E055 - Staying Visible in Remote Work

Summary: Molly, an American expat living in Costa Rica, shares her journey of moving abroad and the reasons behind it. She was motivated by a desire to be closer to nature and alleviate chronic pain. Molly's move was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced her to adapt her podcast production business to a remote model. She chose Costa Rica because of her previous connections to the country and the positive experiences she had during a visit. Molly initially faced challenges, including a difficult living situation and a traumatic home invasion, but she persevered and found a safe and welcoming community. She now enjoys the natural beauty and outdoor activities that Costa Rica has to offer. Molly shares her experiences of living in Costa Rica and offers advice for those considering moving abroad. She discusses the challenges of driving in Costa Rica, the importance of learning the local language, and the need to stay visible in your industry when working remotely. Molly also talks about her visits back to the US, the impact of the January 6th insurrection in DC, and the political climate in Costa Rica. She advises taking it slow when moving abroad, joining local crime groups for accurate information, and envisioning your perfect day to make it a reality. Connect with Us: Website: https://www.tallmantravels.co.uk/the-expat-pod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089327439022 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.expat.pod/ X: https://twitter.com/ExpatPod LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-expat-pod/ Subscribe, Rate, and Review: If you enjoyed this episode of The Expat Pod, please subscribe, rate, and leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners like you and continue to deliver valuable content on life as an expat. Takeaways: Moving abroad can provide opportunities for a better quality of life and a fresh start. Adapting to remote work can open up new possibilities for living in different countries. Building a supportive community is essential for a successful expat experience. Living in a foreign country requires an open mind, cultural sensitivity, and an understanding of local customs and laws. Exploring nature and engaging in outdoor activities can enhance the expat experience. Driving in Costa Rica can be challenging due to narrow and windy roads, but it is less stressful than other transportation options. Learning the local language is important for immersion and understanding the nuances of the culture. When working remotely, it is crucial to stay visible and maintain connections with clients and colleagues. Visiting back home is important for business visibility and maintaining relationships. The January 6th insurrection in DC had a significant impact on Molly's perspective and she believes it signifies the end of an era in America. Sound Bites: "Being closer to nature and a little bit more grounded." "I'm gonna be better at doing everything fully remote than everybody else." "I was drugged and robbed in a home invasion." "There's always a chance you're going to die every time you get in your car because the roads are so narrow and windy." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:53 Motivation for Moving Abroad 06:11 Adapting to Remote Work 09:03 Navigating the Visa Process 12:00 Finding Accommodation 14:52 Initial Impressions of Costa Rica 17:01 Dealing with a Traumatic Experience 19:48 Interacting with the Police and Government 24:07 Settling into a New Community 28:00 Embracing the Natural Beauty of Costa Rica 30:48 Living Abroad: Cultural Differences and Local Laws 31:44 The Importance of Language Learning 33:03 Staying Visible in Remote Work 37:42 The Impact of the January 6th Insurrection 39:40 The Changing City of DC 42:00 The Political Climate in Costa Rica 53:21 Joining Local Crime Groups for Information 56:45 Envisioning Your Perfect Day