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Guayaquil, Ecuador
A newcomer to Ecuador offers an honest view of what it's like adjusting to life in Guayaquil. From finding it hard to understand people, because they speak too fast to feeling depressed and thinking about returning home, she is truly in the midst of culture shock.
Guayaquil
No
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Yes I speak Spanish but they speak too fast and use too many local idioms and feel lost at times.
Yes, but I figured being a Spanish speaker and having relatives would make the move easier. It didn't. It has been a struggle to adjust to their expectations.
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Very significant. I'm depressed and at least once a day I think of going home.
Most definitely. I'm somewhere between rejection and adjustment at this point. I dislike certain things but not enough to leave yet.
Depression over possibly making a bad life decision by moving to Guayaquil, anxiety over my future earning potential and retirement plan being abroad, overeating on American snacks and packaged food because I'm tired of the local cuisine, easily frustrated with bureaucracy and nosy people.
People's willingness to embrace a stranger, their warm welcoming attitude and relaxed way of living. They face so many struggles on a day to day basis and still manage to go on with a smile on their face. That's baffling and enviable at the same time.
How normal it is to expect or to offer a bribe. The level of corruption is so widespread that is just hard to digest at times. Also, some people don't perceive new methods as improvements but rather as challenges to their authority. some don't accept constructive criticism.
I used to translate "you know what I mean" to "si me entiendes" and people would just nod politely but give me a weird look... later I was informed that "si me entiendes" sounds condescending to the other person in Spanish because the context of the sentence implies they are not bright enough to follow my chain of thought-- I was told to use "si me explico?" which translates to "am I explaining myself? " which puts the responsibility of any misunderstanding on my shoulders.
Visit before moving and try to not make any assumptions. Listen to locals about safety issues. And definitely start to downsize your toiletry needs while still at home. The shock of not finding "essentials" in your new country is very frustrating.
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Expats in Guayaquil report a variety of opinions regarding what it's like to live there. It offers a very warm and humid climate for sun lovers, but others find the heat stifling. Similarly, crime is a major concern of some, while others find that it's perfectly acceptable with proper precautions.
Expats in Ecuador share their experiences with healthcare and overseas medical insurance in Ecuador.
An expat living in Guayaquil has found that the people are friendlier than in the United States. He dislikes the high cost of cars and appliances -- and lack of food options.
Expats in Ecuador appreciate the cost of living, the friendly people, the beautiful weather and warm culture. The bureaucracy can be very trying, petty theft an issue and driving downright dangerous. But, if you ask most expats who are retired or working in Ecuador, they don't regret the move to Ecuador.
For American expats looking to dine out on Thanksgiving, here's a list of several restaurants offering Thanksgiving dinners in Quito and Cuena.
Retirees in Ecuador enjoy an incredible number of benefits in their expat life abroad. Here are ten of the best reasons to consider this South American country when you look abroad for retirement.
The earthquake in Ecuador has impacted many areas where our members reside. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Ecuador. We have setup a Check-In and Help Needed thread for our members in Ecuador.
Get a quote for expat health insurance in Ecuador from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get a Quote
Expats in Guayaquil report a variety of opinions regarding what it's like to live there. It offers a very warm and humid climate for sun lovers, but others find the heat stifling. Similarly, crime is a major concern of some, while others find that it's perfectly acceptable with proper precautions.
Expats in Ecuador share their experiences with healthcare and overseas medical insurance in Ecuador.
Support your favorite restaurants in Guayaquil as they recover from the pandemic. Submit a free listing for them on Expat Exchange to help spread the word about them to the expat community.
An expat living in Guayaquil has found that the people are friendlier than in the United States. He dislikes the high cost of cars and appliances -- and lack of food options.
Expats in Ecuador appreciate the cost of living, the friendly people, the beautiful weather and warm culture. The bureaucracy can be very trying, petty theft an issue and driving downright dangerous. But, if you ask most expats who are retired or working in Ecuador, they don't regret the move to Ecuador.
For American expats looking to dine out on Thanksgiving, here's a list of several restaurants offering Thanksgiving dinners in Quito and Cuena.
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