Visiting for final decision on expat living

I am ex military and have visited many countries and feel that will benefit assimilating into the tico community.  From some of the negative comments I feel that is all personal opinion and lack of investigating every aspect you want to immigrate into that area.  All I want to know is the views and why they like the area they are in.... Now with that being said I give one requirement for the view ..... I am looking at residence, investing into the community and just living the best life for the years I have left .. I am fortunate to be 53 and doing this 7 years earlier.  Give me views... let's say from the area from Nicaragua to let's say Nosara..... Then let's go from Dominical Beach down to Panama.  I am leaning towards the Uvita proximity but would appreciate information any of you have.