Expat Community > Ecuador

SWIRLZ
Joined 2011
Posts: 474

Suggestions

10 years ago

These are personal suggestions/opinions of a 3 year Cuenca resident: NEVER move here without visiting first! Estimates are about 30% leave in their first year for MANY reasons and only about 20% last 5 years for many reasons. IF you come to the mountains ....be 200% sure your body can handle the altitude!!!! If your an average or bigger sized gringo, bring lot's of clothing as it's difficult to buy those sizes here. Don't buy property until you have been here awhile, maybe a year. You don't need to speak Spanish, but you need to try and you need to learn SOME in time. Be friendly, be extroverted and meet as many people (gringo/Ecuadorian) as possible. Don't try to recreate your old life....this isn't Kansas! Never ship a container before you have your residency visa...NEVER! I know the next commentsare not PC but....if you are obese or need walkers, or are somewhat immobile....this is not an easy place to navigate and Ec ingeneral not handicapped friendly.If you are depressed or a 1/2 empty person or have an entitlement attitude, Ec is not the best place for you. If your on LOTS of meds....if you need assistance getting in or out of a cab or walking is difficult....Ec is not a good place. If you are intolerant and wonder why the Ecuadorians don't speak English....maybe Ec is not for you.

Please.....save the verbal slurs...no rants....I say this out of respect and kindness. We have seen way too many people come here hoping Ec will cure their financial dilemma, make them well again, fix their marriage or make them suddenly happy only to find it won't and they have come for the wrong reasons. We have seen and heard stories of people who have come here and been unable to leave because they don't even have enough money to get home. We've seen too many unhappy people vent on the Ecuadorians and bitch bitch bitch when in reality they have always been unhappy and simple made the wrong choice to come here. Living here is NOT easy.....it's not hard either but it is DIFFERENT and can be challenging. We LOVE living here and wish everyone who comes at least 1/2 as much enjoyment as we have received....but this is not a silver bullet.

William Russell

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William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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