I lived there as a single parent from 2002 to 2008. It was such a rich experience but it was time to come back to Canada when my daughter was 13. We have amazing memories of our time there.
Thanks for watching Guys and I hope I was able to answer any questions you may have had or been curious about ! Although I did not end up staying in Costa Rica it holds such a special place in my heart and if the move is calling you I do encourage you to explore that and follow your ❤️
Did you leave for cultural reasons or just personal family stuff ? Just trying to hear if the negatives you listed outweighed the good for you ? Also did you feel like you were a foreigner to the culture around you? I ask bc I have moved to another country before (Mexico) and I was in the minority and didn’t speak Spanish so it was difficult to feel like home.
@@Alykat736 Hi ! ❤️ at first it didn't feel like home but then i LOVED it !!!!! we left only bc after 20 years together my Husband and I decided to separate and he wanted to be back in Canada. I still dream of having a place in CR I loved it ! my 8 year old prefers Canada so I am out numbered for the time being ,)
Stomach cancer has always been the prime cause of deaths from cancer in Costa Rica, and this may be partly due to nitrous volcanic soils. Other volcanic countries such as Chile and Japan also have high rates. No the Pesticide.
@@GillianBerry The current life expectancy for Costa Rica in 2021 is 80.56 years, a 0.23% increase from 2020. The current life expectancy for U.S. in 2021 is 78.99 years, a 0.08% increase from 2020.
Sorry for the pain you've been through. Divorce sucks. Been there. I love Costa Rica. I believe our family trips there have elevated our relationship. We are considering a gradual move to CR, but do take experiences like yours to heart. Grateful for your sharing.
Nice. I've been 3 times and will be moving there next year. I've always said if I ever go back I will never leave. So my next trip is coming and I'll be buying property n building a house. Style of house is like a tree house with the open plan view. I can't wait. ❤
This story reminds me od Family Fizz (previously Vegan Fitness TV) RUclips channel. I remember how they MOVED just-like-that from UK to Tenerife Islands in 2017. They also had 2 girls (Sienna 4 & Mia 13). And of course Darren & Georgie. Oh my intermitten fasting days...
You are so right about the pro and cons. My husband and I moved to Costa Rica in 2008, planning to retire there, but after two years decided to move to Panama. We were there for close to a year and then for a number of reasons decided to move back to Canada. I don't regret our time in Costa Rica or Panama, it was a great experience, but there is no place like home and I appreciate what we have here even more having had that experience. We live in Sarnia now but have lived in Kitchener, Guelph and Owen Sound, never Toronto, but I'm so glad to have come across your channel. I first tried the raw food lifestyle in 2000 but it was quite different then than it is now. I've been vegan since 2000 and WFPB for the last 2 years. I just recently decided to give the raw food lifestyle another try. I love your videos!
thanks Yvonne for the lovely comment !!! wow you're so close !!! it's good you're home then it that's what makes you happy !!!!! let me know how the try at raw goes !! it's changed my life like nothing else !!! lately I have acrually been thinking of leaving Toronto to live somewhere warm 😁
@@GillianBerry I don't blame you for wanting to live somewhere warm. The main reason we came back was because my son and his wife had a baby, my one and only grandchild! They live in Florida, so when we came back in 2012, we got a 5th wheel and lived in it full-time, 6 months in Jacksonville for the winter and Ontario for the summer. It was perfect until covid, now we're stuck here because we won't get the jab. It's not so bad, but I sure miss seeing my granddaughter Naomi, she's 12 now. We have a zoom call every week thank goodness for zoom. Have a great day 😀
I just found this video I’m a recent subscriber. I’m wondering if you would move back there ? Those few cons you pointed out can be very deterring. Here in Hawaii we have some of those same cons you mentioned but they don’t have me running to move. I fell in love with my island and one must accept the good with the bad. There isn’t a place where there isn’t a not so good factor. After living here I can not fathom living in a cold climate ever again that is just one of my unacceptable negative factors. Like you also mentioned the produce in tropical climate is way more easily accessible. I’m happy to hear you lived in Costa Rica for some time. Great experience for your children in many ways I’m sure. Much Aloha 🙏🏻🤙🏻🌺
Which island are you on. .? I don’t found the produce here , ( referring to fruits ) very good a lo5 of the time. One of many reasons I want to move either to the Caribbean or Latin America.
it was too much for me! i still regret selling my home but maybe i will end up in a better one one day who knows......it was more my husband who wanted to......but i can't bleame him I agreed to too......but was a lot of stress with two kids!! alone would have beeen different...we didn't plan enough...was not smart lol
Your comment about the loose dogs there and not being aggressive makes me think of Erika Derrickson. She’s in Guatemala, by Lake Attila’s. In her videos you always see lots of dogs loose there and they seem real mellow.
Hi Gillian! Such a great video! I am visiting my family in Costa Rica right now. They just moved here 2 months ago. I think we are in playa Hermosa? Near Jacco /. Did you live near there? I am staying in an AirB&B / i was terrified of the bugs for years and thats why i never went before. So far it has been amazing / with no bugs at all in our place. Not even a lizard , which i love. I didnt even get bitten once. So I’m wondering where were you that there were so many bugs? I’m thinking of moving here because of my family but i cant handle bugs in the house.
@@GillianBerry Yikes😬Trauma is a biittch. I think we all have experienced it in our lifetimes. It's actually one of the PRIMARY drivers of personality development, values, goals & behaviors in life... #AskBioPsychologist🤓
I just found your channel and love your content! We are also thinking about moving to Costa Rica (from Toronto:) for a few months. Can I ask which area you lived in and the school your daughter went to? We are having so much trouble deciding! Keep up the great work inspiring people to eat more ethically and healthfully ❤️🙏
IT WAS AWESOME!!! Only back because we ended up divorcing (after 20 years together and not because of the move)........ended up in Samara! Lovely place! SO heartfelt and beautiful.........Nosara was amazing also.
no but we almost bought a property there that was 2 houses and one being one to airbnb that made like 10k a month so we almost did that then i was gonna work on books or start a channel from there!
hey! my husband and i ended up separating and he wanted to be back here in Canada:) we have since reconciled and are planning on staying but will def travel back to CR.....I loved it so much!
Ain’t no way I’ll be about bugs hell no & snakes nah I’m not with that AT ALL!! I’m also not about flooding or cancer. They need pesticides because of all the bugs as well
I lived there as a single parent from 2002 to 2008. It was such a rich experience but it was time to come back to Canada when my daughter was 13. We have amazing memories of our time there.
Amazing!!!
What part of Costa Rica ??
Thanks for watching Guys and I hope I was able to answer any questions you may have had or been curious about ! Although I did not end up staying in Costa Rica it holds such a special place in my heart and if the move is calling you I do encourage you to explore that and follow your ❤️
Did you leave for cultural reasons or just personal family stuff ? Just trying to hear if the negatives you listed outweighed the good for you ?
Also did you feel like you were a foreigner to the culture around you? I ask bc I have moved to another country before (Mexico) and I was in the minority and didn’t speak Spanish so it was difficult to feel like home.
@@Alykat736 Hi ! ❤️ at first it didn't feel like home but then i LOVED it !!!!! we left only bc after 20 years together my Husband and I decided to separate and he wanted to be back in Canada. I still dream of having a place in CR I loved it !
my 8 year old prefers Canada so I am out numbered for the time being ,)
Stomach cancer has always been the prime cause of deaths from cancer in Costa Rica, and this may be partly due to nitrous volcanic soils. Other volcanic countries such as Chile and Japan also have high rates. No the Pesticide.
@@GillianBerry The current life expectancy for Costa Rica in 2021 is 80.56 years, a 0.23% increase from 2020. The current life expectancy for U.S. in 2021 is 78.99 years, a 0.08% increase from 2020.
I've been dreaming of moving to Costa Rica, so happy to hear your experience!
it was so amazing !! I wanna move back
Sorry for the pain you've been through. Divorce sucks. Been there.
I love Costa Rica. I believe our family trips there have elevated our relationship. We are considering a gradual move to CR, but do take experiences like yours to heart. Grateful for your sharing.
thank you !! Im sorry you've been thru it !!
it was so hard ! we recently reconciled tho so we are giving it another go ,)
Nice. I've been 3 times and will be moving there next year. I've always said if I ever go back I will never leave. So my next trip is coming and I'll be buying property n building a house. Style of house is like a tree house with the open plan view. I can't wait. ❤
that sounds awesome!!!! wishing you nothing but happiness!!!
@@GillianBerry thank you. ❤️
@@samanthahi4541 hey my pleasure ! have a wonderful weekend
@@GillianBerry thank you and you as well.
This story reminds me od Family Fizz (previously Vegan Fitness TV) RUclips channel. I remember how they MOVED just-like-that from UK to Tenerife Islands in 2017. They also had 2 girls (Sienna 4 & Mia 13). And of course Darren & Georgie. Oh my intermitten fasting days...
You are so right about the pro and cons. My husband and I moved to Costa Rica in 2008, planning to retire there, but after two years decided to move to Panama. We were there for close to a year and then for a number of reasons decided to move back to Canada. I don't regret our time in Costa Rica or Panama, it was a great experience, but there is no place like home and I appreciate what we have here even more having had that experience. We live in Sarnia now but have lived in Kitchener, Guelph and Owen Sound, never Toronto, but I'm so glad to have come across your channel. I first tried the raw food lifestyle in 2000 but it was quite different then than it is now. I've been vegan since 2000 and WFPB for the last 2 years. I just recently decided to give the raw food lifestyle another try. I love your videos!
thanks Yvonne for the lovely comment !!!
wow you're so close !!!
it's good you're home then it that's what makes you happy !!!!!
let me know how the try at raw goes !! it's changed my life like nothing else !!!
lately I have acrually been thinking of leaving Toronto to live somewhere warm 😁
@@GillianBerry I don't blame you for wanting to live somewhere warm. The main reason we came back was because my son and his wife had a baby, my one and only grandchild! They live in Florida, so when we came back in 2012, we got a 5th wheel and lived in it full-time, 6 months in Jacksonville for the winter and Ontario for the summer. It was perfect until covid, now we're stuck here because we won't get the jab. It's not so bad, but I sure miss seeing my granddaughter Naomi, she's 12 now. We have a zoom call every week thank goodness for zoom. Have a great day 😀
@@yvonneharding9230 yeah i'm stuck for now because I won't get the jab also
i hope the rules open up I am dying to get away
😊Thanks so much Gilliam for this great video
Just was thinking about going to Costa Rica for about 2months...it will be my first time there... 🎉❤🙏
have fun !!!
Thanks for sharing! Costa Rica has been on my list of places to potentially move to
oh it's the best !
@@GillianBerry so cool!
@@GillianBerry besides the tarantulas and roaches lol
@@rawintuition lol 🤣
@@rawintuition I miss it !
3:15 You were playing UNO cards? So cool!
I just found this video I’m a recent subscriber. I’m wondering if you would move back there ? Those few cons you pointed out can be very deterring. Here in Hawaii we have some of those same cons you mentioned but they don’t have me running to move. I fell in love with my island and one must accept the good with the bad. There isn’t a place where there isn’t a not so good factor. After living here I can not fathom living in a cold climate ever again that is just one of my unacceptable negative factors. Like you also mentioned the produce in tropical climate is way more easily accessible. I’m happy to hear you lived in Costa Rica for some time. Great experience for your children in many ways I’m sure.
Much Aloha 🙏🏻🤙🏻🌺
Which island are you on. .? I don’t found the produce here , ( referring to fruits ) very good a lo5 of the time. One of many reasons I want to move either to the Caribbean or Latin America.
hey yeah i probably would forsure !!!! i loved it !!
The moment I heard about bugs I was like no thank you I changed my mind 😭
lol
That ALL-IN decision to just MOVE to Costa Rica and leave EVERYTHING behind sounds OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD CRAZY (or at least super risky & exotic)!
it was too much for me! i still regret selling my home but maybe i will end up in a better one one day who knows......it was more my husband who wanted to......but i can't bleame him I agreed to too......but was a lot of stress with two kids!! alone would have beeen different...we didn't plan enough...was not smart lol
@@GillianBerry Sounds wild🕷️
Sounds like a dream place to live!
💯
Your comment about the loose dogs there and not being aggressive makes me think of Erika Derrickson. She’s in Guatemala, by Lake Attila’s. In her videos you always see lots of dogs loose there and they seem real mellow.
😊
Ooh snakes. One good thing about Hawaii is we don’t have snakes here , though unfortunately we do have centipedes and they are terrifying.
This is neat I didn't realize you live in Costa Rica!!
yeah !!! was a fun experience once i started to embrace it !
Hi Gillian! Such a great video! I am visiting my family in Costa Rica right now. They just moved here 2 months ago. I think we are in playa Hermosa? Near Jacco /. Did you live near there? I am staying in an AirB&B / i was terrified of the bugs for years and thats why i never went before. So far it has been amazing / with no bugs at all in our place. Not even a lizard , which i love. I didnt even get bitten once. So I’m wondering where were you that there were so many bugs? I’m thinking of moving here because of my family but i cant handle bugs in the house.
amazing !!! we lived in Nosara and Samara !
Question: did you cry often at the time you recorded this video, Gillian? I can hear it in your voice & face mimics...
maybe it was hard times with the divorce around then and i had and still have some ptsd from something from 2020
@@GillianBerry Yikes😬Trauma is a biittch. I think we all have experienced it in our lifetimes. It's actually one of the PRIMARY drivers of personality development, values, goals & behaviors in life... #AskBioPsychologist🤓
@@mikeskylark1594 so true good point!! wow
I just found your channel and love your content! We are also thinking about moving to Costa Rica (from Toronto:) for a few months. Can I ask which area you lived in and the school your daughter went to? We are having so much trouble deciding! Keep up the great work inspiring people to eat more ethically and healthfully ❤️🙏
we lived in nosara rhen samara !
she went to school at la petite ecole in samara it was amazing !!!
@@GillianBerry amazing! Thank you so much❤
People are nice and friendly everywhere in the world … if you’re a good looking blonde .
In Costa Rica we are Friendly and Kind and Respecfull with everybody. Is in our Culture.
I agree! One of the friendliest cultures I have ever been around!!!
@@6789axe is tamarindo safe?
Looks like the most incredible experience!!
it was incredible! such a special place in the world!!!
I’d definitely consider it since I’m an adventurist. What city did you settle in.?
IT WAS AWESOME!!! Only back because we ended up divorcing (after 20 years together and not because of the move)........ended up in Samara! Lovely place! SO heartfelt and beautiful.........Nosara was amazing also.
@@GillianBerry thanks for your reply Gillian. I follow you an Zuzana on FB because of real estate. I'm Peter Abarca with RLP.
@@the3rddeck78 awesome 🤩
Pura Vida!! Ticos are great. The only place I didn't care for was San Jose, city life ain't for me.
You have nice videos, thank you for sharing.
Really incitful thank you ❤️
Glad you enjoyed it!
Which part of Costa Rica did you live in? Thank you! ♥️
samara and nosara!~
Yeah but how did you make money in Costa Rica? Leaving both of your jobs just like that sounds WOOOH...
no but we almost bought a property there that was 2 houses and one being one to airbnb that made like 10k a month so we almost did that then i was gonna work on books or start a channel from there!
@@GillianBerry WHOOOOAAAHHH😲You truly are brave & entrepreneurial!
Omg....this video is 2 years old and I thought you were still in Canada 🇨🇦
ya this vid was when i first started the channel! in canada yes ,) for now lol
What part of CR did you live in exactly?
Nosara and Samara
Pura vida 🇨🇷
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Hola saludos desde San Ramón de Alajuela costa Rica,todavia viven en nuestro país🇨🇷✌?
no i don't ...but i miss it and did love it!! ❤
@@GillianBerry pues recuerda que este también es tu país amiga,🙋🇨🇷☔
Por qué te regresaste a canada?
hey! my husband and i ended up separating and he wanted to be back here in Canada:) we have since reconciled and are planning on staying but will def travel back to CR.....I loved it so much!
@@GillianBerry ever stayed in Tamarindo?
i want to move there for retirement, but my wife does not want to leave US
maybe you can agree on somewhere nice in the US?
Except the day of rest is not 'Sunday' it's on the seventh day Saturday. Just letting you know 👌😉
100%
Bestie are you still there??
Lol....oh...u are back in Canada 🇨🇦
Ain’t no way I’ll be about bugs hell no & snakes nah I’m not with that AT ALL!! I’m also not about flooding or cancer. They need pesticides because of all the bugs as well
Found it! Thanks @gillian!!
hey glad you found it 😁😁💖🌹