Living in Costa Rica . . .Where the living is good By Jo Stuart jostuart@amcostarica.com

of the gymnasium, which evidently is quite new and was funded by the Spanish government.  The ambassador was a man of few words.  Even so, I understood only about half of them. Then one of our more loquacious residents thanked him (and I suppose the Spanish government) on the behalf of all of us.

The rainy season is upon us, and with a vengeance.  The climate in Ribera de Belén is considerably more humid than that of San Jose during the rainy season. Even the bills in my wallet are limp.  Whatever transformers are near us must be very vulnerable because with each aguacero the electricity goes off.  The good news is that even in the rain one can walk because the walkways here and the country club are covered.

There has been a lot of interest in the subject of assisted living and cooperative living among seniors.  A long-time reader, Ron, sent me a Web site address of studies done of older people living in intentional communities.

All of the studies show that community living has a definite positive effect on health and longevity.  Social activities outside the family, friendship networks, and intellectual stimulation, have as much to do with living longer and healthier, both mentally and physically, as exercise.

A study I found interesting in terms of the expat community of Costa Rica was of a Swedish-speaking minority in Finland.  Other factors being comparable, the Swedish group was healthier and lived longer than their Finnish counterparts, due, according to the study to their “social capital.” The community they maintained included friendship networks, involvement in social activities, hobbies, clubs and religious involvement.  Absence (living alone), one study found, actually “makes the heart grow weaker.”

Jo’s book, “Butterfly in the City: A Good Life in Costa Rica,” is available at the 7th Street Book Store, Lehmann’s and Liberia Internacional.  Or contact Jostuart@amcostarica.com.