Charity Hagenaars

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.