USALiving.com

Submitted by Former NL Member on 10 June, 2006 - 19:49.

The heat and humidity have conspired to make my mind wander, drifting perilously into a "what if" scenario. Suppose someone from Latin America had moved to the United States. Let's say he knew that a lot of his fellow Latinos had the same idea, but didn't have a central repository of information on what it's really like in the USA. What sort of website would he put together?

The answer, I believe, would be one that looks remarkably like NicaLiving.com.

Change the word "Nicaragua" to "America" and the basic information would change very little.

Take the "How To" section.

How To Buy a Car Buy one when you get to America is the logical advice we'd all agree upon. Choose one that's easy to fix. The purchase process is like everywhere else.

Then there's Buying Real Estate. I'd recommend the exact same things to a foreigner buying in the USA. You'll get the best price if you fit in, do your homework, and speak the local language.

Phones and Mail. There are land lines, cell phones, and the postal service is a little different.

Domestic Help OK, this is the opposite in the USA. Only the super rich have domestic help.

Entering and Leaving the Country. This is a bone of contention for the US, but the process is pretty much the same.

Staying Sane. Many NLers need to read this one. It's similar info for the USA but the specifics are different. It might be fun to write this to apply to the US. "People spend huge amounts of money on cars so they can drive to the mall, walk around a couple hours, and not buy anything. That's just the way it is in the USA, so don't try to change it."

There would be US-born members who harshly criticize their own country. There would be Latin American ex-pats who endlessly sing praises of the USA. Everyone would universally complain about government, but they come to the USA anyway.

While there are certainly some fundamental differences between the USA and Nicaragua, there's probably more in common between the two than one would think.

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same? insane.

Submitted by Jinoturistica on 9 January, 2007 - 14:02.

Buying a car is the same? Guess you have never bought one here.

Buying a home in a regulated society is nothing like buying something here. Learning English, knowing the seller, living in society might get you 5% off the price of a listing in Jacksonville Florida; learning Spanish and living in Jinotega might get you 75% off the initial asking price here. Advising others that purchasing property is in any way similar is close to fraudulent.

Entering the country; You have never entered the US as a Non-citizen and (may have) entered Nicaragua as a wealthy gringo. I have entered both countries as a poor foreigner. The US reception was sterile and hostile, the Nicaraguan one was interesting but welcome. Speak of what you know.

Guess I am a nuts n bolts kinda guy and you are more Peter and Jane. Come to Nicaragua, you need to unlearn many things.

Insane in the Brain...

Submitted by AdamAnt on 9 January, 2007 - 15:24.

Insane in the membrane,Insane in the brain!

Insane in the membrane, Insane in the brain!

Insane in the membrane, Going insane Got no brain!

Insane in the membrane, Insane in the brain!

Insane in the brain, In the brain,

It's because I'm loco, Insane in the brain!

i like the song....

Submitted by Che Guevara on 10 January, 2007 - 11:32.

but, all work and no play makes jack a dull boy. all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.

Nice work,

Submitted by AdamAnt on 10 January, 2007 - 11:34.

I'm very confused now though.

You know, the chorus of the song I posted above was the only part I could find that didn't have "offensive" language in it.

what movie

Submitted by Che Guevara on 10 January, 2007 - 16:43.

was the line all work and no play.....

The Shining

Submitted by Former NL Member on 10 January, 2007 - 16:57.

Is this the "anything goes" thread now? Not that there's anything wrong with that.

wasn't the shining.....

Submitted by Che Guevara on 10 January, 2007 - 17:18.

a usa movie, made by the loyal liberals in hollywood? part of usaliving in my book.

Dunno

Submitted by Former NL Member on 10 January, 2007 - 17:47.

Stanley Kubrick's politics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Kubrick#Politics

The Shining remake: http://www.angryalien.com/0504/shiningbunnies.html

The Shining, other remake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfout_rgPSA

Sorry,

Submitted by AdamAnt on 11 January, 2007 - 09:13.

I got completely off subject for a change.

But really, The Shining was Jack's best by far, right?

Tough to say

Submitted by Former NL Member on 11 January, 2007 - 09:26.

Cookoo's nest? A Few Good Men?

Ahhh,

Submitted by AdamAnt on 11 January, 2007 - 09:40.

right up there too.

Five Easy Pieces and Easy Rider for me ; )

Submitted by arlington on 11 January, 2007 - 10:01.

Five Easy Pieces, Easy Rider and Carnal Knowledge for me ; )

Good one,

Submitted by AdamAnt on 11 January, 2007 - 10:07.

I forgot about Easy Rider.

Yes, I agree.

Submitted by drlemcor on 11 January, 2007 - 10:07.

Those are As Good as It Gets.

Mmmm Juicy Fruit!

Submitted by toms on 12 January, 2007 - 15:30.

was the line tickled me the most from his co star in some kind of a nest...movie

Lyin' Farmer John Wayne

Oh, yeah

Submitted by Former NL Member on 11 January, 2007 - 10:06.

More good ones!

Who are Peter and Jane?

Submitted by Former NL Member on 9 January, 2007 - 14:21.

I do know when I arrive back in Miami, the reception is most cold and hostile from Customs, INS, the airlines, and pretty much everyone.

I was comparing the advice written on Nicaliving, so I guess your criticism should be directed at Phil, not at me.

What's your definition of "wealthy"?

I just cannot imagine why anyone would be hostile toward you, Mr. Robins.

Peter and Jane

Submitted by Jinoturistica on 12 January, 2007 - 05:03.

Characters in English kids educational books by Ladybird Books.

Peter and Jane saw a house.

"Thats a pretty house" said Jane

"we should buy it" said Peter

"OK, we will" said Jane as she knocked on the door.

"The man wants a million dollars" said Jane later.

"OK, offer him $900,000" said Peter, and they moved in the next day.

On this level, buying a home in Nicaragua is the same as buying one in Florida.

PC Note: Peter and Jane were brother and sister but the house was in Arkansas so thats OK. Well, OK is Oklahoma but it would probably be fine there too.

Tony

Who loaned them the money?

Submitted by Former NL Member on 12 January, 2007 - 06:53.

Their Uncle Hugo? Isn't Hugo's home loan deal just making Nicas as indebted as Americans, which you seem to think is a bad thing?

loan facilities

Submitted by dirtbag on 12 January, 2007 - 11:38.

The U.S. and U.S. Citizens have more "Uncle Hugo's" than any other country in the world. a nineteen year old can choose from over 100 ways to incur debt and he/she can pay back a zillion dollars in Interest. Not to mention the thousand requests or so coming through the mail"You have just been pre-approved for a $......... line of Credit. It will be interesting to see the "Details" of Uncle Hugo's loan requirements, maybe, one day it will turn out to be an opportunity "You have just been Etc" from Uncle Sam.

Are Americans that gullible?

Submitted by Former NL Member on 12 January, 2007 - 11:57.

If so, it's easy to see how they've fallen for all the political candidates that promise them the moon and the stars. Gosh, are Nicaraguan voters that gullible, too?

when it comes to waiting or wallowing

Submitted by arlington on 12 January, 2007 - 12:23.

when it comes to waiting or wallowing . . .most of us apparently fall into the latter category. In Canada the number of people who have dipped into their retirement savings to finance not once, twice but three times has increased to alarming levels . . . Toyota's new pitch is . . . "What You Want IS what you NEED" that about sums us up pretty good. We pay a hefty price for remaining childlike our whole lives.

wealth is relative

Submitted by Jinoturistica on 12 January, 2007 - 04:18.

Wealth John, you own real estate, cars, planes, microwave, freezer, home theater system, wine rack, beer coozie(please send me one), guns (I'm guessing), credit cards. I have none of those.

With the exceptions of the wine rack, and beer coozie, I had none of those when I came to America in 1991 and none when I left in 2006. Don't you just LOVE divorce lawyers?

You are, in material things, more wealthy that I am.

Hostility It is true that some people with rigid world viewpoints find it disturbing when I ask them questions. Some get hostile towards me. Hostility is a common form of avoidance. People dont like to face their issues. They take great care to build a skewed worldview where their issues can be seen, through a glass darkly, as being correct.

For example, your Nicaraguan viewpoint is an artificial construct with almost no on-the-ground factual basis. How can it be otherwise when you have lived your entire life in the USA and your family has limited childhood memories?

Your hostility expressed on NL is avoidance of the key question: Why dont you come here for a while?

Tony (The Doctor is IN) Robins

I understand your bitterness

Submitted by Former NL Member on 12 January, 2007 - 06:57.

Look on the bright side, you can now live like St. Francis of Assisi, shunning material possessions. Congratulations. Jesus would anoint you.

You're making up facts about me, so be careful. If you're mistaken about me, you just might be mistaken about other things in this crazy world.

What Floats Your Boat...??????

Submitted by Willow on 7 January, 2007 - 06:50.

"Money Money..it's the rich man's world" (Song by Abba). Dreams cannot be quantified. but....escape can. So any want to run to the USA for the lure of a better life...it can certainly be better for awhile (if one makes it alive) those of us who want to leave the USA...well.we have tried here...have varying philosophies. some see the futility...somewant adveture.....others opportunities. No matter..it is freedom to chose that is the greatest freedom. AH....those of us in the "first world" can go and migrate...with ease. Even with little funds....we can network and settle. Guess I had what you might call a ideal life (non-poverty and such). The laws in the good old USA..oprotected the thieves. Yes.....civil/domestic law. If it had been criminal law...the same folks would be doing se hard time, Then...it all was stolen in a very nasty way. I could be homeless after a lifetime of the good life and working hard. Although I saw poverty in any countires.....it just didn't "apply" to me for years. Never again in my life will I take for granted...Inot "i charge' charge nor anyone destitute is to blame. We are all one...well.if you think about it...we are. If you think you have priviledge..think again. I am kind of tired of the bantering here. Been acused of being oo srious. But...So be it. I care about what happens. There is time for fun...and all...but sometims just want to get serious and this forum gets all nuts talking in tongues. I am going to listen from now on...ca't cpmpete with the nonsense...and.....have no time for it.

i like it......

Submitted by Che Guevara on 5 January, 2007 - 14:41.

would like to see this blog get 100 posts. life in usa cannot have this little controversy.

thumbs up

Submitted by waiting_4_1 on 10 June, 2006 - 22:59.

im all for it... i would definatly be interested in checkin it out and tellin all my friends about it. i know a lot of people could really take advantage of the information on the site. the heat and humidity have done ya good John. good idea.

En Cristo, -Marissa

It does not apply to myself but...

Submitted by nicoya on 6 January, 2007 - 11:56.

I'd advise people to be very careful with credit cards. If you can't pay cash for something, wait until you save enough to buy it. You probably don't need whatever it is you want to buy anyway.

i'd like some info on.....

Submitted by Che Guevara on 6 January, 2007 - 12:24.

how to make a million in real estate with no money down, no work and no risk. those late nite infomercials aren't doing it for me.

am buying a lotto ticket!

Look for the infomercial

Submitted by AdamAnt on 7 January, 2007 - 15:24.

with the guy with the question marks all over his suit. He looks like he could tell you just about anything you need to know. Very intelligent looking fellow....

and he's going to tell me.....

Submitted by Che Guevara on 7 January, 2007 - 15:59.

what numbers to pick?

You never know...

Submitted by AdamAnt on 8 January, 2007 - 09:38.

maybe he's psychotic.

or

Submitted by Che Guevara on 8 January, 2007 - 11:21.

psychic? but, that was pretty funny!

Well,

Submitted by AdamAnt on 8 January, 2007 - 12:04.

I was trying for a coffee alert but I'm a little rusty. Not online much the last few weeks with all this holiday hoopla going on and being out of town.

I hope yours was fantastic!!

yes, it qualified.....

Submitted by Che Guevara on 8 January, 2007 - 20:47.

i was making you work for it. bravo!