One of the most exciting things about moving to Costa Rica is that many things in the US that I considered critical or essential are not necessary here at all.  For instance, the kind of car you drive in the States is a big deal with many folks, but it doesn’t matter to me here in Costa Rica.  Here, I don’t even own a car, and I ride buses, taxis, and Uber.  In the US, I wouldn’t even have considered riding a bus. In the States, you get caught up in what other people have, and I have to admit, I was sometimes guilty of that myself.  You recognize all of the shiny new objects people have and display them like a status symbol.  Not the case here. We live an effortless, chilled lifestyle without the stress of trying to keep up with the Joneses. Who cares what the Joneses have?  Please forgive me; if your last name is Jones, no disrespect intended.  What exactly does keeping up with the Joneses mean?  In American English, It means “to strive to get all the material things one’s neighbor or associate have.”

I don’t even dress the same as when I lived in the States.  I’ve paired down my wardrobe considerably.  Since I’ve been here, I’ve never needed to wear a suit or tie or, as a matter of fact, dress shoes or dress slacks. Every day, I wear blue jeans, a t-shirt, a baseball cap, walking shorts, flip-flops, or a pair of casual shoes without socks.  I don’t wear socks anymore and haven’t since moving here. The weather is tropical, so no need to wear socks. Costa Rica is a very casual, laid-back country where you can blend in and chill without any pretenses. In the States, there seems always to be a competition among some friends, but here it’s not like that because everybody is pretty much on the same page, just chillin in the Pura Vida lifestyle.  Here, we like to say “Tranquillo.” The quality of life is much better than I ever expected, and the cost of living is lower, especially when you live like the locals.

I can attest that the Costa Rican people are much friendlier people than folks in the States.  People in the US barely speak to you as you pass them on the street, which is one of my biggest pet peeves.  Don’t get me wrong, no country is perfect, but in the States, you have so much Government intrusion into your everyday life that it’s just crazy, especially in the Republic of California, where I lived.  I’m glad to be away from high crime, over-taxing, mass shootings every month, and I don’t see it getting any better; however, I wish it would improve, but I’m not optimistic.

I don’t want this post to sound like I’m bashing the US, I still love the US, but I’m just trying to be as honest and as truthful with my own opinions as I possibly can.  No need to try and keep up with the Joneses here.