Original subtitles

This view is priceless.

[narrator] Imagine a world of bargain dream real estate.

Just $41,000.

-[Larry] What? -This is unheard of for the States.

Global destinations.

-Bonjour! -I'm gonna embarrass myself. [laughs]

Fromagerie.

I love it! Great way to meet your neighbors.

-Yeah. -[woman #1] Yeah.

-[bell tolling] -This architecture is amazing.

And local expert know-how.

[woman #2] The cost of this in the States --

I think it would be double for sure.

The cost of living here is so much more affordable

than the U.S.

It is definitely a bargain.

Thank you!

You can afford to live your dream...

Whoo! [laughs]

I can't believe this is going to be my new home.

...at a price you never thought possible.

You did incredible!

This is exactly what we came all this way for.

-[soft music plays] -[distant voices]

Guanacaste.

The Northwest Pacific Coast region of Costa Rica,

with protected rainforests, pristine beaches, and a cost

of living that's 30% lower than the U.S.

Located just a four-hour flight from Dallas, Texas,

and a four-and-a-half-hour drive

from the Costa Rican capital, San José.

Here, you can still find homes

for under 150,000 U.S. dollars.

[traditional music playing]

Voted one of the happiest countries on Earth,

Americans are flocking here for a better quality of life.

I'm Isah.

I'm a retired Army veteran from El Paso, Texas.

From the moment I got off the plane in Costa Rica,

I felt this weird call

and knew this is where I was going to live.

It is relaxing.

And being a person from the military,

I needed to relax.

The locals call this relaxed way of life, pura vida.

Pura vida.

[Tootie] I am Tootie. I'm from Louisiana.

I am a part-time yoga instructor

and a part time chef.

[Isah] We've been friends for nearly three years.

I'm here because this journey is very important.

I want to see her get everything she wants.

[Isah] Army life has given me a lot of injuries.

I knew that retirement would be in my 40s.

I have been saving up.

I plan to sell my house

and just move down here with a suitcase and my heart.

And finding a home here can be a breeze,

as long as you know exactly who to call.

[Talya] I'm the relocation expert that actually relocated.

I'm from Atlanta,

and compared to what you can get in the States,

here in Costa Rica, you can get yourself a bargain,

and it's gonna be fabulous.

-Hey! -[Isah] Nice to meet you!

-[laughs] -[Talya] Nice to meet you.

[Tootie] Nice to meet you.

So how did y'all meet?

We met just walking on the beach here --

We passed each other, maybe, about three times,

and then we were like, "OK, let's stop and talk."

-Right. -It's like, "Hey, cousin!"

Hey cousin!

It was a whirlwind

friendship affair. -Oh!

I love it. OK, so why Costa Rica?

I am looking forward to being forced to slow down.

-OK. -And get more in tune

with myself and with nature, and this particular climate.

Works better for me and my achiness

because I know,

I don't look it, but I'm retired. -[Talya] No, no.

-No -- no, ma'am. -[all laugh]

-[Isah] Yeah. -Retired from where?

-I served for 25 years in the Army. -[Talya] Oh.

Oh, awesome.

Thank you so much for your service.

Oh, thank you.

OK, so, what are we looking for today?

-So, I'm looking at one to two bedrooms. -[Talya] OK.

-Preferably two because my mom and friends. -OK.

[Isah] I don't have to be on the beach, but I like to be

near it. And I do teach yoga online.

-[Talya] OK, so -- -And I do need space

that I can teach my yoga classes.

And I want preferably a local community.

[speaking in Spanish]

-All righty. -Oh, OK.

-I love it. -Yeah.

So, Tootie, what's your role here today in the house hunt?

I'm here to make sure she stays on track,

but also has a little freedom with it. -[Talya] Mm-hmm.

-OK. -She is all lists and all strategy, and I am --

"It's OK, open up, be wild and free a little bit, too."

Tell me a little bit about your budget.

OK, so I'm trying to do $200,000.

[Talya] OK.

[Isah] Because I have a little bit set aside

to take care of shipping.

So I kinda wanna stay in the $200,000s

so that I don't have to go into that money.

-Oh... -I'm excited to get started.

-[Talya] Oh, I'm very excited as well! -[indistinct]

Get in here you two.

Isah's keen to be close to the beach.

So we're starting our home search in a coastal town.

Playas del Coco, or El Coco as it's known locally,

is a vibrant beach town with growing infrastructure

hat's attracting international buyers.

And with straightforward visa options,

moving here couldn't be easier.

All right, ladies.

This is the Coco way to go.

If you wanna be a part of the who's who,

you got to join the golf cart gang.

-OK. -[Tootie] Nice, OK.

Let's go.

The center of El Coco is best navigated by golf cart.

[all] Yay!

[Talya] So, this is our downtown, of course.

And you've got some great restaurants all through here.

This is my city, hands down.

There's always someone to wave at, to speak to.

You can't beat it.

Oh, my God, look, it's a howler!

-Do you see it? -[Isah] Wow!

-[Tootie] Oh, my goodness! -[laughing]

-[Tootie] They're so pretty. -Oh, my gosh, they're so loud!

And, of course, the bananas.

Those mangoes will be ready soon.

Star fruit's just going out of season.

[Isah] I'm really looking for the local community,

because when you get out of the military,

a lot of veterans lose their sense of community.

We don't get fruit like that in El Paso.

And I'm purposely preparing for that.

Wow...

-Yeah. It's beautiful. -Mm-hmm.

El Coco's property market is booming,

and finding a spacious home near the beach

will push the budget.

This house might cost more than Isah was expecting.

It's listed at $225,000, but that's a great price

considering it's close to the beach

in a sought-after area.

And Talya is confident there's a deal to be had.

So, it's a beautiful neighborhood.

The only thing is, it's a little bit over budget.

How much over budget?

It's listed at $225,000,

but I think we can come in and negotiate.

This home comes fully furnished, so you don't have

to worry about shipping costs to bring things in.

[both] OK.

[Talya] But I promise it has a surprise.

-It's worth it. -OK.

Oh.

[Tootie] She playing with these stairs.

Across three floors, this new build home has two bedrooms,

two bathrooms, a yoga-friendly roof terrace,

and an open-concept living space and kitchen.

I like the little kitchen. Little kitchen, little stove.

[Tootie] Because what are you cooking anyway?

-Salads -- [laughs]. -[Tootie] OK.

-Kitchen is cute. -Very me.

-[Tootie] Very you. -Very small and intimate.

Ahh! Do you see the pool?

Isah!

[Tootie] Oh, my goodness. Look at that pool.

I want to get in right now.

To find a pool in this neighborhood

for $225,000 is rare.

I mean, it's a pool, Tootie.

You got to remember, I don't swim.

-You don't? -So I would rather -- hear me out...

Oh, gosh, this is about to be crazy.

Dig the pool up.

Cover up the pool?

Cover up the pool, Isah?

I have to be honest, I do not like the pool.

I don't care for the pool.

[Tootie] Hear me out.

It's amazing. All the joint pain.

you can get in that water, and it can help you.

It's not just about swimming, but hear me out, you can also

learn to swim.

One of the unique features of this house

is the floating staircase.

[indistinct] you might want to hold on to all reactions.

Oh, my goodness.

I'm really nervous because this property has

quite a bit of stairs.

It's three levels, essentially,

and she might not want to do that daily.

Little bedroom.

[chuckles]

Look at -- "Keep it wild."

[Isah laughs]

-[Tootie] Wild girl. -Uh --

forever.

-I do like the balcony. -[Tootie] That is cute.

-[Isah] Little coffee spot. -[Tootie] Yes, absolutely.

Little morning meditation.

[Isah] And here is another bedroom.

[Tootie] Nice. Is --

a nice, simple size.

But just in case mom comes,

she got a bed. [Tootie] Absolutely.

-[Isah] She has a dresser, that'll be fine. -[Tootie] Yeah.

-More stairs, it seems like. -[Isah] Mm.

Oh my goodness.

Oh.

Talya did her big one here.

-Oh my goodness. -This view.

[Tootie] I could cry right now, bro. What?

[Isah] The yoga that can be done here.

[Tootie] Oh.

I'm about ready to do some yoga right now.

[Tootie] Like right now, literally.

-[gasps] Wait, look, look. -No.

-I know, I know. I saw it. -Ocean.

-I saw it. I saw it. -It's a little peak --

A little peek-a-boo ocean over there.

For the same ocean view in the States,

here in Costa Rica, you're spending

40% to 60% less.

Oh, my goodness. This is so freaking beautiful.

-[Isah] For sure. For sure. -[Tootie] Positively.

[Isah] Let's go. We got to talk to Talya.

[Tootie] But -- let's do it.

What did you think?

I need to trust more.

[all laugh]

-'Cause that was a great surprise. -Yeah.

I like that the rooms were perfect-sized for me.

-Yeah. -That terrace was very, very nice.

OK. You not going to even mention the view?

You going to stand there and pretend like you

weren't looking at the ocean?

[both laughing]

'Cause a 360-view is crazy.

Yes, ma'am.

Now, the price of this house is over budget.

-Mm-hmm. -Could you see it working?

Since it is furnished...

-[Tootie] Yes? -OK.

-[Tootie] Oof. -...and close to the beach, yes.

It does give me a little more wiggle-room.

OK. I love that.

[Isah] Yeah.

We have something to think about.

Just a 10-minute drive away

is the vibrant center of El Coco.

[Talya] This is my friend.

[speaking in Spanish]

[Talya] No.

Guess how old he said he is.

-Well -- -No, I want you to guess.

[Isah] OK.

-Uh, like 65. -[Talya] Nope.

73.

-[both] Wow! -[Carlos] 73 años.

[Talya] That's that blue zone in action.

-[all laugh] -[Isah] OK, yes.

-Very nice. -[Talya] Yes.

It's good information.

So this is like the coconut man?

He is. That one.

Gracias.

-OK. Come on, let's get you -- -Ooh.

-[Carlos speaking Spanish] -Gracias, sí.

[Carlos] Adiós.

Ciao, ciao, ciao.

Like it here, but I want to find the house that has

everything that I want within my budget.

Cheers! Cheers for the girlies!

[all] Hey!

[soft music plays]

[Isah] Yoga's important to me because it's very therapeutic.

It not only helps to regulate your energy,

your body, your mind.

Oh, it feels so good.

Army life was extremely structured,

very regimented schedules.

My retired life is very different.

Now I teach yoga to veterans.

This new chapter of life, to just be able to relax

and enjoy nature.

To help Isah embrace relaxation,

Talya has something different in mind

with the next home, and it involves driving away

from the coast.

So, I know we've been driving for a little bit.

I know I've kind of got you out here in the sticks,

so what are you thinking? -It seems a bit deeper in.

[Talya] Mm-hmm. Strategically, we're not at the beach

because beachfront prices tend to --

to go pretty high.

So, you come in further inland and you're gonna get

a little bit more value and space,

but I do respect your need to be by water.

-So, I do have a little surprise for you, so don't fret. -OK.

All right, ladies, here we are.

I brought you to this beautiful little hidden spot.

This river is the Río Blanco.

Many of these waterfalls here don't have an official name.

Only the locals know where they are.

OK, OK.

Oh, boy! This is -- oh my God!

Tootie, did you see that?

-[Tootie] It's beautiful. -[Isah gasps]

I mean, you don't get nothing like this

in El Paso, OK? -Absolutely not.

-Absolutely not. -[Isah] I'm loving this.

[Isah] Oh! [laughs]

The waterfall in an area

that's just over an hour's drive from the beach

near the Rincón de la Vieja National Park.

A further 10 minutes from here is the next home,

in the town of Curubandé.

Nestled amongst dramatic volcanic landscapes,

this area is set for development

to meet the growing demand for homes,

driven by strong foreign investment.

This house is part of a brand-new neighborhood.

Only a handful of homes have been completed so far,

but there are plans for 36 in total.

They're building a clubhouse and a yoga space here,

but you'll need a car for all other amenities.

[Talya] All right, so this is the house.

What do you think?

It is beautiful.

-Where are the houses? -[laughs]

[Talya] Oh, well -- so the community isn't here yet,

but it's phase one.

So where else can you pick your lot number?

-What's your favorite? -Seven.

All right. Well, lot seven belongs to you.

-Can build your home on lot seven. -[Tootie laughs]

-Nice. -[Isah] OK.

[Talya] And honestly, you get to pick your neighbors

and build a community.

If you get in now, you're really getting it at a bargain.

It's only $190,000.

-OK. -OK, so it's in budget.

-Y'all go ahead. Take a look. -OK.

-[Talya] Let me know what you think. -[Isah] OK.

If Isah falls in love with this stunning show home,

she can have a custom one built on lot seven

in under six months.

OK. Hmm.

-[Tootie] Nice. -[Isah] This is interesting.

-[Tootie] Oh, my goodness. -Oh -- this is --

whoa, I'm digging. I'm digging it!

Built from sustainable materials,

this spacious three-bedroom home has two bathrooms,

a yard, and an open-concept living area.

-[Tootie screams] -Look at the kitchen.

[Tootie] An island?

Beautiful! Look at this island!

[Isah] And these drawers are so cute!

[Tootie] The balcony.

I wonder, enough space for yoga?

-Not quite, but almost. -[Tootie] Almost.

We could -- but we could do yoga down here.

[Tootie] The grass?

I may need to turn some of this into fake grass.

-That's a lot to have to try to maintain for me. -[Tootie laughs]

This is a lot? It's one square patch.

-OK. -OK.

-Fine, fine, fine, fine. -You -- oh, you gonna come cut it?

I mean...

Let's see what this hitting for --

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh.

OK. This look like a good lay down,

take a nap -- I'm just playing.

-[gasps] Oh, very nice, very nice. -[Tootie] Ooh.

-OK, bed. -Oh, look --

[Tootie] Let me see.

-Ooh! -[laughs]

[Tootie continued laughing]

No, no, no.

It's very firm.

-It feels real good. -[Isah] OK, OK.

Let's check out this room over here.

Ooh, nice. OK, shower.

[Isah] Nice little bathroom.

[Tootie] Let's see what we can do in here, girl.

A little forward folding action.

-[laughs] -Not you doing yoga in the shower.

-I can't take you nowhere. -OK, OK, OK, OK.

I am so nervous.

Like, I've totally over delivered on what she asked.

-There is another bedroom! -[Tootie] Ooh.

I love --

I got the price right, but the location,

I don't know.

I don't know if she's gonna go for it.

All right, ladies.

I'm giving you three bedrooms, two bathrooms at $190,000.

-Is that not a bargain? -It is really a bargain, Talya.

Thank you. Thank you.

-Did I do something right? -[Isah] Yeah.

-Thank you. -You did, you did.

Can you picture what day to day life would be like here?

No, because I don't know who's gonna be here.

But I like that there is a community coming.

-[Talya] Mm-hmm. -I like that it was open and airy.

-Yeah. -[Isah] That was really good.

-Balconies were a little small to teach yoga. -Mm-hmm.

But Isah, I gave you a third bedroom.

-That's a whole yoga room. -[Tootie] This is true.

-Did not think of that. -[Tootie] This is true.

I'm like, girl!

[Isah] It definitely gives me something to think about.

-[Talya] OK. -[Isah] For sure.

[soft music plays]

Oh, my goodness.

-So, this has been a journey. -Yes.

-How do you feel? -I feel like I can breathe.

Yeah.

Are you any closer to making this decision?

-[Isah] With the Jungle House... -Yeah?

[Isah] Huge bargain.

[Tootie] It is.

[Isah] For $190,000, I only asked for two bedrooms.

I get three.

And it is very close to a beautiful waterfall.

But let's think about it, though.

It's not close to the beach.

That wasn't make-or-break.

I mean, close to the beach was on the list.

OK.

OK, I got you.

What about the Yellow Beach House?

[Isah] It is way over my price point,

but I love that

whether I'm on the back deck

or upstairs in that bomb terrace,

I have a spot to do yoga. -[Tootie] Whee.

The only real negative I saw with the house was the stairs.

Now, hear me out. Those stairs were crazy.

-Those stairs. -[laughs]

[Tootie] The stairs are crazy.

[Isah] Even though the stairs give me much pause,

I love it, love it, love it, love it. -Yes.

-Remember, this is the house that also has furniture. -Yes.

-And it's turnkey, so I can move right in. -Yes.

That extra money that I would have spent on shipping,

I might have a little room to go up.

Are you ready to put in an offer?

I think I need to go talk to Talya.

Ahh! I'm so excited for you, Isah.

-I'm actually excited. -I'm so excited.

[Tootie] You're gonna be my neighbor [laughs].

[Isah] We gotta get some more drinks, though.

-[Tootie] Let's go, girl! -[both laughing]

-[Isah] More passion fruit. -[laughs]

So, I have some good news.

I bought the Yellow Beach House.

Pool and all.

$218,000. Huge bargain.

It was fully furnished, so, boom, I just --

didn't have to worry about shipping costs.

Came on down Costa Rica, baby!

Love teaching yoga on the yoga deck.

My students get a nice pura vida vibe

in the background.

I am getting around with a golf cart

that I'm actually borrowing from my friends.

This move to Costa Rica has been all about a new journey

and open to new possibilities.

I do not recognize this version of me anymore,

which is exactly what I wanted.

[birds chirping]