www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I think it is pretty clear to all that Costa Rica can be the land of the wanted, and the unwanted. Not everyone comes down here with a decent plan. Most of the time, it is a knee jerk reaction, to a pressing life event or just plain boredom. In my case, it was the latter. I was bored with life in the US. I was bit by the bug, so to speak, and decided to go on a well documented six month experiment.

Don't get me wrong, I have had some challenges and pains living in Costa Rica. I still do today. But, my skin is thicker, and I'm a little more jaded, but I'm here and I'm doing well. Well... with a caveat.... I spent 1 year planning my move. I endured a large financial downturn during the recession. I rolled with the punches and blows, literally, and figuratively.

Are there any other people out there like this? Let's here the stories? Depending on responses, I will share more details on my experience.

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http://TipsCostaRica.com for pratical advice on living in Costa Rica.
In order to write about life, first you must live it! - E. Hemingway.

Enjoyed reading your blog you had posted. Great story and congrats on the move.

It's more fun to talk about "the failures."
At one time, I considered moving to Costa Rica in retirement. However, that quickly changed after I made my first trip to Colombia. I am in my second year of Colombia residency, and loving it. I moved here after retiring in 2011. I probably spent the better part of 5 years planning (and dreaming of) my move to Colombia.

I lost 3/4 mil (in real estate and Lehman Brothers stock) and my high six figure income (Lehman Bro.'s manager) in the real estate and mortgage crash of 2007. I had been coming to CR 4x a year for years on 1 week vacations and loved it. I was so depressed I decided to move to Costa Rica to drown my sorrows, I was 55 at the time. I got a job running an internet slots gambling site and made $1800 per month and lived in Escazu for 2 years, 2007 to 2009.

I loved every second of it ! If you have to give up money, getting hot Latina poon tang 2 to 3x per week is an excellent substitute.

I had no car and no cell phone during that time, (my choice) walked and took buses and cabs everywhere and had no a/c in my apt. I was the healthiest I ever can remember, did not get sick the entire time !
When my friends who lost mucho or everything as well would call me or email me, I would say "You think you got it bad, I'm living off $1800 per month in a 3rd world country ! When they were stunned and asked why, I told them I'm loving it and explained. I will be 62 in 3 years now and I have full intentions of retiring then and returning. I visit now 2x per year and can't wait !

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...

So, the moral of the story: money isn't everything, but you need some to get by.

Actually, it's "money will not get you thru times of no poontang, but poontang will get you thru times of no money !!!" or....

"Money can't buy happiness, but in Costa Rica it can rent it !!!"

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...

I like to think I am a success story in Costa Rica. Married a girl 5 1/2 years ago and things are better today than ever. I have to live a very simple life out in the country around San Ramon and don't have a lot of extra money to throw around after supporting the wife and two K*ds but I am a LOT happier here than I ever was in the States.

The key to success here is have a plan and follow it. Have contingency plans in case the original plan doesn't work out like you thought it would. Take precautions to protect your assets through any legal means made available to you by a competent lawyer.

Six years of living here is behind me now, have made a great group of friends I get to see from time to time and with my business, get to help people enjoy their vacations while going to some of the most beautiful places in the world over and over again.

Just the other day, on top of Volcano Irazu with BonePony and Seawub, kept thinking to myself how lucky I am to be standing in the middle of Central America at 11K+ feet looking out over one of the most beautiful views in the world. Just kept running through my mind how much happier and healthier I am now (lost over 60lbs.) than I ever was back in the rat race known as the United States.

Life here definitely isn't for everyone as it takes great patience and giving up a lot of things but I found the simple life without a lot of money is so much better than the life I had in the U.S. where I had plenty of money but only got to enjoy LIFE rarely.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

Are you talking about a Costa Rican lawyer? If so, how did you find a good one?

And thanks again for taking me to La Selva and taking the pictures for me. I still look at those pictures and fascinated by what we learned there. I am thinking about going back again when I return if you'll take me.

I hope you recommend that place to others - well those that like biology.

Yes, I found a good one. Expensive but great English and one of the largest law firms in the country. They saved my ass on Plan A. Messed up my residency (outsourced) but when the problems came to a head, they laid it on the line and got my residency for me soon after.

I really enjoyed La Selva and it is always on my recommended list for a day trip out of San Jose. Have told many but only been back once since our trip. Would LOVE to go back out there...was an incredible time!

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

Yeah, they don't know what they are missing. In some ways I guess it sounds too academic. The one thing that amazed me was that tour guide that put up his spotting scope in 2 seconds perfectly focused on a Cicada far away.

For those that don't know, the cicadas make a much different sound than in the USA. It sounded like the hum of an electrified fence. I asked the tour guide where the electrified fence was and he said it was cicadas and spotted one in 2 seconds with his scope.

Plus PVT told me about the poison dart frogs (dendrobates) and I have read so much about them since!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendrobates

PVT knew a lot of interesting facts himself. Anyone reading this should have him take you to La Selva.

"Life here definitely isn't for everyone as it takes great patience and giving up a lot of things but I found the simple life without a lot of money is so much better than the life I had in the U.S. where I had plenty of money but only got to enjoy LIFE rarely."

From Puravidatransport


I too, lived my life in the US in the fast lane, 50+ hours workweek, high pressure intense jobs, moneymaking, rise to the top, impress people, got to have the hot expensive car, ocean view penthouse, fancy jewelry, expensive clothes, top management position, be a big shot, big strut, I thought all this was important and when it all came crashing down I was devastated. Everything that was important to me was gone almost in an instant.

When I chose to move to CR, I slowly adapted to a simpler lifestyle, walking, no car, taking buses and taxis, budgeting, exploring, enjoying nature, enjoying new friends and hearing their stories and telling mine. I started focusing on my health, slowing down, appreciating simple things. A couple 2 to 3 poontang sessions a week substituted my frenzied drive for moneymaking. The poontang brought me here but I began to enjoy and appreciate everything else as well and slowly adapted to the puda vida lifestyle. I got hooked. I am back in the states now, earning a decent income but not spectacular. Working 40 hours a week is like working part time for me. I have everything I need, an older home and older car but not an older girlfriend !

I'll be able to retire at 62 in 3 years with a modest savings and social security, something that would have been horrifying to me in my "glory days", now I am excited to return and live the simple life and I am talking a few of my fellow lonely bachelor buddies into it as well. This place is the fountain of youth, and I am excited about returning. I now feel I will enjoy my declining years instead of dreading them.

Many of the older guys I met here were having a blast, doing what they want, no pretense, no pressure, no family demands, and living their lives the way they wanted, I saw that and said this is for me when I get to retirement age ! Thank G*d and Spirit Airlines for bringing me to Costa Rica !

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...

What about when the "newness" wears off. What about when you have phucked as many whores as your dick can take? The thing about us as humans is that we are never satisfied, at any age. Once you reach your goal and are phucking putas on a regular basis, i bet you'll be bored. The only thing that keeps a man going is a challenge. Also, quality relationships and family.

And ultimately inner peace, nothing from the material world can make you happy forever only momentarily!

Yes, please give me all your "material," so you can progress to nirvana. I specialize in "material," disposal.

If I can help the world be a happier place by accepting repressive or oppressive wealth, I am up for the challenge.

In my 10 years of visiting CR and my 2 years of living there, I estimate 300+. Still not bored and still looking forward to the challenge of more and keeping it up in my declining years. I will retire here in 3 years. My family ? I look forward to them visiting once I get settled and I'll take them on eco-tours and culture tours and then happily send them home...

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...