The Girl Who Walked Away From the “Perfect” Plan — A Story of Building a Life Around Waves

Introduction — When “Perfect” Stops Feeling Right

Life in Berlin looked great on paper. I had a stable career in real estate, a beautiful apartment, a partner I loved and a future already mapped out: buy a house, have kids, keep climbing. It was the kind of life I truly believed would make me happy, because it was what I had worked so hard for. And for a long time, parts of it did.

I spent years building financial independence and create a life that felt safe. But slowly, I realized that safety and financial stability were only two parts of a much bigger picture. They don’t give you a reason to get out of bed in the morning. 

There’s a curse that comes with falling in love with surfing, especially when you’re a landlocked surfer. Your calendar revolves around surf trips, you count down the days, obsess over forecasts and squeeze waves into your tiny vacation allowance. Those trips give you more joy than anything else. And then you fly home and fall into a deep “post-surf blues,” asking yourself why life back home doesn’t feel anything like that.

After a while, it became clear that something was still missing. A feeling I couldn’t ignore any longer. The ocean had always represented freedom to me and once I realized that, I knew where I needed to go. So I chose differently.

I stepped away from the life I had carefully built, not because it was wrong or bad, but because I outgrew the version of myself who wanted it. Letting go of the “perfect” plan was the decision that changed everything.

Today, I live in Nosara, Costa Rica, building a life around waves, remote work, slow mornings and community. It’s challenging but beautiful and finally feels aligned with who I’m becoming.

How I Earn Remote Income as a Digital Nomad Surfer

From Real Estate Agent to Digital Nomad Life

Before we moved to Costa Rica, I worked in real estate in Berlin, a very offline job filled with property tours, client meetings, events and long office hours.

Absolutely nothing I could take with me as a digital nomad. Not even virtual assistant work made sense at first, because most companies wanted me in the same time zone. That meant I had to completely reinvent my career.

That process wasn’t easy. When you’ve built your entire professional identity in one field, walking away means letting go of a big part of who you thought you were.

Building a New Career as a Freelancer

One day, I sat down with a notebook, trying to figure out what I could actually do and what people might pay me for online.

I spent weeks researching freelance options, learning about remote work and testing what felt right. I’d always been drawn to marketing, social media and writing. So I started leaning into that, took courses and built a small portfolio.

I didn’t really prepare for earning money abroad, even though part of me knew I probably should have. I actually needed a clean mental break. I wanted to travel first, reset my mind and then rebuild from a place of clarity. I always told myself that, in the worst case, I could just go back to my old life.

Eventually, I found Upwork, which turned out to be the perfect starting point. At first, I applied for small, simple jobs; things I knew I could do well, like translations, creating Excel sheets or basic research tasks. Each project helped me build confidence and improve my profile. Over time, I learned how to write better proposals, highlight my strengths and slowly attract clients who needed ongoing support. That consistency paid off and I agreed on a long-term collaboration with an Australian company that now gives me around 20 hours of work per week managing social media, alongside smaller projects like copywriting, content creation, research or admin tasks.

Balancing Work and Waves

My days tend to flow easily. I wake up early, usually around 4 or 5 AM, and surf at sunrise. There’s something magical about starting the day in the ocean before the crowd hits the lineup. After my morning coffee, I settle into focused work hours until midday, either from home or at a cozy café with reliable Wi-Fi. Afternoons are for workouts, errands, a walk through town or sometimes a second surf session.

I don’t make a huge salary, but it’s enough to cover my rent, food and a simple life, sometimes with a little extra to save for future trips. Most importantly, it gives me something I never had before: freedom, balance and the chance to design my days around what truly matters to me.

I also spend a few hours every week working on my blog, SaltwaterSecrets.com — a passion project where I share surf travel guides, beginner tips, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. It doesn’t earn money yet, which is fine. I started it simply out of love for surfing and writing and who knows, maybe one day it’ll become another small income stream.

For now, this mix of remote work and creative freedom feels perfect. It allows me to live by the ocean and explore what’s next- maybe even build something local that brings people together around the ocean lifestyle I love. 

Finding My Rhythm in Nosara, Costa Rica

When a Place Finally Felt Right

Before settling in Nosara, I tried a few other surf-meets-work destinations like Bali, Portugal and Siargao. Each one was beautiful in its own way, but I never felt fully grounded there. Either it was too crowded, the community vibe didn’t click or it felt too remote for me.

Arriving in Nosara felt different. The rhythm of this place just fit, year-round waves, warm tropical mornings and that peaceful mix of jungle, ocean and great coffee.

Nosara has a very particular kind of energy. It’s a small coastal town with a mix of locals, expats, digital nomads and tourists. But what truly sets it apart is the kind of people who choose to stay. Many aren’t just passing through. They’re young people chasing a balanced life, families who’ve settled here for the strong international school and retirees drawn to the calm, healthy, outdoor lifestyle.

A Town Built on Community

That long-term commitment people make to this place changes everything. It brings a sense of stability, respect and care you don’t often find in places where people just come and go. In Nosara, people genuinely try to keep balance between the local community, nature and those who’ve made this place their home.

But what truly makes Nosara special are the people themselves. Everyone greets you with a smile. You say hola to strangers on the street, surfers help each other and kindness feels effortless. It’s something I didn’t even realize I’d been missing until I felt it here.

Yes, the gap between local life and expat wealth exists (as it does almost everywhere). But here, you can feel that people genuinely at last try to give back, for example through beach clean-ups, local sports programs, and small businesses that support the community. It’s not perfect, but it’s intentional.

Even when you drive past luxury jungle villas or pay $8 for a matcha latte, there’s an underlying humility. People here are chasing balance, not status. In the end, we’re all just looking for the same thing: a slower rhythm, a deeper connection to nature and a life that feels genuinely good.

Working from Paradise (with Wi-Fi that Actually Works)

For a beach town in Costa Rica, Nosara’s Wi-Fi is surprisingly reliable.

I usually work from home, but when I need a change of scenery, I go to a café like Organico or Rolling Waves. All have strong connections, great coffee and that lovely open-air vibe.

Nosara now has a few solid co-working options and even long-term office rentals. The newest one, Become Nosara Work Center, has an open space area, focus rooms, conference spaces, fast fiber internet and, very important, enough backup power to keep you online through any blackout.

Power outages are simply part of life in Costa Rica. If your job depends on a stable connection, for example, for client calls, and you’re working from home, make sure your place has a backup generator (many rentals mention this in the listing). A few cafés even highlight that their Wi-Fi stays on during outages.

The Reality (and Cost) of Living in Nosara

Of course, Nosara isn’t perfect. You have to get used to mosquitoes, the rainy season and never leaving the house without sunscreen. And while life here is beautiful, it’s also expensive, especially during high season (December–April), when prices skyrocket and rentals get snapped up fast.

For anyone considering a move, it’s worth knowing what to expect. The cost of living changes quite a bit between high season (December–April) and low season (May–October), but even in quieter months, it’s still on the higher end compared to most surf towns.

Here’s what life roughly costs me:

• Rent: A 1-bedroom apartment or studio within 10 min drive to the surf costs around $2,000/month in high season and from $1,300/month in low season. Long-term rentals are the only way to make it sustainable. Short-term stays get crazy expensive. 
• Transport: An ATV rental costs around $600/month in low season or up to $1,000 when demand spikes. Some people manage without, but it makes everyday life much easier. There are also plenty of tuk-tuks in town for short rides.
• Co-working: from $30/day or $400/month for open space access
• Food: Eating out costs about $14–20 per meal in a casual restaurant, plus drinks. Groceries can add up quickly, even a basic shopping run is easily $100.
• Coffee & cafés: Expect to pay around $7 for an oat latte, $10 for a smoothie.
• Gym: A basic gym membership is around $120/month. Its a small gym, but at least it has A/C.

Most places accept USD and you can even withdraw dollars directly from local ATMs, which makes budgeting easier if you earn in that currency.

Nosara’s prices can be shocking at first but once you settle in, you realize what you’re paying for: a peaceful town, community, nature and waves every single morning.

-> Read more about the cost of living as a digital nomad surfer.

What I Learned About Building a Life as a Digital Nomad Surfer in Nosara

1. It’s not just paradise, it’s preparation.

Moving abroad comes with more challenges than you might expect. It’s not only about practical things like setting up international banking or finding a place to live, it’s also emotional. You’re far from family, adjusting to new systems and building connections from scratch. Even with sunshine and surf breaks, there are days that feel far from home.

If you plan to freelance, start early. Building a small client base and taking care of taxes or registrations before you leave will save you a lot of stress later. Freedom feels amazing, but it takes structure, patience and self-trust to make it last.

2. Don’t underestimate the cost of paradise.

Living close to the ocean is amazing, but everyday life is more expensive than you might expect.
Groceries, rent and even coffee add up quickly, so it helps to plan ahead and keep some savings for unexpected costs.

Feeling financially secure makes it much easier to actually enjoy the freedom that comes with this lifestyle.

3. Choose your home base wisely

When you’re looking for a place to stay, think beyond just the distance to the surf. Ask yourself if it’s somewhere you’d still feel good on a rainy Tuesday.

Natural light, good airflow, reliable Wi-Fi and a backup battery might not sound exciting, but they’ll shape your everyday life more than you think. A place that feels comfortable and practical will make your stay much easier.

4. Build real connections

Having people around who check in on you, share local tips, or give you a ride when it’s pouring rain. That’s what really matters.

Learn the local language, support local businesses and be kind. It’s the connections you build that make life abroad truly sustainable.

5. My biggest lesson?

Things go wrong, plans change, storms cut the power. But if you stay adaptable and grateful, you’ll realize that you didn’t come here for perfection. You came here to actually live.

The waves teach you patience and so does this lifestyle.

Final Thoughts

Berlin offered stability, but not fulfillment. Life here feels lighter, less about things, more about moments. Some days are messy, others are magical. But the difference is that I finally feel like the main character in my own story, not just watching from the sidelines.

This lifestyle isn’t perfect. It’s raw, unpredictable and sometimes challenging. But it feels real. If you feel called to the ocean, listen. Waves won’t wait. Neither should you.

And if there’s one piece of advice I’d give anyone dreaming of this path: don’t wait until everything feels ready. It never will. Start small, stay curious and trust that the rest unfolds along the way.

Because every sunrise surf, every quiet coffee after and every small moment of alignment reminds me why I chose this path and why I’d choose it again.

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