Visa and other questions

Thank you all so much for your kind input and suggestions. Not haveing AC if the weather is like Florida here would deffinately be a factor. Guess you could say I'm a spoiled woose. Besides, I think having to much weight (fat) on these bones makes it a little harder.

In one post I read that there is a "darkout" at night. Can someone please explain that to me. Does the electric go off every day? Do a lot of you have generators to keep your food from spoiling, or do most try and shop daily for food stuff?

Sorry for so many questions. Just trying to get some pictue in my head of life there for an expat. I realize I need to come there to see for myself, but this pre-visit info helps a lot.

I have researced Panama, but I'm afraid it is getting almost as expensive as here. My second option actually was Ecuador or possibly Argentina. Anyone been there? I have one problem that makes it difficult for me to hop around, and that is we have three large dogs, and shipping them country to country for a three or four months would be expensive. Also finding a temporary rental with three large dogs I am sure would not be easy. I sure would love to be free to travel as I like to these places, but I just can't get rid of them. They are family now.

Thank you again.

When getting in the Nica customs u and ur son would have to pay a $5 visa for 3 months and then u can either go visit Honduras or Costa Rica,as other people suggested,stay at a hotel there and enjoy a weekend and then get another 3 months visa and so on, also no requirements for ur son to get a visa,he's old enough.

Speaking about ur son, I don't think all nica girls are wanting to have an "instant" family like somebody said,Nicas are atracted to gringos simply because of the diff. culture,language and in general 'cause we like to know other people also,not necessarily because they comes from the USA,although there are some with that thinking.

U can get pics. of the country here also: http://www.intur.gob.ni/index_eng.html#, the structure is some like Mexico but yeah, very different too,u'll have to see it and like it ;-). The weather is tropical,hot very hot in summer, not too diff. of Florida's tho,u'll be find, getting an AC is kinda too expensive,get a big and good fan and u're done! plus..living in MANAGUA would be better for u two on getting a job (perhaps talking to the US peoples) and to meet new gringos to HANG OUT WITH also,besides Nicas,we're very friendly :-D

About Spanish lessons...u can take private classes (I'm a translator, interpreter and spanish teacher) or go to a school and learn by going there,both aren't too expensive although it depends...

My bf is a shy person, but he's been doing better and becoming outgoing because of all the friendships he's got to have here, my friends and stuff, also he needs to encourage himself to talk to people 'cause seriously relationships are the base of life...

Any other question u have,feel free to send me a Private Message!

Take care!

TaTy

think about moving there, you really need to visit. Plan to spend at least 2-3 weeks your first visit, so you'll have time to check out a few places. Do a search on this site for different regions (there is a section named just that), look at a map of Nicaragua (preferably a topographic one) to see where the mountains, beaches, etc. are so you can have a general idea of where you'll want to go. After your first visit, come again in another season; there are only two, rainy & dry, and they are different. Oh, and the name of the capital is Managua, just like you say it.

Your son is not a dependent and is over tha age of majority. You and he will have to independently solve your residency situation - yours doent affect him. If your some was handicapped, you could probably make a case to immigration here - they are nowhere near as strict as in USA.

You can go the residency route or the border-hop route. Residency requires that you (and/or your son) qualify under a number of categories. You could probably come in as a pensionado - income for the rest of your life, not able to work. Easy. Boringly arcane process but lots of people do it, needs a great deal of persistence.

Your son has no realistic chance of getting permanent residence. Imagine someone wanting to get into the united states with very little money, no job offer and the possibility of perhaps making some money on the internet. He will have to border-hop every 90 days. But probably not too may times since his chances of being involved with a Nica girl is well over 98%. Once he makes it legal, he is golden. Border hopping from Managua involves taking the Transnica bus to Liberia in northern Costa Rica and taking 3 days vacation on the beach. Worse things could happen in his life. $20 round trip. Big deal.

If you lived in Granada, it would be even cheaper on the bus.

By definition 'nicer development' would dramatically increase your chances of meeting other gringos and getting air conditioning not to mention nearby movie house, internet access and semi-reliable power supply. You will not learn Spanish fst or well since you are learning the bad habits of other gringos but thats not all that important. Your son will learn Spanish very fast from the local females. He needs to learn the Spanish for "How many children do you have". If he wants an instant family he will have NO problem whatever. The second phrase is "Where do the fathers of your children live" Anything less than 20 miles will be a problem.

Reading between the lines, you will probably be visiting Miami 2 or more times a year. All your normal stuff can be obtained in Nicaragua but anything in the least oddball will be difficult or impossible. Remember, however, problems = business opportunities :-)

For example, computer paper white 20lb is everywhere. Legal size can be found sometimes. Card stock, business card stock, tent cards or Disney designs will require a visit to another country. Internet router (switch) easy - wireless router much more difficult. Printers, easy, toner for printers difficult. Laundry detergent easy, packets more than 2 ounces difficult, large boxes almost impossible.

After you have lived here for a month, you will have a Miami shopping list a mile long AND have lots of friends helping you write it.

I live in Jinotega up in the mountains, I need blankets, not air conditioners. There are perhaps 10 gringos in town and some of them I have never met and others I dont like. I speak spanish (badly) all day, no options, and am learning fast. When I can't find what my british / american head tells me I want, I look at how the Nicas get by without - mostly I follow their lead.

From what you say, you may like to Seriously Investigate the newer developments in Panama. Imagine a more pleasant, less expensive Miami with almost no necessity to change lifestyle, habits or customs. Nicaragua may not be for you.

Make sure your son doesn't bring up how much he makes in conversation with anyone. He makes in some cases 15 times what a typical worker may make.

Not sure why you would need a Visa? US citizens do not need Visas for entering Nicaragua

If you are planning on living in Managua, the "infrastructure" you are referring to is here Banks, Supermarkets, and the "Malls".

Heat in Managua compared to Miami, it stays hotter here much longer(when I lived in Miami I recalled days that it felt cold enough for a winter jacket).

Many of the new developements that are being built have an "option" of small air conditioning units.

Running the A/C all the time will become extremely expensive. and you may need a generator if you plan on keeping it going for more than 8-12 hours a day (electricity has been going out quite frequently).

Plenty of Large supermarkets here (all seem to be owned by Walmart!) The only difference to these supermarkets to that in the US is that you get people helping you out more when you shop, there seems to be a rep. of every brand name of product filling you in on their products. Or other employees grabbing your fruits and vegetable and weighing them for you

Why would you want to meet other gringos in Nicaragua? You can always go to the mall or hang out at the US Embassy if none live by you. I think you will find a lot of gringos that would rather meet Nicaraguans than other gringos.

Many of the younger girls of your sons age are learning English because the necesity to get a good job. The women can be a bit more aggresive here, so he will be fine and they will find him.