w-d-xo.html // Get help moving abroad: www.travelingwithkristin.com/relocation
This video explains so much. Thank you for making it.
At time stamp 11:53, is that you?
That's a very nice video.🙂 I am Thai. I wanted to live in Thailand but there are some reasons that forced me to change my mind. Thailand is the paradise for many people from Western. I realized there are so many great things in Thailand. But unfortunately, it's not my place. Sometimes there are unbelievable exceptions for someone.
I'm from a country neighbor of CR and I have some friends living there, and all of them coincide that it is kind of tough to get use to their culture and can't bound with the people because general speaking, Ticos feels that they are in the top of the world.
I was almost murdered in puerto vallarta 2021
Rule of thumb: If you're moving to another country because the cost of living there is much lower than in your home country, remember...you need to live like a local when you move there, not like you lived in the place you moved from.
There re fancy areas in all countries. You can live as fancy as you want in any country as long as you can pay for it. There re 3rd world areas in USA and 1st world areas in developing countries. It all depends on the area you can afford and that's in any country in the world.
well said
@@susanafernandez4164 What he wanted to say, is bea local, not an expat, If you want to live like rock star will be expensive in everywhere, but if you live as a local is more affortable the cost of living
@@javierreina3364 PRECISELY
@@javierreina3364 He did say that. He's assuming that to be happy you must put down roots, and not become a constantly vacationing rich brat like Susanna Fernandez.
I m from Canada and decided to move to Costa Rica when I was 21....it s been 23 years already and I m not going back to Canada. This is not a perfect country, but it has something special and unique that is difficult to describe. When I go visit Canada I feel like a stranger. Best tip I can share: Blend, blend blend with people and the culture, learn spanish. I was not retiring, but starting my work life. I built my life from the ground up there like any other tico. Find a job, buy a car, then a house, then have a kid. My face looks Canadian but from deep inside I feel I m a tico. I dont regret having moved here a single day since then.
Muchas gracias por su comentario. Como costarricense me alegra que haya podido desarrollar su vida acá y que se sienta como en casa, ¡uno de nosotros!🌴
Muy lindo su comentario, de fijo un re tico más, muchas gracias 🌹
Gracias Yannick
Pura vida!
Good for you for sticking it out!!! You are a good example.
People just need to realize that a vacation is very different than living somewhere!
Exactly, I never got to see a manager of a country club playing golf. I am living in a most wanted place in the world for fishing big games in Brazil - Pantanal - My house is three bolck away from Paraguay River, and I don't do any fishing! LOL Cheers from Brazil.
Facts
This is true
@@TravelingwithKristin Saying "the neighbor's guavas are always sweeter" No, no, in reality these are far from been sweet. We should appreciate the country we born, because despite the problems, we always will be foreings somewhere else. We can mingle, but we will not blend in. Go travel!
@Frances God bless your heart
Visiting a different country is one thing. Living in that country is totally different.
No kidding
There's a third thing: making a living ...
MALE OR FEMALE YOU'RE GOING TO GET NUMBER 1 IN YOUR NUMBER 2 OFTEN !
I am costarican, born and raised, work in property management and tourism in general; and i've seen all sorts of tourists and foreigners coming to CR looking to retire. What you say in your video is true but also, in my personal experience, some persons come to this country with unreal expectations and not willing to learn how we live and our customs.
About people getting scammed and ripped of, i can say that a lot of times, this is done by other foreigners, not costa ricans (which some do screw tourists or investors). But i think the biggest problem and that's why some cannot get past that curve, is that they are unwilling to 1- learn spanish, 2- learn our way of living, 3- realize that this is not their country and things are done differently and we think in a different way, 4- we do not have to put up with bad attitudes just because you carry a passport and dollars.
And yes, it is an imperfect country, just as any other, but there's a reason why they moved here, enjoy it and learn to chill a little. :)
Yes, and some expats are criminals or gangsters in their countries and come and install in Latin America, I'm Panameño and I know how is this
Client is king, you do not want to put up with bad attitudes , neither does your client. I am a world traveler I know every country is different even within the same region. I do speak several languages and understand the differences. Costa Ricans need an attitude adjustment.
@@ruthrecalde2858 it's happens when people is sick of expats thinking that they are the owners of the world, if we will go to they countries, we have to adapt as they are, why we have to be as they want in our houses?
@Carolina Corrales Read the previous comments,
@TheDowner You are a downer. Sit down!
"No matter where you run, you can never run away from yourself. "
Î
Wherever you go... There you are 😁
'Kicks just keep getting harder to find and all your kicks aint bringing you peace of mind...........'
@@johnslugger ran into an old retired Coast Guard guy in Panama; sailed all rope work, was alone now as his brother had died. He didn't even know how much money he had coming into auto. deposit since he didn't spend money. Always a linein the water. I went to his bank to show him how to use his card. There were hundreds of thousands of dollars. I contacted his family in Canada to let them kthnow he was all right and healthy. But I couldn't imagine if he had run into the wrong people and disappeared. Good thing he ran into me!! Total off grid. WE have off grid too, here in the Rockies, but most have huge pensions to fund the groundwork; retired teachers, Dr.'s, dentists, and other professionals, or those that just ended up with all their relatives money!!! Good for you and the other families.
lol
What I’ve noticed traveling the world (I’ve been to 52 countries) is that what you “need” is cheaper outside the U.S., what you “want” is more expensive than the U.S.
this is a great observation
What do you want?
Great description
Yep I agree. Basically 3rd world sucks, if u can afford it stay in a 1st world country.
except beer
I had big plans on living in Santa Teresa (buying a house) after visiting many times for the prior 4/5 years. a friend recommended doing a long term rental first so I moved there for a year....unfortunately it didn't work out. But anyone coming across this...id recommend doing a long term rental first and deal with the prices, infrastructure instability, jungle living, etc... most may have visited in the summer months but its a whole different story making it through rainy season. muddy roads, floods, etc...
and be sure to check out the tax rates on buying a vehicle as well...ooof
Yes it can be an adventure to live there year round! Buying a car locally is usually better than importing one, but even used cars are expensive…
When I was young, I travelled to Europe and ultimately settled in The Netherlands where a friend helped me to get a job. My intention was never to stay, but I ended up staying for 5 1/2 years anyway. Circumstances brought me back to the U.S. for another 12 years and then I got the opportunity to return to Holland where I ultimately met an old Greek boyfriend from 25 years prior and we moved to Greece for 11 years until his death. I returned to The Netherlands for work and then retired at 60. My intention was to move back to the U.S., but by that time America had changed so much from when I had left it (plus I had adapted too well to the Dutch 'democratic socialist' system) that living in the States would have been far too costly for me. This makes me very sad because nothing would have pleased me more than to have died in my own country. I'm nearly 73 years old now and have come to the realisation that no matter where I have lived, I adapted perfectly fine .. whether inside the United States or outside of it. I didn't necessarily prepare for a life in a foreign country, but when I got there, I chose to live like the natives do, learn their language and their customs and never to compare them to America's way of life. We shall see where it all ends one day. Thanks for your insightful video.🌹
Democratic socialist system? The Dutch system is not socialist. Plus their taxes are much higher than in the U.S.? Don't know what you are talking about. Sure certain parts of their system is partially run by government but it's no more socialist than the U.S. I think you are just a lazy person who wants to live off more productive peoples dime.
@@kenkenichi7461 The Netherlands is also a monarchic country that unlike other monarchies, all its powers are controlled by the 'elected' parties.
Like most Nordic countries, the Netherlands IS a 'democratic socialist' country because of all the interventions and control the Government has over its citizens, yet all the freedom of choice, freedom of trade and freedom of ideology.
And no, I've never been a 'lazy person' who has not paid into both the Dutch and the American systems my fair share of taxes. In fact, you might like to 'thank' me for having spent an entire career serving my country AND saving lives at the same time.
You have a great day now, ya hear? 🌹
Sounds like you know how to enjoy life 🇨🇦❤️
@@LindaCasey It's just funny people like you love socialism and vote in politicians who will increase taxes to the point of near slavery, artificially boost inflation through central banking, leave the country seeking a cheaper lifestyle to simply go to worse places. Taxes in the United States use to be 1% and anyone who worked could afford to buy a car and house and provide for a family off one income! My point is it's disgusting to listen to people complain about prices in the U.S. when they are the root cause of the price increases because of their beliefs and the people they put in office. Americans need to focus on what they had and can possibly have again instead of believing other places are so great with socialism.
@@kenkenichi7461 what an ignorant fool you are! Do you know this woman? Her past? The things she achieved? The languages she learnt? No. You're an ignorant clown who most likely will never do half the things this lady has done and yet you call her names. For a mediocre small mind like yourself, she is a lazy person eventhough she just open her life to us and explained how she worked for so many years. What have YOU done big mouth?
USA citizens wanting the simple and less expensive life of native Costa Ricans in Costa Rica, yet wanting to live a USA lifestyle with all its accouterments but without paying USA prices for it.
Basically this for many expats in all of Latin America. It's not just like the US only cheaper. Most people blow their money on a house while houses are often the biggest savings if you get out of the expat bubbles and go into the higher elevations where you don't need air-conditioning. Find a place where you don't need a car. I'm in a town of 50,000 in Nicaragua and can walk to computer stores, small groceries, the banks, the post office, and a number of restaurants. Cabs are reasonable but shared. Mexico has a higher minimum income per month than all the other countries but the rest are all around $1000 a month for one, $1200 for couples if the money comes from a government pension. Also, anyone who doesn't have legal residency is an illegal alien even if you pretend to be a tourist for ten years. Countries ignore this until they don't. Nicaragua was ignoring that foreign residence didn't keep them informed of moves until it didn't. Now renewals are every six months, $52 paid in Managua.
Crime is under-reported everywhere. Get a decent dog and follow what local women do -- if they don't go out at night, don't go out at night. Much crime here is non-confrontational (grab and run) or involved social engineering (a friend let in a man who said her landlord, whose name he knew, sent him).
Think about why you want to be somewhere, not as an escape from the US. If you just want to live in an expat community, you might as well stay in the US.
One piece of advice I found before I moved down -- don't do anything the first year you can't undo with two or three phone calls. Rent for at least six months, probably a year, and if you're not fluent in Spanish, consider renting indefinitely if you have a decent landlord. Bilingual nationals are your best sources of information.
I've been in Nicaragua over ten years now. I like it, but it's definitely not Paradise. And if you want a car and all the electronic toys, and some trips to other countries, a US style house and a/c and a servant, it's not going to be cheaper. None of these places are so poor now that you'll live like a rich person on a $1.5K a month pension. The rich in Latin America are quite rich.
It's called 'unrealistic expectations'.
Sounds like you get what you pay for.
As imperfect as the US is, there is a better sense of security as a US citizen on US soil than on foreign soil.
...for now.
That's what it is. I told my mom when asked if I was preparing for retirement and what my plans were. I told 1st thing is I don't want to end up like those old people sitting in a Cadillac on a parking lot waiting for a store to open just to bust out a cane or walker and waddle in with a bunch of nonsense. If you are planning to live is simple life then start preparing for it and live it without being dependant on all the extras.
We were in Italy few years ago...enjoying the culture, incredible scenery, people, food, wine...this one particular wine was amazing. We'd visited the vineyard, met the winemaker...just incredible. Thus we had a couple of cases shipped home. We had a party and opened a few bottles...it was then I realized...it was just average red table wine. It was the Italian experience which made the Wine. Moral of the story...Vacation is generally not like real life.
that's a beautiful finding :)
Maybe they don’t export the good stuff?
That is very curious. I would return to the Vineyard with a couple of those table wine bottles. Then taste it again to be sure.
They also buy the good wine for the demonstrations to the tourists.
They scammed you
I'm impressed by how articulate you are. You speak with virtually no verbal fillers. If you weren't teleprompted, well done!
yes
But that voice!? Yikes it’s squeaky! Trying to get through it though..
@@mrrandy2306Rude.
@@mrrandy2306 shut up then dont listen
No matter where you go, there you are.
And where you are is where you're at unless you're in the Outhouse!...
Ram Dass
Man, that's deep!
So true.👍
That's the place to be.
"And you realize it's just another country with regular people, and you're still you." That one hit hard - going to write that down.
It does not matter where you live in the world the most important thing is learning to live with yourself
🙌
Great point
Id love to give you a million "likes "
🍃🕊🍃
Every where I go there I am. 😊
So very true!
This is a very good summary, honest and straight forward with facts.
As a Costa Rican from the Central Valley, I have to say that this is a pretty balanced summary of things. I have to underline that going to a country for a prolonged time and not trying to adapt/mingle with the locals/learn the language is always going to make things harder, I also consider it shows many times some disrespect and unwillingness to really know the place and its people.
Thank you, Esteban. I really appreciate your local perspective and feedback!
@@TravelingwithKristin lol nice boilerplate response.
@@imdumberthanthepersonimrep9134
I'd suggest you're just simply dumber, period.
@@u235u235u235 sure but she gave it a heart so everyone sees it
really well said.
I'm from Trinidad and Tobago and I had to complete my last semester in UCR back in 2014. My colleagues and I explored a lot, some nights we would walk home, we felt so safe. I just love CR, I always say I would love to live there.
because where youre from the thieves dont think you have any money.
@@soflodoug What do you mean?
CR is not that insecure, the UCR is in San Pedro and although some places could be dangerous, not all the place is like that. I've walked from the Mall San Pedro to Avenida Segunda (Alaina might know what I'm talking about), late at night and nothing even suspicious happened
Tuanis muchacha!! Always welcome back!!
Bienvenida, cuente conmigo cuando quiera venirse para CR.
Yo quiero conocer T&T, creo que podríamos tener una excelente amistad👍🏻😉
I've lived in CR for 30 years, and still live in CR part time. But due to my health (including my Diabetes type1) I have to live in the USA part time as well. My daughter started Kids Saving the Rainforest in Manuel Antonio in 1999 when she was 9 yrs old. I am still the President and love helping to save the rainforest in this amazing country! Pura Vida!
That's a great advocacy Jennifer! Thanks for sharing 😊
Hello Jennifer! Is there anyway I can talk to you? I m really interested helping or serving the country. Thank you.
Jennifer Arroz
Wow I went in June to Manuel Antonio and rented a air b&b really nice!!! Went to Quepos as well!!
Omg I love you
WOW! Thank you - so much! After hearing from so many YT influencers and expats on how (we) (should) move to CR, this brings a huge balance in it's perception. Thanks again.
You're very welcome! 😊 I'm glad to provide a balanced perspective on Costa Rica.Thanks for your support! 🌍🇨🇷🌟😄
This was very level-headed. I'm Costa Rican and lived in Canada for 7 years, going on for 4 in Germany. The cultural dip part is so spot on. Adjusting to other cultures is tough.
Thanks for watching the video, Sebastian! Indeed it can be tough.
I lived in Costa Rica for about a year in 1975. The first three months in Dominical, one month in Santa Ana, seven or eight months near the top of Volcan Barva, and a few weeks in Puerto Limon. It was a great time to be there. Not much in the way of tourism and very little ex-pat-ism. We never had hot water for bathing. We had logs for heating (it was cold at night at 7,000 feet) delivered by a cart pulled by oxen. I baked bread in the small cast iron stove we used for heating the place. In Dominical we had electricity for three hours in the evening, a shower with water from a hose whose other end was secured in a stream up the hillside, windows with wood shutters and no glass or screens, and our weekly 40 km shopping trip by school bus to San Isidro took four hours in each direction. We travelled by train to Limon, sitting on the back of the caboose watching the track pass under our feet and taking in the spectacular mountains, farmland, flower farms, and finally the lovely painted houses on stilts in the lowlands. Am I making you feel homesick? :)
I am English and have been living in Canada for the past few decades. The strange thing is that I felt more at home living in comparatively basic conditions in Costa Rica than I have ever felt here. I easily adjusted to CR but even after all this time in Canada I still find the culture alien. I can't say I like N. America. I lived in Germany (Bonn and Tuebingen) for a while and felt as though I belonged there. I also lived in Morocco for three years. No problem there either. I think it is almost impossible to bond with a place with which you feel no affinity.
@@anncoffey8375 I think the thing is culture. North America lost all culture as it left it all behind from the count they come from. Although nice places in Canada, Quebec and the Yukon are the only two provinces left with home grown culture.
@@terrymckenzie8786 Don't forget Newfoundland! Rural areas in Alberta and Saskatchewan too. I agree about Quebec, but I have no opinion about the Yukon because I've never been there.
@@anncoffey8375 Yes there are pockets in other areas also. Even Saskatchewan with the old timers and their John Deere hats😅 . I was in Whitehorse this summer and many Québécois were moving there to live. I asked one why so many Québécois were moving there and he slyly said that when you leave Quebec you don,t see any culture until you get to Whitehorse. I understand what he was saying and we both laughed.
Back in the pre-internet days, travel magazines, wrote about the rising costs of living in CR and the fact that it would increasingly feel like its being overrun with tourists. The writing has been on the wall for a long time now.
yep. back in 2010, i was told/warned by two separate boomer couples (who didnt know of one another) when i was medium term (a few months) in playa maurata, mexico. told me CR cost of living is bad, and dont go there for a lengthy stay if that was an issue.
Exactly!
So why People still moving and tourism. Can you guys make or have a idea to stop that. Is alot of countrys dont have many tourist and they still there. 1 year with almost not tourist and we still alive.
Americans basically spoil everything we touch. My idea of a retirement wonderland is Iran or North Korea.
@@BillLaBrie LOL
I have lived in Costa Rica since 1998 (24 years as of this writing). I expected a lot of exaggerated BS when I started to watch this video but I am happy to say I found it very accurate and balanced! Costa Rica is not for everyone but for many of us it is home. (I think I might actually have culture shock if I moved back to the U.S.!) I'm glad to see you talked about the acculturation cycle (It's true!) and about expectations. Unrealistic expectations are a big factor in people being disappointed with Costa Rica, As for Grandkids, Costa Rica aside, I know so many people who aren't living where they want but are living to be with there grandkids! Thanks for your realistic and balanced assessment of Costa Rica. I'm sure it will help many people decide.
Glad you found my video accurate and balanced, James and thank you so much for sharing your experience. Indeed it is not for everyone, I would still be happy to visit.
Así es.Gracias por tu respuesta lógica,te envío Saludos desde san Ramón de Alajuela Costa Rica,pura vida.
I am living to be close to family and grandkids
@@ssoma151 I have no idea why people build lives around children so much. Boring. lol
Thank you for being Frank about experiance.
Very on point and well thought out. Having been a career U.S. Merchant Marine, I spent a lot of time in Costa Rica with friends who lived there, and they all had similar experiences to those you noted. Also these same issues can be applied to other countries such as the Phillipines, Mexico, even Israel to mention just a few. Keep up the good work, people need this quality information.
Yes, 🙏
I've lived in Costa Rica for 21-plus years. I came down (Houston, TX transplant) three months after I finished college. Initially, I was uncertain about my decision. Years later, when I think about returning to the U.S., my stomach turns. That is to say, I love living here. BTW, I live in the mountains, 20 minutes from the closest beach (Playa Dominical). I live without A/C, and my monthly electric bill is about $20.00 USD. My municipal water bill is about $10.00 USD.
Im a Houstonian thinking about relocating...thanks for this post
I'm thinking of going to Costa Rica for vacation to see if I would like to retire there. I'd love to talk to you and get some ideas on places to visit that might be a great retirement town.
@@thevillage2.058 Visit first, see how you like the culture. We didn't care for it.
I visited your Dominical beach and originally thought it was a sunning beach only to discover a nasty angry continual rough sea beach! The place is really dangerous! The place is a fishing village and the Saviche was the best I had ever eaten as it was super fresh! Glad to have visited it but would not venture in that angry water!
@@carolsmith6817 what were your likes and dislikes? I might visit this year. Can you give me a good town to stay?
"If you are happy within, you will be untroubled no matter where you live."
Thank you for being so real Kristin, I'm glad I've stumbled on your channel.
How can you be happy about "Home Invasions"?
very true
Good Vibes only! Thank you for watching :)
I retired 10 years ago and moved to Thailand 4 years ago. Life lessons: 1) Retirement is not like vacation. 2) Don’t move to a foreign country expecting to live your same life as back home but only cheaper. Both of these lessons fall into the category of realistic expectations. Maybe a corollary lesson is that you need to live your own life.
Great advice, Martin! Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us in the comments 🙂
Amen!
Martin, do you regret moving to Thailand 4 years ago? Knowing what you know now, what, if anything, would you do differently in preparing to move to Thailand?
do you find it easy to meet other westerners or expats in Thailand? Or is it hard to assimilate and a bit isolating?
@@James1787Madison I do not regret moving here at all. I am married to a Thai woman and plan to stay. I don’t regret my 60 years in the US but it was time to move on. Kristin has great advice about what to consider before committing to living overseas. Visit the place before you move and keep an open mind about what you are willing to change about your life circumstances. There will be change. Embrace it.
I am glad I watch your post. You brought up some great points. Thanks
There's nothing wrong with moving somewhere and then realising it was wrong. it's a healthy educational opportunity
Too expensive a mistake and its stupid. Try it out for a month first.
Agree, Kevin
Perhaps but I always recommend exploratory trips first especially for retirees over the course of your life.
Then once you think you like a place stay with or near a trusted expat for at least a month, longer is better and learn from his or her routine.
I noticed sucessful expats tend to have certain personality traits.
A
@@designstudio8013 guess you missed the part about the "honeymoon" phase
As a Costa Rican I agree and disagree with some of your statements, of course it is your personal experience about the country. My recommendation for those who want to leave here is to install a power back up to avoid continues interruptions of electricity (some days it is bad and annoying) or solar panels, water back up as well and be very patient when you want something delivered to your house. You won't get many things as fast as you want so plan ahead and it is polite to learn Spanish to not face a language barrier. Costa Ricans will help you to learn. (start with bad words to break the ice). I know several foreigners (specially Americans) that have leaved in the country many years and they only know how to order Cerveza so learn the language to not get fckd up, learn the language to avoid frustration and learn the language to grow your own intellect
In Costa Rica everybody is welcome :)
I’ll never be able to speak Spanish. My mouth won’t make the words. It’s not disrespectful, it’s just how it is. Many people come to America and never learn the language or just the basics and that’s fine. But people who say “learn to speak English” to them are rude and disrespectful.
@@barockhill really. it's super easy man. I learned the basics in 6 months, later I made it smooth and fluid. You can't say something to yourself that you can't acheive. Just, submerge into the adventure of learning, and enjoy, don't thinking how it will end.
@@milanradulovic3915 Your advice is good advice for most - but I also know as a former special education instructor & as a daughter of non‐English speaking Canadian immigrants? Some people truly aren't great at learning second or third languages.
Of course, the younger one is when they try learning, the easier it is.
I'm a polyglot myself & have no trouble leaning languages.
My mum & dad & 1 brother are great at it too.
But my grandmother tried yet never picked up more than 10 English words.
She was brilliantly intelligent otherwise, & spoke several other languages but found English really difficult.
My other brother had a minor head injury at 12 & though it seemed harmless at first & luckily mostly was? It DID Wipe out the 2 extra languages he'd learned & he wasn't ever able to learn any other language besides English afterwards.
So yes - Do Try hard to learn • of course • It's possible to speak semi‐well in several months.
But if you've studied 1yr. with no improvement?
There might be a learning disability affecting your language acquisition & processing centre.
But yes • Make a good effort • of course!!
Gracias & te deseo buena salud y felicidad💜🫂⚕☮
@@barockhill People go to the USA and don't learn English because they work above 80 hour weekly, that it's not the situation for an american in Costa Rica or any Latam country, and that thing about your mouth don't make the words es pura mi3rda, your human phonetic system can make any human sound of any language. Oh "electric skeptic" has a good point, if you are over 60 years old, you are absolutely right, learning a second language past 60 is a powerful challenge. But even so, if you are retired you have all the time in the world to face it and all the resources available to achieve it.
@@AmberAmber yeah, there are circumstances that completely are understandable, like in injury. But from what I heard from Ticos that is only American thing about "can't learn" spanish. So, going with fact about disability for whole nation, doesn't catch a point. I think there is more about arogance of whole community and leak of the wish to learn.
This is a GREAT video. At age 76, newly retired, I had been looking into moving to CR for this past year. The more I looked, the less I wanted to move to Costa Rica. Vacationing there even seemed
dodgy. Your take convinced me that travel...to any or many countries in the world, makes a lot more sense. And this video has freed me to plan trips around the states and Canada as my first step. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful, Jiggs! 😊
Pick a country, any country and they ALL have problems... you'd never leave your own house if you worried about every potential problem.
HEALTHCARE is probably one of the BIGGEST reasons why people move to Costa Rica. And of course, the weather! 🇨🇷
Is good people go to Costa Rica for vacations but so many come to live here and thats is noot good fot the country
@@antonybax5518 Some places are worse than other though!
Nice, thank you. My first reaction was 'No way I'm going to listen for 20 minutes' until I noticed I'd already been listening for 10! Wish you had given me a way to contact you for help with our desire to relocate.
My family and I lived there for 7 years. I agree with everything mentioned and would only add the difficulty banking. Crazy wait times because people pay all their bills at the bank, you have to prove where deposits originate, and don’t even think about borrowing money for a house (10-12%).
For us, it’s just MUCH cheaper to live a middle class lifestyle in Tennessee.
But we LOVED the weather, the beauty, the people (except the thieves).
🐓🥃🙃
I'm 78 years old. My family is mostly disconnected with me by miles, personalities and history. I believe moving somewhere you can share you life with feeding birds, taking care of animals on a farm and experience wildlife rather than hoping to join other family networks would. be next best to ideal. Being alone anywhere is tough if you don't have any connections to nature and sometimes with friendlies.
Nice to meet you, Juli. I think you would like these videos about what I like and dislike about living abroad, touching on topics like loneliness: th-cam.com/video/ZwxGU1jhPKs/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/JmE3RuO3wOI/w-d-xo.html
Hit that right on the head!! Excellent comment. I live in a cabin in the woods of Oregon. It took me 5 years to get back into the natural rhythm of nature. But now it will never leave- I’m good forever (except where there is limited natural environment.)
@@karynneilsed.s.5677 We probably have a lot in common. I too worked K-12 as a School Social Worker and Counselor. My credentials are MALS, MS several endorsements and licenses. I could never go back to that setting. I'm not a botanist, arborist, horticulturist, zoologist, animal husbandry expert. But, I like nature as it presents itself when it is free and safe. I live on 2 acres in the middle of a city. The animals here are neighbor's dogs and kids, squirrels and birds. I'm using tons and tons of wood chips to enhance my soils.
As we age, we all have more aches, more cellular damage, less resiliency, and more recovery time from injury. We need lots more steady as she goes exercise daily along with a good diet.
We need quality, knowledgeable, intelligent and sensitive medical care. We also need to figure how we intend to die. Alone? By our own hand? With long lost relatives? In a hospital or medical care ward?
I believe in enjoying as much of life as is possible but dying alone seems like the only option for me. That's not depressing but it is real. Who has time for others these days? Hopefully I'll be as smart as a dog or cat who knows enough to go off into the woods to die a natural death alone and return their bodies to the other living creatures, to earth healing, and cosmic dust. No one ever discusses this future when they talk about the fun times of retirement in exotic places.
I totally agree! I am more connected with nature and animals! My kind of life.......definitely!
@@karynneilsed.s.5677 ⁰0
Good discussion. I lived in Costa Rica for 5-1/2 years. I left because I realized that I could keep up with their inflation on my SSAI payout monthly. I moved to Medellin, Colombia in February 2019 to enjoy a 30% to 40% boost in buying power I had discovered possible on my fact finding trip in November 2017. Moving to a new country is not an extended vacation, but it's a lifestyle change. South American is the last stop on my bucket to due list I wrote up for myself in 1957.
CR is a money pit !
This very well balanced. I played it for my wife because we travel to about two countries a month since retirement and every place we go she wants to relocate to. Even the taxi driver in San Andreas Island Colombia was trying to tell her we are seeing the country through rose colored glasses. People have to be realistic and manage their expectations even my dear wife. 😊
I used to live in Hawaii and had tourists from the mainland ask me if I actually LIVED on Maui, or did I commute from California!!
I can relate. My boss at work used to tease me that I always wanted to move to every place I visited. Now I realize it's because I was in "vacation mode." It's a totally different experience than actually living there.
It's actually really hard for a typical North American to adapt to a Latin country. We have been spoiled with an infrastructure that runs fairly smooth on a day-to-day basis. But we really are spoiled because when we have to wait in a line that's a block long all of a sudden we just can't handle it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, @chascodelviso!
Even when you move from Central America to the US you get spoiled, but I'll be living half of my time in Nicaragua and the other half here in the US to balance things out once I retire. At least those are my plans 😂.
"A block" ?...try 3 people in a line & we're calling a manager lol !!
yikes ! no lines for me.
And rightly so!
I love to hear about my country from different eyes, it helps a lot to understand better how bad or good we are.
Do Costa Ricans tend to hate Americans? A friend of my parents moved there and she seemed to quickly absorb a hatred for America like a sponge takes up water. To hear her talk now you'd think America is the worst country in the history of the world.
@@Anon54387 Not yet but we are in the process...
My parents lived down there for a few years, they were retired, visited, bought property, built a house....then another American "expat" in their town swindled them. Scared them into coming back to the US for a little bit, then stole their house, forced them to spend a bunch of money on Costa Rican attorneys who couldn't do anything. They loved it down there and an American conman destroyed their dream retirement. He's still down there. My mom has since passed away, and my dad isn't too far off. Now, I am making plans for my own trip to Costa Rica, and I'm gonna find Ed. Don't know what I'm gonna do yet. But he's got a karma debt that needs to be paid.
Find Ed tell him you want to buy a house high up on a cliff!!
Then show him the balcony!
@@EveofJen I have a feeling he stole it on paper. So as far as all authorities down there are concerned, he's the legitimate owner and I think he's probably renting it out to travelers or maybe he's sold it by now. Idk. But one day, when I have the financial means, I'm going to figure out what happened.
I wish you nothing but the best, johnny-five!
The crook's probably long gone but good luck anyways. However, I'm just a little curious if you don't mind (without going into too much detail), what happened? Loan or investment swindle, were there any crooked Tico lawyers or gov't officials helping him, etc?
God help you. I feel for you and the parents. the frustration, helplessness. When you find him at least cut off the guys balls. I think murder is still illegal in a lot of places.
I was really appreciative of your comments!! I was busy and couldn't wait to hear you. After hearing about it, what came to mind is that what ever I have inside me, is what I am creating and I will be doing that no matter where I am. I moved in "retirement" from a San Diego Beach town, (Encinitas) to Cocao Beach Florida to loose the mortgage. It was an amazing move where all the stress came off. And lo and behold, I found myself "still" enough to hear my right path and stay on it. I put on my virtual "Noise Cancellation Headphones". LOL. And "let in" the gems around me. I could do this letting in so much more and now that's what I am working on. I love Cali because there is lots of high frequency awareness. Although I brought that with me, I came down a notch or two because it wasn't all the time being fed and nurtured with such a high energy. I think this is what the people are feeling who leave. They have to work a bit harder to be happy and healthy. Now I am feeding and nurturing my plants, my home, my food, my business and although I make less money with that type of balance, I should be just fine. You are right, there are all kinds of reasons and one thing I will never do is go into the "slide" of kicking back and being docile in the name of being "old". I will keep being active, vibrant, keep my diet and exercise and meditation and music and laughter. And through it all, I train myself to look only at my best life and. . . . . smile. It really works. Good luck to everyone on the path of applying more richness to themselves and remember, KEEP NURTURING THE GEMS if you want to have/keep them in your lives.
There are some who are unhappy no matter where they are.
everywhere I go, there I am
Also true! Happiness is internal
Yes, I agree
That's why I adore the Toyota ad when a bear gets separated from the ice and he landed in a city, and well, he gets a job in a supermarket as a bagger. He is adaptable! I am that too! ha ha
Bingo!
What a brilliant presentation. Totally refreshing for its openness and honesty and so needed.
Im from Costa Rica and we moved to the Texas last year. Is waaaay cheaper living here and better quality of life. Unless you are retired or have money, not the place to live. Vacations are awesome tho, the country is so so beautiful!!! But yeah, sadly, very expensive and not very safe . But I also noticed that most of North Americans don’t even try to learn Spanish, they expect everyone to speak English, and most people do, education is good, but if you move to another country YOU are the one who needs to learn the language.
If i go to any country, i am suppose to know the language, r u serious? Nobody would ever travel. U want me to come and spend my money in your tourist industry, an industry that is responsible for a significant part of your economy, u should put more emphasis on your people Learning english. I was surprised to see so few Costa Reacons spoke english. Remember one of your biggest employer is the U.S.
@@jameshurst6119: James, slow down and re-read what she said: “If you MOVE” (as in permanently) to a foreign country it is your duty to learn their language. A foreigner must communicate.
Agree, Natalia 👍🏼
@@jameshurst6119 amm this is about LIVING in Costa Rica not traveling for tourism. Maybe pay more attention to the video before getting so upset about not knowing Spanish. Lol
@@elcee7800 I am from the U.S., I i know many spanish who and will not speak english. Those were as a rule older folks. Lots of the people who come hear r retires, learning a new language is difficult for them, and many (as in my elderli hisp friends in the states) just do not want to deal with it. It blows me away that so many crs get upset that u do not speak spannish, and they have no idea how long u have been here.
Any time a hisp trys to speak english no matter how bad the effort i compliment them as a way to encourage them. I have never gotten that consideration. Even u acted indignate about the fact in your opion.
I'm now 73 and moved next door to Costa Rica in Boquete Panama. Two of my children married Panamanian nationals they met in college and all live in the USA paying my Social Security haha. I moved to Boquete in 2016 to shack up with a widow I met at one of the weddings. Bought a house in a second home Panamanian neighborhood, adopted dogs, toured the country with a guide - highly recommended. Met many expats of whom I like about 3. Covid cut the lifestyle short for several years as said kids made grandchildren. Now I split my time between Mid America USA and Boquete. My entire monthly expense to live in Panama is like $300 fixed cost which includes a car and house as I have no debt. We eat in and I hike the mountains daily because I like that. I can walk to town center in 40 minutes and the nearest grocery in about 20. We have no heat and require no air conditioning. I can be standing in the Pacific ocean in a little over an hours drive and in the Caribbean in 3. Only thing I'm missing is sailboat. Eventually age will force me to return to USA where I can get medical care as I'm pay as you go in Panama which can be risky.
I've lived many places in the US from the country to the big city. I like Panama and my kids would like me to keep the house for them and my grandchildren. So I will.
I like this woman. She has one of the least annoying deliveries. I like that she doesn't bludgeon you to death with cliche's and an overuse of ' amazing ' ' super ' and phenomenal '
That was a great and comprehensive treatment of the subject of why people leave ANYWHERE. I’m an older long term working expat, and have lived in a Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore (currently) as well as Ghana, Ireland and Qatar. I find that ex-pats get targeted more in developing countries. We’re basically assumed to have more resources and are therefore targets of opportunity. Also I’ve discovered that the police and judicial systems in many countries aren’t always “principle based” and are often on the predatory side of the equation. It’s one of the reasons I do appreciate Singapore. It’s safe, clean, and well administered. As much as I like adventure, I’m done with third world countries, and all the uncertainty that goes with them. While no place is perfect, less developed countries are less developed for some very specific reasons, many of which are reflected socially in terms of safety, justice and responsibility.
Excellent commentary👍
I doubt that such a thing happened to you in Ireland
@@Victoria-rl4cu No, Victoria, they didn’t , and Ireland isn’t exactly a developing country, is it. I enjoyed my 3 years there, although they weren’t challenge free by any means. The types of challenges were of a different nature, mostly bureaucratic, but that’s a different subject. I was two years from applying for citizenship, which one can do after 5 years, but I got a job offer in Singapore which was too good to pass up. Now I’d have to start over.
Yes, that has been my experience too.
As a Miami native in my mid-20's in the '70's, I loved my year teaching in a Tokyo business college, and subsequent six years in Hong Kong, where I enjoyed positions with the HK Hyatt, a large American pharmaceutical firm, and as office manager for an international American law firm. A positive life-changing six-week sojourn in Bali induced my eventual return to the States, to the Pacific NW, ostensibly to 'drop out and grow veggies', which I basically did for the subsequent 30+ years. Now in a rural setting in the Great Smoky Mountains of western NC, I find I increasingly miss the foods, sights, equatorial warmth and general excitement and quiet joy of being an expatriate. Extended travels in Canada, Nepal, India, Brazil, Uruguay, Thailand, China and the Philippines among others have all been of great interest and culturally enriching, but SE Asia holds a special place in my heart. My few weeks on holiday in Singapore whilst living in HK are fondly remembered. For some time I have been seriously considering Costa Rica as a final retirement-within-my-retirement destination, but the crime rate herein mentioned came as a surprise, and represents a strong and compelling deterrent. Safety and stability being foundational considerations, Singapore is now firmly in my sights. Thank you kindly for reminding me of this special place!
Lived in Costa Rica for 11 years before returning to the US. I don't regret the adventure but it was good to be home again. Still have a 16 acre property in Puriscal that I'm willing to sell at a deep discount just to be completely free to move on. Do NOT buy land unless you are SURE you'll be staying. You, likely, won't know that until after about 3 years or so. Great job, Kristen! Pura vida 💯
Thanks Luz! Glad you had a great adventure but also that you’re feeling settled at home right now. I completely agree with you on the property, too. Hard to re-sell
deep discount .pm me
hmm, interesting..$..I wonder
Pm me as well please ... interested.
LUZ: It took us over a year to sell our home outside San Ramon de Alajuela, to another "gringo" - since Ticos don't want to pay "gringo prices" !
This a very straight forward presentation about moving to another country, not just Costa Rica. We visited there for a month in 2011 with the idea of moving there and we were shocked at the high price of living. We enjoyed it, but chose to return to the US. In 2017 we moved to the mountains of central Mexico. Many of the issues you mention are valid here as well. However, we have become part of the community, it takes patience and a strong desire to make it home. But now it is home, and we are grateful every day for our lives here. Thank you for a well balanced view of moving abroad, whichever country is chosen.
Many years when I first went to Costa Rica there was relatively little crime and the prices were low on most things. The best way to avoid getting charged on the Gringo price scale is to have a native get things for you at the price the locals pay. Meantime watch your back where
ever you go. Costa Rica is still nice but not as nice as it was back in the day. Too many negative elements have come in from outside the country. You could also say the same thing about the US.
Or learning Spanish. People assume people speaking other languages are tourists that come to spend more...
😂😂 gringo price scale. Sorry for all of you guy guys. It has to suck having higher prices just because of your background, I would have normal prices if I moved since I am also central American and look like the typical inhabitant of Costa Rica
Yep to many illegals from the north
When I first went to Costa Rica, it was fun to take the bus down to the Mercado Central and check it all out. Now, there's no way you would catch me there. Even my Tico friends tell me you are very likely to get robbed and stabbed.
@@catocall7323 I go there a lot and it's not dangerous at all. Just check your belongings when it's very crowded...
I deleted the original comment ! Now you will never know what I said !
This is very well put. I have lived in Mexico for the past 20 years, am married to a Mexican, and don't run at all with the ex-pats. They do stay in their own little bubble and the older ladies really complain about how the 'help' robs them blind. I think to myself, 'then why do you live here'? You really do appreciate life so much more when you just go with the flow.
I've lived here 20 years, I agree with you on mindset. You have to live with the people, not the tourists. She lived on the beach, in CR, the beach is the highest crmie rate in CR....,why...tourists. Money.
I am married to a Mexican, and I live in Mexico. And I can confirm and agree with everything said here.
Excellent attitude and philosophy. Only thing is that the Tico mindset has changed in last 10-12 years. They have become somewhat gringoized. Greedy and trying to get over for a buck. My first time there, a taxi driver insisted on giving me every centavo in change back, it was his pride! That doesn't happen anymore that's for sure. There was a different vibe before. Pure Vida was real a d not a phony tourist expression. But stay happy there, it's still a beautiful country especially in smaller less touristy areas and less developed beach towns.
Agreed with this mindset completely mate. I would also mention the total lack of any specifics about the cost of living there besides the ridiculous "few hundreds of dollars" per month for ac, what is that, 6 bed 5 baths mansion, a hotel? Plus the quite revealing fact of where she is coming from when she said that she never heard of anyone been robbed or home invaded in the place that she live back in the States. Upper middle class or up upbringing in the "finding herself" phase, not a person that i would take advice in such matters.
Finally someone that explains it like it is instead of "hey leave the US and you'll be happy". There is a reason why so many people from latin america do everything to live in the US, I am one of them. My wife and I will be retiring to CR but on different circumstances since she is a Tica and I have lived there for 7 years. Americans see youtube videos and think they gonna have a vacation experience every day when they move over there. Also most Americans living there dont speak Spanish and still wonder why they not having a good time
Yes, also many people making videos about Costa Rica just moved there within
The middle class and rich do not migrate from Latin America. Usually are the very poor that do anything to come to the U.S. Personalky I’m trying to move to Latin America since healthcare in the U.S is unreal!
@@jorgecampos9659 I agree with the healthcare part but you are wrong about the immigration. I won't say rich people, but plenty of middle class come to the US, the difference is we come here legally and you don't hear about us in the news. You think is poor people from other countries that come on an H1B visa?
Which is so arrogant!! Even if you're just visiting, learn and speak the language out of respect for the people there.
@@springfauna1465 hell yes
This video is a fantastic resource for expats. Greetings from a local Tico!
Glad to know that! Thanks for watching @costaricaforexpats!
A MUST WATCH video if you want to live in Costa Rica! This young woman is right on!!!
Thank you!
@@TravelingwithKristin You are in tilte to you own decision and own it. Dont blame anothes from you mistake. You live in Costa Rica 8 years building a Company make money and of couse you life in Costa Rica was no all miserable like to make it sounds in this video. You are the only one shame you self for you decision. You choce Costa Rica, Costa Rica dont choce you.
From your comment, it is apparent you don't understand what she said.
@@dhibba52 on the contrary I understand it because I’ve lived it every day for the last 15 years. Costa Rica is a beautiful place to live if the person comes with the expectations to lay down roots and assimilate but if not it will become fast and furiously frustrating. If I miss understand where your coming from then my apologies. By the way, I have the privilege of being full blooded 100% Tica but raised in the states and after 37 years of living an amazing life in the states I came back to my birth place (which I left when I was 7). As I said, it’s beautiful and I love living here but it wasn’t easy or effortless for that matter!!!
I am from Costa Rica raised and born. I do actually feel that a lot of the surprises some foreigners get when they arrive here are due to their own fantasy of what Latin America is about. I cant count the times I had being ask by foreigners on the internet if we have electricity or if we party everyday. Also a lot of them had have the mentality that here in Latinoamerica everything is party and we are so easy going that we do not have works or complicate lives. On the same time, there is an idea that living in Costa Rica is like having a vacation in Costa Rica and that it is not realistic in any country. Another thing that I notice is that a lot of foreigners don't learn spanish and even when you can find people here in Costa Rica with a very good level of english, some people dont speak it. Another point, prices are higher in Costa Rica that in other Latin American countries but you need to understand that the minimun salary here is higher. Violence in Costa Rica is relative if you compare it with a country as the US, not a single tico will left their camara or phones exposed alone and it is true the organized crime has increase as well . But for example situtation as shootings in supermarkets or schools is something that does not happen here. Other stuff, our health service is public, that means that we wont ever have the problem that our insurence wont cover something, but when you have something public is not as efficient as something private (economic principle) but there are also private health services in Costa Rica and actually they are very good (but you would need to pay this and and it is expensive), actually for example Costa Rica have a better immunization schedule that many countries in Europe and the USA. And last but not least, and I have notice this with men a lot of them get the idea that we latinas are "easy" girls and thats unconfortable if I am honest.
Update: please take into account that I am not saying that foreign men are perverted. It is okay to found love in another country I was refering only to the guys who oversexualize latinas. So if you found latinas cute thats ok, you have a taste, the problem its when you meet a latina and the first thing you asked her it is to have sex because you think she is going to be more "easy" than the girls of your country.
I got the same kind of questions just being from Iowa. Questions like: Do you have indoor plumbing? Paved roads? 😂
Great points and good tips, Karolina! Thanks for commenting
>and I have notice this with men a lot of them get the idea that we latinas are "easy kind" of girls and thats unconfortable if I am honest.
I know you think you're being sly trying to shame those "men" by saying how that makes you "feel" but you know they think that way for a reason: *it's true.* Source: I'm from a Hispanic country myself and have seen this dynamic countless times from the point of view of a local. It's a truth universally acknowledged so to speak and no one from any of these "latino" countries can deny that this is TRUE with a straight face and if they do they are lying to you. Anyways, it can make you feel however you want but those men didn't get this idea implanted on their brains by the holy ghost and you know it: they got it because that is indeed the case that girls have an easier disposition towards them. BUT it's not because latinas are easier than girls from other regions necessarily, it's just that the foreigners (especially white) are generally assumed to be loaded and hence of high value to a lot of women in these countries. Many girls are also dying to leave their respective countries and see foreigners from developed nations as a way out to a better life. This is natural and it's an instinct ALL women have, that all people have really. It just so happens that foreigners will of course take advantage of that general disposition ("easy kind" in your parlance) towards them by the local girls in Costa Rica and take a sabbatical there. Well d'uh lol. If anything, you need to have an "uncomfortable" talk with your fellow Costa Rican women but you know they won't listen so you decide to come on here and gaslight people online when you know the truth. Maybe this is just your way of #ImNotLikeOtherGirls your fellow women from Costa Rica? In any case, the responsibility will of course lie with the women there so begin your "uncomfortable" talk there.
Oh boy. I don't know where they would get that idea from. Latinas breathe out fire! 😂
What you wrote is true for one type of foreginers the most, here is my example my older brother went to the study excange in to the US from the Europe back in 1993 he lived by the US family whos father was a college professor and jet when he arived they show him a washing machine, a colour TV and some other stufs as something new because a poor guy come from the small country in the Europe in to the mighty US.
They were very nice to him otherwise that's why he after a few weeks of living there tried to explain them how we live here in the Europe. Unfortaly they just say sure, sure like a poor euro boy try to look less poor, then my brother did a mistake he wrote a letter to the father (was before internet btw) to send him some photos of our house, cars, area, vacation spots... to show the US family a reallty, luckly for my brother the pictures arived in to the US less than a week before he need to return in to the Europe, because otherwise nice US famy changed their atitude imiadetly after they saw the photos to the worse, it was a bad last week, namely our house was better then theirs we have a solid house/ brick house, my brother and I had a colour TV in our separate rooms, they saw our vacation house near the sea (btw only 3 rooms but nonetheless) etc
I admire the way you presented this topic. No judgement just pointing out some important things to be aware of.
Thank you, LB! Appreciate your feedback 🙂
Points the are legit in any country if you are no prepare, research you will be dislike ting in every country even if you move from one state to another. Happens to me moving from Naples Florida to Paterson New Jersey I was in shock, no parking space, crime, poverty, trash in the streets. But I move there for a reason and was me Social Work. Im Proud CostaRican and I live in US half of me life.
When I used to go there in the 80's and 90's, I'd go for two months with like $500 bucks. Jaco Beach, Hermosa Beach before they got "touristy". $5 for a room, $2-$3 for a meal
I think the part about retirees missing their grandchildren is a biggie.
This is so true even here in the state of Florida. many move here after they retire but end up moving back to their home state because of their grandchildren. Grandparents play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren. My sister and brother in-law did the same thing, they were only here in Florida about 9 years and moved backed to Michigan to be with their children and their grandchildren.
Yeah but why cant the grandchimdren go to CR ? Its only a 6 hrs flight from LA, 3 hrs from FL. $300 round trip from LA
@@susanafernandez4164 only self-centered “grandmas” would even expect that.
@@TheSwissChalet i think is normal . if my grandma lived at the beach while growing up, i would ve been very happy to visit her.. Growing up i had 3 neighbors who's grandma lived at the beach and they would take me to visit her and it was lots of fun.
@@susanafernandez4164 many families with small children cannot afford to fly on a plane every time they want to visit a relative. Not only do you have to get multiple plane tickets, you often need a rental car, then food, juggling a car seat, etc...not worth it when it’s a thousand times easier for the retired person to go to the family instead of the other way around.
I lived in Costa Rica 2009-2015. I met a Nicaraguan girl and we got married and now we have been together 5 years in Nicaragua. I agree with many of the reasons you stated and noted those same things. I think beyond superficial reasons such as food, nature, beaches etc. people move to a new country for more profound reasons and are disappointed when they realize that it didn't offer the solutions they were looking for. I got the impression that some people were unhappy with their lives in their developed countries and decided to move to a new country simply because it would validate something about their worldview, or perhaps compensate for unrealized personal goals, or perhaps because they felt alienated in their own culture, left out, left behind, or even in some cases as an act of "rebellion" against their home country's values. Once the initial rush of a new environment wears off they realize they are often still the same unhappy person but without access to the same support network, friendships and rituals (a favorite seasonal activity, a certain home cooked food). I think that disillusionment is impactful enough for people to start looking for excuses to return home, and not wanting to blame their own rash decision making, blame a myriad little reasons about their host country to justify their feelings. In any case the selection of the host country was secondary to the decision to remake one's life regardless of where or how. These are bad reasons to move to a new country. In my opinion some good reasons to move to a new country would be: experience personal growth (any negative experiences contribute to what you are learning), to give to others (build friendships, do charitable work), to share the good of your own culture with others and learn the good of a new culture (habits, language, music, etc.). These reasons are external focusing on REAL life, real people, connection with the new country...as opposed to INTERNAL, thinking living in a new country will be a mystical transformative experience that will validate us or somehow make us more valuable than others. Other countries are just the same as everywhere else with the same problems but exacerbated by the fact that differing values mean you will see things that upset you (sick, wounded dogs roaming the streets in packs, unusual degrees of poverty, etc.). Very informative video and very balanced, thanks, I really enjoyed it!
Very insightful comment. Good luck . I agree totally.
Very impressive and well written.
@@ileanahope466 Thank you for the kind comment!
@@Peregrine1946 Thank you! I appreciate your comment.
I am Glad that you said that, it's true, when we move, or spend a prolonged period of time in a foreign country, after a while, we realize that life is just about the same everywhere, but that in our homeland, we may have a Support System that may Not have elsewhere, So vacationing in certain spots is better than staying there to live. Just visit as often as you can or like, but Not stay to live.
!~~~~~ is a way of enjoying what you like about the place for the time period you spend there, but don't have to deal with All the bureaucracy and challenges of when you are settling somewhere permanent. !~~~~~
My cousin went to CR and rented an airbnb and on the 3rd day she went back to the house and everything was GONE! When the investigation came through they told her that the people who rent the house was the ppl who robbed them, thats f'ed up
Airbnb should cover that.
yes
There are bad people everywhere, that could happen anywhere in the world, not just in Costa Rica.
@@Kyo_Scarlet really ! have you travelled to Canada yet ?
@@brucecates3772There are bad people everywhere, in Canada you just have to be very unlucky to find them, Canada can be an exception and they have a very low crime rate, but in 2019 there were 678 homicides in all of Canada and I can assure you that the relatives of these people could not believe that this happened in their country, I repeat, there are bad people everywhere, many are luckier than others and that is why they have not found them.
Great video. I have visited CR several times and spent a great deal of time house hunting. Ultimately, I realized (with a very patient realtor) that the perfect house for me is a gated home in a secluded area. But then I realized I can seclude myself in many countries around the world so why choose this one? This epiphany caused me to stop and rethink what and why I was trying to move.
For me, its expensive, I adapt. I have caja, a healthy lifestyle. Its a great spot for doing the inward journey, healing. I love my simple life here.
But I hated it for quite awhile. I got ripped off so many times....many times by other expats. All of the negatives your mention exist....4 hours to go 12 km. If anything, this place has taught me patience, to be chill and to have great boundaries with others. So glad I stuck it out. I have wonderful Tico friends, not many expat friends. Your perspective is awesome.
"to have great boundaries with others" ... I'm not entirely sure what you mean by this, but what I've found in living here for over a decade, is that I MUST establish clear boundaries in order to survive.
You can compare the highways in US with the Topography of Costa Rica and the infrastructure in that small country.
One's fellow expats can be problematic. Anyone who insists that you need to be loyal to your own and trust your people, watch 'um.
Kristin: "Only in Costa Rica it takes 2.5 hours to go 25 miles"
People in LA on 405: "Shit, that's a new speed record!"
She hasn't driven through Metropolitan Boston.
Bwhaaaaaaaaa! I am in LA weekly!
Sandy if you drive in most US the
highway is no the same drive up in down in the mountains in Costa Rica.
LOL ;-)
@@josevilas4927 they take off me comment . lol
A very good video, Kristin. I watched your video on the best places to live in in Portugal and we shared comments. What I see now, from watching these videos, is that there are a lot of people moving to Portugal, or thinking of doing so. Also, there are now tons of videos about expat life in Querétaro and Mérida, in Mexico. Ecuador seems to show up a lot too. You never find a video from an expat or a retiree who has moved to Brazil. I guess it is the high crime rate and the economic instability or maybe Brazil doesn't make it easy to get residency. The advantage of Mexico of course is that people can stay there for 180 days and go back to the border and renew their tourist visa. A very big disadvantage is the high crime rate and the corruption in the police and government officials. In Portugal we have amazing safety, little corruption, and a good healthcare system. Unfortunately, a lot of the ocean water is freezing cold and winters in the north are not very tropical. For me the big positive of Portugal is the proximity to Spain and even France. You have all of Europe at your fingertips, or should I say at your car's tyre treads. Once again, a great video. Very professional.
Although it was only for a two week vacation I found that most people in Portugal do you speak English and the lifestyle is comparable to western European countries.
My cousins lived there for 10 years. Their property got squatted on *while* they were actively developing it. One day they were working on it with backhoes and clearing it out. The next day, 20 guys with machine guns from the local drug lord were there. A few weeks later, they went to court and the local drug lord had paid off the judge and the property was awarded to them under squatter's rights laws.
Their entire retirement nest egg along with kids college funds. Gone.
They still have 2 properties and one was rented to a guy who stiffed them on rent for a few months and they just sold up and left. They were able to recover around 600 grand split between 4 people from their remaining properties.
On their way out, someone poisoned their dog, who died of kidney failure a few months later in Canada. Very sad. He was literally falling apart as the pads fell off his feet and eventually they had to just take him in for the big sleep.
It's rare to lose your retirement nestegg And your children_s college money simultaneously but Hey, that's Coasta Rica !
Such a horrible experience...my goodness.
Other than that, it was a great place to live!
So terrible :( these things happen a lot in south south : Peru, Colombia, Brazil...
Sounds like like they were living on their Saturn line
Lived in San Jose for three years and could never understand why streets have no names, houses with no numbers. It was a lengthy phone call to order a pizza for delivery.
I was there for a couple of months to learn Spanish. I learned that all directions are given with visual references. The problem is that some of the references are long gone.
@@Apple2cplus "Turn RIGHT where the car dealership used to be, then turn LEFT where they were going to put in that grocery store a few years ago..."
That's one of the reasons Costa Rica sucks!
As a costarican i totally agree with this, for us is quite simple because we are used to it, but for someone coming from a contry with a better organized adress system it must be hellish, adding to that the more specific vocabulary you might need to explain where you are. Thankfully the government is now labeling some streets (at least in San Jose) so it might make the job a little easier, on the other hand, numbering houses is just a distant dream.
@@GDMTroll Then the Costa Rica system is notoriously corrupted. That's their culture and its inefficient service. They will never change. Therefore, Costa Rica sucks because I was there and it was bad in the nameless maze streets of San Jose.
What a remarkable “spot on” commentary about the reasons people come and why many end up returning home after living in Costa Rica. After 15 years of calling Costa Rica “home” this video rang very true for my wife and me. Thank you for sharing such a well balanced video. Well done.
If you are no controble in you own countrie the most smart decisions was to research the best location according to you needs in the first place. And when you found out is was a big mistake to move down there, why you still thinking to move back to you Country. Gringos don't really like to suffere they buy a slave to do that.
So glad it resonated, Patrick! Saludos :)
@@Ty2Tito Slaves are really expensive these days!
@@Cwra1smith I hear you Craig---I sure can't afford one!
After having lived abroad, I learned to love and respect other cultures from around the world. One of the most important things to be able adapt to a new culture or country is that you change (move) your perspective. You have to immerse yourself into the local culture, whether you love it or not. You have to know the history of the country, learn about different ways of living, of doing things, new ways of thinking, learn their idiosyncrasies, and become familiar with their behaviors. You have distance yourself from the "being a foreigner in a foreign land" perspective and behavior. Avoid engaging the locals like a tourist, integrate into the local culture and become more like being one of them. You don't have to comprise your social or family values or social behavior for this. Just being nice, polite, and respectful will do many wonders and will take you a very long way. I love Bollywood just as much as Hollywood.
helo
I agree, John! thanks for leaving your tips
@@TravelingwithKristin Okay.❤
H
L
AWESOME A-1 ADVICE.!!!!!!!!!!!!
My father lived in Costa Rica since I was 15 years old and now I am 64. I have seen a lot of change and what you are saying is very true. To the point you cannot live in a bubble, everywhere on this planet has a down side and you can only hope the up side is better. I appreciate your transparency about Costa Rica. You forgot one thing though. How do you become a millionaire in CR? You bring 2 million.
Respect
John in Encinitas
Excellent presentation Kristin & I am not surprised by your report. I am thinking about moving to Maine as I can't stand hot or humid weather of the south. I have vacationed there several years and loved it much. The weather in Costa Rica and bugs would drive me crazy!
Kristin
Is amazing the amount of knowledge that you have acquired and that happened because You have had the courage to go abroad and see for yourself. Congratulations.
I'm costarican and I haven't had dengue ever or weird diseases related to bugs or mosquitos etc. Very few places have issues with floods or earthquakes etc. There are huracanes in the US, snow etc. I think you are speaking about a couple of locations maybe, San Jose and some coasts. There are many other beautiful places in CR with lower cost and very low crime. If you just buy prepared food it could be very expensive too but not more than in the US.
Which locations do you recommend being local?
@@TravelingwithKristin Heredia
like a hamburguer at the airport is 25 dollars, the drink above 5, and that is just a snack! are you kidding me? dont hide the real FACTS, my friend. why an uber ride costs 100 dollars from a bus station to the airport? can you explain why?
@@Malexa32001 Uber is actually quite cheap here. Was the $100 ride to the airport from the terminal at the beach in Guanacaste? I've never heard of a $25 hamburger at the airport but I suppose it's possible. Airport food is generally more expensive in just about every country where I have visited. I'm sure you can find a more expensive hamburger somewhere in New York City, Tokyo or Paris. One should always check the menu before ordering at ANY restaurant. When traveling I always take snacks or plan to dine before or after being at an airport. If I can't, there are many, more reasonable options for dining at the airports in Costa Rica.
I've NEVER payed $100 for an Uber from ANYWHERE in CR, it just seems you made a dumb decision
Thank you Kristin for some inside information about living there.
13:58 "That country doesn't have to change for you."
I'm American and still live in the US and I also feel that it would be easier to move to another country than to hope that the US changes for me. I plan on moving to the Netherlands, which seems to be my ideal country despite the high cost of living. The Dutch are known for being frugal anyway, so adapting to their culture will help me adapt my budget.
Spot on.
This country (USA) is slowly eroding away from what once made it great.
Better to just move away....see the world...learn new cultures...and, if desired:
Move back home (in USA), bringing your new knowledge and skills to familiar territory.
That way,
you would be so much more diverse; and ready to teach the world what you know.
Just visited the Netherlands. Everyone speaks English but oh my goodness, the INSANE high cost of living was absolutely shocking compared to Germany, where I currently live.
I've lived here 14 years. It's very affordable, compared to the US, if you live like a Tico. I didn't move to CR to live like a North American. Generally good info for other people to consider, though.
Thank you
Yep, I live like a Tico - most of the time. 14 great years in Grecia! Can't imagine ever leaving. It's home. Don't much care for other expats in general...
I've been living in Costa Rica for eight years now, your video is pretty accurate, pros and cons you mention are spot on. Ultimately, it comes down to the individual's adaptability and likes and dislikes.
Indeed! It totally depends on the individual's preference. I know a few people who have been living in Costa Rica same as you @ArgenCars CR. Glad you resonated with my insights and thanks for sharing! Keep safe!
We're planning our second visit. Are they enforcing digital ID and vax mandates to work? How are the covid restrictions? Thank you!
We wont be in any main cities, more local traveling and sleeping in hostels.
@@charlenelynch6505 starting April 1st, no covid related requierements whatsoever.
@@ArgenCarsCR Thanks :)
Thank you for taking the time for this video. I myself will be spending my winters here very soon. I love my summers back home and yes...family is very important to me so that can't be comprimized. However on the safety side, every country has it's challenges and people who make a living in criminal behaviour. I can say from a personal standpoint, I feel safer here than most any place I've been in the US. I find that the people here look out for one another and as an expat, you'd be included in their circle.
This is the best reasoned and most thorough run down on how expats should manage their expectations. Wish we had found this channel sooner.
immigrants you mean?
Costa Rica has a huge property theft problem and a lot of the times, the lawyers are part of the scam. My wife’s dad got scammed big time over there. It’s been over 15yrs, 8 different lawyers, and he’s still trying to his his property back.
Wow! Any tips on how to avoid prop theft?
@@MoreToTheTruthThanMeetsTheEye Yes. You have to routinely check online to see if your property is in your name. And yes Daneee is right, it is a big problem and the lawyers are in on the scam. If your property has been stolen and you don't have attorney money, you lose.
@@MoreToTheTruthThanMeetsTheEye Yes, don't buy property in any corrupt third world shit holes.
@@kw8757 Question: How to screen the comments section on TH-cam from xenaphobic racist trolls like you?
Buying real estate in other countries is not always the same as the US.
I am from Canada , I have lived in CR for the past 29 years , I moved here very young and started my own business , it’s not an easy place to do business as the government is very anti business , and yes it has become very very expensive due to over taxing , there is no utopia but I am not ready to go back to Canada
Niceee what city you reside in
Kevin, not bitter winters, nice women. Better off than Canada.
Kevin, is not just about taxes. Salaries are a reason. CR has one of the highest salaries of latam, that drive up prices, but not in a bad way, that way Costarricans have a higher purchasing power then its neighbors
Need a reason NOT to go to Canada, I'll only give you one really good one *_Justin Trudeau_* Canada got a real prize with that dude!
can you recommend some dental vacation in CR- Lorenzo Wollin lmwsf1@gmail.com
I met an older gentleman on my way home from a brief vacation in CR. He was from the Chicago area, and had moved to CR for retirement. He basically said he didn't know anyone or have family there, and so I assume he got bored and lonely, and after a while he decided to return to the US.
I lived in CR from 2003 to 2019 and your video is basically right. I used to brag to my friends back home at how much I could buy at the store for $50 when I first got there. A few short years later that wasn't the case anymore. Markets are definitely the best places to lower your food costs. While we all have our unique experiences living there, as I was listening I could definitely relate. Good job.
True. Thanks for sharing and I am glad you resonated with my video, Scott!
Wow! I wasn't expecting much from this video and it turned out to be extremely helpful and accurate. Besides a few CR-specific points, your expert advice applies to pretty much everywhere. I first emigrated to the the US to study and work until i realized i need something else so i then emigrated to Portugal. Thank you so much for this video and best of luck!!
Glad you liked the video, Gianni! 😊
Damn. Great video. I’m living in Brazil now and already lived in CR. Was considering moving back but this video just made me realize that within a short period of moving there, I would feel the same way about CR that I currently feel about Brazil. You may have just saved me a lot of hassle and time!
so, how is Brazil?
Thanks, Chris! Interesting that you felt that way about Brazil... where did you go next?
Glad you are back and please take good self care to prevent burn out. My first burn out happened in the US because I adopted this Accomplishment self worth based culture. Since then, I had to be very conscious of where I put my identity and worth knowing I am a human being with boundary and limits. It is very tempting and a constant struggle trying to not give into this cultural norm but it is possible when I consciously practice establishing boundaries and limits without feeling quilt and "I am doing enough syndrome ." I really appreciate your vunerbility and sharing your human experience of Burning Out in the US. It is so real and genuine. So happy to see you coming back and taking better care of yourself. Thanks for sharing.
I loved my first several months in Costa Rica and made excuses for negative experiences. Then I went in the dip for a few years living in the Central Valley. Then I moved to a rural northern area 5 years ago, and guess what? An old farm boy is totally at home and never happier.
Congrats on making it through the dip!! 😃
@@TravelingwithKristin The big problem was living in Escazu and not getting to know the real Costa Rica
What do you do in rural Costa Rica and what is life like there? Are there many other foreigners in rural Costa Rica? Is Escazu a tourist hangout?
@@alantaylor6691 Not really but it's a more upscale area with contemporary style homes and apartments. Nice restaurants also.
I feel for those who have left and maybe they have left feeling defeated. I don't live in Costa Rica and haven't ever been there but am thinking about it. Just about all the reasons that Kristin has listed as reasons for living are easily understood and I was able to overcome all those obstacles. Although I now live in the US I suffered reverse culture shock upon returning here after 20 years in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. More and more I am considering moving back to maybe a new country that I haven't lived in before, Costa Rica Panama, Ecuador and Portugal are all on my list. The very best thing that prepared me for living in the countries I have lived in was to learn Portuguese in Brazil and Spanish in the other two countries. Several have commented about the wisdom of becoming like the natives that you live with. I would do anything to NOT act as a foreigner because you set yourself up for failure if you expect everything to be like home regardless of where you come from. Part of the experience is broadening your perspective and learning the culture and integrating with that culture.
I hope this helps someone considering to move around the world.
Thanks for sharing, Jesse! I appreciate it 😊🙏
That does help me . Thanks
You are preaching liberal drivel. Immigrants to America don't come to live like locals. They do what they want.
You’re not missing anything - Costa Rica is mediocre at best. Far too many better places at a marginally higher cost. Spending a bit more coin can get a small plot in places like Hungary, Poland, or Estonia … different weather, but much cleaner & higher standards.
Panama!
I could relate a lot to many of your comments and observations about living the Ex-Pat life abroad, particularly in the tropics. I separated from my wife of thirty-plus years in my mid 40's. We grew apart and I just wasn't happy with her spendthrift ways. I had read books as a young man about living in the South Seas. I took a few months and visited several island groups and loved all of them. Most had serious impediments to immigrating by U.S. citizens so that narrowed my choices significantly and not being independently wealthy I needed to find something to do that would finance my life. I finally settled in Western Samoa for reasons of a business plan, a somewhat established infrastructure, and a perception that nearly all the people I came in contact with spoke English fluently. Perhaps the biggest problems eventually falling into focus had to do with culture shock, and the effect it had on me. Over two and a half years I became more and more homesick for my friends, family, and the familiar conveniences of living in the U.S. I think it is important to have a base to live from, but limiting yourself to one third-world country can be a huge problem. I spent a few weeks with Dengue Fever and it was a real drag! Women with whom I had much in common were scarce and like yourself, I was a target of repeated theft and general taking advantage of my lack of local knowledge. Every time I thought I was catching on to the eccentricities and peculiarities of living in Samoa something would happen to jerk me back to the reality, that I still had much to learn. The scarcity, (and resulting expense), of common items, (for example, Heinz Ketchup), popped up on a regular basis. In short, though, it always boils down to "cultural differences". I won't try to dismiss my age as a factor either. In my 20's I was much more pliable and less set-in-my-ways. I lasted about 3 years, then on a vacation to the states, I just didn't go back. I forfeited my portion of a tuna fishing business and boat, a pickup truck, a motorcycle, jet boat, and jet ski. I liked to pretend that I would return if and when I found an American lady who might want to share my tropic life, but I think I always knew that was unlikely. I still love the South Pacific but I have no illusions about my ability to live the rest of my life there.
30 year marriage and you separated in your 40s? Did you get married at 16?
I appreciate your self evaluation. Many seem to not even know themselves enough to do such a thing.
@@dawnemile4974 I can see your confusion. Many people separate yet remain technically "married". It seems that neither of us could officially give up on our marriage for several more years. We finally divorced more for tax reasons than anything else. At the time of our divorce, we had actually been married from 1973 to 2018. Approximately 45 years. Though we actually ceased living together in 2000. And yes, I will concede, it was as "crazy" as it sounds! I refer to it as a "30-year marriage" because by both our estimations there were about 30 good years out of the total. As a postscript, we get along very well since our separation but have no illusions of ever living together again. We share a grown son and often have holiday dinners and birthdays with him at his home. These events are cordial and even friendly. The venom that once inhabited the breakup period of our relationship is long gone.
Great input ... thanks for your honesty
@@moby4444 Si you'r around 69 y/o. Please write a novel 🙏.
Kristin, you made the right choice to live in different places...your youth, business and the experiences will only expand your horizons and make you oh, so much wiser. I'm a bit older, but were I your age again in today's moveable feast world, I'd do the same. I became ill in my early 40's, fought disability to the point of re-education and bankruptcy, and was still unable to work in the end.
After losing everything and fighting to keep working and maintain a lifestyle to which I had made myself very accustomed, then being abused, robbed, and surrounded by strangers who took advantage of my poor health, I left the states and just drove south. I really had no idea where I was going; didn't care either. For the first time in my 43 years, I threw every last bit of caution to the dirty wind. I still visit Cali for health reasons, but most of the year, live in a great old UNESCO site in a very safe area, with a wonderful landlady from the US. It took me almost 10 years to find this pretty-near perfect place, but now in my mid-60's, I live simply, safely, at peace and so affordably, I've managed to saved a few bucks, something I'd have never been able to do in the US. Moreover, I learned a valuable lesson. Take care of yourself and help those whom you can, but always remember to first figure yourself into the equation, (especially at my age), and live like a local, a few steps higher if you can. I've learned to do with less after many lessons, and I'm blessed God's always been my best friend. For that, I'm truly grateful and now, I never forget it.
Continued success and good health on your journey, Kristin. Always, always be your own best friend. Ultimately, you and one to depend on, regardless, are ALL we've got (no doubt, God's an awesome choice). The key is to recognize this before and during, not when its time has come and gone. Wishing you all the best y muchos besos y amor.
P.S. Maybe a few self-defense classes, 'cause samba may not save your gorgeous young life.😉😘
I was born in Costa Rica and moved to the U.S when I was 9. I'm so used to see the "good" videos of Costa Rica and there's a certain pride of talking about the the "good" of Costa Rica. I found your video to be very realistic and honest. The reasons you give in the video are valid and true. Good Stuff! Pura Vida!
Thanks Jonathan; Pura Vida!
El Pura Vida ..a mexican expression thats stayed in Costa Rica while filming a 1956 movie called Pura Vida , Gilberto Martinez Solares was the mexican movie director.
You saw your friend from 10 years ago and realized how time flies. With time being limited and fleeting you wanted to broaden your experiences as opposed to living in one place for decades.
I lived in the US for 5 yrs, had decent job with good salary however, that was not the life I wanted to myself, and I retuned to my country, Costa Rica.
My reason? Family, tranquility, no corporate stress, looking for a more relax way to live.
Since then, I have traveled to more than 20 countries for vacation, but I keep coming back, because this is home to me.
Btw, really good video, very accurate information.
Estos gringos no se que creen, están mamando y si no les cuadra que se queden viviendo allá
Hay oportunidades para un fontanero (plomero) con más de dos décadas de experiencia?
@@AndresLopez-bz7bs Te respaldo 100%,un gringo mas.!!!
@Christian Fonseca H Picha mama
I'm happy for you, Diego! The pace of life in the US is even challenging for anyone who grew up here. I managed hotels in the US for most of my career and, because I speak Spanish and lived in southern Mexico for a couple of years, I really got to know my housekeeping staff very well. And I used to eventually ask the one's who'd come here when young, settled down and married and raised children here, if they think it was worth it. Almost to a person they said they never imagined how hard it was to live here even though they prospered. Disfruta la vida tranquilla!!
This is a great video, and its cautions about moving abroad are broadly applicable. It took about five years of living in anorher country for me to understand a totally different world view and mode of human interaction. After another six years I went back to the US and it was really hard to get used to it. Sadly, people in the US have little interest in hearing about other countries, even though we are surrounded by people from all over.
My experience exactly. It took five years to understand a completely different world view, and I think it also requires living like a local, not in a privileged position. It is also sad that people in the US don't want to hear about other countries, even when that information would possibly help them a lot
I took a vacation to Costa Rica and got robbed twice. Felt like I was a constant target.
I'm not in a hurry to go back.
Im very sorry this happened 😣 i hate when these things happen to tourists. I should make a video or something on tips how not to get robbed.
So sorry brother
for sure you are not from chicago
@@adrianavram4911 fer shur
Hell!... That's nothing shocking, Here in the god ole' u.s.a. people get ripped off, robbed & murdered all the time.
"You find it's just another country full of regular people...and you're still YOU" That is so deep and true. You are clearly a well educated person you know a lot about human psychology. These are exactly the things I am preparing myself for and the emotions I am trying to keep at bay. There truly is no "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" It's comes down to me (again). Thank you very much for your insightful commentary. So tired of hearing from people with hurt feelings about a place or folks who have some kind of agenda. Refreshing!
Thank you so much, Angel! 🥰
Living here for 13 years after lifetime in California and I still love it. Expensive? Maybe. But not like Calif. I have just as high or higher quality of life.
Soy un gringo viviendo en CR desde 2009. Puede manejar su gastos si no esta tan tonto. Debe aprender el idioma. Traducir eso mai.
You are 100 percent right. I lived in Puntarenas for a year…hotter than blazes before relocating to Alajuela. All my friends and family assumed it was so cheap to live there. It wasn’t! It’s the hidden costs. If you don’t get residency you have to pay to travel out of the country four times a year. Even if it is just to Nicaragua or Panama it can kill your budget. A maid might be cheap but expect to pay through the nose if you need a laptop! I left my car behind in the USA, took public transportation and shopped in local markets. I didn’t live in an American enclave, I was as native as one could get…I even speak Spanish but eventually I returned the the midwestern usa! You nailed it in this video!!!’
Having lived in Costa Rica 10 years, this is a good video.
Thank you! Glad you think so.
Hello, I enjoyed your video - so comprehensive. I lived in Costa Rica as a Peace Corps Volunteer 1965-1967 (Las Canas, Guanacaste). Love it and many years later considered moving there to live. Now, at the age of 78, I've decided a visit will do nicely; better to remain here in DC to be close to family. Thank you for sharing. Costa Rica seems greatly changed since the time I lived there. Having so many ex-pats there has surely changed the flavor of things.
Be safe wherever you land and be well.
Thank you, Velva! So glad to hear that you were able to live there in the 60's - that must have been so interesting!
What I learned in kindergarten, boring people will always have a boring time.
Pura vida
Hahaha true
What? Your teacher was a philosopher and you were a special kid because you still remember.
Hahaha
My Dad used to *always* say this! If I said I was bored, he'd say, "Only boring people are bored!" (Or he would give me chores to do, lol!)
your asumption is vague, and erratic. Life is not A PARTY!