Living A Happy and Uncomplicated Life in Beautiful Costa Rica

Jeff and Robin traveled to Venezuela’s beautiful Margarita Island in 2001 for an amazing honeymoon vacation to celebrate their marriage. They never anticipated an idea would blossom from their overseas honeymoon experience. It happened 20 years later. While touring Margarita Island, famed for its beautiful beaches, they observed seaside luxury and beautiful houses on the island’s hillsides. Living was cheap and the island had a relaxed and happy vibe. Long after they had returned home to Texas, the feeling of wanting what they experienced in Venezuela stayed with them.

Jeff was determined to retire early. His father worked decades as a carpenter and cabinet maker. He then tragically died at 67 when he got home from his very last day at work. The sadness Jeff experienced at ten years old stayed with him. He knew his dad worked all his life and never got to enjoy a single day of retirement. Jeff was bound and determined to retire at the young age of 55.

Search for Retirement Paradise Begins

Together, Jeff and Robin began planning for the great quality of life they wanted to live in their retirement. They concluded that the USA was too expensive for their desired retirement lifestyle. So, they began their search by simply watching episodes of House Hunters International. Ecuador and Southeast Asia were top locations they considered for their retirement dreams. However, they crossed them off the list because these locations did not meet their #1 criteria: Safety. They also considered the travel distance from the USA.

In 2009, Costa Rica advanced to the top of their list. They left Houston to make their first visit to Costa Rica and found a beautiful place in Jaco, a San Mateo property. They thought they had found the place, but it wasn’t the one. Next they headed to the Pacific Coast to see Playa Samara, which was on their itinerary of must-see destinations. The four-hour drive to see the town and beach in Samara was well worth the trip. Jeff saw the beach and said, “This is it!” “You’re crazy! Insane!”, was the response from others who thought he decided too hastily. But Jeff knew this was it.

Jeff and Robin went back to Houston for awhile. Then they returned to Costa Rica to check out Samara again. They both loved the place! Together they searched and found a lot for sale online. Surprisingly, they had a difficult time getting a realtor to call them back. They were determined to see this lot and they were ecstatic when they found the owner. Jeff and Robin made an offer and shockingly the owner accepted and they bought the lot. Together they pondered, now what?

The Timetable

How do we make this work? Jeff and Robin put their heads together and established the first priority was to get their Houston house sold. They also owned their own company and managed to work it out that Jeff’s son-in-law would take over the company. The house eventually sold and it was time to start packing. They decided to fill a container with everything they wanted to take with them to Samara. They sold everything else and away they went to Costa Rica.

Boots on the Ground

Jeff and Robin found a lovely place to stay in Samara until their house was move-in ready. They were very excited to start their new retirement life together in Costa Rica. They also began the process of selecting the architect. Deciding on the architect was one of the most critical decisions that Jeff and Robin would make.

Jeff and Robin realized the importance of finding an architect who spoke English. This ensured that nothing was lost in translation. They selected their architect and sent him photos of the style of homes they liked. He saw the photos and assumed they were rich. As a result, he incorporated many features in the home that were beyond what Jeff and Robin wanted. For example, the architect designed the garage with glass walls, and another area of the house with a glass floor.

It seemed clear to Jeff and Robin that this particular architect was seeking magazine recognition. Overall, the layout and design was okay and Jeff and Robin made the necessary changes. They discussed the changes with the architect and the blueprint plans moved forward.

Timely Tips

1. Spend the money to hire a recommended soil testing company to complete a soil test.
2. Make sure you have a certified surveyor identify your property lines.
3. Make sure the house design has simple roof lines to eliminate leaks and ongoing maintenance.

It’s All About the Views

Once the blueprints and plans were finalized, an important discussion was needed. They had to talk about the location and position of the house on the lot. The architect wanted the house situated lower on the sloped and tree-filled lot. “It should turn to face the views of the mountain slopes,” the architect explained. Jeff and Robin wanted views of the magnificent Pacific Ocean from every window. This turned into a huge argument between the architect and Jeff and Robin. “I’m paying for it! Why can’t I get what I want?” Jeff thought to himself. Both Jeff and Robin realized at this moment that they did not want to build a house with this guy. They hired a new builder who shared the duties of both architect and overseeing the construction.

Construction Tips and Recommendations

1. Make sure your Project Manager is your hire and not an employee of the builder or architect.
2. Take caution with builders and architects who are overzealous and talk a good game.
3. All builders get into financial troubles. Proceed cautiously giving payment in advance of work. Jeff and Robin’s project came to a standstill because payment was given in advance of work being done. Never get ahead in the money.
4. Make sure to visit the job site daily to catch mistakes and shortcuts taken to save the builder money.
5. Choose your battles. If you observe a worker talking on the phone while laying concrete blocks or painting, pause for a moment. Consider your words carefully before saying anything. You don’t want to run the risk of upsetting the workers and then they ruin your stuff.

The First Half Went Well, And Then… The Bottom Fell Out

People often mention a common phrase when asked about their experiences building a house in Costa Rica. They will almost always say, “Well, the first half went well, and then it went from bad to worse!”

For example, during the first quarter of the project, the builder added more rebar than specified in the blueprints. This tactic lulled Jeff and Robin into a false sense of security and trust for the builder. It appeared that the builder was going above and beyond for them. Then the bottom fell out.

In another example, their blueprint plans included a Double Septic Tank System, not a Single Septic Tank System. Jeff and Robin discovered the installation of a Single Septic Tank System. They had to insist that the correction be made and the Double Septic Tank System be installed.

Other mistakes made by builders include no P-traps installed in bathroom and laundry room plumbing. This causes septic tank smells to come out of the drains. Builders will also install small gutters and downspouts. The owner ends up having to replace all of them during the very first rainy season. This is a very expensive mistake to make.

Be Proactive By Learning from Others’ Mistakes

1. You must be on the job site every day checking everything.
2. Do not make the final payment until everything on the punch list is completed.
3. Keep a minimum of $10,000 as the remaining balance to pay. Jeff and Robin gave $2000 in advance to their builder. He never returned to finish the job.
4. The stories the builders tell for why they don’t work, bring the materials, or halt progress altogether are numerous. They include stories of death, illness, no transportation and lack of materials. Some builders start new jobs and are not motivated to complete your project if the money is not worth it.
5. Understand in the beginning that you are going to get ripped off. Become proactive every step of the way and get rid of bad workers sooner rather than later.
6. Builders who face financial problems divert funds from their new construction project. They do this to pay for the materials needed to finish your project. The delays to complete your project can continue for months and months.

Here for God’s Purpose

Jeff and Robin were unaware of the big plans God had for them. They did not know about these plans when they decided to move to Costa Rica. These plans unfolded as they began their new life in Samara. Jeff was a workaholic in his former life in the US. He shared with me that living in Costa Rica has changed both of them. In the US, things like “keeping up with the Joneses” and keeping a clean car seemed more important to them. However, these things didn’t matter to them anymore.

It took them about six months to decompress from the US lifestyle and its pace of living. They felt the difference upon arriving at the airport in Liberia. Eventually, they transitioned from an overwound watch into a sundial. God’s creation truly became their focal point each day. Beautiful nature. Sunsets. Gorgeous beaches. The view, the quiet, the stillness never gets old. They would take their yard over the house any day.

God’s Big Plans

But God had bigger plans for Jeff and Robin beyond building their exquisite dream home and leisure activities. They have been serving now for over a decade at Samara Beach Bible Church. Jeff serves as the pastor. He also leads worship. Robin serves as an administrator. She oversees Kids Church, Bible Studies, Social Events, and Accounting. Robin expressed that she is experiencing so much joy in her life now. She finds joy in serving the needs of the people in the church. God has blessed them abundantly in their retirement life in Costa Rica. Jeff’s closing words to me were, “God, you are magnificent!” And He has done marvelous things in their lives!