Costa Rica - Where I’m at with the move
We’ve been back in the U.S. for a month now, and I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about our proposed move to Costa Rica. I’ve been really trying to examine my feelings about our visit there, and how I feel about the changes that a move there will bring. I have to be honest and admit that part of me is anxious about it. But my anxiety doesn’t really alarm me too much. This is a big move. Bigger than any that I’ve made in my life so far. In Costa Rica, I will be farther than I have ever been from my family. It’s also hard to imagine the sheer effort that will be required to sell our house, get rid of most of our belongings, and move our whole family plus 4 cats to a new country. I think my anxiety probably at a normal level considering those issues.
But what convinces me that we are still on the right track is that my anxiety is accompanied by excitement. I’m really looking forward to our next trip to Costa Rica. In fact, I want to go back there badly. I’m also not really looking forward to spending another winter in New York. The last few weeks have been cold and being inside really sucks. There is a layer of ice on the ground that makes taking the kids out to play a dangerous proposition. We’ve been inside a whole lot. Being inside all the time, or outside freezing in the cold, is not something that I enjoy. I really am looking forward to fashioning a life in Costa Rica where outdoor living can truly be a daily reality.
Some people enjoy the snow. Some people just love the changes in seasons, and are perfectly happy with where they live. Personally, I think I’m ready to move somewhere much warmer. I’m not saying that I don’t love a good snow. Snow can be beautiful and magical. But I’m kind of looking forward to a day when snow can be something that I consciously choose to visit. Snow is nice occasionally, but one of my favorite activities in the whole world is swimming. Why should I live in a place where I can only do one of my favorite things a few months a year? I certainly don’t relish the snow like I relish a swim in the ocean. If we live in Costa Rica, in the right place, I could take a swim in the ocean every day of the year.
I think so many people don’t really consider moving somewhere different because they just assume that they will live near to where they have always lived. The other day I was buying the in-laws a Christmas present - some kind of crampon-like thing to attach to your shoes for better footing in the snow and ice. I was joking with the salesperson about how my mother-in-law is always saying how scared she is of falling on the ice. That fear seems to last around 5 months. If you have to constantly fear death for 5 months, isn’t it time to move somewhere warmer? I don’t fear the ice myself, but I really don’t love it. I’m looking forward to a change.
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I think a lot of us don’t really give enough credit to how important weather is to us in our daily lives. Now that I live in PERFECT weather - not too hot, not too cold, not too rainy, just right - this could keep me here despite any other negatives! I could NEVER live in snow. Ever. See you!
The only good thing about cold is snow. And we got shafted this last snowfall when a sheet of ice covered everything the next day. I really like snow and sometimes wonder what it would be like to spend a winter in Finland. But it’s something I’d rather do by choice. For the rest of the year, I want to run around barefoot in t-shirts and shorts.
Or maybe some of those awesome, loud short sleeve button-downs waiting for me in CR.
Sow I don’t mind, ice and freezing temps not so much. I’d love to live somewhere warm and comfortable all year round.
You’ve got me interested in learning more about Costa Rico. I’ve spent the last 3 days reading every website I can find. But I have a question: can you homeschool in Costa Rico? I found some personal websites of homeschoolers there, but no mention of laws or requirements. Then I found an about page on an US Gov site that says homeschooling is not an option. And yet another site, a travel page, says if you live where there are no schools near by you can opt to homeschool. So I’m confused whether it’s legal or not. LOL
I think it may be technically illegal, but it is nothing that personally concerns me. There are tons of expats homeschooling there. Considering the state of some of the local schools, I don’t think the government is ever going to go out of their way to beg expats to come and further over-stress their local schools. I know of many many homeschoolers in Costa Rica that range from school-at-home to radical unschoolers, like us. So I think, if you decided to go to Costa Rica (come with us!!!) that would be the least of your concerns.
From what I’ve been reading I’m ready to hop on a plane and move down there now! Just trying to convince somebody else that it is an awesome idea is ahrd. LOL
The public schools aren’t that well-funded, and it’s not unusual for stuff to happen like teachers not showing up for work (especially if they haven’t been paid). With the scarcity of resources, I’m sure some Ticos (ie Costa Ricans) don’t mind if foreigners who could be in the school system opt out stay out.
I’ve also heard of some extranjero (expat) families being reported for not sending kids to school - probably because they pissed off or insulted someone involved with the school system. At worst, a family would have to move to another area as the authorities are not well-funded enough to pursue people who don’t live in the immediate vicinity. There are quite a few homeschooling families there and problems do not seem to be common.