Expat Community > Ecuador

Amicus
Joined 2010
Posts: 48

Reply to Krissy

14 years ago

Krissy,

Haven't been to Ecuador yet, but getting a great deal of info, from this expat forum.

You would likely do very well in real estate there, if you can speak Spanish; or, would you just target Gringos, Canadians, and Europeans?

There is a wide divergence of opinions on the safety/security issue. With Children, I'd want to be sure that I picked a very safe area - - preferably with some Gringos nearby, should you ever need assistance. Are you Homeschooling or sending the kids to private school?

Personally, a $700 monthly budget would be a stretch, if you want to live in a safe area. Can you find a place and get by for awhile on the amount - - sure, but you had better know someone or keep a pistol under your pillow.

With two kids, I suspect even $1200 a month would be a stretch.

Your home state of Arizona is really stressed. Tons of foreclosures, no jobs, and illegals running wild. Can't blame you for wanting to pull up stakes. Economic conditions are really bad in Michigan (25% unemployment in Detroit); California, Florida, and Nevada. Illinois is not far behind. I have been urging my adult children to leave the Country too, but they still have jobs and are afraid to make the move.

In Emerging Third World Countries with great economic aspirations and resources, it is still possible to start over and rebuild one's wealth. No so, any more in the U.S. Wealth and Power is concentrated at the top, and those in control are not likely to want to level the playing field any time soon, unless they are FORCED to do so.

Never saw so much greed and corruption. Everything that I was taught and led to believe about this once great Country is a, "lie." The American Dream is Dead, unless you come from a very privileged family, where you are taught the, "tricks of the trade;" like how to find the loop-holes in our laws and rules in order to, "STEAL!" and make a fortune.

It just galls me to recall how the CEO of Lehman Brothers gambled away billions - if not trillions - with risky investments; wiping out the dreams of hundreds if not thousands of Americans. Then, when the Investment House went under, the Bastard walked away with a $500 Million Dollar golden parachute.

One Caveat: Regardless of what you hear and read, stealing personal possessions is a part of Latin American Culture. Don't leave anything in a car; outside your house, and be sure your doors are locked when you leave the premises. Don't flash, "stuff," out in public, and don't carry a great deal of money.

When people have been denied everything - - including education - - they will likely do about anything to change their station in life.

The model of 10% weathly and powerful, and 90% poor, or VERY poor; seems to be the Standard in Latin America. That model has now been exported to the U.S., with the exception that our ratio is 20/80, with the rich and power working on the 20%.

Wish you well, and be safe. Do your homework, and don't be afraid to make the move. There appears to be a lot of expats willing to help you, and I don't see much of a future for the ordinary citizen here in the States.

I be an aging little dog, in a big dog country. The ole' Geez still has hair and all his teeth; and, perhaps, more importantly, a half a brain. (Well, Ok, maybe a bit less than a half.)

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