'Would it be difficult for a retired woman to live alone?' Retirement

Would it be difficult for a retired woman to live alone?

Cynthia Anderman (24.191.13.30) -

Hello,

I'm a retired New Yorker looking for a new home base and am considering Nicaragua. I have lived in Mexico before and am familiar with expat lifestyles. I would appreciate information and advice.

Reply #1 Ollie North (208.155.135.123) -

Who will protect you when we bring the war back?

Reply #2 Cynthia Anderman (24.191.13.30) -

I am not a religious woman but I do believe in God. I will die of something, and if I am meant to die in a war in Nicaragua, so be it. Because of my beliefs, the one thing I won't die of is fear, whether I have someone to protect me or not.

Reply #3 Harry (208.155.212.6) -

Ignore the idiots that seem to abound on the internet.

What are your reasons for choosing Nicaragua? What other countries have you considered?

Reply #4 Cynthia (24.191.13.30) -

Nicaragua interests me because it has natural beauty, is inexpensive, and is referred to as a"last frontier". The words last frontier appeal to my adventurous nature and assure me that I won't be living in a community of gringos imitating American life style.

I am considering Ukraine and possibly South Africa. I am open to other suggestions if you have any good ones.

Reply #5 R. Scott Smith (71.33.6.148) -

Hello Cynthia,

Nicaragua is a great place to retire and also safe for a single woman, depending on where you live. The most popular retirement areas are in Granada and San Juan del Sur. I own two properties in San Juan or the immediate area and I personally know of 3 older North American women who have retired in Nicaragua in the past few years. If you will write me personally I will get you in touch with them. But, our town of San Juan del Sur is a very special place where a single retired woman would feel totally safe and at ease. Don't believe what ANYBODY tells you about Nicaragua... while it has problems, it is a great place with wonderful people and a safe, fun and relaxing place to retire. One hell of a lot better than Florida... I shudder. Hope this helps. R. Scott Smith

Reply #6 Lic.Gregory Kearney Lawson. (200.91.175.2) -

HAve you considered COSTA RICA, while Nicaragua has a certain appeal, such as Granada and Solentiname, Costa Rica is a lot prettier, safer, friendlier towards americans or any other foreigners.

There are a variety of climates and exotic areas for you to choose from.

Our webpage has a lot more information if you are interested.

http://attorneykearney.com

Lic.Gregory Kearney Lawson.

• Kearney Lawson & Assoc. Lawyers, Relocation services & Real ...

Reply #7 Bernard (205.188.117.9) -

Hi

I just returned from a 2 week trip to Nicaragua. I went with my mother, who was born and raised in Rivas. She left Nicaragua in 1958 and has never returned. After 15 years of telling her how much it would mean to me for us to go together so I could discover my roots, we went this Christmas!

She was very scared of what she would see. After all she had left way before the war. She never experienced any more than the rest of us Americans. Only what she saw on tv.

To say the least, we had a GREAT time. A drop dead beautiful country! I will go back. My mother also will go back. She never dreamed she would ever have any interest in going back for a visit or for good. She saw family she had not seen in almost 50 years. I met them for the first time, and they are so precious to me. More than my fathers "American" side of the family has ever been in my 42 years of life. What can I say?

I have every intention myself, to be out of the US before the end of the year! My friends, like yours I am sure...tell me I am crazy! But why should I stay here when I can basically move there and be retired. If I so choose that. Is that not what most Americans want to do? Retire? Why wait till 65 when I can do it 20 years earlier!

The people of Nicaragua have a passion for life that most of the people in the US will never understand. After all they have endured over the years, they are a kind, sincere, gentle and happy people. They have a firm grasp on their faith in God. And have the most amazing reminder of his existence that I can think of.... The country itself. With a beauty I cannot imagine can be matched anywhere else.

Cynthia, if you are interested, write to me. I would enjoy talking to you more on the subject.

Bernard

Reply #8 Hope Reeves (24.215.138.26) -

Hello,

I am writing a piece about the best, still relatively undiscovered, places to retire. I'd love to talk to anyone who can give me useful info on Nicaragua or other spots.

Thanks,

Hope

Reply #9 nadine (67.175.28.196) -

I am also a single woman thinking about relocating to Nicaragua. I am a college instructor, teaching sustainable design. My question is the same as Cynthia Anderman's. Is is safe, appropriate and is there a community of other single women for friendship, cooperation and socialization. I have never lived abroad, but have travel extensively. I do not speak Spanish, but will learn. I would like to travel to Nicaragua this december to view the country first hand and hopefully meet some of you living there.

I am not looking for a 'little usa', but a real place with it's own culture and a not so frenetic pace. I love urban life, but the environment there really interests me.

any info, contacts would be lovely

Reply #10 Phil Fairchild (204.65.144.68) -

I am also considering either Nicaragua or Panama for retirement. Not wealthy, but comfortable. Older single male (66) and wondering if either place would be something I should consider. I appreciate the above comments.

Reply #11 Rhonda (68.98.10.56) -

I too am a "baby boomer" (53) professional woman who has raised two great children, experienced marriage (for too long), and now thinking about retiring in Nicaragua, or? I'd love to travel with any other women (men too) as a group to check it out later this year. I share the same concern, is it safe as a single woman to retire there? I've been to Costa Rica and it's OK, Mexico just doesn't do it for me and Ecuador is pretty too. Warm, tropical places are my preferences.

Rhonda

Reply #12 Larry (200.2.14.202) -

Why does everyone seem stuck on Central America? There are many places further south with lots of offer.

All though all places have their share of problems, you might find much more infrastructure in many parts of South America that are lacking in Central America.

Are we all living in a Walmart world, where "cheap" is the only factor we consider?

That isn't too say that you can't leave inexpensively in South America. There just seems to be arguments about whether Nicaragua, Panama or Costa Rica is cheaper.

What attracts you to those places?

Do you want to eat dog food for lunch for 2 bucks a person, or a steak too big for 2 for 5 bucks? Gasoline for 5 cents a gallon, but everything you do is tracked.. including the purchase of a ice cream cone.

Reply #13 Freida (63.78.101.75) -

We were thinking about retirement in Panama in the next few months, however, now that I've read all the information about Nicaragua, maybe we'll change our minds! Any information that anyone could give me would be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

Reply #14 Michael R. Hourihan (24.175.210.76) -

Hi everyone,

I saw the many post on mailto:bn1fsh2@wowway.com . I am interested in working in Nicaragua. If you ever need a good man that goes above and beyond for security, escourt, or general services let me know. I can assist in any way to help transition you into your new life in Nicaragua. You don't need to go it ALONE.

Drop me a line or give me a call some evening and we can chat. I current live at South Padre Island, Texas.

Regards,

Michael R. Hourihan

956-230-0810

Reply #15 Sherry (24.71.46.221) -

Hi- I am another single woman, 43 but aging way too fast in this franticly-paced lifestyle. Canada is supposed to be such a wonderful place to live, but I have had enough! After 3 month- long visits to Nicaragua, I am quite convinced I could live there- I now know enough people who would assist me, and not Gringos, but Nicas- such wonderful, warm, friendly folks.

It is my desire to be retired early also but far from idle; there is still much need for assistance there after many years of strife caused by insurgency and natural disasters, that I've decided to contribute to my new homeland by helping however I can, by building community-use buildings, helping send kids to school, providing skills training to youth, etc. The people don't need handouts, just a hand held out to them. I love Granada but I want acreage so am looking up North, on the Pacific side around Chinandega/Leon. But, Matagalpa is beautiful and much cooler...

I am going back again this winter, will be renting a house in Chinandega for a month while volunteering my time to help the residents of that cities dump to get relocated to new homes. If anyone is interested in this work, email me. There is nothing like a vacation spent helping others to make you appreciate your own comfortable life!

Sherry

Reply #16 gram (196.40.43.218) -

Single women in Nicaragua? Even in Costa Rica? There are some who make it, I call the 2 or 3 I know over MANY years the exceptions, and the exceptions indicate the rule: Not a good idea at all unless maybe you were a single, hardheaded businesswoman up north. Those warm, fuzzy first impressions are like a first date, and likely to disappear about the time your money does. I've watched Nicaraguan politics for 16 years, and when the pols there speak of welfare, they are speaking of their own, and they DO help themSELVES. Attitudes toward women? The Presidential front runner sexually abused his stepdaughter, and stole the house he lives in. From a woman. All documented.

Reply #17 Elvis Preston King (200.42.202.222) -

I am not sure about the ladies but gentlemen if you are retired and want to have the playboy life you always dreamed of contact Elvis Preston King, and NO we are not talking working girls we are talking hot girlfriends.

Elvis Preston King,

The world's greatest senior playboy

• Retirement for the Single Man

Reply #18 Jumm (152.163.36.78) -

Yeah, set em up with some nasty nicas that practice black magic, who will torment them whether the magic works or not.

Reply #19 Quisaltepe (68.18.74.8) -

I from Nicaragua and I can tell you all that Nicaragua is the perfect place to live. But I think the door is open for people that want to have a tranquil life and NOT for pedofilos y pedarastas.

En Paz

Reply #20 Andreas Frerk (63.245.24.73) -

Dear Nicaragua Retirement Comunity,

We are Tourism Consultants, conducting a market research on tourist behaviour. We believe that the retired comunity in Nicaragua have a significant effect on tourist destinations by creating more employment and increasing then income of poor comunities.

We would like to invite you to participate in a focus group, discussing your preferencies, necessities and expectations when travelling in Nicaragua.

We would be grateful if you could give us a contact to host this focus group.

You can contact us:

Andreas Frerk

Tourism Consultant

Managua: 6519635 (Cel.)

Email: Andreas.Frerk@gmx.de

Maria José Zapata

Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV)

Matagalpa: 772 7226

Managua: 277 0817

Reply #21 Elaine from Nicaragua (Contact Member) -

I am a 59 year old single female retiree who lives in Managua, Nicaragua. I say it is safer here than in some parts of the US for a single female.

Yes, I had lived here before and married a "Gringo" who I met here. It was always our dream to return.

As a retired college professor, I am still seeking work in my field and hope to find something for January. It is difficult here, as anywhere else, if you have nothing to do.

There are church and civic activities in which you can get involved. Also activities periodically at Embassy if you are so inclined.

My advice is "Come on down; you'll love it."

Reply #22 Karie from Prague (Contact Member) -

Find your hotel in Prague, and travel from Prague airport to your accommodation free of charge.

Reply #23 Ben (71.15.104.151) -

Hello, not sure how old these posts are (couldn't find dates), but I happened to find this page while doing a google search. I am a 32 year old male living in the U.S. and looking to purchase property in central or south America - likely Nicaragua, Costa Rica or Ecuador. I am hoping to purchase a large piece of land (100 acres or more) with existing structure(s) and existing Electric and Phone service. I am hoping to find a number of inividual(s) intersted in doing this with me so that as much quality land as possible can be purchased as cheaply as possible. My vision is for the property to be divided into lots/acreage to be wholly owned individually by each investor, so this would be a secure investment.

Please note that this "project" is in its infancy. I am not yet an expert on the subject and will likely not be able to answer highly detailed questions. If your are interested or have experience purchasing property in these countries I'd love to hear from you. I can be contacted at b234f@yahoo.com,

Thanks!

Reply #24 Elissa from Indianapolis, Indiana (Contact Member) -

I suspect the 100 acres with the "existing" structure (I hope you include water) will probably drive the price quite high compared to 100 acres in the middle of nowhere. And in many of those countries, if the services are not existing, it could be years to forever until they get them.

Why do you think 50 Americans want to live together on such a "compound"?

I saw on project similar to this but much smaller. A piece of land bought, and subdivided with a house build when a buyer purchased a lot.

The area, the land and the houses were spectactular. The price was very low. So low infact, that it brang out the oddballs and misfits. The perfect house with a strange neighbor.

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