The sad thing is that between Ecuador and Mexico it is probably is one of the safest countries. Now maybe I should have been more specific that I'm talking primarily about Guayaquil when it comes to this crime activity, and especially the poorer neighborhoods, which you would be semi forced to live in at such a lousy salary. Ecuador as a whole, especially the touristy areas are very safe. The mountain towns, you nothing to worry about. But the stories I share are from people working in Guayaquil not in some laid back mountain town. So I don't want to alarm you too much. A place line Banos, zamora, Vilcabamba. Great small mountain towns with almost no criminal activity. And to teach one of these places would be much better. But the jobs are often in the cities of Quito (south Quito more dangerous) and Guayaquil, and that's where the gangs are especially Guayaquil. The city of Cuanca and Loja in the Andes. Very safe. So don't get too down on Ecuador as a whole. Every country has it's areas of good and bad. Thanks for enjoying y article. -Dan