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Great post Cheryl ! What does it tell you when the average expat last only 2 years in Costa Rica ? They didn't come into the Republic,to sign up for "happy camp".By our observation in our foreign colony on the Nicoya Peninsula,there is more solo foreign women than anything and they are looking for something more than,guys,yoga or surf.As far as meaningful connections with other expats,most are walking around blind sided by the realities of living here,no further energy or time to give away to strangers.For the Costarrican,happiness is already hardwired in the "being".If you go on Youtube,you will see it graphically,how soon to be expats expressing the releasing of a" work based materialistic life",for a more meaningful one of family and contribution to their new home land.Only to show you in another episode, the unloading of vehicles for every mood in their luxury home. Then,the theme completely changes with the wife wanting to be a real estate agent and the head of the house is declaring his special knowledge for making new wealth.It is understood,who comes to a new land to live an austere life of saintly poverty.Costa Rica does not do favors for anyone but for the ones that stay,it is beyond the spontaneous healing experience they had on a vacation here once.For some that leave back to the U.S., do the costly unfathomable......By taking the new spouse and their family,to gain immigration.

Some good points Don Edwin. At least some points that I may fully understand.
In this and past posts you mention you are on the coast/beach and bring up a lot of things like the wife a real estate agent, pursuit of money etc that in my opinion is sort of concentrated in that kind of beach environment.
Not exclusevley but there a lot more or maybe more exposed there for view.

I live in the central valley and things with expats seem to be a bit different. More relaxed and more of us just living happily although with the issues of learning the system the language etc. And while many are concentrated close together such as many beach communities there are also many spread out and living amongst Tico neighbors.

Enjoying the weather, the ability to live less of a material focused life,

Maybe live better than where we were from based on spending money on basic things and not pursuing extravagance.

And yes its true maybe half return home but there are the other half and they seem to be able to be happy.

Here is some possible great news for future residents. Congress here looks about to approve (only the first vote not final) new incentives for residents.
New catagorys  of residency, and potential to do a one time car import with no tax and household furnishings.
Dont hold your breath but it looks good to me.



Practice your Spanish on the link folks.