Living in Quito

Quito serves as an excellent starting point for students and tourists alike who want to see what the most beautiful continent in the world has to offer.  The city has a number of advantages over the neighboring countries of Columbia, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil.  It is also an excellent choice for North American and Western European visitors or students who want to save money on living expenses.

In terms of personal safety, Quito is a safe destination compared to other South American cities such as Lima, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paolo.  The incidence of crime is generally lower in Quito, as it is a smaller city with a population of approximately 2.1 million people.

Politically, Ecuador in general is much more stable than Venezuela or Columbia, and has been a fully democratic country with an elected president since 1975.  All Ecuadorians are required to vote in elections, and many people are politically active to ensure that the country remains free and democratic.

The cost of living in Quito remains fairly inexpensive compared to that of living in North America or Western Europe.  The adoption of the American Dollar throughout Ecuador makes traveling and making purchases easy, and ensures that visitors from the United States don’t have to pay fees at currency exchanges.

Restaurant food is generally quite inexpensive, with a traditional Ecuadorian lunch (almuerzo in Spanish) costing between $1.25 and $2, with the latter price generally including a dessert.  Dinner can cost anywhere from $2 and up, and can range from humble fried potatoes (called tortilla), meat and a small salad to a $20.00 buffet dinner at Café Quito in the Swissôtel..

Short-term accommodation ranges from a very inexpensive $6 a night for a shared room to $150 a night at the Hilton Colon. Long-term accommodation costs around $300 a month for a stay at an inexpensive hostel, and starts at around the same price for a fully-furnished bachelor apartment.  A small, unfurnished apartment will generally cost about half of what an equivalent fully-furnished apartment will cost.

The cost of transportation in Quito is extremely cheap compared to North America and Western Europe, with a bus or trolley ride within the city limits costing only 25 cents each way.  In addition, both of the municipally-operated trolley bus systems (the Trole Bus and the Ecovia) are integrated with a network of buses which serve many of the northern communities of Quito.

At the present time, living and studying in Quito costs less than the price of tuition alone at an American or British university.  Here you will also have the opportunity to study under fully-qualified instructors from Great Britain and North America. Furthermore, you will have the chance to travel to the world’s most beautiful continent, South America, and see the wealth of natural beauty and cultural heritage that it has to offer.

Applicants are advised to do their own research before planning their trip, as the above prices are subject to change without notice.