WEBVTT 1 00:00:19.869 --> 00:00:20.463 I'm an expat. 2 00:00:21.275 --> 00:00:21.494 Hi, 3 00:00:21.728 --> 00:00:23.306 it's Corbyn from UC Expats, 4 00:00:23.432 --> 00:00:24.806 and today I'm with 5 00:00:25.322 --> 00:00:27.556 Zach and Anna from Start Abroad. 6 00:00:27.775 --> 00:00:29.447 They have quite a... 7 00:00:29.732 --> 00:00:36.700 few moves under the belt and started this relocation company to help expats move abroad. 8 00:00:36.759 --> 00:00:39.681 So we'll definitely go through the highs and lows, 9 00:00:39.720 --> 00:00:44.970 the expat mistakes that people have made and yeah, 10 00:00:45.329 --> 00:00:46.071 go into detail. 11 00:00:46.150 --> 00:00:46.603 So hi, 12 00:00:46.728 --> 00:00:47.150 how are you? 13 00:00:47.446 --> 00:00:47.696 Hi, 14 00:00:47.697 --> 00:00:48.571 thanks so much for having me. 15 00:00:48.665 --> 00:00:49.759 We're excited to be here. 16 00:00:50.024 --> 00:00:50.478 Yeah, 17 00:00:50.509 --> 00:00:51.228 likewise. 18 00:00:52.087 --> 00:00:52.821 I mean, 19 00:00:52.822 --> 00:00:55.540 you definitely have a lot of moves under your belt. 20 00:00:55.743 --> 00:00:56.681 It's quite crazy. 21 00:00:57.103 --> 00:00:57.853 Let's talk about... 22 00:00:58.412 --> 00:00:59.333 how it started, 23 00:00:59.334 --> 00:01:03.117 I'll hand it over to you for a brief introduction and go into those. 24 00:01:03.898 --> 00:01:04.059 Yeah, 25 00:01:04.457 --> 00:01:04.816 sure. 26 00:01:05.520 --> 00:01:05.738 Sure. 27 00:01:06.801 --> 00:01:07.059 Okay, 28 00:01:07.238 --> 00:01:07.402 so 29 00:01:08.004 --> 00:01:08.441 I'm Anna. 30 00:01:09.246 --> 00:01:16.129 And my first move abroad was actually immediately after finishing university at the United States, 31 00:01:16.348 --> 00:01:17.270 American. 32 00:01:18.004 --> 00:01:23.098 I moved to England for my very first job teaching in a boarding school. 33 00:01:23.644 --> 00:01:25.504 I came back to the US for eight months, 34 00:01:25.551 --> 00:01:26.926 and then I moved again to Kenya. 35 00:01:27.548 --> 00:01:49.232 uh for um and that is where our paths crossed so i'm why did you move to kenya uh for a job uh for a job with a great um ngo yeah interesting uh so i'm zach i out of college i went to the peace corps i was in the dominican republic for about four years in total and 36 00:01:49.263 --> 00:01:55.779 then uh i went back to grad school because i wanted to work in international development and i was hired out of grad school by Anna's company. 37 00:01:56.184 --> 00:01:58.784 She actually did my second round interview, 38 00:01:59.384 --> 00:02:00.847 which was maybe inappropriate, 39 00:02:01.347 --> 00:02:02.565 that we then ended up together. 40 00:02:03.925 --> 00:02:05.327 It was long after that. 41 00:02:05.546 --> 00:02:07.069 She was the HR leader of this company, 42 00:02:07.147 --> 00:02:08.585 so she would know if it was a boat. 43 00:02:09.929 --> 00:02:10.210 But yeah, 44 00:02:10.211 --> 00:02:10.944 we lived in Kenya. 45 00:02:13.030 --> 00:02:16.108 We got together and then we moved to 46 00:02:16.483 --> 00:02:17.296 Rwanda together. 47 00:02:18.108 --> 00:02:19.468 And that's the first time we lived together. 48 00:02:19.593 --> 00:02:21.312 And then during COVID, 49 00:02:21.374 --> 00:02:22.874 we kind of got accidentally stuck. 50 00:02:23.476 --> 00:02:24.157 in the U.S. 51 00:02:24.177 --> 00:02:25.797 We were supposed to go to two weddings in the U.S. 52 00:02:25.819 --> 00:02:26.899 and be there for a week, 53 00:02:27.379 --> 00:02:28.481 and we ended up being there a year. 54 00:02:29.102 --> 00:02:31.387 So what we packed was like two wedding suits. 55 00:02:31.684 --> 00:02:34.567 What I packed was like two wedding suits and like seven pairs of underwear. 56 00:02:35.325 --> 00:02:38.590 And we got stuck in the U.S. 57 00:02:38.614 --> 00:02:44.856 for a year and then decided we wanted to kind of do something different. 58 00:02:44.857 --> 00:02:46.684 And so ultimately, 59 00:02:46.685 --> 00:02:48.575 we ended up living in Costa Rica where we live now. 60 00:02:49.544 --> 00:02:49.918 Okay, 61 00:02:50.247 --> 00:02:50.715 so yeah, 62 00:02:50.840 --> 00:02:51.544 quite a... 63 00:02:52.136 --> 00:02:52.817 quite a journey 64 00:02:54.058 --> 00:03:12.752 I'm curious like what started those first move abroad when you're quite young and you're out of school what's the motivator to go to Kenya it's not an easy move it's definitely very exotic very different yeah well I mean I think for both of us it was this passion 65 00:03:12.799 --> 00:03:20.284 that we had around the work um that we were doing so we both have a background in international development. 66 00:03:21.377 --> 00:03:21.658 And 67 00:03:22.984 --> 00:03:24.026 I don't want to speak for you, 68 00:03:24.027 --> 00:03:31.254 but I think it's true to say that we both felt like it was important to be in the place where that work was being done to really understand it. 69 00:03:31.293 --> 00:03:31.512 Right. 70 00:03:32.372 --> 00:03:35.098 And so it made a lot of sense to us, 71 00:03:35.153 --> 00:03:37.137 given what we wanted to kind of dedicate our lives to. 72 00:03:37.481 --> 00:03:37.739 I think, 73 00:03:38.137 --> 00:03:39.965 and maybe this resonates with yourself, 74 00:03:40.028 --> 00:03:40.340 Pauline, 75 00:03:40.387 --> 00:03:40.762 but when, 76 00:03:41.059 --> 00:03:41.309 you know, 77 00:03:41.325 --> 00:03:42.059 from a young age, 78 00:03:42.122 --> 00:03:42.262 too, 79 00:03:42.309 --> 00:03:50.965 we have the opportunities to travel abroad and kind of fell in love with it and fell in love with learning about other cultures and how much you can learn from those experiences. 80 00:03:51.860 --> 00:03:52.140 And so 81 00:03:52.621 --> 00:03:53.002 I just, 82 00:03:53.041 --> 00:03:57.724 I think we both had a passion for living in different cultures and exploring different cultures also. 83 00:03:57.928 --> 00:04:03.412 And then we both felt it was really important to be kind of helping people to help themselves. 84 00:04:04.592 --> 00:04:04.810 You know, 85 00:04:04.811 --> 00:04:06.295 that's ultimately led to the work we do now, 86 00:04:06.357 --> 00:04:09.615 but also led us to those initial kind of jobs. 87 00:04:09.662 --> 00:04:10.365 Initial moves. 88 00:04:10.537 --> 00:04:10.802 Yeah. 89 00:04:10.803 --> 00:04:11.818 And working NGO, 90 00:04:11.928 --> 00:04:12.396 definitely. 91 00:04:12.834 --> 00:04:15.006 There is that giving back piece and volunteering, 92 00:04:15.007 --> 00:04:15.381 of course, 93 00:04:15.396 --> 00:04:17.552 that's very much involved. 94 00:04:18.490 --> 00:04:18.740 Yeah. 95 00:04:19.865 --> 00:04:19.990 Yeah, 96 00:04:19.991 --> 00:04:20.412 absolutely. 97 00:04:21.316 --> 00:04:23.276 And in those moves specifically, 98 00:04:23.356 --> 00:04:26.057 like moving to Africa, 99 00:04:27.319 --> 00:04:27.659 Kenya, 100 00:04:27.660 --> 00:04:28.257 Rwanda, 101 00:04:28.319 --> 00:04:29.655 and then Costa Rica, 102 00:04:30.155 --> 00:04:33.319 like what did you find so interesting? 103 00:04:33.475 --> 00:04:34.358 I'm sure there was loads, 104 00:04:34.397 --> 00:04:37.061 but also challenging and difficult. 105 00:04:37.413 --> 00:04:37.772 Yeah. 106 00:04:38.054 --> 00:04:39.585 So it was very different, 107 00:04:39.616 --> 00:04:40.194 I would say, 108 00:04:40.522 --> 00:04:42.663 the first couple of moves, 109 00:04:42.788 --> 00:04:44.804 because those were all for jobs. 110 00:04:45.647 --> 00:04:50.335 So we had this like built-in network of support. 111 00:04:50.772 --> 00:04:51.013 Right. 112 00:04:51.975 --> 00:04:54.101 And your job handles a lot of the logistics. 113 00:04:54.102 --> 00:04:55.144 So where you live. 114 00:04:55.183 --> 00:04:55.586 Yeah. 115 00:04:56.047 --> 00:05:00.636 That actually used to be my job was like handling everybody else's like situation. 116 00:05:01.997 --> 00:05:02.798 So yeah, 117 00:05:02.978 --> 00:05:03.198 it's, 118 00:05:03.478 --> 00:05:03.759 you know, 119 00:05:03.898 --> 00:05:04.019 you, 120 00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:13.590 you show up and not only do you kind of have a built-in social network because you have all these colleagues and you're kind of living near them because at this company where we met, 121 00:05:14.230 --> 00:05:18.473 we actually would organize housing for new international arrivals or employees. 122 00:05:18.519 --> 00:05:18.848 Okay. 123 00:05:19.957 --> 00:05:20.082 So, 124 00:05:20.473 --> 00:05:20.801 you know, 125 00:05:21.176 --> 00:05:21.363 it's, 126 00:05:21.457 --> 00:05:23.426 you kind of have like your housing figured out, 127 00:05:23.457 --> 00:05:24.535 your visa figured out, 128 00:05:24.598 --> 00:05:26.676 like your taxes figured out, 129 00:05:26.754 --> 00:05:27.629 all of these things. 130 00:05:28.441 --> 00:05:28.707 Nice. 131 00:05:29.457 --> 00:05:29.723 Yeah. 132 00:05:29.926 --> 00:05:30.082 Yeah. 133 00:05:30.629 --> 00:05:31.207 Really nice. 134 00:05:31.533 --> 00:05:31.673 Also, 135 00:05:31.713 --> 00:05:32.274 when you're young, 136 00:05:32.334 --> 00:05:33.976 you'll just go and you'll figure it out. 137 00:05:34.337 --> 00:05:34.536 Yeah. 138 00:05:35.138 --> 00:05:37.399 And you have no clue about the end. 139 00:05:37.400 --> 00:05:37.638 You're like, 140 00:05:37.661 --> 00:05:38.181 it'll work out. 141 00:05:38.259 --> 00:05:39.181 And then as you get older. 142 00:05:41.427 --> 00:05:41.622 Well, 143 00:05:42.325 --> 00:05:43.388 when we moved to Costa Rica, 144 00:05:43.989 --> 00:05:47.552 it was the first time we weren't moving for another job. 145 00:05:47.708 --> 00:05:49.567 Like somebody else's employment offer. 146 00:05:50.052 --> 00:05:52.067 We wanted to move because we love the place. 147 00:05:52.567 --> 00:05:53.802 And we were moving on our own. 148 00:05:54.302 --> 00:05:55.739 And that's a very different experience. 149 00:05:55.771 --> 00:05:56.536 No one's helping you. 150 00:05:56.771 --> 00:05:57.802 So you have to figure out all the way. 151 00:05:58.255 --> 00:05:58.614 You're alone. 152 00:05:58.724 --> 00:05:59.474 We're being a different person. 153 00:05:59.873 --> 00:06:01.493 in maybe a language you don't speak. 154 00:06:01.934 --> 00:06:03.334 So there's all the logistical challenge. 155 00:06:03.335 --> 00:06:06.096 And then there's also a lot of the little challenges that you don't expect. 156 00:06:06.775 --> 00:06:10.033 So there's what we consider like an emotional roller coaster, 157 00:06:10.057 --> 00:06:10.252 right? 158 00:06:10.393 --> 00:06:12.174 Even though now I've moved five times, 159 00:06:12.494 --> 00:06:14.057 it still got me when I moved to Costa Rica. 160 00:06:14.058 --> 00:06:14.096 Oh, 161 00:06:14.097 --> 00:06:14.854 it still comes. 162 00:06:14.855 --> 00:06:16.182 Yeah. 163 00:06:16.197 --> 00:06:16.416 Yeah. 164 00:06:16.791 --> 00:06:18.244 The first few days you're on a honeymoon, 165 00:06:18.260 --> 00:06:18.510 you're like, 166 00:06:18.541 --> 00:06:19.275 this is amazing. 167 00:06:19.276 --> 00:06:19.979 I love this place. 168 00:06:19.980 --> 00:06:22.635 And then something happens and you're like, 169 00:06:22.651 --> 00:06:23.494 this was terrible. 170 00:06:23.932 --> 00:06:24.572 What did I do? 171 00:06:24.854 --> 00:06:25.838 I made the worst decision. 172 00:06:25.854 --> 00:06:28.166 And then there are really strong fluctuations. 173 00:06:29.822 --> 00:06:30.982 eventually it balances out. 174 00:06:31.043 --> 00:06:34.566 But it's challenging just from an emotional perspective, 175 00:06:34.586 --> 00:06:35.648 those first three to six months, 176 00:06:35.668 --> 00:06:38.988 and people aren't always patient with themselves or didn't expect it. 177 00:06:39.012 --> 00:06:41.933 And then even little things like when I first moved to Kenya, 178 00:06:41.957 --> 00:06:46.902 I didn't know where to like get food and didn't really know how to house people. 179 00:06:46.965 --> 00:06:48.246 So I was like in a house, 180 00:06:49.168 --> 00:06:51.262 my roommate at the time had like one apple. 181 00:06:52.387 --> 00:06:53.246 So I ate the apple. 182 00:06:53.277 --> 00:06:54.512 It's all I kind of ate for a day. 183 00:06:55.949 --> 00:06:56.074 So. 184 00:06:57.137 --> 00:06:58.598 There's the big logistical challenges, 185 00:06:58.639 --> 00:06:59.741 especially when you're moving on your own, 186 00:06:59.760 --> 00:07:00.821 there's these bureaucracies, 187 00:07:00.822 --> 00:07:02.764 and then there's the emotional challenges, 188 00:07:02.784 --> 00:07:04.483 and there's the day-to-day challenges. 189 00:07:05.088 --> 00:07:05.869 Moving abroad can, 190 00:07:07.127 --> 00:07:08.885 hopefully it's ultimately worth it for you, 191 00:07:08.932 --> 00:07:11.448 but it is certainly a transitional challenge. 192 00:07:12.330 --> 00:07:12.815 Definitely. 193 00:07:12.830 --> 00:07:13.854 I think you go through, 194 00:07:14.151 --> 00:07:15.276 you've really expressed it, 195 00:07:15.307 --> 00:07:19.182 that range of emotions of going from the very highs and the lows. 196 00:07:19.183 --> 00:07:20.526 It can just be a tiny, 197 00:07:20.698 --> 00:07:22.307 tiny thing in your day, 198 00:07:22.463 --> 00:07:25.463 but that's so different to the norm. 199 00:07:25.979 --> 00:07:26.291 where 200 00:07:26.537 --> 00:07:46.781 you knew everything so me you're like a kid starting from scratch and it's frustrating especially as an adult i think you're used to being competent and being able to get things done and knowing how things work and you move to a place where things just work different and part of the reason we're moving to these places because they work differently and we like that but 201 00:07:46.999 --> 00:07:55.125 um and then on top of it you might speak the language and sound like a toddler so it really is like one movie comes to you No, 202 00:07:55.140 --> 00:07:55.421 we don't. 203 00:07:56.882 --> 00:08:14.024 beginner level yeah yeah I mean how to get something completely all right um so you move to Costa Rica let's talk about start abroad where does this project and company arise 204 00:08:14.055 --> 00:08:23.602 from well it was what Anna was mentioning before is when we started to look at moving to a place without the support of a company 205 00:08:24.221 --> 00:08:25.763 We wanted to hire somebody. 206 00:08:25.823 --> 00:08:27.265 So if we were 23 when we moved, 207 00:08:27.266 --> 00:08:28.286 we would have gone and figured it out. 208 00:08:28.747 --> 00:08:29.228 But we weren't. 209 00:08:29.229 --> 00:08:30.267 We wanted to start a family. 210 00:08:30.286 --> 00:08:31.548 We needed to do things correctly. 211 00:08:32.610 --> 00:08:40.439 So we actually looked for people to help us and realized that there weren't necessarily the services out there that we were looking for. 212 00:08:40.610 --> 00:08:41.423 And at the same time, 213 00:08:41.439 --> 00:08:47.860 we were doing research and hearing all these horror stories about people that wanted to move abroad and really needed to for different reasons. 214 00:08:48.282 --> 00:08:52.095 And we're getting scammed or we're just so overwhelmed that they weren't ever getting started. 215 00:08:52.685 --> 00:08:53.807 And with Anna's background, 216 00:08:53.846 --> 00:08:56.811 especially as HR lead and having managed some of the people's moves, 217 00:08:57.229 --> 00:08:58.932 we thought we could actually help people. 218 00:08:59.592 --> 00:09:01.811 And so we started Start Abroad. 219 00:09:01.873 --> 00:09:07.803 And the idea is that we're a full service relocation company offering a lot of the same support that someone would get from a company. 220 00:09:08.967 --> 00:09:11.576 But individuals that are making the move. 221 00:09:11.920 --> 00:09:15.029 We try to create the service that we wish would have existed. 222 00:09:15.967 --> 00:09:20.248 We now offer that service in Costa Rica, 223 00:09:20.326 --> 00:09:21.092 where we are now. 224 00:09:21.529 --> 00:09:22.470 I'm also in Panama, 225 00:09:22.790 --> 00:09:23.611 in Portugal, 226 00:09:24.212 --> 00:09:24.991 and in Spain. 227 00:09:25.894 --> 00:09:26.156 Okay. 228 00:09:26.452 --> 00:09:28.374 So a couple of locations today. 229 00:09:28.874 --> 00:09:30.554 And so what is the range? 230 00:09:30.656 --> 00:09:33.640 So you mentioned like the admin, 231 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:34.359 the visa, 232 00:09:34.640 --> 00:09:35.023 I guess, 233 00:09:35.421 --> 00:09:38.023 the housing piece. 234 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:44.007 What's a little bit more of the wider services that you had dreamed about at that time? 235 00:09:45.117 --> 00:09:45.273 Yeah. 236 00:09:45.398 --> 00:09:45.507 Well, 237 00:09:45.508 --> 00:09:49.351 it does vary a little bit by country because it depends on what the requirements are. 238 00:09:49.429 --> 00:09:49.617 but 239 00:09:50.585 --> 00:09:50.826 You know, 240 00:09:50.866 --> 00:09:56.129 it'll be the if you need any kind of identification numbers set up, 241 00:09:56.290 --> 00:09:58.051 then we will include those. 242 00:09:58.973 --> 00:10:00.293 If you need to open a bank account, 243 00:10:00.294 --> 00:10:02.840 if that's a requirement to move to the country for visa, 244 00:10:02.957 --> 00:10:03.856 we'll open that. 245 00:10:04.873 --> 00:10:06.753 In some countries where it's really common, 246 00:10:07.294 --> 00:10:08.835 most people are going to want to buy a car. 247 00:10:09.272 --> 00:10:10.393 We can assist with that. 248 00:10:11.796 --> 00:10:17.772 We also will assist with the tax piece by connecting you with our accountant to have a consultation. 249 00:10:20.741 --> 00:10:22.522 It's important for Americans, 250 00:10:22.554 --> 00:10:23.491 I will say. 251 00:10:23.851 --> 00:10:25.210 And those are the logistical pieces. 252 00:10:25.211 --> 00:10:27.179 And then what we strive to offer, 253 00:10:27.257 --> 00:10:27.397 too, 254 00:10:27.460 --> 00:10:29.913 is some kind of just emotional support. 255 00:10:30.022 --> 00:10:30.257 We do. 256 00:10:30.961 --> 00:10:51.965 for a lot of our clients you're having consistent coaching calls and so we're getting on calls and you're moving to portugal and you're feeling really overwhelmed and so what we try to do is break it down step by step we have checklists and things to help not make it this big overwhelming thing but to break it into to manageable chunks and then we're coaching people through that and answering questions that come up so 257 00:10:52.043 --> 00:10:59.652 not only do we want to kind of take your hand and guide you through the logistical piece but also just kind of managing the whole thing yeah 258 00:11:00.593 --> 00:11:05.700 And then I will say there's additional type of support depending on the person and what they need. 259 00:11:06.059 --> 00:11:06.418 And like, 260 00:11:07.039 --> 00:11:08.582 especially who's in the family, 261 00:11:08.840 --> 00:11:09.481 right? 262 00:11:09.482 --> 00:11:09.723 Like, 263 00:11:10.504 --> 00:11:12.121 do you care a lot about health care? 264 00:11:12.145 --> 00:11:15.590 Do you need to understand what prescriptions are available and what specialists to work with? 265 00:11:15.591 --> 00:11:15.746 Okay, 266 00:11:15.770 --> 00:11:16.371 we could help with that. 267 00:11:16.895 --> 00:11:20.973 Do you have a pet that you want to be? 268 00:11:21.192 --> 00:11:21.489 Remember, 269 00:11:21.598 --> 00:11:23.957 how are you going to come through? 270 00:11:24.504 --> 00:11:25.379 Do you have kids? 271 00:11:25.380 --> 00:11:25.645 Children, 272 00:11:25.785 --> 00:11:26.176 schools. 273 00:11:26.582 --> 00:11:28.520 What schools can be nice for your family? 274 00:11:29.035 --> 00:11:29.535 All these types. 275 00:11:29.676 --> 00:11:29.817 Yeah. 276 00:11:30.445 --> 00:11:30.565 Yeah, 277 00:11:30.566 --> 00:11:33.167 and then finding the neighborhood that matches all of... 278 00:11:33.369 --> 00:11:35.671 That's a big thing that we help people think through. 279 00:11:35.910 --> 00:11:38.515 Sometimes people will come to us and already know where they want to move, 280 00:11:38.570 --> 00:11:40.695 and then we just help facilitate finding a rental, 281 00:11:40.718 --> 00:11:41.273 for instance, 282 00:11:41.515 --> 00:11:42.695 because that can be very difficult. 283 00:11:43.781 --> 00:11:44.562 But then sometimes they say, 284 00:11:44.656 --> 00:11:44.781 look, 285 00:11:44.796 --> 00:11:45.843 I want to live in the greater 286 00:11:46.406 --> 00:11:47.187 San Jose area. 287 00:11:47.265 --> 00:11:48.546 My kids are 7 and 10. 288 00:11:49.281 --> 00:11:50.281 Where would make sense for me? 289 00:11:50.859 --> 00:11:52.827 And we talk about schools and neighborhoods, 290 00:11:53.281 --> 00:11:54.124 and that's the first step. 291 00:11:54.921 --> 00:11:55.390 Yeah, 292 00:11:55.391 --> 00:11:59.312 I think it's nice to have that point of contact that knows the area. 293 00:11:59.499 --> 00:11:59.749 I can 294 00:12:00.045 --> 00:12:16.746 just guide you through at least the first steps that can be a hassle when you don't know you don't know the right neighborhood you don't know where the schools are you don't know that yeah this process exists and is necessary to actually find a house or something um just in terms of having a bank account or having 295 00:12:16.824 --> 00:12:27.418 an id switch something things like that appreciate and so regarding the pets i think it's something we never talked about on the podcast but 296 00:12:28.769 --> 00:12:34.815 what are like the usual steps that people have to go through if they want to move with their pet? 297 00:12:35.975 --> 00:12:36.097 Well, 298 00:12:36.098 --> 00:12:39.143 first I'd say we've helped hundreds of people move abroad. 299 00:12:39.800 --> 00:12:41.620 And even though it's a really stressful process, 300 00:12:41.682 --> 00:12:44.081 people are always the most anxious about the pet piece. 301 00:12:44.784 --> 00:12:47.847 They're always also most willing to spend the most money on the pet piece. 302 00:12:48.050 --> 00:12:48.971 It's true. 303 00:12:48.972 --> 00:12:49.815 Just very consistent. 304 00:12:49.816 --> 00:12:50.143 It's true. 305 00:12:51.909 --> 00:12:52.097 Well, 306 00:12:52.237 --> 00:12:52.440 okay, 307 00:12:52.518 --> 00:12:55.690 obviously it's going to be a little different depending on whatever country you're moving to. 308 00:12:55.800 --> 00:12:57.300 but generally speaking. 309 00:12:57.801 --> 00:13:02.604 You have to make sure that your pet is going to meet the import requirements of the new country, 310 00:13:02.803 --> 00:13:05.323 which is usually vaccinations. 311 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:06.643 Most importantly, 312 00:13:06.705 --> 00:13:07.041 rabies. 313 00:13:09.080 --> 00:13:10.385 If you're moving to some places, 314 00:13:10.386 --> 00:13:11.002 a microchip, 315 00:13:11.127 --> 00:13:13.127 that's important in the EU specifically. 316 00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:15.924 And then getting this form completed. 317 00:13:16.221 --> 00:13:23.190 So you have to get a health certificate filled out by a vet within a very specific window of time. 318 00:13:23.393 --> 00:13:24.174 before that. 319 00:13:24.429 --> 00:13:41.974 yeah it gets to the country so that's always the stressful part that's like the timing of okay at a time frame yeah i've got to get the vet to fill this out and then i sometimes in some places i have to get it sent away to be endorsed by this other government agency and 320 00:13:41.990 --> 00:13:53.302 then like how long is that going to take when am i going to get back we work with a lot of americans specifically and i always have to tell someone if this process is working perfectly and as it should 321 00:13:53.821 --> 00:14:01.088 You are not going to get your certificate back in the mail until 48 to 72 hours before you get on the plane. 322 00:14:01.690 --> 00:14:04.393 Like that's when everything's working exactly as it should. 323 00:14:04.471 --> 00:14:04.588 So, 324 00:14:04.651 --> 00:14:04.932 you know, 325 00:14:05.276 --> 00:14:06.533 this is going to be stressful. 326 00:14:06.612 --> 00:14:07.174 So just like, 327 00:14:07.315 --> 00:14:08.033 of course. 328 00:14:10.096 --> 00:14:11.533 And they're already anxious about it. 329 00:14:11.752 --> 00:14:12.018 Yeah. 330 00:14:12.221 --> 00:14:14.346 And so our main clientele come from the U.S., 331 00:14:14.440 --> 00:14:15.159 Canada and the U.K. 332 00:14:15.221 --> 00:14:18.190 And so most of the time people are getting on flights. 333 00:14:18.487 --> 00:14:20.440 And so one of the things to keep in mind, 334 00:14:20.487 --> 00:14:20.674 too, 335 00:14:20.721 --> 00:14:20.862 is. 336 00:14:21.505 --> 00:14:29.254 A lot of airlines have policies that they won't take pets as baggage or cargo during certain times of the year. 337 00:14:29.274 --> 00:14:32.957 So if it's too cold in any of the airports or if it's too hot. 338 00:14:33.238 --> 00:14:34.254 Especially if it's too hot. 339 00:14:34.457 --> 00:14:34.598 Yeah. 340 00:14:34.699 --> 00:14:37.481 So if it's like deep summer or deep winter, 341 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:40.137 it could affect your planning. 342 00:14:40.168 --> 00:14:42.512 So those are just things to consider about your moving. 343 00:14:43.465 --> 00:14:43.746 I mean, 344 00:14:44.012 --> 00:14:45.809 I don't know how much detail you want to get into, 345 00:14:46.090 --> 00:14:47.309 but we could talk. 346 00:14:47.824 --> 00:14:48.449 For a day. 347 00:14:49.918 --> 00:14:50.746 All the options. 348 00:14:50.909 --> 00:14:52.070 Might not be the full focus, 349 00:14:52.091 --> 00:14:52.331 Cynthia. 350 00:14:54.794 --> 00:14:56.934 Do you want to move your pet on a private jet? 351 00:14:56.935 --> 00:14:57.017 Yeah, 352 00:14:57.018 --> 00:14:58.274 so that's... 353 00:15:00.040 --> 00:15:00.235 Yeah. 354 00:15:01.424 --> 00:15:01.704 Okay, 355 00:15:01.824 --> 00:15:01.945 yeah, 356 00:15:01.965 --> 00:15:03.586 there's first class service for pets also. 357 00:15:04.989 --> 00:15:05.688 Truly there is. 358 00:15:05.689 --> 00:15:07.270 And people will not buy, 359 00:15:07.371 --> 00:15:07.590 you know, 360 00:15:07.692 --> 00:15:09.953 upgrade their seats to premium economy for themselves, 361 00:15:09.954 --> 00:15:10.891 but they'll buy like a bunch of them. 362 00:15:10.892 --> 00:15:11.492 But they'll do it for them. 363 00:15:14.196 --> 00:15:14.375 Well, 364 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:16.282 it's the last baby of the family usually. 365 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:19.156 It often is. 366 00:15:20.656 --> 00:15:21.063 All right. 367 00:15:21.266 --> 00:15:29.828 And so what about the biggest mistakes or I want to say like frequent questions that you would get, 368 00:15:29.953 --> 00:15:30.828 but more than mistakes? 369 00:15:32.425 --> 00:15:35.527 There's a lot of people that come to us after trying to do these things themselves. 370 00:15:36.369 --> 00:15:36.650 Okay. 371 00:15:37.068 --> 00:15:38.650 And it's because they'll come in and, 372 00:15:38.709 --> 00:15:39.330 for instance, 373 00:15:40.272 --> 00:15:40.756 coming to 374 00:15:41.811 --> 00:15:42.654 Portugal, for instance, 375 00:15:42.678 --> 00:15:43.193 they can't, 376 00:15:43.436 --> 00:15:46.740 they'll try to do everything and they'll find a lot of information online. 377 00:15:46.741 --> 00:15:48.037 There's so much information online, 378 00:15:48.522 --> 00:15:49.178 which is great, 379 00:15:49.334 --> 00:15:52.396 but it also is a negative in that a lot of it is outdated. 380 00:15:52.428 --> 00:15:53.443 A lot of it's wrong. 381 00:15:53.553 --> 00:15:54.193 A lot of it's, 382 00:15:55.146 --> 00:15:55.381 you know, 383 00:15:55.382 --> 00:15:56.772 these things are changing all the time. 384 00:15:56.834 --> 00:15:57.396 All the time. 385 00:15:57.803 --> 00:16:01.287 And so somebody might go through the whole process because technically they can do it on their own. 386 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:04.522 And they found something online that said they could do it this way, 387 00:16:04.543 --> 00:16:05.405 and they did it that way, 388 00:16:05.424 --> 00:16:06.565 and then they were rejected. 389 00:16:07.006 --> 00:16:08.608 And they have to start the process all over again. 390 00:16:08.928 --> 00:16:10.385 It's actually very common. 391 00:16:11.987 --> 00:16:15.635 Or they found somebody on a Facebook group that said they could help them find a rental, 392 00:16:16.072 --> 00:16:16.776 and it was a scam. 393 00:16:16.994 --> 00:16:20.338 And now they're out 5,000 pounds or whatever it is. 394 00:16:20.494 --> 00:16:23.276 And so trying to do it on your own is certainly possible, 395 00:16:23.277 --> 00:16:24.026 and a lot of people do. 396 00:16:24.463 --> 00:16:31.276 But just a lot of mistakes are from trusting the wrong information or trusting other information or just getting hooked into a scam online. 397 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:49.817 yeah i think yeah doing the research and checking the sources is definitely you got to check the sources and you got to make sure the sources are current because they'll find something and not see that it was from three years ago when the rules with portuguese immigration have changed and to be totally honest with you some 398 00:16:49.818 --> 00:16:59.786 of these rules are changing on like every three months basis so it has to be like current current otherwise you can't get turned away from your appointment that you've spent months with her. 399 00:16:59.787 --> 00:16:59.942 Yeah. 400 00:17:00.380 --> 00:17:01.601 And that's really frustrating. 401 00:17:01.602 --> 00:17:03.804 And then you have to get all the documents issued. 402 00:17:03.805 --> 00:17:04.703 Start from scratch, 403 00:17:04.704 --> 00:17:04.824 yeah. 404 00:17:05.367 --> 00:17:08.804 And it becomes a lot more expensive than it would have been to just work with somebody. 405 00:17:08.867 --> 00:17:09.226 Okay. 406 00:17:12.093 --> 00:17:12.735 Depending on the country, 407 00:17:12.774 --> 00:17:13.953 there's all these little mistakes. 408 00:17:14.593 --> 00:17:15.195 In Costa Rica, 409 00:17:15.211 --> 00:17:16.492 the car market is wild. 410 00:17:16.914 --> 00:17:18.195 And there's all these scams. 411 00:17:18.804 --> 00:17:20.961 And people will buy a bad car. 412 00:17:21.508 --> 00:17:22.101 And that's like a 413 00:17:22.524 --> 00:17:26.664 $15,000 mistake because they didn't know how the car market works and some of the scams. 414 00:17:27.774 --> 00:17:28.461 I think that... 415 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:37.307 Kind of generally what it boils down to is you need to have people that you trust who can advise you about how systems work in these new countries. 416 00:17:37.668 --> 00:17:37.924 Right. 417 00:17:38.448 --> 00:17:40.674 So whether it's us or like, 418 00:17:41.213 --> 00:17:45.379 is there someone that is truly like trustworthy and looking out for you? 419 00:17:46.190 --> 00:17:47.096 It's on your side. 420 00:17:47.174 --> 00:17:48.284 It's on your side. 421 00:17:48.674 --> 00:17:50.018 In one of these countries that can be like, 422 00:17:50.096 --> 00:17:50.362 okay, 423 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:53.582 and this is how it works if you want to sign a rental contract. 424 00:17:53.987 --> 00:17:56.252 This is how it works if you want to buy it. 425 00:17:56.924 --> 00:17:57.534 And in general, 426 00:17:57.582 --> 00:17:59.129 just to a point that we were talking about earlier. 427 00:17:59.372 --> 00:18:05.899 I think a mistake that people can make is just not being patient or not managing their expectations. 428 00:18:05.899 --> 00:18:09.160 So some people will move and they just want to move the U.S. 429 00:18:09.161 --> 00:18:09.466 or the U.K. 430 00:18:09.560 --> 00:18:12.543 or Canada to Portugal because of the benefits of living in Portugal. 431 00:18:13.285 --> 00:18:17.427 And the idea is like Portugal is very different from how our home countries operate. 432 00:18:18.271 --> 00:18:23.191 And we need to conform to how those countries operate and not expect that they're going to conform to us. 433 00:18:23.832 --> 00:18:24.082 And so, 434 00:18:24.191 --> 00:18:24.832 for instance, 435 00:18:25.052 --> 00:18:25.505 Costa Rica. 436 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:30.064 They don't value like ease of commerce the way the U.S. 437 00:18:30.083 --> 00:18:30.304 does. 438 00:18:30.403 --> 00:18:31.286 So like the U.S. 439 00:18:31.306 --> 00:18:31.647 and the U.K. 440 00:18:31.786 --> 00:18:35.311 and Canada are set up to allow us to spend money as quickly as possible. 441 00:18:36.053 --> 00:18:37.475 Relationships are business relationships. 442 00:18:37.476 --> 00:18:38.528 I mean, 443 00:18:38.591 --> 00:18:39.114 Costa Rica, 444 00:18:39.591 --> 00:18:41.678 they don't really care about the speed or ease of commerce. 445 00:18:41.772 --> 00:18:42.514 And they don't. 446 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:44.364 It's personal relationships, 447 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:45.319 not business relationships. 448 00:18:45.880 --> 00:18:46.647 So as an American, 449 00:18:46.661 --> 00:18:48.005 I came here and I just was like, 450 00:18:48.022 --> 00:18:49.161 well, 451 00:18:49.162 --> 00:18:51.083 I just want to give you money to do this thing. 452 00:18:51.864 --> 00:18:53.286 But that's that's kind of rude here. 453 00:18:53.522 --> 00:18:55.442 And so then I would get really frustrated. 454 00:18:55.444 --> 00:18:55.755 I'd be like, 455 00:18:55.772 --> 00:18:55.897 well, 456 00:18:55.898 --> 00:18:56.130 why not? 457 00:18:56.592 --> 00:18:57.493 But that's not the point. 458 00:18:57.694 --> 00:18:57.813 Like, 459 00:18:57.833 --> 00:19:00.574 I moved to Costa Rica because of Costa Rica, 460 00:19:00.657 --> 00:19:01.477 because Pura Vida. 461 00:19:02.239 --> 00:19:03.258 It's not going to change for me. 462 00:19:04.379 --> 00:19:05.918 And I shouldn't expect it to. 463 00:19:06.723 --> 00:19:10.184 Everyone goes through cultural adaptation. 464 00:19:10.489 --> 00:19:12.489 Yeah. 465 00:19:12.746 --> 00:19:14.403 It's part of the process and the journey, 466 00:19:14.404 --> 00:19:14.668 for sure. 467 00:19:14.669 --> 00:19:17.246 It's wonderful and frustrating. 468 00:19:18.215 --> 00:19:18.606 So just, 469 00:19:18.668 --> 00:19:18.996 you know, 470 00:19:19.574 --> 00:19:21.278 knowing that that's going to be a thing. 471 00:19:21.340 --> 00:19:21.574 Yeah. 472 00:19:21.793 --> 00:19:22.043 And, 473 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:22.481 um, 474 00:19:23.340 --> 00:19:23.637 and... 475 00:19:24.205 --> 00:19:44.142 remembering as you are frustrated with differences that you are not used to but oftentimes those are the exact differences that drew you to the place totally also yeah well said yeah it's a good way to keep your patience and just yeah yeah except except 476 00:19:44.143 --> 00:19:50.423 and see the girls is there anything else you wanted to add on the topic 477 00:19:51.316 --> 00:19:51.817 Just generally, 478 00:19:51.837 --> 00:19:53.220 I know that you're a third culture kid. 479 00:19:53.300 --> 00:19:53.579 And we, 480 00:19:54.142 --> 00:19:55.122 so we're raising our, 481 00:19:55.343 --> 00:19:56.804 we had a daughter once we moved to Costa Rica. 482 00:19:57.726 --> 00:19:58.327 And we are, 483 00:19:58.870 --> 00:20:02.433 one of the reasons we decided to continue living abroad was to raise her. 484 00:20:03.343 --> 00:20:04.164 in a different culture. 485 00:20:04.905 --> 00:20:05.105 Okay. 486 00:20:05.185 --> 00:20:07.167 And she's going to grow up being a native Spanish speaker. 487 00:20:07.706 --> 00:20:08.327 That's great. 488 00:20:08.988 --> 00:20:10.589 In a culture we're just really excited about. 489 00:20:10.870 --> 00:20:11.531 And printing and... 490 00:20:11.734 --> 00:20:11.968 Yeah. 491 00:20:12.374 --> 00:20:12.632 And... 492 00:20:13.054 --> 00:20:13.335 That is, 493 00:20:13.413 --> 00:20:13.695 like, 494 00:20:13.890 --> 00:20:16.999 just really welcoming and... 495 00:20:17.718 --> 00:20:18.398 Family-oriented. 496 00:20:18.499 --> 00:20:19.101 Family-oriented, 497 00:20:19.102 --> 00:20:19.296 like, 498 00:20:19.297 --> 00:20:20.281 more tranquil. 499 00:20:20.296 --> 00:20:21.374 Yeah. 500 00:20:21.375 --> 00:20:21.562 Yeah. 501 00:20:21.563 --> 00:20:22.249 Like, 502 00:20:22.250 --> 00:20:25.281 a lot of people in the town know her and are looking out for her, 503 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:25.609 you know. 504 00:20:25.952 --> 00:20:26.202 Wow. 505 00:20:26.468 --> 00:20:27.640 That's very nice, 506 00:20:27.641 --> 00:20:28.843 that sense of community. 507 00:20:29.249 --> 00:20:29.484 Yeah. 508 00:20:29.937 --> 00:20:30.093 Yeah. 509 00:20:30.487 --> 00:20:31.048 It's wonderful. 510 00:20:31.168 --> 00:20:31.888 One of our neighbors, 511 00:20:31.949 --> 00:20:32.109 too, 512 00:20:32.149 --> 00:20:33.070 like her whole family, 513 00:20:33.550 --> 00:20:35.812 their whole family has adopted our daughter. 514 00:20:35.913 --> 00:20:37.933 And so she's all over there all the time. 515 00:20:38.113 --> 00:20:39.433 She gets invited to Easter. 516 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.035 We're not. 517 00:20:40.253 --> 00:20:41.535 She goes to there. 518 00:20:41.722 --> 00:20:42.175 She goes. 519 00:20:42.402 --> 00:20:43.019 We just get picked. 520 00:20:43.020 --> 00:20:44.003 You get a date day. 521 00:20:44.558 --> 00:20:44.839 I mean, 522 00:20:44.878 --> 00:20:46.925 it's great. 523 00:20:46.926 --> 00:20:48.191 So what were you going to ask about? 524 00:20:48.206 --> 00:20:49.159 I just wanted to point that out. 525 00:20:50.503 --> 00:20:52.253 I know that that was your experience. 526 00:20:52.285 --> 00:20:58.550 And one of the things that we're really excited about in terms of raising our daughter in that way. 527 00:20:58.988 --> 00:20:59.816 We really see the value. 528 00:21:00.639 --> 00:21:00.759 Yeah, 529 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:01.801 I think there is definitely, 530 00:21:02.441 --> 00:21:03.482 I think as a kid, 531 00:21:03.483 --> 00:21:04.482 you don't realize it. 532 00:21:05.186 --> 00:21:05.482 I mean, 533 00:21:05.725 --> 00:21:06.787 when you're young, 534 00:21:07.725 --> 00:21:09.311 but later as an adult, 535 00:21:09.365 --> 00:21:09.748 for sure, 536 00:21:09.787 --> 00:21:11.647 I did see like all the things, 537 00:21:12.451 --> 00:21:14.271 what I learned just in terms of languages, 538 00:21:14.334 --> 00:21:19.725 but also that mindset of being capable to adapt, 539 00:21:19.865 --> 00:21:28.021 to understand different cultures and have that sort of curiosity and open mindedness towards it. 540 00:21:28.068 --> 00:21:29.975 I think there's also definitely a piece around. 541 00:21:30.851 --> 00:21:38.192 being more adventurous and a bit daring with the unknown than you would in another situation. 542 00:21:39.016 --> 00:21:40.696 That's definitely something we want to encourage. 543 00:21:42.610 --> 00:21:44.157 I'm sure Costa Rica is a good place for that. 544 00:21:46.649 --> 00:21:50.759 I was just speaking with a client this morning who said they're moving to Portugal, 545 00:21:51.196 --> 00:21:52.118 but they were saying like, 546 00:21:52.243 --> 00:21:52.352 oh, 547 00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:53.290 you're in Costa Rica. 548 00:21:53.602 --> 00:21:54.477 I love Costa Rica. 549 00:21:54.478 --> 00:21:55.383 Costa Rica is beautiful, 550 00:21:55.696 --> 00:21:57.915 but everything is dangerous. 551 00:21:58.399 --> 00:21:58.774 And I was like, 552 00:21:58.775 --> 00:21:59.290 what do you mean? 553 00:21:59.477 --> 00:21:59.883 It's like, 554 00:21:59.930 --> 00:22:00.102 well. 555 00:22:00.691 --> 00:22:16.823 you know i was walking on this nature trip and there was such a cute little frog and we asked the guide oh it's such a cute little frog look at that little red frog and the guy's like don't touch that poison yeah they're really cool that's true when you live in the jungle you have to be careful yeah 556 00:22:17.963 --> 00:22:27.057 yeah yeah yeah i mean yeah australia is the same south africa but yeah it's exciting I'm sure like for her 557 00:22:27.483 --> 00:22:44.481 going to visit family in the u.s is probably a bit of a shock and very different in terms of family for thanksgiving and for her going to the u.s you know for us it's like oh we're going to the u.s for her it's like amazing 558 00:22:44.482 --> 00:22:56.075 she's running around and she gets to go on a plane and it's cold for the first time in her life yeah yeah but actually i mean to that point it is interesting to see like um 559 00:22:57.267 --> 00:22:59.610 One of the differences in, 560 00:22:59.829 --> 00:23:00.010 like, 561 00:23:00.049 --> 00:23:01.794 cultures and what's accessible is, 562 00:23:01.813 --> 00:23:01.973 like, 563 00:23:01.974 --> 00:23:02.692 in the U.S., 564 00:23:02.973 --> 00:23:06.356 things are so easy to buy or get. 565 00:23:07.020 --> 00:23:07.801 So all of a sudden, 566 00:23:07.817 --> 00:23:08.340 it's just, 567 00:23:08.395 --> 00:23:08.637 like, 568 00:23:09.723 --> 00:23:11.442 there are so many toys and, 569 00:23:11.458 --> 00:23:11.622 like, 570 00:23:11.645 --> 00:23:11.981 so many, 571 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.262 like, 572 00:23:12.442 --> 00:23:13.208 gifts available. 573 00:23:13.209 --> 00:23:15.708 So many things on the shelves that you can point to and be like, 574 00:23:15.786 --> 00:23:16.567 I want that thing. 575 00:23:16.568 --> 00:23:18.489 You can just get it in, 576 00:23:18.536 --> 00:23:18.692 like, 577 00:23:18.693 --> 00:23:18.786 a day. 578 00:23:18.787 --> 00:23:19.442 Yeah, 579 00:23:19.505 --> 00:23:20.208 it's crazy, 580 00:23:20.317 --> 00:23:20.723 honestly. 581 00:23:21.051 --> 00:23:22.239 And then we get back here and we're like. 582 00:23:22.999 --> 00:23:23.279 Okay, 583 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:23.560 well, 584 00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:27.605 I think we've probably stashed away enough toys in the closet to last us for a few seconds. 585 00:23:28.945 --> 00:23:29.066 Okay, 586 00:23:29.067 --> 00:23:30.066 you stocked up on us. 587 00:23:30.086 --> 00:23:33.070 Slowly over time. 588 00:23:33.071 --> 00:23:34.328 Stock up on everything before. 589 00:23:35.929 --> 00:23:36.336 Okay, 590 00:23:36.554 --> 00:23:36.711 well, 591 00:23:36.797 --> 00:23:39.671 let's move to your recommendations then in 592 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:40.640 Costa Rica. 593 00:23:41.531 --> 00:23:41.765 Sure. 594 00:23:42.875 --> 00:23:43.656 We live in a really, 595 00:23:43.765 --> 00:23:45.265 there's a lot of recommendations for Costa Rica. 596 00:23:45.921 --> 00:23:46.218 Okay. 597 00:23:47.750 --> 00:23:48.906 Do you want just like general, 598 00:23:48.984 --> 00:23:50.453 like if you're going to come here and travel, 599 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:52.390 do you want specific to a town? 600 00:23:53.423 --> 00:23:55.925 I guess more to your town, 601 00:23:56.026 --> 00:23:58.370 what would be a bar or cafe? 602 00:23:58.788 --> 00:23:59.229 And then 603 00:23:59.807 --> 00:24:02.573 I'd like to also leave it open to a carte blanche. 604 00:24:02.574 --> 00:24:06.018 So that would be anything that you want to share on Costa Rica. 605 00:24:06.479 --> 00:24:06.714 Okay, 606 00:24:06.893 --> 00:24:10.479 so we'll answer the question at hand first, 607 00:24:10.526 --> 00:24:12.807 which is like in our town, 608 00:24:12.917 --> 00:24:13.448 a restaurant, 609 00:24:13.449 --> 00:24:13.870 a cafe. 610 00:24:14.698 --> 00:24:15.761 We live in Nuevo Arnaud, 611 00:24:15.870 --> 00:24:16.307 Costa Rica. 612 00:24:16.448 --> 00:24:18.104 So there's a big lake in the northwest. 613 00:24:18.229 --> 00:24:19.135 It's called Arnaud Lake. 614 00:24:19.714 --> 00:24:20.651 It's near La Fortuna, 615 00:24:20.682 --> 00:24:22.026 which probably a lot of people have heard of. 616 00:24:22.555 --> 00:24:23.836 So it's a very small town. 617 00:24:24.637 --> 00:24:25.217 It is, 618 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.299 however, 619 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:29.721 has a good number of restaurants per capita, 620 00:24:29.764 --> 00:24:31.084 like for the size of the town. 621 00:24:31.123 --> 00:24:31.342 Yeah, 622 00:24:31.343 --> 00:24:32.381 like really good restaurants. 623 00:24:33.069 --> 00:24:35.928 And I think our favorite one is called Gingerbread. 624 00:24:37.053 --> 00:24:39.819 It's on the lake road as you're approaching town, 625 00:24:40.413 --> 00:24:42.756 and it's just delicious. 626 00:24:42.913 --> 00:24:43.037 Oh, 627 00:24:43.350 --> 00:24:43.897 pro tip, 628 00:24:44.037 --> 00:24:45.850 ask for the chef's menu if you can. 629 00:24:45.851 --> 00:24:46.319 Yeah, 630 00:24:46.631 --> 00:24:47.256 the chef's menu, 631 00:24:47.257 --> 00:24:48.663 they'll just bring you out a bunch of stuff. 632 00:24:48.803 --> 00:24:49.787 and so 633 00:24:50.095 --> 00:24:51.176 When we first moved to Costa Rica, 634 00:24:51.216 --> 00:24:53.158 we didn't know exactly where we wanted to live. 635 00:24:53.179 --> 00:24:55.218 So we picked five towns and we spent a week in each. 636 00:24:56.023 --> 00:24:56.703 It's a piece of advice. 637 00:24:56.704 --> 00:24:57.703 It's great when you can do it. 638 00:24:58.406 --> 00:24:58.624 Yeah, 639 00:24:58.640 --> 00:24:59.062 it's great. 640 00:24:59.327 --> 00:25:00.327 If you have the flexibility. 641 00:25:01.324 --> 00:25:05.148 Getting a long-term rental or buying property is a big investment that's often hard to get out of. 642 00:25:05.629 --> 00:25:08.633 And so what we hate to see is people that say, 643 00:25:08.672 --> 00:25:08.812 well, 644 00:25:08.813 --> 00:25:10.472 I went on vacation to Costa Rica for a week, 645 00:25:10.933 --> 00:25:11.371 five years ago. 646 00:25:11.372 --> 00:25:12.176 I love that, 647 00:25:12.254 --> 00:25:12.433 yeah. 648 00:25:12.512 --> 00:25:13.136 Then you buy a 649 00:25:13.496 --> 00:25:14.355 $300,000 car. 650 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.379 Don't do that. 651 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:16.277 Go rent first. 652 00:25:16.855 --> 00:25:17.668 Live in a few different areas. 653 00:25:17.669 --> 00:25:19.355 So we checked out five different places. 654 00:25:19.496 --> 00:25:21.386 We did not end up in the place we thought we would. 655 00:25:21.387 --> 00:25:23.371 We thought we were going to be in the beach like everyone does. 656 00:25:24.183 --> 00:25:25.683 And then it was just hot and expensive. 657 00:25:26.293 --> 00:25:27.605 And we came up here, 658 00:25:27.683 --> 00:25:29.527 so we lived higher up on the lake. 659 00:25:29.996 --> 00:25:44.951 and it was green and we it was a lot cooler a lot it was like 10 degrees cooler and we went on a kayaking tour and the kayaking guide was like oh we're gonna go to gingerbread this restaurant tonight like there's live music so we were in this beautiful lake 660 00:25:44.990 --> 00:25:56.802 town with the jungle and there was like monkeys and birds and toucans everything and we went to this like really nice bar restaurant where there's a lot of music and delicious food and we were like this place kind house at all, 661 00:25:57.396 --> 00:25:59.490 even if it's like a very rural and quiet. 662 00:25:59.588 --> 00:26:04.513 It didn't hurt that the restaurant owner was giving out free shots to everyone. 663 00:26:05.653 --> 00:26:06.993 It was like St. 664 00:26:07.036 --> 00:26:07.435 Patrick's. 665 00:26:07.478 --> 00:26:07.634 Yeah, 666 00:26:07.657 --> 00:26:08.736 so we just got a bunch of free shots. 667 00:26:09.181 --> 00:26:10.056 Is that a very St. 668 00:26:10.095 --> 00:26:11.376 Patrick's in Costa Rica? 669 00:26:12.243 --> 00:26:13.220 They sell... 670 00:26:15.564 --> 00:26:16.204 And so we were like, 671 00:26:16.205 --> 00:26:16.329 well, 672 00:26:16.330 --> 00:26:17.579 we want to try out this town first. 673 00:26:17.580 --> 00:26:18.845 So we rented a place for a month, 674 00:26:19.345 --> 00:26:20.454 and we rented a place for a year, 675 00:26:20.455 --> 00:26:21.407 and then we eventually bought it. 676 00:26:21.970 --> 00:26:23.657 That was a long way to say that gingerbread, 677 00:26:23.704 --> 00:26:24.860 which we recommended, 678 00:26:25.548 --> 00:26:27.079 one of the reasons we decided to live here. 679 00:26:27.392 --> 00:26:28.517 It was great. 680 00:26:29.040 --> 00:26:40.050 and now we go back all the time and actually the woman who did the kayaking tour for us made our baby's quilt it's like a beautiful quilt anyway so yeah 681 00:26:40.636 --> 00:26:47.542 I understand the community side you were talking about yeah exactly so it's a recommendation in town a cart plush 682 00:26:49.745 --> 00:26:55.589 I went to Paris I know how to say it correctly would be well we have different 683 00:26:56.204 --> 00:26:57.085 I'm sure we have different ones. 684 00:26:57.126 --> 00:26:57.286 Okay, 685 00:26:57.325 --> 00:27:02.409 I do want to talk about beaches because I feel like a lot of people coming on a visit to Costa Rica want to know about beaches. 686 00:27:04.073 --> 00:27:04.229 Okay, 687 00:27:04.253 --> 00:27:06.698 I have two favorite beaches that I want to mention. 688 00:27:06.792 --> 00:27:07.854 They're both in Guanacaste, 689 00:27:08.237 --> 00:27:12.175 which is like the northern Pacific because it's the region closer to us where we go regularly. 690 00:27:14.815 --> 00:27:16.003 One of them is Playa Conchal, 691 00:27:16.550 --> 00:27:20.612 which is like really beautiful when it comes to white sand. 692 00:27:21.831 --> 00:27:23.612 If you aren't staying in this like... 693 00:27:23.846 --> 00:27:23.972 Hmm. 694 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:40.972 kind of fancy resort that has direct access you have to walk along the beach to get there but it's beautiful it has a nice shade the water is like crystal clear it is so stunning so that's one um and then the other one i almost don't want to say i 695 00:27:41.034 --> 00:27:52.425 veto it's a hidden gem wait get on the call with us and i'll tell you book the free consultation and you'll get the secrets Yeah, 696 00:27:52.550 --> 00:27:53.534 exactly. 697 00:27:54.913 --> 00:27:56.615 My favorite beach is in the South Pacific. 698 00:27:56.695 --> 00:28:00.277 So there's obviously two coasts in Costa Rica. 699 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:01.218 There's the Caribbean side, 700 00:28:01.219 --> 00:28:01.918 which is really cool, 701 00:28:01.961 --> 00:28:02.902 but kind of under, 702 00:28:03.918 --> 00:28:04.144 like, 703 00:28:04.464 --> 00:28:05.019 less visited. 704 00:28:05.543 --> 00:28:07.902 And the Pacific side is a lot more popular and more developed. 705 00:28:08.386 --> 00:28:09.683 So Guanacaste is the north. 706 00:28:10.261 --> 00:28:11.355 And then the South Pacific, 707 00:28:11.356 --> 00:28:11.855 so the other, 708 00:28:12.074 --> 00:28:12.324 you know, 709 00:28:13.027 --> 00:28:13.746 closer to Panama, 710 00:28:14.308 --> 00:28:16.418 to me is stunning. 711 00:28:16.433 --> 00:28:18.043 And there's a beach called Marino Baena. 712 00:28:18.183 --> 00:28:20.480 Maybe people have seen pictures of the Whaletail Beach. 713 00:28:20.496 --> 00:28:21.418 It's called the Whaletail Beach. 714 00:28:21.419 --> 00:28:22.605 It's Marino Baena. 715 00:28:23.456 --> 00:28:27.898 It is this like lush tropical jungle map that rolls directly into this beach. 716 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:29.043 And it's, 717 00:28:29.402 --> 00:28:29.664 to me, 718 00:28:29.742 --> 00:28:33.125 like the top three prettiest beaches I've ever seen in my life. 719 00:28:33.188 --> 00:28:33.789 It's incredible. 720 00:28:33.805 --> 00:28:34.844 I saw manta rays there. 721 00:28:35.211 --> 00:28:36.930 Like in the waves. 722 00:28:37.188 --> 00:28:37.313 Oh, 723 00:28:37.314 --> 00:28:37.508 wow. 724 00:28:38.594 --> 00:28:39.914 I did get stung by a jellyfish. 725 00:28:40.086 --> 00:28:40.211 Oh, 726 00:28:40.212 --> 00:28:40.508 me too. 727 00:28:41.086 --> 00:28:42.102 Same jellyfish, 728 00:28:42.117 --> 00:28:42.414 I think. 729 00:28:42.992 --> 00:28:44.617 He was ornery that day. 730 00:28:44.711 --> 00:28:45.633 But besides that, 731 00:28:46.774 --> 00:28:48.133 I think that's just incredible. 732 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:50.586 It is like a national park. 733 00:28:50.808 --> 00:28:52.449 that extends into the ocean. 734 00:28:52.570 --> 00:28:54.832 Like most of the Nautilus Park is actually in the ocean. 735 00:28:54.910 --> 00:28:57.273 So it's just incredibly preserved. 736 00:28:58.434 --> 00:28:59.918 It's an excellent town called Vuvita, 737 00:29:00.035 --> 00:29:02.199 which a lot of people like. 738 00:29:02.863 --> 00:29:02.996 Cool. 739 00:29:03.137 --> 00:29:03.301 Well, 740 00:29:03.402 --> 00:29:06.684 we'll note them in the comments and notes for sure. 741 00:29:08.606 --> 00:29:09.480 And so last, 742 00:29:09.527 --> 00:29:10.824 what about your expat song? 743 00:29:11.074 --> 00:29:11.293 Okay, 744 00:29:11.324 --> 00:29:11.449 so 745 00:29:12.449 --> 00:29:19.340 I am going to let Zach explain what the song is and just let me say before we go into this that 746 00:29:19.508 --> 00:29:23.052 We discovered this song literally less than a week ago. 747 00:29:23.433 --> 00:29:24.792 And since we discovered it, 748 00:29:25.355 --> 00:29:28.398 I think I have heard it at least 749 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:29.820 30 times. 750 00:29:29.898 --> 00:29:30.656 I really like it. 751 00:29:30.679 --> 00:29:30.796 Okay, 752 00:29:30.882 --> 00:29:32.023 go ahead. 753 00:29:32.038 --> 00:29:35.124 So I will caveat that I think your ex-pat song changes over time. 754 00:29:35.484 --> 00:29:35.859 Yeah. 755 00:29:36.327 --> 00:29:37.093 With your ex-pat experience. 756 00:29:37.109 --> 00:29:37.421 I agree. 757 00:29:38.609 --> 00:29:39.921 Like different phases of life and things. 758 00:29:40.280 --> 00:29:40.406 Yeah. 759 00:29:40.407 --> 00:29:41.390 So I think when we were in Africa, 760 00:29:41.406 --> 00:29:42.312 there was probably some South D. 761 00:29:42.374 --> 00:29:43.671 Soul song that we loved a lot. 762 00:29:44.468 --> 00:29:45.859 And now we're living in Costa Rica. 763 00:29:46.687 --> 00:29:47.515 And so there is. 764 00:29:47.832 --> 00:29:49.213 And we also have a two-year-old daughter, 765 00:29:49.414 --> 00:29:51.596 so we're watching a lot of Disney and listening to a lot of Disney. 766 00:29:52.217 --> 00:29:58.205 So there is a salsa version of Under the Sea called Baja. 767 00:29:58.260 --> 00:29:58.682 Okay. 768 00:29:59.474 --> 00:30:01.436 Under the Sea by Alejandro Sanz. 769 00:30:02.577 --> 00:30:03.058 S-A-N-Z. 770 00:30:04.038 --> 00:30:04.960 And it is awesome. 771 00:30:05.140 --> 00:30:06.362 It is a great song. 772 00:30:06.421 --> 00:30:11.866 And last night was the first night my daughter and I picked her up and danced salsa with her while we were listening to this song. 773 00:30:11.867 --> 00:30:13.046 It was extremely cute. 774 00:30:13.312 --> 00:30:15.468 And it is just like a perfect encapsulation, 775 00:30:15.483 --> 00:30:15.749 I think, 776 00:30:15.750 --> 00:30:18.030 of this phase of our expat lives. 777 00:30:18.186 --> 00:30:18.312 Yeah. 778 00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:19.593 And it's also just a book. 779 00:30:20.155 --> 00:30:21.140 So I recommend it. 780 00:30:21.655 --> 00:30:22.030 Check it out. 781 00:30:22.077 --> 00:30:22.843 Baja Del Mar. 782 00:30:22.844 --> 00:30:22.952 Oh, 783 00:30:23.265 --> 00:30:23.843 yeah. 784 00:30:23.844 --> 00:30:24.858 I'll definitely listen to it. 785 00:30:25.280 --> 00:30:25.858 Yeah. 786 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.124 For sure. 787 00:30:26.950 --> 00:30:28.812 The salsa version of your expat life. 788 00:30:29.633 --> 00:30:29.873 Yeah, 789 00:30:29.874 --> 00:30:30.113 exactly. 790 00:30:32.814 --> 00:30:33.178 Okay. 791 00:30:33.717 --> 00:30:33.877 Well, 792 00:30:33.978 --> 00:30:36.518 thank you so much for sharing. 793 00:30:37.182 --> 00:30:39.283 We'll put everything in the comments, 794 00:30:39.284 --> 00:30:40.682 so the link to start abroad. 795 00:30:41.385 --> 00:30:50.096 There's also going to be a link for a free consultation with you guys and all the recommendations, 796 00:30:50.158 --> 00:30:50.596 of course. 797 00:30:50.658 --> 00:30:52.580 So if you enjoyed the episode, 798 00:30:52.596 --> 00:30:52.939 you can... 799 00:30:54.442 --> 00:31:06.585 put a rating on apple or spotify and follow all the updates as usual on instagram talk and youtube thank you thank you so much thank you moving abroad we'd love to speak