Hi Scott Alan, Love your help and content! Was wondering if I could consult with you on Nicaragua travel and life. I did send an email to you a few days ago inquiring about that and would love to hear back from you. Hope to hear back from you.
It depends on how many border runs you do. We've never had a hassle, but sooner or later if you do it for a while and you are legit in Nicaragua most of the time, they'll at some point tell you to transition to residencia, if you fit the profile. But that's the "hassle"... you get to do border runs until they tell you it's time for residencia. Then normally that means no hassles as long as you start the process and get moving on it. So some people, depending on their profile, can do it a long time or maybe for ever, and some people transition to residencia. It depends on you, what you do, how you come and go, how long you stay and the current winds of policy as it changes gradually over time. Sometimes when they want lots and lots of people quickly they'll push for the border run system and when they want to curtail a flood of people too quickly they'll push towards residencia to slow down people moving in. It's all "tweaking the knobs". But if you want to be here, there's a way that shouldn't cause a problem. Start with the border runs and decide once you try the process how to proceed.
Scott, the high heat and humidity is the biggest impediment. Not to spend life in air conditioning 24/7. Then there's the extra angle of relatives who cannot understand dhy anyone would want to move so far from family and familiarity of surroundings.....
Often "so far" is misunderstood. If you live in, say, New York and want to snow bird, the flight time isn't much different. I can fly to my family in Houston as quickly as I used to be able to drive there. But the cost of living is lower so if they come to visit us, they can do so cheaper and better than if we hadn't moved away. That doesn't apply to everyone, but surprisingly often it actually makes visiting easier, if said family actually wants to see you, lol. That's the thing we found, most of the family was glad for an excuse not to visit.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog You mean instead of the backup plan "just in case"? Of course in Nicaragua it's a problem because you have to be in the country for six months a year....
@@dovygoodguy1296 what? I don't have to do that. I don't know anyone that has to do that. Why would you need to be here any? But if you make it a Plan A, you would normally be here that much naturally. But there's no such requirement.
Hey Scott! I just noticed that spirit dosent have the same flight options/times that were offered previously. I’m not seeing the super late arrival out of Miami/Fll area anymore. At least in November. Have you noticed this?
I still see them. I can book between $42 and $68 all through October and November. But later in November you can see pricing skyrocketing which means that the flights are starting to sell out.
I studied Spanish years ago, but it’s a little rusty. How fluent do I need to be to navigate life in Nicaragua? Is it relatively easy to find Spanish tutors there?
You can really get by without spanish here although more spanish is better. Tutors are everywhere and I have a friend that was on one of our first big episodes that teaches Nica Spanish that is available.
For residence is it 6 months living in Nicaragua each year minimum right? From the UK, Nica feels like such an opportunity (given we've traveled there this year too). For us, the simplicity of life is the biggest draw.
It's more complex than that. It depends on the type of residencia, and if you are under that amount, you just don't use residencia. I have a lot of videos that talk about how you might not want residence. Basically it makes no sense to want, it doesn't get you anything. So if you need it, you need it, if you don't, you don't. It's not something to want or really worry about. Just move and depending on your living patterns will determine if you use a residencia or a different program to live here.
Thanks for this. And that makes total sense. A big reason for residence visa in Nica or CR is zero tax for foreign income (ie remote workers who aren’t from the US).
Expensive? How are you looking? Maybe I need to do a video about this. Everytime someone says it's expensive, I check and its dirt cheap. But I think people look in weird ways. I typically get flights around $100. But I know loads of my viewers are getting way under that. Spirit and Avianca are the cheap carriers, you don't fly originating in Miami if you can help it, but from somewhere through Miami and it is cheap. What are you looking for specifically? If you come at the holidays, prices go up 600% briefly.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog flying from Buffalo to Miami then to Managua. That’s for a visit Then to move planning on driving to Miami and I want to fly with my dogs in private plane. If you have any suggestions on any private companies that would be awesome too! I’m trying to figure out how to get my things (suitcases my essentials there) then my dogs. I heard you can’t have all luggage on a private plane with animals. Im may be wrong. I will be using tubs and suitcases so even info on best way to get items there would be great as well for some input
Blows my mind as well. So what you say is, that we from the so called 1st world are so used to "complicated and expensive", that we cannot fathom anymore "welcome and make yourself at home". I wonder if the household can be brought in or if dufflebags only is expected in this new world of "digital nomads". btw: Could you do a house tour of a livable house with 200m2 and garden?
Yea, that's a good way to think about it. We're all certain things will be hard or at least expensive. How can a place be easy and welcoming and have things be so good? Something must be wrong. But it's so easy to come see for yourself; yet people don't want to find out. I have a serious of videos on bringing in your household stuff. That requires the extra visa, but rarely does it make sense. Very few people do it, but everyone thinks that they will want to before they come. most don't want to after they have thought about it from the other side. But you might want to, so it's an option.
Hello there... Do you know of any acoustic musicians that supplement there income by performing classic rock around town? My retirement check will only be around $1300, so I was curious about working as a solo acoustic musician down there to earn extra income. Thanks! Really enjoy the info.
There are tons. Tons and tons. But trying to earn money locally like that would be potentially a bad idea. It's not legal to work unless you are a massive investor and don't have a need to work (and then it's only a technicality to make investing easier). I've got a lot of videos on the economics of this. You might get away with this, but you also could go to jail. You'd be taking jobs away from locals, and some of them would be pretty tempted to report you (and a lot of police attend those things, too.) Not a risk you'd want to take. You'd be an illegal immigrant (once you work illegally, your visa isn't valid of course) commit tax and employment fraud. So if someone pushed the point, it wouldn't be good. If you want to sing for free with locals who are getting paid, no problem there. But that's not really important because if supplemental income is what you want, working online will pay SO much more. There's no money in being a musician. They all do it as second jobs to put food on the table and the pay is terrible because it's extra work and even primary work pays so little. So if you trying to make money at this, even if you were allowed to, you'd almost instantly realize that for anyone to afford to hire you, you could make more money working online 2-3 hours a month than gigging five days a week.
If it is something that you want to do for fun, no problems. But that won't solve the income short fall that you want to make up. For that, something online whether it is your own little business or just working remotely for someone... that's going to be the best way to go.
Thanks for this!!! Nicaragua is definitely on my list for possible relocation ❤️
Super, Alan
Good info. Thank you
Looking for flight to go to Nicaragua in February
whoo hoo!
Hi Scott Alan, Love your help and content! Was wondering if I could consult with you on Nicaragua travel and life. I did send an email to you a few days ago inquiring about that and would love to hear back from you. Hope to hear back from you.
As far as I can tell, I've now responded to every email that I have. Did I respond to you?
Oh, I figured out who you are in email. Yes, I responded. Check your spam filter if you haven't seen it. I definitely got it.
That’s freaking awesome. Just show up. They don’t give any hassle coming back in from the border runs?
It depends on how many border runs you do. We've never had a hassle, but sooner or later if you do it for a while and you are legit in Nicaragua most of the time, they'll at some point tell you to transition to residencia, if you fit the profile. But that's the "hassle"... you get to do border runs until they tell you it's time for residencia. Then normally that means no hassles as long as you start the process and get moving on it. So some people, depending on their profile, can do it a long time or maybe for ever, and some people transition to residencia. It depends on you, what you do, how you come and go, how long you stay and the current winds of policy as it changes gradually over time. Sometimes when they want lots and lots of people quickly they'll push for the border run system and when they want to curtail a flood of people too quickly they'll push towards residencia to slow down people moving in. It's all "tweaking the knobs". But if you want to be here, there's a way that shouldn't cause a problem. Start with the border runs and decide once you try the process how to proceed.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog Good stuff, I understand exactly what you mean. Thanks!
Scott, the high heat and humidity is the biggest impediment. Not to spend life in air conditioning 24/7. Then there's the extra angle of relatives who cannot understand dhy anyone would want to move so far from family and familiarity of surroundings.....
Often "so far" is misunderstood. If you live in, say, New York and want to snow bird, the flight time isn't much different. I can fly to my family in Houston as quickly as I used to be able to drive there. But the cost of living is lower so if they come to visit us, they can do so cheaper and better than if we hadn't moved away. That doesn't apply to everyone, but surprisingly often it actually makes visiting easier, if said family actually wants to see you, lol. That's the thing we found, most of the family was glad for an excuse not to visit.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog You're right, but relatives think people going to a Plan B are crazy anyway!
@@dovygoodguy1296 Plan Bs tend to be crazy. Making it your Plan A is the sensible approach!
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog You mean instead of the backup plan "just in case"? Of course in Nicaragua it's a problem because you have to be in the country for six months a year....
@@dovygoodguy1296 what? I don't have to do that. I don't know anyone that has to do that. Why would you need to be here any? But if you make it a Plan A, you would normally be here that much naturally. But there's no such requirement.
Hey Scott! I just noticed that spirit dosent have the same flight options/times that were offered previously. I’m not seeing the super late arrival out of Miami/Fll area anymore. At least in November. Have you noticed this?
I still see them. I can book between $42 and $68 all through October and November. But later in November you can see pricing skyrocketing which means that the flights are starting to sell out.
I’ll check again. I may have had tunnel vision. Lol. The flights I saw had a mid afternoon arrival. Around 2pm.
Thanks!
@briansuppin1363 oh. you are seeing that the flight schedule has changed?
I was checking the wrong part. There are still flights, but you are right, it's midday not midnight now!
It appears to change on July 10th. Everything before then is the middle of the night. Everything after then is 1PM.
How affluent does one live with $4,300 a month?
wow, quite affluent. You can rent a mansion, hire staff to take care of everything, buy a car, go out constantly, etc.
😂Bling bling.
I studied Spanish years ago, but it’s a little rusty. How fluent do I need to be to navigate life in Nicaragua? Is it relatively easy to find Spanish tutors there?
You can really get by without spanish here although more spanish is better. Tutors are everywhere and I have a friend that was on one of our first big episodes that teaches Nica Spanish that is available.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog Thanks so much for the information. Nicaragua is definitely on my list of countries to spend time in.
For residence is it 6 months living in Nicaragua each year minimum right?
From the UK, Nica feels like such an opportunity (given we've traveled there this year too). For us, the simplicity of life is the biggest draw.
It's more complex than that. It depends on the type of residencia, and if you are under that amount, you just don't use residencia. I have a lot of videos that talk about how you might not want residence. Basically it makes no sense to want, it doesn't get you anything. So if you need it, you need it, if you don't, you don't. It's not something to want or really worry about. Just move and depending on your living patterns will determine if you use a residencia or a different program to live here.
Thanks for this. And that makes total sense.
A big reason for residence visa in Nica or CR is zero tax for foreign income (ie remote workers who aren’t from the US).
All the flights I see are so expensive 🤷🏻♀️ spirit has an ongoing flight from Miami to Nicaragua? I’m looking to come there this month, suggestions?
Expensive? How are you looking? Maybe I need to do a video about this. Everytime someone says it's expensive, I check and its dirt cheap. But I think people look in weird ways. I typically get flights around $100. But I know loads of my viewers are getting way under that. Spirit and Avianca are the cheap carriers, you don't fly originating in Miami if you can help it, but from somewhere through Miami and it is cheap. What are you looking for specifically? If you come at the holidays, prices go up 600% briefly.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog flying from Buffalo to Miami then to Managua.
That’s for a visit
Then to move planning on driving to Miami and I want to fly with my dogs in private plane. If you have any suggestions on any private companies that would be awesome too! I’m trying to figure out how to get my things (suitcases my essentials there) then my dogs. I heard you can’t have all luggage on a private plane with animals. Im may be wrong. I will be using tubs and suitcases so even info on best way to get items there would be great as well for some input
Hey bro, do you think Rivas is the most interesting department of Nicaragua?
Just made a video to answer this. It'll be up in the next two days.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog Thank you so much, you are amazing scott
Blows my mind as well. So what you say is, that we from the so called 1st world are so used to "complicated and expensive", that we cannot fathom anymore "welcome and make yourself at home". I wonder if the household can be brought in or if dufflebags only is expected in this new world of "digital nomads".
btw: Could you do a house tour of a livable house with 200m2 and garden?
Yea, that's a good way to think about it. We're all certain things will be hard or at least expensive. How can a place be easy and welcoming and have things be so good? Something must be wrong. But it's so easy to come see for yourself; yet people don't want to find out.
I have a serious of videos on bringing in your household stuff. That requires the extra visa, but rarely does it make sense. Very few people do it, but everyone thinks that they will want to before they come. most don't want to after they have thought about it from the other side. But you might want to, so it's an option.
Can you obtain residencia with a prior DUI in Canada or the US?
I don't know of anyone that has tried that but I would doubt that that would show up on an Interpol report.
Hello there...
Do you know of any acoustic musicians that supplement there income by performing classic rock around town?
My retirement check will only be around $1300, so I was curious about working as a solo acoustic musician down there to earn extra income.
Thanks! Really enjoy the info.
There are tons. Tons and tons. But trying to earn money locally like that would be potentially a bad idea. It's not legal to work unless you are a massive investor and don't have a need to work (and then it's only a technicality to make investing easier). I've got a lot of videos on the economics of this. You might get away with this, but you also could go to jail. You'd be taking jobs away from locals, and some of them would be pretty tempted to report you (and a lot of police attend those things, too.) Not a risk you'd want to take. You'd be an illegal immigrant (once you work illegally, your visa isn't valid of course) commit tax and employment fraud. So if someone pushed the point, it wouldn't be good. If you want to sing for free with locals who are getting paid, no problem there.
But that's not really important because if supplemental income is what you want, working online will pay SO much more. There's no money in being a musician. They all do it as second jobs to put food on the table and the pay is terrible because it's extra work and even primary work pays so little. So if you trying to make money at this, even if you were allowed to, you'd almost instantly realize that for anyone to afford to hire you, you could make more money working online 2-3 hours a month than gigging five days a week.
If it is something that you want to do for fun, no problems. But that won't solve the income short fall that you want to make up. For that, something online whether it is your own little business or just working remotely for someone... that's going to be the best way to go.