Matthew and Evelyn Lopes recently retired and moved from New England to Costa Rica. Having traveled to several international destinations for vacation, they felt the central valley of the small Central American country was a perfect fit. Now the couple have created full lives, complete with extended family, hobbies and a list of future plans. 

  For 20 years we planned to retire outside the U.S. The Connecticut winters were getting very harsh as we got older. So, we knew we had to move some place where the climate would be mild. The temperature where we live here, in Costa Rica, ranges between 69 to 84 degrees F. and this depends on the elevation where you live and the time of year.

While we’ve been here, these last 4 years, we have learned about the country and done a little traveling. Matt also freshened up on his  Spanish. I seem to find Tico’s (that’s what the Costa Rican’s call themselves)  that want to practice their English so I have no problem getting around. We’ve been meeting new people and entertaining (Americans and Costa Ricans). There is a large American ex-pat community here in Costa Rica. Matt belongs to the American Legion. They support children attending a local school and work with Indigenous people. I enjoy my hobby of quilting. I’ve made and given a lap quilt to a Costa Rican friend to keep her legs warm while sitting on her porch in the mountain air of Puriscal. Matt enjoys cooking and baking so he gets to cook every day, he says it relaxes him.

  We’ve gotten accustomed to the climate and the relaxed lifestyle. We only get dressed up when attending formal affairs, The Annual Marine Ball is one of those occasions. We have a Bucket List and the next thing on it, is to visit, Machu Picchu In Peru.