Newworld1
10/4/2015 14:26 EST
Hello!
I am glad I found this forum, there seems to be a great community with a ton of information.
I am a single male in my early 30s considering making a move to Nicaragua. I am tired of the big city rat race here in California and am interested in a slower more peaceful lifestyle.
I've traveled central and South America and love it. I have not yet been to Nicaragua but I have heard from many people it is a wonderful place to settle. As of now I have my eye on San Juan Del Sur but open to suggestions.
I have 2 main concerns/questions I would love some feedback on.
1) Business. I've got money saved up that will allow for me to start up some sort of business once I get settled. I'll definitely need something profitable though as I am still many years away from retirement like a lot of expats who relocate. Can you all share some typical or no so typical expats make a living in Nicaragua. I'd imagine tourism and food services are two of the big ones. Any ideas to help get my wheels spinning would be very helpful.
2) Social life. Are there a lot of young expats in San Juan Del Sur ? Is it easy to make friends, meet women, hang out with locals ect... I've been to smaller beach towns with a cliquey non-inclusive vibe. I'm hoping it's not like that there.
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cedelune
10/5/2015 02:47 EST
I strongly suggest that you spend some time in San Juan Del Sur and see for yourself. Look around and see if there's a niche that you can fill. There are plenty of young people in SJDS, some are partyers and/or surfers, and some run businesses. Not all businesses are successful. Do your due diligence. I suggest you join the Expats in SJDS Facebook page--there are a lot more folks on there than on here who might be able to be more specific with your questions, but "I've heard . . ." is simply not enough information on which to pull up stakes and move to a country you've never been to before and hope to be successful with some as-yet-undecided business venture. Do you speak Spanish? It will certainly help. If not, start learning now. Good luck!
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novato1953
10/5/2015 03:48 EST
There is an untapped niche in San Juan where no one, to date, sells sea shells at the seashore to tourists offloaded from cruise ships. Low overhead. Every other small business will be no day at the beach.
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JohnSS
10/5/2015 05:23 EST
Most people who run from the "awful" life in the states have a tough time here too.
It's not the pioneering adventure it was 10 ,15 or more years ago most of the country has more modern infrastructure now. Property prices are way up from then too.
But compared to the states property here is very cheap but everything else is more expensive. Much of that you have to bring or buy online & pay shipping & import taxes etc.
Compared to California Nicaragua is retiree rocking chair country and a near perfect vacuum for recreation available there. No marinas, launch ramps for water sports ocean, lakes, rivers and no winter sports in the mountains. No public land for recreation. Kiss off virtually every hobby you had except in your home and it's sometimes hard & expensive to fined supplies for those.
If course if you did nothing there you can enjoy doing that here too.
Many of us really enjoy life by having a project. Build a house to live in & maybe sell it if a profit is easy to build more. An interesting life is to start a hobby farm & two I know do that.. And of course with the cash to make yourself legal you can always start a business. A few do well most just buy a very low paying job. Best is this all is very inexpensive and almost no rules compared to Calif or much of the US.
I enjoy SJDS & manage a business which is pretty common to keep from being bored. There are several boats that run for sailing, fishing, snorkeling, or diving but the wast coast water is seldom clear. A few hang a boat on a buoy access is not easy & security is a huge problem. Local beaches are crowded but Surfing is hobby many enjoy. There are a interesting locals that are fun to hang out with including many who have risen above poverty.
If you are a barfly you will love SJDS. Romance is usually with a local & is easy for a gringo who is not broke. They will love you for your charm, wit, & good looks even if you are a complete goober. Expats here enjoy having new friends so you will easily be accepted. Rents & property by comparison to most other areas are high.
It's not as negative as that but it's usually best to bring money if you want any luxuries here or buy property. A few do well with a business for most life is usually pretty spartan.
Security & petty crime & getting ripped off is a whole other subject.
The east coast is usually not recommended for beginners but some do have a good time there especially on the Corn Islands which are nice.
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JohnSS
10/5/2015 07:17 EST
I know this was a joke but your copy and paste didn't work right.
She sells seashells by the seashore.
The shells she sells are surely seashells.
So if she sells shells on the seashore,
I'm sure she sells seashore shells.
Are there still a lot of trinket salesmen at the port for cruise ship customers on the way to buses out of here? Those that came from Managua that I knew gave up a long me ago.
Actually there are a few that scrounge the the beach from point to point for exerciser but there are very few shells & sponges they find that are interesting.
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elduendegrande
10/5/2015 08:55 EST
Tips to avoiding the Rat Race in NIc:
1) Do not buy property
2) Do not own a business
3) Do not drive
4) Do not get involved with Nica women.
5) Do not get involved in legal squabbles.
Other than that, Don't Worry, Be Happy!
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iguanalover
10/5/2015 10:44 EST
We know many expats who are in business. Some have been very successful. They have some things in common:
1. they speak excellent Spanish
2. they have almost no social life, they are at their business most of the time. Don't worry about social life.
3. they had plenty of money or income to live off until they started making money. It can take years. Many of them still depend on social security. Many of them live in the back room of the business.
4. they found a NIca to handle the business part. Government regulation, especially labor laws, are very strict. The NIca government sends folks around to check on business. The most successful businesses have no employees. Employees are very expensive in Nicaragua.
5. they work very hard everyday.
6. they had enough money or years to get residency.
Tourists are very fickle. What is in one day is out the next. Right now, everyone is starving as it the low season. My husband says, "bring lots of money and go home before you run out," it is good advise. I would really look around carefully before you leap.
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Newworld1
10/5/2015 16:39 EST
Thanks you all for taking time to reply to my questions.
I totally hear all the advice. I am not going to move down sight unseen and buy a business within the first 48 hours. I understand a lot of caution and research need to take place prior to make any big decisions. That's why I am here, just gathering info early on. Thanks for all your comments and please keep them coming!
In regards to businesses are the tourist businesses over saturated. For example would buying a fleet of ATV/quads and setting up a small tour operations be a viable option or just a fierce competition ?
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MarioRobleto
2/12/2016 19:44 EST
It is important to have a clear idea of what your business is going to be about and how you are going to run it. If you have any questions I am the general manager of a certified public accounting firm based here in Managua, you can look us up on the internet: SAENICSA
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