Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica — Kendell Renee Kelly, a lawyer, business strategist, and entrepreneur, recently settled into a new chapter of her life in the tropical climes of Costa Rica, where she has found rejuvenation and freedom away from the pressures of U.S. corporate life. Kelly’s move mirrors a growing trend among Black Americans seeking refuge and new beginnings abroad.
“The air here does wonders for your skin with all the humidity, but more importantly, it’s the reduced stress and newness of life here that makes the biggest difference,” Kelly explained. Her radiant appearance, she says, is a testament to her improved quality of life.
Kelly, who has always had aspirations of owning property outside the U.S., realized her dream in the unexpected surrounds of Costa Rica. Her decision crystallized after assisting a law school friend settle into a newly-purchased home in the country. What was meant to be a brief visit evolved into a permanent stay, offering her an escape from the burnout she faced as a Black professional woman in America.
“I just needed to take this metaphorical cape off, to take a break,” said Kelly, who had previously entertained the idea of creating a retreat in Jamaica for other Black women needing respite from their burdens. She soon began searching for the perfect location in Costa Rica, where the pieces for her retreat started to come together.
Puerto Viejo, where Kelly now resides, has become a sanctuary particularly for Black American women. Its reputation as an Afro-Caribbean enclave with a rich mix of African, Indigenous, and Spanish cultural influences makes it an appealing destination. Kelly, who is raising 14-year-old adopted twin daughters, values the safety and freedom the area offers which she felt was unattainable back in the U.S.
Despite the idyllic setting, adjusting to a new country comes with its challenges. Kelly admits to wrestling with the Spanish language and navigating the bureaucracy of starting a business abroad. She emphasizes the importance of being prepared for infrastructural inconsistencies, like intermittent electricity and the long travel times needed for basic services, which require patience and flexibility.
Kelly is actively developing a retreat and wellness space in Puerto Viejo, aiming to share the sense of liberation and healing she has found. “I am constantly learning, seeing new things, and playing in the dirt of my garden. It’s like being a child again,” she describes her daily experiences with visible joy.
Her story is part of a larger narrative of Black Americans who, particularly since the 2024 election, are either contemplating or have made the decision to relocate outside the U.S. in search of better living conditions and personal freedom.
As Kelly and many like her continue to settle and build lives in new environments, their stories highlight the complex interplay of race, opportunity, and the search for community and safety far from their original homes.
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