I’ve read a few web sites and know Nicarugua is a bit rough around the edges. But I’m an old farm boy and been in the military in the 70’s so I’ve seen ‘rough’.
I’m 65, living alone on SS and am looking for a bit of Adventure. … and a low COL. But I don’t want to go into a foreign country without some backup, like knowing an American ex-pat who’s already down there.
How would one go contacting a legit source of info from someone IN Nicaragua? Is there an organization down there that assists people in moving there?
I do NOT have any money to invest, just retire and maybe do light work part-time. I don’t suppose the Nicaragua embassy or government is very helpful? Could a person actually live with a native, middle-class family there to get acclimated?
I’d probably want to rent for a few years until I found a good locality. Inland or costal is best?
Oh hell …. go for it! But be sure you take your computer to keep us informed about how you are doing. If I was going to go …. I would pick the coast, might as well go live in style in a beachfront grass hut, right? Who knows? If you are inland you just might get attacked by drug runners.
Good Luck ….. just please do not send "Wish you were here cards" to us. 
July 21st, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I think that you would be a lot better off in Costa Rica.
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July 21st, 2009 at 2:57 pm
you do realize that medicare does not cover you outside of the country === i strongly advise you to save up this summer and plan a 45 day trip this fall/winter and do a no frill tourist trip thought out the country and just see if you really would like to stay full time!!!
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July 21st, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Nicaragua is a Third World country. All Central America is. You would be further ahead to retire in Mexico where their are enclaves of retired Americans. Second choice would be Costa Rica. You figure to work part time? Seeing as how people that are citizens there live on $50/month, what part time work are you referring to? Farm workers make about $2/day. Why do you think the USA is swamped with illegal aliens???
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July 21st, 2009 at 3:44 pm
May be you could find out through the Peace Corps if they are in the area. If they are maybe you could go through them for a year or so and see how you like it and what your options are.
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July 21st, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Oh hell …. go for it! But be sure you take your computer to keep us informed about how you are doing. If I was going to go …. I would pick the coast, might as well go live in style in a beachfront grass hut, right? Who knows? If you are inland you just might get attacked by drug runners.
Good Luck ….. just please do not send "Wish you were here cards" to us.
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July 21st, 2009 at 4:55 pm
It is rough, but exiting, beautiful and diverse at the same time. If you come retire here and get a light part-time job (not impossible for a foreigner in the capital city of Managua or Granada) you could easily benefit from tax incentives for foreigners which we provide through a Retiree Benefit Program we offer. You’re 65 so you qualify. I am aware that there are a couple of organizations in Granada that assist retirees with getting info. about retiring here. Unfortunately i don’t know the names of them off the top of my head.
http://www.internationalliving.com/countries/nicaragua/retire
Granada has a very large international ex-pat community. I know of many Europeans, Asians and people from the U.S. that have assimilated very well. Many have opened up restaurants around the town square. San Juan del Sur is another popular city with many retirees. I have noticed many ex-pats here invest their money 1 of 2 ways, opening up a store (of any kind) or investing in Real Estate, which is extremely cheap and brings in good money.
I’m not aware of any programs that take in potential retirees to get acclimated, i only know of the foreign exchange programs (mainly for students) and the mission trips where people come help local Nicaraguans and stay with a family here. For this, i highly recommend you visit http://www.NicaLiving.com, i’m sure someone there will assist you with better info regarding that request. NicaLiving is full of ex-pats who ACTUALLY live (and have retired) in Nicaragua. It is a forum, mainly in English to better help ex-pats who live or are thinking of moving here. I have worked with a handful of members, i work with the Government of Nicaragua and have helped them set up some businesses (mostly Tourism-related which has its perks with our Law 306, a tourism-incentive law).
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http://www.internationalliving.com/countries/nicaragua/live
http://www.nicaraguaretirementinfo.com/index.html
July 21st, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Have you considered the Philippines? It’s as cheap or cheaper, you have a choice of rural, metropolitan, mountains, sea side or island living. Good Medical Care is available and English is prevalent.
Another thought is volunteer work. There are many organizations the best probably being ‘Habitats for Humanity’. Although it’s not as attractive now as it was a few years ago, there are several in Burma needing teachers for ‘Basic’ English. Imagine living in the mountains of Burma! Depending on your intent you can request remote villages or towns.
In many of the volunteer opportunities just a reasonably good education can qualify. If your English skills are good, not great but good, there are even some teaching jogs in Japan, Korea, China etc. There’s a ESL (English as Second Language) Teaching Diploma that is relatively easy to acquire.
Good Luck!!!
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