living in nicaragua for 5 months...

Submitted by Greggrappler on 2 September, 2008 - 12:09.

Where should i live San juan del sur, Esteli, Leon, Im single 28 years old my budget is for a single man, what should i expect for rent of a house or apartment in different citys and where can i find a bank account. If you were a 28 year old man where would you go, also if anybody knows of a good spanish school let me know. Im intrested in helping nico people anybody know any places where i can volunteer. Thanks Greg.(If you could give me a detailed budget breakdown would be great!)

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So How is it going?

Submitted by JGiraldezB on 2 September, 2008 - 15:40.

well first you need to make that dreadful Visa run for the Tico border, then decide where you like to stay. Or try a region every time you renew your Visa. AHHHH what a life, Just be careful and have fun.

When I did that in Europe many moons ago, I asked the local Prist for advise on where to stay ect... in the town that I was visiting. Still a good model I think...

If you stay with a family you will not need the Spanish school....I think just join the family and help with things around the house.

Jorge Giraldez-Benard Latin American Advisors Company Ltd Texaco El Cortijo 1/2 C al Sur Casa 300 Res. El Cortijo, Managua, Nicaragua C.A.. e-mail JGiraldezB@yahoo.com Skype, YahooPager & MSN User name: JGiraldezB Managua Office: 011 505 2682874

No need to go to CR

Submitted by Bobby on 3 September, 2008 - 02:16.

If you are coming from the USA you get 90 days and can go to migracion and purchase another 90 days for about 35 bucks. No need to head to CR. If you do this in Managua it takes about 30 minutes. If you do it here in Granada it takes 5 days. It's the same routine as Managua, but they have to send your passport to Managua. You go in, fill out a short form, give them some money and your passport and come back in 5 days and pick it up with your new visa.

Pura Nica, Bobby

90 days is the max

Submitted by JGiraldezB on 3 September, 2008 - 08:27.

They will offer you 30, 60 or 90 days and you need to be alert on what they are stamping on your passport. They ask you "how long will you be in the country", if you say a week (you will get 30day)for instance, so 90 days is NOT automatic. Also if you are looking at property or wanting to buy some property or look into investments, put Business instead of Pleasure. FYI

Jorge Giraldez-Benard Latin American Advisors Company Ltd Texaco El Cortijo 1/2 C al Sur Casa 300 Res. El Cortijo, Managua, Nicaragua C.A.. e-mail JGiraldezB@yahoo.com Skype, YahooPager & MSN User name: JGiraldezB Managua Office: 011 505 2682874

Business or pleasure?

Submitted by kevins on 6 September, 2008 - 22:21.

Can you clarify that? In the past in other countries I have been told that it's simpler to say pleasure if you can possibly justify it, because any mention of business opens lots of cans of worms.

If you are there for a vacation and also plan to look at real estate, what would be the advantages of saying business instead of pleasure?

Sorry...

Submitted by Bobby on 3 September, 2008 - 08:43.

You're wrong.....

Pura Nica, Bobby

Many valid answers

Submitted by fyl on 2 September, 2008 - 12:16.

What you didn't describe offers more variables than location. For example, in Managua or in Somoto you could pay from $30/mo for a room in someone's house to $700/mo for a house. Where you want to live (city or rural, beach or mountains, hot or cool) is the first question you need to ask yourself.

The primary places for Spanish schools are Estelí, Granada and SJdS. Prices in Estelí for intensive are about $100/week. Or, toss in another $40/week for room and board--a good way to make it more intensive and get a relatively cheap living situation. I expect prices in Granada are about the same.

my example from Granada

Submitted by tacomasteve on 2 September, 2008 - 12:42.

I rent a small but pleasant casita with an out door kitchen and nice sized garden with citrus and bananas on a nice quiet street away from the tourist center but still central. If you move to LaVilla or another barrio you can cut rent in half.. Rent is 350 a month and includes cable tv, utilities and some furniture.I have a feral wi-fi signal on my street.. I eat one meal a day on average in a medium quality restaurants and cook the others my self. Per month I average, 85 dollars in cafes, 60 bucks for groceries,35 misc household expenses and maybe 40 for various bad habits, so I slide by on less than 600 per month..And I want for little...well except for maybe my own lavaropa machine...

"People always think something's all true."

The Catcher in the Rye Holden Caulfield

Thanks for the response and

Submitted by Greggrappler on 2 September, 2008 - 12:25.

Thanks for the response and the great info, Im thinking San Juan Del Sur beaches would be great, The food options there look excellent. What do you think a decent 1 bedroom with AC and internet would cost me a month? Are there other beach areas in or around Rivas you would stay besides San Juan Del Sur?