We were really blessed to be able to quickly find a good car that meets our families needs thanks in great part to the help of our friend Bernie. We know that many people spend weeks checking out cars before they find what they need. In our case, Richard and Bernie went shopping at Star Cars, and found our van right away. Bernie had bought a car there before and felt confident about their quality and prices. We have found his assessment to be accurate as far as we can tell.
The next day, we had a mechanic check out the car. The car dealership had to fix a few issues on the car, so we picked it up the day after that. All in all, it was a pretty good experience. We ended up with a 2011 Mitsubishi van for $15,000.
Cars in Costa Rica, like everything else, are really expensive because importing fees are outrageous. Importing fees are based on the features the car has too, so many cars are pretty barebones, including ours. Ours has a manual transmission, manual doors and windows, and ac only in the front. One good thing is that cars hold their value really well here, so we will likely be able to sell our van for close to the same price we paid when we leave.
When we picked up our car, it was dark, rainy, a new driving environment, and I had not driven a car with manual transmission in 15 years. I was a little nervous for sure. But, I was able to jump right back into driving and now feel comfortable driving all around.
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Friends in Costa Rica
We were really lucky that Richard and David ran into Bernie Gutierrez at the Temple Visitor Center when they came to Costa Rica. His family has become great friends with our family. We have gone to their house several times, and they have also helped us get settled in so many ways. Our kids have a great time with their kids, and we even homeschool with their family one day a week so our kids can get more exposure to Spanish, and their kids can pick up some English too.
There have also been so many other people here that have welcomed us in and helped us with all the questions we have, both foreigners and local Ticos. We have really felt welcomed here in Costa Rica. It is wonderful to be surrounded by so many people we care about us and go way out of their ways to help us out.
We know that we will find many more friends. We had heard that one great thing about Costa Rica is that the people are very friendly. We have found that to be the case for sure. Overall, the people here are extremely welcoming and helpful.
Finding an Apartment
The first couple days in Costa Rica, we spent time looking at various apartment complexes to find the right place to live. We came back three times to the Condominium San Vicente in Belen because we liked the area, and the amenities were pretty awesome. Not only do they have the standard pool, and weight room, but they also have a covered sports court area where we imagined our family would spend quite a bit of time.
The problem was, they only have two bedroom condos currently available and we felt like we needed a three bedroom. I kept hoping that somehow they would magically come up with a three bedroom. In the end, we decided to get an apartment there anyway and squeeze into a two bedroom.
There were also a few other "requirements" for our home that we had to do without. I only wanted to live in an apartment with air conditioning so we would not have to open the doors and let mosquitoes in. There was an apartment with central air, but we ended up getting a different apartment because the owner was very flexible on the price and it was on the first floor and there was a yard right outside the living room that we were told the kids could play in. So, in the end, I thought I sacrificed my comfort (as a pregnant lady) for the fun of my kids.
We slept the first night on the tiles floors with a few blankets, and diapers and clothes from our luggage as padding. It wasn't the most comfortable, but it felt nice to have a place of our own.
We had to buy all our own appliances and furniture for the apartment, so the next several days we spent time finding appliances and shopping around for couches. Through a friend, we found a member of our church from Nicaragua to build everything else we needed. We grabbed some temporary items from Walmart to make due until the custom items were done, because it would take several weeks for the furniture to be finished.
After only living in the apartment for three days, I was called into the condo office. I was told that our family was too loud, and that if we did not quiet down, we would be kicked out. We were specifically told that playing on the grass outside the condo was a no-no, and that we would instead have to go to the commons area to play. We were also told our kids could not practice their musical instruments in our condo, and that our kids could not be in the hallway (they had taken a couple trips up the stairs while we were moving in appliances).
I was shocked by the confrontation. I could not believe that after just a couple days we had apparently already had three complaints against us. Especially by some apparent person who never made any effort to even meet us. But, we made adjustments to conform. We now take our kids to the commons area each day to practice and they don't play soccer outside our apartment anymore.
I have heard from other moms in the condo that none of them had ever had any complaints. There must be an ornery person in our building who is not used to kids. I personally think it is the person in the office who called me in. He is in charge of running the condo and enforcing all the rules and unfortunately, he lives in our building. There is also apparently a doctor who lives just above us who works at night and sleeps during the day.
Anyway, I guess there are lessons you learn from different experiences in your life, and I guess trying to be quieter and more aware of others around you is not the worst skill to have to work on;.
The problem was, they only have two bedroom condos currently available and we felt like we needed a three bedroom. I kept hoping that somehow they would magically come up with a three bedroom. In the end, we decided to get an apartment there anyway and squeeze into a two bedroom.
There were also a few other "requirements" for our home that we had to do without. I only wanted to live in an apartment with air conditioning so we would not have to open the doors and let mosquitoes in. There was an apartment with central air, but we ended up getting a different apartment because the owner was very flexible on the price and it was on the first floor and there was a yard right outside the living room that we were told the kids could play in. So, in the end, I thought I sacrificed my comfort (as a pregnant lady) for the fun of my kids.
We slept the first night on the tiles floors with a few blankets, and diapers and clothes from our luggage as padding. It wasn't the most comfortable, but it felt nice to have a place of our own.
We had to buy all our own appliances and furniture for the apartment, so the next several days we spent time finding appliances and shopping around for couches. Through a friend, we found a member of our church from Nicaragua to build everything else we needed. We grabbed some temporary items from Walmart to make due until the custom items were done, because it would take several weeks for the furniture to be finished.
After only living in the apartment for three days, I was called into the condo office. I was told that our family was too loud, and that if we did not quiet down, we would be kicked out. We were specifically told that playing on the grass outside the condo was a no-no, and that we would instead have to go to the commons area to play. We were also told our kids could not practice their musical instruments in our condo, and that our kids could not be in the hallway (they had taken a couple trips up the stairs while we were moving in appliances).
I was shocked by the confrontation. I could not believe that after just a couple days we had apparently already had three complaints against us. Especially by some apparent person who never made any effort to even meet us. But, we made adjustments to conform. We now take our kids to the commons area each day to practice and they don't play soccer outside our apartment anymore.
I have heard from other moms in the condo that none of them had ever had any complaints. There must be an ornery person in our building who is not used to kids. I personally think it is the person in the office who called me in. He is in charge of running the condo and enforcing all the rules and unfortunately, he lives in our building. There is also apparently a doctor who lives just above us who works at night and sleeps during the day.
Anyway, I guess there are lessons you learn from different experiences in your life, and I guess trying to be quieter and more aware of others around you is not the worst skill to have to work on;.
Flying to Costa Rica
Even though Richard and my brother took four suitcases to Costa Rica before we traveled as a family. We ended up with 23 items to keep track of in the airport. This included several suitcases and musical instruments, three carseats, a stroller, computer bags, backpacks, etc. Add that on top of 5 kids and it is a wonder we made it with everything we needed!
Leading up to our trip, it seemed like Stephen was having the hardest time adjusting to the move. He kept telling us that he "was going home". We did not think he would have the hardest time before we left, but apparently he was really attached to the house he knew, his friends, his family in Utah, his baseball team, and school.
On the day we flew, it was apparent that Ezra was also really nervous about flying to a different country. Then, when we were about to land in San Jose, the other boys were telling him that we were in Costa Rica, and he started emphatically yelling, "We aren't in Costa Rica!" It was apparent that he was scared to be there. Poor little guy!
Leading up to our trip, it seemed like Stephen was having the hardest time adjusting to the move. He kept telling us that he "was going home". We did not think he would have the hardest time before we left, but apparently he was really attached to the house he knew, his friends, his family in Utah, his baseball team, and school.
On the day we flew, it was apparent that Ezra was also really nervous about flying to a different country. Then, when we were about to land in San Jose, the other boys were telling him that we were in Costa Rica, and he started emphatically yelling, "We aren't in Costa Rica!" It was apparent that he was scared to be there. Poor little guy!
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