There are many misconceptions about Loja that are repeated over and over on English language internet sites and even in books. Here are some of them, along with explanations regarding why they are incorrect.
Misconception: Loja has an expat community.
Clarification: Many potential retirees read that Loja has an expat community and believe that it would therefore work out well for them to move to Loja. This appears to be especially appealing to those who speak little to no Spanish but do not want to live in a place with a large expat population. The thinking seems to go that as long as there are a few expats, they will have people they can talk to in English which will make living there workable and enjoyable.
Are there North Americans and other "first worlders" living in Loja? Yes. Is there an expat community there? No. Why not? Well, the answer to this requires us to read more (click here to see the continuation of this article).
Misconception: Loja is just like Cuenca, only smaller, warmer and cheaper.
Clarification: For a person from the U.S. or Canada, Loja is a completely different experience than Cuenca. It is true that Loja is warmer (sometimes), smaller and cheaper than Cuenca, but beyond that the experience for the native English speaker, especially retirees, is so different that it is hard to even begin to compare. Estimates of ... (read more here).
Misconception: Loja is a small town.
Clarification: The city of Loja is actually a sprawling metropolis that runs up and down the sides of mountains. As the 9th largest city (by population) in the entire country and the 4th largest city in the high mountains of Ecuador, and with a population of 200,000 people (which in a country of only 15 million IS a medium size city), there is not a lot about Loja that is small-townish. And perhaps more importantly, the ... (read more here).
Misconception: Loja has a rainy season and a dry season.
Clarification: I think you really have to live in Loja for a few years in a row to understand the weather here. I am in my 12th year in Ecuador as I write this and it makes a lot more sense to me now than it did a few years ago. I'm sure in 5 more years it will be much clearer (or rainier, haha) still.
Okay, so the Lojanos (native Ecuadorians who were born in Loja) tell me that in the past Loja had a wet season and a dry season and, quite frankly, many say that the weather in recent years is rather confusing as it has changed so much. I think the most you could say about changes in the amount of moisture falling from the sky in recent times is that we have a rainy season, a rainier season and a rainiest season. But maybe that's not really helpful. Maybe what you need to know is ... (click here to read more).
Misconception: All taxi rides in Loja cost only $1.
Clarification: Okay, so here's the problem with this complete falsehood. North Americans show up in Loja to have a look around, get in a taxi, get to their destination and want to ARGUE with the driver when he or she is charging them more than $1. Please don't do this! It gives all of us a bad name! Yes, taxi fares anywhere in the city of Loja cost only a dollar 20 years ago, but times change! Fortunately for all of us, the taxis now have meters in them. Ask the driver to use the meter, then you know exactly what the right fare is when you get to your destination. And if the fare is $1.60, please pay it, or give the driver $2 and wait for your change. The city of Loja covers a huge sprawling area, easily more than 50 square miles. Your fare will be commensurate with how far you go in the taxi. For more information or to see a nice picture of a taxi, click here.
Misconception: I can support myself teaching English in Loja.
Clarification: It feels like I get asked once a week by yet another person whether it is possible for a foreigner to support himself/herself in Loja by teaching English. The shortest answer is “no.” The next shortest answer is “probably not.”
Here's what I know. There are two main ways to go, working at a language school or working at a university. Less common ways will be discussed after these two primary paths. (Click here to read more...)
Misconception: Loja has the same spring-like weather 12 months out of the year.
Clarification: One of the biggest falsehoods about Loja which is promoted endlessly is the idea that Loja has a mild spring-like climate that stays the same 12 months out of the year. Ecuadorians who are from this area tell me the climate has changed considerably, so even the seasons as they knew them no longer apply. However, although it has changed from what it used to be, in recent years there is a very definite pattern of seasons in Loja. Click here to read more.
Misconception: I will learn Spanish quickly if I live in Loja.
Clarification: The hard truth seems to be that people can learn Spanish no matter where they live, but if you are over the age of 30, chances are it's going to take lessons and practice, lots and lots of practice. I have heard so many expats say that they will learn Spanish when they get to Ecuador and it will be easy because they will be surrounded by it. But after years of taking lessons most still cannot understand more than a few words of Spanish spoken by a native speaker in a natural conversation and can say close to nothing that is understood by them. And yet, there are a few who are learning the language successfully. So, what is the difference? (Click here to read more...)
Misconception (spread on social media, especially English speaking Facebook groups): Loja is ugly, grey and boring.
Clarification: If you look for information about the city of Loja on English-speaking social media sites, especially Facebook, you will find lots of people saying that Loja is ugly, grey and boring. This is fascinating given the intense natural beauty here. It is true that we have a lot more hours of overcast skies than sunny skies in any 12-month cycle, but the cloudy skies highlight the lovely green mountainsides...(read more here).
Misconception: English is widely spoken in the city of Loja.
Clarification: This one is interesting because we all have different experiences when we travel somewhere. There are certainly people who visit the city and tell people they found lots of English speakers while here. In my experience, this is the exception, not the rule, and probably has more to do with their individual circumstances which do not apply to most people. A much larger number of people have commented to me and to their friends on social media that they found almost no English in Loja. Click here to read more.
Misconception: Loja is safe at all hours of the day or night.
Clarification: I have seen this theme repeated about the city of Loja so many times. Loja is a CITY, people! In what city in the world can you walk around at any hour of the day or night with nary a care for your personal safety? Get the real low-down here.
Misconception: Lojanos (native Ecuadorians from Loja) are so glad to have North Americans moving to the city, especially because we bring our U.S. or Canadian dollars with us.
Clarification: Many expats seem to have this idea that Ecuadorians are thrilled to have retirees from the U.S. and Canada moving to Ecuador because the money we bring with us is so helpful to their economy. I have found the actual picture to be much more complex than that, especially here in Loja. Click here to read more.
Read about Diana's first three years in Ecuador. (Note, the book has many insights about Ecuadorian culture and specifically life in Loja - you can find it on Amazon by clicking here.)
Click here to visit the All About Loja page, including pictures.
