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Looking to retire yet? I know it really gets cold out there, especially in certain parts of the north. Are you fed up with the snow and other weather conditions? Then it’s time now to start working on that list of countries that are interesting to retire to. Of course, after you’ve found the financial solution to this.
I’m of Dutch origin and moved to Costa Rica in 1980 and still love every day of it. I’ve seen some hard times, haven’t we all, but I have never regretted the decision I made of moving here. I came here for different reasons than I have now; I wanted to get out of the rat race and now the rat race sometimes catches up with me. But I enjoy every day of it.
What’s the difference?
All these years of living here have made me wiser and I have realized that paradise doesn’t exist, you make paradise yourself. AND, I learned how to smell the roses once in a while (thank you, Irene!). I have always said that Costa Rica is the perfect country to live in, as long as you come here to retire and if you don’t have to work. You’ll find some other blogs here about running a business here.
But, if you’re looking to retire, this incredible country offers a lot of plusses over other countries, even though it’s not the cheapest anymore. You’ll love to learn how to live with a different culture, and a different language, and adjust to all these new things if you put some love and effort into it. Another plus you’ll soon appreciate is the great weather in this beautiful country, nature, the easy-going people, and their acceptance of foreigners among others.
Looking for places to retire
Costa Rica is one of many countries that those who are already looking to retire might move to. Nowadays, with easy access to information by using the internet, it’s easy to do due diligence. Lots of people look at countries like Thailand, Uruguay, Peru, Panama, and Ecuador, and of course, our country should be on your list.
Florida has always been a safe and secure haven for those looking for sunshine, and it still is. But those who want to think out of the box and are in for that adventure they never had because of the children, the job, the church, or any other reason that kept them in their hometown, finally have a chance to make those old dream come true when they retire.
We are all a little crazy
I am one of those who moved from his home country and I must admit it, all of us who have done this are a little crazy. Most of us are just fed up with rules, and the way the government and our neighbors organize our lives and we are in for something new, an adventure.
I find that most who are looking to retire are successful in adapting to a new country and a new life, have traveled a lot in their life or have lived in different countries and when they go back to where they came from, they cannot adjust to that lifestyle anymore. But they will adjust to yet another lifestyle, culture, and other challenges.
A small country and great people
Now, having explained all that, you have to understand that we have just over 5 million registered inhabitants. We have, just like in the US, a lot of illegals and perpetual tourists living in Costa Rica. Therefore, you can compare Costa Rica with any large city in the United States, like Los Angeles or Chicago. There are no real numbers available as the last census was done in the year 2,011. So we can’t even figure out how many people have moved to Costa Rica over the past 12 years.
So, when we speak about the real estate boom in Costa Rica, it could have been 3,000 or 50,000 people who have moved here. There are no up-to-date numbers available. Also, Costa Rica is smaller than the State of West Virginia. I think this explanation was necessary, so you’d have a better understanding of what we’re talking about here.
Reasons to Retire to Costa Rica
Why have all these people moved here? These are some of the reasons:
- On International Living top 10 for best places to live or retire to
- Real democracy with many political parties
- A very stable economy
- NO army and the funds are spent on education
- A large part of the local residents are bilingual
- The quality lifestyle you have been used to all your life
- Perfect weather with many microclimates to choose from
- Atenas is on AARP top 10 for best places to retire abroad
- A Freedom Score of 91/100 by Freedom house 2021
- # 38 world ranking for Global Peace by Institute for Economics & Peace 2022
- Ranked 31st in the Global Sustainability Index
- Highest score in happy life years on the Happy Planet
- Has become an important destination for cosmetic surgery and dentistry
An invitation
Are you looking to retire? I invite you to come and find out for yourself how good life can be once you make the decision to move and what living in Costa Rica can mean to you. We have the largest choice of Costa Rica real estate on the market, check it out now.
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Used for featured image: Image by wavebreakmedia_micro and Image by wayhomestudio on Freepik
