Nicaragua

one4mandy · #1 (**permalink**) 9th July 2012, 03:09 AM

I am moving to Nicaragua in December of this year. This forum has been very helpful, picking through lots of posts where Nicaragua is listed somewhere. However, I have a lot of questions for anyone who has already become an expat in Nicaragua.

I am a single mother of a fourteen year old boy and I really want him to have another language and experience other cultures before I launch him into the world as an adult. Does anyone have experience with bringing a teen to Nicaragua? Anything to share about the international schools or am I better off having him remain in his current school via internet classes? Is there much in which young people can become involved?

Another question: I am going to rent for at least a year. Where can I find rental listings? I am finding 4 or 5 on Craigslist, max. And most of those are months old. Any info on where to look so I am not seeing super inflated prices for ignorant Americans?

Will I be the only single expat parent? Most people on here seem to be married before they move. I am ok going by myself, but wonder if I am completely closing the door on any personal life, ever ever again.

I am wildly excited and extremely interested in any information anyone has to share.

surfrider · #2 (**permalink**) 21st July 2012, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by one4mandy

I am moving to Nicaragua in December of this year. This forum has been very helpful, picking through lots of posts where Nicaragua is listed somewhere. However, I have a lot of questions for anyone who has already become an expat in Nicaragua.

I am a single mother of a fourteen year old boy and I really want him to have another language and experience other cultures before I launch him into the world as an adult. Does anyone have experience with bringing a teen to Nicaragua? Anything to share about the international schools or am I better off having him remain in his current school via internet classes? Is there much in which young people can become involved?

Another question: I am going to rent for at least a year. Where can I find rental listings? I am finding 4 or 5 on Craigslist, max. And most of those are months old. Any info on where to look so I am not seeing super inflated prices for ignorant Americans?

Will I be the only single expat parent? Most people on here seem to be married before they move. I am ok going by myself, but wonder if I am completely closing the door on any personal life, ever ever again.

I am wildly excited and extremely interested in any information anyone has to share.

Hi, I do not live in Nicaragua but in Mexico. I am interested in Nicaragua because of the prices however, a little concerned about the temp/humidity/and bugs. The reason I am writing you is that I am a single expat parent not of a teen but of a disabled adult son who will not ever speak Spanish. I wanted to assure you that moving with a child as a single parent is just fine. It has been the best experience my son has ever had and he has made his own way within the culture....he loves it and is doing great. As a parent - it has also been the best thing for me. The stress of single parenting is much less here because of the cost of living, and the pressures that are present in the states.

Just wanted to assure you that this has been the best move I have ever made....for both child and single mother. Just watch your back cause lots of people take advantage of single women. And just watch your back cause lots of people just take advantage of people.

one4mandy · #3 (**permalink**) 23rd July 2012, 04:53 AM

Thank you so much. It is wonderful to hear about other people doing similar things. When you move to Nicaragua, perhaps we can eventually meet. What part of the country do you hope to land?

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kito1 · #4 (**permalink**) 6th August 2012, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by one4mandy

Another question: I am going to rent for at least a year. Where can I find rental listings? I am finding 4 or 5 on Craigslist, max. And most of those are months old. Any info on where to look so I am not seeing super inflated prices for ignorant Americans?

Clasificados de bienes raices y autos usados en Panama y Costa Rica

Some use the local newspapers La Prensa and El Nuevo Diario, but what most of the locals use for classifieds is Encuentra24. Just change the country to Nicaragua and the language to English.

I spent the last couple of years in Nicaragua, if you have any specific questions please fee free to ask.

kito1 · #5 (**permalink**) 6th August 2012, 02:05 PM

Sorry, I am assuming you know how to speak Spanish. If not, I am adding a direct link to the listings in English.

Nicaragua Rentals | For Rent in Nicaragua

Edited to ad:
When selling high ticket items, or talking rent, most people price items in Dollars. So assume dollars unless stated otherwise.
.

.

.

surfrider · #6 (**permalink**) 6th August 2012, 03:33 PM

Looked all over that site and different rental sites for Nicaragua and the rent is far far too high for me. I pay 550.00 a mont for a beautiful home with a guest house and an orchard that is a full lot size. the house is walled in and secure and with the orchard I have two lots. I live 1.5 blocks from Lake Chapala in Mexico

kito1 · #7 (**permalink**) 6th August 2012, 04:23 PM

Like most places, you need to be on the ground, and preferably, speak the language, to find the best deals. I had a lovely 2 bedroom home in San Marcos for less than $200 but it was unadvertised, word of mouth kind of thing. It was certainly the exception though and I didn't find it overnight.

The mistake many people make when they hear of how cheap Nicaragua is, is of thinking that they might want to live in the average "cheap" house. The average cheap house is probably on a dirt road and is going to have an outhouse and a tin roof which may or may not leak during the long rainy season. Sound good???

Most people are going to want to live close to their normal standards and housing to US standards is to cost you pretty much the same or more as back in the states plus very high electrical costs.

Other than those who HAVE TO live on less than $1000/month because of whatever circumstances... People who live in Nicaragua long-term live there for other reasons than because it is cheap.

kito1 · #8 (**permalink**) 6th August 2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by one4mandy

Will I be the only single expat parent? Most people on here seem to be married before they move. I am ok going by myself, but wonder if I am completely closing the door on any personal life, ever ever again.

You will find a small group of expats in Managua, however, I did not meet many single men and those that I did meet seemed to have a Nica girlfriend. plus 2 or 3 more on the side, LOL

You will also find many many many Nica men who will be dying to go out with you. Be aware that you can have a lot of fun with them, just don't make the mistake of falling in love with one and expect them to be faithful, no matter how much they promise they will, LOL.... not going to happen. I don't think I met one single man there who was faithful to his spouse or girlfriend the entire time I was in Nicaragua, and many are quite open and proud of it. Machismo is very much alive and well there!

one4mandy · #9 (**permalink**) 7th August 2012, 05:31 AM

Ha! Not sure that is just a Nicaragua thing. I'm cool alone and not sure I would want just one either. For their Machismo, I match it with my Mandismo.

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kito1 · #10 (**permalink**) 7th August 2012, 05:06 PM

Actually, in all the world I have traveled, I think it is definitely a "Nicaragua" thing.... or at least the worst here I have ever experienced. Even in the Middle East, and that is saying alot!!! LOL Anyway, most men have at least 2 or 3 women. The upper class men normally kept their mistresses and their children in apartments somewhat hidden, but in the lower classes the men often openly have kids by several women and openly live between their houses. And the Nica women seem to pretty much expect and accept it..... all the while being extremely jealous!!! I have heard a few screaming and physical fights in the streets between these women and or their families!

As for foreigners with Locals, one couple I knew, she was a beautiful European girl of about 30 who had an upper class Nica BF, she swore up and down that "he" was different, that they had been together for 2 years now and he had NEVER cheated on her. She said he swore up and down, he would NEVER do that and she believed him ("yea, right") Well, first time he and I were alone together he hit on me.

I never told her, why bother, she wouldn't have believed me, but a few months down the road she came home early to find him him in bed with the 15 or 16 year old domestic. He of course blamed the domestic.....