Moving to Nicaragua...maybe

o barry

 

I have been to Nica over a dozen times- going back to 2006, I love it - great waves, good people - I have entertained the idea of moving there, but never went further than thinking about it. That being said, I have heard a couple stories similar to Yankee's. A couple guys I know bought property right in that area from Dale D - I think they were caught up in the astronomical appreciation in Costa Rican property prices and didn't go into it with a realistic view or plan. They still haven't broken even and there is not an end in sight.

We as Americans want to always "Buy and profit" from real estate, probably comes from our views of living in the states. I think if you want to live overseas whether it is Nica, Mexico, PR or wherever a better strategy would be to rent a place. Are you trying to live and enjoy the country or are you trying to make $$ - because I don't think you can necessarily do both. It is much simpler than trying to own, less worries about the government stability,corruption, clear titles, etc and when you are done - you can end the lease and move on, don't have to worry about selling and getting your money back out of it.

I personally think your plan has way too much risk, you will probably get some great waves, don't know what the final cost to you will be though.
Bueno suerte
JTS

 

+1 ^ sums it up nicely

 

Lotsof people will tell you what you can't do but it's amazing to consider what you can do. I drove from S Carolina to Southern Oaxaca this summer on a 2 month road trip. Surfed the enitre Mex mainland coast. A lot of people told me I was crazy, Mexico is violent, you'll get car jacked...whatever. Here's what happened: scored amazing waves, met great people, had amazing food, got shacked off my arse, surfed in the middle of nowhere with just my wife or whoever we were traveling with numerous times.... and had zero problems.....And El Chapo escaped right in the middle of that trip so the check points were tripled...the federales, nothing but friendly. Anyway, is it a big risk? Yes.....but maybe not even. So you go and it doesn't work out.....oh well you tried. My father in law has been going down to Chinandega, Nic. for 3 years to volunteer and help bring clean drinking water to poor communities in the area. He is white as white can be and he has had zero problems. In fact, he met a wonderful lady and they are getting married...they are moving back to the states. One thing is we all speak Spanish very well so that is a big plus helping the travels.

If I was you I would follow the advice above about renting first. In fact, I would go NUMEROUS times without my family to go scout things out and suss some places out. In fact, I would probably plan on moving my family to SJDS for the first 6 months to a year. Would I want to live in San Juan? Not so much but there is a solid expat community there and you could probably make a lot of good connections while figuring things out. Since you have a family you have to consider what is best for them. Take some weekend trips from there and do some scouting. Not being able to speak Spanish will hinder you if you try to move somewhere too remote.

Also, there are some great places to go with a family in Mex . Have you considered that? PM me for some ideas and good luck

 

that sounds like an epic roadtrip.u should make a roadtrip thread,id love to hear some more details.I always wanted to do a drive through mexico,but the north seems very dangerous these days,seems better to fly in but u miss all those empty waves

 

Yah, the good days are when you're driving from MGA to Iguana / Playa Colorado & the Nica cops pull you over for totally bogus bribe-caused moments only twice instead of 3 times. Yah, let's talk about the good days.

 

Nice place to visit or stay awhile. Your kids deserve better...

 

I've seen guns unholstered by those corrupto cops & gringos threatened with handcuffs, jail & confiscation of cars - - I just didn't mention it.

 

I've had to move more times than I can remember (parents were academics and now working at the UN in NYC). I've lived in 5 countries and as cool as that sounds, it isn't. It puts an enormous stress on your kids when you move. Have you ever lived abroad for long periods of time? Will you want to stay in Nicaragua indefinitely? If not and you decide to move back to the US be prepared for your kids to have a rough time (until they are seniors in HS or even College).

I've never been in Nicaragua but what has made you decide that a budget of $1400 will be enough? What if your kids want to visit their grandparents, that already is a nice chunk of change. What about their education? Are they going to get homeschooled indefinitely, at the very least they should attend a bilingual private school.

Anyway, from my personal experience, I would advise against it. If you really want to move, move to a modern country, preferably an english speaking one. Learning a language is no joke. A kid will have no problem...but you will. And you will be looked down upon very badly if you don't learn the local dialect.

I hate to say it, but you missed the boat on the whole travel/be adventurous and move to a 3rd world country thing...you should do that before you have kids. If that did no deter you however then before pulling your entire family over you should at least lay some ground work over there, maybe go there for a month every 3 months. Make some connections, figure out how much it would cost to build that house, the property, if there is even demand for what you're trying to do etc. Who knows maybe you'll get tired of it anyway.

my 0.02

 

I suggest you listen to surfnewb. I livd in PR first 18 yrs of my life. I would not advise raising kids abroad. When you return it is hell for them. I returned at age 18 to go to college - guess what my nickname was then?? Spic.
You decide.

 

bwahahahahahaaa!

Finally.....this is shedding some light on The Cuda.....

 

o barry

 

wow are u upset u got called a spic, I always thought u were white...thas like sayin I will never go to Hawaii because someone called me a haole.pr is part of America I woulnt compare that to the 3rd world nica...

u should've kicked some arse if ppl called u that on the reg