Nicaragua Expat Feed

wagsa replied to the thread moving or not? on the Nicaragua forum on April 18, 2014:

waldek initially posted:

I am planning to go to Nicaragua this summer.My son is going on his own,I am a single dad,want to relocate from Michigan.Winter was just terrible.I am 60 year old,originally from Poland,spent over 30 years in USA.I diid save some money,absolutely looking for something new.Florida was my first choice,but I am still very active,like people,different culture,ready to do something unusual.Recently was reading about Ecuador,Costa Rica,Nicaragua ...I know,I should go first ,stay for a month,maybe more.Summer is probably very hot and humid,so going to high elev.places would be a good idea?Is it better to stay in a hostel,or rent something for a month or two?I have been to many European countries,all over USA,but never to central or South America.Any advice?I really need them.thanks Waldek

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wagsa replied on April 18, 2014 with:

You can, if you are willing. Hell is full of people with good intentions, but never applied any of them. Keep in touch´.

waldek replied on April 17, 2014 with:

thank U very much,clever and useful info. "an object in motion will tend to stay in motion".Absolutely true. Low of physics can not be change.I will stay in touch,if I can.

ShoeDave replied to the thread extending travel visas on the Nicaragua forum on April 16, 2014:

linsthompson2 initially posted:

Does anyone know the most efficient way to extend a travel visa for Nicaragua? I fly back to the US for a visit on May 13th and my ninety day visa expires on the 10th. I think I can just pay a small fee but how do I do that? Thanks!

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ShoeDave replied on April 16, 2014 with:

We have a similar situation, our 90 days are up May 1 and our flight is on the 8th. We were going to go to Immigration and get a one month extension, but would it be easier to just pay the fine at the airport?

glockdiver69 replied on April 16, 2014 with:

Thanks Majicjack. You and all the other posters are a wealth of experienced knowledge.

iguanalover replied to the thread Earthquake on the Nicaragua forum on April 14, 2014:

alki initially posted:

How is everything over there ? News reprts it was a big one http://news.yahoo.com/magnitude-6-4-quake-strikes-near-managua-nicaragua-234713529--sector.html Hope everyone is OK

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iguanalover replied on April 14, 2014 with:

We come from earthquake, volcanic eruption and hurricane lands, you can protect yourself. 1. be aware of your surroundings at all times. Look for two exits. 2. Don't panic. Let the panic people run out first. 3. Don't necessarily run outside, it can be very unsafe. Watch for falling power lines and other things that are falling. 4. Stay in the most supported place, often the bathroom, under a door or other place with supports the most supports you can find. Watch for falling objects. 5. Keep two weeks of drinking water in your home. This is the first thing people run out of. 6. Keep your passport and money in small bills handy. Know where they are at all times. Keep whatever else you need for survival, like eye glasses in a place where you can get at them easily. 7. Agree on a meeting place with friends or family outside your home so you know where to find people you care about. 8. Remember, looting follows natural disasters. Be prepared. Looters are ugly and brutal.

gcrtexas4 replied on April 14, 2014 with:

There are almost always aftershocks after an earthquake.

majicjack replied to the thread Retired Life in Nicaragua on the Nicaragua forum on April 14, 2014:

majicjack initially posted:

I guess life could be pretty boring if all you did was sit around. People read, go for walks and enjoy friends. Retired people have the time to pretty much do what they want. I tried retired life and it lasted two weeks. I have a gold dredge and work it in some of the roughest country in Nicaragua. We have met some very good people back in the mountains. You can learn a lot from these people that have never had a pot to piss in or window to throw it out of. They are very open and honest. You are either good or bad to them. I feel pretty lucky being able to do this being I have two artificial knees, neck surgery, two back operations, screws and pins it one ankle and the right femur. I am 6' 6" tall 240 # and no fat. The jungle and mountains are good for you. The surgeries are a result of being shot down in Vietnam. This is me and I feel damn lucky that I was able to be put back together. Many of my friends were not. I do not condemn or berate people that like the dull and boring retired life. I tried it and it just didn't fit There are probably some retired people here that are physically unable to work. There are those that have enough money that they don't have to work and just want to enjoy it. Many people probably came here because they got tired of the BS where they came from and do not want it following them here. We live in a small fishing village and have a few American friends here because a few are all that is here. We have some very good Swedish friends, South Africa and from England. If we wanted to live with a bunch of Americans, we would have stayed in Texas. Nicaragua is a great place to live and yes there is opportunity here. However, if you are one of those old retired boring individuals that just want to sit on your butt, enjoy the hell out of it and best of luck to you. We are happy to have you in Nicaragua. If you don't have anything else to do, drop by, sit on your butt for a visit. Have a great day.

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majicjack replied on April 14, 2014 with:

In reality, you are probably safer here than in the USA. Children play in the street without the fear of being abducted, just one example but they can't be left unattended in the USA. My wife goes all over Nicaragua by herself and has never been threatened or bothered. The jungle here is not like the jungle in Brazil. The undergrowth is not very heavy. I have climbed all over the mountains and jungle in Nicaragua without any problems. Most of the locals where I go are very helpful and friendly. I dredge for gold and have never been robbed or has anyone attempted to rob me. I do carry a 9mm and a .45 just incase. The rivers are public property but it is best to meet with the land owner and have their permission to cross their property. 99% have no problem with this.

gcrtexas4 replied on April 14, 2014 with:

All of that sounds good. Now about women. Is it safe for a woman to go off the beaten path? Also I have always been a desert rat and would need to learn a few things about stomping through the jungle. Are there groups of hikers I could join up with at least for a while? My goals are a little different. I am out for photography and maybe a little gem and mineral hunting.

vantexan replied to the thread any cool higher elevation expat friendly locations in Nicaragua?? on the Nicaragua forum on April 13, 2014:

fringeguy initially posted:

I'm an expat living in Thailand and after 13 years of suffering too high temps, I'm seeking a cooler and high elevation country to relocate to.. My basic requirements are: 1] A cooler [higher elevation?] location. 2] reliable infrastructure. Internet, electricity, clean water, minimal environmental pollution. 3] Expat friendly immigration and officials and locals. 4] Low cost of living. 5] some expat shopping ops 6] quiet, mellow locals or a fringe location away from the main stream. 7] decent affordable medical services Is this doable in Nic?? and a few location recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks in advance............ Fringe guy

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vantexan replied on April 13, 2014 with:

I grew up in Central Florida and as kids we'd wear jackets in the low 60's Fahrenheit. I think that distinction should be made because someone not used to high heat would most likely not sleep under a quilt in 60's and 70's temps. I've lived in some of the hottest areas of the U.S. and have adjusted but have found I greatly prefer daily highs no higher than high 70's with nighttime lows in high 40's to mid 50's. Humidity at those temps not a problem but drier air preferable. That being said there's something about Nicaragua that appeals to me, especially the northern cities. It looks really beautiful. I mentioned San Miguel in Mexico. It's high desert, and I currently live in Arizona. The desert has it's own appeal but no lush vegetation.

bushamy13 replied on April 13, 2014 with:

There are cooler areas nearer the major cities depending on how cool is satisfactory. It sounds like you wish to be near areas with stores, restaurants and other conveniences. A lot of people forget the higher elevations near Granada and Managua. For example, within a few minutes of Granada you can live on Mombacho and you would need a jacket or sweater in the evenings. Same can be said for people that live on the rim of Laguna Apoyo within 20 minutes of Granada and very near Masaya. You would be sleeping under quilts at night. Near Managua are several areas that have awesome views and cool nights. While few of us would want to live in Managua, it is where you go to get certain necessities, malls and movie theaters.

wagsa replied to the thread What to Bring/What to Leave on the Nicaragua forum on April 11, 2014:

RichardK initially posted:

My wife and I are planning to move to Nicaragua next year. We will most likely settle in Granada. It's time that we begin the cleaning out process as we have a lot of "stuff," and would love to hear from other ex-pats about what they took with them that they wish they hadn't and what they didn't bring that they wish they had. We don't plan to bring anything more than our bags until we have obtained residency so that we can ship some things and drive our truck down without incurring import taxes. We do plan to apply for residency right away. Thanks, Richard & Anna

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wagsa replied on April 11, 2014 with:

Bushamy13 just asked me how to go about going to the real estate auctions. It is simple, just like in the States, the courts sell property at the highest bidders. If you are in Granada, go to the court house by the Japanes Hospital and look up on the posts of the different Civil Court rooms, they have a list of all of the properties that are going to be auctioned. I have bought some or have refinanced the loans. There are so many legal ways to make money in this country without having to have a boring retired life. Life is a game, and like every game, there are winners and there are loosers, you just have to learn how to play the game, by the rules and with ethics.

wagsa replied on April 10, 2014 with:

Whenever you want to go, just let me know. I´ll show you where it is and you can go there whenever you want they post the dates of auction every month, As a matter of fact they have real estate auctions every day, including Granada and all of the major cities. You can get some great bargains. I am so tired of seeing americans screwing americans. The ones that really know what to do, keep it to themselves so that they can take advantage of unsuspecting foreigners. Call me whenever you feel like getting the real scoop in Nicaragua. I used to fly here for one week every month, for almost fours years before I moved here. I have learned quite a bit in all of those years. 8817 3319 Movi 8703 6921 Claro

iguanalover replied to the thread Matagalpa, Esteli, Jinotega have their own Facebook! on the Nicaragua forum on April 10, 2014:

the2bearsandme initially posted:

NOW ON FACEBOOK EXPATS in Matagalpa, Esteli & Jinotega This group was started on behalf of all expats living in the mountain regions of Nicaragua to include Matagalpa, Esteli, Jinotega and surrounding communities. The intent is simple: (1) A place to "connect" and communicate with other expats and native Nicaraguans of the region. (2) A place for expat's to report POSITIVE EXPERIENCES and negative experiences in: (a) places of interest, (b) places to eat, (c) places to sleep / rest, (d) places to shop, (e) places to find "hard to find" items, (f) nighttime life, and so on

iguanalover replied on April 10, 2014 with:

Great page with some great pictures. It is nice to be able to connect with the mountain towns. Good work to whoever did it and thanks

majicjack replied to the thread Availability of medical supplies on the Nicaragua forum on April 09, 2014:

bracebridgeheather initially posted:

Can anyone tell me how available medical supplies are in Nicaragua, such as ostomy supplies? Thanks for you help.

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majicjack replied on April 09, 2014 with:

Just debit cards form the USA cost $54.00 by Fedx or others. Also, if you have it sent by Fedx or other than the USA mail, you have to go to the airport to pick it up and go through a customs inspection. If you do not have a cedula, most times they will hit you pretty hard on taxes depending on what it is. The same package cost $ 9.00 US mail for the debit cards.l. I order parts for my dredge that weigh from 15 # to 30 # and the price is from $250 to $ 400 dollars. The best price I got was on auto parts that use BONGO and it weighed 43# and cost $250. Took two weeks

TerriMarie replied on April 09, 2014 with:

How big is this package? That sounds a bit pricey.

RichardArunachala replied to the thread Coming on 26 April on the Nicaragua forum on April 09, 2014:

RichardArunachala initially posted:

My wife and I are coming soon for three weeks to check things out for maybe moving to Nicaragua from our present stay in south India. We'd sure like the chance to meet some of you and talk. We'll mainly be in Granada (taking language classes), but will go to Estelli and Leon while we are there. Thanks, Richard and Carol

RichardArunachala replied on April 09, 2014 with:

OK, we will get you a package of it before we leave on Sunday. Will need contact info. you can email at richard@infinitepie.net Thanks

iguanalover replied on April 08, 2014 with:

We would be happy to meet you. Would it be possible for you to bring me some garam masala? It is impossible to get it here...thanks, you are my only chance...

the2bearsandme posted FYI ... Important Info for Newbies on the Nicaragua forum on April 08, 2014:

I am sure most of you have received this email from the US Embassy in Managua .... For those who haven't received the message, here is important information to keep in your book: To report a crime in Nicaragua, visitors should contact the local equivalent to the "911" emergency line in Nicaragua, which is 118 in Spanish and 101 in English. In the event of a life or death emergency involving a U.S. citizen please call 8882-3140 or 2252-7634. For all other matters related to American citizen services, please send an email to ACS.Managua@state.gov. The U.S. Embassy in Managua is located at Km 5 ½ C. Sur Managua, Nicaragua. The U.S. Embassy in Managua can be reached 24/7 at 011-505-2252-7100. For emergencies (deaths, arrests, etc.) after hours, U.S. citizens can call this phone number and ask for the Embassy Duty Officer. The ACS unit is also available by email at ACS.Managua@state.gov. Non-emergency services for U.S. citizens are available Monday through Friday, 1:00 to 3:00 PM, except on Nicaraguan and U.S. holidays. An appointment is required, and you may schedule an appointment on line: https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/default.asp?postcode=MNG&appcode=1