Escaping Canada for Bitcoin Country: Was the Cost of Living in El Salvador Worth It? | Charity Hagenaars of Making it in El Salvador

— Charity Hagenaars and her family of five relocated from Ontario, Canada to El Salvador in August 2024, motivated by economic concerns and government overreach rather than Bitcoin initially.

— Finding rental housing requires navigating Facebook Marketplace with poor listings, leases without standard terms, and landlords who may demand police checks or guarantors.

— Car purchasing involves hiring a local mechanic to inspect vehicles (many are US-wrecked imports), negotiating prices, and budgeting for repairs; de-agencia (dealership) cars cost more but offer better reliability.

— Banking in El Salvador is slow and bureaucratic; Bitcoin, Wise, and DittoBanks offer faster alternatives for moving money into the country.

— Living costs for a family of five average $3,000–$3,500 per month in a smaller town like Lourdes; electricity with air conditioning can be expensive, but groceries, raw milk, and rent are significantly cheaper than Canada.

— Public school education is an option but often means large class sizes (40+), limited English instruction, and social challenges; homeschooling co-ops and private schools are alternatives.

— Before relocating to El Salvador, take a scouting trip without children to properly assess neighborhoods, housing, and logistics without constant childcare distractions.

— Use Bitcoin or Wise for moving money into El Salvador rather than relying on slow bank wire transfers; Chivo ATM withdrawals are capped at $1,000 per phone number per day.

— Budget realistically: rent in Lourdes-area complexes is $500–$850 for family homes with pools and common areas; factor in higher electricity costs if running air conditioning, but expect much lower water and food expenses than North America.