Love Costa Rica... we've done 2 long (8 week) trips to Costa Rica and Western Panama (highlands around Volcan and Boquete are gorgeous). The expats who stay there and stay sane are laid back ex Peace Corps types who own small fincas and run them as ecotourist lodges-- trails for birding, enjoying the rainforest, etc.
We met our share of wound-up Americans, Germans, etc. who were wacko. One guy from New York built a little cabin near a town on the Pacific Coast-- once you get up slightly away from the coast, as his place was, there is a torrential rainy season. He leaves for the rainy season and the first year, wrapped all of his stuff up in plastic, but when he returned everything was moldy and decaying. He spent his days hanging out at a little backpackers hotel near Uvita, where we stayed, dying for the company and English conversation. He ate most of his meals there and drank a fair amount. His wife refused to come along and was still in New York (with her sanity intact).
I love Costa Rica, and we love birding and visiting the different ecosystems there- cloudforest, lowland rainforest, etc. We will probably spend a few winters there, staying a couple months or so at a time at different backpackers hotels for a reasonable monthly rate. Buying property there requires a lot of money or a lot of local knowledge and Spanish speaking ability. For example, if you aren't occupying your place at all times, squatters' rights apply. you need to have local friends to watch your place at all times.
