Well, your trusty Recommended Realtor from Manuel Antonio just returned from a relaxing week in the USA and the time there spurned a lot of reflection and thoughts.

Many of which I can’t share here in a public forum for fear of incriminating myself, but in general one prevailing impression keeps coming up in my head…. dramatic pause.. can you feel the suspense…

Here it is.. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable parts of living here on the Pacific Coast in Costa Rica is the overall lack of consumerism which is a part of our daily life!

I would love to say that this is due to my personal insight or credo as a person, but the reality is that it is more a result of the overall lack of consumerism and offerings here other than those which are part of your daily needs.

After 16 years of living here in Costa Rica, I have seen the nation develop and the impact of the availability of goods, bigger malls, online shopping, etc. and I am FAR from suggesting that I want or would enjoy a life which consists of falling coconuts, sand and nothing more, but there is a very real and undeniable freshness of living in a place which is void of the Walmart super store, Target, malls, movie theatres and high fashion, etc.

Even someone who prides themselves on living simply, not over-consuming, etc. is drawn to the superstores and offers in the USA and while in my early days here I was cynical about Americans who seemed married to these conveniences, as I age, not so gracefully I might add, I have come to realize that it is nearly impossible to be surrounded by the ads, offers, sales, 0% financing and not want and try to take part in it all.

My “epiphany” of sorts came as I drove down from a week in Aspen, fortunate to be skiing on what was left of the snow with a few hours to kill on the way to our redeye flight.

As we approached the town of Golden, we were faced with the Target Superstore signs on one exit and Red Rocks Park on the other. My Costa Rican wife and mother in law were thinking about a quick trip to pick up all the little things we wanted, NOT NEEDED, which were sold at discount there from nail polish to sunblock to decor for the house..

Just before we made the turn, I made and executive decision to take them to see the magic at Red Rocks. It was just that.. magical.. watching the sunset in a natural theatre unlike any other and I realized that in many ways that decision was a reflection of my life and that of anyone who chooses to invest, live and vacation here in Costa Rica.

Sure the comforts, goods and offerings at the stores would have been nice, also would have likely been $1,000 bucks, most of which would have ended up stored in a medicine cabinet somewhere never to be seen again, or a few hours building some memories to last a lifetime, in a natural setting unrivaled, at no cost…

As the summer approaches, perhaps your retirement inches near, and tax season comes to a painful end.. Think about investing some money in a place which will encourage you to build memories, legacy and experiences.

Sure, you have to make that initial purchase to make it a reality, but if having a place here in paradise keeps you out of Target or the more expensive malls and shops for a few weeks or months per year, you’ll likely pay for it in savings and have memories that will last beyond our meager years here to show for it.

Just my two cents… and while many of my friends in the states head to a trendy bar, strip mall, or fancy restaurant to end their work week, my wife, two little girls and I will be sitting on a hilltop, under a palm tree, eating a fresh watermelon (which we just bought, 6 whole melons for $4) and watching another magical sunset here for free!

See you soon.. hopefully!

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If you have ever dreamed of living in the Manuel Antonio area and would like to know more about real estate for sale please contact our Recommended Costa Rica Realtors Daveed Hollander, John Wieland and James Drews by using the simple form below: