When Living in Costa Rica Goes Bad - a Cautionary Tale
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- Опубликовано: 23 авг 2024
- #livingincostarica #expatinterviews #movetocostarica ''When Living in Costa Rica Goes Bad - a Cautionary Tale' Travel Costa Rica NOW (michael alan) have interviewed Matt twice before (links below if you want the details). This is Part 3 and it's not going well for Matt. As a matter of fact he's got about a month and a half to figure stuff out (make money) or he will have to make some major decisions. What went wrong? What mistakes has he made? Would he do anything different? Is Matt going to make it? Does Matt have a future in Costa Rica? What advice would Matt give to other single men thinking about living in Costa Rica under similar circumstances?
I am not sure we have done too many 'doom and gloom' videos about expats in Costa Rica and we wish Matt the best... but I do believe there is hope yet in Matt's case. We sincerely appreciate Matt opening himself up so others can learn from his so-called mistakes or bad decisions.
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I hope you ENjoYed this video, 'When Living in Costa Rica Goes Bad - a Cautionary Tale' and from all of us at Travel Costa Rica Now- Pura Vida
Yes, I know. I interrupted too much. I was getting so good for awhile but slid back on this one. My apologies to Matt. I will get better.
'When living in Costa Rica goes bad'
In what way does this guy loosing his money, have anything to do with Costa Rica? Even the girl he blew the last of his money wasn't a local. He could have done this in the US town he was born and bred in.
Many expats in my experience leave despite blaming all sorts of other reasons, due to running out of finances though. If you have always been bad with money. It doesn't matter that your foreign heaven is cheap, the money will run out the same as it does at home. It is important to have a workable plan. It is a poor persons mistake, perhaps with a retirement payout or similar, to think that they have such a large pile of money, that it will last forever. That is never the case. I like markets but Crypto's are a high risk investment, that no one should ever put the bulk of their money into. As for the girl, if you can't figure out how to say no, to people like that, you've never had much money in the bank. Because when you do, you get used to saying no, to people like that all the time, or you don't have money for very long.
I don’t think you did really.
@@martinherald6492 I’ve never had alot of money in a bank account and know how to tell broads to beat it lol that’s just what you have to do for self preservation.
@@jerrysanders9101 True that... and guys, in these poorer countries, people tend to assume you're a millionaire. So you will have to say no to them.
Thanks for your thoughts Martin. You might have to go back and listen more carefully. The lesson of the story was that bad decisions were made 'while living in Costa Rica (La Fortuna)', so it 'was' a Costa Rican - cautionary tale to others who may come down here with plans and/or aspirations and how they just need to think carefully with their life decisions once down here. Thanks for watching. :)
He wasn’t played. He had the choice to not get involved in a relationship in which he was going to pay for everything. When that happens the relationship becomes transactional. She provided sexuality and company and he paid for it. This transaction is as old as mankind. I am glad he is taking full responsibility and hopefully will make smarter decisions in the future and not be chasing youngsters!
Thank you for your thoughts Luvlivefoods. Everything you shared is accurate except for your 'fourth sentence' and the words 'chasing youngsters'. I am happy to take full responsibility for my choices and have learned valuable lessons in my experiences. Thank you so much for watching. :)
Luvlive... I agree with you 💯 percent. In that case you might look into a soiled dove. Everyone has their own sand box. I wish them both well.
Moved back to Alaska…? Not happening.
@@matthewthenomad Post some pics of the girl. LEt's see if she was worth it.
"She provided sexuality and company and he paid for it."
When a man pays for sex, he gives money and gets sex. The person he is paying gets both money and sex.
Most expats fail within the first 12 months. I am an expat living in Eastern Europe. I have been out of the US for 5 and a half years. I never had a financial problem or high expectations from the country. I love it here and planning to remain the rest of my life. I live alone happily with my dogs. Get a dog forget about trying to set up house with a partner, not worth it.
Hey V1, thank you for sharing and for your thoughts. We appreciate you watching and wish you the very best in your own adventure. :)
That’s why I have cats❤👍
You're a US immigrant in Europe.
@@uglytuco3829 And your point is?
@RR98guy expat is a bullshit word. You're an immigrant, own it.
Matt seems like a genuinely nice and optimistic person. There are no mistakes, only lessons learned. “I’ve got to keep breathing because tomorrow the sun will rise and who knows what the tide could bring”.
Thank you Fly. That is one of my most favorite quotes ever. :)
Good vibes.
this wasn't a mistake and something so overly complex he couldn't have consciously gone over or disected himself no it had nothing to do with his actions he didn't do anything there's no "lesson" to be "learned" he cant read her mind it is completely out of his control
@@icyx9268 Thanks for sharing your thoughts Icy. Really appreciate that. Thank you for watching. :)
It is amazing to see Matt's positive attitude despite the hardships he is facing.
Thank you Josh. :)
Solid attitude definitely deserves a “Pura Vida, from Tejas”
@@dfwautomotiveservice Pura Vida right back at ya'. :)
As a fellow Wisconsinite, I'm sorry but OMG, this was all self inflicted. So many men, same story, come down here with money, met a woman (probably younger) got taken and now, alone trying to pick up the pieces. Also, why would anyone invest 2/3 of their retirement into a system the isn't federally insured and loosely regulated? Any woman that needs a man to support them, my recommendation, RUN AWAY! Remember, Takers have no limit. Hope you get back on track and life gets easier again
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Christine. Had some more time to really think about your response. Obviously 100% self-inflicted, absolutely knew what I was doing and many lessons were learned. I took/take full responsibility. Not too sure about the 'sexist' direction you took in the reply. A little out of line. Might want to take a peek out of the glass house from which you wrote this and revisit your own life decisions. And the crypto decision was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and 'risk', and I knew that as well. There was 'zero' intention of supporting anyone. I did nothing short of show an incredible amount of love, support and kindness to that individual from start to end. Not something the video would or needed to allude to. Step on a nerve? Yes...you did. Again...(hard) lessons were learned. Brighter days ahead. Thank you for watching and again, sharing your thoughts. :)
@christine9600 All men deserve to have young women and not just one. Supporting ain t a big deal. Doesn t cost much more to feed one or two or three and sharing the same bed either. Just buy one bigger. So, my recommendation, if one can, go for it, life is short. Takers will take only as much as you agree. You re the Man. If you can t be one and can t be respected, well, ain t anybody else fault.
@@mathieutallard6328 what does that mean. More than one woman in your bed. That's not a good idea. Unless I read it wrong.
@@Finley67 You read right. It s the way to go with the right ones. Some go up to five. You can learn about, looking David Bond videos among other things.
@@mathieutallard6328 no thanks
This guy is a stand up guy and will be just fine with an attitude like that. Really refreshing to see someone taking responsibility for their decisions and not blaming the world for their problems. Everyone has highs and lows in life but you just have to keep going and trust in yourself! Respect for putting yourself out there and keeping it real. You will do great Matt!
agreed. :)
Wow, thank you for the sincere and kind response Tom. Means a lot. Thank you so much for watching. :)
Sending all kinds of positive vibes to this gentleman. Thank you for being transparent. I KNOW you'll pull through and make it down there! Keep going!
I appreciate that
Thank you for the genuine and kind words Marilyn. It means a lot and I appreciate the encouragement. Thank you so much for watching. :)
This is a very good video Michael. Very good. Thanks.
Michael you and Matt are both people with some degree of humility. It's striking to me that both of you put your ownership of events in your lives out on the world wide web. I'm annoyed by the commentators that criticize Matt and run down women in general. It appears that 'She' is a working girl. For sure she went into the relationship with expectations, spoken or not. On the basis of new information, Matt ran out of money or a better choice came along or anything else, she decided it was time for her to move on. That's all there was to it. And kudos to Matt for the good sense to own his end of it. One more thing. I've been married four times and given away three houses. What all four of those failed marriages and paid mortgages had in common is that I was there.
Best regards to all
Never invest anything you can’t afford to lose, especially your life💕
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Ja. Good advice and felt right at the time. Lesson learned. :)
Good news for Matt is if it is Celsius folks may see a return of some percentage of their investment. As well the crypto market is up now and scheduled to rise further in next 6-18 months.
The good, the bad and the ugly, life throws us curves every day. The best laid plans can always go south but it can bring the best out of you when faced with adversity. Hang in their Matt, you have a good heart, just learn from your mistakes moving forward. Thanks for sharing Michael :)
I appreciate that Shartz. Very well put. Thank you for watching. :)
Lesson: No money, no honey, no matter where you are.
Simply put and excellent advice. Thank you for sharing. :)
Si....sin duda. Gringotenango.
Find a soiled dove and pay the fare. Walk away at the end. Everyone has their own sand 📦 box.
Tru dat
Good morning Michael. Nice to meet you Matt. Thanks for sharing this with us. I've been planning for Costa Rica for a long time. This channel has been amazing, but I still have an arrogant and defiant demon on my left shoulder whispering in my ear that this could never happen to me. So I appreciate the reality check. I have been in low places before and I can report that incredible things are built from disaster. Always. Im talking about a good life and good living, not money. Essentials will be provided when your willing to go through what you're doing. I look forward to hearing you share your experience next year where you are unable to put your gratitude and appreciation it into words for what you've gained from this.
Best wishes Matt.
Scott.
Wow Scott! Thank you for the very genuine thoughts. I too look forward to sharing the positives that come from these experiences. Thank you for watching. :)
This takes some guts to share. Interview difficult to listen to because of the tendency of the interviewer to talk over the guest. Best wishes to Matt. His humility was inspiring.
Kris, thank you very much for sharing that and your kind words. Lessons learned and I hope it helped some others to be more cautious in their decisions financially and personally. Michael and I are good friends and he had a lot he wanted to ask me. It was all good. Thank you so much for watching. :)
Took some courage to be real and open like this. You're not alone. Thank you for telling it like it is. ✌️
That really means a lot Michael. I appreciate your kind words. Lessons learned. Very excited to share many good things to come. Thanks so much for watching. :)
This may seem trivial but I feel a strong urge to say it. I noticed you looking down at the table a lot. Look up, look forward, and let that vision point you in new directions. Kudos to you for admitting mistakes and persevering through them. I’ve made plenty of my own bad choices and have learned to keep moving forward.
Much appreciated V1. I am usually good with eye contact and looking up, but the day and subject matter had me a little less confident in my delivery. Great advice. Thanks so much for all your thoughts. :)
I moved to Costa Rica back in early Dec 2021... It takes courage to shoot straight... To expose your ups and your downs, whether it be self inflicted or incidental to lessons learned, especially in this age of no compassion. There are so many people who will and won't... say in your face, what they will carelessly type in comments... If you haven't you learn to develop thicker skin. There have been days, when tears would flow, simply from the majestic beauty. There are also days, when I would go, "What they hell did I do and why did I sell and give away everything to move here?" lol... Some days I laugh through the hurt and regret... I find myself forcing myself to identify the things I can be grateful for... rather it be a smile from a stranger, a meal, a roof over my head, a hot shower... even a floor under my feet... Michael and DeAngelo have been heroes of mine... along with several others living here... Actually so many gave me the strength and confidence to make the leap... Matt you are now added to that list of heroes... I craved some adventure in my predictable and comfortable life... aka hum drum and boring... lol - and boy did I get it... lol... Those challenges can create strong character, some time it creates cartoon characters...lol , sometimes it creates resilience... all of ours stories are still being written... I'm encouraged by your optimism and incredibly inspired by your ownership of missteps... I'm wishing you the very best... and I genuinely believe you'll have a positive outcome...
Wholly sh#t! That was an amazing sharing of thoughts and feelings and I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your kind words. That was as genuine and honest as I have read yet and I am sincerely grateful for your well-thought entry. It inspires me to make wonderful things happen and come back with a positive story to share with everyone. I wish you the very best in your continued life and journey here and I return the same respect and warm wishes for you as well. Thank you so much for commenting and watching. :)
Man thanks for being honest!🎉
@@jarvisaddison8560 Thanks Jarvis, I appreciate that very much. Thank you so much for watching. :)
In your 20's and 30's you can take risks, but once you turn 40 you better grow up. When you hit 62, your health starts to go and you better be able to afford it.
Thank you for your thoughts Kristin. Unfortunately, not everyone's life is scripted the same in their 20's, 30's and 40's, or 50-60's for that matter. Everyone is on a different path and my risks seemed/felt right at the time. Lessons learned. Very excited and optimistic for the future. Thanks again for watching. :)
So true
@@matthewthenomad - 100000%
For a RUclips channel he has a good 50 to 100 video series breaking down all the different things that happened. People love real life videos. The inside view. Not travel videos but the real deal. He's a likeable guy that people can relate to. One video per day with little to no editing, uploaded at the same time each day, and 2 or 3 livestreams per week. Don't overcomplicate RUclips.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, suggestions and the kind words. Greatly appreciated. :)
Is this your channel?
@@shayscott7498 No, this is Travel Costa Rica Now. Mine is Pura Vida Relaxation. :)
Boy, I can relate to this guy. I love La Fortuna. Montezuma too. Also spent 13 years in Alaska. Currently teaching in China for the last 5 years. Occasionally I think of going back to Costa Rica to retire. I would only say that I've found that things do work out. Usually not how you expect. Currently don't expect to go back to the States. I've subbed your channel to keep a finger on the pulse of things there. Good Luck!
Hey Phoenix, Thank you for your thoughts and kind words. Nothing but wonderful things to say about Alaska and lots of respect for the teaching. Lessons learned and staying very optimistic. Wishing you the very best as well on your continued success and journey. :)
What a great interview. Matt, you've got a ton of resources that you may have forgotten about: you're articulate, college-educated, open to self growth, have learned a ton from past decisions and a big plus--you know you want to stay in Costa Rica. So many people just drift from place to place never finding the right "home." But you know where you want to be.
More people than not have been in your situation to one degree or another and, inevitably, we all come out the other side stronger and better. I have a gut feeling that'll be the case for you. (Trust me on this. I'm old! 😂) While I don't believe that "everything happens for a reason," I DO believe that it's often the most negative of situations that end up giving us the most positive results in the long run. And often in the strangest of ways!! Your story does not end here, and I can't wait to hear how it all turns out. Pretty sure you're gonna be just fine.
Thank you so very much for the kind words and encouragement. That really means a lot. I absolutely am looking forward to better and brighter days and many positive things to share in the future. Thank you again for your support and encouragement, and for watching. It is sincerely appreciated. :)
Very honest and humble person
I only wish him the best
Things will definitely get better
No doubt about it
Once again, thank you for your thoughts and kind words Trudy. Greatly appreciated! :)
Best of luck, man. You can and will come back. All of us guys have been there or could have been. You have the right stuff to survive your tough lessons and bounce back.
Thanks K. I really appreciate the kind words and encouragement. I already have a new job as a property manager here for a six-unit Airbnb and am teaching English to local high school students. Thanks so much for the positive thoughts, and for watching. Greatly appreciated. :)
Doesn't sound like a problem with Costa Rica but a collection of problems that could happen anywhere. The way I kinda look at it is "at least you're living in costa rica" :) Not to minimize what you went through Matt but your attitude about it is great. Life throws all sorts of curveballs at you, whether it's relationships, health, finances...whatever, and some things are harder to bounce back from, but you can do it. It'll work out just take one day at a time and make sure you take the time to enjoy those morning walks!
Thank you Adam, that means a lot. I really appreciate your thoughts. I will definitely take that 'one day at a time - morning walk' advice and I'm excited to share good things in videos to come. Thank you so much for watching. :)
Well put. Solid human being. Thanks for putting this one together lots of great data. Saludos from tejas
Thank you Cayetano. Appreciate your thoughts and we're grateful for you watching. :)
How laudable and refreshing to hear a man take responsibility for his part in a relationship. Kudos, felicidades!
Thank you for your thoughts Linda. I definitely wanted to take responsibility for my part and mistakes. Lessons learned and very optimistic for good things to come. Thank you for watching. :)
@@matthewthenomad con mucho gusto!
Good video. I really appreciate Matt's honesty and sense of responsibility and hope. I would suggest that Michael not always bring it back to him, it's distracting and not good conscious communication. The interview is about Matt, not your assumptions. All the best to you Matt, will persistence will allow you to succeed!
Thank you so much for the kind words Suzanne. Means a lot. To be honest, Michael and I have been friends for a very long time, and his joking/fun is well-received by me. He has been an amazing friend for two-years and has helped me a ton since I started living here in Costa Rica. Unfortunately to a new viewer, it might not come across that way. I can tell you he is a great friend and very kind individual. Thank you again for watching. :)
I've been here 2 years by myself...and my dog ..and have never dated...and it's been amazing .. soul searching and healing...love your attitude Matt and good luck on your journey
Finding a good housesitter/dog sitter has always been a challenge so something to think about
Thank you for the very kind words and for sharing your thoughts. That's wonderful you can be just fine on your own. More people need to know what that feels like. And I 'just' got hired to manage a 6-unit Airbnb property so I am fully taking advantage of the opportunity. We are so grateful for you sharing and for watching. Continued best wishes on your journey as well. :)
@Matthew Nichols I knew with your positive attitude you would manifest something...enjoy!!!
Thank you so much!
Thank you for this video, it is comforting to hear since I also ran out of money as a digital nomad after similar investments. Had moved abroad by myself. Back at 8 am to 6 pm work in my home country getting things in necessary balance. It is totally true that one has to have a consistent online income established in order to succeed there. It’s been really hard to make the different online incomes work. I appreciate that you went back and try to find ways to make it there. I’m sure it will will turn out great with this kind of colaboration with other expats.
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement Sara. I really appreciate that. Not giving up on my passions and going to make it work here. Happy to hear you are moving in a positive direction on your journey as well. Already having some good things come to light here in La Fortuna since the video. Managing a six-unit Airbnb property and teaching English to local high school students. Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your story. :)
Let's be real. Everywhere sucks without money. Paradise or a war ravaged slum.
These experiences can make us better travelers and better humans. When you get a taste of feeling vulnerable, it tends to make one more understanding about the people you encounter along your journey wherever you go.
The big difference is for most Americans, especially an educated one, the option of a reset (going home and teaching a few years, for example) is there. For many locals we encounter, that option isn't an option. Life is what it is.
Empathy trumps sympathy everyday of the week.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Treasure. You make some great points and very well expressed. Thank you for watching. :)
So true
Poverty sucks for sure.
So honest love that your probably a special guy to OWN your stuff! You will survive your wiser now.Prays for you .Great video inspiring and sound advice!
Thank you for your thoughts and kind words Mary. That means a lot and I am very grateful. Already have some exciting and positive things happening here. Thank you again so much for sharing your thoughts, and for watching. :)
Great Video and fantastic interview Mike! As always keeping it real! Matt is a survivor and is honest in owning the outcome from the path he took and brought him to where he is today! He's not the first one or last one that has ended up where he is today. I think the beauty and "lifestyle" of Costa Rica sometimes distracts people and they make poor choices... be it financial or in relationships. Unfortunately I've seen several folks fall into the same situation.
Matt will be ok... he's honest enough to own his bad choices... doing so means he's learning. His positive attitude will get him through this even if there are some steps backwards during his future journey.
Thank you Imxploring. Those are very kind and genuine words. I appreciate your thoughts. :)
@@matthewthenomad All the best to you Matt! You're too smart and honest with yourself to let this bump get you down. You've got this!!!!
@@imxploring Again, thank you so much. Means a lot to me. :)
A survivor? Of what? His own greed and lust?
@@chamomiletea5424 His own choices, good, bad, or foolish.... which he takes full responsibility for... unlike most folks that would do their best to not own them. Actually a pretty rare thing these days.
Everyone has a different experience. Some look at a travel magazine see a picture of Manual Antonio and say "I want to live there". Buy a plane ticket. Not a good idea.
Being single when I retired @ 62 my options were endless. After a couple years, I found Costa Rica. Now I did meet a "Chica" online who speaks great English. If you don't speak Spanish, it makes life a little more difficult. No not a little, a lot more difficult.
During my first year here I/we traveled the country extensively. The dreams of living on the beach were set aside mainly because of the temperatures. It's borderline HOT. If you are comfortable with the upper 80s and high humidity, go for it. Long story short. I settled in Heredia, San Rafael. In the Central Vally.
I have negotiated a long-term lease; I do not own a car. The town is about a Kilometer away, and Walmart is a $4.00 Uber ride away. Oh yeah, the beaches Manual Antonio, Jaco, and Playa Del Coco, are a two-hour bus ride away.
My Chica is now my wife. Pura Vida
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and story Michael. That is so awesome! So happy that you had, and are having a good experience down here. There are many 'feel good' stories that just don't get heard. Thank you for sharing yours. I am grateful for you watching and wish you the very best in your continued life and adventures in Costa Rica. Best wishes! :)
Informative video!! I spent one month in Costa Rica with few of my friends who spoke Spanish 6 yrs ago. it was quite easy to explore when your accompanied with native speakers. However, I wonder if I have to live alone, it won’t be that easy. I have been thinking a lot about traveling to Costa Rica again to see if I would want to retire there. I absolutely understand how your friend is feeling because I would be feeling the same moving to a new country alone. Alone and scared :(. Anyways, if there is a will, there is a way, so please tell your friend, not to give up…everything will be fine if he focuses on positive sides.
Thank you for sharing your story and thoughts CD. I appreciate the kind words and encouragement. Thank you so much for watching and best wishes on your decisions for your future and retirement. :)
Great video Michael. I hope the best for Matt. It's good that he is humbled enough to admit he made bad choices. Many won't admit this !! We have 4 expat friends here that have all had the bad relationships here( all much younger) with people that used them and they lost alot from it !! A couple of them learned from their experience and a couple of them probably will never learn. I hope Matt finds a way to stay here in CR. After living here almost 2 years I could never live in USA again. People have to learn by their own bad choices, God knows we made some at the beginning ourselves!! We learned from them. Some people never learn 🙄. Thanks for sharing this topic!! Pura Vida
Thank you Sandra. I have learned 'a lot' and will be making a lot of positive choices in the weeks and months to come. Thank you again so much for sharing and for watching. :)
Planning in advance, like he said. 🇨🇦 Lessons, and learning for the future. He needs a paying job, not a side gig, he just needs stable income.
Matt...I haven't finished the video yet...and probably should before commenting...but my instincts are screaming "Tell him to use that degree to teach expat kids"....like a private school of about 5-10 children....figure out what you need to live..and divide the number by the children you have. 1500/month...÷ 7..etc...go from there. A lot of people homeschool and have bit off more than they can chew with that. I'm hearing this a lot. Not sure how many expat kids are in Fortuna but there are plenty in the central valley.
I know you mentioned loving Fortuna but it's not that far away and the central valley is better than Wisconsin.
Whatever happens...meditation helps slow down the brain so that you can think better and rest better.
You have that teaching skill...*that's your ticket*.....you just have to utilize it the right way. Best of luck..I'm absolutely rooting for you and really hope yo hear a positive update down the road not too far. 🙂👍
Once again, thank you for those suggestions Bobby. I'm going to consider all options for sure. I really appreciate the kind thoughts. :)
Too much interrupting the interviewee...i couldn't finish watching
Thanks for sharing. Hope you go back and finish. It's a good conversation. Michael was just excited and had a lot to ask. All good. He's a good interviewer and a great person. :)
He seems super nice and it looks like somebody took advantage of him. Americans forget that people assume that we are rich or they secretly hate us. It seems like the lesson is that you already have enough to deal with when you move to a foreign country and you need to really focus on settling in. make sure you’re financially secure before you get romanced into a bad situation. Because we’ve had it easier as Americans we don’t realize the lengths that people from somewhere else might go to, to survive or just plain take advantage.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Just made some bad decisions and lessons learned. Proceeding with caution and a lot of optimism. Thank you for watching. :)
Hi Matt, Hi Mike, Thanks to you both for the honest - and yet hopeful - discussion. Best wishes and fingers crossed that you're able work things out to stay. But if you have to leave, we'll look forward to seeing you back in Costa Rica.
Thank you Janet. That means a lot. Thank you for your support and watching. :)
All signs point to possibility. Love it.
Love that quote Glenn. Thank you for watching and sharing. :)
Michael, I like you but you interrupt constantly. Take a look back in this video and see how many times you interrupt this guy in the middle of his sentence. You gotta let people talk more my bro.
yeah, I am a work in progress who sometimes goes backwards.
No worries here Capaldi. Michael's thoughts and questions give/gave me more time to think of intelligible answers. All good. Thank you so much for watching. :)
Matt - I don't know you of course, but your positive attitude and your ability to accept the situation with rationality, humility and a strong sense of responsibility will get you through things. Best of luck, but I feel like you're going to be just fine.
Artie, thank you so much for your thoughts and kind words. I 'really' appreciate it. I absolutely recognize that I made some horrible decisions and definitely learned the lessons. So many people throwing shade here without knowing the whole story. I sincerely appreciate your optimism and encouragement. Thanks so much for watching. :)
It's hard to find people to interview that are that honest.
Thank you for sharing that Glen. Tried to be as transparent as I could to help others. Thanks so much for watching. :)
The Hard Lessons
Life goes in cycles. I'm sorry that you're going through such a difficult one. One thing is certain, things will change, that is one thing that you can be sure of.
My brother passed last year - his last words to me were - you can't trust anybody but yourself and those closest to you. You are the only trustworthy one.
It seems like your mind wasn't in a good place when you got into that relationship and she was a distraction for you. We can never say: "If..." In the future hopefully you will be more cautious and protective of yourself. You are a great addition to TCRN!
As for myself I've been lonely and isolated in the Rocky Mountains for 10 years. I might as well be in a warm, not so arid climate. Self-care, starting with exercise and creativity (among other things) is a reason to get up in the morning. I do have a plan, although as John Lennon said: life is what happens while you're making plans
Good morning Michael 😘
morning Shelley.😊 thanx for sharing🥰
Thank you so much for the kind and genuine thoughts Shelley. I know I have many new and exciting cycles ahead, and many wonderful things to come. Thank you so much for being such a wonderful supporter of TCRN. We're grateful to have you here. :)
@@matthewthenomad I would really like to hear from you and how you are doing! I hope you can continue living in Costa Rica if that is your dream. I’ve gotten residency here in Mexico and have lived alone here for almost a year. I know how you feel as I work for myself. It can be scary and I’m working on trying to generate more than one income stream. When my marketing biz is slow I fall back on teaching English online and take the time to work on some other business ideas.
I’ll do anything to not have to move back to the USA ❤
@@destinationmax Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your own adventure. I am very optimistic and am doing everything possible to find positive solutions out of this valley I'm currently in. I'm doing well and getting a lot of support from friends, family and what I'm finding are a lot of kind, caring and encouraging strangers (good ones). I love your positive attitude and wish you the very best and continued success in all the things you are doing to enjoy your life in Mexico. Thank your for watching and commenting. :)
Somehow I thought that the higher financial costs of living in Costa Rica were a price to pay for the country's ecological advantages. But I've read about issues concerning pesticides and polluted rivers, so maybe it's more realistic to consider CR's situation to be relatively better, not absolutely better compared to other countries.
Oh yeah, we have pretty polluted places and rivers with pesticides, specially those owned by american and multinational companies. Think bananas and pineapples. Theses companies are killing our land and our people. I had a friend who died from cancer after working in the banana plantations and get contaminated with nemagon. I wish this companies were not here. On the other hand, there are a lot of people, many costarricans, trying to plant and eat organically. So, yes, maybe consider other countries.
Great follow up video. I remember his first two. I’m glad he’s back and look forward to the next video showing him thriving in Costa Rica. He has a never give up mind set. I love it!
Thank you Frank! That means a lot. I look very forward to a positive update and many exciting things to share in a future video. Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts. :)
Thank you so much for your kind words Frank. I really appreciate that and look forward to sharing good and exciting news with everyone in a future video. :)
Great video ! I want to move to Costa Rica in the next few months!❤🇨🇷
I can relate to you Matt on many of your single guy, single income, some savings, living on your own and trying to stay here whatever you can do to achieve it. I’m in my 11th month living in the Southern Zone, retired, so living on that “fixed income”, but after studying CR for 10 yrs, and constantly budgeting what my living expenses were going to be, I made some miscalculations on “must pay now” issues late last year and it has woken me up to the “what are you going to do if you run out of money?” The past month or so has been hard, but I know I’ll pull through. Toast and eggs, homemade spaghetti day after day, Chili con carne with rice the rest of the week, lots of fruit and so on. Yes I don’t get out and about much socializing, but I cannot go back, not to that world, there’s nothing there for me, and as you said, it’s 1-month expenses back there vs 3- months here on the same money. Hang in there Matt, rely on your friends and contacts even it doesn’t fit your character, sometimes you just have to be a little humble to survive. Good luck.
Hey Don, Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and kind words. It means a lot. I wish you the very best in your continued adventure and know you'll have more good success stories to share in your future as well. Thank you again. :)
@@matthewthenomad You as well Matt. It’s not easy sharing your highs and lows with the world.
If it was only a few things you wanted and to live a nice quite secure life in CR, it might be easier if you had the financial resources to rely upon. Yourself, Michael and me, aren’t at that stage in life so you run into hardships, mistakes that cost you, and it’s never easy. I don’t have anything to go back to, and like Michael said, “Am I going to be living under a overpass?” sometimes I wonder, but I keep forging ahead regardless. 🙃
Hello Michael, this is another great video you made. I hope Matt finds his opportunity to make it in Costa Rica. When we come from a high-tech country, with everything available, and move into a country that is extremely simplified, we need to learn, not adopt, to live in that country. When we do that, we can see opportunities.
Thank you for your kind words Detlef. Definitely staying positive and looking for the positive opportunities and good things to come. :)
Thank you for another great and informative video. keep strong Matt
Thank you so much Sqorpy. I appreciate that and thank you for watching. :)
You can feel alone anywhere, has nothing to do with a new place or CR per se. I felt that way in NY
Great video, Mike. Authentic and articulate conversation. Matt, we don't make mistakes, we have experiences. I'm sure you've thought of this -- be a "snowbird" for 2 years until you can go full-time Fortuna. Work half the year in the states building up funds. P.S. I never give a grown man relationship advice. You have a good attitude - looking forward.
Keith, thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. I am grateful for the suggestions and will move forward with a positive outlook. We sincerely appreciate you watching. :)
Sending good vibes Matt. Sconnie here myself. We watch this channel quite a bit over the last year. I will crack open a Spotted Cow for you in hopes you find your grind. Maybe do some online teaching?
Hey MindfulGrinds, Thank you so much for the kind words and sharing your thoughts. Always appreciate the good vibes and OMGosh...Spotted Cow is one of my old Wisconsin favorites. Please open several for me, lol. Looking forward to sharing a lot of good news in weeks and months to come. Really appreciate your comments and for watching. :)
Sorry for Matt. I went through the same thing in 2009. I moved to Costa Rica for a year but ended up having to move back. Since then I've sorted everything out and plan to travel to Thailand, the Philippines and to Jaco. I will then choose where I want to retire. So to Matt I say keep your chin up, don't give up, and you'll see it'll work out.
Hey Julio, thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement. I'm absolutely doing those things and am very optimistic for the future. I wish you the very best on your journey as well. I know you will find the place that speaks to you as well. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. :)
Why not ecuador, portugal, panama, mexico?
Interesting video on chasing a dream. This guest is humble. He dream of a new start in a naturally beautiful place. He under estimated the scope of change. Day to day; basic safety, necessities, economic existence, family, friends, & purpose was restarted. Going big bang shakes us up, and as exciting and vibrant. However; do not ignore the weakness and threats that come with it too.
Micheal rocking it as always!!! Thank you so much for the reality check we all need and the great info!
thanx Randy, appreciate that.
I kmow our old school district in Denton Texas started an online academy after the pandemic. It's a thought to go back to teaching but can do it remotely. Hope that helps!
Bingo..
Or a classroom for expat children.
Thank you Jerome. Definitely considering all options. :)
Thank you for the suggestion Bobby. :)
Best strategy in a new place with new responsibilities is focusing on yourself and getting an objective perspective on your situation. That takes time. Personally, never move a woman into your place. Date, sure, catch up, but don't get into a domestic situation. That's death to freedom and independence, which is why Matt moved to CR in the first place.
I hope Matt sorts out his next chapter. Seems like he'll do that as he's pretty self-aware and self-critical.
I realize it's different for everybody, but I don't recommend moving any woman into your home, especially a younger woman in traveling mode. You'll end up being her sugar daddy in most cases, and in rare cases, develop any relationship outside of a domestic arrangement.
Thank you Carla for your thoughts and kind words. I appreciate what you had to say and definitely learned some valuable lessons after 'risking' the move in. Lessons learned and moving forward in smarter and more conservative ways. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and for watching. :)
I live in Mexico..It was a very easy choice to retire here. I was working for an American company in the marine industry. I had the advantage of being able to experience Mexico while working. One very important observation, regardless where you retire. 1.ABSOLUTELY DO NOT HAVE ANY CREDIT CARD DEBT.
2. Do not have a serious relationship unless the person has their own money and their own place to stay. That they are not dependent on you to maintain there life style
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience. Best wishes on your continued adventures in Mexico. Thanks for watching. :)
Publishing is hard. I started to comment something to that effect on the first video with Matt when you guys were talking about books, but I didn't want to sound like a negative nancy. Michel and I once ran a micropress and had a very, very difficult time even with positive reviews and celebrity endorsement of the books on our imprint. Also, as an author myself with three novels in print, I can attest to the very steep hill one has to climb to even sell books marked down to free. LOL I'm sorry that sales didn't go as expected. I'm also sorry that crypto winter froze you out, Matt. It hit Michel and me pretty hard, too. We had to back up waaaay more than ten yards and punt, but we survived. "Managing expectations" is the survival trick for both writers and people wanting to live in Costa Rica. I'm infinitely thankful that our Costa Rica story continues to be a positive one, because I share your sentiment, Mike, that "going back" now would be a fate akin to death.
Mike, I don't know when we can turn loose to get back to La Fortuna, but please know you're welcome here on the farm any time you find yourself out this way (Miravalles, south of Upala.) Would love to hang out and visit a while! Same for you, Matt. Always welcome.
Wow...! Thank you for the very genuine and kind words. Always nice to hear from a fellow-author. I've come to respect and appreciate the simple process of writing these days, and even if a few people find some enjoyment in what I've written, it's a success to me. Too many 'critics' out there who just can see or 'hear' the whole picture from a short interview. Lessons were learned, responsibility was taken and I'm taking the same, 'never give up'/optimistic attitude I started here with. Thank you for the offer to visit as well. I will definitely take you up on that if I'm down that way. Same goes for La Fortuna. Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your thoughts. :)
An older person with money getting involved with a younger person with no money is a transaction. Period. If you're not aware of that you deserve whatever you get. Do what you want but know what you're doing. Have an ace in the hole. No woe is me.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Mike. You make some great points. Never once gave out a 'woe is me'. Sometimes the ugliness of a situation or a person's personality doesn't show itself until a much later period of time. Lessons learned and many great things to come. Thanks for watching. :)
That's childish nonsense,no sane women will ever get into relationship with the poor guy. That only happens before 25 when some people "fall in love". Every relationship is a transaction. Man offer safety and emotional stability women beauty and femininity. Older men have more money (stability) younger women have beauty (femininity) so that relationship is as old as humanity. But younger women are by definition less stable so the risk is there,the same for the women,there's lot of free young women,so they can get replaced too.
It cuts both ways.
Thanks for sharing! Love your service to humans and brining Costa Rica as portal to improve life and open horizons
Don't know if anyone commented on here yet. But, I have seen videos of people with degrees teaching in Costa Rica and teaching online. Doing pretty well. One guy that teaches there, I believe, has a channel called Free Range Squad (Great Guy!). But, I have seen others as well with TEFL. That's one of the paths I was looking at.
Thanks for sharing!!
Hey Matt, you do photography? I have an Etsy shop and I make mosaic tiles and paint on ceramics. I'm always looking for new photo inspiration to use for painting. If you do wildlife photography for your etsy shop, and allow artists to use your photography for inspiration I would love to check out your shop and perhaps purchase some files to use for that purpose. I don't reproduce photography in any real recognizable fashion. It would be great to be able to support you on your journey!
A well educated man that takes responsibility for his mistakes. Always keep an eye on the 💰 💰 money. Always. I wish you both the very best in life. Be careful.
Thanks so much for your thoughts and encouragement. It really means a lot. :)
We've all made mistakes. Anyone who says differently is lying! Good luck to you Matt!
Thank you so much for the kind words and sharing your thoughts Bonnie. Refreshing to hear some of the positives here. I really appreciate it. Thank you so much for sharing and watching. :)
I'm always amazed that old men are surprised that younger women are only interested in them for the money. Sorry you had to have a hard reality check. But good on you to put your family member as a priority.
Thank you for the thoughts and kind words Nancy. Yep...made some bad judgements of character, but learned a lot and looking forward to a lot of good things to come. Thank you for watching. :)
I've been in Costa Rica for many many Years. First thing you have to Understand
TOTO WE'RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE.
Hey Chris, Very well put. Thanks for watching. :)
Hi Matt, don't give up on your dreams! I was determined to retire in CR until I came to Nicaragua and fell in love. It is much cheaper. I do love CR though and go as often as financials allow.
I have many friends that teach online. Have you considered that option?
Thank you for the nice thoughts Brenda. Never losing hope here and I will absolutely continue to follow my dreams. I have and will continue to consider the online teaching. :)
Yeah, in my seven month moto tour of Centro America, I found CR to be the most expensive country. Based on reputation, I really wanted to like it. But, it just left me feeling "meh." Aside from financial instability for foreign investment, I think Nicaragua is really nice. I enjoyed Granada a lot. I could live in a small city like that. And the southern coastal towns are cheap and safe.
@@BOULDERGEEK I live in El Coco Beach which has been called the Riviera Maya of Nicaragua. I got lucky and found a beautiful little Bungalow to rent for very reasonable and I live on less than $1,000 a month Easley
@@matthewthenomad there are still nice little places to rent for cheap right on the beach with great Wi-Fi. San Juan Del Sur offers anything from $200 a month on up and usually include Wi-Fi. I prefer to live on the beach. Good luck!
Great interview and very nice that he shared his experience so that others can learn from it.
Thanks for the kind words Jim. That is exactly why I wanted to share the story. Made some really bad decisions. Lessons learned. Hoping it will help some others to think though things more clearly as well. Looking forward to many good things to share in the future. Appreciate you watching. :)
YOUR BEST TEACHER IS YOUR LAST MISTAKE.
true that😉
Very well put Leo. Thanks so much for sharing. :)
"Late at night you will find them
In the cheap hotels and bars
Hustling the senioritas while they dance beneath the stars
Spending those renegade pesos on a bottle of rum and a lime
Singin' give me some words i can dance to
Or a melody that rhymes
First you learn the native customs
Soon a word of spanish or two
You know that you cannot trust them
'cause they know they can't trust you
Expatriated americans feelin' so all alone
Telling themselves the same lies
That they told themselves back home"
Steve Goodman / Banana Republic
23 min in this kind man puts out there that he really does not want to return to teaching. Any teachers who has put in over 20 yrs or who have left (for other reasons) COMPLETELY understand and hear this! It can be said that tutoring in a specialized or specific academic area (ex: literacy or math) IS BETTER. I promise. Online (for younger students) is still super hard... esp if the educator is accustomed to hands-on manipulatives. Ppl throw out "just go teach again"... but that is completely loaded with maybe more than they realize.
Wow...that was beautifully said. Thank you so much for sharing that perspective. I am keeping all options open and it is nice to know that there are many people who do understand the greater dynamics behind returning to teaching. Since the video, I have already begun working with local high school students, teaching English as a second language. Thank you again for watching and sharing your kind words. :)
@@matthewthenomad ESL! That's awesome! Thats a possible goal for me... move to Panama or such and teach ESL. Its great you got connected with that!
One lesson is, if you have a good job with good income, stick with it. His life seems kind of scattered: Wisconsin, Costa Rica, Alaska, Crypto, borrowing money.
This is life,it has not got nothing to do with where you live, this could of happened anywhere. We all make choices that take us on paths, some good some bad.
Thank you for the thoughts Tina. We appreciate you watching. :)
Hmmmm no. You're much more likely to be taken advantage of/seen as a walking dollar sign in the developing world. Hence why I don't trust anyone, it's simply easier to justify ripping us off as we're so rich and privileged, supposedly lol.
Bird action in the back is 🔥...What's in the basket?
papayas, their FAV
The way the economy is now I believe that even if you generally make good decisions on your budget that your money can still dwindle down to very little or nothing. And being over 50 and having very little income and on the verge of homelessness can be very scary.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Rick. What you said is very true and accurate in many situations. I admit to making some very bad decisions and learned a lot from them. Just wanted to share my story to help and give some hope to others in similar situations. Thank you so much for watching. :)
I live in Thailand and am past the legal age for teaching. Other employment is illegal and could easily get you thrown out of the country. I live modestly as an "older" adult on $1,000 a month. I hope to never return to the US as this peaceful, stress free life is perfect for me. If I had more social needs, I would need more money but I am quite satisfied with my solo situation. There are no English speakers near me so it's easy to rely on myself.
Thank you for sharing your story Beinaj. Sounds like you found a perfect niche there. Very happy for you. Thank you so much for commenting and watching. :)
This is a great video, as it’s what’s called, “life.” As John Lennon said, It’s “ what happens when you’re busy making other plans!” Matt seems like such a nice guy, I think good things will come his way!
Just subscribed. Where in CR are you located?
La Fortuna. And thanx 😊
I don't find this doom and gloom. Matt's attitude is so positive. Wishing the best for you both.
muchas gracias
Thank you so much for the kind words Tena. :)
great stuff & beautiful scenery
Thanks so much Duke. Grateful for your kind words and for watching. :)
All of you should keep your opinions, comments and statements to yourselves. Anyone that makes remarks about someone else is an LPN, little piece of nothing. Life is life, as long as you're living, then you're good to go.
Thank you for the positive and optimistic thoughts SM. Lots of very kind and encouraging comments on here, but far too many negative people cherry-picking their pieces of the story to get their negative opinions across. I appreciate it very much. Thanks so much for watching. :)
A plan B should get into gear long before the money runs out. Also, having a girlfriend in a foreign country is always expensive. Bringing her to the states can cost a fortune in immigration fees and lawyers to get all those forms filled out, and in many cases a marriage license is required adding more expense.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Christopher. The immigration and visa options were visited as well and yes, the process is very expensive and intensive. Everything ended the way it was supposed to, lessons were learned, and on to bigger and better things. Thank you for watching. :)
Such a great video!
Live in Florida & traveled to CR many times during the 90's & early parts of 2000's. Worked with several other ex-pats on real estate development speculation & other financial pursuits. Back then, the country was still very poor except for the few "locals" that were very rich. Always kept my business in Florida in operation while I took the trips to CR. That was back in the day when the "Brothers" still had their ponzi scheme operating. Met a lot of ex-pats that either lived there or dropped-in monthly to get their pay-outs from the "Brothers". My travels were mainly limited to San Jose and south of the Dominical area on the West Coast of CR. Back then, trying to do financial business in that country was extremely difficult & dangerous... locals wanted a piece of everything. I found the country to be a "tourist trap" and any "gringo" to be a financial target at all times... and I'm pretty sure that culture hasn't changed nor will it. I still own some undeveloped land in the Southern West Coast of CR but have no plans whatsoever to retire there. My wife & I plan to retire in the Northern Georgia, Blue Ridge Mountain area... peaceful with the comforts I enjoy. CR is beautiful, but not EZ living if you don't have a bank-roll.
I wish both of you good luck in your adventures.
Hey George, Thank you for the insightful and interesting thoughts. Great story. Best and warmest wishes on your future in Northern Georgia. Sounds beautiful. We appreciate the kind words, and thanks so much for watching. :)
Enjoy your videos....can you tell me what type of microphones you use? I use my smartphone to record my videos and there are two of us that talk. Your sound is very good. And there is two of you. Please share.
Blink500Pro (Saramonic) Also use Larkbird... but they are not quite as good.
@@TravelCostaRicaNOW Thanks buddy. Feels like you are a buddy...been watching you forever. We're also known as RUclips@JavaWalkerWorld. We're headed to La Fortuna soon...maybe we'll run into each other. Pura Vida 🙋♀️
Great info on just plain real life choices. I’m sure someone will relate to the crypto loss, and or love situation. Going from one person to two people household situation. Huge difference. Again thanks for the awesome video.
Hey DF, Thank you for the thoughts and kind words. I really appreciate it. Thanks so much for watching. :)
I’m rooting for you! You are obviously a very good man who just made some mistakes. I believe in you.
Thank you so much. It really means a lot to hear that. Lots of negative being thrown around in the comments, so I appreciate your thoughts and kind words very much. :)
@@matthewthenomad
If people want to focus on any mistakes that you already so clearly owned- its only because they don’t know how to look at themselves and they don’t have the courage to ask themselves why they’d need or want to criticize someone who already freely admitted their errors.
In other words you’re a quantum leap above them since you’ve mastered one of the most difficult skills a human can try to learn. You’ve learned how to humbly tell yourself and others the truth and stay committed to simply just learn and grow from it.
@@myrootsgraspNewsoil Again, I appreciate that so much. All very true. :)
That second head always gets in the way and loneliness. You have to be strong and focus 😊
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Denis. Not the case in this situation, but lessons learned and moving on. Staying strong and focusing. Thanks for watching. :)
Which country is better for dating, Costa Roca or Philippines?
Omgosh! Good luck Matt. Think about law of attraction.
Thank you so much Paula. That really means a lot and I 'love' the concept of the 'law of attraction'. :)
How is the Airbnb market there? Maybe he can find a duplex and rent the other half out 🤷🏻♀️
Thank you for the thoughts Seemysparkle. Just recently I was hired to manage a six-unit Airbnb property here in La Fortuna and will have housing provided. There are many, many Airbnb properties down here. Good market, but a bit oversaturated. All good though. Thank you so much for sharing and for watching. :)
Another great one Michael. 👍☮️❤🤑
thx Leo, appreciate that.
Thank you Matt ❤ and Michael ❤
Thank 'you' Michel. :) And thanks for watching. :)
What did Matt teach? When I was in San Francisco for 106 days, just talking on the phone kept me company. Two weeks in MX.
Thanks for commenting MD. I taught elementary for 22 years in Wisconsin and another two in Alaska. I'm already doing some work here teaching English to local high school students and am looking into online teaching as well. Thank you for watching. :)
How is your friend Matt doing now? Did he look into digital nomad jobs? There are several sites offering jobs online with different backgrounds. Hope the info didn't come too late and helps him or anyone else.
He also could teach English as a second language online or in a classroom setting if he is allowed to work there. He just needs to find the teaching material he feels comfortable with. Cambridge and Oxford regularly have all the levels, audio, video, and teacher's manuals, as well as student workbooks. I am sure lots of people in Costa Rica are interested in learning English, with the lots of foreigners living there.
check my channel... we have update MATT.
Most people believe there are no consequences to rejecting Jesus Christ, His Gospel, and His Bible. Unless the Lord hooks a man up with a good woman, hang on to your wallet and your cajones.
I live in Costa Rica for 12 years (2004-2016). It was great, I was working for an American company that had offices in Costa Rica so money never was a problem for me. This MY opinion ok. Nature in Costa Rica is beautiful, and people are nice but I like CR to go on vacation not to live there permanently, at least for now! Live over there is more relaxed, the food is great, doctors, dentist, and health, in general, are VERY good! Also, the internet is awesome, and mobile phones at least when I was there didn't have a data plane, it was unlimited. So, before moving to CR do your research because CR is THE most expensive country in Central America. If you ask me Colombia is way cheaper and beautiful too! For sure when I retire I don't plan to live here in the states! I'll go somewhere but not sure about CR. It was a thing during the 80s not now. 😉
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. That was very well thought out and well put. And it's true, Costa Rica is just one of so many options for people to visit and live. Happy you had a good experience here. Thanks again for watching and commenting. :)