Expats do not have to suffer from homesickness in Costa Rica
For over the last 30 years I have been successfully helping expats move to Costa Rica. About forty percent who move here, return home. There are a variety of reasons—among them the Spanish language, adjusting to the culture, sickness, missing family in their home countries, or in many cases nostalgia.
Costa Rica is really a “user-friendly country” for North Americans, but some people still yearn for an occasional slice of home.
Fortunately, there are a lot of familiar things from the States and Canada that can help you feel at home here.
A huge variety of U.S. food products is found at several supermarket chains like Welch’s grape juice, Yoplait yogurt, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, and a whole lot more.
Online social networks and clubs help connect you with others here and provide a useful support system. There are many expats groups that focus on Costa Rica. Just look online. Here are a few.
- Expatriates in Costa Rica (47,100 members )
- Gringo Expats in Costa Rica (23,700 members)
- Expats Moving and Living in Costa Rica ( 18,500 members)
- Lake Arenal Community (3,400 members)
- Costa Ballena Bulletin Board (5,200 members)
- Expat Artist Community (2,700 members)
The Internet and VOIP telephone availability also help those who live here easily stay in touch with their family, friends, and business associates. I know people who talk to their children and/or grandchildren a couple of times a week.
Private mail services like Aeropost and JetBox provide a physical address in Miami that enables you to receive all of the goodies from home.
U.S. restaurants like the Olive Garden and PF Chang’s many others allow expats to have a U.S.-style- meal if they so desire.
Although not the best option for one’s health, fast food chains abound like Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Taco Bell, Quiznos, KFC, Arby’s, Burger King, Starbucks, McDonald’s, Subway, and more.
With streaming platforms like IPTV, foreigners can watch all of their favorite TV shows like NETFLIX and live sports like the NFL, NBA, baseball, and a lot more.
Regarding the last point …many foreigners want to experience the local cuisine and say they didn’t come here to eat U.S. – style fast food. I can understand their point, but it is good to have many options, some of which may help people adjust to living here successfully.
