What is your name?ancel
Please enter the name of your Blog
Pacha Mona
What is your current age or age range?
39
What country are you native to?
I was born and raised in Scotland. My grandparents always told me to get the hell out of Scotland and so when I was 18 I went to England and then to the States and from there to here.
What area of Costa Rica Expat do you current live (Providence, City, general area etc.)
I live in the wonderful and beautiful Talamanca area.
How long have you lived in Costa Rica Expat?
I've been here 2 years, first in the mountains, then in the dry forest and now in the heat and humidity.
When you moved to Costa Rica Expat, did you bring your family? What do they think?
I brought 3 suitcases and a hopeful attitude.
Did you leave your family behind? How do you handle the separation?
I left a lot of animals behind, they got over the separation fairly quickly.
What made you decide to relocate to a different country?
The Homeland Security of the US decided not to give me a green card and i wanted to go somewhere warm.
Why did you choose Costa Rica Expat, or what factors helped you to decide to choose Costa Rica Expat?
It was warm and it was a developing country.
What other countries did you consider? Why didn't you choose those?
I thought about Egypt and Thailand. Decided against Thailand because it would meaning learning a new alphabet, and my family nixed Egypt because they still believe what the media tells them.
Was it difficult to get the documents you needed to live and/or work there? (residency and/or working permit)
no.
What was the most difficult part of the transition?
Packing.
What was the biggest mistake you made in the transition to living in Costa Rica Expat?
So far it's all been good.
What was the easiest part of making the transition?
getting on the plane
Do you plan on returning to your home country? Why or why not?
nope, too cold, too grey, too many people
Do you miss your family, friends or old home and habits?
I miss driving and I miss going to the cinema and I miss lattes with flavoured syrups. And i miss friends.
What do you miss the most about your home country?
Family, the smell of the air.
Are there the same recreational activities in Costa Rica Expat?
Well outdoors, yes. Try seeing a good movie though.
How easy has it been to make new friends in Costa Rica Expat?
Easy, there are many interesting characters.
Do you have many friends from your home country in Costa Rica Expat?
None. I have friends from the US.
What are your favorite activities that are available?
Nature watching, sitting.
What are the top ten things you miss about the place you left behind?
Driving. Money. Cinema. Same language conversations. Ease and availability of 'things'. Friends, friends, friends. Sushi.
What are the top ten things you DON'T miss about the place you left behind?
ha, ha, ha. politics consumerism traffic endless media taxes cold weather stress
Do you speak the language of Costa Rica Expat?
poca a poca
Do you think it is crucial to know the language in Costa Rica Expat, or can you get by with a handheld translation dictionary for a while?
you can get by, but it's rude
Was medical insurance difficult to get before you went or after you first arrived?
don't have insurance
Did you move to your new location after retirement, or are you currently working or looking for work?
working
How do you earn your living in Costa Rica Expat?
teacher
Do you generally earn your income the same way, or in the same profession, as in your home country?
same profession
How did you go about finding a job in Costa Rica Expat? Was it easy or hard to locate work and get a job?
internet
What types of sources did you use to find a job there? (agency, newspaper, website?)
internet
Are there local customs that would make it difficult for foreigners to fit in?
not if you are intelligent and able to observe - when in Rome . . .
What are the top ten things you like about Costa Rica Expat?
nature air no overhead planes freedom
What are the top ten things you DON'T like or find strange about Costa Rica Expat?
i get sick of dirt roads
Do you have plans to move again or travel in the future or what are your future business plans?
maybe
Did you buy a new home or did you decide to rent?
rent
What is the average cost for housing in your area?
$450 a month
Was it difficult to find housing in your new country?
yes
Is the cost of living comparable to what you experienced before? Explain the difference.
no, I was in California before
List some things that are more expensive in Costa Rica Expat
Everything that is imported.
List some things that are less expensive in Costa Rica Expat
Local produce. Of course most things are cheaper, but I am paid Costa Rican wages.
How do you feel about the local people? Are they friendly?
Very friendly.
What is the best thing about people in Costa Rica Expat?
Their openness to change.
Do you have any suggestions for people who are thinking about moving to Costa Rica Expat?
Live here for 4 months before you buy.
What are the good or bad things about living in Costa Rica Expat?
The natural world is incredible but the more expats who arrive, the less there is.
Do you think you will stay in Costa Rica Expat, or it is not suitable for the long run?
I could live here forever.
Do you have any blogs or websites that you find enjoyable about Costa Rica Expat for people living there?
http://ancel-puravida.blogspot.com
What else would you like to say?
Being an expat is an interesting experience, suddenly everything is different, you become an outsider, free of old habits and constraints and it can make one quite giddy. Be open to learning.
Please the url of your Blog
Pacha Mona
