Basset Hounds Get Frequent Flyer Miles

We have been back from California for awhile. Before we left for our trip, I made a list of what we had to start doing. I used the Real Costa Rica suggested list that Tim has online, and edited it to fit our situation. I refer to it simply as The List, many times accompanied with a descriptive expletive, and it is taking on epic proportions. I can’t imagine trying to do this move without it, though. I am feeling overwhelmed today by all we still have to do. Continue reading »

I Heart Colorado

I am home, but wrote this while we were still traveling…

I am writing this from Highway 70, somewhere in Colorado. We have driven through desert and mountains and have seen the best and worst the US has to offer, I think. I will start with LA – which pretty much is the best and worst all rolled into one! My son lives in Ventura, about an hour north of LA on the coast. I like it there, it is beautiful and I love the ocean. The town itself is cool, a little funky and fun right now, but they are trying to make it more upscale like Santa Barbara. I think it will probably be ruined in the process, but I hope not. The downside is that it is not very affordable to live there, at least compared to the Midwest and the weather is cooler than I like.

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Considerations on Moving to Costa Rica – Part One

Actually, this is probably better titled: “Considerations on the Expatriate Life”. Certainly the things I am going to discuss apply no matter where you plan to go.

As you might expect, I get a lot of email from people who are either making the move to Costa Rica or are considering such a move. Some are baby boomers realizing that they may not be able to afford to retire in their home country… others are younger, asking about employment opportunities and lifestyle. They ask my advice on a variety of things,and I give the best answers I can. But over time, I have come to realize that there are a some questions that are never asked, but certainly should be asked, before making a move of this magnitude.

So here are my thoughts on this.

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Considerations on Moving to Costa Rica – Part Two

Here is Part Two written especially for the under 50 crowd.

Everything I wrote in Part One (for the over 50’s) is certainly applicable to the under-50 crowd of course. The biggest difference as I see it is that this younger group may not have financial independence, and thus they have to work in order to live here. With that in mind, their needs are clearly different.
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