Retire in Ecuador

"Many expat activities in Cuenca and great affordable restaurants. Beautiful scenery and lots of great places to visit in the Andes and the beaches," said one retiree in living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"It is not for everyone, if you have not traveled outside your country you should check it out before moving. Many expats move here and after 6 months to a year many go back to the US! Many might miss family or just can't adjust to a non- English speaking country. My blog offers a good idea of live here: google: AAA Living in Cuenca or my book Why Ecuador for me is available on kindle through amazon.com," said a person in Cuenca.

"One challenge of retiring in Ecuador is that the cost of living is significantly lower there than in other countries, which can be difficult for people used to a higher standard of living. Additionally, the language barrier can be difficult for many retirees since Spanish is the primary language in Ecuador. Retirees may also find that many public services and amenities are not as developed in Ecuador as in other countries. Lastly, the lack of access to high-quality healthcare facilities and services can be a challenge for many retirees, given their needs for specialized care," explained a retiree in Ecuador.

"Scenery is gorgeous, people are friendly and very patient. The outdoor life is great. We do not have a treadmill, it is too beautiful and too great a climate to walk each day," commented one retiree living in Ecuador.

"Your choice of the free hospital or higher cost facilities. Also qualify for the Social Security hospital here 100% coverage for $72 a month," said one retiree in living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"In Ecuador, healthcare services exist throughout the country, with primary health care clinics, private clinics and hospitals, and public hospitals all providing healthcare to citizens. Access to healthcare is provided on a sliding scale, with fees being assessed based on income. Primary health care clinics emphasize preventive medicine, but also provide diagnosis, treatment, immunizations and referrals to specialists in the public health system. Private clinics and hospitals provide higher quality services, but often at a much higher cost. Public hospitals generally do not provide healthcare services for free, but may offer subsidized services depending on the situation. Access to specialized and hospital-based care is limited, but increasing as Ecuador invests in greater access and quality of care," explained a retiree in Ecuador.

"Look up KIM Klocek in Facebook. She arranges monthly Gringo meett-ups at a local bistro, and is just a wonderful resource for Gringos with questions. Also is a tour Guide with long experience in GYE and Ecuador," said a retiree who moved to Guayaquil, Ecuador.

"Expats living in Ecuador often join local clubs, attend cultural events, and join social media networks centered around activities they love. Expatriates may also join online communities specific to the country where they live, such as Ecuador Expats Online, which is a popular forum. Furthermore, connecting with other local English-speaking expats through local churches, booksellers, and language classrooms can provide an excellent way to meet people from all over the world. Finally, expats may join outdoor activities such as hiking, diving, and mountaineering, which not only provide an opportunity meet each other, but also Experience the beauty of Ecuador," said one retiree in Ecuador.

"Weekly expat Fridays at 5, currently held at Sakura Restaurant on 3 de Noviembre in front of the Tomebamba River at the bottom of the Escalinata," commented one retiree living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"You'll meet a lot of fellow expats at the favorite restaurants in Olon around dinner... Try Roadhouse, Spondylus, Rasimar, Il Pirata, and MoMos. On Saturday afternoons a group meets at Jerry's Cabana on the beach. The pensianado/retirement expats in the area are an eclectic group and you'll find them enjoying the beach, volunteer opportunities in the community, as mentioned dining out, participating in and watching sports, games (poker is big), and generally enjoying life and their community," explained one retiree living in Olon.

"There are now two expat groups which meet in Cuenca each Friday night at 5 p.m. One is at Zoes and the other at the Ecualyptus. From here you can meet and greet other expats and then extend you network," said one retiree in living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"Living in Ecuador as an expat or digital nomad can be an incredibly rewarding experience. With its picturesque landscapes and vibrant culture, it's no wonder that more and more expats are choosing to make Ecuador their home. Many expats and digital nomads choose to settle in the larger cities such as Guayaquil, Quito, and Cuenca which offer all the amenities of a larger city with a more relaxed atmosphere. Ecuador's cost of living, coupled with its relaxed visa requirements make it an ideal choice for those who want to live abroad. Furthermore, the country is remarkably diverse with its own unique cultures, landscapes, and people, making it an excellent choice for those who want to explore and experience something different. With its temperate climate, stunning nature, and friendly people, Ecuador is a great choice for expats and digital nomads looking to live and work abroad," said one retiree in living in Ecuador.

"Ibarra is the capitol of Imbabura and as such has many lawyers in the area but it is primarily agricultural with a lot of commerce going on. It is the largest of the cities in this province and offers a lot of night life, greater restaurant selection and a pretty progressive city leadership," explained a retiree in Ibarra.

"Salinas is a really nice place. Is like being in Guayaquil, but with a beach nearby, You will find supermarkets, banks, schools, hospitals and many more things than other ecuadorian beach. And a big plus is that is near Guayaquil (the biggest city in Ecuador and main commercial city of the country)," explained one retiree living in Salinas.

"Cuenca has a lot going for it as far as the arts. There are always free concerts that you can attend in the city. Art festivals, Choirs, Orchestras you name it. This is a very family oriented society and life revolves around the family. My local business colleagues are always spending time with their families on the weekends and we should learn from them. They have a wonderful network of family around them. Religious events are a time for parades, church and other activities," said one member in Cuenca.

"People here have one main priority- putting food on the table and caring for their family. They work 7 days a week when they have work. They sell items on the street, bake bread and torts for sale, clean, do general labor or what they can to exist. They are mostly industrious, though there are those few who will loaf, steal, and rob to stay alive. Those with solid jobs then concentrate on their children and homes. The wealthy associate with others like themselves. Most are middle class here- which would be considered dirt poor in the US. I have not met a single discourteous or unkind person toward foreigners. Everyone says Good morning or afternoon as you meet. They are respectful of older persons and help those whom are infirm and need assistence. In many ways it is like the US was back in the 1950's when life was slower, easier going and people had respect for each other," remarked one retiree in Bahia de Caracruz.

"I have a close friend who is going to move here. He loved his visit here a couple of months ago. I told him that the culture is very different form the US but that is true anywhere in the world. The only way to learn is through immersion into the life here. I took a job consulting for the municipio, another side task of teaching the local kids in our barrio English and I applied to teach at the local University. The more active I am, the faster I get what is going on here. Ibarra is no Quito; it is like most other towns in Ecuador, just a little larger at 150,000 people. My Spanish is constantly improving. Our farm is becoming more productive, our list of freinds is growing. But it all takes lots of time and personal investment of yourself," said a retiree who moved to Ibarra, Ecuador.

"People here are friendly and very helpful. You can get fresh fruit and veggies everywhere. You can get fresh seafood right from the fisherman in the mornings, as the come back in from a nights fishing," said one retiree in Crucita.

"1. Learn some basic spanish before coming here. 2. Have a source of income to sustain you, don't expect to work to survive. 3. Keep an open mind and expect things to be very different from home. 4. Come for 3 to 4 weeks to see if you will like the country and city before making permanent immigration plans. 5. Have great patience and don't expect the people to act in a manner to which you are accustomed. Things here take time. 6. Remember you are a guest in their country so be respective of their customs, If you don't know what is expected-- ASK. Don't demand anything. They wll be nice if you are. 7. Always check your passport for visas and date stamps. They have been known to make errors on dates--quite often! 8. Be flexible, things are not under your control. Have Fun," commented one retiree living in Bahia de Caracruz, Ecuador.

"I just spent 5 weeks just a couple kilometers north of Crucita. Beaches and climate were some of the best I have experienced. Crucita is more crowded but if you get north of the new marina (under construction) its almost deserted as far as you can see. I jogged north about a mile and was the same as far as I went. Some condos on the beach in that area but they are mostly empty and even on weekends not a lot of activity. I liked it so much I am going back the end of the year," explained one retiree living in Crucita.

"Canoa has a great beach, nice little town, good feel about it. We first made up our mind on Ecuador 10 years ago, it’s taken us 9 years to finally get here, if we have 1 regret we should have done it a few years earlier. We built a nice home, we enjoy a lovely beach view. But it’s not for everyone, it’s not like a western country, so keep that in mind. A much slower pace, some little things appear to bother people. For us we love it. Being here through this tough period of time worldwide, we keep saying what a great move we made," said one retiree in living in Canoa, Ecuador.

"Of course, there is soccer! But I'm finding out from the youth that they are playing basketball and enjoy that very much also, as well as volleyball. They have a Water Slide and Fun place for the young people to go a few miles outside of Catamayo, and there are neighborhood volleyball matches for many ages, bingo, outdoor music concerts in the parks, and artists show their paintings occasionally. No golf clubs, that we know around here, sorry... But I am sure there would be in Cuenca and Quito," remarked one retiree in Catamayo and Loja.

"In Ecuador, residents enjoy a variety of recreational facilities, such as beaches, parks, and outdoor activities. The country's long coastline provides plenty of opportunities for swimming, surfing, and other water sports. There are also many national parks and reserves, offering hiking, camping, and bird watching. For those who prefer indoor activities, there are plenty of museums, galleries, and theaters. Shopping malls, movie theaters, and bowling alleys are also popular recreational spots," explained one member in Ecuador.

"I can highly recommend Cabalgatas Canoa. Horseback riding on the beach. The stables are run by Zia Sherrell of the UK who has been here for close to a decade. The horses are very well cared for and she gets top reviews," said one retiree in Canoa.

"We have a hiking group on Facebook called Vilca Hikers. Every week we explore a trail in our area and other villages around. People also enjoy horseback riding, bicycle riding, tennis, yoga, games like bridge and Texas 42 and dining outside in local restaurant gardens," remarked one retiree in Vilcabamba.

"There are miles of gorgeous beaches, what more can anyone want? Surfing is possible year round here as is scuba and snorkeling. Golf is a couple of hours north outside Manta," explained one retiree living in Rio Chico.

"Local people shop at the local mom and pop stores. Expats travel to Bahia de Caraquez 45 minutes away or to Portoviejo 45 minutes away. There are big modern grocery stores there that have just about everything one would be used to back home. The prices are not bad either. There is also a large weekly vegetable market in Charapoto 10 minutes away every Sunday. In addition, there are trucks loaded with fruits and veggies that drive around town just about every day," said one retiree in San Clemente.

"People living in Ecuador typically buy groceries and do other shopping at local markets, supermarkets, and department stores. Many people also shop at small, family-owned stores and street vendors. Additionally, online shopping is becoming increasingly popular in Ecuador," remarked one retiree in Ecuador.

"It appears that most of the people like to shop on the special marketing days where people come from miles around to show their wares. As I mentioned, Tia has some good buys (specials) and SuperMaxi is great up in Loja," explained one retiree living in Catamayo and Loja.

"Local Tiendas sell almost everything that you need for your pantry. Additionally, there are markets and vegetable/fruit trucks soliciting door to door. The local fishermen sell their fresh catch daily and deliver upon request. There is a large market on Sunday in Charapoto, 10 minutes away via bus or taxi," said one retiree in living in San Jacinto, Ecuador.