I am thinking of selling everything buying an eco-lodge in Costa Rica.

[tk2kewl]

Has anyone at ever just gone for broke to pursue a dream job/life? I would love to hear your experiences.

[Duer 157099]

1. can I come? n/t

[tk2kewl]

2. do you have skills?

and money to invest would be a plus.

[The empressof all]

3. For me Dreams change

I got rid of everything in my early thirties, moved across country with no job, no place to live and knowing no one. Twenty years later I'm itching to do it again. I've weathered impulses in the past with excuses of children, job, other obligations. Now SO won't go without laying everything out in minute detail--(An excuse I think because it will never be detailed enough to be a sure bet for him). I find I get really antsy every 5 years or so and need to move. I've satisfied this somewhat by changing homes in the Seattle area. (It's an expensive habit-but lots of fun for me). Right now I'm researching up-state NY-as a possible retirement location for us. (We hate the really hot weather and don't want to live in an area that is too conservative) I'm working on the husband---I'm ready to chuck it all and move on......

[tk2kewl]

4. Dreams definitely change

but I have always had an underlying love of nature and a desire to earn a living in some sort of outdoor recreation. I studied environmental science and worked for a planning department reviewing development applications which kept me in the outdoors a quite a bit. I have since moved on to computer science but I my wife and I really want out of the rat-race.

I am 40 and the problem is that I am pretty conservative financially and worry about ending up back at square one.

[The empressof all]

5. It's scary--

We became more concerned about finances as we got older. It's hard to ensure a contingincy plan if you are giving it all up. My SO makes me watch "Lost in America" when ever my voicing of my wanderlust starts to get to him. I don't mind because I think it's a hysterical movie.

There is a big difference between thiry, forty and fifty. You have only one go around here--Yet there is so much to lose.

Start Researching-You really just can't chuck it all without knowing what you are going into. Have you found locations you can afford? Have you visited? Do you know what the emigration issues are?

Ultimately, after you have all the info you need you'll know if it's the right thing to do.

[Zinfandel]

7. I'm seriously looking into New Zealand, I've been to Costa Rica

I'm originally from SF and now live on the liberal North Coast...So though Costa Rica is inexpensive compared to the US---the weather is extremely hot after March...however, with 5% of the world's wildlife the jungles and the beaches, I adore Costa Rica and it's people...I prefer the Caribbean side as opposed to the Pacific side, although it's more humid on the Caribbean side...there's a lot less Americans and American tourist...I was thinking a place on the beach, with my own food & drink tavern, pub or whatever, with my sailboat very close by...

I didn't/don't want to do the Albert Brooks number, in "Lost in America" (very funny, excellent movie). I want more to get out of the US. (Check out Albert Brook's first film "Real Life" also extremely funny).

So, the more I check out New Zealand the more I love. New Zealand is Costa Rica with a whole lot more going for it. I can go on for hours on all the pluses of New Zealand...

[The empressof all]

6. One more thought

I think when contiplating doing the major life change you really need to think about all the negatives. I know I personally love the idea of having a B&B somewhere. But in reality, I hate having to make my own bed let alone other peoples. Obviously there is no perfection. But be aware of as many of the negatives as possible. I think it helps in making an informed decision.

[tk2kewl]

8. Thanks...

I definitely need to do that. I do spend most of the time thiking about the cool stuff I would get to do rather than the stuff I'd rather not do. That being said, one of the other big things in the cool column is that I have always wanted to build a home with solar, hydro and wind power, and the areas I am interested in are remote and do not have power.

[atxryan]

9. I'm hoping to move to Costa Rica

by then end of this year or very early on in 2006. I'm young (21), able, unattached, and very resourceful... My goal is to live there for a year or more and possibly use it as a launching point to move elsewhere. I would consider other countries, like New Zealand, but I want to improve upon my spanish.

[tk2kewl]

10. Sounds like a good plan...

I wish I had the cahones to have made that sort of decision when I was you age. At 21 I wanted to move to the Caribbean and teach scuba, but I stayed in NY. Best of luck. What are you thinking of for work?