Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 30 individually wrapped slices of American Cheese-$6.40
I lost internet for 2 days which had me feeling like Lindsay Lohan on house arrest. It was that bad.
I often see people sitting at the beach with their computers and joke that they are staring at a virtual screen saver of a palm tree while actually sitting under one. They can’t—even while on vacation—let go of that internet addiction. But after losing my signal, I empathize with these people. We have all become a generation of technological junkies. I bet we could be happier if we let up every once in a while and enjoyed all the great things going on around us.
I’m going to take that first step. I’m shutting down the computer today to watch a few monkeys that are currently playing on the telephone wire outside my house.
Hmm…I think I just found out who knocked out my internet. This is not the face of an innocent monkey.
[…] fruit picked right out of Ewa’s backyard. It’s one of the things I love most about living in Costa Rica, picking fresh fruit right off the […]
My daughter has been here four years, and will soon have our first grandchild. My wife and I bought a house in the Heredia mountains in January; we’ll be here about four months/year.
I enjoyed your book, and “recognized” most of your experiences. Costa Rica can be frustrating, but the people are friendly and the country is beautiful. I always look forward to the challenges and rewards that Costa Rica has in store for me.
Keep on writing!
Thanks Brian, Heredia is beautiful and the weather there is fabulous. If you look for the positives, the positives will find you in Costa Rica. Good Luck!
I have, for some time now, realized that living in Central Vermont is absolutely gorgeous for the month of Spring, the month of Summer, and the month of Fall. However, the other 9 months of the year it is harsh. I’ve gotten used to pretty fast internet speeds and wonder if I will be satisfied in Costa Rica. Much of the work I would like to do from there would require me to at least have access to the internet and having a fast connection speed would be a bonus. What should I expect?
I have great internet. I can stream videos, download at quick speeds, etc. I have DSL since I have a landline. Landlines are a little difficult to always find in Costa Rica. It’s as if the phone company made only a limited amount of connections per box.
But people also have satellite and phone internet connections that plug into your laptop. So those challanges are starting to disappear. I too was worried I would be left without internet, but so far, that hasn’t happened.
Thanks so much Tammy. I’ve been getting great feedback, so happy you are enjoying it.
My hardcopy of your book came today…so excited to start reading. Five pages in and laughing my guts out already.
Hubby was extra impressed by the quality – I think you have inspired him to do some self publishing! Will be posting my amazon review by weeks end. Very happy for you and your success with your book.
Hi… I just finished reading your book and really enjoyed the humor and insights. It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to spend some time living in Cost Rica. After selling our house this summer, it occurred to me that I could take my family down there for a few months and work over the Internet while my wife and kids embraced their Latino roots and experienced a different world. However, after reading your book I began to realize that it may perhaps be unwise to do so given that our income is dependent on a very reliable connection, which would seem to be uncommon down there. My dream of surfing in the morning and logging in to work after breakfast may have been a pipe dream after all. In your experience, is there any means by which this might be possible?
I think you can do it. I have better internet connection, surprisingly, now that I am at the beach as opposed to the mountains.
If you can rent a house with a phone line, then you would be able to get DSL which works pretty good. It does ocassionally go out, I would say it’s 90% on 10% off.
There are plenty of people who are doing exactly what you are doing. They telecommute and then go surfing. It’s the perfect way to make a living down here. If there is a possibility to keep your job in the states but still live here….you might have found the secret to the best life EVER!!
There are also lots of schools here that cater to English speaking students. They run around $400 a month since they are private. But the kids love it and they get accepted to some of the top schools in US.
Your dream is possible, I hope you take the leap (or ride that wave) and do it!!!!!
The one thing that has allowed to be free is the internet which has afford the choice to live anywhere and still own my own company and get everything done. I cant handle the snow at all, so I simply got a place in Miami to stay when its winter in MD, no matter where I am I work and I have warehouses and shops in three different places, I do visited them but thats it.
That’s true, the internet does provide a way to make a living and have very cheap phone calls internationally. But it is nice to step away and enjoy what’s going on around me.
Oh yeah, today we live in a world where more and more people mix up symbols with “reality”. Haveing a lot of money and feeling rich is another example.
It’s so beautiful here you don’t need much to be happy. And all the “extras” just seem to get in the way. If I ever move back to the states, I hope to take this philosophy with me.