BootsnAll Travel Community

New here and just let me say: What a great forum!

I posted this in the Central America Forum, but maybe this is a better place?

Anybody have any feelings about permanent moves to Guatemala vs. Ecuador? I have very very limited resources and so have zeroed in on these countries after internet research. Both are about the cheapest countries for cost of living, but International Living has listed Ecuador in their top ten countries for expat life. On the other hand, Guatemala is a little closer to the US and Mexico shouild the need arise.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Tim

I have been researching the idea of moving permantely overseas and blogging about what I have found at http://globalretirementvillage.blogspot.com/index.html.

I have not been reading too much Guatemala, what got you interested in this place?

Coloneltim, I have lived in Guatemala for a while, and considered living there. What stopped me was a distinct lack of employment, since I am without professional skills.

Guatemala has about 3 distinct types of living:

1: Jungle, Tikal, Peten..

2. Mountains: Todos Santos, Lago atitlan area,antiqua Quetzaltenango area

3. Coastline: Livingston

Pick your climate first, because all three have pretty steady climates.

Not many choose to be expats in the jungles of Guatemala. It can be very isolated, when you're in a jungle town, and it can be quite dusty and annoying if you settle in Flores or Santa Elena, while still being hot and sticky. There isn't much expat support there at all, so its helpful if you speak Spanish. If you do,you'll definitely be off the gringo trail. If there was a way to live only a few miles from flores or Santa elena, feel the jungle, and not be part of the dust, I might consider it. Even so, bring plenty of insect repellent.

If you want a more civilised town, move across the border to Copan Ruinas,Honduras where you'll find a very nice town with plenty of infrastructure , in the mountains, next to the Copan ruins, and right next to Guatemala. I liked that town a lot. You might even find a tourist related job there, which is about all the kinds of jobs there are unless you have connections.

2. Todos Santos: I loved it there. High in the mountains, sufficient infrastructure, wonderful people. Not sure about expats, but they must be there. I almost moved there myself.

3. lago atitlan area. Otherwise known as GringoAtitlan. Lots of expats in an easygoing community, near one of the most beautiful places on this planet. Lots of information on that, or ask me more later.

4.Antiqua: Its beautiful, but it can wear on you. There are so many uptight tourists here, and the town is so small, that it feels like an extension of the USA or Europe with spanish speaking working classes. Very comfortable for someone who wants all the luxuries of home, almost, and live in a non-dusty city.

5. Quetzaltenango. A city big enough not to show the gringos that move there, and have all that you need, even workout gyms. It can be dusty, full of pollution, and is not exactly pretty. The people are wonderful if you speak spanish to them.

5a Guat city. Not recommended, though one person here thinks that if you move into the rich section, its pretty good. Maybe. The pollution can be very bad. I'd rather be in Antiqua or Lago atitlan myself. From Antiqua the city, such as it is, is only a half hour away by chicken bus, and they run all day long.

Livinston area:

Its full of carribean creole type people here, and some people find it relaxing, especially as its by the sea. I haven't gone there. I was turned away by tales of random violence against tourists. If you want nice carribean people, go move to Utila or Roatan, where you can do some great diving at the same time, and there is plenty of infrastructure.

If you like carribean type living, then investigate, by all means.

Very helpful write up, Tortuga, thank you.

I spent a short while in Antiqua and Atitlan. Of the many places I've visited in Central and South America, those are two areas that I could imagine myself living happily.

Of course the point about it being difficult to earn an income there is true. Unless you have some other way to make money, or can live fairly lean, it might be a bit tough to live as you might elsewhere.

YOu can easily live close to Flores and not be "part of the dust" There are several fascinating little towns a lancha away across the Lago de Peten Itza that have fascinating and friendly communities and where you can get to town quickly. I´d move to San Andres, if I were you. Fantastically friendly people. Nice town with a Spanish school and a decided lack of a hotel. If one wanted to start a business, it might be one to start. And, if you wanted to get your English Jones on you could walk down to the school and talk to someone. The jungle is RIGHT THERE.

About my only problem with doing this is that I would be bored right out of my face. But not everyone has the low tolerance for boredom that I do

D

Hey, yeah, that's the bit that always stop me from going through with one of my "settle down in Antigua" fantasies... I'm afraid after the first few months and the newness wore off I'd be bored stiff!

Well Im retired and live Puerto Barrios, GUATEMALA. I will be starting a school the 15 of Oct to teach english. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED in Guatemala give me a buzz 50557916 cell ph in Guatemala.