Thenoob
1/4/2017 18:40 EST
Hello everyone
Happy to be here. A bit about myself. 36 years old, business owner looking for an easier life. I own a very busy hectic 5 month multi-province catering operation that goes nuts, this allows me not to have to work in fall/winter if I choose so.
Being that I have this option, we are looking at not purchasing a home in INFLATED VANCOUVER, but looking at corn island to setup shop for our home.
I have done a lot of research, but most of the blogs /info focus on little corn. We are planning on visiting next Nov for at least 1 month to get a feel for the place.
My questions :
1. Big Corn basic utilities cost? Electricity/water/internet??? - we plan on building using solar if we proceed. Also using a roof catch system for majority of water needs into cisterns. I understand internet could be a wild card.
2. Wages??? I absolutely cannot find accurate wages for trades in corn/Nica. I understand the island could be different in relation to the Mainland but trying to gather an somewhat realistic cost of a build. We plan on an acre of land and doing a lot of food on the property....possibly building several housing structures if possible. I understand logistic issues on corn and delivery of cargo.
3. What is the garbage deal on the island? Is it burned?
4. Insurance for my scooters? How does that system run?
We are planning on immersing ourselves in the culture and being a part of it. I know little corn is tourist expat heavy but big corn is cheaper it seems? We are interested in big corn. But time will tell when we actually stay While. But I am def doing an immense amount of cultural understanding before visiting and trying to figure out how they operate etc.
I thank you in advance for your time and any info!!
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atz111
1/4/2017 21:18 EST
Some of your questions are straightforward...but a lot of what you ask is a book. You will get all those answered ...better than what you will get here...when you visit for a month. I will say that with 1/2 time there it will take a loooong time you get what you talk about done.
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Thenoob
1/4/2017 21:21 EST
I kind of understand what you are saying, I'm just reaching out to anybody who might actually live on there to give some serious insight. Information and insight is never a bad thing!
I understand planning/construction and that every country has there own way of doing things ie permits/work etc....
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atz111
1/4/2017 21:50 EST
Understood. Go to the real Nicaragua.com. There are a bunch of people on there from corn Island and they will talk your ear off. Everything they say will not be accurate, But it will give you a start. Also, the right side guide, another website that you may get connections on. Good luck
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johnchip
1/4/2017 22:53 EST
Gringo, your idea that Nicaragua is a fertile place for capitaism is way out of line. Your ideal of the corn islands is way out of wack as to a great new opportunity for tourism.. These people do not cooperate with the central government and are not '. '.foreign friendly'. Don't get your hopes up. One month visit? you are out of your mind.. 6-12 months might give you a taste of NICA life Keep your eggs in your hens baskets.
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Thenoob
1/4/2017 23:02 EST
Thanks for your absolutely wrong assumptions about me.
You think I just saw a picture on google and decided this was my Caribbean oasis? I'm a smart, young business owner who has no want to start any type of "tourism" business. I'm coming to live.
You want to tell me what my "ideal of the corn islands" is? I'd like you to tell me what I'm thinking, it would help me sooooo much.
Please also tell me about my "thoughts of Nica being grounds for fertile capitalism".?? Who the hell are you? Either contribute to a conversation, or piss right off with your trolling and self righteousness.
My questions are legit everyday living questions. Every city, village, town, dot on a map has systems, first world or third world.
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atz111
1/4/2017 23:05 EST
An out come the naysayers. Well there is some truth in what he says, however it nor the country of Nicaragua, is half as bad as what he makes it out to be. He's probably had a tough time–––you can tell. He may not be able to get the lay of the land of the corn islands in a month, but a reasonably intelligent person can certainly do it. You will not get everything planned, But don't know if what you plan to do is even possible. And, if you don't give it a look, you will never know. As I said in my previous email, you need to take any advice that you get with several grains of salt.
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Thenoob
1/4/2017 23:13 EST
Yup that guy can take a hike...thanks for telling me what IM thinking, stupid troll.
It's been a year of research, now moving to these forums to clear up questions/thoughts etc. Every village/town/city/dot on a map has systems .... And that's all I'm looking for....services that exsist and those that don't.
I'm creative being in business for a decade and understand large projects, understand how to deal with bumps in a road, and how to see things through. I think I can learn and digest a foreign country and take notes and learn.
Thanks for the info, I appreciate it!!
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KeyWestPirate
1/5/2017 02:15 EST
Get in touch with Kevin,, AKA CookShow, He posts frequently on The Real Nicaagua.
He's been on Big Corn forever,,
Your timing might be right: If Nicaragua ever puts in an all weather road to the Right Side,, tourism to the Caribbean will explode, as will property values.
Another poster on TRN has a hotel on Little Corn.
There is so much excitement in Nicaragua at the moment,, and CR is pricing itself out of the tourism investment market, I was there in December, and continue to be astonished at the cost of simple things.
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atz111
1/5/2017 09:20 EST
OP said that the outset.... he is coming for a month. What he saw as a response from the Chipster was a spew of negative stuff...and more..telling the guy he was misinformed not just about CI but basically his life. Noob....what you see in that is typical of about 1/2 the expats on here who will comment, many of whom are not even residents, but long term tourists and others are people been here a short time. some think they are the only ones who can deal with stuff here, although many really are hunkered down and don't have much of a life. after about 15 minutes of being here they are experts and know you will never be one. So, again, in the good advice is a plethora of bad stuff...you sorted this and you will need to do more. On the CI forum, look for Dolly D. She has a business and her head screwed on right.
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Thenoob
1/5/2017 10:18 EST
Thanks for that!
Yup I'm coming for a month after my busy season dies down with an active plan of learning/potential purchases and will have my ducks in order as far as purchase processes. I understand things are weird in regards to deeds in Nic.
I hate when people spew on about things they don't even understand, granted everybody is free to have an opinion....when it's a non educated one about said subject, it becomes laughable.
I will def get in touch with these people! I'm kind of surprised that access on the Caribbean side is tough...I would have thought it would have been a definite! But even better because I see corn island lots are very reasonable. Costa Rica is just rediculous. I like simple life and can deal with a lot less in life.
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elduendegrande
1/5/2017 11:13 EST
You lost me when you said "We are planning on immersing ourselves in the culture and being a part of it."
Go visit before you decide if you like the culture.
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Thenoob
1/5/2017 11:16 EST
Thanks for the reply, when I do go visit places, I tend to throw myself in the culture to try and learn, I don't stay at resorts. That's all I meant . No better way to learn in my books
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dollyd
1/5/2017 11:20 EST
And now for a real answer to your questions. Big Corn is still cheap but gringos are coming fast. The sooner you buy the better. I am using US dollars for this.
My electric is usually under $100 a month but I don{t have AC as I live right on the beach on the windward side. I do run dehumidifiers when I leave and that can bring it up to between $200 ans $250 a month.
I use the island water, pipe water as they call it. I pay about $6 a month. I am too close to the sea for a well but others have wells and the water is very good. The island water, no so much. I buy bottled for drinking/cooking.
I have a USB stick from Claro for my internet. I plug it into the side of my laptop. Very rarely do I have any problems and the speed is pretty good. I also brought a MOFI down here which gives me regular WiFi from the USB stick for my ipad or a smart phone. It works well but bring one with you. Get it online from Canada before you come.
They have a garbage dump here on the island and have just started recycling plastic a few weeks ago. Things here get used up, no like in the states and Canada. Nothing is thrown away until it is totally useless. They are hoping to do more recycling in the future.
I have been told that insurance is about $50 a year but is worthless. Here you would have to ship the moto back to the mainland to get it worked on for the insurance to cover it. That would probably cost more then just fixing it here.
Growing things depend on how far you are from the sea. I can't grown ANYTHING but coconuts, sea grapes and some aloe plants. Believe me, I have tried. Up on the hill you will get more. There is a LOT of salt in the air here.
Cistern is good but I suggest you should have the rain rinse the salt off of the roof before you start to collect if you want to use it for anything like drinking, bathing, etc.
I would look at the Sally Peachy, South End area of the island. Furthest from the problems of the town and where most gringos seem to be looking.
Good Luck
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atz111
1/5/2017 11:20 EST
Meaning you are not turned off by the culture, the first thing you need to get sorted out is the deal with buying land or other. property. Clear titles are available in Nicaragua. However, there is also a lot of funny business going on. East coast, Including the corn Islands has some additional things you need to be concerned about. Their titles are more difficult to obtain. However, you will be able to sort that out with the help of some of the locals who will tell you what they know, and at least two good lawyers. I recommend you use to Moyers, I just for difference of opinion, when you get started to work at one check on the other. In a close community like corner islands it will be a little bit difficult get really independent lawyer–– as many will be connected to the seller. But, you can work that out. Play by the rules, such as they are. And understand you will always be taking some risk by owning land in a foreign country.
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atz111
1/5/2017 11:33 EST
I ask all of you you were annoyed me for my calling out of the Chipster when he replied to this man's inquiries with his nonsense. None of it made sense, none of it had anything to do with corn islands, except grave warnings about not being prepared to come here and do business. Sorry, but I can't help it when I see stuff like that to respond–––not so much for him, because nothing is going to change the way he thinks, but for the original poster. Thanks Dolly D for some good information, I told Noob is coming.
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dollyd
1/5/2017 11:39 EST
One more thing. You will need a good honest lawyer and they are REALLY hard to find here. After years of bad lawyers, I found a really good one a few years back. I will give you his info if you want it when you come here. Titles are a mess. Most folks don't have them as it costs a lot of money to get one. It's all passed down family land and siblings sometimes fight over the land, they will lie to you for sure. All land needs to be researched fully as even some of the titles are bad. There are a few that are good but it is limited. The best bet is to go around and ask all the neighbors who owns the land. They will know. Also, if you are close to the water, any water, make sure you ask about a building permit before buying the land. Sometimes you get something that you can't build on.
I see there is questions about transportation. There are 3 flights a day from Managua, $165 round trip, on La Costena. These also go to Bluefield, the closest city on the main for about $80 R/T. You can also take a taxi or bus to Rama and get the boat which goes to Bluefield and then Big Corn. I have a shipper in Managua who sends everything I buy this way and it comes to my door. I also have a shipper in Miami who I send things to that I get on line and this also appears at my door. Shipping from Managua is not all that much but it is getting more expensive all the time from the US. I have no problem with Transportation at all.
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Thenoob
1/5/2017 11:55 EST
Awesome
Some great info esp dolly !
And also regarding the lawyer aspect, I fully agree in my research that has come up ALOT!!
And to the gentleman who says my initial post doesn't make sense, look at the information that's being shared in this thread, I think it made plenty of sense.
Interesting about the growing aspect, although in a warm climate would a greenhouse help to shelter from the salt in the air??
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longtimehere
1/5/2017 11:56 EST
Hi Dollyd,
Any other info? I see a lot of Gladys Mena s including one from Bluefields but nary a one has a page that I can see.
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dollyd
1/5/2017 12:04 EST
I'm sure it would. The heat factor may be a problem. Folks grow a lot of stuff inland, beans. fruit trees, Kevin grew ocra, peanuts, tomatoes, black eyed peas and some leaf lettuce. The cows got his popcorn or I think it would have made it.
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