After 14 months of living in El Salvador, I can finally say this — leaving Canada wasn’t just a move, it was an escape. In this emotional video, I share the real reasons our family of five fled Canada and found peace, safety, and freedom in El Salvador.

From the incredible kindness of Salvadoran people and the affordable cost of living, to the shocking contrast between Canada’s rising crime and El Salvador’s safety — this story might change how you see both countries forever.

We’ll also break down our monthly budget (including rent, utilities, groceries, and more), how we’ve adjusted to the language, and what daily life truly feels like here.

If you’ve ever thought about moving abroad for safety, freedom, or a better quality of life, this video is for you.

📍 Location: El Salvador 🇸🇻

 💰 Currency: USD (U.S. Dollars)

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family: Family of five (Canadian expats)

 🕒 Timeline: 14 months living in El Salvador

📧 Join our Expat AMA Group:

 Email us at [email protected] with your WhatsApp number to join our private group of expats and locals sharing insights about living in El Salvador.

🔗 Join Our Monday Night Call! (7 PM El Salvador Time)

 Join our weekly Monday Night Call to discuss relocation and life in El Salvador

🕖 When: Mondays, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (El Salvador Time)

 📲 Join our WhatsApp Group email us at [email protected]

 💻 Join the call: https://meet.google.com/phr-fiam-pzw

See you there!

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 ❤️ Like + Comment to support the channel and help others discover real stories about life in El Salvador.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

Why we left Canada to protect our family

Real monthly cost of living in El Salvador

What daily life and culture are like here

How safe El Salvador really is under Bukele

Adjusting to the Spanish language and local schools

Our honest reflection after 14 months abroad

🎬 Related Videos:

13 Months in El Salvador: What We’ve Learned So Far https://youtu.be/zXfLP6cJ-yQ

Why We Moved Our Family to El Salvador from Canada https://youtu.be/raaq9QcWjKA

Cost of Living in El Salvador 2025 | Full Family Budget Breakdown https://youtu.be/tuYkJC0YjuE

Residency Renewal Process in El Salvador (F-20 & F-24) https://youtu.be/PwjrneZe-k0

🙋‍♀️ About This Channel:

Welcome to the Hagenaars Family channel! We’re a Canadian family living full-time in El Salvador — exploring the real side of expat life, culture, and community. Our videos share the highs, lows, and lessons of starting over abroad.

Follow Us on Social Media:

📌 Website: www.hagenaars.com

 ✉️ Email: [email protected]

 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/charitygallenhagenaars

 🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/HagenaarsFamily

 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/charity_gallen_hagenaars

 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HagenaarsFamily

 📲 Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/CharityHagenaars

 ☀️ Brighteon: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/HFamily

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📢 Call to Action:

If you’ve ever dreamed of a freer, simpler life abroad — watch this video until the end. Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and COMMENT your thoughts below. Every interaction helps this story reach more people who need to hear the truth about life in El Salvador.