A couple of weeks ago I was sitting in the Fiesta Casino watching an NBA playoff game with a good friend of mine, Jim. He has been in Costa Rica for about ten years. He didn’t come here to retire but to work.  He was originally sent here by an American company to do specialized work at the Intel plant near the airport. During the time he was working for Intel Jim began to explore the country and experience the culture and lifestyle. It did not take him long to fall on love with the country as many Americans do. He not only fell in love with the country but with a Costa Rican woman also and ended up marrying her.

When his contract ended at Intel Jim had no intention of returning to the States. What he did was find another U.S. company that required his skills and experience, so he could continue to live here. That was about seven years ago and he has never looked back. Jim hasn’t made millions of dollars here but earns enough to support his wife and small daughter and still has enough left over to travel to the States once in a while and pursue his hobbies and interests.

He says that if had returned to the U.S., he would definitely be earning more money than he is making now. However, he feels his lifestyle is richer and more rewarding in Costa Rica and wouldn’t trade for “all of the tea in China.” Recently he told me, “Give me the rice and beans and pretty ladies of Costa Rica.” What he was saying is that he is happy living here and eating gallo pinto which is one of the Costa Rica’s main dishes. Although he is married and loyal to his wife, he says looking at all of the beautiful women is uplifting and keeps him feel young. I experience the same thing on a daily basis. Once again it is all about lifestyle here and those who get bitten by the Costa Rica bug never it out of their system and end up staying here permanently.