Hi Katy,

We are also in the Baby Boomer Class of 1962 and 1964 and we are planning a trip to Nicaragua for 2008 to celebrate our 40th. anniv. I have not purchased any reading material on the country but have been reading about Nicaragua on-line. I have not been able to find many first hand experience forums from people who have traveled to the country for information. I am curious as to whether you visited there in January and your thoughts and experience while there and what cities you visited, etc.

We too do not plan to purchase the first time we do visit there but would like to go there for a two or three week visit the first time to get acclimated to the country and the culture.

I hope to hear back from you. Peggy

Hello....I am sorry but we actually are going there January 2009.....and then again in May/June 2009. We don't want to go too early and then be too anxious....I have received a lot of information from several different forums regarding Nicaragua. I am still doing a lot more research. I believe though the best research is actually going for yourself. The one thing for sure is when I start to talk about it with our friends and/or family they immediately start to discourage us. The call us nuts and tell us that it is not safe there. I realize that this Country along with others are having problems but if you are smart and just try to fit in, I believe it will be fine. I want next year to come really soon buton the other hand I don't, because that just means we are getting older. We have decided on visiting two areas in January...Montelimar and Little Corn Island/Big Corn Island. As I learn more and more, I will be happy to share any information with you. I have been given a few names of individals down there currently who can give me more detailed information. Hopefully, they will be able to give me more information. Take Care an I will keep you posted as time goes on if you wish.

Katy,

Hello and Welcome to Nicaragua! My husband and I purchased a 2 bedroom villa in SJDS just over a year ago on our 2nd visit to the country. We would be happy to answer any questions you have as you get further into the process. Just curious as to why you are waiting a year from now to take your first trip?!

Yes, people looked at us funny too,and we got alot of "Why would you want to live there?" It is hard for me to to convey the beauty of the people and the country to others. Even the pictures don't do it justice. Nica is still very much a third world country, just keep that in mind and you'l be fine!

Hope to here from you!

My girlfiend & I are from the class of 55-59. We visited Nica at Xmas for 12 days. We spent most of our time in Granada & fell in love with the country. We both purchased vacant property overlooking Apoyo Laguna. We are located 10 minutes from town (outstanding restaurants, groceries, hospital, etc.) & have a view that will take your breath away. The Nica people are very helpful & friendly. You can type in my name & pull up my report that I filed on this forum when I returned.

Have a great time. I really miss Nica.

I just returned from two weeks in Nicagaragua and also found the country to be a candidate for retirement. I studied Spanish for two weeks at the La Mariposa Spanish School and Eco Hotel and can not imagine havimg made the trip without having the school as my home base for after class trips and weekend trips.

I am returning again late spring for another two weeks of Spanish and to see more of the country. You might want to consider taking Spanish classes if you don not already speak Spanish....it let's the people of the country know you want to get to know them as well. I put together a blog of my trip at nownnica.com if you care to see my impressions. Good Luck. Looks like we baby boomers are on the move.

Hi, I returned 2 weeks ago from a two week Mission trip to Nicaragua. I didn't want to leave. Yes, the country is beautiful - just breath-taking. We found the people to be very friendly and made some friends...It's now my new favourite place in the world!

But I think I would have a problem living there...unless I was working there, to help...the poverty that we saw was horrifying. Heartbreaking. We saw the poverty AND the rich. I wondered how people could live in their beautiful houses knowing that just down the road people are living in the dump...girls as young as 8 are forced to work the streets in order to eat...some of the things we saw were apalling. Being there on a Mission trip meant we were involved spiritually too. The passion of their faith that we saw was also a very humbling experience.

Now back at home, I'm ashamed of myself. Of the everyday waste, of the things I take for granted, of the hum-drum of my spiritual life...

Just my personal thoughts...

I've been living down here for a year and spent 2 1/2 years in costa rica before I found Nica. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions I can.

I myself stick to the beach and only visit Rivas and Managua to do shopping or for the airport. I love the country and the people. Like the person was saying the poverty level will change you and make you really wonder what all the money fuss was about previously in your life. It's a bit tuff to see, however, you adjust and you'll learn to live your life much simpler.

thanks,

tom

Tom,

The first few days in Nicaragua we experienced quite a few emotions but as time wore on (and we were only there 12 days) we became accustomed to most of the sights...so I imagine living there would be like that too.

And towards the end we wondered who's 'richer'- us or them. We live in this rat-race full of stress but they seem to be more peaceful...life seems simpler.

But is it simpler because we are worried about keeping up with the Jones and they are concerned where their next meal is coming from? I realize that not all people in Nicaragua live in poverty (over 5o percent do)...but the level of poverty there is much grimer than the level of poverty here. Plus many people here just take advantage of the system, go on welfare etc.

I could move there...no problem but after going on this trip it must have awakened the need to help in me...so I would live there but I'd have to somehow try to make some kind of an improvement...

I came upon the Nic forum do to an article on the msn start up page today stating that Nic is an excellent place to retire. I to am interested in renting a second home in Nic. Can anyone tell me how much (approx.) they are paying for rental or ownership properties or a good web site to view such properties.

Todd