Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: One 14 ounce can of Roma tomatoes—$1.25
My husband always finds the best views. He will drive the scooter up any road, knock on any door, and ask to go inside to take a picture. It’s amazing how many people let him in.
We took a chance driving up a steep road in Potrero and found this beautiful place. Palacio Del Sol used to be a hotel and restaurant, but now it is up for sale. The owner happily walked us around. “It was my dream but now I have to move back to the states,” he said.
I suppose one could buy it as a business, or even just as their personal residence. I know I could get used to swimming around in that infinity pool. For now, I am just grateful I got the chance to stand up here with Rob. And thankful he has the guts to go knocking on people’s doors.
Don’t forget to check out ocean view Saturdays on my facebook page: www.facebook.com/happierthanabillionaire
The view is great. The country is pretty. Everything about Costa Rica is so romantic.
There are times that I contemplate doing the same thing you have done, and I can certainly afford doing it.
However, at some point, fantasizing a future in a place where poverty is still prevalent, the ability to develop technology, conduct business, travel freely and safely, make a measurable difference in the life of others and generally…lead and create rather than observe, lose time and convince myself I am happier than a billionaire, comes to an end, and I think it will come to end for you also.
Your writing reveals a smart, educated and dynamic woman that relishes this phase of her life, but I only give it less than a year before the creative powers you possess take over and return you to the truly greatest place on earth, the good old US of A, where despite the politics, the hard work and effort required to make ends meet, everyone has the ability to do anything and everything !!
Life, exhilaration, success, failure followed by success, total freedom and achievement is only happening in the US, particularly for dynamic individuals like you.
Therefore, and because you truly deserve to be happier than a billionaire…welcome back home…within a year!
Regards,
Tolis
You little minx…you had me at “smart, educated, and dynamic woman”.
I’ve been here over four years, but you’ll be the first to know when I’m looking for total freedom and achievement again. You’ll pick me up at the airport, right?
Of course, just let me know where and when!
I also do not see you stopping at one book only, and there is only so much one can write about Costa Rica.
I concede that there is a certain amount of fun in a small country, like Costa Rica. I recently had fun there when I helped my buddy, Roberto Jimenez (son of Max Jimenez, the best known Costa Rican artist), when I analyzed his painting and proved it to be an original Montigliani, never seen since 1939, and about to be presented for the first time, at the end of the month, in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Now, you must admit, finding a Montigliani is FUN, and you can only do such things in the US.
Don’t you agree?
Tolis
DEAR TOLIS,
I understand completely your patriotism, and I feel mine quite frequently. America is a great country, and it has allowed me to build a business where I can be financially independent one day, and for that I am grateful.
But, I believe you are seriously underestimating the prospects in Costa RIca. First, they call it the Happiest Place on Earth for a reason: the Happiness Index (an international organization that studies such things, the name of which I have forgotten) determined Costa Rica to be just that. Second, there are very good opportunities in Costa Rica, as witnessed by many North Americans who have moved there and started their dream business. Third, Costa RIca is not a place of wide-spread poverty. In fact, it’s economy is the strongest in all of Central America and one of the strongest in Latin America. Forth, Costa Rica is known as the high tech capital of Latin America. Intel, for instance, has a large operation on the outskirts of San Jose, which they have expanded in the past two years, partly as a result of their previous success and because of the capable and educated work force available there. Fifth, travel in Costa Rica is safe and easy. In fact, I feel safer driving through the countryside of Costa Rica than I do in Nevada or California. One thing I’ve experienced in Costa Rica is the hospitality of the people, who are very happy to help you if you have trouble on the roadside. In the U.S., no one is gonna stop to help on our busy freeways or highways.
So, I’d say to you that you reconsider your beliefs about Costa Rica as compared to the U.S. I’ve lived on the 91 Freeway in Southern California and now the 15 Fwy in Nevada, for over 35 years, and I’m so eager to get onto my hillside in Tronadora, Guanacaste, Costa RIca. I’ll never turn my back on the good ol’ U S of A, but I’ll be really happy to think of it from a greater distance (the 6 hour flight from San Jose).
And, I agree with you about Happier Than A Billionaire. She is certainly a gifted writer with a wonderful eye for her surroundings and a great, happy heart!
Gorgeous picture! I’m far too chicken to ask people things like “mind if I barge through your house to take a picture?”, but I’m perfectly happy to have someone I’m traveling with do it for me. Glad your husband thinks nothing of it so we can all enjoy the views 🙂
If you could see my face while he asks, so embarrassed!! I usually stand behind a tree before they give the okay…
Hi,
Congrats on the book and a great new adventure!
I know you mention your $1,000 a month budget often, but what percentage of the time have you actually lived within that budget over the past 3 or 4 years since you moved ? Of cours not including the purchase of the car & scooter 😉
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. That average is across the year. We always end up near that. Some months I’m at $1100, while others I clock in at $950. So some months I do better than the others. But if I stick to that budget, I can make it happen.
Going out to eat is a luxury for me, so I try to keep it to maybe 2 times per month. I eat all my meals at home and don’t feel like I’m sacrificing to do it. I am so much healthier and feel much better than when I lived in the states. That alone helps me to save a lot.
The scooter seriously helps with gas prices. It has paid for itself 2 times over. Gas is very expensive here, I think super is $5/gallon. So I try to find ways I can save, but still be comfortable with those decisions.
What a find! Hope I win the lottery tonight!!!!
Good luck…someone’s got to win!!
What an amazing lifesytle you guys have!!!
Congrats on everything you have done and your success =)
Thanks Paige for such kind words. I hope you keep following my silly stories.
Things in the region have sure come a long ways from the turbulent ’80s when there was the fighting between the U.S.-sponsored contras and the sandinistas in Nicaragua. It was one of the major stories of the era; the link between Iranian arms and the U.S. effort to supply the contras did major damage to the Reagan administration.
Sure has, no one even mentions that time. I suppose more people talk about it in Nicaragua. Such a beautiful country with such a questionable future.