I am sure many of you have watched the award-winning TV show Dr. House M.D. It is a medical drama about a cantankerous doctor who is devoid of bedside manner and wouldn’t even talk to his patients if he could get away with it. What saves the character is House is a brilliant diagnostician whose unconventional thinking and flawless instincts afford him a great deal of respect. An infectious disease specialist, he thrives on the challenge of solving medical puzzles in order to save lives.

In Costa Rica, I am proud to say we have Dr. Arieh Grunhaus. His last name is pronounced groon-HOUSE. He is a highly-skilled urologist. He only resembles the fictional character above in that he is a brilliant medical specialist.

Dr. Grunhaus was recommend to me by a friend a couple of years ago. I went to see him for a minor urological related problem. I was immediately impressed by his professionalism, flawless English, ability to make the patient feel at ease and the fact that he takes the time to answer all of his patient’s questions. In addition, he is also happy to provide the names of other specialists in a variety of fields.

On my monthly reclocation/retirement tours my clients always ask me about the medical care in Costa Rica. I give detailed accounts of my own experiences with the doctors here. I make it a point to talk about Dr. Grunhaus as an example of a consummate professional and the quality of medical care which is available to foreigners.

Life is so much simpler here in Costa Rica.

A friend of mine who has lived here for a couple of years just returned from the U.S. He spent a couple of weeks in his hometown of Dallas, Texas. When  I asked him how everything went there, his reply was, “Life is so much simpler here in Costa Rica.”

About an hour or two later I started to think about what he had said and realized that he was right. I believe that the search for a simpler lifestyle is the driving force behind so many Americans who move here. They just want to take a deep breath and smell the roses after so many years in the rat race.

Costa Rica is a refreshing change and offers an exciting lifestyle for most people who make the move. It gives them the chance to start over and enter a new stage of their lives. I know dozens of people who relocate or retire here who are so happy to finally be doing what they want to with their lives.

The bottom line is “lifestyle” and that is what ultimately sells people on the country. It’s is kind of hard to explain unless you have experienced it. That is why you need to visit here and experience the country and all it has to offer to see if it is right for you.  It seems to have been the correct choice for many since Costa Rica has more American residents proportionately that any other country outside of the U.S. They can’t be wrong!

So, simplify your life. Come to Costa Rica. It may be just what the doctor ordered. Pura vida (pure life, pure living, enjoy life etc.) is the national motto and sums the lifestyle in a nutshell.

Aquí se cura todo.

The Costa Rican Institute or Tourism (ICT) recently started a new ad campaign entitled “Aquí se cura todo” which in English means “Here everything gets cured.” I would be lying if I said that Costa Rica cures everything but the phrase is true to some extent.

During the almost 30 years I have lived in Costa Rica I have seen many Americans turn their lives around by moving here. Perhaps it is the great weather, the lovely people or the spirit of “Pura Vida” (pure life) which causes changes in people. It may even be something that  is completely intangible. Who know? All I can say is that I have seen people fulfill their dreams and find true success and happiness by moving here.

Don’t get me wrong Costa Rica is not for everyone. Unofficially about 30 percent of Americans who move here return home for one reason or another. Probably they just cannot adjust to the Latin culture. But those who end up staying say they have a much more rewarding lifestyle than they could ever have at home. You couldn’t drag most of them back to the States or Canada.

On my monthly relocation/retirement tours, I talk at length about the wonders of Costa Rica the rewarding lifestyle that is available here. It may just what you need to cure some of your ills.

Synagogue Shaarei Zion, San Jose, Costa Rica

There are only 14 million Jews in the world; 7 million in the Americas, 5 million in Asia, 2 million in Europe and100,000 in Africa.  It is common knowledge that Jesus of Nazareth was Jewish. Albert Einstein, the most influential scientist of all time and TIME magazine’s ‘Person of the Century’, was a Jew.  Sigmund Freud did ego, and superego — the father of psychoanalysis was a Jew. So were Karl Marx, Paul Samuelson and Milton Friedman.

In case you don’t know Costa Rica has a Jewish population. Around the time of World War II many Jews immigrated to Costa Rica. Originally most worked in agriculture but they soon became involved in a variety of business endeavors. Now they own banks, automobile agencies, shoe store chains, department stores and many other successful businesses.  Many Jews are renowned professionals like architects, lawyers, doctors and dentists to name a few. They have also played a prominent role in the country’s political scene. As you can see Jewish people have contributed to making Costa Rica the great country that it is today. Visit http://www.centroisraelita.com/centro_israelita_informacion_visitantes_eng.htm for more information.

If you are Jewish and thinking of retirement in Costa Rica you should have no problem making friends and fitting in here. There is a synagogue  where you can worship and meet people of the same faith. If you have children there is even a Jewish school. Costa Rica has religious freedom and most other religions are represented here as well as having their own houses of worship.

Living a dream

Yesterday I finished one of my monthly relocation/retirement tours. During the tour my clients and I have the chance to really bond. I share my experiences about living here and answer all of their questions. They get a mini seminar from me everyday of the tour.  I also ask them a lot of questions about why they want to move here, their goals and what they expect from the country. That way I can address their specific needs. What really happens is that we become very close during the week we spend together  and end up becoming good friends. I actually feel sad after the tour is over because I miss the interaction.

I had a a particularly interesting group this month. There were Joe and Mary Ann from Ohio with their best friends Kathy and Steve. Richard and María and from Maryland, Audrey and Martin from Florida and Tony and Bev from California who rounded out the couples. The singles were Grafton, Debbie, Asher, Roger and Dana. Everyone really had a good time especially during the many dinners we shared as a group.

During one of our many discussions one of my clients said, “Chris, you are living the life we have dreamed of in Costa Rica.” I came to the realization years ago that I was really lucky to have moved here, but my clients statement really made me feel more blessed than ever to live in such a magical place on earth. I should never take anything for grated since many people would do almost anything to have the chance to move to this wonderful country. When one thinks what is going on in the rest of the world, it is so great to be living here in paradise…very…very uplifting.

¡Pura Vida!