Pros and Cons of Living in Nicaragua

"I guess the depth of the new culture is what I appreciate most. Especially in the states you are conditioned to think the USA is number one in all aspects and that everyone wants to be like an American. Even in a small country like Nicaragua you find they have just as much national pride, historical richness, musical and artistical creativity, etc," said one person in Granada.

"The loving, kind, generous personalities of all the people I've met. These people (of which there are many) were mostly bi-lingual Nica's with hearts of gold and silver. I think that's why I didn't suffer so much culture shock. I was immediately surrounded by loving / caring people," remarked one expat in Managua.

"Buying things that I perceive as "necessary" like furniture, basic household stuff etc. You can't go to one store like Walmart or Target or Home Depot and get what you need and go home. It takes LOTS of time, effort and savvy to get the basics of living," explained one expat.

"One of the most challenging aspects of the Nicaraguan culture for expats is the language barrier, as many locals may not be able to speak English or another foreign language. Additionally, locals may not be very welcoming of foreigners and may be hesitant to interact with them. Additionally, differences in social norms and etiquette can be jarring for expats unused to such customs. As well, it is common for locals to expect expats to haggle over the cost of goods and services, which can be both challenging and intimidating for those from other cultures," said one person in Nicaragua.

"Learning the language has been a challenging but fun task. Nicaragua being a poor country, you are challenged to see things in a new perspective. You first learn there is a huge difference between being poor and having no money. You appreciate how many people live well without money and those that just seem mired in poverty. The average education level here is around the third grade and the education system is so lacking that many people just don't have a lot of common knowledge. The expats know the history here often better than the locals. Once in a while I just want to have a deeper conversation with someone without arguments. The language barrier and level of education often prevents it," remarked one expat in Granada.