US Expat Living in El Salvador - Interview With Jennifer

Jennifer Reyes is a 40 year old New Yorker who relocated to El Salvador in 2009 after her husband was deported. Their first 3 years there were fantastic and she relished the new experiences in her life. But like any other couple in any other corner of the world, they have had their share of difficulties this last year. She is perserving and plan, with her son, to continue to make the best of their life in their adopted country. She's fallen in love with El Salvador and the oppurtunites it has offered her. Expat life can be challenging, but with the right attitude and an open mind anything is possible. Jennifer blogs at Life in the armpit (see listing here).

Here's the interview with Jennifer...

Where are you originally from?
Long Island, New York

In which country and city are you living now?
San Francisco, Gotera El Salvador

How long have you lived here and how long are you planning to stay?
It will be 4 years this February and I have no plans on returning at the moment.

Why did you move and what do you do?
My husband was deported. I work from home making sales calls.

Did you bring family with you?
Yes, our son.

How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
Very difficult at first. My Spanish was awful. Luckily for the first year we spent most of our time with close family.

Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
I don't socialize with any other expats. Making friends and meeting people has proven to be one of my greatest challenges.

What are the best things to do in the area; anything to recommend to future expats?
We are close to Perquin, Mozote, Corinto and llano de Muerto. All beautiful places to visit, especially for those interested in learning more about the civil war that took place here.

What do you enjoy most about living here?
The slow pace. It used to drive me crazy, but now I have learned to love being able to do things in my own time.

How does the cost of living compare to home?
There isn't much of a difference. With the exception of local grown fruit and vegetables I found the cost of food to be about the same. Gas and electricity are actually higher here. And yet the average pay rate is considerably lower than in the United States.

What negatives, if any, are there to living here?
I still have not grown accustomed to the heat.

If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone moving here, what would it be?
Don't come here with only a few thousand dollars and expect to survive for long.

What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
The loneliness.

What are your top 5 expat tips for anyone following in your footsteps?

1. Try to fit in with the locals.
2. Use a local when shopping. Vendors tend to give foreigners a higher price for goods.
3. Expect to feel isolated at times.
4. Use the internet to stay connected with family and friends back home.
5. Try and reach out to other expats in your area.

Tell us a bit about your own expat blog.
My blog is more like a personal journal of my trials and tribulations here. I try and keep it as upbeat and positive as possible.

How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
My personal e mail address is rubi1904{at}aol{dot}com I also have a magic jack so anyone interested in speaking with me directly can e mail me and set up a good time for a phone call.

Jennifer blogs at http://rubireyes-lifeinthearmpit.blogspot.com/ which we recommend a quick visit if you haven't been already. Life in the armpit has an ExpatsBlog.com listing here so add a review if you like! If you appreciated this interview with Jennifer, please also drop her a quick comment below.

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