About zenitram

Status:

Expatriate  

Gender:

Male

Currently Lives:

Citizen Of:

United States

Dual Citizen Of:

Uruguay

Past Expat Posts:

United States

United Kingdom

Spain

Argentina

Uruguay

Education:

City of Leicester Polytechnic
  1972 to 1976

Some Forum Posts:

Nicaragua: Used Car:

After several trips to Nicaragua before coming over to settle, I decided that, taking into account the poor maintenance record of most used vehicles here, I was better off shipping my trusted Ford Ranger truck from the US.. A decision I do not regret.

Nicaragua: Living in Leon:

I live in Leon and have been to both Matagalpa and Esteli. The nearest beach to Matagalpa is probably the one near Leon, and that is a 2.5 hr drive from Matagalpa. Both Matagalpa and Esteli benefit from the mountain climate, but Matagalpa feels cooler. The difference is that Esteli sits at the bottom of a valley surrounded by mountains and the city itself is fairly flat, while Matagalpa is more on the slopes and the streets have some very steep grades. I find that this difference gives Matagalpa more of the cooling breezes that are so welcome in this climate.

Nicaragua: Relocation:

Leon and Granada are very hot. If you're looking for cooler climate, head to Matagalpa or Jinotega. Esteli is a little hotter that those two. As for non-suicidal hot water, you'll only find it in very high end housing and hardly anywhere outside of Managua. You may find a rental with a washer, but forget about a dryer, you'll have to provide it yourself, and they are not a common item to be found at local stores. You'll probably have to get it at Pricesmart in Managua. Internet is not too bad. I suggest you go with the ADSL service from Claro if available where you settle, otherwise, there are some other options, some via dish or wifi. Don't expect the kind of speed you find in the US or other developed countries, I have the 3 MB ADSL from Claro and it is adequate for most internet use, unless you download or upload heavy graphics. I don't know about orchids, but you'll have plenty of opportunities for bird watching and bicycling. Be aware though that Matagalpa has some very steep hills, being built on the slopes. Esteli and Jinotega, on the other hand, sit on valleys surrounded by hills (they call them mountains here), so the cities themselves are fairly flat. Oh, and do buy a very sturdy lock for you bicycle, they are stolen on a daily basis.

Nicaragua: Thinking of moving in Nica, need some advices ncome related:

Nicaragua is great for retired expats who do not depend on a local income and for foreign investors with lots of cash to start a business and support themselves while it develops. It is NOT a place for young people with limited money to build a future.

Nicaragua: Matagalpa Expats?:

FB group Real Expats of Matagalpa & Northern Nicaragua.

Nicaragua: Power of Attorney for sale?:

I strongly recommend that you have the POA drawn by the nearest Nicaraguan consul. By nica law, all of their consuls are recognized as notaries. Besides he/she can do it in Spanish, saving you another problem. Done that way, the POA is valid the minute you land in Nicaragua, without any further action required on your part.

Nicaragua: Tipping:

I live in Leon. Here tipping is very low. Cabbies don't expect a tip unless they help with luggage, end even then not always get it. I certainly never seen a Nicaraguan tip a cabbie. At restaurants, tips are around 10% of the bill, but check if it hasn't been added to the bill already.

Nicaragua: Matagalpa vs. Jinotepe:

You'll get more up to date info in the FB groups for those cities.

Nicaragua: Granada or Leon?:

If you like to be reasonably close to the beach, pick Leon. If you like cooler climate I would suggest Matagalpa (check out the FB group "Real expats of Matagalpa and northern Nicaragua". I wouldn't recommend Granada at all.

Nicaragua: Leon area:

I've been in Leon for the last three years. It's a nice town, gringo friendly (which doesn't mean the won't try to charge you the "blue eyes price"). The town center is small enough to walk everywhere. If you are planning on settling in Leon, I would advise to check with the several real estate companies in town and to avoid the outlaying areas. Anywhere within 10 blocks of the cathedral should be safe enough. Or you could choose to live at the beach, which is about 10 miles from town and has a decent bus service if you don't drive. In that case, look at Las Penitas rather than Poneloya. Las Penitas is where the expats concentrate and it has better bars and restaurants.

Date Joined:

7/8/2014

Total Posts:

45

Posts/Day:

0.04