Expat Community > Ecuador

DUNMOVN
Joined 2011
Posts: 1991

The downside of moving to Ecuador

12 years ago

I first posted this piece about 6 months ago and It's time to repost it.

What is the downside to moving to Ecuador? Be careful what you ask for. Unfortunately International Living portrays Ecuador as being like the US only cheaper. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ecuador is a 3rd world country where only 30% of the roads are paved and there are no Cracker Barrels, or interstate highways, but there is a Hooters in Guayaquil. The average per capita income is about $6,500 per year so you can expect a large underground economy. The "Americans with Disabilities Act" (ADA) does not exist in Ecuador. Many streets and sidewalks are cobblestone and wheelchair ramps are non-existent. Ditto for doorways large enough for a wheel chair. Crosswalks for pedestrians don’t exist and you take your life in your hands crossing busy streets. Although, I was in Quito recently and saw newly painted pedestrian cross walks, but most drivers were ignoring them. Ecuadorian drivers, at least the men think they’re related to Italian race-car drivers.

Latin Spanish is the language of the people and many Ecuadorians do not speak or pretend not to speak much English. Sounds like Quebec. Keep in mind that you are a guest in their country, so if you are not willing to learn to speak Spanish, maybe you should stay in up north. Furthermore, Ecuador, being a Latin country, the pace of life is more relaxed than most North Americans are used to. Mañana is the watchword, but it doesn't mean tomorrow. Mañana means, NOT today and much of the retail sector closes down at about 1 PM for about 2 hours. It was strange the first few times going a mall in early afternoon and finding most of the stores closed. If you have not been to Ecuador, you must come and stay for some period—at least several weeks, to see if it's for you. There was a post on this forum recently from a couple in the US who had not traveled outside the US at all but they were planning on moving to Ecuador. Go figure.

Many North Americans who move to Ecuador, leave disillusioned within 2 years. I have been in the country 3 times in the last 3 years for a total of 6 months. I have spent time in Cuenca, Quito, Cotacachi, Loja, Vilcabamba, Machala and Guayquill. I have lived on both coasts of Florida for more than 20 years and I have had enough of heat, humidity and salt air, so I have not spent any time on the Ecuadorian coast. I just completed moving to Cuenca with my two small dogs and I couldn’t be happier. If you want more information, my email address is: [email protected]

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