In short, yes, I did have issues with adapting to Costa Rica. Everyone moving to a new country will. Period. This was merely commentary to friends and family back home to help them understand.

LEARN THE LANGUAGE PEOPLE!

There are some people — myself, included, when I first wrote this post — that look(ed) at Costa Rica VERY negatively. The problem, mostly, is North Americans who have moved there and expect Costa Rica to be like where they came from. This is the same issue that crops up with most places that aren’t like their home. It takes some getting used to, and some people never truly make the transition. Others do, and then can never go back because they can’t handle the uptight superiority complex common with most North Americans. Live abroad — you’ll either love it, or appreciate home that much more.

As for San Jose, there’s lots of places around San Jose that are safe. Yes, the police are “crooked” by North American standards, but that’s largely due to the centuries-old Spanish patronage system (the government can appear similarly crooked for the same reason). There are definitely ways to combat that, as well. As a general rule, anytime you think you’re being extorted by a cop (which I was at one point), get your Tico friend (if you have one with you) to get you out of it, or ask to go to the police station to resolve the problem. Cops only try that on their own — they don’t like sharing. Oh, and don’t make u-turns. Trust me on that.

Frankly, I’d say “go” anyway. If for no other reason than the experience. It’s totally worth it. And if you don’t like it — as some do — there’s always the option of going back.

I was going to move to CR but have decided not to move to SJ after reading all of these posts. I’m having serious concerns about moving there, in general. I would not be pleased if my funds were taken or stolen or if I was subject of illegal police activity. If I do move to the area, I’ll be sure to keep my funds at a Canadian bank.

Have to agree with most things. I spend a lot of time in cars. I’ve been here and found that you quickly adjust to the way traffic works here. Sorta like living in New York (traffic during rush hour).
What I miss the most is the meat. I totally agree. However, during this semana santa ironically, my roommates found a spot in san jose that reminded me of eating steak back home. Man do i miss a thick T-Bone steak. This place came pretty close. When I have to time I will post it up again.
I get more bothered with the fact that huge American chains don’t really help the locals here. There is no nutritional value with eating a fast food restaurants and just to look chique and say you are wearing American branded clothing people will go out to buy which leads to the next comment.
If you know how to look you can find very good clothes for cheap. You just have to venture outside the norm. Some clothes store seem ugly but picking out a pair of pants or t-shirts that you liked in a cheap store over time accumulates to having a pretty cool wardrobe.
Cops are corrupt just know that there is a way to make them know you know how the system works and they will get off your case. Hopefully the monopolies will soon be out of business as competition moves in with globalization and free trade commerce treaty during the Arias administration.
Everything does take too long but if you live the Tico lifestyle you lose the anxiety you get in a large city like in Canada or United States. I came from Boston where everything moves quick only because people always have something going on. I see it as the difference between living to work and work to live. I definitely find life here more relaxing thus anything that takes too long… i just relax during the process. Its a state of mind.
There are no street signs but you learn to get around without them. Buses are pretty easy. If it heading towards your neighborhood than the other way is heading towards San Jose. Easy as that. It is pretty efficient. I like the bus system here very much. I actually recommend it. I don’t know why you have people tell you otherwise. My recommendation for your bus stop however which would be near the coca cola in San Jose is just watch your back at night. The area is shady but there is always people around there. You should feel safe in numbers. Cops are everywhere. Aside from transit cops being corrupt (Not all) the fuerza publica I feel does their job pretty well. The OIJ is pretty effective. Unfortunately, delinquency prevails due to the lack of stronger laws that punish the perpetrators. My impression from the news is a lot of criminals get caught and arrested. It’s the judicial process that lets them off the hook for another day of mischief.
I have lived in Costa Rica for two years, half of that time in a not so friendly neighborhood but have never been robbed or felt unsafe to a point where living there was unbearable. All have been in Tico neighborhoods. I have a longer lists of “likes” than “dislikes”. Enjoy the simple things in life and once that is your focus everything else becomes pleasant. Originally I was also disappointed with life here so I relate to every single thing you mention above and more. It certainly isn’t the case anymore.
I would like to see a future post on how life has improved for you here. I miss home a lot and become very nostalgic but I can definitely see myself living here for the rest of my life and visiting every now and then Boston. Or maybe living there and here.
Expectations should not be to find a place better than home nor to eventually decide you don’t want to leave but definitely to find a practical way to enjoy life here.

everything on your list can be ameliorated( could have been), even the beef. Did you try the imported beef from PriceMart? Perfectly adequate usda choice, quite delicious when aged properly. The rest of your list was covered by your other contributors

I must say that you may have missed out on the best things about this country and the possibility for a privileged and delightful lifestyle unique to a place like Costa Rica.

Yes, I’ve since moved back to Canada. If you had read my other entries and comments, you’d also know that while I still stand by my original post, I’ve also come to terms with the realities of living in another country. For me to rant about “things I hate” is an extremely ignorant approach to trying to understand life in a new country. I have similar rants about Canada, for the record, and for every amount of what I considered “bizarre bureaucracy” in Costa Rica, there’s just as much “inane and self-serving politicians” up here.

Thanks for your comment!

Thanks