UPDATE ON THIS UPDATE: In summer 2018, this American expatriate couple moved back to the U.S. after 9 years in Costa Rica, mainly for health care reasons. In this 2017 video, having reluctantly moved from California after Great Recession reverses, relate what they had learned about the joys and challenges of "la pura vida" since a 2011 YouTube video on their early experiences. (Available at    • So You Want to Retire in Costa Rica  .) Here are tips for those contemplating moving to the peaceful, biodiverse Central American republic, as 70,000 gringo expats have done. I'm guessing that this couple's basic income was about $3,600 a month, supplemented by $3-$4,000 a month the wife earned from a psychology practice in Costa Rica, and some stock-trading gains. These Americans happen to be Democrats. They have many Republican expat friends, but there is a glancing reference to President Trump that has attracted bitter comments from some pro-Trump viewers. As creator of this video, I intend no political messages -- other than encouraging respect for everybody's right to their political opinions, and civility in YouTube comments.