A Few Honest Reflections
I arrived in Costa Rica at the ripe old midlife age of 40 (now pushing 66).
Looking back now, after more than two decades here, I thought I’d share a few reflections for those of you considering a similar transition later in life.
Looking for Love? Be Careful.
First… if you’re a middle-aged man coming to Costa Rica looking for love, be careful.
I say that without judgment and from personal experience.
A move abroad can create emotional vulnerability, loneliness, idealization, and impulsive decision-making. I certainly went through some emotional upheavals during the early years of my Costa Rica journey, and those situations can become emotionally, financially, and psychologically stressful very quickly.
Costa Rica Can Reduce Stress… But It Can Also Create New Forms of It
Ironically, while Costa Rica can absolutely offer a slower and less stressful lifestyle than many people are leaving behind, living in a foreign country also introduces a great deal of uncertainty and unpredictability.
Language barriers. Cultural differences. Bureaucracy. Business frustrations. Things not working quite the way you expect them to.
As I mentioned in my recent reel, Murphy’s Law sometimes seems doubly true in Costa Rica.
And if you come from a highly structured, efficiency-oriented culture, adapting to that uncertainty can take time.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that much of the stress wasn’t necessarily Costa Rica itself — it was my own expectation that life was supposed to be predictable and controllable.
Over time, Costa Rica forced me to become more flexible, patient, and adaptable.
Learning Spanish Helps More Than You Think
Speaking of language… learning Spanish helps enormously.
I’m far from perfect, but developing at least a functional grasp of the language reduces stress, increases confidence, and deepens your connection to the country and its people.
Community Matters, Especially in Midlife
Another thing people often underestimate is the importance of community.
Making new friends and building meaningful relationships in midlife takes effort, especially abroad. Some people struggle with isolation more than they expected.
Building both local and expat friendships can make a tremendous difference in your overall quality of life here.
Costa Rica Can Encourage a Healthier Lifestyle
I genuinely believe Costa Rica can encourage a healthier lifestyle.
Most of us spend much more of our lives outdoors here. There’s more walking, more fresh air, more connection with nature.
Food is often fresher, more local, and less processed than what many of us grew accustomed to in the United States.
Looking back honestly, I suspect my overall health today is considerably better than it might have been had I stayed in the U.S. all these years.
Personal Safety and Healthcare
Another issue many people naturally think about when considering a move abroad is personal safety.
Speaking only from my own experience, I have generally felt safe living in Costa Rica over the past 26 years.
That said, it would also be unrealistic to ignore the fact that crime has increased in recent years, something you do see reflected in the news. In my opinion, part of that is related to drug trafficking activity, but part of it is also simply the reality that there are many more foreign residents and tourists living and traveling here today than there were decades ago.
As I’ve often said, “don’t tempt a poor person.”
In other words, common sense still matters. Flashing wealth, leaving valuables unattended, or becoming careless about security can create unnecessary problems anywhere in the world, including Costa Rica.
Personally, while I’ve had a few minor issues over the years, I’ve never experienced anything truly serious.
Healthcare is another important consideration, especially for those of us making this transition in midlife or later.
Fortunately, I’ve not had any major health situations arise during my years in Costa Rica. However, I’ve dealt with a number of smaller issues over time, and overall I’ve had positive experiences utilizing both the private and public healthcare systems here.
One thing I would strongly encourage people to consider is proximity to quality healthcare as they age.
At this stage of life, things do occasionally wear out and break. Living in an extremely remote paradise may sound appealing in theory, but having reasonable access to good medical care can become increasingly important over time.
It Can Take Time to Slow Down
Another thing I’ve noticed is that many people arrive here carrying a great deal of internal stress and urgency from their previous lives.
It can actually take years to psychologically slow down.
Costa Rica has a different rhythm.
Some people adapt to that rhythm beautifully. Others never really do.
Come With Income Solved, If You Can
Now let’s talk about money.
In my opinion, it’s generally better to come to Costa Rica with income already solved.
There’s an old saying: “If you want to become a millionaire in Costa Rica, arrive with two million.”
There’s definitely truth hidden in the humor.
And another important point many people overlook…
If you move to Costa Rica under temporary residency categories, you generally will not be legally authorized to work locally, at least initially. Costa Rican immigration law is designed to protect jobs for Costa Ricans.
That means if your plan depends on immediately generating local income after arrival, you need to think that through very carefully.
If you have retirement income, investments, savings, or stable online income, your transition will likely be much smoother.
If, however, you’re arriving planning to “start a business and figure it out,” just understand that it may take longer and be more difficult than you imagine.
Many people succeed. Many also struggle.
Cost of Living: Costa Rica Is Not as Cheap as Some Imagine
Finally, the cost of living.
Costa Rica is no longer the ultra-cheap destination many people imagine it to be. Costs have risen substantially over the years, particularly imported goods, dining out, vehicles, and anything tied to foreign demand.
One of the best things you can do is adapt to living more locally: shop at farmers markets, buy local brands, cook at home more often, and resist trying to perfectly recreate your previous lifestyle from back home.
Wherever You Go, You Still Bring Yourself With You
And perhaps one final thought…
Moving to Costa Rica can absolutely change your life.
But it won’t magically solve unhappiness, loneliness, dissatisfaction, or lack of purpose.
Wherever you go, you still bring yourself with you.
In many ways, living abroad simply amplifies whatever is already there — both the good and the difficult.
Closing Thoughts
All in all, these are simply reflections from my own midlife transition to Costa Rica.
Not everyone’s experience will be the same.
But if you approach the move with realistic expectations, flexibility, patience, humility, and a willingness to adapt, Costa Rica can still offer an incredibly meaningful chapter of life.
