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Best places for single senior citizen on a budget

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music065
  3/18/2017 18:43 EST

Hi, I was wondering what areas you folks think would be best to look for small rentals for a single male senior citizen on a budget (about $800/month). Is it even realistic for a single expat to try to live in Nicaragua now on $800/month? I realize it would mean a very basic simple lifestyle and I am okay with that. I was just wondering what cities/areas you would recommend for this situation.

Whitedove
  3/18/2017 20:26 EST

Hi Music065. You have posted an interesting question and I look forward to "the expat experts'" opinions.

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dturoff
  3/18/2017 20:28 EST

How well do you speak Spanish?

mate31658649
  3/18/2017 22:10 EST

I've been living in Central America for 4 years and, before that, visiting for 35.
In order to live on that tight of a budget, you would need to avoid the tourist areas and settle where the locals live.
If you rent a room in a house, or share a modest apartment, walk or take buses, avoid the better restaurants, and be careful with every cordoba you spend, you can survive on $800 per month.
This does not factor in medical care and prescriptions and the cost of flying back to the states to visit family.

novato1953
  3/18/2017 22:42 EST

Sure, you can survive on $800US a month in Nicaragua. Lots of Nicaraguans do. But I'd suggest at present-day currency exchange rates, Colombia is a place where you can do more than survive. You could thrive.

iguanalover
  3/19/2017 10:45 EST

There are many expats living on less but, they speak excellent Spanish and they live in the local community. Avoid Granada and SJDS. Be careful, prices are rising and we know many expats that can't afford to leave. They are stuck.

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dollyd
  3/19/2017 12:15 EST

That{s not much and as stated, prices are rising. It would be possible on Big Corn Island but it would be tight. May I suggest checking sites like caretaker gazette or others where folks post for someone to watch their home-business. It is possible to get a free room and maybe even some money for staying at a small hotel and running it for the owners. I see it all the time. You should also go first to check it out and see if there are any possibilities. Gringos here are always looking for someone to watch their houses.

elduendegrande
  3/19/2017 19:06 EST

If you are tight with your money you can get by, until illness or family emergency pops up.
Your main enemy will be boredom. Hi probability the local culture will bore you to tears, so bring your own entertainment.
Met a guy on a low disability budget. He had been here 7 years, says he lost, gave away or had robbed from him everything he had brought down with him, He was doing fine, riding a bicycle and borrowing books in English from a local hospedaje. With today's technology you can play on the internet for peanuts.

Give it a try, if it doesn't work out you can always go home.

elduendegrande
  3/19/2017 19:09 EST

Towns are towns, your preference for climate should be a big part of your decision
I'd go for Jinotega, a real hermit might like Cd. Antigua.
Boaca and San Carlos have their own weird charms. Somoto had its attraction for me.

Edgenaples
  10/5/2017 16:17 EST

Have you ever thought about teaching English ? Just a thought...increase your monthly income a bit...

Dlee1154
  10/6/2017 18:20 EST

Your best bet on $800 monthly is to go the the less touristy cities. Avoid San Juan del Sur and Granada. Decent housing in Leon can be found for $250 and up, probably less in the mountain towns. Leon is a developed, lively city. I don't know about the mountain towns.

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novato1953
  10/7/2017 22:39 EST

This thread is nearly six months old. I wonder if the original poster is still paying attention?

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