Expat Diaries - Costa Rica Edition

In this episode, we meet Cindy Crawford, a former Texas realtor whose journey to Costa Rica began in 2017 with her son’s wedding. Captivated by the beauty and charm of the country, Cindy and her husband made the leap to relocate after the Covid-19 pandemic pushed them to seek a fresh start.

From exploring the picturesque areas of Manuel Antonio and Ojochal to finding their dream home in Uvita, Cindy shares the ups and downs of their relocation journey. Determined to integrate into the local community, Cindy and her husband are now active participants in Uvita’s vibrant social scene, enjoying weekly Kanasta games and engaging in local groups.

Key Highlights:

Cindy’s first visit to Costa Rica for her son’s wedding in 2017 🌴
How Covid inspired a major life change and move abroad 🌍
House hunting adventures from Manuel Antonio to Uvita 🏡
The joy of building community through games, groups, and friendships ❤️
Tips for finding your place and thriving as an expat in Costa Rica
Whether you’re dreaming of moving abroad or looking for inspiration to embrace community wherever you are, Cindy’s story is packed with insights and positivity.

#CostaRica #ExpatLife #UvitaLiving #PuraVida #MovingAbroad #RealEstateJourney #CommunityLife #LivingInParadise #PodcastEpisode #FamilyJourney"

Part 2 of this powerful and emotional episode, Jules McLachlan shares her dramatic journey of escaping Canada with her three daughters in search of safety, freedom, and a fresh start in Costa Rica. Jules opens up about the challenges she faced, including dealing with relentless exes, navigating legal battles, securing restraining orders, and even hiring security to protect her family.

Despite these obstacles, Jules found resilience, strength, and hope in Costa Rica, carving out a new life for herself and her girls. This is not just a story of escape—it’s one of survival, courage, and triumph over adversity.

Key Highlights:

Leaving Canada to protect her family and start fresh in Costa Rica 🌎
Legal battles, restraining orders, and ensuring her daughters' safety 💪
How Costa Rica became a sanctuary for healing and new beginnings 🌴
Finding strength in the face of relentless challenges ❤️
Building a life of peace and empowerment in paradise 🌟
Whether you’re drawn to stories of resilience, considering a move to Costa Rica, or simply seeking inspiration, Jules’ journey will leave you moved and motivated.

In this powerful and emotional episode, Jules McLachlan shares her dramatic journey of escaping Canada with her three daughters in search of safety, freedom, and a fresh start in Costa Rica. Jules opens up about the challenges she faced, including dealing with relentless exes, navigating legal battles, securing restraining orders, and even hiring security to protect her family.

Despite these obstacles, Jules found resilience, strength, and hope in Costa Rica, carving out a new life for herself and her girls. This is not just a story of escape—it’s one of survival, courage, and triumph over adversity.

Key Highlights:

Leaving Canada to protect her family and start fresh in Costa Rica 🌎
Legal battles, restraining orders, and ensuring her daughters' safety 💪
How Costa Rica became a sanctuary for healing and new beginnings 🌴
Finding strength in the face of relentless challenges ❤️
Building a life of peace and empowerment in paradise 🌟
Whether you’re drawn to stories of resilience, considering a move to Costa Rica, or simply seeking inspiration, Jules’ journey will leave you moved and motivated.

Part 2. We pick up from where we left off with Luba, whose journey in Costa Rica began in 2015 during a 10-month teacher training trip. Years later, on a celibacy quest, she met Jonah—her future husband—and together they’ve built a beautiful life filled with love, challenges, and adventure.

Luba shares her experiences of birthing children in Costa Rica, including the cultural differences and joys of raising a family abroad. After a brief 18-month hiatus outside the country, Luba and Jonah found themselves drawn back to Costa Rica to welcome another child and rediscover their love for its unique lifestyle. Now settled in Tinamastes, they’ve embraced home exchange and property management, creating a fulfilling and adventurous life for their family.

Key Highlights:
How a teacher training trip in 2015 led to a lifelong connection with Costa Rica 🌴
Meeting Jonah while on a celibacy quest ❤️
The joys and challenges of giving birth and raising kids in Costa Rica 🌟
Discovering home exchange and property management as a lifestyle 🏡
Settling in Tinamastes and building a thriving expat life
Whether you’re curious about family life in Costa Rica, home exchange opportunities, or what it takes to build a meaningful life abroad, Luba’s story is packed with inspiration and actionable insights.

Tune in to hear Luba’s extraordinary journey and discover how love, resilience, and Costa Rica have shaped her family’s life. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay updated on all our latest episodes!

In this heartwarming episode, we meet Luba, whose journey in Costa Rica began in 2015 during a 10-month teacher training trip. Years later, on a celibacy quest, she met Jonah—her future husband—and together they’ve built a beautiful life filled with love, challenges, and adventure.

Luba shares her experiences of birthing children in Costa Rica, including the cultural differences and joys of raising a family abroad. After a brief 18-month hiatus outside the country, Luba and Jonah found themselves drawn back to Costa Rica to welcome another child and rediscover their love for its unique lifestyle. Now settled in Tinamastes, they’ve embraced home exchange and property management, creating a fulfilling and adventurous life for their family.

Key Highlights:
How a teacher training trip in 2015 led to a lifelong connection with Costa Rica 🌴
Meeting Jonah while on a celibacy quest ❤️
The joys and challenges of giving birth and raising kids in Costa Rica 🌟
Discovering home exchange and property management as a lifestyle 🏡
Settling in Tinamastes and building a thriving expat life
Whether you’re curious about family life in Costa Rica, home exchange opportunities, or what it takes to build a meaningful life abroad, Luba’s story is packed with inspiration and actionable insights.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1057331040855142907?source_impression_id=p3_1732569069_P3lXqNLkY5KOePFY 
https://wa.me/qr/MYXSWWX3WCSVA1 
http://www.homeexchange.com/?sponsorkey=lubajonah-fbf34

Tune in to hear Luba’s extraordinary journey and discover how love, resilience, and Costa Rica have shaped her family’s life. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay updated on all our latest episodes!

Part 2. We continue our chat with Ashley Ihemelu, a dynamic mother of two who made the bold decision to leave Dallas and embrace a new life in Costa Rica. Frustrated by the high costs of private Spanish immersion schooling in Texas, Ashley and her husband realized they could provide the same opportunities for their children by moving abroad.

Their journey to Costa Rica wasn’t a straight line, but a pivotal meeting with a local healer who agreed to mentor Ashley in nutritional health changed everything. Now based in San José, Ashley runs The Hungry Tribe, a thriving wellness business where she helps online clients achieve optimal health while raising her children in a bilingual and culturally rich environment.

Join us as Ashley shares her inspiring story of taking risks, trusting intuition, and balancing family life with a flourishing business. Whether you’re a parent, an aspiring expat, or passionate about health and wellness, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice.

Key Highlights:
Leaving Dallas for a better lifestyle and education for their kids 🌴
Meeting a Costa Rican healer who mentored Ashley in nutritional health 🌿
Building The Hungry Tribe and helping clients achieve optimal wellness 🌍
Raising bilingual children in Costa Rica and embracing cultural diversity 🏡
Tips for aspiring expats looking to start a business or move with family 💼
Tune in to hear Ashley’s transformative journey and get inspired to take bold steps toward your own dreams! Like, subscribe, and share to stay updated on all our latest episodes.

🤝💬 Connect with Robin Wilson
Leave a comment on this video and it'll get a response. Or you can connect with Robin on different social platforms too: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robin.wilson.353/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinwilsonscp/

In this episode, we chat with Ashley Ihemelu, a dynamic mother of two who made the bold decision to leave Dallas and embrace a new life in Costa Rica. Frustrated by the high costs of private Spanish immersion schooling in Texas, Ashley and her husband realized they could provide the same opportunities for their children by moving abroad.

Their journey to Costa Rica wasn’t a straight line, but a pivotal meeting with a local healer who agreed to mentor Ashley in nutritional health changed everything. Now based in San José, Ashley runs The Hungry Tribe, a thriving wellness business where she helps online clients achieve optimal health while raising her children in a bilingual and culturally rich environment.

Join us as Ashley shares her inspiring story of taking risks, trusting intuition, and balancing family life with a flourishing business. Whether you’re a parent, an aspiring expat, or passionate about health and wellness, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice.

Key Highlights:
Leaving Dallas for a better lifestyle and education for their kids 🌴
Meeting a Costa Rican healer who mentored Ashley in nutritional health 🌿
Building The Hungry Tribe and helping clients achieve optimal wellness 🌍
Raising bilingual children in Costa Rica and embracing cultural diversity 🏡
Tips for aspiring expats looking to start a business or move with family 💼
Tune in to hear Ashley’s transformative journey and get inspired to take bold steps toward your own dreams! Like, subscribe, and share to stay updated on all our latest episodes.

🤝💬 Connect with Robin Wilson
Leave a comment on this video and it'll get a response. Or you can connect with Robin on different social platforms too: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robin.wilson.353/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinwilsonscp/

#CostaRica #ExpatLife #FamilyAbroad #TheHungryTribe #HealthAndWellness #PuraVida #BilingualEducation #ExpatsInCostaRica #MovingAbroad #PodcastEpisode

In this episode, we sit down with Cathy Tallone, a transformational life coach who made the life-changing decision to move to Costa Rica with her family during the pandemic. Originally from the New Hampshire Seacoast, Cathy, her husband Michael, and their two sons, aged 8 and 14 at the time, embarked on their Costa Rican adventure in November 2020, completing the move in June 2021.

Cathy shares how their first visit to Costa Rica in March 2020—just days before the pandemic shut down the country—planted the seed for a new life abroad. From buying a home versus renting to choosing between homeschooling and traditional education, Cathy offers invaluable advice for families considering a move to Costa Rica.

Central to their success is the power of community, which Cathy credits as the key to thriving in a new country. Whether you’re dreaming of becoming an expat, curious about family life in Costa Rica, or looking for tips on following your intuition, this episode will inspire and empower you.

Key Highlights:
Making the decision to move to Costa Rica during the pandemic 🌴
The importance of community when relocating abroad ❤️
Renting vs. buying: what works best for expat families 🏡
Homeschooling vs. traditional school for expat kids 🎒
How Cathy’s work as a transformational life coach aligns with the Pura Vida lifestyle 🌟

Tune in for Cathy’s insights on embracing a new way of life and creating a fulfilling future in Costa Rica! Like, subscribe, and share to stay updated on all our latest episodes.

🤝💬 Connect with Robin Wilson
Leave a comment on this video and it'll get a response. Or you can connect with Robin on different social platforms too: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robin.wilson.353/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinwilsonscp/

#CostaRica #ExpatLife #FamilyAbroad #PuraVida #MovingToCostaRica #ExpatCommunity #Homeschooling #TransformationJourney #LivingAbroad #PodcastEpisode

Meet Marie Vincent, a retired medical professional from California who turned her fluency in Spanish into an exciting new chapter in Costa Rica. After deciding that a Spanish-speaking country was the ideal fit for her retirement dreams, Marie traveled to Costa Rica and quickly found her niche as a pet and house sitter.

Marie’s journey is more than just a retirement story – it’s a tale of building trust, community, and an in-demand lifestyle that blends work and leisure. Now one of Costa Rica’s most trusted and sought-after sitters, Marie shares her insights on how to navigate expat life, connect with locals, and turn a passion for animals into a fulfilling pursuit.

Key Highlights:
Retiring early and choosing Costa Rica for its culture and language 🇨🇷
Transitioning from the medical field to pet and house sitting 🐶🏡
Building a trusted reputation and finding meaningful work in retirement ✨
Tips for anyone interested in pet sitting or moving abroad 🌍
Embracing the ""Pura Vida"" lifestyle and integrating into local communities 🌴
Whether you’re considering retirement, looking for a flexible lifestyle, or dreaming of living in Costa Rica, Marie’s story will inspire and empower you to take the leap.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay updated on all our latest episodes!

Link to her pet-sitting
https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/house-and-pet-sitters/costa-rica/puntarenas/uvita/l/1936530/?utm_campaign=house-and-pet-sitters&utm_medium=house-and-pet-sitters&utm_source=app-native-share

🤝💬 Connect with Robin Wilson
Leave a comment on this video and it'll get a response. Or you can connect with Robin on different social platforms too: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robin.wilson.353/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinwilsonscp/

In this episode, we sit down with Darren Enns, the visionary behind Eco Builders of Costa Rica. Originally from the Vancouver/Seattle area, Darren’s extensive background in industrial and commercial building took a new direction when he fell in love with Costa Rica’s Southern Zone. Drawn to the Uvita area, Darren’s passion for sustainability and responsible building inspired him to launch Eco Builders, a company dedicated to providing high-quality, eco-friendly homes in Costa Rica.

From sourcing sustainable materials to delivering a stress-free home-building experience, Darren is on a mission to redefine construction standards in Costa Rica. With his deep understanding of the local landscape and commitment to reducing environmental impact, he shares his vision for building responsibly in paradise and gives invaluable insights for anyone considering building or relocating to Costa Rica.

Join us to hear Darren’s inspiring story and gain a fresh perspective on sustainable living in Costa Rica. Whether you’re an aspiring expat, interested in eco-friendly construction, or just curious about life in Costa Rica, this episode is packed with tips and stories you won’t want to miss.

Key Highlights:
Darren’s journey from industrial-commercial building in Vancouver/Seattle to starting Eco Builders in Costa Rica 🌎
Exploring the Southern Zone, Limon, and ultimately settling in Uvita 🌴
Darren’s vision for sustainable and responsible building in Costa Rica 🏡
How Eco Builders ensures a smooth and stress-free home-building experience for clients 🔨
Tips for those considering building or relocating to Costa Rica
Tune in for a fascinating conversation about innovation, sustainability, and the Costa Rican dream. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay updated on all our latest episodes!

https://ecobuilderscostarica.com/

🤝💬 Connect with Robin Wilson
Leave a comment on this video and it'll get a response. Or you can connect with Robin on different social platforms too: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robin.wilson.353/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinwilsonscp/