Guayaquil, Ecuador Report of what it's like to live there - 01/25/12
Personal Experiences from Guayaquil, Ecuador
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Kathmandu, Nepal.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Direct flights to Miami (4 hrs) and NYC. Transporting pets becoming more difficult due to certain airlines discontinuing service.
3. How long have you lived here?
2 years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Commuting all depends on when one lives, but overall traffic flows pretty well. Maybe a 20-30 minute commute is average, nobody could average longer than an hour, even with bad traffic.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Some supplies are ridiculously expensive (regular sized can of cooking spray- $8), while others are super cheap (fresh herbs, fruits and veggies: dirt cheap).
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
If you drink, alcohol. The prices are very high for basic liquor, and beer selection is ok but limited.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
McDonald's, Burger King, Carls Jr., Chilis, el Capi (local burger joint, really good!), Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Dominoes, Subway, Quiznos, KFC, etc.
5. What kinds of organic, vegetarian and allergy-friendly foods are available, such as organic produce, gluten-free products, meat substitutes for vegetarians, etc?
Eat lots of rice and beans and you're set for gluten-free. Have gluten-free friends and they say living here is pretty easy.
6. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
This year mosquitoes are carrying a lot of dengue, though no reported expat cases yet. Large cockroaches and beetles are regulars in our house. But that's everywhere, right?
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Relatively cheap and widely available.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Don't use ATMs in public; if possible use cash and not your credit card. Too many issues with people swiping them. Use an ATM close to your house if possible.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
They just started an English-speaking service at the church in the Inter-American school. No other English services are available anywhere in the city.
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
As much as possible. You will find that the majority of your interactions will be in Spanish if you go out into public here.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
All my local friends view it as a fact, that when they use the bus there is a good chance they could get robbed or the bus held up. Plan accordingly and don't take much with you. Don't hail taxis on the street. Go to a reputable hotel or restaurant and have them call one.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Hyundai. Re-sale value is high because of import taxes. Or Toyota, but recommend against Subaru because they aren't sold here and few people want to buy them, if you're planning to sell your car before you leave.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes. Get Transtelco, a new company, not TVCable. You will have far faster internet than all your friends with TVCable.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Cheap plans for simple phones are available for US$20-30 a month. Blackberries are more expensive and more prone to be stolen, as everyone here uses them.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No.
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
No.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Women here like to dress up to go get groceries. Foreigners still dress down (shorts, flip-flops).
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
No problems with security personally, but many foreigners do have problems getting robbed. If you just choose to never hail a cab off the street or take a public bus and don't go out partying late at night, you shouldn't have a problem. A couple females who hailed a cab in the middle of the city in the afternoon ended up getting raped recently. Taxis aren't safe.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care can be very good, but you better speak Spanish if you just walk into a hospital. High-quality, English-speaking professionals can be found with some digging.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
You won't notice it unless you like to exercise outdoors.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Dry season, rainy season. Always cloudy (think a warm Seattle), but when the sun does come out it gets pretty hot.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Terrible experience with Inter-American Academy's director.. Under the current director I couldn't recommend this school to anyone. I feel comfortable saying this because have heard of three other families who have had similarly frustrating experiences. Some of the best American teachers are leaving and being replaced by less experienced individuals with weaker communication skills.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Very good preschool available and daycare is mostly provided by a nanny, because it is cheap to hire them. Just make sure you get a hard-working, trustworthy one if you want a full-timer.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Not too big.
2. Morale among expats:
People are generally pretty excited to leave, but as they're leaving they start saying they realize how much they'll miss it.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
It can be good for anyone who likes to travel a lot and see the country. There are very happy and very disgruntled members of the expat community; some love it and others don't. But I suppose that is any city!
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Seeing a spectacularly diverse country and eating cheap fruits/vegetables/fresh herbs.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Go out to eat; there is decent food here, but you have to constantly be adventurous and try new places and parts of town. Get a GPS so you feel more liberated to go places you haven't been.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Cheap hammocks!
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Beaches are close (1-3 hours), roads are new and wonderful, mountains are close (2-3 hours), you can wear shorts every day of the year.
11. Can you save money?
Definitely.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
It was a great experience; I'm better for it; I met some amazing people; I had a great traveling around the countryside and working with the people here; but I don't plan to return anytime soon.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Skis and ice skates.
3. But don't forget your:
Beach gear, hiking gear, and positive attitude.
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
Office Space
. The writer was born in Guayaquil.
6. Do you have any other comments?
You'll love it your first few months, then likely hate it, then come to a mutual agreement with the city to neither love nor hate each other.
