Why We Chose Leon 🇳🇮 Living in Nicaragua

[@jolmespastora5260]

I'm originally from Nicaragua, and emigrated to Canada at age 10. I love Leon, as I grew up there for a few years during my childhood, and most of my nostalgic memories are from Leon. I've gone back and visited a few times since. Honestly, the heat is not that bad for me. The ability to walk everywhere and the social culture is the best.

[@madhuhadas15370]

Wao Scott, you are well versed in Leon and Nicaragua as a whole.

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Thank you!

[@gtrdoc911]

Doing Nicaragua vacation right now. Going to Leon in a few days. I hope to run into you.

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

I'm around! Let me know when you are headed in.

[@porteryoung5757]

Keep these videos coming. New subscriber here 👋🏼 This page is legit.

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Awesome, thanks for joining our little travel and relocation community!

[@neftalivalenzuela1703]

Leon is a great choice to live. I am from Esteli, and if I had to go to an other place it would be leon. The only negative for me is the weather. Congrats

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Yeah, I'd prefer that Esteli weather FOR SURE.

[@Aaron-ep9ne]

Hows the weather in esteli? Is there any time of year that's bad to live there?

[@aliciaroman9796]

I highly recomend tour in Ciudad Antigua in Nicaragua is one of the most important and colonial cities not only in central america but latinamerica was built in 1535 as long with Granada,Leon and Ocotal. All this beatiful cities were buitl by spaniards at the same time. NICARAGUA is old country also the Caribean in Nicaragua is beatiful. My country is beatuful 🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮

[@donjohnsonsigns1]

That was a real interesting video. I am looking seriously to go to live in Nicaragua and your video has given me some good information

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Thank you and that's great! We've been here a while and we love it here.

[@janetsweeneydegarcia551]

I love to live in this city, and I wouldn't trade if for any other. Plus my husband wouldn't leave it for anything, so I'm stuck anyway ☺ Oh, and I like the climate here best.

[@Rivet_Head242]

I lived in Miami Beach for 20 years and I just moved back to Nicaragua. My hometown is León Nicaragua. I love the fact that Granada is still trying to be what Leon is. Fun fact: León is the hottest city in Central America and the Caribbean based on the World Almanac 2024. The thing is that the ceilings are so high and the adobe walls keep families cool. When I went to Manila, Philippines there were so many expats that I felt I was in downtown Seattle. León is also known as "La Ciudad Universitaria". Oh, and León has Poneloya beach and Las Peñitas within 15 minutes away. In any case, thank you for showcasing Nicaragua's most beautiful colonial city !!

[@Guillermo-ym5yn]

Granada... is clean!

[@Rivet_Head242]

@@Guillermo-ym5yn Mo clean.

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Leon isn't even the hottest city in the traditional departmento of Leon, jaja. Chinandega is the hottest large city in Nicaragua Occidental. El Viejo is the hottest city of any size (it's tiny) in all of Nicaragua (it's JUST outside of Chinandega.)

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

clean...ish

[@nicolefoley5042]

Hi Scott! Thank you for this video! We were trying to decide where to go next and your video was very helpful. My family will be there next week and we'd love to meet you.

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Awesome, you are going to be in Leon?

[@nicolefoley5042]

We're heading there from Antigua, Guatemala by bus and should be there on the 24th 😊

[@rayvogensen2983]

Congratulations on a stimulating video. From a linguistic perspective, León might not be a viable option for monolingual English speakers, especially if they are in their sixties or seventies. It would take a special kind of person to live in a place where you need to speak the local language to have a stress-free experience. I don't see most American or Canadian retirees making that sacrifice and that is why they choose places like Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende, or Ajijic in Mexico or Benidorm and Marbella in Spain. I would also like to point out your communicative skill of speaking intelligently, with no hesitation, and with no notes to read from. I especially like the use of facts to back up your opinions. Once again, well done.

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Thanks very much. Yes. That's actually a good topic to discuss in a video. How much do you need Spanish here. And the answer is.... it depends but it certainly helps a lot.

[@jimmy999-z2j]

Just found your channel - good info

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Welcome aboard!

[@Guillermo-ym5yn]

That was a year ago.. Now you can see dozens right there in this same park...visiting the cathedral or enjoying a meal just behind you ... behind those trees.. As for elotes carts none... 😊

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Loads of elote carts still there. SIx all the time.

[@Guillermo-ym5yn]

@@ScottAlanMillerVlog Must have gotten up before them. Was in Léon for over two months. And everytime i asked for corn on the knob the answer was: too expensive. In the market of Chinandega, a small lady would come by every evening by 5 o'clock with lots of them. ;)

[@Guillermo-ym5yn]

@@ScottAlanMillerVlog You know... It's not because it says 'elotes' on the cart that it is what they actually sell! The ones i saw and i speak Spanish fluently, had 'elotes' as advertisement but in fact they were selling 'raspados' ... :) I'll be back at the beginning of December... I'll tell them: Scott said so... (that i would find you here). ;)

[@marilynpeoples5099]

So much!,! Great information? What about mountain locations? I’ve discovered I’m not a beach girl. Thank you

[@davisurdaneta1426]

I've traveled across central America, I had a great time in El Salvador and Nicaragua. I am a Canadian and I am planning to get out of the stressful life here in Canada (Toronto to be more specific). I find El Salvador more develped but also higher cost of living. I think Nicaragua is the best option for me. I am just wondering if foreigners can open a small business in the country such a coffee shop or cafe. I am pastry chef by trade. I could start small just to test the water. Thanks a lot!

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Foreigners have unlimited rights to run businesses in Nicaragua. You don't even need to visit to start a business (although, you know, that would be the smarter way to go, lol.) There are really no limits on business options. However, make sure you watch my extensive video list on business in Nicaragua first because WHY would you want to do that?

[@davisurdaneta1426]

@ScottAlanMillerVlog Thanks for the response. I will search for that video. Cheers!

[@davisurdaneta1426]

@ScottAlanMillerVlog Hey Scott, do you mind attaching the video link video here? Thanks a lot! Cheers!

[@sabrinabravo6206]

Thanks Scott! Your videos are so informative for my Nicaraguan husband and myself. My husband hasn't been back since he left in the 80's. His family who were poor when living there have negative things to say. So he was always under the impression it was bad over there. After I found your channel I convinced him to watch you and think otherwise. Now we are planning our retirement in the far future in Nicaragua. But also planning a visit next year. We wanted to see if you could recommend possibly good cities, areas or hotels, airbnb or even your own hotel to stay at. Thanks for all your information. We both love it.

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

That's an awesome story! Thank you. yes, of course I recommend my own hotel to stay at, it's awesome ;). I might be biased. More seriously, what are you looking for in a city? Nicaraguan cities have a pretty good variety of things from weather to activities to proximity to different things so everyone likes something different. What are you looking for in your cities to visit?

[@sabrinabravo6206]

@@ScottAlanMillerVlog we want to be able to see a lot. We are planning 2 weeks. He has family in Managua. But we don't want to stay there. Possibly somewhere cooler? Lol if that is a thing. By the beach or a lake. My husband says we should just stay at your hotel. We don't know the name though. I am not sure if you have ever mentioned the name or where we can book a room.

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

@@sabrinabravo6206 My hotel is the Simple Beach Lodge. It's currently closed for renovations, no idea when it will reopen. Any day or months, timing here is... flexible. For cooler weather, where I am is NOT your first (or second, or third) choice. Ocean front is HOT. You want to look in the mountains at Matagalpa, Esteli or Jinotega where the weather is mild.

[@williamgraff7627]

@@ScottAlanMillerVlog what city is your hotel? Is it open now? thanks, Mark

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

@@williamgraff7627 Playa Las Peñitas, outside of Leon. At the moment, yes, it is open.

[@jeffsea6490]

Thanks for sharing valuable and interesting content Scott 👍

[@rola4721]

Can you please show more of the country images pls. You can talk in the background

[@Guillermo-ym5yn]

Maybe You have to start your own ... I'll go back late November... I'll be your prívate youtuber if you pay my expenses!😊

[@aliciaroman9796]

Ciudad Antigua and Ocotal is located it in Nueva Segovia Highly recomend visit this cities. 😃

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Definitely on my list to go and visit.

[@amyhawk3803]

Nice video. What rent run for 3 bed 2 bath. We had been looking at Costa Rica but had started looking Nicaragua.

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Nicaragua doesn't really work that way. There's no standard pricing. It's the cheapest place in the western hemisphere. But price variances between places are immense because there is a range of houses much larger than most markets. So the idea of standard pricing like in the US just doesn't exist. ALso it's important to know that a second bath will likely double the cost. 3 bed / 1 bath is easy and maybe around $250/mo. But a TWO bath home implies it's a fancy luxury place so everything will be different, but more like $450

[@chocoadelraw5441]

nice one thx

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Thank you too!

[@aliciaroman9796]

Please make a video if it is possible to go to Ciudad Antigua and Ocotal also Mozonte is very nice you'll enjoy. 🤗🤗🤗

[@aliciaroman9796]

Recomend in leon Telica heading chinandega very small town but quiet and save city in the future 😃

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

I was there two years ago, and I obviously drive through all of the time. But I've never really spent time exploring it. I'll have to give it a look.

[@kathieleece]

That's a good point about loads of expats.

[@Guillermo-ym5yn]

Went some 100 times to Antigua... Nothing to compare ! Much prefer Leon and clean Granada! 😊

[@jennistein1]

Hi Scott! I recently found your channel and the content is so helpful. Thank you! Our first time in Central America was in Costa Rica about a month ago and it was beautiful! We are now looking for our next adventure in Central America and have settled on Leon and Las Penitas for many of the reasons you mentioned in this video. We are flying into Managua at the end of July and will split our week between Leon and Las Penitas. On our way out to Leon from the airport, we wanted to stop in Nagarote to eat at Quesillo Acaciac. Would an arranged taxi be the best way to accomplish this? Or could we grab a chicken bus from Managua to Nagarote, then from Nagarote to Leon? Also, any recommendations for accommodations in Leon and Las Penitas? I looked and unfortunately can’t book a room at your Simple Beach Lodge yet but we would love come by and grab a bite to eat! Okay, last thing… we understand it will be rainy season but should we plan for rain all day or does it come mostly in the afternoon? Thanks in advance for any guidance you may be able to provide! Your channel is awesome!

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Awesome, welcome to the channel! What's making you want to stop at that particular Quesillo place? The entire region is known for their quesillos and often the buses from Managua stop at a good one so that you can eat on the road. You might want to consider that you could get from the airport to Leon for $2 if you take public transport; it's safe and easy. Or you could spend $100 or more on private transport that will stop at a road side quesillo place. Quesillos are like a super cheap roadside snack, not something you make a trip for generally. You can get them in Managua or Leon. If you get to Leon, you can easily take a bus or taxi to Nagarote or La Paz Centro to get the "authentic" ones in their core market. Stopping on that particular route at a specific restaurant feels like a lot of money and effort and unless there something super special about that one restaurant, there's easier ways to get a great quesillo. But yes, if you took the chicken bus, you could make the stop and then take the next bus. Contact the Simple Beach now, I think that they can do the reservation now. Email and ask Isabel to handle it. It rarely rains all day. Typically it is a few hours in the mid to late afternoon.

[@SirDavosChannel]

Hi Scott - Why do you use Liberia instead of Managua ? You mentioned that Liberia is 5 hours away vs 2 hours, flying into Managua. The reason I ask is I saw flights from Houston and Miami to Managua that looked very reasonable. Thank you for your channel. It's been very helpful!!

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

If you notice WHEN we used Liberia, there were no good airlines into Managua then. Since that time United, American and most importantly Spirit have returned. So most of the time we fly Managua now.

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Kim is flying into Managua Thursday night, in fact.

[@SirDavosChannel]

@Scott Alan Miller Thanks Scott for the helpful reply. 👍🏻

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

My pleasure.

[@arosalesmusic]

Leon is going to have the largest hospital en central america. Dr. Oscar Danilo Rosales Arguello Hospital.

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

It's that big? I mean we can tell that it is huge, but the biggest? Why here?

[@arosalesmusic]

@@ScottAlanMillerVlog Leon is where he was from. According to government data, it will be the biggest. He lived across the street from La Salle secundary school. Across the north east corner, in a brown house on the corner.

[@Gyflor]

I love your videos. But I have a question. Why do you call Basilica to Leon's Cathedral? As far as I know it has always been called : LA CATEDRAL DE LEON.

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

It's nickname is La Catedral de Leon, but it is a basilica, not a cathedral. It's name has cathedral in it, like if you were to say "Saint John, the Divine", that's a name. If you are to state what it is or describe it, you can't say cathedral because it's a basilica. You can argue that a basilica is ALSO a cathedral and that's valid. But it's like calling a bishop a priest. Well sure, he's also a priest I guess, but it's kind of insulting to refer to him by his previous or lower title once he's made bishop. The basilica earned its title, and while there is no human to offend by calling it the cathedral, the pope promoted it to a basilica so in theory that is how it should be called when not using its formal name.

[@joemar9234]

Scott, What I can I say, you are right on just about everything about Leon. Right on the money!! if I wasn’t a Leones myself I’d thing you were a local yourself. Just to complement something about Leon, minute 22.44, that whole block, there’s so much history there. El Colegio San Ramon, Costa Rica’s Internacional airport and national hero, Santa Maria - I think that’s his name, he studied there, you see, Leon’s tittle among Nicaraguans is the “Ciudad Universitaria”, it goes back several hundred years. Ruben Dario, a national hero, and poet, you will find his remains in said building, Basilica Catedral, he used to ride his horse in the streets of Sutiava, riding towards downtown’s Basilica Catedral del Leon. The funny thing is, every Esteliano and or its neighbor; Jinotega and or Matagalpa, every resident there has a home in Leon - They can’t stand the heat, they are there come November and or December though.😂 One observation about the safety factor when comparing it to any other place within Nicaragua. Managua? Scott, i wouldn’t recommend you walking on its streets there. It’s just not safe. Same thing with Masaya and even Granada. Leoneses are on of a kind when it comes to safety.

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

I've walked Granada a ton and Managua a bit. I actually live almost right next to Ruben Dario's birthplace. He is from Laborio specifically.

[@marilynpeoples5099]

Is it as hot as Merida, Mexico ?

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Roughly the same. Merida is a tad hotter, but it's super close.

[@marcellosapienza1755]

Helpful video, Leon too far , 18 monthe still to go . Reseach !

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Very nice.

[@keithlamont2602]

Newark New Jersey danger lol!

[@WanderingNature]

Why are you not the President of USA 🇺🇸 as you are highly intelligent and well spoken, and well that would be a million percent improvement if you were in office! Just saying!!!

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Awww, thank you. Feel free to convince everyone to write me in. My "Camp David" would be a villa in Nicaragua. I'll run on the "restoring foreign confidence" platform!

[@richardleewagner3939]

What Latín American country doesn't have expats, retired gringos and American hipsters?

[@ScottAlanMillerVlog]

Cuba

[@harryreyes152]

yo soy chinandegano y nunca me gusto leon de leon solo me gusta poneloya. saludos guapo