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"In the US, money and beauty are the power, but I am looking for something else," said Kathy Aley, originally from Newport Beach, Calif., who moved to Nicaragua in 2001. "I left because of the greed and the selfishness in that country. I worked as an aerobics instructor for the school district, but I tore my muscles. I have two daughters in the US … they are 40 and 32 years old. I live here with my eight dogs, 10 cats and my parrot. Every morning, I jog the beach up and down with my dogs and parrot. They need the exercise."
Photojournalist Kadir van Lohuizen traveled from the southern tip of South America to the far reaches of Alaska on the North American continent to explore migration in the Americas. What he found both supported and defied stereotypes, which he reported on a website and an app for iPad called Via Panam.
“I came (to Nicaragua) on holiday in October 2000 and while I was watching the sunset on the beach, I knew I had to move here,” said Kathy Aley, now 64, a transplant from Newport Beach, Calif. “I need the warmth and the slow life.”
Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR
Captain Zatara, 53, and Katy, 41: "It was our dream to sail around the world and live and sail in the tropics. We bought our boat in Washington state in 2003. She is a beauty. We came to San Juan de Sur three years ago and we wanted to make some adjustments to the boat … (now) we are rebuilding it from scratch. In the meantime Katy runs a massage salon, so we earn some money. I think it will take another two years to finish the boat. We have five children, one is with us."
Central America is a growing destination for moderately wealthy Americans looking to leave the rat race behind. In their search for quieter and less expensive places, some have chosen to settle in Nicaragua — the poorest nation in mainland Latin America, but also the safest, according to The Economist.
One such quiet and affordable enclave is the tranquil bay of San Juan del Sur. In addition to safe harbor for retirement, the location also offers a break from recession and politics.
Nicaragua was recently named one of the most favorable retirement destinations in the world.
Below are some stories of Americans who picked up and moved south for their retirement years:
Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR
Fred Goldfarb, 60: "I am from the San Francisco Bay Area. I always had a desire for traveling, and in 2006, I came with my girlfriend to Nicaragua. She didn't like it, so that is where our relationship ended. I had a company in the US and in 2007 I bought 350 acres of land. With my business partner, we build environment friendly houses to sell. In 2008 the market collapsed, we are selling less now than before. I built this house actually to sell, but for the time being I live here. I don't like the politics in the US and the cost of living is very high."
Tom and Patty Lowy (55 and 62 respectively), from the San Francisco area: In 2004 Tom bought land close to San Juan del Sur. "I paid far too much … now we live here, in our gringonized house," he said. "We brought the TV chairs from the US. I earned good money in the US -- $400,000 a year -- I was a retail broker and I saw the crisis coming. We wanted to leave, we don't like the politics of the US, the Patriot Act, the propaganda from the mass media and the misinformation. Here is a safe place, safe for a nuclear war. We watch US television, but most of our friends are Nicaraguan. We believe we should integrate."
Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR
Beverly Gene Marte, 74: "Everybody calls me BJ here. I came 10 years ago and I am from Walminton, Calif. I came on a yacht. It was a long trip from Florida, via Cuba, Cayman Islands, Panama Canal. In Costa Rica the yacht nearly sank, it took two years to fix it. In the end I made it to Nicaragua. I don't want to live in the US anymore. Obama ruins the country. Now I have my monkey, Cindy. Years ago I was photo model and I also worked for the US coast guard. The sea is in my blood."
Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR
The tranquil bay of San Juan del Sur is pictured. Although Nicaragua hasn't had good relationships with the US over the last three decades, it is a popular destination for US citizens.
K. van Lohuizen / NOOR
From Colombians fleeing war to North Americans retirees moving to Nicaragua, a photographer's journey from Chile to Alaska explores both the expected and unexpected patterns of migration in the Americas
Experience the entire journey, from Chile to Alaska, by exploring the slideshow at right, the Via Panam website or by downloading the app for iPad.
More Photoblogs from the Migration in the Americas series:
On the run from water in Panama
Bolivia hopes for windfall from producing lithium for batteries
Mom works in US while family stays in El Salvador
Leave a Comment:
I know of four couples moving to Central America. Two to Nicaragua, and two to Panama. And since this has turned into a political bash em session, they are all republicans.
They shouldnt get their SSI checks then, if they want to become citizens of another country. Go for it, but make up your mind. How can this county just allow these old bats to come and take advantage of them like this. What do they have to do to get papers to enter the country? This is bogus.
Don't forget folks it's not just the money. My wife and I looked at several destinations overseas and we kept comming up with the same challenges. Healthcare that is subpar just about no matter where u go and the fact that as non-citizens you have even fewer rights than the citizens who don't have many to begin with. This can work for some folks, but for us not so much. It's going to be the mountains and a small place on a acre of land and call it good. I can keep my guns and my rights.
You can keep your gun's for now. Your rights are being taken away from you everyday a little at a time. I feel the same way you do but these are facts.
For many years Americans retired in Mexico for economic reasons. I don't know if those numbers have increased or decreased over the years. We have friends who are planning their retirement in the Dominican Republic. They have made 2-3 trips down there to check out what sort of property they want to get. When one of them fell ill while on a visit - he said the medical care was fabulous. One person's experience, ok? They will not be wealthy upon retirement, one works in the mental health field, the other is a government employee (nice income and retirement but wont go far here and I know because I am a govt employee lol). It may work well for them and others. I wish all those who choose to expatriot themselves well in their futures.
Its wrong to just assume that they people are going to want you there. US doesn't want the spanish people locating to America so why would these people want a bunch of old fudees coming there.
Hmpfh.....
Vengeance cannot be wrought upon a bureaucracy; its representatives must be brought to account. With that aside... a corrupt oppressive government cannot exist if it has no one with money left to govern.
Sounds like choices have to be made and acted upon.
I am with you - The Russians Intelligentsia are convinced that there will be an all out civil war or revolution in the US by 2025. They published their findings in 2008 and it is based on the rift of mistrust between citizens and the government and that rift seems to be growing
Sooner you tube Killuminati the movie you be amazed what's going on how were lied to.
Fred - thanks! Will do
Let's see. History of nationalization. Don't forget the hurricanes and earthquakes. One good Cat 2 or moderate trembler and all these folks will be trying in vain to get the first plane, train, or boat out.
Oh yeah, and third world health care for ageing hipsters.
Good luck with that!
We are seriously looking into this also; not so much about being dissatisfied with our country but want to make our savings last in retirement. Rather live comfortably somewhere else rather than scrimp.
I love Central America and have never had a problem traveling there. I've been to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador. I speak Spanish and don't act like the typical a-hole American so I am left alone. As far as being at the door of the embassy if something happens is all BS. Didn't these people pay taxes for years? They don't deserve the protection of the government they paid taxes to for year? They spend their SSI checks and retirement their way. And? It is THEIR money. They earned it. And they pay for their travel back to the U.S. And? It is their money. I wouldn't live there but each to his own. And by the way, someone mentioned Colombia. Que mujeres mas bonitas! Medellin and Barranquilla are full of the most beautiful women a man has ever seen. Oye muchacha mas linda habla conmigo por favor! Puedes ser mi mundo! No me digas eso...........
I agree 100% - I am looking at alternatives outside of the US to live and work - my employer doesn't care where I live. Is there reasonable access to high speed internet services down there in those countries? Thanks
Kirk, sometings cost more like cars and gas, but the real savings come with food and housing. Certain things cost about the same like internet, cell, and cable, but food cost are nothing and housing is affordable. It isn't cheap, but it is more affordable than the U.S. I rented an apartment in San Pedro Sula, Honduras for $250 a month and that included a private parking space. My rough bills (Cable, intenet, Cell) were a small fraction higher than the U.S., but with the savings in rent and my food cost being about half, I had plenty of money. I wasn't rich, but I had plenty.
SmashmouthD - good information - can't thank you enough
Yeah according to our secret service they have some of the best whores over there too. Take your ass there and don't come back. Bring plenty of condoms
No offense intended, but I hope the people of Nicaragua don't look at the pictures and think that that's what all Americans look like!
No, most of them are much fatter than that.
I’d love to live down there but everyone knows a good witchdoctor is hard to find and at my age the walk to the nearest village might be too much lol.
Pay attention to media propaganda and mis-information. Their waggin the dog on the middle east especially Syria photo shopping pictures and putting war scenes behind pepple for drama. This country is going down the tubes and both sides of the isle are paid by shadow government. They had an instance of CNN acting like report was comming from gulf war it's on you tube they got caught. Watch what happens here.
No link showed up - I will google it - thanks for the info - we have a one party system with two factions - those factions are just to keep the people divided and overwhelmed with silly notions of reforms, change, and hope. I have not seen anyone come along and try to change the corruption. Kennedy tried and was killed - Gabby Giffords proposed a bill that would cut congresses pay and benefits and she was shot by a lunatic a few months later.
It is the republicans who are ruining the country, not Obama. They are
mostly rich white people who want to be richer, off of cheap labor. GTH!
The answer is yes Kirk. You may have to pay a little more, but you can get it. Not way over priced for the service provided. I was in Tegucigalpa, Honduras for a few weeks and had better internet service there than some places here in the states.
SmashmouthD - thank you very much!!! I hope you have a super day
Face it folks, nobody can afford to live in America anymore. Thanks to our government employee leaches, the IRS, and that private bank called the Federal reserve, the cost of living is to high!
P.S. Do you know what the term "cost of living" really means? It means "It costs you this "amount" to live"!
I wish the rest of Obamao's old hippies would go there long before the election
I’m not finished bleeding society yet!
Yeah it's all Obama's fault, we lived in a utopia till he got here. There was no unemployment, no hunger, no homeless, it's all HIS fault. Big business didn't screw people we didn't bail out the saving and loans none of that happened before Obama. Don't get me wrong I am not his fan but fair is fair. The government has been screwing the American public since a bunch of rich white slave owner's decided they didn't want to pay tax's.
Kendra;
Americans moving out because of the economics of fixed income living, beautiful slow paced life and no attitudes like yours.
Just got back from Ecuador (gas $1.40 per gallon, diesel $1.05) Have spent much time in Latin America. We have $16 Trillion in debt and nothing but bickering as far as the eye can see. Shame. Our debt solution can be resolved by releasing 1/3 of our 200+ years strategic reserves and flood the fuel market with oil. This will drive down the price and pressures countries that rely on high oil prices (like Iran). Drive our prices down to $1.50 or so. Then apply a $1 per gallon tax that can only be used (no politicians can touch) to apply to the National Debt. GAs will still be under $3 and provide economic stimulus as well. You can not create enough jobs, or tax enough wealthy to make any dent in the current debt, period. In the meantime, debt will go down and we can focus on alternative fuels as well as refining our own oil. It may hurt big oil and their shareholders but it is the best and only solution under the current circumstances.
Anyways, many Americans that migrate do it for simple economics and less stressful lifestyles. You can live well on fixed incomes.
The solution to our debt problem is right in front of our eyes.............Charge every single MF'er government employee that is still on this earth with fraud and embezzlement and sieze their assets...........use that money to pay off the national debt. And don't forget to sieze the government pension funds and put that money into the SS fund accounts.
Start with Obama, Bushs, Clintons, and every single Congress member and Senator. Then, sieze the Federal Reserve, the IRS and the treasury's assets...............there's more than enough there to pay off the debts that THEY CREATED.
Then, put every one of them to work for a pay rate of $500.00/mo and tell them they will have to work until they are 70 before they are allowed to collect Social Security.
Let's see what country they want to move to after that!
Ex-Californians. Figures. I doubt they are real Californians. Just moved here to exploit and when they found their dream was just California dreaming they moved to their other dream world. The only reason those countries have somewhat of a safe buffer is because the U.S. exists. Otherwise your at the mercy of the whirlwind governments. The old saying be careful what you wish for plays perfectly in this story. Most of these soles, if you look at them, are probably better off in a country isolated with their greed. What I hear is they can't stand the politics because it doesn't benefit them. Thank god you lived in a country where you were able to make your millions, good by and don't come back when things blow up in your face.When the stuff in this world hits the fan I'd rather be here with my fellow Americans then prayin for mercy when the roving bands of thieves come looking for the Gringo's. Good luck and enjoy. All good things come to an end and in their cases I hope not literally.
Kirk, We don't have a land line because we live in the country about a 1 mile walk along the beach to the port town. The port town has cable and land lines, so the internet is much faster. We have a 3G dongle and I made a woktenna for my 3G dongle. You have to get creative in Nicaragua, especially living in more rural areas. But, I'm looking into a satellite internet connection that will be faster. I use Skype daily to talk to my family and friends around the world. Communication is no problem. I hope this helps.
Deborah - thank you very much - I hope you have a great day
Kirk, I worked for the AP in C.A. for about 3 years after college. After 3 years, I took a hiatus and went native. I wondered around for about a year on my savings. I saw a ton and learned a ton. Things aren't as bad or as good as they seem. It did help that I spoke Spanish and I knew locals that were able to help me with certain things. I suggest you take a trip and see what is there. The longer you can stay the better. There were things that drove me nuts like no 24hr Walmarts and stuff like that. And if you think a L.A. freeway is bad, wait until you drive in a town like San Salvador. I've never said so many prayers in five minutes than flying at warp 10 in a cab with a a driver speaking in broken English that, " It all good man." But a cold beer and good friends can make up for all of that. It is VERY different, but different isn't all that bad. I got used to certain things and learned to live with others things.
BTW, health care is excellent in these "third" world countries. Where do you think their doctors trained? AND, you can afford to pay for your medical bills out of pocket!!
I can't blame them, this country is on a hopeless track, more and more people want an entitlement and less and less want to work for what they have. Presidents like Obama are appeasing them and I can't see this country standing for longer than 50 years.
Just more left over hippies, and communists going home! wait until they need medical of a serious nature!Obama will be flying them home to vote!
I was told;
1. You have to pay a sizable amount into a medical fund before being allowed permanent visa
2. You don't buy land you get a 99 year lease or so
3. There is little security so ex-pats live in communities or with walls around the house to keep out intruders
4. It is 8 hours by small plane from Miami and goods you bring in for use or consumption are taxed
5. Do all that and live next to whining Californians for the rest of your life? I think not.
You just described America you fool.
Sometimes it pays to look up the laws in your own nation before commenting on others.
dam tired of this
Did I bust your bubble. Californian's give their state away to those south of the border and then go to south of the border to live. Damn idiots.
6. You also have to deposit a amount into accounts in order to prove you can sustain your lifestyle with poaching on the Nicaraguan government for help. Awe paradise in a rain forest.
CA was stolen from them they didn't give it to us. If they go they shouldn't be allowed to come back. We don't let the spanish people come here. We try to kill them in the desert at the border. What gives these people the right to just go over there? It's not right.
What a lousy post. There are plenty of destinations around the world besides Central America that are highly valued as retirement havens for US citizens. And not just for WEALTHY individuals. Plenty of middle class folks including myself have plans for retirement in Asia where the dollar is greatly stretched, the pace of life is relaxed, the beer is warm and western worries are forgotten.
Among the reasons for leaving: Patriot Act, Cost of Living, Propaganda Press. I have to agree.
Yep - whatever happened to investigative journalism? What is with the Patriot Act and NDAA2012 - do we really need these encroachments on our rights? Something stinks
This article is a testament to Obamas failure as a President. What happened to the hope and change. Oh yeah, that was just a bunch of B.S.
It's a testament to the failure of EVERY politician over the last 70 years. Every one of them nothing more than thieves and liars.
Hey dam...Did you not notice that all of those people lived in Nicaragua BEFORE Obama became president? Your commentary is a testament of how people will blame Obama for any and every thing wrong with this country.
alibaster,
My comment CLEARLY states............EVERY POLITICIAN.
Yep we lived in a utopia till Obama got here. Everyone had a job, the homeless just wanted to live in cardboard box's and beg for food, senior's at dog food cause they liked the taste, there was no wefair, mo medicare everyone had health insurance. Man I am looking forward to getting back to that time.
Dam, You are correct. My bad. I meant my comment for DKMACS06.