In El Salvador it is fairly easy to rent, purchase land and real estate directly from owner if you are conversant in Spanish and have a trusted local friend or relative (many USA citizens have married Salvadorians). If you are independent type of person, desiring not to reside in a gated community with 'Americans and Canadians' El Salvador is place to go.
Avoid the 'relocation company' here in El Salvador, they double and triple rents and scam non Spanish speaking business persons relocating here in ES.
Security issues, some rough edges, but best infrastructure in C.A., plenty of cell and Internet, Cable providers, now even many small towns far from San Salvador are wired and have Cable. People are very friendly and many like to practice their English. Recently spent 2 weeks Emergency care in public hospital myself in ES, crowded but excellent care. Health insurances avail for private care, excellent med and dental services in San Salvador. All in all a good place to live and work. There is no utopia.
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Posted this on CR forum thread.
If you are relocating to CR or any other country or region in Latin America except English speaking Belize/Carib. Islands best you study and practice, practice, practice your Spanish, make friends with as many locals as possible, most people, yes even in CR, do not speak English, especially outside San José and suburbs,in that way you will not be dependent on other gringo residents, nor expensive and crooked native bilingual lawyers real estate and land cons, etc. some of whom think nothing of gossiping and spreading rumors behind one's back. It happened recently to a fine Ex Pat friend of mine in Phillipines recently, other Ex Pats, not loclals, he and his wife are relocating to a more remote area, some Ex Pats, a few, in some places are charismatic and run local 'charities' where the disadvantaged get little of the benefits. Keep your eyes open and a low profile, shop around for any type of service first, preferably with a trusted LOCAL native friend or long time Ex Pat friend who speaks Spanish. Trust no strangers where business is concerned. If planning your own business or purchasing real estate join the local credit check bureaus in your country of destination such as Equi Fax (good branch in El Salvador) and others enabling one to check out credit status of natives and legal residents, fast and confidential.
Look out for number one..you..first.
I have been an Ex Pat resident in Central America for over 23 years, above is my experience and opinion only. Take it or leave it.
Avoid the 'relocation company' here in El Salvador, they double and triple rents and scam non Spanish speaking business persons relocating here in ES.
Security issues, some rough edges, but best infrastructure in C.A., plenty of cell and Internet, Cable providers, now even many small towns far from San Salvador are wired and have Cable. People are very friendly and many like to practice their English. Recently spent 2 weeks Emergency care in public hospital myself in ES, crowded but excellent care. Health insurances avail for private care, excellent med and dental services in San Salvador. All in all a good place to live and work. There is no utopia.
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Posted this on CR forum thread.
If you are relocating to CR or any other country or region in Latin America except English speaking Belize/Carib. Islands best you study and practice, practice, practice your Spanish, make friends with as many locals as possible, most people, yes even in CR, do not speak English, especially outside San José and suburbs,in that way you will not be dependent on other gringo residents, nor expensive and crooked native bilingual lawyers real estate and land cons, etc. some of whom think nothing of gossiping and spreading rumors behind one's back. It happened recently to a fine Ex Pat friend of mine in Phillipines recently, other Ex Pats, not loclals, he and his wife are relocating to a more remote area, some Ex Pats, a few, in some places are charismatic and run local 'charities' where the disadvantaged get little of the benefits. Keep your eyes open and a low profile, shop around for any type of service first, preferably with a trusted LOCAL native friend or long time Ex Pat friend who speaks Spanish. Trust no strangers where business is concerned. If planning your own business or purchasing real estate join the local credit check bureaus in your country of destination such as Equi Fax (good branch in El Salvador) and others enabling one to check out credit status of natives and legal residents, fast and confidential.
Look out for number one..you..first.
I have been an Ex Pat resident in Central America for over 23 years, above is my experience and opinion only. Take it or leave it.
