10 Inspiring Reasons We’re Moving to Costa Rica from the U.S.

In 2021 we announced the start of a new blog, Blogging Money Life, and then shocked our friends and family by informing them that we were moving to Costa Rica to begin a new adventure. 

A tropical paradise, Costa Rica, often known as the land of “Pura Vida” (which literally translates to “pure life”), has won the hearts of numerous expats from North America and other parts of the world. So it should come as no surprise that my husband and I have chosen to start our new lives on this beautiful continent.

Of course, the first thing people want to know when we tell them that we are moving to Costa Rica is why we decided to do it in the first place. You’ll be surprised by some of the reasons we give them.

1) Because We Can

Our number one reason we are moving to Costa Rica from the United States is that we can. As U.S. citizens, we enjoy one of the most powerful passports in the world. It allows us access to over 185 countries, and we’re ready to take advantage of that. 

In addition, our blog allows us to work from anywhere. It can be in Costa Rica. It can be in an office. It can be in our home. 

As long as we have internet access, we can earn income through our blogs anywhere in the world.

Moving abroad actually isn’t that hard to do. You just have to research where you want to go, make a plan, break it down into baby steps and take it one step at a time. 

Then, if you have questions, you can do what we did. 

We recruited the help of a relocation consultant within the country we want to move to. She helped us pick a region, find our first house, and recommended a residency lawyer and a moving company. On top of all this, she’s giving us the insight to avoid common mistakes. 

We have our own version of a famous quote from the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

“Life moves pretty fast; if you don’t stop and change things up every now and then, you’re going to miss it.”

2) To Step Away From U.S. Politics

We’re ready for a break from U.S. politics. Living in the state, it’s so hard to escape it. It’s almost like every conversation you’ll have can quickly turn political. 

We’re just ready to step back and take a break. We want to take more of a humanitarian view of the world. 

Moving to another country with a different government with different customs and policies, we’ll be able to experience firsthand another way of doing things. 

3) To Make Major Lifestyle Changes 

Well, another reason is that we want to eat better. It’s not that we can’t eat better here in the States. It’s just easier to do it in Costa Rica. Fresh foods and organic foods seem to be more readily available, and they’re more affordable. 

So much of the fresh produce in Costa Rica is farm to table. We like the idea of accessing farmer’s markets with fresh food with great nutrients and knowing where it was grown. We remember visiting the country in 2019, and the hotel where we stayed had its own farm chickens and garden. 

We even knew the name of the chicken who laid our eggs every morning! So yeah, just being in a place where we know where our food comes from.

Also, a part of a healthier lifestyle generally has to do with a more active lifestyle when moving to Costa Rica. 

One of the big reasons is that you don’t have to rely on a car to get around many places. There are lots of walkable areas. You can do many outdoor activities in Costa Rica, from horseback riding around the mountains to swimming in the ocean to hiking through the jungle. 

There are so many different things that you can do. The country has an outdoor living lifestyle that is unique to us. Living with nature seems to be a typical lifestyle, not just something people do on vacation.

Another central point under lifestyle change is a better work-life balance. We’re both working harder and longer than we’d like to. It’s an ethic that is ingrained in our U.S. culture.

We want to adopt a new “work-to-live” mentality and leave behind our “live-to-work”; however, ac. A fresh start in a new place is sometimes needed to change a mindset. 

4) Better Race Relations Than In the U.S.

The Black Lives Matter movement is one that we’ve been following since it started in 2013. And while there has been a lot of progress with that movement, there’s still so much more that has to happen before we see real change in the United States.

We had an opportunity to speak with black expats in Costa Rica. Amazingly, they have reported that they’ve gone without experiencing racism after moving to Costa Rica for several years.

Not to say there isn’t any there, but it’s way less frequent than they’ve experienced in the United States. So we look forward to being reprieved from all of the racism while continuing to fight for causes like Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate, amongst other different reasons while living abroad.

Moving to Costa Rica, we will be where our family can feel welcome. They don’t feel like they’re somewhere where the cards are stacked against them. 

5) Moving To Costa Rica For Its Beautiful Nature

The average temperature year-round in Costa Rica is between the high 70’s and low 80’s degrees Fahrenheit, which makes for some fantastic weather. 

Costa Rica is also home to rain forests, cloud forests, active volcanoes, savannas, mangrove forests, high mountains, palm beaches, coral reefs, and so much more nature. 

6) To Broaden Our Horizons

We want to move to a place where we know that the life experience is very different than our own. This is something that we feel will help us not only become better people but also be able to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. In addition, it will help us understand people with different experiences than our own. 

Another reason broadening our horizons may help is that we think it’ll inspire creativity in our new blog. We hope the newfound energy will be reflected in our blogs and vlog videos.

7) Challenge Ourselves & Grow

We will experience culture shock, which will be very difficult at times. To be honest, just preparing for this adventure is scary. But, on the other hand, the idea of selling everything we own and moving to a different country makes for an exciting journey with new and interesting challenges. 

After moving to Costa Rica and living here for 1 year, we updated our “10 reasons why we moved to Costa Rica video.  Watch the new one here!

8) To Learn a New Language

There are plenty of English-speaking countries, but we chose a country with Spanish’s primary language. Moving to Costa Rica is an excellent opportunity for us to learn another language. 

We will be completely immersed in Spanish, so we must learn to communicate to thrive. We believe that’s one of the best ways to learn a new language and know that being bilingual will open new doors for us. 

9) Make New Friends

Making friends from different parts of the world with various experiences will help broaden our minds. 

And since we are moving to a new country, away from family and friends, we look forward to meeting people and developing a community. 

Costa Rica has a large community of expats from all over the Americas. So, we will have the opportunity to develop friendships with Tico’s, North Americans, and Central and South Americans with similar mindsets.

10) Starting From a Clean Slate

An event that is both thrilling and formative is one in which one begins with a clean slate. The chance to break free from the confines of a work that does not deliver fulfillment is one of the characteristics that makes starting over with a blank slate one of the most freeing ways to approach on the other hand, leaving behind a career where one does not find passion or purpose can be scary.

Still, it can also open the door to new chances and the possibility of pursuing employment that aligns with one’s interests and values. In addition, this newly acquired independence paves the way for investigating other professional routes or beginning a business in an entirely different industry.

Selling a home and removing most possessions can be very cathartic. It is a symbolic break from one’s attachment to material possessions and a move towards a less complicated and minimalistic lifestyle addition;. It can be freeing to get rid of old belongings that have outlived their usefulness or sentimental significance because doing so clears up space in both your physical and mental environments.

It provides the option to prioritize experiences and personal ties over material stuff, allowing for a fresh start unburdened by the weight of needless belongings and the possibility of a new beginning.

Beginning a new life in a different country allows one to rethink one’s identity and cultivate new connections with others. It is a chance to make new friends and get to know people in your area with interests and principles that are compatible with your own. Exploring new cultures and points of view helps one develop their identity and gives them a broader understanding of the world. This new beginning presents opportunities for brand-new experiences, exciting new adventures, and the possibility of unearthing latent skills and interests.

Best Things About Costa Rica

• Hospitality

To begin, people from Costa Rica, sometimes known as “Ticos,” have a well-deserved reputation for their generous hospitality and outgoing demeanor. We were made to feel at home in their thriving and diverse community the instant we stepped foot there and were greeted with open arms. In addition, navigation with the locals has been a pleasure since they are so proud of their heritage that they are eager to impart it to visitors.

• Amazing Culture 

The friendly environment of community life and the country’s many cultural traditions make Costa Rica a desirable location to settle down in. You can choose to live in the nation’s capital city of San José, a smaller town such as Santa Ana, or go to a variety of locations across the country.

In each place you visit, you will encounter a local culture that is distinctive to that area and a strong feeling of community. This presents opportunities for personal development, meaningful friendships, and the possibility of adopting a new way of life.

• Excellent Education

Expat families living in Costa Rica have access to first-rate educational opportunities. In addition, children are more likely to have a positive experience overall at an international school because they accommodate students from a broader range of cultural backgrounds. Alternately, the public schools in the area provide an opportunity for genuine absorption in the site’s culture and facilitate the development of friendships with Costa Rican students.

• Beautiful Locations

Seeing the awe-inspiring natural beauty of Costa Rica is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding parts of making your home in this Central American nation. We can bask in the sun’s warmth and take in the splendor of the Pacific Ocean at one of the Pacific coast’s many beautiful beaches, such as Playas del Coco or Manuel Antonio. On the other hand, the Caribbean coast, which features quaint communities such as Puerto Viejo, provides visitors with a unique cultural experience.

Costa Rica’s commitment to environmental conservation is evident through its vast network of national parks. From the lush rainforests teeming with diverse wildlife to the majestic waterfalls and breathtaking mountain trails, nature enthusiasts are spoilt for choice. The Nicoya Peninsula and the Southern Zone have become our go-to destinations for tranquil rural getaways, with easy access to modern amenities.

The Pacific coast of Costa Rica is like a slice of paradise for vacationers and other ocean enthusiasts. You may spend your days basking in the sun’s warm rays, engaging in a variety of water activities, and taking in gorgeous sunsets along the Gold Coast, home to some of Australia’s most beautiful golden beaches. However, the appeal of the Pacific Ocean is always there, encouraging you to adopt the way of life typical of coastal communities.

• Safe Environment

It is one of the safest countries in Central America since safety is a primary priority in Costa Rica, which makes it one of the safest countries in the world. Even though there are some minor offenses, the prevalence of violent crime is relatively low. Therefore, we are free to travel across the country without fear. Furthermore, our experiences have shown us that the communities in the area are warm and accepting, which fosters a powerful feeling of belonging.

Residents and expatriates can feel safe and confident in Costa Rica’s environment, thanks to its democratic administration and well-maintained infrastructure. In addition, our transfer has been made much easier by local real estate agents and legal specialists familiar with Costa Rican law. These professionals have assisted us in obtaining residency permits and ensured our rights are respected.

• Affordability

The low cost of living in Costa Rica was a pleasant surprise to us. Because the cost of living here is substantially lower than in most other nations, we can maintain a high standard of living without putting pressure on our budget. People looking for a high quality of life at a reasonable cost may find that Costa Rica is an intriguing alternative due to the average prices of products and services and the prices of real estate there.

When it comes to health care, Costa Rica provides services of high quality at prices that are within most people’s financial means. The provision of private hospitals, coverage by social security, and the ability to purchase private health insurance all indicate the nation’s dedication to making high-quality, cost-effective medical care available to its citizens. This ensures that locals and foreigners can access medical treatment without experiencing undue financial hardship.

The Central Valley in Costa Rica is one of the most sought-after locations for permanent residence. This is because the area features first-rate infrastructure, including private hospitals equipped to provide care of the highest possible standard. This ensures that inhabitants have access to high-quality medical care and may live worry-free lives, secure in the knowledge that their medical requirements will be met.

• Transportation 

The influential public transportation network in Costa Rica makes reaching the country’s major towns and the most popular tourist sites simple. Because of this, you won’t need a personal vehicle to go sightseeing across the country because it will be easy for you to get around. Instead, you can travel across Costa Rica at your own pace and convenience by taking advantage of reasonably priced and dependable public transportation choices, which include taxis and buses.

• Beautiful Weather

Another thing that makes life in Costa Rica so desirable is the country’s consistently warm and humid climate. The appealing ambiance created by the mild year-round climate and ample sunshine is conducive to engaging in outdoor activities and a more carefree lifestyle. It is easy to imagine paradise when one visits Costa Rica because of the country’s breathtaking beaches, verdant rainforests, and spectacular surroundings.

• Other Facilities

Opening a bank account and keeping track of one’s funds are made much simpler thanks to the high quality and dependability of Costa Rica’s banking system. Furthermore, having a local bank account gives you peace of mind. It ensures that your financial transactions go off without a hitch, regardless of whether you are a digital nomad or a permanent resident.

When we talk about digital nomads, we should mention that Costa Rica has a program called the Digital Nomad Visa that is designed for people who work remotely. This program allows digital nomads to work and live in Costa Rica for a prolonged period, allowing them to take advantage of the country’s warm climate, welcoming culture, and relatively low cost of living.

Conclusion 

Costa Rica offers a remarkable blend of natural beauty, welcoming locals, excellent educational opportunities, accessible healthcare, and a high quality of life. Whether you’re looking to embark on a new adventure, find a tropical haven, or pursue professional opportunities, Costa Rica is undeniably the best option to move. Its stable democratic government, overall cost, popular tourist destinations, tropical weather, and ease of integration make it an attractive destination for short-term and long-term stays.

We don’t know where this journey will take us, but that’s part of the excitement. So if you find our story interesting, please join us by following along and checking back for monthly updates.