Tamarindo Living Essentials - No Worries
“I'll be right back honey,” you shout, grabbing the car keys from the table on your way out.
It's just a quick cruise down to the supermarket in your SUV. On the way you pass a friend walking up the hill from town. You slow down to say “hi,” but before you can speak she says “hi” using your first name, and then continues saying “looks like it's gonna be another beautiful day.”
“Sure is,” you say, looking out at the view.“Are you going to yoga later today?” she asks, smiling and nodding.
“Yes I am!” you reply. “See you there!”
You take the three o'clock class so you don't miss the sun set, which is always just around five. That gives you just enough time to get home, pour two glasses of Chilean white wine, and relax into your favorite deck chairs for the show.
Down at the supermarket, the checker scans your creamer and gives you the total in English.
“Gracias,” you say as you leave, testing the Spanish you've been learning with your private tutor.
“Please come again,” he replies, smiling and handing you a receipt.
Where is this English-friendly paradise on the pacific? No, it's not California–too expensive. And no it's not Mexico, guess again. Here's a hint: if you head a little further south, to a place where the streets literally have no name, you'll find Tamarindo, Costa Rica. This is Tamarindo real estate. And this is your life in your home in paradise, or it could be, and it could be as easy as sliding on pants. Let's explore a day in your life as it should be in the world of Costa Rica real estate.
Before you go home to drop off the creamer you have some errands to run. The farmer's market is today and you need to pick up some honey and organic soap. Also the “fish guy” should be in town today, so you plan to get a nice cut of Ahi-tuna for dinner, and then you want to stop at the bank to check your balance. This day is packed!
Parking just outside the farmer's market you lock the SUV and immediately run into a couple you met last night at El Vaquero's bar. You were there to see a local reggae band play when you met these folks from Canada, who are here looking at properties, just as you once were. Nice people.
“We had no idea there was such a nice farmer's market in Tamarindo,” they tell you.
“It's another one of those local secrets I was telling you about last night,” you reply, winking.
After chatting for a bit you move on, find your honey, purchase your bar of soap, and find yourself in half a dozen conversations with locals. It's a miracle you get out of there in under an hour! And you couldn't be happier. It's so nice to not rush.
You find the “fish guy” in the rotunda, pick out the best cut of Ahi he has, and glance at your arm for your watch. Oops, you stopped wearing that thing a long time ago! Old habits... In any case, you have to get this Ahi in the fridge, and you just remembered that you can do your banking from your phone just like at home, so no need to stop at the bank. No worries. Besides, by the time you get it home, take a dip in the pool with your signifiant other, and take an afternoon nap, it will be time for yoga.
Later that night, as you wave goodbye to another crimson sunset, you make a mental note to try and do less tomorrow. Maybe you'll invite over the neighbor to soak in the pool with you. Maybe it will be one of those lie-in-the-hammock-and-read-a good-book days.
In most cases in Costa Rica your day will not be full of activities. Most expats find out pretty quickly that their life of task-execution doesn't quite fly outside North America. Take it as a blessing in disguise. The harder you push to get 500-things done, the more you'll find Costa Rica gently slowing you down. In the land of “Pura Vida” you're better off with one or two things on your list, if any at all.
If this should be your life, and you're not opposed to parrots, or coffee over the pacific, then stay tuned as we explore other aspects of Tamarindo real estate, in our series “Tamarindo Living Essentials.”
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