Should I buy or rent a home in Ecuador?
If you have not spent a lot of time in Ecuador, you should rent before even thinking about buying. We asked expats there about the buy vs. rent decision...
"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," said another expat in Cuenca, Ecuador.
"Do not buy anything until you've lived in this country for at least 6 months! And preferably for over 1 year. Rent a house, an apartment, a condo first! Get to know the ENTIRE country. Travel, learn the language, get acclimatized, absorb the culture, and make friends ( both gringos and Ecuadorians ) ... then decide what place really fits you best and where you want to make your home. By then you'll have built up contacts, and learned the real prices ( not the tourist/gringo ones ), Then, and only then, should you consider buying. Once the rose-colored glasses have come off, you can make a sensible and informed decision about purchasing and possible investment. Don't buy a pig in a polk, as they say. Take your time. You'll be glad you did. ¡Bienvenida y buena suerte," wrote a member who made the move to Ecuador.
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With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!
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Other Questions:
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- Are foreigners allowed to own property in Ecuador?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
Should I buy or rent a home in Ecuador?
If you live in Ecuador, newcomers to Ecuador would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and serves as Co-President of Expat Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.