At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Costa Rica and some of the bloggers who write about living there.
Costa Rica Bargain Hunter
http://www.costaricabargainhunter.com/
After retiring from the US Air Force, Dolores moved to Costa Rica and now blogs about her life there. As the title suggests, the site features articles about how to live on a budget – the average Costa Rican income is below $10,000 US per year, and although you might not be looking to decrease your spending that much, it’s certainly prudent to cut costs where you can.Featuring in-depth guides to various locations around Costa Rica, as well as tips on dressing like a local, where to learn to dance and almost anything else you could require, Costa Rica Bargain Hunter is a must-read for anyone who’s planning a move in the near future; especially if you’re on a budget.
My Tan Feet
http://mytanfeet.com/
My Tan Feet is a blog by a young couple, Samantha and Yeison, who met whilst volunteering in Central America and now live in Costa Rica. If you’re not yet sure which part of Costa Rica you’d like to move to, or you want to know more about what you can do in your area, you’ll find extensive articles on various destinations throughout the site. Samantha and Yeison travel frequently too, so there are also tips for people who are looking to visit other countries. And take a look at the guides to surviving the Costa Rican rainy season, especially if you haven’t yet experienced it!
De La Pura Vida
http://www.delapuravida.com/
Erin is a freelance graphic designer who quit her full-time job and moved to Costa Rica, expecting to only stay for a year. Four years on, she’s still living there and blogging about her adventures. The site is split into several sections, each of which is worth a read. If you’re into cuisine, the ‘Costa Rica Food’ section under the ‘Topics’ menu will give you ideas about local restaurants and recipes. The ‘Tips, Tricks and FAQs’ section provides an insight into the most commonly asked questions about moving to Costa Rica, and talks you through the transition to a new country.
Day Well Lived
http://www.daywelllived.com/
A personal blog that nonetheless contains lots of helpful hints for the new (and experienced) expat, Day Well Lived covers everything from personal motivation to tips about expat health insurance. The ‘Adventures’ category is a must-read for anyone who wants to explore the local area and take in as much culture as possible; the ‘Life Lessons’ category is more introspective, allowing a glimpse into Jackie’s own reflections on her life as an expat in Costa Rica. Well worth a read for anyone who wants to quit the day job and move somewhere sunny.
Happier Than A Billionaire
http://www.happierthanabillionaire.com/
Featuring video interviews, short expat guides, information about how to build a house in Costa Rica and much more, Happier Than A Billionaire encourages readers to break free from their day-to-day routine and spend some time living in, or travelling through, Costa Rica. As well as the blog articles themselves, which feature beautiful illlustrations and in-depth discussions of the most important considerations necessary to make the move, Nadine also posts podcasts and writes books, which are available through the site.
Those are our recommended expat blogs for today. Do you write about being an expat? Let us know in the comments!