Where to live, in an enclosed neighborhood or the city?

Guayaquil is quickly picking up the new tendency of closed neighborhoods. The benefits of living in an isolated neighborhood are increased exclusiveness, safety, and a calmer environment for raising a family.

The negatives to living in a gated community are that you become dependent on your car, spend more time and money in transportation, and pay a lot more as well. Another negative is that for all shopping needs, one has to go to the nearest big shopping center, there are no corner shops to pick up a quick purchase.