Moving To Costa Rica. All the way from Italy with US$300!
How many times have you daydreamed of chucking your job, emptying the piggy bank, letting the chips fall where they may and catching the next plane to begin your new life in paradise?
Well, Matteo Caretti’s story is one that will set your imagination to hyper speed. Matteo came here to Samara 10 years ago for a vacation from his homeland of Italy. Stop me if you have heard this story before, but Matteo made the decision to pack it up and move to Samara. He smiles and says, “I love the ocean here and the people; particularly the local people. The surrounding natural environment inspires me every day.”
It took him three years to put the puzzle pieces together and he moved here seven years ago when he was just 25 years old. He continues, “I left the island of Sardinia, Italy with just $300 in my pocket. I was working construction during the day and washing dishes at night.”
He goes on to tell me that he met his girlfriend “seven years ago on a airplane flight from Venezuela. Carolina came to Costa Rica for the university about 12 years ago and she was offered a job at Casa Del Mar hotel here in Samara.”
Carolina is the biggest reason Matteo is here. Not long after they became a couple, Matteo was offered a job as a maintenance person at Casa del Mar. Having steady work here in Samara allowed them to work together to save money.
They had started to fulfill their dream of opening their own surf shop in Samara. Matteo scrambled to obtain a personal loan for $10,000 and when it was approved, the dream was well on its way to becoming reality.
Matteo and Carolina started gathering vendors for the surf shop, scouting locations and spreading the word throughout the surfing community.
Matteo’s very cool surf shop now features his original artwork (which was also used for the shop logo), surf and sport wear, new and used surfboards and all the accessories a surfer could dream of. The shop currently offers Reef, Oakley, Billabong, 69 Slam, and other popular surf apparel companies.
Their products include not only clothing and swim suits but sandals, surfboards, sun glasses, and much more. Matteo also offers his own private surf lessons and, if you are fortunate, he provides some outrageous private surf excursions.
About a year ago, Matteo decided to open a café within the surf shop. He loved the idea that people could come in the shop, hang out, talk surfing and enjoy some time in the shop every day. The café serves delicious fresh baked breads and muffins, ice cream, and Italian espresso drinks.
Matteo started with nothing and built this very successful surf shop and café. He now hears the call to start yet another venture and pass along this outstanding opportunity to the next dreamer.
So if you are sitting in your car stopped in rush hour traffic and feeling a bit of road rage, think about what your life could be like owning a successful surf shop here in Samara.
Oh yeah, the happy ending. Matteo and Carolina plan to stay in Samara to pursue yet another adventure. Come take a look. My money says you will quickly be out sitting in the line-up with Matteo negotiating your purchase of the surf shop.
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Moving To Costa Rica. All the way from Italy with US$300!
Article/Property ID Number 3312
Andrew Makarik
to@welovecostarica.comAndrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.
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