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BestReserve
  3/4/2023 17:10 EST

How easy was it for you to adjust to the Costa Rican lifestyle?

What is the best way to meet new people and form new friendships living in Costa Rica?

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designguru
  5/14/2023 19:11 EST

Dear BestReserve;
I believe my adjustment to the lifestyle here (4.5 years) owes most to Observation. I live rural, and in a really small (200 pop) village... and I found myself observing the local's going about their everyday lives. Less guessing, but still some experimentation and trial by error. I keep myself busy doing what I need to do (everyday things like keeping house, gardening, walking my dog, shopping, etc.) and that makes me, if they are observing me, seem less of an alien to them. They are friendly and if you are smart, you will know who is real and who isn't. I really didn't 'try' to adjust to the lifestyle here... I started out with a big construction/renovation project and thus, my first months were as a member of the 'crew'. I learned a lot from the guys (all local)... and not just about the job ... but about food, weather, customs, spanish, etc. Walking my dog 4 times a day made me 'visible' to the people; and them to me... so I wasn't that new 'stranger' that they only saw occasionally, but sometimes 2-3 times a day. Immediately, hellos turned to 'how are you today' and then first names and then sharing extra produce and asking them simple questions about plants, trees, birds, etc. I was asked if I could teach some of them english... and now I teach 3 different classes (adults and kids)... which I do free of charge. I don't need the income, and it helps me with my Spanish immensely.
You know, they have jobs, cars, kids, television, computers, smart phones, etc... so it's not like I'm living on a remote island somewhere in the south Pacific. The lifestyle isn't that different... it's the culture that is different. I learn it, and I appreciate (or not) it, and don't step on anybody's toes. Yes... they marry their cousins, Yes... they have babies when they are 14/15. Yes... their adult kids sometimes live at 'home' forever... but Family is a big big big thing here; and when it's not; you can understand why. Much of the country didn't have electricity until the 70's or even 80's... and so they went from no electricity... to Smart Phones and cable TV and wifi in less than 50 years. So there is some naivete. Big differences between the older and the youngers not just due to 'mindset' but to the technology that has defined the younger people's lives. There are people in my village that have no public water service and no electricity because they choose to live 'off' the beaten path. But they still have cars/motos and phones and aren't wearing loin clothes.
As for meeting new people and starting friendships... Learn Spanish. Do everything you can to start your language skills... they will enhance your experience exponentially.
And... just live your life... by so doing, you will collide with Tico's and others who are doing the same. I work in my garden daily... it becomes the 'link' to others who do the same. I will stop to ask somebody about a plant in their yard, and they will come to ask me how I got my bougainvilla (veranera) to 'do' this or that. Walking my dog is a great way to learn faces, then names, etc. And i think that hiring locals to work on my house gave me the best introduction to the village. And because the guys got to know me... they could answer the inquiries that the other villagers had but were afraid to ask. I know them all still and their families. It just evolves organically if you are Nice, and not a pushy gringo, nor do I compare 'here' to 'there' verbally. They KNOW that the US is big, modern, rich, well educated, and powerful. Sometimes they ask me if I think it is really crazy and backwards here... and I say no way... safer here, no snow/ice/tornados, no guns, and peaceful. The respect for nature here is mind boggling.
I live on their terms; and know this... I was so so so so glad that I was here for Covid, and not in the divisive mask-wearing 'wars' up in the USA. My heart broke everytime I saw the death counts, and even today... when I see the mass shootings happening so regularly; I realize that it's not a 'better' place to be from.
I think that Costa Ricans actually 'like' each other.
Hope this helps,
Pura Vida, t

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Taosmountainhouse
  5/14/2023 22:57 EST

Designguru's post is just about perfect.
As much as you want to immerse yourself here, you can.
If you only want expat friends, you can and will find plenty of opportunities to meet other Americans and Canadians.
It is a beautiful country, great people and just choose a place to live that fits your expectations.

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