You’ve heard it talked about plenty of times by now: El Salvador is one of the hottest target countries for retirees. However, there is more than one reason that El Salvador has earned this reputation.
You could go around and ask every expat why they chose El Salvador, and you’ll probably get a multitude of answers, as each of them had a different experience that brought them here. So, which one of those reasons is your “why”?
In this article, we’ll detail each of the most notable reasons people move to El Salvador.
Cost of Living
Probably the most notable reason expats choose to retire in El Salvador is the fact that they can no longer live comfortably in their home country. As the calendar turns, the price tag on everything gets heavier, while your income remains fixed. So, how does El Salvador fit into this equation?
The answer is: quite comfortably! El Salvador offers access to similar (if not more flourishing) lifestyles at lower costs in nearly every facet of life. In El Salvador, you’ll find cheaper prices listed on daily purchases like groceries and meals at restaurants. On top of this, El Salvador has their sales tax already included in these prices, meaning that the lower price is actually what you pay rather than seeing taxes added at the register. This paired with zero annual property taxes is why many expats have chosen El Salvador as the place they would like to live out their years.
You’ll also find rent in El Salvador to be cheaper than most places in the US. Now, this is not to say that you will be the king in the castle living off of a couple of dollars a month. However, it does mean that a single person can live a modest yet comfortable life on anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 a month, whereas a couple could live that same life on less than $2,000 a month.
If you’re looking for a high end lifestyle, areas like Antiguo Cuscatlan and Zona Rosa will bring luxury at a bit of a higher cost.
Consistent Weather
A close second to cost of living would be the incredible weather that El Salvador offers. I’ve heard people say the most satisfying part of their move was throwing away their snow shovel for GOOD (or in some cases, even destroying it for that extra bit of satisfaction!). If you’re someone who never wants to lay eyes on snow again outside of watching a Hallmark movie, El Salvador is the place for you!
Throughout all of El Salvador, you will find pleasant warm temperatures. In the capital city, San Salvador, in the months of June to December, average highs range from 86 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit. The hottest months are January to May, where average highs range from 87 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit. Average lows throughout the year range from 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In the mountain towns at a higher elevation, you’ll find slightly cooler temperatures, but lows still average 63 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, which means exactly what you think it means: NO MORE SNOW!!!
It’s easy to see why this weather draws retirees from cold climates all over the world. Wouldn’t you like to pawn off that winter coat for a new pair of flip flops and a sun hat?
Natural Beauty
With such great weather, you’ll of course find yourself wanting to spend more time outdoors. Many people define themselves as one of two things: a “beach” person or a “mountain” person. Well, if you’re someone who can’t decide between the two, El Salvador is one of the few places on earth where you can have your cake, and eat it, too.
El Salvador is a relatively small country in terms of land size, but what it lacks in acreage, it more than makes up for in natural beauty. El Boquerón National Park sits atop Quezaltepeque, the mountain that overlooks the city of San Salvador. Drive about an hour and a half east and you’ll find yourself on a winding road taking you into a mountain basin which holds the gorgeous Lake Coatepeque.
El Salvador has a nickname, you may have heard it: The Land of Volcanoes. Now, don’t let this frighten you, these volcanoes are now dormant, but over time, those volcanoes are what formed the landmass that we know today as El Salvador. This offers the country two things, one being the mountains mentioned above. The other, stunning black sand beaches.
The beaches of El Salvador attract all kinds of people, from retirees looking to escape, to young surfers seeking out the next wave. Large rock formations along the water give the coastline a distinct look that is only replicated in a few of the most beautiful places on earth.
So, what does this mean for someone living in El Salvador? It means that when you consider the consistent weather, you’ll find 12 months out of the year where you can hike a mountain in the morning, then spend your afternoon lying in a chair inhaling the salty air with your feet in the sand.
Using the US Dollar
Another reason people choose El Salvador is the fact that they use the US Dollar as their official currency. This is also something that drives heavy tourism from US residents, as tourists are able to visit and spend with their normal bank accounts rather than having to exchange for another currency.
While the USD is the country’s official currency, they actually have two: the other being Bitcoin! El Salvador was the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as an official national currency, which means you can buy lunch with a checking account, or a Bitcoin wallet.
Health Care Quality and Cost
One thing that may surprise you as a reason that people choose El Salvador is for the health care options that are available. There are plenty of international health care options that cover El Salvador, though the public sector of health care is growing rapidly in El Salvador. Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, created a unified national hospital network in order to strengthen and integrate public health services.
Another huge step for the public healthcare sector was the recent launch of the DoctorSV program, which is available to temporary residents and citizens alike. The new official government telemedicine app offers free 24/7 primary healthcare nationwide through your smartphone. It allows users access to video consultations with licensed doctors, electronic prescriptions, and digital health records. This is a relatively new program, but it leads the charge on the large-scale healthcare improvements that El Salvador is experiencing.
Ease of Obtaining and Renewing Residency
You may have heard the news about El Salvador’s recent immigration reform. The new changes loosened up the requirements for obtaining permanent residency. Now, a temporary resident must only reside in the country for 90 days out of the year to qualify for renewal of their temporary residency, and after three years, to apply for permanent residency.
This change has made El Salvador a very attractive location for those who are looking to spend their first couple of years still traveling back and forth to their home country.
International Schools
For those who will be moving with children, you’ll find that you have your options set out for you when it comes to International schools. There are multiple options that follow the US or European curriculum. Bilingual curriculum is available at these schools as well.
Beyond that, all children in El Salvador are now taking mandatory English classes, which means that the future generations will be able to communicate in English. As your children grow up and make friends, they won’t be limited to those in International schools, they can communicate and play with the locals as well!
Expat Communities
With all of these things enticing people to move to El Salvador, this means that the country has a vibrant expat community! Some areas of the country will have a higher concentration of expats than others, like Antiguo Cuscatlan and Zona Rosa. This also means that these areas will offer more of the services, products, and businesses that you are familiar with back home.
These areas will have a higher concentration of English speakers, as well as events where you can mingle with and meet other expats. There are thousands of English speaking expats in El Salvador, and that number is growing every year.
Embark on a New Chapter!
Each of these things are important on their own, but when combined, they paint the picture of what your new life could look like. This is the real reason people look to move to El Salvador: they want to start their next adventure. Your adventure is waiting for you as well!
