Living in El Salvador
Last updated on Feb 10, 2024
Summary: People describe life in El Salvador as vibrant and full of culture. Expats love the friendly people, the beautiful beaches, the delicious food, and the low cost of living. The average cost of living for an expat is around $1,000 per month. The population of El Salvador is approximately 6.4 million people. The largest cities in El Salvador are San Salvador, Santa Ana, and San Miguel. The cons of living in El Salvador include the high crime rate, the lack of infrastructure, and the limited job opportunities. Additionally, El Salvador is prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes.
What do I need to know about living in El Salvador?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to El Salvador, they said:
"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," said one expat who made the move to Nejapa.
"I would not advise anyone to come here looking for work without certification nor special skills, nor basic Spanish skills, unless connected with an established school or employer. If one has a vehicle, one must exercise extreme caution in driving around this congested city, as most vehicles(except New Autos with compulsory Bank insurance) have no insurance and drivers have been known to "hit and run". Bus Service is plentiful and cheap, on mainly aging diesel spewing older vehicles or "Microbuses"-Coasters driven by rather reckless and careless individuals known as "Buseros", robberies on public transport, especially in the evening hours, are not infrequent. To sum it up, most Ex Pats who arrive here have employment with an American, Canadian or European based firm or have family ties mostly through marriage to a Salvadorian Citizen. Opportunities exist here though, just be sure you are prepared," explained one expat living in San Salvador, El Salvador.
"Before retiring in El Salvador, expats should be aware of the country's high crime rate and the need to take extra security precautions. It is also important to research the cost of living in El Salvador, as it is generally higher than in other Central American countries. Additionally, expats should be aware of the country's tropical climate and the need to take precautions against the heat and humidity. Finally, expats should research the availability of healthcare services in El Salvador, as the quality of care can vary significantly," mentioned one in El Salvador.
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About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
Additional Information:
- El Salvador Guide
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in El Salvador
- Members Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in El Salvador
- Best Places to Live in El Salvador
- Guide to Real Estate in El Salvador
- Pros & Cons of Living in El Salvador
- Cost of Living in El Salvador
- Top Hospitals in El Salvador by Specialty
- Best Places to See While on a Look-See Trip to El Salvador (Plus, Itineraries)
- Moving to El Salvador with a Pet
- Mental Health Care in El Salvador
- 2024 Guide to Living in El Salvador
- Pros and Cons of Living in El Salvador 2024