Costa Rica’s people are the happiest in the world.
Over 50 years ago Costa Rica abolished its military. This enabled the country to spend more money on education and healthcare. The results have paid off. The country is one of the healthiest in the world, has a longevity rate on a par with countries of the first world and a large number of centenarians. Furthermore, it has one of the highest literacy rates in Latin America of over 90 percent. Unfortunately, most of the countries in the region lag behind in these areas due to endemic social and economic problems.
Mexico, which used to be the #1 place for Americans to retire, now has over 50 million poor people which represents 47 percent of its population. This can only lead to social problems down the road which will affect the quality of life there. Add this to the country’s out of control drug wars, kidnappings and other woes and you have an environment which is not conducive for foreigners to live.
Nicaragua continues to be submerged in a political and economic morass from which it may never recover. After Costa Rica, Panama seems to be the only other good choice in the region but does have its own baggage. The weather is not nearly as good as Costa Rica’s and no matter what people say, Panama does have a crime problem. Nevertheless, the country has attracted many foreigners because of of its generous incentive program for retirees. So, if Costa Rica isn’t your cup of tea, then try Panama. Personally i don’t think the two countries compare. If Panama was a better place for me I would be living there at the very moment.
Costa Rica does have its warts (problems), but as a whole I still consider it the best place to live in the region, if not the world. According to a recent survey Costa Rica’s people are the happiest in the world. Living among the people here is contagious. I have never been happier in my life.
Costa Rica Pura Vida
I just spent about a month in the U.S. visiting some relatives and close friends, shopping and relaxing. I have lived in Costa Rica for almost 30 years and obviously love the country. Nevertheless, I do need to travel once in a while to recharge my batteries or as they say in Spanish, “cargar las pilas.”
When I go to the States I find everything so impersonal and rushed. I really feel like a “fish out of water” since I lived outside of the U.S. for so many years. It is a completely different culture and world up there. I am not saying that it is better or worse but just different. I don’t find it compatible with the laid back lifestyle of Costa Rica. Don’t get me wrong! I always enjoy myself when I go to the States. I relish the time I spend with relatives and old friends.
What I really like about Costa Rica is that everything seems to be simple here. Up north things seems to be much more complicated. I have a friend from Dallas who lives here and he always remarks about the simplicity of thing here. You would have to live here to really understand what we mean.
Another friend remarked that the first time he came to Costa Rica, he was immediately stuck by the peacefulness the minute he stepped off the plane. That feeling is hard to find or non-existent up north.
Costa Rica is the land of friendly smiles and happy people. The locals seem to exude this vibe and the pura vida (pura life) lifestyle which make the country a fantastic place to live. I don’t ever get that feeling in the States. Everything seems so cold in comparison to the warmth of Costa Rica.
Spectacular Ocean View in Costa Rica
Recently an old friend visited me here in Costa Rica. I hadn’t seen him for over twenty years, so it was a very special reunion. He came with his son who had just received his P.H.D. From Cal Tec University. The trip was a present to his son for having graduated from such a prestigious university.
Prior to my friend’s arrival I called a travel agent friend who helped me select four great day tours for my guests. They visited Lake Arenal and La Fortuna, took the Calypso Cruise, did the Café Britt Tour and took the new Best of the Pacific Beach Tour. They constantly remarked how beautiful Costa Rica was and said that Costa Rica reminded them of a tropical version of Marin County. In case you aren’t familiar with Marin Country it is the area just to the north of the Golden Gate Bridge outside of San Francisco. The area is absolutely gorgeous and has to be seen to be believed. I should know since I lived there for many years. I do see the similarities between the topography of Marin and some areas of Costa Rica.
Recently I spent a couple of weeks in Seattle with my sister. The Seattle area is stunning with its incredible scenery. It is reminiscent of Costa Rica since everything is so green and fresh. Of course the vegetation is different because Costa Rica is tropical but there are similarities.
On my monthly relocation tours I always make it a point of asking my clients if they think Costa Rica is a beautiful as they imagined it would be prior to their arrival. Most say that the country exceeded their expectations in terms of beauty. They are in awe of the lovely colors of the flora and the many incredible vistas the country has. If you decide to move here you can enjoy this beauty of the country every single day.
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.
