About lhammond14

Currently Lives:

Citizen of:

Some Forum Posts:

Costa Rica: Learn Spanish:

When we first arrived, our real estate guy showed us a school. If I remember right it was kind of pricey. There are private tutors that usually charge about $10 per lesson. If you take one or two lessons, and you can as a couple, it comes out cheaper than a school. Also can take together as a couple for same price. And they will come to your home. What I strongly suggest though is bring a good verb book and dictionary with you. One for your house with good sizes print for studying. Difficult to find even in San Jose, and not available in Grecia. I got at Barnes and Noble, 'Barron's 501 Spanish Verbs'. Also has some little tests and other info. In nice size print.

Costa Rica: Need a gun to protect yourself?:

Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!

Costa Rica: Humidity????:

Lived in Oklahoma for almost 20 years. Cannot compare the wonderful temperature to Oklahoma. Midday it feels rather warm if out walking in the sun. But we try to get in by then. Grecia is heaven compared to the heat of Oklahoma that takes your breath away and makes a/c necessary. Come on down and enjoy.

Costa Rica: Walking trails - Atenas, Grecia:

My husband and I live in Grecia and looking for a hiking trail is the furthest thing from our minds. We have no car by choice, and 'hike' to Centro every day 30 min each way every day at least once. Walking is a part of your life every day and you don't have to seek a special trail. Up and down the hills is more than enough. When we're not watching our step to make sure we don't fall in a hole or crack in the sidewalk, we look up at the scenery.

Costa Rica: looking to meet with expats:

If you come to Grecia, be glad to meet for coffee. Best place in CR that is not on the coast. Send personal message if interested and will send you our email address and phone #.

Costa Rica: Window Blinds:

Does anyone know if it is possible to buy mini-blinds, vertical blinds, or bamboo window shades in CR, and if so where. Can you order them on-line and have them sent to Correo if ordered from CR, and is there big shipping charge. Have not seen in Grecia where we live.

Costa Rica: Info? Elderly parent, permanent resident, needs me long-term:

In your message, you say 'parent' and then use the word 'their'. Is that one parent or both? I'm going to throw out another option. And it is one that I personally would not want in the US. We live in Grecia, and there is a wonderful convalescent home "Hogar de Ancianos". In the U.S., my husband and I visited convalescent homes in Florida and Ohio and Oklahoma on a regular basis, and I can tell you that I would not want to be in any of them. In south Florida, we rotated with about 7 homes every Sunday for 3 years. We went there to play music. Even the expensive ones, I viewed things going on that would not make me want to be there. The economical ones were downright scary. Well we do the same at the home for the past year and a half in Grecia. We have observed firsthand that they are really sweet and caring to the residents. Also, they are not fed the processed, horrible food that they do in the U.S. They pass out huge chunks of fresh fruit for snacks. The residents that can walk, are not drugged up and confined to a chair like in the U.S. Let's just say that alzheimers runs in my family ancestors etc. and I would not want to be in a home in the U.S.. But the one in Grecia, I would go in if necessary without hesitation. It has beautiful mountain views. I have heard that you can live there on your social security. I have Canadian neighbors that talked with them personally. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Costa Rica: TV Channels:

In the US, my husband and I never had cable. We got enough stations without it. In Florida, we schusted an antenna up our fireplace and got even more channels. Since we have been in CR, we have had free cable where we live, but are moving soon to where we will have to pay. My question is, can we get some channels without cable here?

Costa Rica: Cooking Groceries Food:

Although everyone gripes about prices going up, and even the fruits and veggies have some, in my opinion your grocery bill will be lower and the selection is awesome. We last lived in south Florida, and the prices there are way higher than here. For example, a pineapple (from CR) $5, but here under $2. You can bring spices in closed containers (not the fresh ones), but can also buy here at grocery store. Our grocery bill goes up because of pricey cheese or occasional ice cream, or the $3 iced coffee drink that we share at the café. But we buy few imported items. Well...I do get dark chocolate when I can find it. But if necessary, I could easily stick to my brown rice, avocados, make my own hummus, eggs, chicken and we do use eat ground beef sautéed with onions and garlic. It is much healthier than the greasy beef in the US that I didn't like or eat. I don't get into cooking roasts etc that have to go for hours in crock pot. I don't like that much meat. Haven't looked for quinoa. But our grocery bill is MUCH less than in Florida. I used to keep track of every penny but stopped. Don't know about lamb. I don't eat it or like it.

Costa Rica: expat areas:

My husband and I live in and love Grecia. Be glad to meet you for coffee and show you where the gringos meet most often. But like other person said, you need to blog again a couple of weeks before your arrival date and will set up time to meet and give you our email address and cell number.

Date Joined:

7/7/2014

Total Posts:

206

Posts/Day:

0.20