Solving the problem of not knowing the Present Perfect!

Expressing how long you have been somewhere

You learn to use the Present Perfect in Básico 2 (pre-intermediate), so that is why you can’t say
He vivido aquí 8 años – I have lived here FOR 8 years

You learn to use the Present Perfect Continuous in Avanzado (upper intermediate), so that is why you can’t say
Llevo viviendo aquí 8 años – I have been living here FOR 8 years

So what can you say? You can say:

Present Simple:
Vivo aquí desde 2008 – I live here SINCE 2008

You can also say it in the past, with a different meaning: you don’t live any longer there. Because the past simple is about things that happened in the past.

Past Simple:
Viví aquí 8 años – I lived here FOR 8 years