Quito, Ecuador Report of what it's like to live there - 04/30/25
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?
No, I have previously lived in Cusco, Peru; London, and Saigon.
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?
We are DC-based, and thought that it would be easier to travel home more frequently, given it's only a 5-hour flight to Miami, but flights out of Quito are often inconvenient (especially with kids) and expensive. Most international flights leave and arrive very late at night for some reason. Picking up visitors at the airport at 9pm instead of midnight felt like a real treat.
3. How long have you lived here?
Two years.
4. What years did you live here?
2023-2025.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Many of the housing options for the diplomatic mission are in Campo Alegre or Montasserin, which is about a 15-minute drive from the embassy. The housing is pretty spacious, and many have views of snow-covered volcanoes! There are some apartments, but they are also spacious, and many even have outdoor space or even a pool.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
If it's made locally, it's cheap. You will pay for the creature comforts of home, but your grocery bill will overall be much cheaper than in the US. You can find most everything in SuperMaxi, the western-style grocery store. I love to shop for produce in the neighborhood fruterias several times a week. I will miss cheap fruit!
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
You can find most grocery items, but you want to make sure you bring any electronics you might need, as well as skin care products. The electronics you find locally are very expensive, and the skin care products are very limited. You probably won't find what you need, and will need to ship.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
This isn't exactly a culinary post. We don't get food delivered often because it's expensive and takes a long time. We have a few neighborhood places we frequent on a regular basis, but you really have to search if you have an itch for Chinese, Indian, Thai food, etc.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mold. The first two years we were here there was an extreme drought, which caused massive power outages. Now the drought is over, and with all the rain, we have mold.
One of the best parts of post is, due to the high elevation, there are very few mosquitoes! Do pack your bug spray, because as soon as you go to the cloud/rain forest or just the valley, you will need it!
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Monthly minimum wage is $460, but we pay our nanny a bit more. Many families have a nanny or an Empleada (household tasks), or both.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There is a small gym at the embassy.
4. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
This is a great place to be if you love to hike. There are hiking trails everywhere. And everything is uphill, so you can hike in your own neighborhood! Same with biking. You can train for the Tour de France here. Lots of people have mountain bikes though. It is a very difficult place for kids to learn to ride bikes. For flat surfaces, you can go to Parque Carolina or Bicentenario (the old airport runway), but they get very crowded.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Easy to use a credit card at the grocery store, mall, or upscale restaurants, but you should carry cash. Some places that take a credit card charge a pretty high fee.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
The better your Spanish is, the better your quality of life. I've gotten by with mediocre Spanish, but I often have to have my spouse or kids speak for me.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes. Lots of hills, stairs, and poor sidewalks. You need a car to get everywhere, but there's little parking, let alone handicapped spaces.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Ubers and taxis are relatively safe and cheap. There is a lovely new subway that makes getting to the Centro Historico quicker and easier, (but you still have to drive/uber to a subway station) but isn't much help for getting from embassy housing to anywhere.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
4WD, and something that can take a dent or two. Driving skills here are not good.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, but lately it's been going out more and more. They seem to be doing a lot of "maintenance."
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Bring them with you.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Theft is a big problem. Often restaurants are robbed, and when that happens, they don't just rob the establishment, they rob the customers too. Many places have locked doors or security guards as a result, and make sure you have only what you need with you. Leave extra credit cards and cash at home.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Altitude sickness is real. You need to take it easy when you first arrive, drink lots of water, and abstain from alcohol for a few days. The sun is INTENSE. Bring a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen, and wear them all the time. You may even need them in your own house.
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?
Amazing. You will probably never live anywhere with air this fresh, but if you are sensitive to high altitudes, you may have issues.
4. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
You will have 12 hours of daylight 365 days a year.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
The daily temperature fluctuates between 60 and 70 degrees, year-round. If it's rainy and cloudy, it will feel chillier, if the sun is out, it will feel warmer. There is a wet season and a dry season. It feels like fall every afternoon and evening. The weather can be crazy (sun one minute, downpour the next) but I love it.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There are several schools that mission kids attend. Most attend Cotopaxi, with an all-English curriculum. I chose to send my child to SEK, which is more bilingual. She is the only native English speaker in her class. The communication from any school you choose will be terrible, so prepare for major school events (even on a Saturday) that you didn't know about until a few days prior.
2. 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?
Preschools are available and very good. Cotopaxi has a bilingual preschool, Imagine, that is wonderful. I know people are very happy at Mundo de Papel, which is all Spanish speaking and very close to the embassy.
3. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes, each school has extracurricular activities. We found swim lessons hard to find, but finally found some we liked.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
I can only speak to the diplomatic mission. Last year, with the energy crisis and long, extended power outages, morale was pretty low. With the rain, we have not had any power outages since before Christmas, and the embassy has provided us with back-up power and other resources that will make the outages easier to handle, should they return.
2. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
The more Spanish you speak, the easier it will be.
3. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
I can't speak on this firsthand, but Ecuador has a diverse population.
4. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Nature. This is an absolutely beautiful country. The view out my bedroom window is amazing, but you can easily get to Mindo (cloud forest), the Amazon, tons of hiking, Cotopaxi National Park, and the Galapagos.
5. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Lots of blankets, sweaters, baskets, and Andean art.
6. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Air quality and proximity to outdoor activities.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I wish I had known about the energy crisis and the power outages, but they were a surprise. Had I known, I would've come armed with flashlights, candles, my own generator, and a pioneer attitude.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes. My kids love it here, and it will be difficult to move!
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
heavy winter coats.
4. But don't forget your:
hiking boots, sunscreen, hats, and spirit of adventure.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Sea Lions of the Galapagos on Disney+
