Sandra Ellane wrote:I’ve contemplated moving down there and have watched a couple blogs from other US citizens who have moved there. (http://www.happierthanabillionaire.com/).
In another blog a while back there was this post about how Costa Ricans take frugality way beyond what mainstream US could fathom. http://www.delapuravida.com/2010/the-culture-of-conservation-in-costa-rica/. That entry was really interesting to me. I relate to this concept, having had depression-era grandparents who reused everything.
What you said makes sense- why move down there just to recreate the lifestyle you’re trying to escape.
Jami brings up a good question. Did you speak Spanish before moving there? I read about the Pura Vida attitude there, it makes it sounds like people are super laid back. It seems like as long as outsiders don’t come in and act haughty, the neighbors would be pretty cool. Of course it’s easy to sit at my keyboard and speculate. :
I barely spoke Spanish before I came here, but I worked hard to learn it, plus my wife is very good at Spanish. We also partnered with a Costa Rican who was bi-lingual and his wife, and North American.
People work hard here, but hey make sure they aren't enslaved. There is a lot to learn an as long as you mingle with them, the neighbors can be very good. But, and it is a big one, stay away from the tourist areas and what I call Gringolandia. Not really Costa Rica in my opinion, and you have the rich and poor with the normal problems.