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LakeArenal

(28,729 posts)
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 08:03 PM Dec 2019

Our new life in Costa Rica

When we moved to Costa Rica I promised my friends on DU I would keep you all posted. I owe so many interested folks much more than these few pictures.

Everyday is a new adventure. So I find I can never catch up to our time here.

So here’s what happened today....

The boa constrictor is on our gate as we speak. It’s about six feet.

The parrot came a few days ago and eats bananas from my hand.

The toucan stops by our fav restaurant for a few bites.

We have howler monkeys, coatimundis,
Sloths and deer in the jungle across the road.

We are having the adventure of a lifetime.
I think we are getting younger.




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67 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Our new life in Costa Rica (Original Post) LakeArenal Dec 2019 OP
Sounds like paradise. Thanks for posting these pictures. livetohike Dec 2019 #1
We considered moving there at one time. coeur_de_lion Dec 2019 #2
Sure. But it would take forever... LakeArenal Dec 2019 #7
How long have you lived there? coeur_de_lion Dec 2019 #18
Since Sept 1st LakeArenal Dec 2019 #23
No kill is amazing but it's too bad it sounds like they are also doing no spay. I would not be UniteFightBack Dec 2019 #34
There is a great movement to spay and neuter. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #37
Great, LakeArenal! Thank you for doing that! calimary Dec 2019 #57
Enjoy every moment Ferrets are Cool Dec 2019 #3
WOW! elleng Dec 2019 #4
Yes, I'd like to know about those things too. BigmanPigman Dec 2019 #11
See comment 20. Thanks. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #24
See comment $20. Thanks. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #25
I've always heard good things about Costa Rica. If you run out of parrots and toucans, I'll be abqtommy Dec 2019 #5
Sounds fantastic underpants Dec 2019 #6
I think seeing a toucan would be so cool... Phentex Dec 2019 #8
Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Dec 2019 #9
Sounds fabulous...congratulations!❤ Karadeniz Dec 2019 #10
Since nobody else asked, what is your monthly budget? LastLiberal in PalmSprings Dec 2019 #12
I will say we are on a very fixed income LakeArenal Dec 2019 #20
If the 2020 election is stolen SallyHemmings Dec 2019 #13
Well the bugs here are giant. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #22
Okay I think the bugs are a deal breaker for me coeur_de_lion Dec 2019 #41
Oh yes. The jungle is definitely not for everyone. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #43
Those giant bugs though . . . coeur_de_lion Dec 2019 #51
Bugs bugs bugs tenaciousdem Dec 2019 #60
Stinging centipedes were not that prevalent coeur_de_lion Dec 2019 #65
Congrats and welcome to your paradise! Foolacious Dec 2019 #14
My dream, Rosarito. mountain grammy Dec 2019 #17
Really! My sister lives there, babylonsister Dec 2019 #59
I can only assume... mountain grammy Dec 2019 #61
Yes, pretty much. babylonsister Dec 2019 #63
Pura Vida as we Ticos say!! LakeArenal Dec 2019 #21
We're leaving for Mexico next week. Callalily Dec 2019 #48
now c'mon, boa constrictor draped across the gate? WyLoochka Dec 2019 #15
You open the gate wryter2000 Dec 2019 #58
Sounds heavenly! OriginalGeek Dec 2019 #16
Enjoy. Thanks for the update. mountain grammy Dec 2019 #19
No thanks. Polly Hennessey Dec 2019 #26
Wow. Have you set up the guest bedroom for us? blm Dec 2019 #27
I'm loving it proud patriot Dec 2019 #28
Kindred spirits! LakeArenal Dec 2019 #31
Two of my ballet teachers who were married that I knew a million years ago live in Costa Rica. betsuni Dec 2019 #29
Thank you. Do you find renting an AirBNB is safe or OhNo-Really Dec 2019 #30
I only have one source with regards to Airbnb LakeArenal Dec 2019 #33
Thank you so much Ohiogal Dec 2019 #32
No. We knew we wanted something tropical. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #35
LIFG, girlfwend! Heartstrings Dec 2019 #36
Couldn't have done it without the support of friends ❣️🥰 LakeArenal Dec 2019 #40
Wow that is great texasfiddler Dec 2019 #38
We live south of La Fortuna. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #39
Bananas give parrots diarrhea. nt tblue37 Dec 2019 #42
I am worried for that. He turns down everything else LakeArenal Dec 2019 #44
Well, maybe he has a mutation that allows him to eat bananas. nt tblue37 Dec 2019 #45
I only give him maybe an inch of banana. LakeArenal Dec 2019 #46
Why I still love DU: mahina Dec 2019 #50
I'll pass. James48 Dec 2019 #47
Sounds like a great adventure. Callalily Dec 2019 #49
5 Costa Rican Creatures (That Will Give You Nightmares) Marcuse Dec 2019 #52
Thank you for all of this information. PoindexterOglethorpe Dec 2019 #53
There are not piles of dead birds under them. saidsimplesimon Dec 2019 #54
Healthcare Question PNW-Dem Dec 2019 #55
I took a vacation there on the west coast a few years back Major Nikon Dec 2019 #56
Mahalo for these gorgeous pics, LakeArenal! Cha Dec 2019 #62
Sigh! We are so very lucky and happy! LakeArenal Dec 2019 #64
Pizza Ranch still in La Fortuna StClone Dec 2019 #67
I take it orangecrush Dec 2019 #66

coeur_de_lion

(3,666 posts)
2. We considered moving there at one time.
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 08:11 PM
Dec 2019

Can you talk more about life there? Are you in the mountains or near the water?

LakeArenal

(28,729 posts)
7. Sure. But it would take forever...
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 08:24 PM
Dec 2019

We are renting this casita on a mountain near Tilaran. We over look Lake Arenal and the Arenal volcano.

Don’t believe anything you read in books.
Not as many speak English as we thought. The people here are nice. It’s a socialist country so the State owns all the utilities. There are over a hundred wind turbines on the mountain across the lake. There are not piles of dead birds under them.

Food is great and definitely not Mexican.
Pizza is the states second favorite food.

Where we live has international wind surfing events and we can see them practice from our window.

Being in the mountains it’s windy and cooler and few have AC. Over by the Pacific coast it’s usually ten degrees hotter and humid. We have not been to the gulf coast.

Bureaucracy, both American and Costa Rican make it hard to open bank accounts, buy a car or house, or do just about anything legal.

There is a no kill any animal policy. Dogs run free everywhere. Many starve. We adopted a boy from the streets.

We love every minute of everyday.



[url=https://postimg.cc/HVLJGCmr][img][/img][/url]

[url=https://postimg.cc/TLXyBL2x][img][/img][/url]

[url=https://postimg.cc/K4xkNMsr][img][/img][/url]

LakeArenal

(28,729 posts)
23. Since Sept 1st
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 10:36 PM
Dec 2019

We are amazed at everything and how easy life is here once you get here.
We have breakfast with expats twice a week. We are taking Spanish lessons for free. We have lived in three totally cool houses. We adopted a street dog. There is a local farmers market twice a month.
Our View is fantastic. We love it.

 

UniteFightBack

(8,231 posts)
34. No kill is amazing but it's too bad it sounds like they are also doing no spay. I would not be
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 11:02 PM
Dec 2019

happy with seeing so many stray animals...daily heartbreak for me. Thank you for adopting!!

LakeArenal

(28,729 posts)
37. There is a great movement to spay and neuter.
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 11:13 PM
Dec 2019

That is one thing that many expats volunteer for.

We just had a free clinic last week.

calimary

(80,700 posts)
57. Great, LakeArenal! Thank you for doing that!
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 04:02 PM
Dec 2019

Sounds wonderful down there. We have a friend who’s made several trips to Costa Rica. She’s loved it every time.

elleng

(130,156 posts)
4. WOW!
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 08:13 PM
Dec 2019

and THANKS!

In addition to such dramatic daily happenings, please let us know how day to day life is, including finding necessities and economic matters.

Thanks

abqtommy

(14,118 posts)
5. I've always heard good things about Costa Rica. If you run out of parrots and toucans, I'll be
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 08:15 PM
Dec 2019

happy to stop by to eat from your hand or table!

12. Since nobody else asked, what is your monthly budget?
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 09:03 PM
Dec 2019

Also, what was it like buying a car? Shipping household goods from the States?

How is the crime rate? Medical care?

It sounds like a wonderful place to live. I need to check out issues of International Living magazine (free online) which discuss Costa Rica.

LakeArenal

(28,729 posts)
20. I will say we are on a very fixed income
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 10:20 PM
Dec 2019

The rule is you needs verified income of $1000.
Buying a car is a nightmare. So much so that we shipped our old car. Long... story...
Cars here may be flood damaged vehicles from the U S. Car here are three times the cost here. Our blue book value is $5000.
It cost $11000 to ship here. The state values it at $15000. There are tariffs and taxes and to renew plates slides with value of car. Ours is $600 for the year. If you buy anything big here you need a lawyer.

If you ship personal property be sure to make your inventory complete. If it isn’t clearly stated in the manifest, it may be stolen. Somewhere along the way every box is opened and rifled. Who knows who took my costume jewelry and my mother’s Pyrex mixing bowls. But all I listed was bowls and dishes. And just jewelry. So they leave a few pieces and steal the rest.

There’s no crime here in the mountains. There are crimes of opportunity. If you leave your purse unattended it might get stolen. The real crime is businesses will rip you off if you aren’t careful. I bought a piece of furniture only to see it advertised on a flyer at a discounted price. Things like that.
You have to get residency to get the socialized medicine. Residency application requires a lawyer about $3000 for two and 15 months to three years to get. But lots of folks come here on medical vacations because services are often cheaper than deductibles in U S.
Meds are cheap and for most things don’t need a prescription.

We advise to only half believe what you read in articles and books. Every single person’s experience is their own.

Living here is way different than visiting here. If you come to live make sure you clear your current bank’s position on international living. My Wisconsin bank has been a nightmare of not being told anything when I went in to the bank to inform them of our move. They freeze our accounts, locked our debit cards. Not allowed to wire money to our Costa Rican landlord. It’s been hell and mucho dinero in international calls to get some access to our money.
We opened a new American account in the south so it’s only a couple hour flight if we have to go in person to a bank. Expats are advised to keep an active American account as who knows when trump may get us thrown out of somewhere.

It’s been so hard money and red tape wise that we say if it’s this hard to go back we aren’t ever leaving.

LakeArenal

(28,729 posts)
22. Well the bugs here are giant.
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 10:26 PM
Dec 2019

The rain forest where we are is not for everybody.

Just for us. We planned this move for 13 years. We knew exactly where we wanted to be. And bless our heart, we are amazed at how close the actuality is to the dream we planned. 🤞🏼👍🏻👊🏻

coeur_de_lion

(3,666 posts)
41. Okay I think the bugs are a deal breaker for me
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 11:40 PM
Dec 2019

I have a bug phobia that goes back to childhood in Hawaii.

Big bugs are a big problem for me. I would honestly rather someone pointed a gun at my head than showed me a giant bug. They terrify me.

LakeArenal

(28,729 posts)
43. Oh yes. The jungle is definitely not for everyone.
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 11:46 PM
Dec 2019

The reality is the big bugs are not really a problem. It’s the ants. Bitey ants. There is one kind of ant that waits till about twenty are on you then sends some pheromone and they bite at the same time. You can’t go bare foot and you can never picnic on a blanket or sit in the grass

tenaciousdem

(104 posts)
60. Bugs bugs bugs
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 07:09 PM
Dec 2019

I hear you about the bugs in Hawaii. Lived in South Kona for several years. Centipedes are the creepiest bugs on the planet, especially when the crawl in bed and bite you.

As well, the constant chirp of the coqui frog can actually reach a decibel level the causes physical pain.

coeur_de_lion

(3,666 posts)
65. Stinging centipedes were not that prevalent
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 08:05 PM
Dec 2019

We did see them though.

No it was the giant bugs that we could not keep out of the house. The ones that would crawl into our shoes.

My brother wasn't afraid of them. Used to fling them at us on the lanai.

In Florida we have the same kind of bugs but nowadays there are exterminators that manage to keep them out of the house for the most part.

Anything bigger than what I've already seen is just unacceptable. Some giant bug ever landed on me they would have to put me away.

Foolacious

(497 posts)
14. Congrats and welcome to your paradise!
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 09:13 PM
Dec 2019

Our paradise is in Mexico... been here going on five years and still love it.

babylonsister

(170,964 posts)
59. Really! My sister lives there,
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 05:16 PM
Dec 2019

has for years. They pulled up roots from Mission Viejo, had a house built, and living la vida loca.

mountain grammy

(26,573 posts)
61. I can only assume...
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 07:15 PM
Dec 2019

They love it 😊 I read the Rosarito Town Crier once in a while. Been decades, but still dream about it.

Callalily

(14,885 posts)
48. We're leaving for Mexico next week.
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 07:46 AM
Dec 2019

Staying six weeks. Can't wait. Will be quite an experience.

Sounds like you are enjoying Mexico! My friend winters there, stays six months.

WyLoochka

(1,629 posts)
15. now c'mon, boa constrictor draped across the gate?
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 09:16 PM
Dec 2019

how do you manage this situation when you need to pass through the gate?

those boas are probably all around.

wryter2000

(46,016 posts)
58. You open the gate
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 04:24 PM
Dec 2019

The snake slithers away...or not, if it doesn't want to.

People keep them as pets.

OriginalGeek

(12,132 posts)
16. Sounds heavenly!
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 09:54 PM
Dec 2019

I've only been in Costa Rica for a few hours on a stop from a cruise ship and fell in love with it. Hope to get back there some day for real.

proud patriot

(100,700 posts)
28. I'm loving it
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 10:45 PM
Dec 2019

We made a move to Hawaii Island 6 years ago from the very congested SF Bay Area .

living in the jungle is awesome .. I am really glad to hear you are having a fun Adventure too.

betsuni

(25,142 posts)
29. Two of my ballet teachers who were married that I knew a million years ago live in Costa Rica.
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 10:52 PM
Dec 2019

I found out by chance while reading something about a woman who turned out to be their daughter. Not only was I surprised they lived in Costa Rica but that they were still married.

When I was in their classes, she'd recently had her daughter and she and her husband were going through something. Glowering looks across the room, sighs, innuendos dropped like large boots on a wooden floor. She was so beautiful and glamorous in the classroom, and then you saw her in regular clothes and she'd wear hideous polyester pantsuits. It was like she hadn't bothered to shop since the sixties.

I wouldn't like to like in a warm place with large snakes and spiders and things, it would make me too nervous!

OhNo-Really

(3,985 posts)
30. Thank you. Do you find renting an AirBNB is safe or
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 10:53 PM
Dec 2019

Are there red tape issues for a one month rental.

Are there places to avoid? Best places to rent?

Asking for a friend.

Thank you for sharing. Any info will be passed to my friend

LakeArenal

(28,729 posts)
33. I only have one source with regards to Airbnb
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 11:01 PM
Dec 2019

But our three places are great.

I think one three bed three bath rents for $1400 a week.

Our second was a two and a half bed three bath. More funky than chic is $700 a week for two.

Our years lease is quite expensive because wanted to settle quickly. It’s $900 for the month. One bedroom one bath. Laundry and my dream veranda or porch. An great Mountain View of the lake. We think next year we might find a two bedroom at more like $650 to $750. We have a dog. Costa Rican’s aren’t much on dogs in the house.

Ohiogal

(31,672 posts)
32. Thank you so much
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 10:54 PM
Dec 2019

For sharing your experience with all of us. It’s fascinating to hear about your new life.

Your home is amazing and beautiful, but I would not like boa constrictors or huge insects. I freak out if I see a mouse.

I think you two are very brave to do this! May I ask how you decided on Lake Arenal ? Did you vacation there and fall n love with it?

LakeArenal

(28,729 posts)
35. No. We knew we wanted something tropical.
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 11:11 PM
Dec 2019

So we started researching. I remembered that anyone who had been here loved it and wanted to stay. So we read books, YouTubed, googled lots about it.
Things that struck us
Mountains view, lake, remote, more birds than anywhere on earth. Mr Lake has a thing for volcanoes.
There was a passage in a book about the variety of ecology in CR. It said something like: “ Or perhaps you would prefer an emerald green spot on a mountain with a view of an active volcano and amazing wildlife all around” I read that to Mr Lake and both of us knew that’s where we would go. In the 13 years of dreaming, the volcano has gone to sleep. Otherwise everything is as we dreamed.

Oh and never take for granted how fortunate we are that both of us have been on the same page since the first idea came to us.

And no. We auctioned off most of our possessions and hoboed it here sight unseen. As Billy Joel’s says “a matter of faith”.


Heartstrings

(7,349 posts)
36. LIFG, girlfwend!
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 11:12 PM
Dec 2019

Miss you! 🥰😘😚

Pura Vida, baby❣️ ✌️🦜 ☺️ 🐍 😄 🐕?🦺 😎 🤗

LakeArenal

(28,729 posts)
39. We live south of La Fortuna.
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 11:15 PM
Dec 2019

We’ve been a few times. It’s very touristy.
The volcano and thermal springs are awesome.

LakeArenal

(28,729 posts)
44. I am worried for that. He turns down everything else
Sun Dec 29, 2019, 11:48 PM
Dec 2019

Grapes, papaya, avocado, apples, oranges...sunflower seeds. Just a bit ago we found out he’s begging from our neighbor too.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,752 posts)
53. Thank you for all of this information.
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 02:06 PM
Dec 2019

I think the most important thing you said is that you guys spent 13 years planning.

Moving permanently to another country is not to be taken lightly.

I have an acquaintance who moved several years ago to Panama and is very happy there.

Here's what I want to ask. Do you have family back here? Especially children or grandchildren? How often do you expect to get back for a visit?

The friend in Panama is divorced, no kids, and I don't even know if she has living siblings. She's about 75 now. A while back she shared what she paid for a house (I think it's inside a gated community) there, and I was shocked as it was something over $300k, which is significantly more than my modest home in supposedly expensive Santa Fe, and much more than I'll ever be able to afford anywhere. Just as the above rents you quoted struck me as very high.

But the real and probably only thing that matters is that you are very happy there.

saidsimplesimon

(7,888 posts)
54. There are not piles of dead birds under them.
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 02:07 PM
Dec 2019

My retired brother managed a wind farm. He has assured me that this is just another figment of our resident bird brain in the WH.

Thanks for the thread, great photos, I've been taking a look at Puerto Rico for that age reversal.

PNW-Dem

(244 posts)
55. Healthcare Question
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 02:13 PM
Dec 2019

I love your post and the thread is great. I'm curious, what do you do for healthcare, especially for accidents or emergency room visit? Did you buy travel insurance until you get residency or some other way?

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
56. I took a vacation there on the west coast a few years back
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 02:28 PM
Dec 2019

From what little I saw of the country (when I was sober) it looked pretty impressive.

LakeArenal

(28,729 posts)
64. Sigh! We are so very lucky and happy!
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 08:00 PM
Dec 2019

Happy 2020. Next year we will be having quite the celebration.

Two presidents down. How many more will we elect in our life?

amor y abrazos, Chica!

StClone

(11,679 posts)
67. Pizza Ranch still in La Fortuna
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 09:02 PM
Dec 2019

Last edited Thu Jan 2, 2020, 10:48 PM - Edit history (1)

I know the Arenal area fairly well. We are very tempted to move there too. The parrot is a Red-lored and is one of so many parrots species in the area. You will enjoy your new life in CR it's hard not to when the national saying is
Pura Vida! By the way, I grew up with Pizza Ranch and I could never figure out if the one in La Fortuna is a real franchise or a imitation-good either way!

orangecrush

(19,237 posts)
66. I take it
Mon Dec 30, 2019, 08:15 PM
Dec 2019

Quite a few are reaching the conclusion that it is time to bail.

It sounds lovely in Costa Rica, and I really enjoyed your sharing a taste of a different life.

I unfortunately missed the financial lifeboat, and it looks like many like myself are doomed to go down with the Trumptanic.
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