Richard is the owner/broker of Coldwell Banker Tamarindo, and the founder of the vacation rental company www.viptamarindo.com. Please get in touch if we can help.
Summary
A proportion of the expats who set up a new life and buy real estate in Costa Rica leave after a few years. Why is that? Here are a few reasons why.
The ‘Never contenters’
You can often spot these ones early on. Either they are lamenting the good old days before all the gringos spoiled it for everyone, or alternatively they are sure that their lives will be infinitely happier once that road is repaved, or when the whatever is fixed, or the new cinema is finished. Or if they could just get those waitresses to walk a bit faster. ‘The Tamarindo shuffle’ My personal outlook is that I am content with what we have. In the mid 1990s I liked it, and now I like it too.
The plan was only ever a 3 or 5 year, or just a vacation home
I would say this is the biggest category. A lot of expats are not taking a forever decision and their return home is part of the plan. Nothing wrong with this at all, actually it makes the moving to Costa Rica decision easier if you can think that it is just for a certain period while you decide. Many choose to stay longer.
Didn’t do the research, didn’t take the time
In my video about ‘8 things I wish i knew before I bought’ (link below) I stress the need to take your time, do your research, and spend some time in Costa Rica before you buy. It may be cultural differences with the latin people, cost of living.
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Change in circumstances at home
This is a big category too, either because of an elderly relative, or the children’s schooling, or a health issue
Victim of crime, relationship break up
A sudden unexpected event such as being a victim of crime, or having a relationship breakup sometimes causes people to pack up and go home. Crime does happen but fortunately it is rare, (though this depends where in the country you live) and violent crime even more rare
Boredom, lack of stimulation
Busy people who move to Costa Rica suddenly find a lot of time on their hands. This is good because a visit to the bank can take a couple of hours sometimes. But seriously it is important to find like minded people, join groups, take up sports
Not happy here, not happy there.
There is definitely a subsection of residents that is not happy deep down inside, so wherever they are geographically they will never be content. They move looking for something missing, but what is missing is within.
