Expat Advice: Moving to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?
San Juan del Sur
Name three things that you wish you had brought and three you wish you had left at home.
Wish I had brought:
More Frontline Plus for the dog, water hose caddy/reel, and back-up battery charger for the computer
Wish I had left:
Oreck vacuum cleaner (all tile floors), gas grill, automatic dog feeder
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What advice would you give someone preparing to move to your area about the actual move, choosing a neighborhood and finding a home?
Spend as much time prior to moving as possible in different months of the year to experience the seasonal changes. Also, try to stay as near as your choice property if not in/on it to experience everything that will be around you. Roosters crowing, dogs barking, pigs grunting, early street cleaners or whatever can make a real difference, good and bad.
What type of housing do you live in? Is this typical for most expats in your area?
A large old Colonial house, right on the main street in town, just across the street from the ocean. This house is one of only 2 in this town. Most of the expats live either on the hillside or just out of town
How did you choose your neighborhood and find your home or apartment?
I would stay in different parts of the town each time I came to get a feel for the different sights, sounds etc.
Are your housing costs higher or lower than they were in your home country? What is the average cost of housing there?
In comparison, the housing is less expensive than in the US
New construction is around $40.00 a sq. ft.
Upscale, 3 bedrooms with a view and pool are renting for $500-700.00 per month.
Smaller local houses rent for $200-300.00.
More Expat Advice about Moving to Nicaragua
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Comments about this Report
guestwhat is the best and most reliable source for finding a good smaller local house for long term rental. tks
guestWhere are you finding new construction for $40/sq ft? I don't even know of Nica builders who can do that. Plan on 70/sq ft for a "nice" house, and 90-100 for a pacific marlin type house.
WanderlustReal estate offices are somewhat helpful, but without any MLS they tend to have access to only a fraction of what is offered on the market... and BE SAVVY! The level of professionalism is all over the board. I'd also look for signs on buildings "alquilar" or 'se alquila". You need to speak Spanish well to be able to understand and negotiate. I found that the Spanish language schools in town are a good place to learn and you can dictate your own schedule. Build a relationship with the school personnel and then you may be able to hire a teacher to help with the interpretation and negotiations. FYI: most cheap to moderately priced rentals do not have hot water. Yet even cold water temperatures are fairly tepid, so this may not be an issue. But if it is important, be sure and figure out the details of that first. And BTW electric is relatively expensive in Nica.
arpriceYes, please any info on long term rentals houses SJDS and where to look. I have 3 cats and 2 dogs. Would need a house with yard if possible. Any info on requirements for shipping animals. Thanks so much for your help.
guestInteresting article. I am a retiree from Canada, & would like to get some info on rentals in San Juan del Sur. I read an article that one can rent a 2 bedroom / 2 washroom any where from $500-1000 dollars. Can you help me find some places? Thanks & Cheers Louis
AVLouis how long do you p,an to rent? Also will the beach be hat important to you? I have a lightly furnished house a ail able or rent off and on throughout the year. 2 bedrooms 2 baths. It is near plaa Hermsa and playa Remosa up on a mountain top overlooking a valley. It has a full ime family living there in a separate casita. Let me understand your goal for a rental, when would you pan n being here...
redhead4ugood info on finding the right location for U ! We too will be coming to SJDS in Sept. and checking it out . Maybe we will run into many of you there. I will stay in touch when the time is nearer for a house as well. thanx to all you expats out there!
fixitfilI am coming to Managua on Sept 3rd to look for a rental 2brm 2ba minimum with balcony and water view either in Managua or Granada. I would appreciate any help. This will be to relocate from US to Nicaragua. Have adequate age and income for retirement.
guestWithout a posting date on the response, it's hard to know if prices such as construction per square foot, and rent, are still accurate.
