A plug for Jinotepe! Higher and cooler yet 30 minutes down to Managua. 45 minutes to airport. New 4 lane roads. Still not touristy. We bought a sweet house for $7000.
Basically away from major cities is going to be much cheaper think Maltagalpa, Managua, San Juan, Leon, Granada, Ometepe. The further away from the city you are the more expensive goods are going to be because things have to be transported in. Managua is the cheapest place for shopping. It's also the only area that has Walmart, Pricesmart (costco). A lot of Nicaraguans will buy goods in Managua and ship it to other cities. It also depends on what area you're in and what that area is known for. Up North, coffee is really cheap. Closer to Masaya and Managua, fruit is much cheaper. You can also get amazing plants in that area. Mesatepe is known for wood furniture, etc.. Masaya is nice because it's close to the city and also close to Laguna de Apoyo and southern cities. Every area is known for their own niche! It's not hard living outside of the city. You just have to learn you're neighborhood and network with people.
If I were doing it all over again (I retired in Hacienda Beach and Golf Resort) I'd book one night BnBs and hotels in San Juan Del Sur, Rancho Santana, Hacienda Iguana, Granada, Masaya, Jinotepe, Maltagalpa, Estili and Leon. Unless you speak fluent Spanish these places and surrounding areas will be most easy to adapt and enjory. Of course I'm heavily biased to any areas like the Emerald Coast which gets cooling on shore breezes from Lake Cociboca (Lake Nicaragua).
Helpful overview. I’d reiterate that any region can be the most affordable depending on circumstances. Even notoriously expensive SJDS: Yes you’d have to eat out less and spend time finding a reasonably priced rental, but such places do exist and have the benefit of being furnished. Meanwhile you save money in other ways. You live just a quick hop from the CR border for those 4x/year visa renewal trips. And you make less shopping excursions into Managua than from some other areas because common gringo items are available in town, and well-established local services can deliver stuff from Managua to your door.
Sort of, but that's not really true, I don't think. You can say that SJDS "can be affordable", BUT, given the same effort, it cannot be as affordable as anywhere else in the country. You will always get less for the same money. So on a relative scale, which is what we are using, it's always the most expensive, no matter how you look at it. You can, in theory, save a TINY amount of money on the CR hop (if you do the CR hop, which I do recommend quite heavily), but nearly all of the country gets Managua deliveries and similar the same or cheaper. Because SJDS is so distant, lightly populated, and relatively rich, every service costs more there. If you are truly on a tight budget, gringo items wouldn't be on the cards. SJDS can save money when you are spending a big more, perhaps. But how many gringo items are available there that aren't other places? It might have more than comparably sized towns elsewhere, but compared to the cities?
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog Not disagreeing with your gist, just saying that in some circumstances even SJDS can make most sense on a tight budget. Rent and food will cost (a little to a lot) more. But if you would otherwise be paying for transport/hotel in Liberia 4x/year (not a tiny cost in my experience) and maybe taking more trips into Managua for a few comfort items, and, crucially, having to buy all household appliances and furnishings up front just to rent a place, it’s not the case that SJDS is always more expensive. If you’ve obtained residency and are keen to purchase a budget forever-home, then for sure other places are cheaper.
I'm not saying it's 100% impossible for SJDS to never, ever be cheaper. But I think you'll find that it's so unlikely that no one could ever provide a real world sample case. Every little thing is a LOT more... every taxi ride, every sandwich, every appliance. You can rent furnished anywhere in the country, that's not special to SJDS. You just don't, anywhere, because that's only for those with deep pockets. On a budget, you want to avoid that, even in SJDS. The border run is only twice a year. Lots of people in SJDS do it four times because it's so convenient that they don't care, that's a luxury that they can easily afford. So it makes sense. But up north we only need to do it twice a year. It's hard to make that one cost, that's not that much different, overcome 363 days of being more costly. And no need to go to Liberia, just step over the border. I think you are imagining that we have a lot of costs outside of SJDS that we don't. I think Leon, Matagalpa, Masaya, Granada all have as many, or more, gringo items as SJDS. We all also have fast, nearly free, transit to Managua. It's just $5 round trip for a shuttle to Managua from Leon, even less from Granada. ANd it's like 90 minutes. So shopping in Managua is SO easy... easier than my local malls in the USA, literally. From SJDS a single run to Managua could cost as much as a year of Managua runs from much of the country.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog It’s true SJDS is more expensive than other places in a pre-itemized spreadsheet sense. But yes I know several real world seniors who, like your questioner, live on really modest-by-gringo-standards incomes, who’ve looked around and chosen it as their best and most affordable option. It’s not a majority decision but it’s not an outlier either. And that’s all I was saying after you eliminated it from consideration for the budget-conscious. I think Nicaragua’s regional cost of living range is too narrow, while the range of related considerations too complex, to just dismiss an area. Rent - I think you’ve have it backwards when you say only those with deep pockets would rent a furnished place in Nicaragua. It’s precisely the most cash-strapped who can’t afford buying all thot stuff upfront. And unless you’ve lived in the country long enough to be really sure of your plans, it’s not reasonable to invest in those potential sunk costs. Renting unfurnished means buying major appliances like refrigerator and stove. Plus beds and mattresses, fans, tables and chairs and shelves, linens and sheets and pillows, pots and pans and dishes, coffee maker or blender or microwave, etc. It all adds up. And can mentally weigh you down, dampening your inclination to try other areas. So unless you have deep pockets or are really sure about things, it makes more sense to rent furnished for a good while. SJDS and Granada have more such places and their greater supply means they’re often cheaper than similarly appointed places in Leon or Esteli. Visa border runs - Yes in SJDS people typically go to CR 4x rather than 2x/year. It’s cheaper, and far less hassle than going in to Rivas to pay monthly renewals and returning a week later to fetch the passport. This option is a real plus, more than an afterthought luxury. As for “no need to go to Liberia, just step over the border” - that’s true from SJDS. You leave early morning and can be sure no matter what transpires or how many bus loads land in front of you, you’ll be back before dark. But there are more variables when traveling down by bus from Leon or further north. Unexpected delays can be nerve wracking. That’s why friends coming from further afield often prefer to stay over in Liberia (or SJDS) for peace of mind. Would you do this? Of course not. Your breezily upbeat self would consider this needlessly cautious! But many budget-conscious people do in fact make that stress-reducing choice and factor it into the costs column. Also it can bring peace of mind to live near another airport/country if you worry about the next pandemic or some other surprise. Most don’t fret about that at all, some do. Others fret about living in a town without a real hospital and decide to endure Leon’s heat. A cada uno lo suyo. It’s hard to quantify these personal factors. Likewise cheap travel to Managua. $5 r/t on public transportation is great. But for some that option, with its bustle and body space and confusing bus/taxi transfers, won’t be something they’ll take to right away. Some will grow to love the experience. Some might never adapt, instead making different arrangements when needed. Everyone is at where they’re at and you don’t know until you get here where you’re adaptable and where you’re less so. That’s why I wouldn’t dismiss any area out of hand as too expensive. Factors like affordability are just too much like 3-dimensional chess. On any budget you won’t know what will work best for you until you’re here and feel how your particular concerns and costs mesh with particular places.
I love León but it's just so hot! If it were a bit cooler it would be nice. I'd love to explore Cidad Sandino just because it's cooler and closer to Managua for more services.
Hey, I'm several minutes into the video with various cities mentioned but no prices. I hear cheap, affordable, etc, but some actual rates would be extremely useful. Thanks!
Rates are difficult as this is total cost of living. Nicaragua is the cheapest country on this side of the globe. So there's a big need to know where IN the country to go. I do a lot of videos on budgets and prices of houses, groceries, rentals, etc. separately. Search my channel for "budget" and that'll give you a lot of pricing.
@@donjohnsonsigns1 my mother is 80 and we are looking to sell her house and we also have a Nissan Sentra that we can sell in the price. The house is between Managua and Masaya in a gated community. She barely drives so the car is in great shape and low kilometers
Thanks! This video you made for Donald J: "What Are the Cheapest Places to Live in Nicaragua 🇳🇮" One of the most interesting ones, in my opinión. It definitely help us a Lot in order to slowly sec our Housing options when me Move there. Thanks a Lot for sharing this one!!
Wow, what a great video. I love your open-minded take on the different locations. I am still coming beginning November and I am glad I have a very open schedule, basically nothing set in stone. I am going to Esteli, probably Quilali, but only after being invited to look at cheap houses in.... ready? Tipitapa! The town of questionable reputation, lol. I am meeting a nice sales person I contacted via Whatsapp who volunteered to drive me to Tipitapa, her home town, to look at some cheaper houses. I have absolutely no false hopes here, but it will be very educational to see how Nicaraguans deal with gringos and how they try to market properties. I think I will still prefer the north, but as you said, each area has its plusses and minuses, especially in the first stage of being in Nicaragua and possibly needing to head to Managua for appointments or paperwork. In any case, I am stoked! Keep up the good work! Maybe we will cross paths in Leon some day.
Another great video! Thank you!!! As a first time visiter, how would you suggest finding your first rentals? First one being right off the airplane, the second; being a long term. I'm planning a trip in Jan 25 and would like to have a place lined up. Have a wonderful day.
Are you coming as a tourist? Or as an expat trying to scout things out? As a tourist, don't do rentals, just stay in hotels. They are cheap and easy. Rentals are super hard to find.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog Thank you! Was there a few months ago... Returning to see friends from Nicaragua in León. La Paz Centro. Managua. Spend a lot more time in Ometepe. Last April, I walked some 75km to have a feel of the place. It's people. I lost my phone in Penoloya. So, I want to go say hi to Sergio. He is a small boat builder. He lives on the left of Momotombo lake. They call it the port I believe. Might be wrong but I think I only saw a beach... He's going to bring me to that volcano. Where there is no one... Just for 2-3 days by myself! I'm so trying to find a farm or coop to learn more about coffee and vanilla.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog It's a scouting trip. I'm wanting to move, just want to get an idea of which area would be the best one for me. Before I bring my stuff, lol.
As always on point.. I’ve written a couple of times ,love the effort you put in.. couple of questions, where would you live , Esteli or Matagalpa ? And in you roppion for schools, we have a 5 year old so schools are are real important, we can’t decide as yet..
NOthing against Esteli, but I love Matagalpa. No competition for me personally. Schools there is no way for me to have a useful opinion. I live far across the country and my knowledge of the schools in my own city is quite limited. I don't even know what schools exist up in the mountains. Plenty of options, I'm sure. But what they are... I have no idea. Leon is a school city. Private schools that people travel to all over the place.
Excellent information and delivery. Thank you. What kind of visa can you suggest for an American who wants to come and stay 3 to 6 months to check things out?
No visa needed at all. Just come as a tourist, you get 90 days just by showing up, and you can request up to 90 more days while in country. Just normal tourists can stay 180 days without so much as a border run!
The ranges are SO big. Most places from under $100 to over $1,000. I don't think stating prices or price ranges helps. That's why we show my comparison and show example homes with their prices. You have to evaluate the house, then adjust by the region.
Good overview, great voice. I would suggest giving some price range maybe in USD would be very usuful so a listener could compare with let's say Mexico, Thailand, Costa Rica etc. Thanks! 👋🏼🇨🇦
It's a tiny fraction of Mexico or Costa RIca. Nearly identical to Thailand. The problem with price ranges is that they are meaningless if you can't compare the actual structures, locations, amenities, etc. Like, even in Managua, advertised houses start at $84/mo. But is the equivalent low end house available in Mexico or Costa Rica? Probably not. So while that number is super low, it's misleadingly low. IF you have two places, say the US and Canada, or NY and Chicago, that have extremely similar housing options and you compare prices, it can work. But the houses in these places have wildly different builds, structures, etc. So giving prices would make Nicaragua look TOO good, if that makes sense. It IS great, we love it here. ANd it IS the lowest cost of living in the hemisphere. But straight housing price ranges are super misleading. I actually have a video coming out in a few weeks about why I can't give those ranges, lol. It was filmed recently. HOWEVER, I do have a number of videos that show real houses and their real prices (normally for rent) so that you can judge based on an actual house rather than a range. I think that that is far more meaningful. You can't just pop it on a spreadsheet, but you can actually make a more educated comparison.
I got a good question , so if I want a rent a one bedroom apartment with one bathroom with refrigerator and all the appliances Let’s somewhere in San Juan del sur and it’s about 300 monthly do I also need to pay security fees and all also pay double the rent just to move in or just the rent for the first month ?
Even unfurnished you expect to at least pay a standard one month security deposit at a minimum. I've never seen anywhere do nothing but rent (except when you have multiple units with the same person sometimes.) But adding furnished and SJDS, that'll likely require even more security. I've seen renters in a $200 do $3000 of damage in their first month and flee the country. So those renting to foreigners especially are wary.
In Nicaragua they do not exist. None. Anything online is highly suspect and essentially guaranteed to be misleading. I've got at least a dozen videos breaking down all the market, legal and historic reasons why this easy. But essentially, the country doesn't use websites or real estate businesses - those only exist to fleece foreigners who want to do things the foreigner way and not adapt to Nicaragua's methods. So there is big money in tricking foreigners, so essentially anything you find online are people doing that. And there's enormous pressure (to the point of people fleeing the country for their lives) if you try to stand up to the expat scam businesses (they are all run by other expats - it's the expats fleecing expats industry.) It's sad, but for now, Nicaragua is a "don't do anything remotely or online" country. Facebook Marketplace would be the one online resource Nicaraguans would use themselves potentially. th-cam.com/video/kabSeRdfEkw/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/MBQjDndbek8/w-d-xo.html
San Rafael de norte, Bonanza, Santa Rosita. wow i am impressed. I thought I was the ONLY expat to have been to these towns. I am having fun of course. If you want to go to a town I have not heard of any expats visiting try Greytown, aka San Juan de Nicaragua, ask San Jan del norte. yes another SJDN. I am thiniking a panga is the easiest way to get thier as there are no flights currently. there maybe a bus, but i bet it take 24 hours from managua (a guess).
I'm moving to Nicaragua my budget is a little bigger a month and hoping to live in the Northern mountain Ocotal or Jalapa can you tell me about those places
I don't know them well. I hope to visit soon. We are talking about a community road trip to Jalapa this year. Ocotal is where Elton lives so he shows it a bit. Nice small colonial city (third in the country.) Very far north, so quite removed from life down here.
Hey Scott, Do you have any Information on Telica or Malpasillo? Looks like shopping has to be done in Leon but those two small cities/towns look like are not crowded at all. would those be an Option for someone that can afford Transportation?
I know both towns. Telica I could walk to in a pinch (like... six hours?) Telica is famous for their water parks and fair. Tour of Telica... th-cam.com/video/ArU1L1GzbGk/w-d-xo.html I go through Telica anytime I go anywhere north or east. It's our highway connection. Malpasillo I know a few people who live there. Nice little town. Quiet. I've not spent time there, but I've been to the market. Both town should be wildly affordable. But ALL your shopping will be in Leon.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog I’ll keep them in mind for consideration. Will visit them when we get there to see if there are any good housing options for us. Thanks a lot Scott! Have a great rest of the weekend!
Hi Scott my husband mother in law and I are planning a one month vacation at the end of January and are looking to rent either rooms or apartment in your area would you have any contacts.
A little different subject. I was just trying to book a round trip flight to MGA from Chicago. There are no flights in September, October, or November. I called Spirit, and they said they are not flying there during this time???????
Yes, they pulled out. I've got a video about that somewhere. The slow season was just too slow and they pulled out of the entire region, not just Nicaragua. Spirit. like many airlines, is hit with employee shortages so slow routes paid the price for the slow season.
That's an upcoming video already scheduled. But basically, get started now on DuoLingo as Mmmmkaaay says. Then consider a tutor. Once here, find ways to talk to people all the time. Hiring someone to work with you is easy. ANd schools are easy to find.
I speak very basic but useful Spanish, but I have learned a LOT watching videos on Nicaragua with the subtitles on - hearing AND reading reinforces the learning - and it helps get your ears attuned to Nica-specific pronunciation. I also have a Teach Yourself Spanish book, a phrase book in the bathroom for when I am 'wasting time', and I have Alexa set to Spanish and English. Try it.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog I have been doing web-based research using AirBnb monthly rates and Encuentra24 for apartment rates. Also, I have watched vlogs like yours for Nicaragua and vloggers in Guatemala. I plan to spend three months on the ground next summer kicking the tires in both places. I thought Nicaragua would be cheaper given that it's poorer. It's the poorest country in all of Latin America, except for Haiti, but I'm not seeing super-cheap prices or good value for the money based on my web-based research. Guatemala/wealthier country/same prices as Nicaragua is what I'm looking at.
Yes, but we talk about how those mean nothing here as nothing in Nicaragua is on those. So of course, if you only see scammer prices, but that's not reflective of life in Nicaragua at all. We are cheaper than Guatemala. It IS super cheap. But watch more of my videos... we stress constantly that Nicaragua is not "online" for any services and anything you see online is false information meant to manipulate foreigners who don't learn about Nicaragua. If you do web based research, your info is all wrong. It's common to see houses that can't sell for $200K in SJDS listed for millions on those sites, for example. The web presence of Nicaragua is totally fake and here in the country, Nicaraguans aren't even aware those websites exist generally. Since Nicaraguans don't use websites, it's part of "gringo pricing".
AirBnB is legit, but if you LIVE in Nicaragua, you aren't using AirBnB. It's decently expensive only because there's so little of it. Short term rentals basically don't exist here. But once you live in Nicaragua, you get long term rentals and the prices drop insanely. th-cam.com/video/N9-kUDe0f5A/w-d-xo.html
But Guatemala IS online. SO you can see reasonably real prices up there online. It's a totally different market. I love Guatemala, loads of reasons to prefer it. But price isn't one. It's a tourist country with loads of tourist infrastructure and loads of stuff online. So more like a Mexico in that regards. Nicaragua is its own animal, you can't compare it by treating it like Guatemala.
Im gonna keep it real. Nicaragua is lacking on Bacon. And in food in general. I just cooked some "Bacon" from the Altagracia grocery store. Yes, you can buy strips of pork meat labeled Bacon. But it isn't cut from the pork belly like in America. It's formed meat and fat like Turkey bacon. It's all the same shape. Same with ham. I dont want pre formed squares of HAM, even though it tastes pretty good. I've been to Mexico, Belize, and even lived in Puerto Rico. In Belize, i was eating stone crab, barracuda, red snapper, and REAL bacon EVERY DAY, even though there wasn't a pig in sight. And after flying for hours to get to Nicaragua, im greeted with a hot international airport because they dont believe in air conditioning! The people here are very nice, calm, and non threatening. But the heat, and lack of A/C is upsetting my oldest daughter. I will NEVER visit a foreign country with my daughters again, unless I've already been there myself. We should've gone back to Puerto Rico.
Hotels list if they have AC. All the hotel websites like Booking or AirBnB list that. You just need to pick places with AC. The places catering to locals on Ometepe typically have AC. Places catering to the commune up there in the Altagracia area typically do not. I have no problem getting AC anywhere i stay in Nicaragua. I've never been on Ometepe without it.
Altagracias doesn't have a real supermarket. It's a little hole in the wall. AFAIK locals do their shopping for that stuff on the mainland. Even in the cities, because this is a more traditional culture like Europe, you expect to do bread shopping at a panaderia, meat shopping at the butches (carneceria). There you will get any kind of cut that you want at extremely high quality.
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A plug for Jinotepe! Higher and cooler yet 30 minutes down to Managua. 45 minutes to airport. New 4 lane roads. Still not touristy. We bought a sweet house for $7000.
For $7K? Is that a typo? Hook me up with a deal like that!
True. 36 square meters with out house. I upgraded electric, stuccoed walls, landscaped. I can send photos.
El Rosario upgrade, a sweet suburb of Jinotepe.
Basically away from major cities is going to be much cheaper think Maltagalpa, Managua, San Juan, Leon, Granada, Ometepe. The further away from the city you are the more expensive goods are going to be because things have to be transported in. Managua is the cheapest place for shopping. It's also the only area that has Walmart, Pricesmart (costco). A lot of Nicaraguans will buy goods in Managua and ship it to other cities. It also depends on what area you're in and what that area is known for. Up North, coffee is really cheap. Closer to Masaya and Managua, fruit is much cheaper. You can also get amazing plants in that area. Mesatepe is known for wood furniture, etc.. Masaya is nice because it's close to the city and also close to Laguna de Apoyo and southern cities. Every area is known for their own niche! It's not hard living outside of the city. You just have to learn you're neighborhood and network with people.
@@jstu1070 im new here, but what an absolutely epic comment. I thank you woman. Much love.
One of your most informative videos ever (and I've seen most of them) keep up the good work!
Thank you!
If I were doing it all over again (I retired in Hacienda Beach and Golf Resort) I'd book one night BnBs and hotels in San Juan Del Sur, Rancho Santana, Hacienda Iguana, Granada, Masaya, Jinotepe, Maltagalpa, Estili and Leon. Unless you speak fluent Spanish these places and surrounding areas will be most easy to adapt and enjory. Of course I'm heavily biased to any areas like the Emerald Coast which gets cooling on shore breezes from Lake Cociboca (Lake Nicaragua).
I think you need to contact TH-cam cuz they have obviously dropped several zeros off your subscriber numbers😉👍🏻✌🏻🤙🏻
Always great info 🙏
Helpful overview. I’d reiterate that any region can be the most affordable depending on circumstances. Even notoriously expensive SJDS: Yes you’d have to eat out less and spend time finding a reasonably priced rental, but such places do exist and have the benefit of being furnished. Meanwhile you save money in other ways. You live just a quick hop from the CR border for those 4x/year visa renewal trips. And you make less shopping excursions into Managua than from some other areas because common gringo items are available in town, and well-established local services can deliver stuff from Managua to your door.
Sort of, but that's not really true, I don't think. You can say that SJDS "can be affordable", BUT, given the same effort, it cannot be as affordable as anywhere else in the country. You will always get less for the same money. So on a relative scale, which is what we are using, it's always the most expensive, no matter how you look at it.
You can, in theory, save a TINY amount of money on the CR hop (if you do the CR hop, which I do recommend quite heavily), but nearly all of the country gets Managua deliveries and similar the same or cheaper. Because SJDS is so distant, lightly populated, and relatively rich, every service costs more there.
If you are truly on a tight budget, gringo items wouldn't be on the cards. SJDS can save money when you are spending a big more, perhaps. But how many gringo items are available there that aren't other places? It might have more than comparably sized towns elsewhere, but compared to the cities?
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog Not disagreeing with your gist, just saying that in some circumstances even SJDS can make most sense on a tight budget. Rent and food will cost (a little to a lot) more. But if you would otherwise be paying for transport/hotel in Liberia 4x/year (not a tiny cost in my experience) and maybe taking more trips into Managua for a few comfort items, and, crucially, having to buy all household appliances and furnishings up front just to rent a place, it’s not the case that SJDS is always more expensive. If you’ve obtained residency and are keen to purchase a budget forever-home, then for sure other places are cheaper.
I'm not saying it's 100% impossible for SJDS to never, ever be cheaper. But I think you'll find that it's so unlikely that no one could ever provide a real world sample case. Every little thing is a LOT more... every taxi ride, every sandwich, every appliance. You can rent furnished anywhere in the country, that's not special to SJDS. You just don't, anywhere, because that's only for those with deep pockets. On a budget, you want to avoid that, even in SJDS.
The border run is only twice a year. Lots of people in SJDS do it four times because it's so convenient that they don't care, that's a luxury that they can easily afford. So it makes sense. But up north we only need to do it twice a year. It's hard to make that one cost, that's not that much different, overcome 363 days of being more costly. And no need to go to Liberia, just step over the border.
I think you are imagining that we have a lot of costs outside of SJDS that we don't. I think Leon, Matagalpa, Masaya, Granada all have as many, or more, gringo items as SJDS. We all also have fast, nearly free, transit to Managua. It's just $5 round trip for a shuttle to Managua from Leon, even less from Granada. ANd it's like 90 minutes. So shopping in Managua is SO easy... easier than my local malls in the USA, literally.
From SJDS a single run to Managua could cost as much as a year of Managua runs from much of the country.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog It’s true SJDS is more expensive than other places in a pre-itemized spreadsheet sense. But yes I know several real world seniors who, like your questioner, live on really modest-by-gringo-standards incomes, who’ve looked around and chosen it as their best and most affordable option. It’s not a majority decision but it’s not an outlier either.
And that’s all I was saying after you eliminated it from consideration for the budget-conscious. I think Nicaragua’s regional cost of living range is too narrow, while the range of related considerations too complex, to just dismiss an area.
Rent - I think you’ve have it backwards when you say only those with deep pockets would rent a furnished place in Nicaragua. It’s precisely the most cash-strapped who can’t afford buying all thot stuff upfront. And unless you’ve lived in the country long enough to be really sure of your plans, it’s not reasonable to invest in those potential sunk costs.
Renting unfurnished means buying major appliances like refrigerator and stove. Plus beds and mattresses, fans, tables and chairs and shelves, linens and sheets and pillows, pots and pans and dishes, coffee maker or blender or microwave, etc. It all adds up. And can mentally weigh you down, dampening your inclination to try other areas. So unless you have deep pockets or are really sure about things, it makes more sense to rent furnished for a good while. SJDS and Granada have more such places and their greater supply means they’re often cheaper than similarly appointed places in Leon or Esteli.
Visa border runs - Yes in SJDS people typically go to CR 4x rather than 2x/year. It’s cheaper, and far less hassle than going in to Rivas to pay monthly renewals and returning a week later to fetch the passport. This option is a real plus, more than an afterthought luxury. As for “no need to go to Liberia, just step over the border” - that’s true from SJDS. You leave early morning and can be sure no matter what transpires or how many bus loads land in front of you, you’ll be back before dark.
But there are more variables when traveling down by bus from Leon or further north. Unexpected delays can be nerve wracking. That’s why friends coming from further afield often prefer to stay over in Liberia (or SJDS) for peace of mind. Would you do this? Of course not. Your breezily upbeat self would consider this needlessly cautious! But many budget-conscious people do in fact make that stress-reducing choice and factor it into the costs column.
Also it can bring peace of mind to live near another airport/country if you worry about the next pandemic or some other surprise. Most don’t fret about that at all, some do. Others fret about living in a town without a real hospital and decide to endure Leon’s heat. A cada uno lo suyo. It’s hard to quantify these personal factors.
Likewise cheap travel to Managua. $5 r/t on public transportation is great. But for some that option, with its bustle and body space and confusing bus/taxi transfers, won’t be something they’ll take to right away. Some will grow to love the experience. Some might never adapt, instead making different arrangements when needed. Everyone is at where they’re at and you don’t know until you get here where you’re adaptable and where you’re less so.
That’s why I wouldn’t dismiss any area out of hand as too expensive. Factors like affordability are just too much like 3-dimensional chess. On any budget you won’t know what will work best for you until you’re here and feel how your particular concerns and costs mesh with particular places.
I love León but it's just so hot! If it were a bit cooler it would be nice. I'd love to explore Cidad Sandino just because it's cooler and closer to Managua for more services.
Get cooler
Im looking to move to Leon Nicaragua. I’m from Fargo North dakota.
Awesome! Greetings from Leon!!
Hey, I'm several minutes into the video with various cities mentioned but no prices. I hear cheap, affordable, etc, but some actual rates would be extremely useful. Thanks!
Rates are difficult as this is total cost of living. Nicaragua is the cheapest country on this side of the globe. So there's a big need to know where IN the country to go. I do a lot of videos on budgets and prices of houses, groceries, rentals, etc. separately. Search my channel for "budget" and that'll give you a lot of pricing.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog Thanks so much for putting it in context. I will check out your other videos. Thx again!
Very helpful. Thanks!
This was a very helpful video. Thanks for putting this out there
My pleasure!
Very concise listing of the region for an intro.
Thank you so much, Scott Alan Miller
@@donjohnsonsigns1 my mother is 80 and we are looking to sell her house and we also have a Nissan Sentra that we can sell in the price. The house is between Managua and Masaya in a gated community. She barely drives so the car is in great shape and low kilometers
Don Johnson from Miami Vice? Miami, Hawaii? LOL😂
Oahu Vice.
Thanks! This video you made for Donald J: "What Are the Cheapest Places to Live in Nicaragua 🇳🇮"
One of the most interesting ones, in my opinión. It definitely help us a Lot in order to slowly sec our Housing options when me Move there.
Thanks a Lot for sharing this one!!
Thank you so much!
Wow, what a great video. I love your open-minded take on the different locations. I am still coming beginning November and I am glad I have a very open schedule, basically nothing set in stone. I am going to Esteli, probably Quilali, but only after being invited to look at cheap houses in.... ready? Tipitapa! The town of questionable reputation, lol. I am meeting a nice sales person I contacted via Whatsapp who volunteered to drive me to Tipitapa, her home town, to look at some cheaper houses. I have absolutely no false hopes here, but it will be very educational to see how Nicaraguans deal with gringos and how they try to market properties. I think I will still prefer the north, but as you said, each area has its plusses and minuses, especially in the first stage of being in Nicaragua and possibly needing to head to Managua for appointments or paperwork. In any case, I am stoked! Keep up the good work! Maybe we will cross paths in Leon some day.
That'll be an adventure. Tipitapa is in a nice location, and lots of those "bad towns" are actually quite nice.
When exploring options check average daily temperatures. You may end up paying more for AC than rent! I like Catalina and Maltagalpa.
Catarina
But also check electricity prices. Even in Leon, we often pay very little for AC. All depends on the place that you get.
Catarina is gorgeous. THe rents go up quite a bit.
Very informative video Scott.
Awesome!
Another great video! Thank you!!!
As a first time visiter, how would you suggest finding your first rentals? First one being right off the airplane, the second; being a long term. I'm planning a trip in Jan 25 and would like to have a place lined up. Have a wonderful day.
@jaymesturdivan3635 Several videos on this very subject. Just visit a few cities first, see what you like. Do a 6 month lease and adjust as needed.
Will you be by yourself? How much can you spend per day?
Are you coming as a tourist? Or as an expat trying to scout things out? As a tourist, don't do rentals, just stay in hotels. They are cheap and easy. Rentals are super hard to find.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog Thank you!
Was there a few months ago... Returning to see friends from Nicaragua in León. La Paz Centro. Managua.
Spend a lot more time in Ometepe. Last April, I walked some 75km to have a feel of the place. It's people.
I lost my phone in Penoloya.
So, I want to go say hi to Sergio. He is a small boat builder. He lives on the left of Momotombo lake. They call it the port I believe. Might be wrong but I think I only saw a beach... He's going to bring me to that volcano. Where there is no one... Just for 2-3 days by myself!
I'm so trying to find a farm or coop to learn more about coffee and vanilla.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog It's a scouting trip. I'm wanting to move, just want to get an idea of which area would be the best one for me. Before I bring my stuff, lol.
Yes ! What !
As always on point.. I’ve written a couple of times ,love the effort you put in.. couple of questions, where would you live , Esteli or Matagalpa ? And in you roppion for schools, we have a 5 year old so schools are are real important, we can’t decide as yet..
NOthing against Esteli, but I love Matagalpa. No competition for me personally. Schools there is no way for me to have a useful opinion. I live far across the country and my knowledge of the schools in my own city is quite limited. I don't even know what schools exist up in the mountains. Plenty of options, I'm sure. But what they are... I have no idea.
Leon is a school city. Private schools that people travel to all over the place.
Excellent information and delivery. Thank you. What kind of visa can you suggest for an American who wants to come and stay 3 to 6 months to check things out?
No visa needed at all. Just come as a tourist, you get 90 days just by showing up, and you can request up to 90 more days while in country. Just normal tourists can stay 180 days without so much as a border run!
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog awesome news. Thank you.
So you talked about the price of the end to buy but what about to rent for all these areas that you suggested?
The ranges are SO big. Most places from under $100 to over $1,000. I don't think stating prices or price ranges helps. That's why we show my comparison and show example homes with their prices. You have to evaluate the house, then adjust by the region.
Good overview, great voice. I would suggest giving some price range maybe in USD would be very usuful so a listener could compare with let's say Mexico, Thailand, Costa Rica etc. Thanks! 👋🏼🇨🇦
It's a tiny fraction of Mexico or Costa RIca. Nearly identical to Thailand. The problem with price ranges is that they are meaningless if you can't compare the actual structures, locations, amenities, etc. Like, even in Managua, advertised houses start at $84/mo. But is the equivalent low end house available in Mexico or Costa Rica? Probably not. So while that number is super low, it's misleadingly low.
IF you have two places, say the US and Canada, or NY and Chicago, that have extremely similar housing options and you compare prices, it can work. But the houses in these places have wildly different builds, structures, etc. So giving prices would make Nicaragua look TOO good, if that makes sense. It IS great, we love it here. ANd it IS the lowest cost of living in the hemisphere. But straight housing price ranges are super misleading.
I actually have a video coming out in a few weeks about why I can't give those ranges, lol. It was filmed recently. HOWEVER, I do have a number of videos that show real houses and their real prices (normally for rent) so that you can judge based on an actual house rather than a range. I think that that is far more meaningful. You can't just pop it on a spreadsheet, but you can actually make a more educated comparison.
I got a good question , so if I want a rent a one bedroom apartment with one bathroom with refrigerator and all the appliances
Let’s somewhere in San Juan del sur and it’s about 300 monthly do I also need to pay security fees and all also pay double the rent just to move in or just the rent for the first month ?
Even unfurnished you expect to at least pay a standard one month security deposit at a minimum. I've never seen anywhere do nothing but rent (except when you have multiple units with the same person sometimes.) But adding furnished and SJDS, that'll likely require even more security. I've seen renters in a $200 do $3000 of damage in their first month and flee the country. So those renting to foreigners especially are wary.
Any tips for a reputable website to browse houses for rent?
In Nicaragua they do not exist. None. Anything online is highly suspect and essentially guaranteed to be misleading. I've got at least a dozen videos breaking down all the market, legal and historic reasons why this easy. But essentially, the country doesn't use websites or real estate businesses - those only exist to fleece foreigners who want to do things the foreigner way and not adapt to Nicaragua's methods. So there is big money in tricking foreigners, so essentially anything you find online are people doing that. And there's enormous pressure (to the point of people fleeing the country for their lives) if you try to stand up to the expat scam businesses (they are all run by other expats - it's the expats fleecing expats industry.)
It's sad, but for now, Nicaragua is a "don't do anything remotely or online" country. Facebook Marketplace would be the one online resource Nicaraguans would use themselves potentially.
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San Rafael de norte, Bonanza, Santa Rosita. wow i am impressed. I thought I was the ONLY expat to have been to these towns. I am having fun of course. If you want to go to a town I have not heard of any expats visiting try Greytown, aka San Juan de Nicaragua, ask San Jan del norte. yes another SJDN. I am thiniking a panga is the easiest way to get thier as there are no flights currently. there maybe a bus, but i bet it take 24 hours from managua (a guess).
I know expats that hang out in Greytown, actually. It's a fishing spot.
I'm moving to Nicaragua my budget is a little bigger a month and hoping to live in the Northern mountain Ocotal or Jalapa can you tell me about those places
I don't know them well. I hope to visit soon. We are talking about a community road trip to Jalapa this year. Ocotal is where Elton lives so he shows it a bit. Nice small colonial city (third in the country.) Very far north, so quite removed from life down here.
Hey Scott, Do you have any Information on Telica or Malpasillo? Looks like shopping has to be done in Leon but those two small cities/towns look like are not crowded at all. would those be an Option for someone that can afford Transportation?
I know both towns. Telica I could walk to in a pinch (like... six hours?) Telica is famous for their water parks and fair.
Tour of Telica...
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I go through Telica anytime I go anywhere north or east. It's our highway connection.
Malpasillo I know a few people who live there. Nice little town. Quiet. I've not spent time there, but I've been to the market.
Both town should be wildly affordable. But ALL your shopping will be in Leon.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog I’ll keep them in mind for consideration. Will visit them when we get there to see if there are any good housing options for us.
Thanks a lot Scott!
Have a great rest of the weekend!
Cheap is so subjective. He should have given you a price range.
Well, the upside to Nicaragua is that it is "the cheapest", so relative within Nicaragua gives you a solid comparison for whatever the budget is.
@@skipstreet You could stay at Harvest House for example for 15$ a day if you are willing to spend a month!
Hi Scott my husband mother in law and I are planning a one month vacation at the end of January and are looking to rent either rooms or apartment in your area would you have any contacts.
That's great! Sadly no, I don't have contacts. It's not like there is a listing or anything :(
A little different subject. I was just trying to book a round trip flight to MGA from Chicago. There are no flights in September, October, or November. I called Spirit, and they said they are not flying there during this time???????
Yes, they pulled out. I've got a video about that somewhere. The slow season was just too slow and they pulled out of the entire region, not just Nicaragua. Spirit. like many airlines, is hit with employee shortages so slow routes paid the price for the slow season.
What about a person with virtually no Spanish. Wanting to integrate and need to learn spanish.
Great video
Start doing Duolingo for 30-60 minutes a day. It's free and can really get you more fluent in a few months.
That's an upcoming video already scheduled. But basically, get started now on DuoLingo as Mmmmkaaay says. Then consider a tutor. Once here, find ways to talk to people all the time. Hiring someone to work with you is easy. ANd schools are easy to find.
I speak very basic but useful Spanish, but I have learned a LOT watching videos on Nicaragua with the subtitles on - hearing AND reading reinforces the learning - and it helps get your ears attuned to Nica-specific pronunciation. I also have a Teach Yourself Spanish book, a phrase book in the bathroom for when I am 'wasting time', and I have Alexa set to Spanish and English. Try it.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlogdo you have a cheap immersion school you recommend?
Guatemala seems like a better bang for the buck than Nicaragua.
Guatemala is awesome, but more costly than Nicaragua. In what way are you seeing it as more cost effective?
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog I have been doing web-based research using AirBnb monthly rates and Encuentra24 for apartment rates. Also, I have watched vlogs like yours for Nicaragua and vloggers in Guatemala. I plan to spend three months on the ground next summer kicking the tires in both places. I thought Nicaragua would be cheaper given that it's poorer. It's the poorest country in all of Latin America, except for Haiti, but I'm not seeing super-cheap prices or good value for the money based on my web-based research. Guatemala/wealthier country/same prices as Nicaragua is what I'm looking at.
Yes, but we talk about how those mean nothing here as nothing in Nicaragua is on those. So of course, if you only see scammer prices, but that's not reflective of life in Nicaragua at all.
We are cheaper than Guatemala. It IS super cheap. But watch more of my videos... we stress constantly that Nicaragua is not "online" for any services and anything you see online is false information meant to manipulate foreigners who don't learn about Nicaragua. If you do web based research, your info is all wrong.
It's common to see houses that can't sell for $200K in SJDS listed for millions on those sites, for example. The web presence of Nicaragua is totally fake and here in the country, Nicaraguans aren't even aware those websites exist generally. Since Nicaraguans don't use websites, it's part of "gringo pricing".
AirBnB is legit, but if you LIVE in Nicaragua, you aren't using AirBnB. It's decently expensive only because there's so little of it. Short term rentals basically don't exist here. But once you live in Nicaragua, you get long term rentals and the prices drop insanely.
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But Guatemala IS online. SO you can see reasonably real prices up there online. It's a totally different market. I love Guatemala, loads of reasons to prefer it. But price isn't one. It's a tourist country with loads of tourist infrastructure and loads of stuff online. So more like a Mexico in that regards. Nicaragua is its own animal, you can't compare it by treating it like Guatemala.
Im gonna keep it real. Nicaragua is lacking on Bacon. And in food in general. I just cooked some "Bacon" from the Altagracia grocery store. Yes, you can buy strips of pork meat labeled Bacon. But it isn't cut from the pork belly like in America. It's formed meat and fat like Turkey bacon. It's all the same shape. Same with ham. I dont want pre formed squares of HAM, even though it tastes pretty good.
I've been to Mexico, Belize, and even lived in Puerto Rico. In Belize, i was eating stone crab, barracuda, red snapper, and REAL bacon EVERY DAY, even though there wasn't a pig in sight.
And after flying for hours to get to Nicaragua, im greeted with a hot international airport because they dont believe in air conditioning!
The people here are very nice, calm, and non threatening. But the heat, and lack of A/C is upsetting my oldest daughter.
I will NEVER visit a foreign country with my daughters again, unless I've already been there myself. We should've gone back to Puerto Rico.
Bacon??
The airport is definitely air conditioned. I check every time i'm there. because it's a thing people say. it's always with AC there.
there is definitely bacon. he's on an island with all hippy restaurants. here in normal Nicaragua bacon is common. it's everywhere.
Hotels list if they have AC. All the hotel websites like Booking or AirBnB list that. You just need to pick places with AC. The places catering to locals on Ometepe typically have AC. Places catering to the commune up there in the Altagracia area typically do not. I have no problem getting AC anywhere i stay in Nicaragua. I've never been on Ometepe without it.
Altagracias doesn't have a real supermarket. It's a little hole in the wall. AFAIK locals do their shopping for that stuff on the mainland. Even in the cities, because this is a more traditional culture like Europe, you expect to do bread shopping at a panaderia, meat shopping at the butches (carneceria). There you will get any kind of cut that you want at extremely high quality.
Cheapest?? If you can't afford it, then you should stay home.
But HOME is essentially always more expensive. If you can't afford it, then you CAN'T stay home.