Quito, Ecuador Report of what it's like to live there - 08/18/15
Personal Experiences from Quito, Ecuador
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Multiple places in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia.
2. How long have you lived here?
2003 and have returned multiple times for short visits.
3. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
NGO.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Many Ecuadorian houses and apartments have large windows to let the sun in, and design ranges from modern to Spanish/California-like.
2. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Tons of good restaurants at all price ranges.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Street security is not great. You hear more and more people talk about being held up in their cars, burglary and "kidnap express" (you get released after extracting cash from ATMs around the city). That being said, I treated Quito like any big city and did not feel more unsafe than in any other big city.
2. 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?
Good.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Multiple schools.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Good.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Go to concerts (all kinds of music), dancing, restaurants--you name it.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
All of the above.
4. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Guayasamin museum in Quito.
5. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Beautiful and varied flora, fauna and geography (coast, cloud forest, highlands, Amazon) in a small country, so it's relatively easy to get to any of those places. Domestic flights are inexpensive, and there is a well-developed tourist infrastructure (i.e. lots of places to go around the country), handicrafts, weather, cultural offerings.
6. Can you save money?
Yes.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes.
2. Do you have any other comments?
Locals tend to socialize with their extended families and as a result, I had to work hard to get time with my local friends. Quitenos are more closed and conservative than Guayaquilenos.
