Expat Community > Ecuador

BentleyLeMansGT3
Joined 2022
Posts: 6

My safety in Quito

2 years ago

I have only been in Ecuador for a few days and I am turning into a paranoid freak. I already got robbed once on my second day in the city by a taxi drivers who decided to drive off with stuff that I bought from the super market -- I know so stupid. Then on my third night in my new building my next door neighbor (don't know why he/she/they are) decided to the apartment into a nightclub at 1am resulting in me losing my temper and threatening them with the police -- definitely not smart being the new guy and gringo in the building (when my neighbor(s) could be anyone capable of anything. I have never met the owner(s) of my apartment and they are extremely standoff and evasive about meeting me -- and even more standoffish after the standoff I had with the neighbor next to me.

I also don't trust doormen in any Latin American country because they are the first ones to conspire in having people robbed because they know when you come and go and also know who is a local and who is a foreigner. I am being hyper paranoid and came to this forum seeking advise and closure. I know all of the rules concerning general safety and places not to go and things not to do to not become a target. But Ecuador is a country with some massive issues regarding crime: Kidnapping, murder, drug trafficking, armed robberies. extortion, etc. I have read some horror stores online and have watch countless YouTube videos about foreigners getting robbed and/or physically hurt in this country. I know some people will counter by saying the US has the same issues -- But at least in the US there is. highly advanced police force and I walk around feeling like I am going to get stabbed or shot for a cell phone every time I watch down the street.

I am just confused as to whether or not I am being paranoid or whether I should follow my guy instinct and leave the country as soon as I came. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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