OUR STORY

WHAT IS That Bella Life?

Prepare to Exit

In 2013, six friends from the Bay Area began a weekly quest to research and plan a life-changing move outside of the United States.

Over the next year, Costa Rica emerged as our destination of choice, and the Aspiring Expats blog was born, documenting our journey and offering guidance to others (especially those of color) considering relocation.

By 2015, our group of friends embarked on a pivotal 'due diligence' trip to Costa Rica, with each of us mapping out our individual timelines for relocation. In 2016, the first two trailblazers took the leap, selling their belongings and boarding a plane bound for their new lives as expats in Costa Rica.

Today, we invite you to join us on this continuing journey through Black Expats Living Life Abroad, our platform to share experiences and inspire others. As we expand our horizons, we'll explore new topics like travel, food, design, and more.

Stay tuned for engaging videos, interviews, and discussions about the rich experiences of Black expat life in Costa Rica and beyond.

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 - The Aspiring Expats, remains available 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.