Thanks for starting this thread. I love love to read about people who left the country and learning a new culture and language. I find this fascinating an in some ways liberating. I love travel and can’t wait for travel to open up again. Portugal is on the top of my list to live at least part of the year. Plan to visit Vietnam as well. Tell us more about how you’re adjusting to the culture and whether you’re missing the convenience of the US. Do stare clear of political commentary. This is shaping up to be a fascinating thread and the mods would shut it down pronto (zero tolerance for political commentary) if it gets political.
I find the culture here to be, for the most part, subtly nuanced in terms of the differences. They all have phones and communicate via 'whatsapp'. There is cable tv, etc. But there's still a 'haves' and 'have-nots' thing here, as in most of the world... and the 'haves' hold their $$ close. Many people work for less than $3/hour US... and if they don't like the pay... there are tons who are willing to do it for less; as the country is full of somewhat desperate people who are here from Nicaragua looking for work and a better life. It's sad.
Otherwise, the culture seems a little 'machismo' to me... but I live rural so there aren't a lot of jobs for women outside the home. The job of running a house and caring for kids and such is more than full time here; these women are strong. I am sure it is different in the Capital, San Jose. But the men here in the agricultural area of western San Carlos seem to be the ones holding the cash. I can't quite figure it out; but it seems early 20th century USA ish.
Another thing that is strange is the commonality of adults living with their parents. i have very few friends between 20 and 35 that live independent of their parents. many multi-generational households. kind of nice.
Another cultural difference is 'timing'. Being late is normal; and a 'no-show' is common. They will show up 3 hours late, or even the next day.... no big deal. I really don't mind it anymore. relax.
The only US convenience that i 'miss' is the overwhelming availability of virtually any kind of FOOD that one can imagine. i came here from Philadelphia... no shortage of food options there. Especially ethnic foods. I would kill for a falafel, a bagel, a good Thai curry, or REAL pizza. but i didn't come here to eat. hahahahah!!
I honestly wish i could start over, and try another, larger, more distant country... like Peru, Argentina, or Paraguay (i hear its really wonderful); as Costa Rica is only a 3 hour flight from Miami; and is rather 'western' compared to other central american countries.
But, mother nature is over-the-top here... i hear howler monkeys most mornings as i live on the eastern flank of the Monte Verde rainforest reserve. I can stick a 'stick' in the garden and it will grow, something; and I am already harvesting pineapple that i planted. My property, like most, already had bananas, plantains, avocados, cas, oranges and limons. There was cacao and others... but i had to cut many of the fruit trees because they were old. The birds are insane, and i still get excited about toucans and macaws. i really am quite content.
what i don't miss most is all of the 'stuff' that i thought I needed back in the US... or the things that i had to pay for there... but don't even exist here.
There is virtually no homeowners insurance here. (there are no hurricanes or tornados, and most houses are concrete and steel, so no fire) No life insurance. Most don't have auto insurance; but they should. The healthcare is nationally managed... most pay around $25/month to be covered... I am not a citizen, so i have to pay $200... but still, a lot cheaper than US healthcare rates. There is no phone bill. You buy a an initial plan/carrier and pay a one-time fee. After that, you pay to 'recharge' your minutes... but it's like 2-3 dollars a month for most people. you can do it anywhere... like a grocery store. There is no mail; so no junk, no bills. you go to a store during the first 10 days of the month and pay water, electricity, cable/wifi, and healthcare. That's it. i have a nice house on 1/3 acre... about $75/year in property taxes.
The water is safe to drink and delicious... it comes from the mountains where it rains a lot. I can travel one hour north and swim in a 'hot' river... for free.
