www.CostaRicaTicas.com

And you could add the money. Citizens of other wealthy countries are welcome too!
Maybe that's the reason why they have virtually nothing. In order to have something you need to work, no party. Ch*ldren "might" be happy there, but I rather want mine to grow up in "unhappyland".
I've been in both sides of the fence, and I can say: "God Bless America!"
Gypsy: Cuban by birth, American by choice!

I do agree with the downward turn of almost everything about the United States and my wife and I are beginning to look for a home outside of the United States. However, two sayings come to mind here. One, the grass is always greener on the other side. The other, happiness is a state of mind and you control that more than your surroundings. You may find the happinest person in the world in the worst surroundings and you may find the saddest people in the world at the top of the food chain.

I believe all comments here are skewed somewhat because we have choices concerning where we want to be and we choose to highlight Costa Rica and downgrade the United States. I am not saying that the downgrading is uncalled for but I place this in the same category as gringa bashing. Fun to do but not necessarily the rule of the land.

The rest of the world cannot be totally wrong by having the United States the number one place to try to get into to live.

Have a Great Day,

Dave

That is exactly my point. They were the perfect example of people knowing that having "things" doesn't make a damn bit of difference when it comes to enjoying life. I spent close to two years living in San Jose waiting for a project to start (unfortunately it never did) on a budget of $700 a month. I had no modern conveniences whatsoever and it was probably the greatest time of my life. To each his own, but I've been on both sides of the fence as well and I'll take happiness over "things" any day of the week.

Not many people lay on their deathbed wishing that they had spent more time in their life working.

I am perfectly happy being an American...


...I just don't want to live here.

_________________
Tunaman

DAPANZ 1 In reference to your question. Maybe I can shed a little light on the subject. I have lived my entire adult life abroad. I lived 11 years in Asia, 9 years in South America and first came to CR in 1979. I move here in 1982. During most of those years my resources allowed me to live above the local economy. However a couple of years ago I hing up my spurs and bought a farm outside od San Ramon. I have since worked the farm and lived off the revenue of the farm. I live no better or worse than my neighbors. I have a hot loving lady, an endless supply of vodka and and great music. I know a few others like myself. So in answer to your question, yes some can. How ever in fairness I should add, this life is not for everyone. In answer the the geneal text of the thread, do I miss anything in the good old US of. No way. Do I miss my mongering days ?WELLLLLLLL.

_________________
not as good as I once was, but as good once as I ever was

That's awesome Tuanis,
If someone was content with living a simple uncluttered life in the US then they'd certainly be happy in CR or some other Latin American country. I deal with so many people that live totally materialistic lives here- the bigger house, the new cars, expensive clothes, high maintenence wives, private schools for the K*ds... The obsession comes across as quite insane to me at times as I observe people, (although guilty myself of getting caught up in the rat-race.) Like Sandinista I've been on both sides of the fence. Sure the US has it's problems but so does everyplace, and some of us "have" to live where the money is. (Or do we?)

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

YO Griping Gringos:

This thread can very well take on a heated political debate and that is something you all need to think about. I will post manana as to my feelings about this general discussion depicted as "U.S.A. sucks." As a prelude to my next post: Take away the "paid" available young women and the revelation of a "Lost Horizon" you gringos need to screw your heads on straight before bashing the place you came from. It's a free world to ridicule. Problems, yes!! Problems in 3rd world countries....factor in multiple times. Have you ever been in a third world country with no dinero and post 50 yrs of age. HELLO.

I just returned from 5 days in the States, too. (I've been living here in CR for 6 months now).

I think TMAN'S argument is misguided. It's not the U.S. that's the problem, it's us, who don't fit into it anymore.

Yes, I am appalled by the endless focus on materialism and how little you get for your money (in most cases). But only a fool would ignore that there are strong arguments for living in the U.S. versus living in a third world country:

- Traffic is orderly and streets don't have pot holes that can kill your car.
- Services are rendered (comparitively) fast and efficiently.
- You don't need to live in a house that resembles a prison cell, with bars on all the windows and doors, and 24 hour armed guards.
- Banks don't have men with shotguns standing at guard because bank robberies are still very common.
- It's a lot easier to eat healthy in the States. Especially if you don't cook for yourself.
- Automobile travel is much safer. In fact, almost everything is much safer.
- There is a plethora of services available for almost any need, and the services are rendered expediently. Or, you can choose to live the simple life. You know-- like Paris and Nicole. (That's a joke).
- Americans you meet in America generally aren't running from the law, hiding from something (or someone), or engaging in nefarious activities.

I could go on and on. But really what it comes down to is different strokes for different folks. (And I'm getting a lot more strokes living down here!!!)

Anyway, here's my point: I know many people in the U.S. who are very happy with their lives and I know many Ticos who are downright miserable. And vice versa. This thread reminds me of the argument I would hear when I used to live in a trailer park and the residents would point to the people living up on the hill and say, "Money doesn't make you happy, therefore 'dem people up there ain't happy like we miserable people are."

Later when I lived up on the hill I realized: Yes, they are happier. Who wouldn't be happier living in a mansion than in a trailer?

But I digress.

Happiness is something that comes from inside. Personally, I'm a lot happier when I'm rich than when I'm poor.

And I feel a lot richer living in CR.

I am with Tunaman on this. I'm proud to be an american, but I don't have to live here to be happy. See Circus's post on that eminent(sp) domain BS.
Sparky

_________________
Sparky
Get in line to ride the lightning!!!


Almost legally single again! Voy a Colombia otra vece!!

Rolex,

I think you stated the most important part. Mongerers may not be able to handle the fantasy of CR and the realities of the United States. I have to say that I am always a little sad to see younger men (perhaps under 40 but definitely when they are under 30) mongering in places like CR and Rio because it gives them an attitude that has them put a wall up to block off any possibility of relationships in the US because they will just monger all of their life. It saddens me because they are missing the possiblility of a lifetime together with a good woman in America. Not a popular notion here but there are plenty of happy couples in this country that wouldn't give up their relationship for anything.

What is ironic to me is that you read so much here about the way Ticos treat Ticas and how screwed up it is with the basic household having so many K*ds and families having to live together to make ends meet. You read about the crime, both at the street level and government and cops. You read about the brutal treatment of the women. You read about, even those with money, having to constantly watch themselves and live behind walled in fences and safety bars. You read here about the monopoly on the phones and the weirdness when it comes to paying bills.

I am sorry to run on. I will stop. Please, someone again tell me why it would be better to live in Costa Rica. I am especially interested in someone telling me about the advantages WITHOUT using the words young ticas and p*ssy.

Happines is a state of mind as I have stated and, for those that find happiness in CR, I certainly congratulate and wish the best.

Have a Great Day,

Dave

Oh yeah, I had one more point please. Americans practice and preach negatives. So, it isn't any surprise when conversations of any nature contain more negatives than positives. Look at the media, news, work place talks, unions, etc, etc, etc. Negatives sell in the United States. The stuff that one may point to showing how sad people in the United States are may be nothing more than the pure negativeness that we experience, throughout our lives, coming out. I will always remember the "bitching sailor is a happy sailor" saying and think that it just as well could be "a bitching American is a happy American."

Want a test? Try to live one day of your life with no negative comments coming from your month. It just isn't what we Americans do well.

Have a Great Day,

Dave

Dave,

Good post. You bring up some great questions. I'm going to take a stab at answering them, because I think I don't fit the traditional monger profile, in that I think America is the greatest country in the world, I'm a Republican and I'm under 40.

But it's kinda like this: The Ford F-150 and the Honda Civic may be the two best cars for most people to own. And the y really are! But I'm wired differently. And this is my view as to why I live in CR vs. America:

- Your money goes a lot farther. $1,000 a month can rent you a house with a drop-dead gorgeous view. The type of view that makes women's clothes immediately fall off. The type of view you'd pay $3K-$5k a month for in the States-- maybe more. I love waking up in the morning with the sun coming into the window and looking at the entire city of San Jose. Or watching the lights at night. This alone makes it worthwhile.

- At $1.25 an hour for a maid, you never have to do laundry, cook, clean or (generally) run mundane errands, again! You always have cleanly ironed and pressed shirts in your closet, someone to pick up the dog poop, wash the dog, etc... This alone gives you more of your most precious commodity: Time.

- Every day is an adventure. I love learning about the new culture and the new language, in a living and breathing context. I got bored living in America. Just seemed to be the same program played over and over again-- year after year. Not a bad program... but like I said... I'm wired differently and I get bored easily.

- As a Gringo, you're an automatic member of a special club. You're part of the upper-class. You have benefits that the natives don't. People treat you special. (For better or worse-- but it's always an adventure!).

- Services are way cheaper.

- I'm dating a higher caliber of women than I was dating in the States.

- There's no "Keeping up with the Joneses." Although some in the Gringo area try to hold onto this tradition-- I see it as much more of a joke here. I mean-- when the average citizen makes $700 a month-- it's like competing with a 4 year-old. Which means: There is no competition. So, you end up buying things that make you happy, rather than "What conclusion women/neighbors will come to if you drive X brand."

As for young guys being ruined by mongering-- I think it depends on the emotional maturity of the individual. I know for me, the monger scene has gotten old. Granted, I occasionally partake if I'm in between a girlfriend-- but for me-- mongering as a lifestyle grows shallow and hollow. It's nice to have it as a release-- just like going to the gym. But as a lifestyle? It can never replace what you can experience in a deep, committed relationship.

It's a lot like eating rich chocolate cake: It's great once in awhile, but you can't eat it every day or you turn into a lard ass.

But living here gives you the option of eating cake when you want to. Whereas in the States, you don't have the opportunity.

And finally-- Every day is an adventure. This may change for me in a couple of years... who knows? But there is so much culture shock and everything is a learning experience... it's like being on a permanent vacation.

"Amen", I was originally going to say to Tman. But now it's "amen" to all the thought-provoking comments brought up on both sides. Really amazing people we have here. Speaking to more thoughts I have on my mind than any other website currently does.

Me, I just settled in last year to the 30-year great rate paying for a home I love, and this year, it's all been turned upside down. I'm seeing my escape hatch and I'm damn restless. I'm seeing everything from outside our borders now, and I'm 75% sure I don't want to be stuck here 10 years from now.

You can't neutralize the questions of money and sex -- these are the realities of our lives in either place, and it's taken me LONG enough to realize I'm entitled to get some enhanced "pursuit of happiness" in my life, and it will generally follow the contours of my economic situation.

Meanwhile, I think most of us have the best of both worlds: earn here, enjoy there. Yes, it's frustrating during the intervals away from CR. But that's only because it's such a fall to go cold turkey from all that Latina lovin'.

Earlier in this post, I gave a big "Amen" to Tman, now I will give one to Rolex. Like Rolex, I live here too. The fact that I live here now in no way dimminshies the fact that I'm still an American who did his part, served his country, raised his family, started a business, paid taxes, obeyed the law and contributed voluntarialy at every oportunity. You don't have to live in America to be a good American.
Even though I live in Costa Rica, I still pay american taxes and obey thier laws (plus Costa Rican laws) whenever I am in the states.
Also, as stated previously, I originally moved here because of the high cost of living (I call it struggling) in the US. I can and do live a much better life here without stress which kills American.
Perhaps Rolex's best line was "Its the same old program, not a bad one, but the same one over and over. I got bored".
Everyday here IS an adventure and after more than a year, I AIN'T BORED!
LVSteve

_________________
Just an old horney, fat gambler.

_________________
"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)