What do I need to know about moving to El Salvador?

Question

My husband has to move to El Salvador due to immigration issues. I am going with. What do I need to know about going there? I speak fluent spanish, do you think I will be able to find a job? We are going to San Miguel. How is the cost of living?

Answer 1

I do not know much about El Salvador but the following info may be of help.

http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A085...

Also, you can probably go on line to their local newspaper and see what jobs there are in the classified adds.

http://clasificados.elsalvador.com/

Answer 2

There is no doubt that the will be able to find a job.  The real problem is whether you will be able to find a job that pays well.

The daily minimum wage in El Salvador is $5.00 per day.  Yes, per day.  Unfortunately, it is that low, and you will receive pay that is low for any job you do, by US standards.  

You could try to get a job with a US company.  It may facilitate employment and get better wages.  

If you have a college degree, you may try teaching at one of the many schools or universities.  

Keep in mind that you will be moving to San Miguel.  It is not as urban as San Salvador, and the better paying job opportunities are fewer in the area.  

The cost of living for people visiting from the US is great.  For people living in El Salvador, it is very expensive.

You still earn Salvadoran wages but things are priced disproportionately.

Back when colones where used, a soda cost 2 colones, or about .20 cents US.  When the economy switched to dollars, sodas were priced at .50 cents US.  

You can buy a meal of pupusas and a gaseosa (soda) for about $1.50  That sounds like a great deal until you factor in that your meal just cost 30% of your daily wages and you still have 2 meals to go.

Don't get discouraged.  

I wish you both the best of luck.