Living in Costa Rica Since 1999 with the Founder of CRSurf.com
11/23/21 • 64 min
"When you move to a foreign country, you do feel lonely sometimes. Trading texts, emails, and Facebook messages sometimes isn't enough." - Greg Gordon
Thinking of moving to Costa Rica to live the pura vida lifestyle? Today’s guest, Greg Gordon, is an expert in expat living. He’s been living in Costa Rica since the 1990’s as the founder of the country’s first online surf report, CRSurf.com.
In Episode 135 of Badass Digital Nomads, Greg and Kristin discuss how Costa Rica has changed over the years. They both witnessed the tourism and real estate boom firsthand. Greg shares how he taught himself to blog and code during the early internet days. He then offers tips on how to grow an online business with no experience, achieve work-life balance, and run his company from anywhere.
Kristin and Greg also share their favorite places to visit in Costa Rica and explain how to stay safe and avoid common scams. Even though Costa Rica has a higher-than-average crime rate and cost of living, it’s still a magical place to live or travel (if you know what you're doing).
Tune in now to learn some of Costa Rica’s best-kept tips secrets from two of its most experienced expats!
"If you want to make a million dollars in Costa Rica, bring two million dollars." - Unknown
EPISODE 135 TOPICS DISCUSSED:
- How Greg ended up living abroad in Costa Rica and how he taught himself Spanish.
- The reality of living in Costa Rica (pros and cons).
- Overcoming loneliness while living abroad.
- Crime, cost of living, and infrastructure in Costa Rica.
- Tips to stay safe and avoid getting your stuff stolen.
- Greg's various income streams as an expat over the years.
- Burning out in corporate America then moving to Costa Rica.
- Meeting your significant other abroad.
- Finding work-life balance as an expat or retiree versus making a lot of money.
- Living a vacation lifestyle with a low budget.
- Splitting your time 50/50 between the USA and foreign countries.
- Driving from California through Mexico to Costa Rica.
- Buying or shipping your car to Costa Rica.
- Crossing borders and dealing with police in Central America.
- Greg and Kristin’s favorite Costa Rican foods and restaurants.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED:
- How has Costa Rica changed since the 1990s? Was there less crime before the tourism boom?
- Is it dangerous to drive from San Diego through Mexico and Central America?
- How did you learn SEO by yourself?
- How did you teach yourself how to build a website with no experience?
- How do you avoid theft in Costa Rica?
- Do you own a house or rent your house in Dominical?
- What is your favorite surf spot in Costa Rica besides Dominical?
- What underrated destinations do you recommend in Costa Rica?
- Costa Rica Lightning Round
RESOURCES
Join the waiting list for Kristin's relocation coaching program, Ready To Relocate.
Videos:
Articles:
Podcasts:
- Shark Attacks, Surf Photography, and World Travel with Surfing Magazine’s Jimmy Wilson
- The Dark Side of Costa Rica - Why Expats Leave
- How to Move From England to Costa Rica + UK and Europe Lockdowns
- Eco-Friendly Travel: How to Travel Sustainably
Surfing:
Places to Visit and Surf in Costa Rica:
- Dominical
- Nosara
- Pavones
- Osa Peninsula
- Pan Dulce
- Isla Uvita
- Nauyaca Waterfalls
- San Isidro del General
Best Restaurants in Costa Rica:
"When you move to a foreign country, you do feel lonely sometimes. Trading texts, emails, and Facebook messages sometimes isn't enough." - Greg Gordon
Thinking of moving to Costa Rica to live the pura vida lifestyle? Today’s guest, Greg Gordon, is an expert in expat living. He’s been living in Costa Rica since the 1990’s as the founder of the country’s first online surf report, CRSurf.com.
In Episode 135 of Badass Digital Nomads, Greg and Kristin discuss how Costa Rica has changed over the years. They both witnessed the tourism and real estate boom firsthand. Greg shares how he taught himself to blog and code during the early internet days. He then offers tips on how to grow an online business with no experience, achieve work-life balance, and run his company from anywhere.
Kristin and Greg also share their favorite places to visit in Costa Rica and explain how to stay safe and avoid common scams. Even though Costa Rica has a higher-than-average crime rate and cost of living, it’s still a magical place to live or travel (if you know what you're doing).
Tune in now to learn some of Costa Rica’s best-kept tips secrets from two of its most experienced expats!
"If you want to make a million dollars in Costa Rica, bring two million dollars." - Unknown
EPISODE 135 TOPICS DISCUSSED:
- How Greg ended up living abroad in Costa Rica and how he taught himself Spanish.
- The reality of living in Costa Rica (pros and cons).
- Overcoming loneliness while living abroad.
- Crime, cost of living, and infrastructure in Costa Rica.
- Tips to stay safe and avoid getting your stuff stolen.
- Greg's various income streams as an expat over the years.
- Burning out in corporate America then moving to Costa Rica.
- Meeting your significant other abroad.
- Finding work-life balance as an expat or retiree versus making a lot of money.
- Living a vacation lifestyle with a low budget.
- Splitting your time 50/50 between the USA and foreign countries.
- Driving from California through Mexico to Costa Rica.
- Buying or shipping your car to Costa Rica.
- Crossing borders and dealing with police in Central America.
- Greg and Kristin’s favorite Costa Rican foods and restaurants.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED:
- How has Costa Rica changed since the 1990s? Was there less crime before the tourism boom?
- Is it dangerous to drive from San Diego through Mexico and Central America?
- How did you learn SEO by yourself?
- How did you teach yourself how to build a website with no experience?
- How do you avoid theft in Costa Rica?
- Do you own a house or rent your house in Dominical?
- What is your favorite surf spot in Costa Rica besides Dominical?
- What underrated destinations do you recommend in Costa Rica?
- Costa Rica Lightning Round
RESOURCES
Join the waiting list for Kristin's relocation coaching program, Ready To Relocate.
Videos:
Articles:
Podcasts:
- Shark Attacks, Surf Photography, and World Travel with Surfing Magazine’s Jimmy Wilson
- The Dark Side of Costa Rica - Why Expats Leave
- How to Move From England to Costa Rica + UK and Europe Lockdowns
- Eco-Friendly Travel: How to Travel Sustainably
Surfing:
Places to Visit and Surf in Costa Rica:
- Dominical
- Nosara
- Pavones
- Osa Peninsula
- Pan Dulce
- Isla Uvita
- Nauyaca Waterfalls
- San Isidro del General
Best Restaurants in Costa Rica:
Previous Episode
My Favorite Countries In the World
Kristin shares her favorite places in the world in 15 categories! Learn what Kristin's favorite places are to travel to and why (out of 60+ countries visited).
Support #TEAMSEAS: Help Mr. Beast remove 30 million pounds of trash from the ocean by January 1, 2022. For ever $1 donated, one pound of trash will be removed.
If every listener of Badass Digital Nomads donates $1, we can clean 15,000-20,000 pounds of trash in a month! Go to TeamSeas.org to donate now. Strength in numbers - we got this!
Treat yourself or someone you love for the holidays: Get 10% off any Nordace backpack or travel accessories here.
EPISODE 134 FAVORITE COUNTRIES TIMESTAMPS:
- The world's most beautiful places and tourist destinations are full of trash [00:40]
- How to help clean trash out of the ocean by donating to TeamSeas [1:30]
- Get 10% off Nordace travel bags and accessories [4:10]
- Eco-Friendly Travel podcast episode [2:32]
- Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for you. ❤️ [5:06]
- Next week's episode of Badass Digital Nomads is about living in Costa Rica - interview with the founder of CRSurf.com [5:30]
Kristin's Favorites Places in the World [6:12]
- Budget Travel/Low Cost of Living [6:50]
- Quality of Life [7:38]
- Adventure [9:05]
- Love & Romance [10:25]
- Community/Meeting People [11:36]
- Best for Foodies [13:15]
- Best for Nature [14:57]
- Luxury Destinations [16:04]
- Historical Sites [17:57]
- Favorite Surf Spot [19:21]
- Beaches & Relaxation [20:15]
- Nicest Local People [20:55]
- Best for Solo Travel [22:17]
- Party Destinations [22:59]
- Bluest Water in the World [23:51]
RESOURCES:
- Donate to TeamSeas
- 10% off Nordace bags and travel products
- SafetyWing Travel Insurance
- Free Wise Online Bank Account
RELATED VIDEOS:
- My Favorite Countries In the World
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- Best Places To Travel Playlist
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- The Truth About Full-Time Solo Travel
RELATED PODCASTS:
- Most Underrated Countries
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- Best Cities for Digital Nomads
- What I Love About Living Abroad
- Norway Digital Nomad Lifestyle
- Best Places I've Traveled
- Vagabonding with Rolf Potts
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Connect with Kristin:
- Follow on Instagram
- Subscribe to
Next Episode
Crushing Your Goals in 2022 and the Digital Nomad Week
Learn Kristin's Top Two keys to CRUSHING your goals in 2022. 🚀 Plus, how to attend Digital Nomad Week Dec 6-8 for FREE! It's the largest celebration of digital nomad culture ever.
Meet thousands of like-minded people and hear from 100+ of the foremost experts in the digital nomad and remote work and travel movement, including government leaders, digital nomad influencers, cryptocurrency enthusiasts, and fellow global citizens.
Kristin will be hosting a panel on the future of Remote Work and Travel, interviewing author Rolf Potts, blogger Nomadic Matt Kepnes, Fiverr freelancer millionaire Alex Fasulo, and Shots of Awe's Jason Silva.
SHOW NOTES & RESOURCES
- Attend Kristin's first DJ gig at Treehouse Miami 🎧 🎵
- Register to attend Digital Nomad Week for Free
- Subscribe to Kristin's Weekly Newsletter
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals in Kristin's Amazon Store
- Join the Ready to Relocate Waiting List for January 2022
RELATED PODCAST EPISODES
- Coping with Loneliness
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- Eco-Friendly Travel
Thank you to Ali-Man from the Netherlands for the new review!
Champion of dreams!Kristin has a unique blend of experience, expertise, and relatable charisma which makes her such a joy as both podcast & you tube host. Her message provides inspiration, education, and practical hacks to push you towards your dreams. I’m truly grateful for all her work.
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Connect with Kristin:
- Follow on Instagram
- Subscribe to Traveling with Kristin on YouTube
- Subscribe to Digital Nomad TV on YouTube
- Follow on Medium
- Follow on Clubhouse @KristinWilson
- Join the Badass Digital Nomads Facebook Group
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A special thank you to Kristin's 2021 Patrons: Teklordz, Walt, Shawn, Richard Y, Heather, Karen, Kiran, Scott, M...
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