Quito, Ecuador

What do I need to know about living in Quito?

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When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Quito, they said:

"Be prepared for pollution and robbery problems. Quito also has a large traffic issue and makes it hard to get around at busy hours of the day. The altitude is sometimes hard for people with asthma or the elderly. In general, it's still a small city and has a friendly welcoming attitude. It's easy to get away on weekends and go to the mountains for fresh air. The night life is fun and exciting in the mariscal area. I would research the city really well before renting or buying. Find the safer neighborhoods like Quito, Tenis or Gonzalez Suarez where there are many other expats," said another expat in Quito.

How do I meet people in Quito?

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When we asked people living in Quito about club and activities where newcomers can meet others, they responded:

"DAMAS - Damas Norteamericanas y Britanicas - meets once a month and does service projects for the community, we have an English book library and a play group for moms with young kids. English Fellowship Church - all English speaking Advent St. Nicholas Church - 3 services in English, Spanish, and German," added another expat who made the move to Quito.

What is life like in Quito?

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When we asked people living in Quito what life is like and how people spend their time, they said:

"The Latino life focuses on family and friends. The Expat community focuses on service projects, mountain sports activities, and traveling around the country," mentioned another expat in Quito.

Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Quito accepting of differences?

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"Quito is very diverse. We have a growing Asian community as well as a large expat community. The Quitenos are very nice and accepting of other cultures and people. The Latinos in general do not mix classes (the city is separated into neighborhoods of different classes.)," commented one expat who made the move to Quito.

What are the schools in Quito like?

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"I would advise against this school. The administration is extremely bloated and are merely puppets of the school director. The students are for the most part rude and have no respect. The teachers are primarily short-term (2 years then move on) and the curriculum is in a constant state of flux. The teachers try to do the best they can, but are given zero support from administration," remarked another parent with kids at Academia Cotopaxi in Quito.

"I love it. I have my two boys and am amazed at the academic standards. My oldest one is not quite studious, yet he manages to excel in many areas, even compared to other schools worldwide. When compared to other kids his age in other schools around the world, he is significantly more advanced. I think that says a lot. I like the special services and the close knit feel of the parent teacher relations," explained one expat living in Quito, Ecuador.

"I would highly suggest taking a look at all options in Quito. This school has made a rapid change to being an elitist, local school where students of powerful local families are given preferential treatment and their parents are allowed to dictate what is done at the school. Discipline is non-existent. The curriculum is constantly "being worked on" and the school is all about how it appears, not substance. Bullying by local, wealthy is prevalent and the school takes no action. The answer is to make the target and their family the problem and wait for them to leave while the bully is allowed to continue for years to come," said another parent with children at Academia Cotopaxi in Quito.

Rental Properties in Ecuador

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Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Quito?

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"The cost of medical care if much cheaper than the United States. I had back surgery for $8,000 and I only had to pay $1,000 deductible," said another expat.