'Moving to Costa Rica without a clue' Expat  

Lime (196.40.43.170) -

You know, it boggles my mind. I see it in my neighborhood and I see it on this forum: people moving to Costa Rica with no idea of what they're getting into. People with no experience of living anywhere other than the U.S. or Canada. People who have spent a month, a week, or, believe it or not, absolutely no time here!

They rarely make it. They usually last about a year. They spent thousands of dollars and God knows how much time and energy on packing their worldly possesions into a container, getting it through customs, replacing the things that got stolen out of the container... only to discover that the roads are tearing apart the Mercedes, the banks close down for football matches, the wine is from Chile, and the Ticos don't do what they said they would do when they said they would do it.

.

.

.

Read the full discussion on discovery press. Learn how the blind lead the blind.

Comment #1 Ed (152.163.36.252) -

Maybe it is not Costa Rica that is the problem but where they are coming from?

Is Costa Rica enticing them or their old "home" scaring them away?

Was their life better back home?

Comment #2 Amy (200.2.14.217) -

Why is it to important to you to hold such a strong opinion on why someome moves to Costa Rica? Or, even how long they stay, their satisfaction level or motivations?

Maybe the problem is you made those mistakes and wish to blames others for it. Everyone needs to learn their own lessons.

Comment #3 Mauricio57 from Santa Ana (Contact Member) -

Hi Lime

Ive got to tell you your description of all who come to Costa Rica almost sounds like a good western story .. ....You know when the pioneers set out to discover the west. ie: The California gold rush .......lol. They had no Idea either .

I guess the moral of the story is that alot of them made it work with great effort..... not unlike what is required today. It is a very diverse place and basically "you either love it or you hate it " its that simple.

A lot of people that come here fail because of attitude and and self imposed segregation ....... ie: not wanting to learn Spanish . or live in a non Americanized community .

I love it, even if the colors dont match or this is crooked or that wont fit .......lol That is just how it is.

Cost Rica is a place for living in the moment and each and everyone of us has to ask ourselves why we came here . Im sure that if we are honest about it all the answers are quite similar.

Comment #4 Teddy C. (12.208.24.239) -

Yes, I am moving to Costa Rica, and I do have a few clues. What I don't know, is why questions were invented. I would like to know a few folks that could let me in on some of things I'm not up on. ie. information about moving to the Central Valley. Thanks

Comment #5 Geek from Escazu, Costa Rica (Contact Member) -

What do you mean the questions were inverted?

If you are moving to Costa Rica AND have a clue... what information do you lack about the Central Valley?

Comment #6 COIN-OPERATED-BOY from Philippines (Contact Member) -

Even in your own country, there are still other things that you don't know. that makes you a less like a stranger to your own country.

don't tell me you didn't know your neighbor is a killer? haha kidding.

i'm just saying that, it's not a problem if you don't know all the thinkgs about the place you want to move to, in this example it's Costa Rica. But the important thing is, you will find what you seek and and hope for the best. Afterall, to leave your own country for another is a challenge to face, you go on face the challenge and prove other people wrong.

Comment #7 Mary Bean (64.151.37.21) -

I am an American very inteested in retirement living in Costa Rica and would like to learn more..both positive and negative experiences. I have visited once and would like to come again, perhaps I'm naive but all i've heard and seen looks pretty good to me. I'm particularly wanting to live where Peace is practiced more.

Comment #8 d.b. (67.177.124.207) -

costa rica is cool, go for it!

Comment #9 Bill from Alajuela (Contact Member) -

When you visit Costa Rica for a brief time, you experience it's charm. Once you live there then you experience it's reality.

You may likely find that Costa Rica is a society that does not function. You may find that daily life is full of frustrations and that rather than simplicity and "peace" everything is made intentionally more difficult than necessary.

Why do something the direct and easy way if it can be done in a more indirect, complicated and confusing manner.

For example, you may be given directions to a place such as "300 meters West of Building A". When you get 3 blocks west fo building A the place you are looking for is nowhere to be found.

You telephone the place again and this time you are told (by the same person) that they are "300 meters West of Building B". Which is exactly 1 block North of where you are.

Now, in the day between your two phone calls for directions, the location of this place didn't change by 1 block North/South.

What really, is the point of giving out incorrect directions? When you discover the answer to that question, then you have begun to understand the reality of Costa Rican culture. You will find little charming by then.

Comment #10 Debbie (76.109.130.139) -

Hi,

My husband and I have a home on Playa Zancudo in the south pacific We are looking for a responsable couple to live in our garage apartment and maintain the property. Handy man . We will provide a studio apartment on the property. We live right on the beach and have a pool and a really nice home. We live in Florida. If any Interest please email me. DEARZ1027@AOL.COM

Comment #11 Bill from Alajuela (Contact Member) -

You are looking for an American or a local? Exchange apartment for maintaining the property? What maintanince is involved?

Comment #12 Grad Student (63.176.159.39) -

"no idea of what they're getting into" That is the motto of those that attend the school of life. There is no University program that could possibly prepare you for your experiences in Costa Rica.

You can treat my comment as a warning, a challenge or anyway you like!

Comment #13 Lori-b from Florida (Contact Member) -

I'm going on my 1st trip to try and find peace, tranquility and a beautiful quaint life. Safety is the most important thing to me. Any safe areas to rent a condo for a couple weeks near San Jose?I hope I'll find what we re looking for there somewhere. Maybe being retired will helpful. We are slowly learning the language, because I think that will be very important in order to assimilate. I think long visits may be the way we transition. Any suggestions from the locals?

Thanks for your input.

Make your opinion count, check out..........

mypaidopinions.com

Comment #14 Lisa from Santa Ana (72.134.49.52) -

I was in San Jose last summer and l hoped to return in December but my travel partner cannot make the trip. I am considering traveling alone, this time to Jaco.

Has anyone traveled alone or have advice for a woman traveling alone to Costa Rica? Any suggestions on where to stay in Jaco?

Comment #15 Dani (63.176.159.164) -

That is the problem with migrating in some cases. People tend to be swayed and swept off to their feet with what they see of television, the internet, or by hearsay without any further investigation or research. The most radical instance is when out of the blue decisions which the traveler would later regret. The moral lesson here is to do your homework. Don't act on impulse and plan your trips and travel specially if you "are" migrating to "that" country.

Comment #16 Aliyanah (63.176.159.231) - 03/15/09 22:24

I believe the problem of this kinds of situation are people and their poor judgment. Of course you can't blame a person if he is already had it with the chaos, dirty politics and many negative aspects of his country. Mainly these are the reasons why people leave their country for another. Leaving a your mother country in exchange for a new is not a sin. What I only suggest is to study carefully every aspect of the country to where you are moving.

Name:           
E-Mail:         

Optional (please add link to our directory first)
*Web Link:       

Link Title:     

Message: