Experience in Leon, Spain. by Paula

What is it like to live in Leon? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

If you like rain and hot food, this is your dream city. Leon is a place where it rains almost all year, and it's very cold (sometimes, in winter, it snows). However, it's also very nice if you like to eat or to go to pubs and drink beer, wine or mosto (a typical beverage which is made of grapes and is alcohol free) and eat a tapa (like a little piece of food that comes free when you buy your drink; this is very typical of Spain, and Leon is also a city with a lot of tapas tradition) of morcilla (pig's fermented blood), chorizo (pig's meat inside its intestine), cecina (cured meat), jamón serrano (also cured meat, but with a different technique), cocido (a kind of stew), etc. Leon is one of the cities with more pubs per person in Europe, and the city with more pubs per person in Spain.

Also, if you like old architecture, this is the best place to be a turist.

What is the student lifestyle like in Leon?

It's not very expensive, and you can go walking almost everywhere. Also, if you want to go party, it's quite cheap and everything, but mind that Leon is a city with a lot of middle-aged people, so most clubs have old rock music, just mixes of Top 40 or rock. There's actually a lot of rock clubs. And also remember that Spanish people party with reggaeton, not electronic music.

How much does it cost to live in Leon?

It's not expensive, but I couldn't tell exactly how much you would pay for a living. The transport is not expensive, and you can charge your transport card in cigarette shops. Also food and alcohol are not really expensive.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Leon? Is there any advice you can give?

I think it might be a little difficult, bc it's not a very university-oriented city. The only student housing I know is a feminine one, in "La Asunción"; it's owned by nuns, it's in the same building as a school and highschool, and it's just in front of the campus.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is really good. I would recommend the cocido maragato (which is a stew, a kind of cocido, but it's prepared and eaten differently than in other parts of Spain), and of course cecina and morcilla, because those are traditional dishes. Also chorizo, orejas (which are not real ears, they are a kind of dessert), flores (another dessert), mona de pascua (a big chocolate figure we eat during Easter), and a lot more.

What places would you recommend visiting in Leon?

The cathedral, of course; Saint Isidoro's basilica, and mostly anything that has to do with our Roman or medieval history. Also, there's a few museums, and I recommend the MUSAC and the museum-house Sierra Pambley (which is a house from the 19th Century).

Is it good to eat out in Leon? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes, it's great. There are lots of restaurants. However, I usually don't eat in typical restaurants beccause I'm used to that food already, so I go to a mexican place called "Cielito lindo", and there's also some brandfamous restaurants like McDonald's and Domino's Pizza. Also Moopies is a great donut place, and the bars Victoria, Tapas and Tribeca are all really great.

Is the nightlife good in Leon? Where is good to go?

It's not bad. It's really cold, so be sure to carry your coat. The nightlife it's not very intense because it's mostly for adults, so Leon is more for a kind of chill night drinking something while sitting and listening to music. Anyway, a few clubs I like are Moloko, El Traga, Molly Malone... Oh, and there's a really cheap shot place called "Chupitos sabor" which is great.

What advice would you give future students heading to Leon?

Culturally: do not call people from Leon castillian ("castellano" in Spanish) because some find it offensive. Also most adults and old people do not know english, so find help in young people.

If you are here in summer, go to the parties on the villages (mostly to the verbenas). They are the best ones.

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