E74: Costa Rica vs. Nicaragua in Retirement

A 67-year-old American expat shares thier journey from retiring in Nicaragua to settling in Costa Rica, revealing the realities of expat life, cost of living, and the importance of flexibility abroad.

Guest Bio:

Aly is a retired Californian who relocated to Nicaragua in 2016 before moving to Costa Rica in 2021 due to political unrest. A seasoned traveler with roots in Europe and Central America, Ally now lives in the mountains near San José, embracing a slower pace of life and community-driven living.

Topics Discussed:

• Cost of living in Costa Rica vs. Nicaragua
• Expat community dynamics
• Health care access and medical emergencies abroad
• U.S. Social Security and Medicare considerations for expats
• Property ownership risks in Central America
• Cultural adaptation, language learning, and safety
• Pros and cons of long-term retirement outside the U.S.

Top 3 Quotes:

• "If I wanted to be stressed, I would've stayed in the States."
• "You can live on $1,200 a month—but you might not want to."
• "You have to be flexible. It's not the United States. And that's kind of the point."

🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright
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