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Title: Living and Investing in the New Nicaragua by Christopher Howard ISBN: 1-881233-50-2 Publisher: Costa Rica Books Pub. Date: 31 May, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Unsettling undercurrent
Comment: Folks,
Book is very good in providing you with a roadmap towards acquiring realty estate in Nicaragua. However, it fails to address what I perceived, in my 14-days stay(2002), to be an 'uneasiness' about its economical/political climate.
I visited Nicaragua to research the investment climate and found it to be very attractive due to the low prices and 'potential' growth. I placed _potential_ in quotation marks to convey what relatives and friends kept telling me about the economical and political climate in the country. Yes, it's cheap to live in Nicaragua--my uncle felt that $1500/month provides someone with a very high standard of living(by Nicaraguan standards!)
In the end, I decided against investing on a single factor: STABILITY. How stable is the country's economical climate? What about its political climate? The later is stable enough but the former is not. I can summarize my decision like this: Would I buy a house (land) in this neighborhood (country)? I would have to say "NO" until the neighborhood is more stable.
Rating: 5
Summary: A Huge Help with My Investment Goals
Comment: About six months ago I visited Nicaragua with the idea of purchasing some land as an investment. I travelled all over the country and looked at property at the beach and inland. The practical advise in this guide helped me find the piece of property I wanted. It was extremely useful in dealing with the legal problems one faces when buying land here. All of the suggestions in this guide made my work easier. I even found an honest and reliable real estate agent through this book. Without this guide I could have never bought my property. I recommend it to anyone who wants to live or invest in Nicaragua. It is a MUST read.
Rating: 3
Summary: Delusion is a Valid False Belief.
Comment: After spending three weeks in Nicaragua I heard much hype (mainly from those selling real estate there) about the "coming boom". It was when the saleman was telling me to "get in now, or regret it" I recalled the words in the Bhagavadgita, "Delusion is the child of ignorance."
This book can help, BUT, most of the time, it reads more like a Nicaraguan chamber of commerce advertisement; using lines like: "land of opportunity", "ripe for investment", etc.
Reality check: Nicaragua is not a San Miguel del Allende (Rated by "Money Magazine" as one of the top ten retirement locations) nor will it be the next Costa Rica. I don't want to bash the country, but those considering Nicaragua need to know that it has very poor superstructure, and it is one of the poorest nations in Latin America, and this year it was eliminated from receiving US aid because of massive corruption. Finally, if that isn't enough, Nicaragua is constantly ravaged by earthquakes and hurricanes.
Yes, Nicaragua is a cheap destination. And yes, there are opportunities to be found. But, before you pack your bags, take time to investigate and do your homework.
Christopher Howard does not seriously address the downside of this country and he also uses statements, from unknown sources, failing to qualify their competence as authorities. Thus, comments from sources which state: "Nicaragua has a thriving economy" are not only ludicrous, but this type of statements compromises the integrity of the author.
Howard makes statements like "The country is ripe for foreign investments because it is so underdeveloped." Wow, Howard! What a great reason for investing in Nicaragua. It, and 60% of the world, are "ripe for foreign investments", eh?.
Finally, in the book you will find pages of advertisements for real estate companies, relocation consultants, and even a plug for tours that are lead by??? you guessed it, the author himself.
On the upside, there is a section called "minor obstacles to doing business". Actually, these obstacles can be major. This section is informative and needs to be heeded. Also, Howard's "Red Tape" section is a must read for those who have made up their mind to come, live and invest in Nicaragua. And, his 'Health Care' Section, his 'Cost of Living' Section, and his 'Hired Help' Sections are all provide you with valuable, useful information.
His most informative, and provocative section is titled "Love and Permanent Companionship". This is a must read for all American men that think that they will find a sweet, young Nica. Howard points out that "young, attractive, unscrupulous Nicas target Americans/Canadians". Howard states candidly, "marriage means you support her and her whole family" and that "quality Latin women are difficult to meet." Howard's realistic picture here is applaudable.
Is the book self-serving and lacking the critical comparision to other Central America countries? YES. Can this book help you if you are thinking of living in Nicaragua? YES. Overall, there is useful information packed in these 200 pages that warrants a purchase. Recommended.
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Title: Moon Handbooks Nicaragua by Josh Berman, Randy Wood ISBN: 1566914817 Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing Pub. Date: December, 2002 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Footprint Nicaragua Handbook by Richard Leonardi ISBN: 1903471141 Publisher: Footprint Pub. Date: 09 February, 2002 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Nicaragua: A Guide to the People, Politics and Culture (In Focus Guides) by Hazel Plunkett, Nick Caistor ISBN: 1566564387 Publisher: Interlink Pub Group Pub. Date: February, 2002 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Live Well in Honduras: How to Relocate, Retire, and Increase Your Standard of Living by Frank Ford ISBN: 1562613391 Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing Pub. Date: November, 1998 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica (12th Edition) by Christopher Howard ISBN: 1881233561 Publisher: Costa Rica Books Pub. Date: June, 2002 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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