Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Peanut Butter—$7
So excited to share this video with you all! It’ s not every day I get a chance to be interviewed by Savannah Buffett (Jimmy Buffett’s daughter), and not every day I get a chance to share my story on television.
After watching the show, my husband turned to me and said, “Wow, I really do wear only tank tops.” Yes Rob, you most definitely do.
Hi Nadine and Rob,
My husband Jeff and I just returned from our second vacation to Costa Rica and once again had a fabulous and adventurous time. I really appreciated reading your blogs and 2 books prior to going this time. It helped the vacation to start mentally before it started. I really appreciate your sense of humor, vulnerability and willingness to adapt, grow and seek out your path of contentment. As an RN, I can really relate to the experience as a healthcare giver that you experienced in the states. Somehow the lust for money in this country has made it more difficult to simply practice caring for people. There is great pressure for healthcare to be so rushed and the money does not mean much when you are exhausted from the inside, and have no time or energy left to recharge.
Our first week of this visit was a wonderful recharge. We spent a week in a beautiful little casita at a small resort acalled Agua Vista on a hill overlooking the ocean above Montezuma. We spent much time on our private patio in the shade of a giant bamboo watching all kinds of animals make their appearance to us including: agoutis, howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, about 24 coatimundis, beautiful squirrels, iguanas, butterflies, toucans, parrots, mot-mots, and many more birds. We saw many more animals here than we did in the national parks! One of our favorite experiences was driving up the long, steep dirt drive to Agua Vista after dinner in town. We got behind a tamandua slowly sauntering up the middle of the road. Then at one point he quickly turned around, faced our SUV head-on balancing on his hind feet and tail, and raised his muscular arms to ‘put up his dukes’. And he appeared to be wearing a black tank top, as all tamanduas do. I could not hear any sound, as the windows were rolled up, but I am pretty sure his threats were made with a Jersey accent.
Thank you for sharing your stories with us as you are discovering the elements to a happy life in Costa Rica. There is so much to love about Costa Rica. Perhaps someday we will choose to live there too, or perhaps not. In the meanwhile, I will continue to seek out some elements to a happy life here in Northern California: gratitude, savoring rich relationships and the beauty of nature and facing the challenges of life with flexibility, acceptance and a sense of humor. Thanks for the encouragement! Laura
Sounds like you had quite the adventure yourself! Thanks for following my story. It’s been so great so far… even with the spotty utilities. I’m still loving it here!
Hello. I just finished your first book. Thoroughly enjoyed it. There were times I actually laughed out loud. In your book you write that you have become citizens (?)of Costa Rica. I am thinking you have secured the Pensioner residency. Correct?
Strongly considering a move to this beautiful country? Would like to visit first. When, in your opinion, would be the best time of the year to visit? Thanks so much for your book. It really has me thinking even more so now about forward motion in that direction.
Dec to May are the driest months with the least amount of rain. But I actually like June,July, and August. It only rains in the afternoons and really cools things down. I would definitely see some beaches and try to hit a couple volcanos.
Hi Nadine,
This show is exactly why I wanted to read the books! And thankfully my boyfriend surprised me with them. I loved the show, but I loved the books even more. So happy to see you both are living your dream! Your stories are entertaining and insightful, keep up the awesome work and I look forward to reading the third! Also, when my boyfriend and I visit Costa Rica within the next year, I hope we stumble upon you and Rob in the middle of one of your adventures! 🙂
Thanks Shaleen, it you see a guy that looks like Vin Diesel carrying a camera, it might be Rob. Of course it could be Vin Diesel.
I actually came across the video on Youtube while looking for something else. Ordered both books that morning(Kindle) and read them both within days. I have talked about moving down there for years even though I had never been. Last year, My wife and I stayed at Witches Rock Surf Camp for our 25th Anniversary. We both loved Tamarindo and I immediately started looking for a house. If I didn’t have three years until retirement I would already be there. She’s kind of iffy because she has a large close family here. I was also wondering If you had read “South of Normal” it doesn’t paint a very good picture of Tamarindo, even though the author says he loves it there. We are planning on returning to WRSC in March/April and hopefully see more of the area. Can’t wait for the next book!
Hi Tom,
I have not read that book. But everyone has their own story in life, and I don’t have any problems in Tamarindo. I don’t live there, I would rather live outside a touristy town than in one, but that’s just my preference. There are lovely areas here and I’m sure you can find one that suits both of you perfectly.
This video is why I purchased the book.
The best part about reading this book, is gaining & getting to know 2 new friends
Thanks Greg. It seems like we have a lot in common. Expat life is not for everyone, but for some it is the perfect one.
watched the video and smiled like a chesire cat… did much the same thing a year and a half ago, selling everything and moving from the DC metro area to a tiny coastal Georgia island… half step between here and CR… hope to head south again in the next 2 years… I’m curious about getting details of Rob’s workout if it’s not too much trouble. pretty sure my wife has already ordered both books.
thanks a ton for the inspiration!
-sean
Hi Sean! I suppose I really should put up some of Rob’s crazy workout. I love that he has everything on the back terrace he needs, and gets a great workout from it. We really don’t have the budget for a gym, and it’s so pretty here, it’s just better to workout at home.
I’ll try to convince him to let me film him!
that would be great… the minimalist nature of it is what caught my attention… I was like, “I’ve got a chair, and a floor… and a bunch of extra pounds to get rid of…” implore Rob to help another bald brutha out 🙂
I’ll get him on that Sean!
cool… thanks a ton.
I think I’m finally to the point where I’d actually do the workout 🙂 any progress? not trying to be a bother, just intrigued. thanks
Hi Sean, as for the “progress” not sure what you are referring to. A workout?
yeah, I was talking about the workout, but now I’m starting to sound like the squeaky wheel… no worries. on another note, finished the first book over Thanksgiving and started the second today. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Hi Sean, I love sharing all the beauty that I see here. Sometimes, it just takes a splash of color to cheer up one’s day.
Great video – thanks for sharing! I heard about your book earlier this summer, and read both books within a couple of weeks! Congratulations on simplifying your life, and making it into something you both love! I’m so happy for you, and love hearing about your adventures 🙂 My husband and I have been working on simplifying our lives, and your books have given us a lot of encouragement.
Thanks for the kind words. It was the best decision for us to move here when we did. Living the simple life brought me so much happiness, and I can’t imagine going back to my old ways. Without all the clutter, I have so much more time doing the things I love to do!
Great interview and wonderful to finally see the couple that I have pictured through reading your book and your blog posts. Having been to Costa Rica for 6 short days, I envy you your brave decision to change your life for the better by chucking everything that was familiar to you and moving half a world away. Pura vida!
Hi Nancy! I hope the show brought back memories of visiting Costa Rica. And now you can hear our voices in your head as you read our books. It was a great opportunity and so happy it all turned out well.
Best post ever. The video is much more powerful than words.
Thanks!
Hi Nadine and Rob, It has been two years since we shared cocktails in Costa Rica and it looks like things are only getting better for you! I watched the video – what a great interview! Cheers! Tammy & Dave (now living our dream on Vancouver Island)
Hi Tammy! Hope all is well up north. I’m glad you watched the show, it was funny how Rob was always in a tank top. His wardrobe is getting smaller and smaller.