OUR STORY
WHAT IS That Bella Life?
Prepare to Exit
In 2013 six Bay Area friends began holding weekly research meetings in preparation for a move "somewhere" outside of the US.
In 2014 we narrowed our choice down to Costa Rica and I began writing a blog called The Aspiring Expats to chronicle our journey and to help other people (especially those of color) navigate the steps to relocation and retirement in Costa Rica.
In 2015, we all made our one and only "due diligence" trip to Costa Rica. We each had a different timeline for our final move, but the following year, 2016, the first 2 of us sold most of our household goods and our cars. We packed 8 bags and boarded a plane headed for our new life abroad.
Join us as we share our continuing journey. We're adding some interesting new topics, travel, food, wine, design, hot topics and even a little politics from time to time. Look for more videos and interviews along with discussions and info about relocation and black expat life in other countries.
BELLA = Black Expats Living Life Abroad
BELLA = The Latin and Italian word for beautiful
And, if you are thinking about making the move abroad, you've come to the right place!
(*Note - Although there will be no updates to The Aspiring Expats, it remains online and is available for your use. It contains helpful information about our first 3 yrs in Costa Rica.)
"All Those Who Wander Are Not Lost"
R. R. Tolkien for The Lord of the Rings
ABOUT US ---
Our Roots
We are two retired California Baby Boomers who set out on a journey of self discovery, adventure and a new life outside of the United States.
We believe you must bring your whole self to the table if you want to thrive in today’s crazy world; your personality, your sense of humor, and most importantly, your heart.
As we Evolve and gain a deeper understanding of the world around us and our connection to it, we travel with new eyes.
People have traveled for many years to destinations merely for the sake of being there. Our purpose is to discover humanity, understand a culture and connect emotionally with people - - - this type of travel leaves us with much more than a typical vacation and the experience can be life-changing. As we do this, we are tirelessly driven to leave a little something behind that can change a life.
To see what we've been up to, browse our site, learn about our passions, and explore what excites and interests you as well