Why did we move to Costa Rica with kids?

It’s now been almost 2 years since we sold everything and made the move to Costa Rica. I get asked all the time: “why did you do it?” Today I want to share a little of my perspective from the journey.

In October of 2020, my business downturned and my husband failed to get the full time job he had been promised for years in higher education. Because of this, we couldn’t pay our mortgage and we had 3 young children ages 5 and under. Something had to give!

We made it through with help from our church and family, but we couldn’t sustain life as it was. I told my husband Justin that whatever the next opportunity was, we would take it.

The next day my father mentioned his property in Costa Rica and offered for us to go live there and help him manage the estate. I walked into the kitchen and told Justin: “let’s move to Costa Rica!” He probably thought I was insane. I kind of felt insane but at the same time it just felt right.

That’s when we started reading, researching, figuring out a way to make a life in a new country. All the lights were green so we took a leap and went for it! Fast forward to March of 2021 when we packed up our 3 toddlers, 2 elderly dogs, 10 suitcases and then moved to Costa Rica.

Main Reasons We Moved to Costa Rica

Cost of health insurance and medical care in the United States
Desire to have a healthy lifestyle
Quest to become bilingual for us and the kids
Rising cost of housing and living in the United States
Desire to have a simpler life (less consumerism)

The feeling of selling 99 percent of our material possessions was an incredibly freeing experience. Having less things has allowed us to have less to clean, less to worry about, and more reason to go outside.

Justin and I both lost weight (that we didn’t know we needed to lose). We take more walks, spend more time and the beach, “piddle” in the garden and have a more active lifestyle. There is not even a TV in our house anymore (psssst it is amazing).

We have three little guys that we homeschool, mainly because we live 45 minutes away from the international private schools but also because the twins have autism. Normal school settings are a nightmare and truly we enjoy the homeschool life! There are several other families who live in our area that have relocated from Canada, United States and Europe that share life with us through music, sport, art, and play groups.

I have beautiful work as a private music instructor to children in our town, as well as to many of the students in neighboring cities from the international schools. Justin and I manage several rental properties in Junquillal also. It truly is a beautiful life!

Medical care here is accessible and affordable. Shouldn’t it be that way everywhere in the world?

Last of all, it’s important to note that the move to Costa Rica is not right for everyone. You have to be adaptable to change! Don’t expect life here to be like it was wherever you came from because, spoiler alert, it won’t be. There are challenges we face adapting to a new culture, but we welcome the challenges as they come.

As it stands now we have no intentions of moving back to the United States. Our life living in Costa Rica is simple. Not perfect, but simple. It’s quite the grand adventure!

Need help with your move to Costa Rica with kids?

If you’re wanting to make the move and need private consulting to help guide you through the most frequently asked questions, I offer these services! We specialize in the Guanacaste province and more specifically, with making the move with children.

Email: theJoyfulJohnsons@gmail.com

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