Living in Costa Rica for 3 years

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Living in Costa Rica for 3 years - Honest Reflections

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the Joyful Johnsons

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 28

@KittyKorner-om3ie Ай бұрын

I’m originally from Costa Rica, born there but moved here to the United States when I was 5 years old. I listen to you guys and I’m totally jealous because I wish I lived there too. Who knows maybe for retirement I will but right now its hard and I get a lot of help from the government here which over there no help at all. All of my relatives live over there and they have told me how costly everything has become and crime rate has risen so it makes me second think about living there. I live in Florida which is very similar to Costa Rica because of the weather and beaches but nowhere near as beautiful as my country. It looks like you guys have picked a very peaceful place to live which is amazing to raise a family. I’m very happy to see how other people enjoy living in my beautiful country. God bless you guys and keep enjoying Costa Rica!!😊

@carahenry-zy9uu 2 ай бұрын

I would be interested in watching a video about your perceptions on your physical and mental health changes since moving g to Costa Rica. Watching your first videos compared to your more recent videos is night and day. You both look healthier and way more relaxed.

@deifosplayground8873 2 ай бұрын

This is a nice video, thank you for sharing, I just came from Costa Rica after 10 amazing days there with the family, we stayed in San Vito, small quiet town. really considering moving there from Canada.

@carahenry-zy9uu 2 ай бұрын

@thejoyfuljohnsons 2 ай бұрын

That's a great idea! Justin and I were just discussing this the other day, about our physical and mental health changes in the last 3.5 years since moving here from the United States 🙂

@carafoster-rk2go 4 ай бұрын

Love your family and your videos. Thank you for your honest reviews! I am hoping to visit this year for the first time in over 20 years and hope that my memories are accurate and I still love it as much as I did then. Could you do a video and show us your garden?

@thejoyfuljohnsons 2 ай бұрын

I would love to show everyone our garden, I'll make sure to create a video on that soon!

@daniellesmason1668 3 ай бұрын

Will you talk more about your community or even a video of your community? Also what made you decide to live where you live in Costa Rica? Were there any runner ups?

@zombiefireman 4 ай бұрын

Loved Playa Junquillal. Loved the locals. Loved the rustic tranquility. Loved the howler monkeys. Even loved the dogs that sleep in the middle of the street and make you drive around them! The ONLY problem I had was a dishonest jerk of a property manager (not a tico) who made our lives (and, sadly, the lives of the Johnsons' as well) a living hell. I would have loved nothing more than helping out with the turtle sanctuary and teaching chess to kids at the local school while saying hello to the iguana who hung-out on the wall outside my condo.

@thejoyfuljohnsons 4 ай бұрын

Well hello there! I'm so delighted to hear from you. How is all of your family doing? 🙏 I am so sorry that awful neighbor ruined what you and your family were doing with your condo. Sadly he is still here, but we don't have to see him or interact with him anymore (so thankful). You would be glad to know our 3 boys love chess! They are actually joining their first ever kids chess tournament this weekend. I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

@zombiefireman 4 ай бұрын

@@thejoyfuljohnsons Yeah, I wouldn't wish that dude on anyone! What a snake! Although his staff are all amazing. Especially Miguel! If you see him please tell him hello for us! We're all doing well. Happy to see you guys are thriving in Costa Rica! It's interesting how some thrive and others do not, for whatever reasons. Chess is such a great game for kids (and adults!) so it's really too bad I didn't get a chance to offer something to the locals (and your kids!).

@YourBeautifulBirth Ай бұрын

Are you close to, or do u ever come to samara?

@katiabechara4718 2 ай бұрын

Hi! What’s the school name?

@thejoyfuljohnsons Ай бұрын

Harmony Education, in Junquillal! You can find us on Facebook @Harmony Education 😀

@marisolvasquez2683 4 ай бұрын

First and foremost, congratulations on your three year anniversary. So glad your family is happy and thriving. I know you both mentioned that you work and are very happy with your jobs. How are you both able to work? Are you both resident? Also, we are planning to build within the next year or so in Guanacaste And are looking for a builder. You also mentioned that you had a bad experience with the builder and that’s what we are trying to avoid. We have heard some horror stories. Do you have any recommendations?

@thejoyfuljohnsons 4 ай бұрын

Hi there! There are reputable builders in various locations, I am sure that not all of them are crooks. My best advice is to never, ever, ever pay 100% up front. Try to find someone local or onsite to watch the build process for you and send progress updates. I wish you all the best! Regarding work, we are not residents - but work here legally as contracted educators (cultural work). I am legally registered and pay taxes. Most people cannot work here legally unless they are residents (for example, you cannot just walk into a restaurant or grocery store and apply for a job). Educators are one general exception, particularly ones who speak English and work in private schools. Many people here who want to earn an income but are not residents tend up OPEN a business and manage it, but hire Ticos and not do the work themselves (which is legal).

@marisolvasquez2683 4 ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏

@clothevirgo 4 ай бұрын

I want to move to Costa Rica within the next year. I only visited Manuel Antonio and San Jose but are there any places you recommend for expats or tips for people at the beginning of this journey?

@thejoyfuljohnsons 4 ай бұрын

HI there! My best advice is to visit many areas of Costa Rica. There are so many different climates and feels, depending on what you are looking for as far as population/weather/food/markets/vibe/schooling 😄

@MonicaInTheMystic 4 ай бұрын

My dream is to live and retire abroad. How is the cost of living there? Land availability? My goal is to purchase land, build a tiny home and grow my own food. Is that attainable in a place like Costa Rica? Also, what made you decide Costa Rica outside of other places to live? Just curious.

@thejoyfuljohnsons 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for your comment! 😃 Land is available to purchase regardless of residency, so foreigners are welcome to purchase and own land here. Many people do this process of building a tiny home and growing their own food. Cost of living varies depending on the area you are living in. Where we live in Guanacaste, is more expensive than other areas in Costa Rica, but we love our pueblo and close proximity to the beach ✌ We decided on Costa Rica because my father discovered this town many years ago. He bought land here, which we came to manage and help him with, and loved it so much we decided to stay.

@justyrenson 2 ай бұрын

I thought you couldn’t get a brick and mortar job in CR as a foreigner unless the role can’t be performed by a resident or citizen. Were you able to circumvent this or were your roles the kind locals couldn’t do?

@thejoyfuljohnsons 2 ай бұрын

This is absolutely true, you cannot take a job that could be done by a Costa Rican. The work that we do is educational/cultural and is absolutely legal. We are registered with Ministerio Hacienda and pay the taxes 😃 In most cases you cannot physically work in Costa Rica unless you are a resident, but there are exceptions (in this case, educational).

@amyrose2267 4 ай бұрын

Are hurricanes a concern for you there?

@thejoyfuljohnsons 4 ай бұрын

No 😄

@amyrose2267 4 ай бұрын

@@thejoyfuljohnsons oh thank goodness! I was concerned about that for you! I am still working on trying to convince my husband we can leave the country for a visit. 😁