An Expat Talks about Living in Nejapa, El Salvador

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Nejapa

How long have you lived there?

one year

What activities, clubs and organizations would you recommend to newcomers to help them meet others?

The are two big events in Nejapa - Bolas de Fuego and Peace One Day. There are many other activities that keep you busy through out the year. The government is with the Arena Party and the Mayor is a doctor. There is a huge water park and sports complex in the lower part of the city.

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In terms of religious, racial, economic and cultural diversity, are the people of this city or town diverse? Are they accepting of differences? Describe.

Everyone gets along and for most part everyone stays out of each other's business. The church goes are busy visiting everyone's house to boost their memberships. The community is very poor and each month around the first and the fifteenth, the people receive money from their families in the United States. We average 5 murders a month and most are drug related. The gangs exist in the other cities. The gangs visit once in awhile to attempt to collect rent from the business people but the polica watch for it and chase the gangs away out of the downtown city limits.

What are the main industries in this city? What types of career opportunities commonly exist? How do most people find new jobs?

Suger Cane, Jumex Juice and Coke Cola. There are many other manufacturing plants and textiles near the city limits. The average wage is $200 per day or $500 if you are in a Call Center in San Salvador. There are no English school in the area but English is required as the second language. Opportunity for someone who wants to deal with the poor people and give them a decent education near home. Most people drive to San Salvador for a proper education. All the Universities are in the San Salvador.

In general, what are peoples' priorities in this city? For example, do lives revolve around work, family, socializing, sports, etc.?

Nejapa is in the suburbs of San Salvador. Most the people that have work go to San Salvador around 7 am and return around 7 pm. The town is quite around 9 pm. There are over 30K residents. The large population during the day are the students. School start at 7 am and ends around noon for half the students while the another half of the students start at 1 pm and end around 5:30pm. Cyber cafes are the popular places to hang out. Discos are not encouraged because of drugs and gangs. Pupusas are the favorite meal consumed and eating times are sacred. Soccer is very popular for the men. Softball is popular for the women and the gay population. There is a large church community and a snall farmer's market near the City Hall and Catholic Church.

If a friend of yours was thinking of moving to this city or town from far away, what other advice would you give them.

I live in a gated community. There are many in Nejapa and the surrounding cities. 24k will buy you a 2 bedroom single story house. Very little land but it is yours. Nejapa is safe and quaint for small towns. Everyone is friendly to foreigners. Do you homework and make contacts with local Americans or Expats. The cost of living is very cheap and dentistry and doctors have many cheap clinics to go to if you need assistance.