Living in Lima, Peru – Interview With an Expat

What is it like to move to and live in Lima?

Lima, Peru’s capital, is a bustling metropolis with a rich history.

In this article, I interview a couple living in Lima to find out more about what Lima is like, and what life in Peru is like. And through their experience I gather practical tips for anyone else who is thinking about moving to Lima.

This interview is part of the Ask an Expat series. In this series, I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad.

Living in Lima

Name: Zhalya and Thomas
Age: 24 and 30
Hometown: Donetsk, Ukraine and Boston, USA

Their Story:

”We met working at an international school in a small town in Russia a few years ago.

Zhalya had come to Russia when the war started in her hometown, and Tom had come for work after teaching in Korea and China.

After a few years we decided we wanted to try something new and looked for new jobs before eventually settling on Peru.

We were excited to get to see somewhere new and learn Spanish.”

Why Did You Move to Lima?

”We came to Lima to teach.

We were drawn to Peru because we both wanted to practice our Spanish.

And we were also interested in getting to explore South America for a few years of slow-paced travel around the region.”

Also Read: 5 Great Reasons to Move Abroad

What Do You Like About Living in Lima?

”Peru is an incredible place to live.

There is so much variety in terms of outdoor activities like hiking and surfing, along with really fantastic food.

Lima itself has lots of beautiful neighborhoods and architecture, along with really friendly people.

We enjoy how easy it is to be active, especially with surfing and running.

The fact that there are so many options for weekend trips is awesome as well.”

What Do You Dislike About Living in Lima?

”The driving is pretty terrible.

Lima supposedly has the 2nd worst traffic in the world, and the drivers are very aggressive. The beeping and being ignored in crosswalks can be annoying, and driving anywhere takes a lot of time.

The only other issue living in Lima is that while the summers are absolutely beautiful the winters can be very gray and humid. It’s definitely better than Russia, but still surprisingly cold and damp.

Finally, traveling around South America on longer trips is very worthwhile but can be slow and more expensive than traveling around Asia and Russia.”

Is Lima Safe as a Place to Live?

”Yes, definitely. There is no real violent crime in any of the middle-class and coastal areas that most expats live in.

Cell phone snatching is supposedly an issue, but we haven’t noticed that.

There are definitely lots of poor and possibly dangerous areas in Lima, but there is no real reason to ever go there.

We find the coastal areas to be really beautiful, especially if you work online and don’t have to drive too much during busy hours.

Neighborhoods like San Isidro and Miraflores are pretty international, and you feel as safe as you would in the US or Europe.”

What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Lima?

”Exploring the more historic neighborhoods like Barranco or the city center is a lot of fun.

There are beautiful spots for walking around, grabbing a coffee, and taking in the sights. Some of the architecture there is really beautiful.

Surfing in Miraflores is always wonderful as well, especially in the Peruvian winter when the waves are quite large for an urban area and pretty uncrowded.”

What Is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Lima?

”It depends so much on the neighborhood, but we love coffee shops in Barranco like Caleta Dolsa Coffee and La Bodega Verde that have really cool and relaxed atmospheres.

There are also some cool less pretentious bars around there such as Bodega Piselli and La Noche de Barranco. They have really long histories and are awesome places to enjoy a good drink with friends.

Barranco is a relatively smaller neighborhood but has at least three restaurants that are considered to be in the top-20 or so of all of Latin America.”

What Is the Expat / International Community Like in Lima?

”There are a lot of foreigners in Lima, especially in Miraflores.

Some are just tourists, but many people have moved to Lima (or other Peruvian cities like Cusco and Arequipa).

It is easy to meet other foreigners living in Lima, especially in areas like Berlin Street or Pizza Alley near Park Kennedy.

There are lots of events, and speaking English in general is pretty easy amongst younger people in Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco.

Spanish is also a pretty easy language to learn for English speakers compared to some places we’ve lived.”

Any Tips for Moving To / Living in Lima?

”The big thing is to come with a job already. Getting a visa without a job can be tough (unless you are retired and have proof of a steady income).

And know that most jobs in Lima don’t pay a lot. It’s enough to live off in Peru, but salaries are low compared to Western countries.

Working remotely is an option, but those visas are tough to figure out.”

Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and Building a New Life in Lima?

”The easiest place to get advice is in the Facebook groups ‘Expats in Lima‘ and ‘Expats in Peru‘.

For long-term housing, adondevivir is the best place to rent. You can easily find furnished apartments there, and it is much cheaper than Airbnb.

Finding a job that will sponsor a visa is definitely the hardest part though, and it is best to try to get a job before moving to Peru.”

Also Read: Things to Do Before You Move Abroad

Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Lima?

”A lot of tourists pass right over Lima and head south to Arequipa and Cusco, but there is so much to see here.

Peru’s best museums like the LUM and Larco are in Lima. Pachacamac and Caral (the oldest civilization in the Americas) are nice day trips.

If you just have a short time in Lima the best thing to do is to explore the historic city center and Barranco. These are two of the more historic and unique areas.

The city has some of the best food in Latin America, so it is worth sticking around just for that reason.

About Lima, Peru

Lima is the largest city and capital of Peru.

It is one of the largest cities in the Americas with a population of over 11 million in its metropolitan area.

Lima is the political, financial, commercial, and cultural center of Peru.

The financial district is located in San Isidro, while most of the industrial activity takes place in the west of the city, extending to the airport in Callao.

Lima has the largest export industry in South America and is a regional center for the cargo industry.

The city has also developed a large tourism industry. Its historic center, nightlife, museums, art galleries, archeological sites, food culture, and local festivities and traditions attract visitors from all over the world.

The city has a rich history and nowadays is an interesting mix of old and new.

Lima’s pre-Hispanic and colonial architecture is beautiful and the city has several museums that tell the story of a country with a long history, a large number of civilizations, and many local cultures. There are several archeological sites in and around the city.

Lima has a mild climate, despite its location in the tropics and in a desert. Lima’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean makes the climate much milder than what you’d otherwise expect for a tropical desert.

Temperatures rarely fall below 12°C (54°F) or go above 30°C (86°F). Summers are generally sunny and hot, while in winter grey skies and breezy weather are common.

Also Read:

• How to Get to Machu Picchu
• Inca Ruins in Peru Worth Visiting – Machu Picchu isn’t the only one!
• Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience

 

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