Moving to Ecuador

"Take your time to look around and if you find something that just jumps out at you take it. You will know if it feels right. Don't wait as if you do when you go back it will probably be gone. If you are looking and coming back to live here at a later date you can always rent it out to other expats. Rentals are in short demand for expats here in Cuenca," said one expat who made the move to Cuenca.

"Pick out 2 or 3 places and rent to live in each for 2 to 3 months. See if you really like the area, the locals, the activities, etc. Do not start looking for a house to buy until you are SURE where you want to live. We thought we wanted to live in a beach town and tried several but we found we did not like the climate nor the local vibe. We are happier living in a valley outside of Quito (did not like big city either, moving from Houston) and visiting the beach when we want," explained one expat living in Ecuador.

"It is important for expats to understand that Ecuador is a Spanish-speaking country and should become familiar with some of the language before their move. Researching the customs and cultural norms of Ecuador is also helpful for expats as an understanding of the local culture will help them to settle into their new home. In Ecuador, it is also necessary to obtain a residency visa in order to be able to stay for an extended period of time. As such, an understanding of the visa process and documentation requirements is necessary for any expats wishing to move to Ecuador. Additionally, expats should understand that the cost of living in Ecuador is lower than in many countries, and that it is a popular destination for both retirees and adventure seekers," said one in Ecuador.

"THis process esp with minimal Spanish is NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART, trust me. I have struggled at times and have lived before out of the United States in South America. Visit, do your homework, trust that you will be taken advantage of (as I have several times with trusted Ecuadorians) and you REALLY have to WANT TO MOVE HERE sometimes to simply stay here. I am overall happy with my move/immigration to Ecuador but it is tough and challenging esp as a soltera at times, very tough," explained one expat who made the move to Quito.

"The best way to find a place to live in Ecuador is to visit the country in person. This will allow you to explore different neighborhoods and areas and get a better understanding of the local culture and environment. You can also look into renting an apartment or house from a reliable source. There are numerous real estate agencies and websites that list rental properties in Ecuador, so you should have no trouble finding a place that suits your needs. Additionally, many expats join local Facebook groups and other social media sites to network and search for housing opportunities. Lastly, you could consider connecting with an established property management company that specializes in providing international real estate services," said one expat in Ecuador.

"We are in Puerto Cayo. It is small and I mean small. There are no shopping for groceries or luxury items. It is quiet and on any given day, I am the only person on miles and miles of beach," remarked one expat who made the move to Puerto Cayo.

"We made an exploratory trip months before we decided to come and live in Cuenca, Ecuador. We did not really choose the neighborhood we just found the apartment absolutely fell in love with it and the price was just right and the view and everything. It seemed like a good neighborhood as well and we bought it within two weeks of being in this country. To date 18 months later we are still very very happy with our purchase. We have since found it is a great neighborhood close to all amenities but far enough from the centre of the city," explained one expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"Rentals in Salinas: You might also consider Porto Lucia if you are interested in Salinas. Much more tranquil than malecon de Salinas yet still in Salinas. If you prefer ocean front living at a budget price there are a few condo options available most are rented fully furnished. Walk to largest shopping center & next .to yacht club & marina. Look on Google maps for location. Hope this helps as an option, most expats do not know about this location when viewing Salinas," said one expat in Salinas.

"My wife and I came to Ecuador this summer, we live in a 2 bedroom apartment in Loja, Ecuador. Our building has 4 units of which 3 are occupied. We have many of the comforts of a first world country except a dishwasher, oven, elevator. We don't need or have a/c. We are 10 to 15 minutes walk to downtown and have stores, bakeries and a great market in easy walking distance. And saving the best for last we have an exquisite view of mountains all around us and great, responsive, caring landlord's. Who could ask for more?," commented one expat who made the move to Ecuador.

"Expat homes and apartments in Ecuador tend to be snug, but often have plenty of natural light due to the large windows and balconies that come with them. Expat homes or apartments in Ecuador tend to be well-furnished with modern conveniences such as air conditioning, heating, internet, and cable television. Many expat homes also come with their own private gardens or terraces, providing a great spot for al fresco dining and relaxation," remarked one expat in Ecuador.

"If you really want to experience and love Ecuador - or any other foreign - don't make the mistake that too many ex-pats do by surrounding themselves with other ex-pats in an all-ex-pat gated community. Why move to a foreign country only to surround yourself with English-speaking gringos who sit around all day complaining about how everything was "so much better back home"?," said one expat in Ecuador.

"I live in an apartment within an 8 unit building (tower) within a gated community of about 20 towers. Ideal mix of privacy and neighborly acquaintances. I don't know what the house/apt mix is, but I would imagine expat families with kids go for houses (in Sanborondon, Los Ceibos, or Via la Costa) and expat singles and couples go for apts. The houses in Sanborondon are usually huge, expensive, and not many to rent," remarked one expat who made the move to Guayaquil.

"A "suite" or two rooms and bath, lovely little place, good dueno and furnished nicely with condominio fee monthly it's $460. in the swanky neightborhood of Gonzalez Suarez. Noise here is bad," explained one expat living in Quito, Ecuador.

"Much lower. We paid cash for our land and to build our house. Electric is about 100 per month. We get 2 trucks of water a month roughly and it equates to about $50/month in water. There are no other bills," replied a member in Puerto Cayo.

"You can buy a beautiful 2 brm 2.5 bathroom apartment from about $78,000 upwards. If you are looking for a home with a bit of land around you can go about 15 mins from Cuenca and find the most beautiful homes for $150,000 - $300,000 and of course then you have the ones that are even higher. Depending on what you are looking for. There are beautiful pre-construction apartments selling from $60,000 to a large penthouse which has the most spectacular views for under $200,000. I went and paid our phone and electric bill the other day and for the two of us it was $30 for the month. Our apartment taxes are around $30 per year. Our security apartment and gas fees per month are $63.00," commented one expat who made the move to Cuenca.

"You don't need a car in Cuenca because there is a tram, buses, and taxis that are very inexpensive, especially for seniors. That is a big savings just for gas, insurance and maintenance. In Cuenca, you do not need AC or heat. A little portable heater at breakfast will suffice. The water is very cheap, $8-$10/mo. Some may try to give you tourist prices on rent or buying. Shop around.. There are some very reasonable prices. Plus, the interest rates for 1 year cd's so much better than US! Enjoy," remarked one expat in Ecuador.

"When I first moved here 10 years ago, I was single and rented a 1 bdrm. furnished ground-floor "executive" apartment with a small patio off the bedroom. The "executive" nomer meant that it was completely furnished - including a washing machine on the patio, a fully-equipped small but adequate kitchen with gas stove, and refrig. pots, pans, dishes, etc.; a fully furnished living room with color t.v., cable, and internet connections; a double bed ( with sheets & blankets ) and a large wardrobe; and a bathroom with HOT WATER in the sink and shower! This was in a very nice neighborhood in Machala within easy walking distance stores, buses, and a park to exercise in. My total monthly cost - including 24hr. security, utilities, cable/internet, and the rent was $360! ( $320 for the rent and $40 for the rest ). Believe it or not, the prices haven't gone up that much in all these years," said one expat in Machala.

"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," explained one expat living 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," said one expat in Ecuador.

"When deciding whether to buy or rent a home in Ecuador, it's important to consider factors such as your budget, length of stay and living style. If you plan on being in Ecuador for an extended period of time, buying a home may be a more cost-effective option in the long run. On the other hand, if you're looking for more flexibility, you may want to consider renting instead. Additionally, understanding local laws and the differences between buying and renting can be helpful in making an informed decision," said one expat who made the move to Ecuador.

"Pack light, versatile clothing suitable for the climate. Depending on where you are moving in Ecuador, you may need to bring your own bedding and linens. If you plan to live in a colder climate, you may need to bring warm clothes and blankets. Make sure to include items like insect repellent and sunscreen, as Ecuador is known for its tropical climate. Don't forget to bring any necessary medications and any important documents you may need. It is also important to bring items to make you feel at home, such as photos or small decorations," commented one expat who made the move to Ecuador.

"I can't recall that I did although my Ecuadorean friends may tell tales. I have a few friends who made the embarazado and embarasoso mistake as well as trucha vs chucha," remarked one expat who made the move to Ambato.

"I discovered the word "embarazado" does not translate to "embarrassed." Go ahead, look it up -- and save yourself," explained one expat living in Anconcito, Ecuador.

"Temperate climate?? Low crime rate?? Get real. Guayaquil is a big, noisy, dirty, industrial, crime--ridden city with daily temperatures in the mid-to-high 90s, and humidity off the charts. Oh, and don't forget the mosquitos," commented one expat who moved to Guayaquil.

"I lived in Vilcabamba for two months and very quickly moved over the hill to Malacatos. The energy here is much different than Vilca and it's much quieter, safer, much cheaper and I love sitting by the river watching the bamboo grow! LOL! If I need a dose of excitement or something Americanized Vilcabamba is only 20 minutes away. I absolutely LOVE it here and am so grateful that I made the choice to leave the US. I went from constantly struggling to survive to living like a millionaire here in Malacatos. It's close enough to Vilca, yet far enough to be away to have peace and tranquility! ," said one expat.

"This has come up before. In the main, only one expat demographic, American, looks to Ecuador (or most other havens) as a cheaper place to live with dignity. I am not saying that lower cost is not a pleasant element for everyone, but it is not the primary reason for moving here for others. The largest "immigrant" group, by far, is returning Ecuadorians. They look for a better life than they have found elsewhere, often in retirement after 40 years in the US or Spain. Others, an ever growing group, are European young families looking for a better setting to raise their youngsters. There are also well-off oldsters, who like the weather, the town, the cultural scene and the beauty. My 70 year old wife likes that she has a choice of horses to ride in the mountains every day year round and I like the trout fishing, 365/year. Money reasons alone are not a good reason to choose anywhere. They may be important, but you need more to be happy," said one expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"Vilcabamba is a small town in South Ecuador. It is also called a Valley of Longevity. People come to live here for its natural beauty, fresh air, water and perfect climate all year round," offered one expat living in Vilcabamba.

"People move here for a more laid back lifestyle. The price of rentals and property is still fairly cheap so that attracts foreigners," wrote one expat living in San Clemente.

"I let them know about public and private insurance options. This with chronic conditions should enroll in Ecuadorian IESS public system. But even without insurance the medical care in Ecuador is much more affordable than in the US," said one expat.

"Do sign up for IESS national healthcare. Note that as of July 2017 the rate will be based on Verified Income. The rate will be 17.6% and an additional 2.4% per dependent. An expat on $1200 Social Security with one dependent would therefore pay $240 a month for Health coverage," said one expat living in Montanita, Ecuador.

"If you need medical care and have good knowledge of Spanish, the state system IESS may be your choice, however if you are retired they raised the rates to about 17.5% of retirement income. I have cheap (low quality) insurance which reportedly doesn't pay, which is fine for me because I would rather pay 45 per month for insurance that I can't use than 75/mo for insurance I won't use," offered one expat living in Cuenca.

"This is the best medical care in terms of caring for you and really identifying the best way to correct the medical issues of people. Doctors really care for their patients, and spend time talking and testing for the real problem and thus coming up with a real solution to your specific issue. And all done at a bargain price," wrote one expat living in Cuenca.

" We have private insurance which costs $100 per month per person with $90 deductible. Our doctor copays are $5 for office visit (general and specialty). My husband had physical therapy for $15 each visit since deductible was not met yet. Normal blood tests are about $50. Colonoscopy $150 with anesthesia. I have gone for lab tests without rx for thyroid and other issues. About $12-20 each cash pay. There are doctors who will make house calls also, probably Spanish speaking. Costs are cheap without using insurance except for discounts. Rarely use it for meds because very little require rx. Just go talk to local friendly pharmacist about your issues and they will recommend a variety of meds and give you the pros and cons of each. They will also advise when you REALLY need to go to doctor. My lab test for infection ($12) gave me a list of meds that could be used to kill that bacteria. Took lab results to pharmacy to discuss which med would be the best for me. The amount of attention that the doctors in USA are able to give has made us fairly educated medical consumers. The system here makes it easy and cheap to get care," commented one expat living in Ecuador.

"Surprised by the ease in getting doctor's appointments and the speed at which patients are processed - much less waiting time than in the States. No wasted or unnecessary medications or treatments. Doctors and nurses here are for the patients not for profit," offered one expat living in Machala.