Living CHEAP in Costa Rica Why YOU Can't Live the Simple Life in Costa Rica but I Can
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- #movetoCostaRica #liveinCostaRica #living abroad
Thinking about moving to Costa Rica? Want to live in Costa Rica? Retire in Costa Rica? What is the cost of living in Costa Rica? Can I live a simple life in Costa Rica with little income? How do I find a cheap rental property in Costa Rica? Can I find cheap real estate in Costa Rica? Should I buy property in Costa Rica or just rent? Why does everyone say Costa Rica is expensive?
We are a full service travel agency with tons of info TravelCostaRica... Our most emailed question and I've answered numerous times, so this is it. Last video like this for awhile. Costa Rica is sooooo expensive. They say you can't live there cheap anymore. Well, I DO live cheap in Costa Rica and this is how I do it. FINAL ANSWER. I'm sorry if you can't.
So you want to live in Costa Rica. Move to Costa Rica, Retire in Costa Rica. Run a business in Costa Rica. Live the pura vida lifestyle. Live the simple life in Costa Rica. You want your house in Costa Rica. You want low property taxes in Costa Rica. You want cheap beer in Costa Rica. You want all imported goods whether it's Jif peanut butter or a Ford Mustang to be the same price you pay in the United States. You want a maid in Costa Rica. You want a lawn maintenance guy in Costa Rica. You want your house to be decked out- leather couches 80 million inch TV screen, internet speed that's so fast it uploads shit before you tell it too. Of course gas needs to be cheap. Did I say imported stuff... what I meant was all tech items- computers, phones, televisions. Amazon should come to my house in Costa Rica. Washer/dryers, refrigerators, ovens, coffee makers, crock pots, silverware, furniture should all be at least as cheap as from where I'm from. You guys don't make it in Costa Rica. Trying to replicate your life you're living but want everything cheaper. That is NOT a reason to consider Costa Rica. Please watch this video, Living Cheap in Costa Rica I Can You Can't so you move on and don't even consider Costa Rica as an option. You will be doing us and you a favor.
![8 Reasons Why Americans LEAVE Costa Rica [Why I Left]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cbGMngGx2xk/mqdefault.jpg)
![8 Reasons Why Americans LEAVE Costa Rica [Why I Left]](/img/tr.png)
When I retired in the US I was 40 pounds overweight and taking a hand full of pills every day for my health; then I moved to Costa Rica four years ago and I lost that 40 pounds easily and with my new lifestyle and I don't have to take pills anymore and that alone is priceless.And although I'm happily married; looking at all of these beautiful and sweet women here is great for my spirits. pura vida.
Man that´s a great comment!! Pura vida mae!
Thanks for the video and feel free to delete my email! Lol
So true. Love your comment.
Visited in 1993 and fell in love with everything. Magical and told myself I would move there one day. However it took 15 yrs to decide where. I do not agree with Mike on many issues though. The biggest is when you really decide it is the lifestyle you want-then buy! Rents are going up, landlords sell or need a place for a family member, etc then you are s.o.l.
I purchased a plot after 15 yrs finding my idyllic spot! And live in Utopia for almost a decade and could not be happier.
Also designed and built my own home (never having done so before) and it IS a dream home (everyone says so). And I did it on budget and in 6 months. I grow food and herbs, and have another life long dream-a horse and ride when ever I wish to and where and without a guide or tours. The people and community have embraced me.
I also have permanent residency(which allows me to work legally) and a car (as you never know when emergencies may arise and I have had several).
None of this happened overnight. It took years of planning to do so at a minimal cost for all. From the land purchase $16,000, $5000 for my car to ship with my things piled in it I could not part with, $1200 for residency, and then my home and by doing so myself it is worth 4 times what it cost me to construct. I can live better than my U.S. lifestyle with $1200 a month (includes utilities, sat tv, electricity, caja, wifi and cell ph w/ unlimited internet, food, gas, a gardener, and a cleaning woman). The horse another $120-150 a month.
And I live 20 min from 4 famous beaches!
My advice is do your homework. Make plans, set goals, compare prices, visit long term or hire an expert who has done it ALL and can show you what they have achieved here.
I am a single woman who was told by all there and here that I was nuts and could not do it. I am proof that YES you can! And no offense Mike and you stated it, not everyone can or wants to live like you. And I am grateful and care for what I have and hire every GOOD honest local I can, to help them and this too is very much appreciated and helps us all.
Adreana Sherman that is freaking amazing! You are literally living my dream. That is exactly what I want to do but never thought about building on land! Can I ask you how much it cost with the land plus the construction of the house? How much would I need to save to do what you did?!
Hi there! I know this video is a year old but I too would love to hear how you did it. I’m planning on retiring to Costa Rica in 20 years living on my retirement but want to make plans from now on how/where to buy land, how to built my own home how I want it and best way to prepare for a resident card. Living close to the beaches is something I really want to do. 😍
Adriana I so appreciate this information. Can I ask you what area you living in? My wife and I want to do exactly what you did. Only I think we want to be in Central valley. Do you have a face book account or something where we can keep in touch and ask you questions. I find your story fascinating. Thank you for sharing.
I like michael allen - seems like a sincere person on his path. Rents, doesnt own land, isnt married, lives cheaply, doesnt seem to be committed to playing a sport, seems healthy enough and friendly. I dont know what we would talk about if we went for cofffee. I wish him well with making money off his tours. However when someone decides to leave the barren, poisonous, polluted, corporate-driven landscape of materialistic countries living cheaply isnt the primary things affecting decisions. Move to costa rica, make a committment, buy land or a house, get involved with the community, learn spanish and get to know ticos and the rich experiences will flow. Your health will be better and if the day is consumed with watching amazing plants grow or walking through jungles and on beaches then that is success. its not about what it costs. People want more, life is experience, and yes building a house it stressful but worth it.
I am going to share this video instead of trying to answer THE EXACT SAME QUESTION from all the people I meet. Like you I just can’t keep reliving the same subject with every different face that finds out I have been on vacation in Costa Rica for 13 years. I love the way you explain how you live. Thank you. As hard as it is to believe (for me to believe) you live much higher on the hog than I do! Like you it, has been a transformation. One I never dreamed possible. Definitely not most people’s cup of Costa Rican coffee. Living with less is SO much more comfortable for me today.
So if you live as a minimalist, you can live for cheap in Costa Rica? Makes sense. You don't need lots of stuff in your house when the weather is nice enough to go outside all year long.
true that.
Hey great video man! Im Costarrican and used to live 4 years in Atlanta...comparing the time I used to pay my Federal&State tax and bills there, Costa Rica is heaven!! hahaha So yes, I can tell you about both parts of the history. So listen everybody: come and relax PURA VIDA life style, cheers!! :-)
You can't compare a Costa Rican living on their country and moving to the U.S. to the opposite.
You can buy a lot in Costa Rica for less than 10k dollars, built a 2 bedroom house with less than that and live with 600 dollars a month, you can even buy a decent car with 4k dollars. Just learn how to buy, don't go to restaurants or stores close to the beaches and make friends that don't want to take money out of you for every single favor you ask them.
Thank you for this video. I'm a minimalist as well. I've been trying to find info on what it's like to live in Costa Rica as such. I find all these videos on the cost of living there and they are all life lifestyles that I think are wasteful. I just want to move there, find a very small house, small piece of land, some clothes, a bed, and a desk for my computer, internet, and also like you a bike. Don't need AC, don't need heat, don't need a car, don't need TV, don't want to go out and party, don't want to go crazy shopping. I just want to live in the moment.
Agreed. me and you may or may not hang out... but we would be friends. ;)
i was the first surfshop in costa rica, started in 1994 and built it into 3 stores by 20013 . I guanasurf was the name brand. I have watch tis program for the last year. You are what costa rica living is all about. You make me proud to be EXPAT. dont stop what you do! i also give to the program for food.
Thanks for the good video. I also lived winters on 300 bucks usd we rented a 200 dollar house between two of us and we enjoyed Lake arenal region for four months, hitch hiked everywhere or used the bus and it was so cheap. We ate bananas and vegetables and enjoyed the beauty and simplicity of life in lush green Tronadora.
Sounds like the perfect adventure.
Thanks Mike, as usual I understand and appreciate your no bs approach. I also hate wasting my time repeating things.
Your "don't buy, rent" video has changed the way I've been planning about maybe living down there. You're right about not always needing a car, I got free rides without even really asking last time I was down there. People drom the states fail in Cosra Rica because they can't adapt to the culture, or are too selfish and resist change. Just be easy going, not dumb, and nice, youll be fine.
You are most definitely right..... unfortunately, a lot of folks just don't get it.
Thanks for keeping it real and always being honest.
You are very welcome and thanx for taking the time to say, gratitude.
FINALLY! New subscriber just now! I've been watching different videos of Costa Rica, getting information that I need for at least 2 years... besides the videos where they tell me about travel and residency documents, you're the only one that's been blunt about true living in Costa Rica. I've learned that the best things in life are not things, and Costa Rica is calling to me! I'm getting rid of stuff - no need for it. Everything I need will naturally surround me. I will vacation there a few times to get a feel for the different regions. Thank you again for your honest advice! :-}
Best breakdown video about cost, Mike. It IS as simple as that.
I lived there for a year. It's not hard to make friends & find cheap flats to live in. And rides into town just happened organically "oh you're going there? juans going too, maybe you can catch a ride" boom. There are real communities and beleive it or not, gringos are often looked after just like locals.
I remember an article years ago where a financial advisor had counseled three couples over the course of a year. At $50,000, $250,000 and almost $1,000,000 income per year, none of them could live within their budgets and make ends meet.
When I got divorced in 2004, I got rid of all the appliances and furniture I'd hauled around the US for decades and eventually whittled in down into what I could fit inside my crew cab.
It was liberating no longer being weighed down by all of that "stuff" and being mobile to pick up and move when and to wherever I wanted to, not to mention the improved lifestyle all the money saved provided.
It really is a matter of prioritizing your needs over your wants and finding contentment in whatever lifestyle you're in.
Im one of the people that emailed him this back in the day lol, and he was super straightforward about it. Saved me a lot of time and headache. Appreciate all the info.
Thanx. Glad it all worked out for you.
Well I think you're doing it right. You know, the way you live your life. I can't say I'm living the same way, but I am moving more towards living a minimalistic life that focuses on travel and experience.
~David
well, gotta start somewhere, right?
You, I believe, are very typical of guys who are 50 and over who recognize what really is important in life. I moved out of the US last year, by myself, and I was amazed at what I no longer need or want. People in the US do not realize that most of what they have does not impact their life like they think. I moved to Medellin, Colombia, but the concept is the same. I rent a room through AirBNB, walk or take the metro and eat out every day but still only spend about 25% of what I did in the US. I lost weight, feel better and I am more healthy. No way would I ever go back to the US to live again.
“Island of Costa Rica”? How long have you lived there?? Last time I checked Nicaragua was to the north, n Panama to the south. N both countries connected.
It's a joke lol a lot of people ignorant of geography think it's an island
I know this is a bit late from the time you did this video, but for me once I retire I'll I am looking for is a nice safer place to rent with good internet, where I can just walk or ride an E-bike to places to enjoy some sun & sand, drinks and good food. and if needed, just pack my stuff an go to other place to live in that Country...
Moving there in October, cant wait. Aqui vengo.
haha.. nice.
No se dice, 'aqui vengo', se dice, ya va.
Costa Rica is no longer as popular as other places to move too. Costa Rica is expensive as far as Central America goes. For me, Panama is much better. If you live on social security you can live on that in Panama. The government is stable in Panama. For safe, affordable living move to the interior of Panama. To Chitre or Santiago. If money is not an object, there are plenty of places to move to that is better then Central America. If affordable living and political stability is a concern, Panama is a good choice. Easy to get residency there also. People that used to live in Costa Rica are moving to Panama. CostaRica is yesterday's news-ruined by too much publicity and hoardes of Gringo's moving there and bidding the prices up on everything. I avoid Costa Rica since I live on social security and everything is double the price in Costa Rica. Rediculous. Don't make the mistake of moving to Costa Rica unless money is not an issue.
I live here on $1200 a month or less sometimes. I did after 3 years buy a car due to my new job (house/pet sitting). Im a single lady in a furnished apartment..all utilities included and safe.(bonus no scorpions) I could live even cheaper but Im a foodie and dine out too much and rescue dogs & cats. There is no judgment in my area about clothing, what you drive etc...besides if you appear rich you are just asking to be robbed..I know people that have built 1/2 million homes only to run out of retirement $ and move back to beg off their kids. crazy. personally I will only be a renter in a safe apartment complex..and many other reasons too like quality of construction, landscaping fees, HOA fees, upkeep.. I have adapted to CR products. Many foreigners can't. that is why they say its expensive..well yes imported stuff is more than double the cost..
The reason it costs more to live in Costa Rica is because it is worth it. I have apts in San Jose with many expats and they are very happy. Average cost is $1200 per month for everything.
man, that's HIGH. Maybe if I saw fotos.... info@travelcostaricanow.com
@@TravelCostaRicaNOW We are in an upscale neighborhood close to down town San Jose. The farther out you get the cheaper it gets. Maybe too much is being spent on dating.
Mike, I have been watching your videos for a long while and the fact that you said "The Beautiful Island Of Costa Rica" at the beginning of this video scares me!!! You have lived there for many years and you don't know that Costa Rica is not an Island? I am hoping that was just a slip up on your part, but since I also make Costa Rica my home part-time I just needed to clarify that Costa Rica is not an Island. Pura Vida!
hahahha.... no slip of the tongue.... just a little joke amongst us islanders.
OK Phew! I was just in Mexico this past week and talking to a couple from the USA about how amazing Costa Rica is and they actually said "Yes, we hear that it is a beautiful Island and we plan to visit someday." to which I had to let them know it is not an Island. I am amazed at how many times I have heard people say it is a "Beautiful Island." I too am a proud Islander! LOL - Pura Vida
I live in Costa Rica too. It is, as Mike said, an inside joke among many of the people living here. Even many of the people who actually visit Costa Rica think it's an island. How they got to the point of actually traveling here without knowing what and where Costa Rica is befuddles me. The consensus seems to be that many people are confusing it with Puerto Rico.
No es una isla pero es tan pequeña como una isla:')
He is joking man, cause a lot of people think that. They are confusing Costa Rica with Puerto Rico.
The only thing in Costa Rica thats epensive are cars! I spent almost a month with my wife and 2 duaghters in Pavones. We ate out atleast once a day, and bought groceries for when we didnt. We barely spent $300 for all of us to eat like kings the entire time! The trick is to buy from the market instead of the super mercado! All of our food we bought came from a roadside stand, and our fish straight off the panga! If you go to the store and start buying "u.s. products" 2 things will happen. You will go broke quickly, and will quickly realize those oreos you needed have been sitting on the shelf for months. What town you buy in matters as well. Golfito is 3x's the price for everything compared to Pavones or Zancudo since gringos in yachts pull into port, or rich guys on fishing trips frequent the place. Costa Rica is pretty cheap once you figure out how not to get gringo priced!
I love warm weather ,riding my bike. Paddling my kayak and lifting wieghts..ieat massive amounts of fruit and vegetables. Thats it. Costa Rica sounds like my kind of place
Ken Carey fruits and vegetables are one of the few cheap things here and you can also grow them in your yard
I totally agree with the minimalist approach. I have a lot of de-cluttering to do to get to where I'd like to be.
What annoys me, is that people don't do the research before moving here. Costa Rica is not cheap, but you can live cheaply or you can live expensively. That is everyone's personal life style choice. Costa Rica has so much to offer everyone!! I love this country.
$350.00 a month is great! When I visit relatives there in Cartago, CR, people they know that rent pay minimum of $400.00 a month, plus their car and everything else. Peace, thanks for the vids.
I appreciate your unorthodox way of thinking and perspective...thank you
It cracks me up when I see people from the U.S. look for housing in Central to South American countries. The appear to be shocked when they step inside and they're like where's the kitchen cabinets, dishwasher, garbage disposal, trash compactor . then it's to the bedrooms where it's where's the master bath with the His & hers double granite vanity, shower tower & water closet. Reality hits when they see the bedrooms are no larger than the walk in closets back home.
My share of the rent (all inclusive) in Liberia, is USD$125/month, relatively inexpensive.
Pura vida.
What's life like in Liberia? What's your total monthly costs in usd?
This video was made by an obvious empathetic and caring communicator. And a minimalist like myself, but up another few notches. Love the way you addressed this annoyance in a such easy feeling video. I have much to learn. Thank you!
Costa Rica is getting expensive these days. The influx of foreigners principally is the reason. It drove the cost high. You might just as well stay in your home country. But I do agree with your lifestyle- living minimalist is the way to go.
Not too much attachment to material
things.
Hola Michael, this is an older video but here I am in 2020 mid Corona. I was in Nicaragua at the time you made this video, and actually I still am. It was terribly rocky during the political unrest and still is with the Corona. But life goes on. We live inexpensively here and seems to be a bit less than CR. Since the whole unrest deal tourism collapsed and hasn't returned. I like your videos- I see people have come down upon you for your opinions. But overall I feel you're just giving the cold water in the face to snap them out of the hype. People get so doped up with the sales pitch and can't see the of trash in plain sight, so to speak. They're real people- not sun-tanned postcards. When you stay around you see it all including al the dysfunction as well as the beauty. I can see what you've got going there with your minimalist life. You seem to have adapted well. It's funny how you put being close to the hospital and that you'r in Fortuna far away, and you'd just bleed out. I've been there in Fortuna- smiling upon a young beauty who taught me some stiff lessons on the reality of dating in CR. Ha! Men can be so blind not seeing the obvious while you're looking straight at it. I got taught, however- and readjusted to that whole scene. Whoa.
I’m a new subscriber. Thanks for the video! 👍 I like it. And I think about Costa Rica last two years. I’m living in Canada, every winter I just want to escape from the cold. I will follow your videos
You DO have things on the walls. You have a GORGEOUS mural. Beautiful!!!
Thank you so much!
I think having a frugal lifestyle can work with the cheap living thing in most countries, however Costa Rica can be very expensive if you dont keep an eye on expenses.
YOUR MORE THEN 100×%= RIGHT. EX MIAMI FLA, NOW IN NICE JICARAL PUNTARENAS , PEOPLE GOT TO STOP LIVING A FAKE LIFE, HERE IN JICARAL IM 63yrs old and be
100,yrs old LIVING A NATIONAL LIFE, PURA VIDA MAN, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR ADVICE
Why can't I live cheap in Costa Rica man. A car is FREAKING EXPENSIVE. What about my art. I like to eat out. Man it's too much. Help me live cheap please :-).
Stayed for 6 months in 1982 and sometimes spent 10 cents for a movie and 10 cents for rice and beans in a San Jose reataurant.
If you want you money to go a long way go to Mexico or Panama. Seems all my friends moved away due to high cost of the pura vida life.
I saw a video from about a month ago where someone was complaining about the cost of living in Costa Rica. He had six employees including a cook and a driver. Wonder why it was so expensive?!
it's always those people complaining... bitches.
The fact that I can speak un poco Espanol and don't sound incredibly bad trying to say something in Spanish I might need to look up with Google Translate puts all of Latin America and the Latin Caribbean ahead of other countries in the tropics. The fact that the areas most people would want to live in Costa Rica probably requires a car or would be better with a car puts it a bit lower on the list if I am being honest though. Having said that though, the fact that Costa Rica has been a fairly stable democracy with a flawed yet functioning universal healthcare system and that it is a nation that does not waste money on a military puts it very high on my list of places to go. The fact that it is a blue zone also makes it interesting.
I’m with you. While the cost of living is very important, to me, my reasons for relocating don’t include an idea that I’d be saving money. I don’t know why I would believe that living, the way I’ve always wanted to live, would be cheaper than living a lifestyle that I have no interest in.
Thank you so much for your work and Pura Vida to you guys. ✌️❤️
Very good video ....I agree most people from the U.S. looking at living overseas are trying to it with the western mentally. If that's the case stay where your at...am looking at my options ...leaning towards the Dominican republic mainly because I have family and was born there ...I get asked the same questions and find it frustrating trying to get to people here...but again great video ...do your thing .....
Thanx spanish.... good luck wherever you may land.
I love your video, and truly great of doing things and great advice.
Thanx Romeo, much appreciated
Saludos amigo desde san Ramón de Alajuela Costa Rica.
good points. Most people want you to beg them to do whatever. They are silly.
Perhaps you could talk a bit about how much easier it is to be a minimalist outside of the American Culture, and why???
Good question - I'd like Mike's viewpoint on this too. Seems in the US EVERYONE is competing with the Joneses. I will tell you - doing so will make you go broke. I keep my cars for 10+ years - I keep them in very good condition and I don't care if they're older (and I live in Northern Ohio, where winters can be brutal). I buy quality clothes and they are always in great condition (though over the years they seem to shrink lol).
good ideal. Definitely add it to the list, thanx.
SoulJah Roch. No disrespect, live your own culture, why would the American culture influence anyone. Be true to yourself man. Have a good life on your own terms.
Yes, You got that all right, You can't make here , and then you go there ,to change the life style of Ticos, same thing with juck food.
You can actually live in Florida fairly cheap if you don't mind not living away from the coast and giving up all your creature comforts. No car, (auto insurance very expensive), 2 Bd 2 Br less than a 1000 sq ft. I find folks living in Florida with only bare necessity s on $1500 -$1800 including housing. If you don't have to pay rent or mortgage you could squeak by on even less perhaps a $1000 for a single person.
Beautiful island of Costa Rica? 😂😂 I do wish I could do this though haha, got too many animals and responsibilities in Holland for movind abroad sadly. I highly doubt it's easy to find a decently paying job in Costa Rica for foreigners who don't speak Spanish but I do think it's so amazing you can live so cheap in such an amazing country.
Realize this video has been out for some time, but wanted to let you know it's very helpful! Thanks ....
you are very welcome. :)
I love it! yes its too expensive! stay in the states!
Almost anyplace can be cheap if you're frugal. However life without the things that make you happy is no life at all. It's all about balance. I woke up this morning, which in my opinion is a really good start. I'll take it. Cheers, love, & peace to all of you & yours. XC.
For a tourist yes it is! For a part time resident 3-6- months, no it is NOT!! If you have skills, you can offset the expense of housing, food (native grown) is cheap! This guy in the video talks on both sides of his mouth! Talks but doesn't say anything important.
Mike..i am from Malaysia a tropical country like Costa Rica minus the volcano. Just like you i live miimalist and have all kind of fun. But I do have a car..because i need it for my travel exploring pretty site...
Nothing wrong with having a car.... definitely comes in handy. ;)
I like your philosophy I basically do the same thing in Florida I have 20 homes I'm a full-time landlord I live in these smallest one I like to spend my time traveling having a bunch of junk really doesn't impress me
I needed to hear this! I'm moving abroad to teach and I was hoping when people said it's expensive, they didn't mean *for the necessities*. No roaches or mice! Internet w/ Netflix... perfect! Plus the luxury of enjoying nature #goals #travelcostaricanow 😍 #lovejonezin
I know CRC might feel like an Island at times ... but it ain’t. You know as a costarrican I had to say something... but other than that, you’re on the money in all of your videos and comments... In been watching this channel for few years now. Cheers
Mike - the older I get, the less I need (I"m 54). I'm quickly becoming more appreciative of life experiences than things. I will say - I prefer QUALITY things, since I believe they last longer. But - they're few and far between and replacement time seems to be further between those items. And I'll be damned if I'm going to spend $100+ on a pair of jeans or a shirt - I find that ridiculous. Good Video and Good Points. Hoping to make a move from the US to either Mexico or possibly Costa Rica in a few years. One question - can you flush toilet paper in Costa Rica?
In many areas yes. Older homes and like the bus stations will still have trashcans next to the toilets.
Always assume you can't unless it is stated somewhere.
For me you are a simple true spiritual men . you are a shinning being , clear and cool , like a dolphin. Take care !
Bravo, I am also a fan of Eckhart Tolle. Can you tell me what area it is that you live. I am so tired of the heat and humidity here in south Florida.
Hola, my name is Toni and I am a aircraft tech for a major airline. I brought a B&B/ home in Atenas. I brought my house from a American with a mortgage without paying high interest or large down payment. I plan on dying in Costa Rica (lol). I came to CR because I don’t want to live my fast pace life anymore. I plan on putting my older older children in the University because it is so much cheaper there. You probably think I am crazy but I have three halfican 🙂 children that are coming with me, so I can live my dream. You are right about the people u hire, always get a contract. The first one was a mess and a ladron, the next person I hire has been a blessing. I find them from my neighbor, who is also a blessing. Write me some times, I know a lot of 60,000 airline employees 😎✌️
I plan on coming out in a few years. Definitely like your take on everything. And thank you for being so straightforward.
Michael, love the vlog and topic and so glad you brought up Eckart Tolle my favorite spiritual dude that has changed our priorities and understanding of ourselves and our place in the world and Universes. We promote True Being on our channel and we are just finishing up 5 months in Dumaguete, PH. BTW also gotta get me one of your shirts XL when your ready. We’ll be back in the States in a couple weeks. Been watching you guys since 2014 before we began downsizing, sold our home and most stuff too and began living and traveling.. Great work!
Hi
I found your reply interesting.
It seems there are many competing views.
I would love to do what you did.
I tired in Hawaii big island.
Didn't work out.
But was fun
If Costa Rica is expensive, try BC Canada. 4$/lb of local cherries and a lot of other goodies.
You are renting , yes? What are your income sources? Any work? Sorry if I missed the answers to these questions in this or other videos. I share your philosophies, deeply, ( Eckhart is on my bed now..) but I support other family, so there is that... Did you sell your T shirts? I want to make one called Chicken Little..
Our travel videos got somewhat popular on here which spawned a travel agency. And yes, I rent. *Eckhart's the Man. lol
I am a new subscriber. I like the way you think, thank you for sharing 👍
Cool, thanx for the sub, much appreciated.
@@TravelCostaRicaNOW Got to get my one of those ball bags! Black is a good color.
If you live a minimalist in a small box in the U.S. you can live cheap too. I prefer more than 400 Square foot. 😬
Sorry guys,if you are coming here to have high speed Internet,Netflix, and all the stuff you got in US;you better bring money.
If your plan is get a little house away from the city;listen to crickets, birds and silence.
If you plan to have mental peace and a life out of the stress you got in the city.
I think you got the right place here.
CR is expensive yes but it is your decision how you are going to live.
A little advice get more information from other sources, he is right in some things but he has not left the country, ask him why.
Nice t-shirt. A v shaped neck would be nicer for hot weather I guess.
Hey mike
I’ve been watching some of your videos, thanks a lot, in your video you didn’t mention about your rent, did you finally bought a place ?
Beautiful testimony. I agree just found the site..That’s what I’m looking for
Swami SAYS, perfect! Swami SAYS, same boat. Swami NEEDS to get out of Asia for a while (starting to lose it after 15+ years out here). Swami SAYS YOUR ESTIMATED $350 USD for "humble" living is right in line with the cost of living of most of the "developing" countries in SouthEast Asia. Swami SAYS thanks for putting this clear and honest info out there. Swami SAYS, very helpful and Swami's SUBSCRIBED. Keep it up... #SwamiSays
Wonderful. I love your style. Thanks for sharing.
We all know that CR is an expensive country, it is not news anymore! Do you want to live cheap? go to the Philippines, Thailand, Haiti or Nicaragua. Do not bother...!
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Living in CR is not cheaper then the US.Actually,it is the most expensive Central American country.Fact!
Its WAY cheaper than the u.s. except for cars. Food is 1/4 of the price, land is cheap, and my friend just built a 2 story house (a nice one) for $52k! Where in the u.s. can i do that without living in an area that im garaunteed to get shot most likely?
You are truly a free man.
Totally agree with your philosophy on life and living
Minimslism is the way to go. I live in Pamama with my GF for a little under $300/month. I don't need a car nor imported junk food.
0:57 Costa Rica isn’t an island!
A team of researchers from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) has made a stunning discovery: Costa Rica is, in fact, an island. A previously uncharted network of rivers and lakes comprises the entirety of Costa Rica's borders with Nicaragua and Panama.Apr 1, 2020
People who like cheap things can live in Costa Rica but people who like expensive things won't live in Costa Rica.
Great channel man! I’m new here.
hehehe, I might be late to this party but Eckhart Tolly?....He's the Don
Great video. Thank you. Clear.
Miss DeAngelo holding the camera, moving videos are a little more entertaining just for the changing of scenery
Great video. Thanks
Good communicator. Looks healthy. Good information. Have a few questions. I have been down there once for a medical tourism thing for a friends knee. Stayed in San Jose. Found it unusual in that there were maybe 20% of the city streets were unnamed and did not have addresses. I just wonder if he could comment on that. The question I had was- why? Seemed like a strange way to run a city. Did rent a car, did not have GPS, went into SJ from hotel near the airport to the hospital OK, but got lost on how to get back and found myself in a part of the city without street names. Literally took 5 hours to find a way back out of city to near airport. This is really not the complaint you might think it is. I am sure if I were down there longer I could have found ways to manage a lot better, but another question would be-- would GPS even work on streets without names?
He mentioned the jungle. I would have to agree that you dont need a plot of land or big yard there when the jungle is available, but from what I have read I would be concerned about Fer de Lance in the jungle. Would he please give his take on the likelihood of running across one in the jungle? Has he seen any? I have heard such a bite can get necrotic within an hour, and have the impression that the only option if bitten is to get immediate medical attention.
There are several volcanos visible from SJ. One of them had been going off a little just before we got there. Heard a comment from a native that it would be a super mess there with the population if one of them went off fully as there is little to no civil emergency planning.
I found the food awesome at the hotel. Fruits I had never heard of were delicious. Living in the US southwest I have had my share of Mexican food. My stomach isnt as strong as when younger, so the CR food was a pleasant change for being not as spicy.
He did not mention here about speaking Spanish, but I would highly recommend it. Having studied Spanish off and on for many years I have noticed that your schoolbook Spanish will just give a starting point for a particular country. It is a good starting point to get down the grammar, but like the difference between British English and US English, a lot of the countries have different words for the same thing, and a lot of those words are not in my Spanish dictionaries. I would guess that you need to just go to CR, get a CR dictionary for those words. Could he comment on this please? I am not fluent, but the Locutores en el radio por lo comun son mas facil entender pq ellos enuncian mejor y usan un registro de la lengua mucho mas alta que se puede escuchado en la calle.
By the way, the most easily understood Spanish I have heard is from los peruanos. They have an unjustified reputation for being slow witted because they do take the trouble to enunciate their language more clearly and completely rather than cutting off the ends of words. This is similar to the Poles in Poland, who will give the same time weighting to every syllable of every word rather than throwing away parts of the word as we do in English. I heard a story from one peruana that she was in an airport and heard some spanish being spoken by a group of people. She approached them and was saying (in Spanish) "You must be peruvians!" "No", they said, "we are Polish!"
The thing with the streets, that is a US invention caused by the mailing system because USA is so big and people communcate with letters some decades ago, but CR is tiny, so mailing was never a thing.
With fer-de-lance, well, you seem to think that CR is just a big jungle, but that will be as true as saying USA is just a big ice cube and polar bears are everywhere, you'll only find snakes in mountains rural/untamed places (their habitat), just like you'd find polar bears in remote places of alaska.
Volcanoes are scary, how ever, the closest to the city is 20km away and all of them are heavily monitored by the ovsicori, you have 100 times more chances of dying from a cow than volcanic activity.
My tip to you: take everything that ticos say with pincers, we like to complain about everything, this month, we are complaining because the gasoline got cheaper, go figure.
Did I just hear you say the beautiful island of Costa Rica
i try and have a little fun sometimes. ;)
Good video.
thnx Hans.
Excellent video.
Hey, CR is not an island, Puerto Rico is!
It’s a running joke because a lot of people think it’s an island.
I like the way you are seeing and doing things, man ,I see that you are a good fellow ! I like Eckhart Tolle ,also ! Pura vida !!!
good advice!
You sound like how I feel at this point in my life at 56 yrs old.
Thanks as always for the honesty and inspiration. Great stuff. As you live now, with food included, $600 a month reasonable?
hmmm.. good question. The vegan thing can get a little pricey at times... and since most of my money goes to food, I just buy whatever I need or want,,,, so not always keeping accurate track of my food prices.
Hey John, possibly a good source for info on vegan lifestyle in CR is Jack Albritton here on RUclips....buena suerte ✌🏻
So ..being vegan is more expensive there? I would think the availability of fruit would help a lot?
600$ it's enough to live.
But don't expect it be enough to eat outside, or make a trip every weekend.
No. Not even in Nicaragua now. The mínimums for legal residency are generally pretty realistic for a sparse but not desperate life in the various countries. You’ll have emergencies, if you have pets, you can have pet emergencies. Nicaragua just raised its monthly minimum to $1K US a month. People who try now to live on $600 a month will be living pretty desperately if any thing goes wrong.
Hi Mike , thanks for that. What area in CR do you live?
One thing I have to enjoy (a must) is coastal living, even if I have to move to a third world country to get it.