Moving to Ecuador

"Your comfortability level with the language will also be a determinative factor. Most locals DO NOT speak English - especially, in those wonderful areas off the tourist track that don't particularly cater to expatriates. I've lived in such an area - Machala - on the far southern coast for the past 1o years. It was my choice to live apart from the expat communities in other parts of the country BUT, I had been to Ecuador several times before moving here and knew what I wanted, if not exactly where, and was proficient enough in Spanish to get along without any major problems. The pros of living in a non-tourist/expat locale are that the cost of living is much cheaper, you will have greater independence, and the process of assimilation is much faster. The cons are that you might not have all the big city diversions and amenities, and people are a bit shy and slower to accept you but once they do, you'll have life-long friends. Come visit, travel, and decide ... then if it's right, by all means, relocate," remarked one expat who made the move to Machala.

"We have always been told by people who live here, to come down and rent for at least a year. Doing this, allows you to see the area and lifestyle of the area before you spend a lot of money buying a property. We have found that to be very good advice. Good luck. Don't worry, you will love Ecuador," explained one expat living in Crucita, Ecuador.

"Take your time to look around and if you find something that just jumps out at you take it. You will know if it feels right. Don't wait as if you do when you go back it will probably be gone. If you are looking and coming back to live here at a later date you can always rent it out to other expats. Rentals are in short demand for expats here in Cuenca," said one expat in Cuenca.

"It is important for expats to understand that Ecuador is a Spanish-speaking country and should become familiar with some of the language before their move. Researching the customs and cultural norms of Ecuador is also helpful for expats as an understanding of the local culture will help them to settle into their new home. In Ecuador, it is also necessary to obtain a residency visa in order to be able to stay for an extended period of time. As such, an understanding of the visa process and documentation requirements is necessary for any expats wishing to move to Ecuador. Additionally, expats should understand that the cost of living in Ecuador is lower than in many countries, and that it is a popular destination for both retirees and adventure seekers," said one expat who made the move to Ecuador.

"Come and visit for preliminary look, choose several locations for example beach, mountains and jungle. Try to visit a city and small town in each area, think also of some tourist attractions to get a flavor of the country. Return for another more focused visit to the vibe (example beach) that catches your interest....second visit, focus on areas large and small from your research that sound interesting. If you find a location that you like, plan to come for extended stay and RENT there. Do not look to purchase until you have lived here awhile, LIVED not visited. It is very different to live here rather than visit. Note as far as purchasing property: it is not like the USA, no realtor website with most of the properties in the area featured so can be tedious looking. No licensed inspectors so you are on your own to determine potential problems. Many if not most built "informally" i.e. not to codes. Also, if you make a mistake and decide to go back, properties here do not sell fast, you could be invested for years waiting for a buyer. Financing is difficult to obtain, mortgage interest rates are high (can be 10+%) and large down payments required for Ecuadorian buyers," explained one expat living in Ecuador.

"We made an exploratory trip months before we decided to come and live in Cuenca, Ecuador. We did not really choose the neighborhood we just found the apartment absolutely fell in love with it and the price was just right and the view and everything. It seemed like a good neighborhood as well and we bought it within two weeks of being in this country. To date 18 months later we are still very very happy with our purchase. We have since found it is a great neighborhood close to all amenities but far enough from the centre of the city," remarked one expat in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"Not easy... I was offered a teaching job at PUCE , then denied it when my papers came through very late but I knew the barrio where I wanted to live -- however, it has gone up in price and there were few options available. I walked around in the neighborhood I wanted to finally settle in and found what I need. This is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED way to discover a good apt in Quito," said one expat in Quito.

"We are in Puerto Cayo. It is small and I mean small. There are no shopping for groceries or luxury items. It is quiet and on any given day, I am the only person on miles and miles of beach," remarked one expat who made the move to Puerto Cayo.

"If you really want to experience and love Ecuador - or any other foreign - don't make the mistake that too many ex-pats do by surrounding themselves with other ex-pats in an all-ex-pat gated community. Why move to a foreign country only to surround yourself with English-speaking gringos who sit around all day complaining about how everything was "so much better back home"?," remarked one expat who made the move to Ecuador.

"I live in an apartment within an 8 unit building (tower) within a gated community of about 20 towers. Ideal mix of privacy and neighborly acquaintances. I don't know what the house/apt mix is, but I would imagine expat families with kids go for houses (in Sanborondon, Los Ceibos, or Via la Costa) and expat singles and couples go for apts. The houses in Sanborondon are usually huge, expensive, and not many to rent," explained one expat living in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

"A "suite" or two rooms and bath, lovely little place, good dueno and furnished nicely with condominio fee monthly it's $460. in the swanky neightborhood of Gonzalez Suarez. Noise here is bad," said one expat in Quito.

"My wife and I came to Ecuador this summer, we live in a 2 bedroom apartment in Loja, Ecuador. Our building has 4 units of which 3 are occupied. We have many of the comforts of a first world country except a dishwasher, oven, elevator. We don't need or have a/c. We are 10 to 15 minutes walk to downtown and have stores, bakeries and a great market in easy walking distance. And saving the best for last we have an exquisite view of mountains all around us and great, responsive, caring landlord's. Who could ask for more?," said one expat who made the move to Ecuador.

"In Salinas you also can find less crowded areas away from the busy weekend tourism and noise. Little known is Porto Lucia a 15 min drive from the Malecon of Salinas. Here you can find quiet beachfront living with modern furnished condos on beachfront with all the amenities of the crowded Salinas tourist area & walking distance to the largest mall in the area. You can find it on google maps. Another option to the tourist area of Salinas yet still in Salinas," explained one expat living in Salinas, Ecuador.

"Much lower. I bought an apartment for under $30k and I have rented another for just $150 a month," said one expat in Quito.

"The cost of housing in Ecuador varies depending on the location and size of housing. Generally, housing in larger cities like Quito and Guayaquil tends to be more expensive, while housing in smaller towns and villages is often more affordable. The average cost of housing in Ecuador across all types of locations is typically moderate," said one expat who made the move to Ecuador.

"You can buy a beautiful 2 brm 2.5 bathroom apartment from about $78,000 upwards. If you are looking for a home with a bit of land around you can go about 15 mins from Cuenca and find the most beautiful homes for $150,000 - $300,000 and of course then you have the ones that are even higher. Depending on what you are looking for. There are beautiful pre-construction apartments selling from $60,000 to a large penthouse which has the most spectacular views for under $200,000. I went and paid our phone and electric bill the other day and for the two of us it was $30 for the month. Our apartment taxes are around $30 per year. Our security apartment and gas fees per month are $63.00," explained one expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"Much lower. We paid cash for our land and to build our house. Electric is about 100 per month. We get 2 trucks of water a month roughly and it equates to about $50/month in water. There are no other bills," said one in Puerto Cayo.

"I am originally from New york City. NYC is expensive but you get little space. Economically, would say the same, but I have much more space both in and outside of the apt. The company pays $2200 monthly plus about $75 in utilities for a 3 bdroom (plus housekeepers room), 5 bath furnished apt. The community has ample green areas, soccer field, tennis court, several bbq grills and villas, basketball court, an adult and kiddie pool, and a ballroom for gatherings. The only thing missing is a gym. Average for Sanborongon is about $1300/month. Urdessa, Ceibos go for about $900, but not as nice," explained one expat who made the move to Guayaquil.

"I rent a two bedroom, two bathroom condo on the 11th floor on the Rio Tomebamba. 24-hour security guards, underground parking I pay $300 a month for rent, gas $8, water $10, cable $52, internet $34 and security is $50," explained one expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"1. Flents Ear Stopples. The best product available for when you are in noisy places or desiring to sleep well. 2. For motorists: bring your still-active Drivers License and any required certification from your DL state. This way you can get an Ecuador DL without taking tedious Spanish-language driving classes to 'learn' what you have known for forty years. 3. Some English-language reading material. When your Internet provider cuts off your service temporarily without advising you in advance for reason/s you did not anticipate .. you'll have something to read at night for the several days it takes to get your service back on," commented one expat who made the move to Ecuador.

"I brought almost nothing and certainly nothing extra. Two checked bags and a carry-on. And in that luggage was a plunge-router for my Father-in-law, two espresso machines (I wish I'd brought gaskets) a waffle iron, and lots of favorite kitchen things. Spare parts of anything where sourcing is an issue. I wish I'd brought a couple of second-hand iPhones. I brought one but lost it to a pickpocket on the trolley in Quito. Electronics are a must if you use them. Spares are worth it as replacing them is neither cheap nor easy. There are lots of culinary ingredients that aren't readily available but I'm gradually finding them or learning how to make them. Things like hoisin sauce and horseradish and black bean sauce and curry paste. The availability of wonderful locally grown produce (both fruit and veggies) is one of the richnesses of Ecuador, but for whatever inexplicable reason the local cuisine is very bland and though reasonably healthy (though on the greasy side), lacks any pizzazz, or even much interest. I've always cooked because I love food, but now it is for survival and to keep my tastebuds from atrophying," remarked one expat in Cotacachi, Ecuador.

"More books - not the Kindle I was given --personal effects, small paintings, items you love at home (small and transport friendly) Nothing in 2nd category," said one expat in Quito.

"It is important to respect Ecuadorian customs when visiting the country. Trying to save face is valued highly, so it is best to remain calm and avoid any confrontational behavior. In conversations it is important to be aware of the local language and customs, being sure to avoid making jokes or being overly familiar. Ecuador is a conservative country, so it is best to dress modestly, particularly when visiting religious sites. Greeting people with a kiss on the cheek is popular and should be done according to the country's gender-based norms. Food is important to Ecuadorian culture, so it is polite to finish what is on your plate and wait for the host to indicate dessert, rather than helping yourself," said one expat in Ecuador.

"I discovered the word "embarazado" does not translate to "embarrassed." Go ahead, look it up -- and save yourself," said one expat who made the move to Anconcito.

"I can't recall that I did although my Ecuadorean friends may tell tales. I have a few friends who made the embarazado and embarasoso mistake as well as trucha vs chucha," explained one expat living in Ambato, Ecuador.

"This has come up before. In the main, only one expat demographic, American, looks to Ecuador (or most other havens) as a cheaper place to live with dignity. I am not saying that lower cost is not a pleasant element for everyone, but it is not the primary reason for moving here for others. The largest "immigrant" group, by far, is returning Ecuadorians. They look for a better life than they have found elsewhere, often in retirement after 40 years in the US or Spain. Others, an ever growing group, are European young families looking for a better setting to raise their youngsters. There are also well-off oldsters, who like the weather, the town, the cultural scene and the beauty. My 70 year old wife likes that she has a choice of horses to ride in the mountains every day year round and I like the trout fishing, 365/year. Money reasons alone are not a good reason to choose anywhere. They may be important, but you need more to be happy," wrote one expat living in Cuenca.

"Vilcabamba is very progressive lifestyle in that area with people from all over the world. Eternal spring: always pleasant, green and beautiful," commented one expat living in Vilcabamba.

"At the risk of offending someone, I am not in Cuenca because of the cost of living. That is a bonus of course, but not key for us. We did a lot of searching of the globe (40+ years) to find a place that had the elements we needed to be happy at this stage of life.. We have had second homes in many places. After all, one gives up the proximity of family and old friends when one expats. There has to be some potent compensation! Cuenca requires the least compromises. Gobs of culture from free opera to free rock concerts. Two stadiums. UNENDING boutique shopping. A quickly recovering restaurant and club scene. 4 rivers running through it. Inca ruins. 16 century architecture! Cobble stone streets. A modern side. Views everywhere. 4 universities, colleges, music conservatoires, great inexpensive health care on anything within 10 minutes 24/7. A college town fill of beautiful young people. Many international fairs. Incredible fruits and seafood. (Everything costs a dollar..the only thing that varies is how much you get for it! :D) Today it is 6 mangoes for a buck unless you want to pick them for yourself. The best of all is the airport. It is too small for most international flights and that keeps expats and tourists away. Merely 15,000 (about 45% American and the rest from everywhere) in a greater area containing 700,000+ souls. If one yearns for beach, it is 3 hours away and the weather is hot all year long. However, the water is its warmest from December through Mayish (80F) Coldest in August (71F)," commented one expat who moved to Cuenca, Ecuador.

"Two former Minnesotans: Our experience and decision,, after a long land and home hunt in vilcabama, was to move elsewhere. We found a warmer area having less expensive property, both for land itself, and for homes and have been here nine years. Catamayo is warm, much of the time, (80;s) though it does get cooler at night. Loja, which is a 50 min. bus ride from Catamayo, is about 10-15 (?) degrees lower.," remarked one expat living in Catamayo and Loja.

"Healthcare services in Ecuador are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is managed by the Ministry of Public Health and is available to all Ecuadorian citizens and legal residents. The quality of public healthcare varies depending on the region, but generally it is considered to be of good quality. Foreign residents are able to access the public healthcare system, but they must first register with the Ministry of Public Health. Expats in Ecuador typically use the public healthcare system, as it is often more affordable than private healthcare. However, some expats opt to purchase private health insurance to access private healthcare services," replied one expat when asked about moving to Ecuador.

"One important point to make that might make a difference: My Spanish is fluent so all of my conversations with doctors are in their native language, not mine. I never even ask if they speak English, and I don't know how many there are that do and to what degree. Another interesting point is more of a cultural difference. My wife accompanies me to all my doctor's visits and I to hers. We both address the issues with the doctors and are privy to their explanations. I find that very comforting. And there are times when I can't understand the doctor because of regional dialects and the ever-present masks and my wife, who speaks no English, doesn't translate, but rather paraphrases into language I can understand. Between the three of us clear communication usually results," stated one expat who made the move to Cotacachi.

"Medical services in Ecuador are generally of a good standard, with a wide range of public and private hospitals and clinics available. The public health system is free for Ecuadorian citizens, and there are also a number of private health insurance plans available. The country has a number of highly trained doctors and specialists, and the quality of care is generally good. Ecuador also has a number of specialized medical centers, such as cancer treatment centers, and a number of medical research centers," said one expat.