Moving to Ecuador

"Be open minded, flexible and leave over exaggerated expectations in your mother country. You are moving into a foreign country for a reason - don't bring your bad with you," said one expat in Puerto Cayo.

"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," said one expat who made the move to Quito.

"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," explained one expat living in Ecuador.

"Come and visit for preliminary look, choose several locations for example beach, mountains and jungle. Try to visit a city and small town in each area, think also of some tourist attractions to get a flavor of the country. Return for another more focused visit to the vibe (example beach) that catches your interest....second visit, focus on areas large and small from your research that sound interesting. If you find a location that you like, plan to come for extended stay and RENT there. Do not look to purchase until you have lived here awhile, LIVED not visited. It is very different to live here rather than visit. Note as far as purchasing property: it is not like the USA, no realtor website with most of the properties in the area featured so can be tedious looking. No licensed inspectors so you are on your own to determine potential problems. Many if not most built "informally" i.e. not to codes. Also, if you make a mistake and decide to go back, properties here do not sell fast, you could be invested for years waiting for a buyer. Financing is difficult to obtain, mortgage interest rates are high (can be 10+%) and large down payments required for Ecuadorian buyers," said one in Ecuador.

"We have always been told by people who live here, to come down and rent for at least a year. Doing this, allows you to see the area and lifestyle of the area before you spend a lot of money buying a property. We have found that to be very good advice. Good luck. Don't worry, you will love Ecuador," explained one expat who made the move to Crucita.

"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," commented one expat who made the move to Ecuador.

"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," remarked one expat 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.

"Not easy... I was offered a teaching job at PUCE , then denied it when my papers came through very late but I knew the barrio where I wanted to live -- however, it has gone up in price and there were few options available. I walked around in the neighborhood I wanted to finally settle in and found what I need. This is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED way to discover a good apt in Quito," remarked one expat who made the move to Quito.

"Fortunately, my company hired a relocation firm. Sanborondon is the upper class, safe, and happening nearby suburb of Guayaquil. It was almost a given that I would live there as an expat with Company-provided housing. The Company also hired a realtor for us who helped with our search options (furnished, gated community, 3 bdrms, spacious, pool). Newspaper ads weren't very helpful at all. Word of mouth or realtors are the way to go," explained one expat living in Guayaquil, 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," said one expat who made the move to Ecuador.

"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.

"We live in a large two bedroom two bathroom apartment with views to the mountains and over the river. Yes there are expats in other buildings but we did not come here to live with expats............although we love bumping into them. We only have one other couple (expats) who live in our building. The rest are locals and lovely people and they have accepted us with open arms," said one in Cuenca.

"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," said one expat who made the move to Puerto Cayo.

"Much lower. I bought an apartment for under $30k and I have rented another for just $150 a month," explained one expat living in Quito, Ecuador.

"The cost of housing in Ecuador varies depending on the location and size of housing. Generally, housing in larger cities like Quito and Guayaquil tends to be more expensive, while housing in smaller towns and villages is often more affordable. The average cost of housing in Ecuador across all types of locations is typically moderate," said one in Ecuador.

"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," replied a member in Cuenca.

"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," commented one expat who made the move to 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," remarked one expat in Ecuador.

"Being from Australia probably more vegemite. My moisturiser that I used for hundreds of years........but now I have found another here that is just as good. My grown kids :)," remarked one expat in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"Wish I would have brought: Gallons of Patina for our stained glass hobby; Desk Chair because I work from home; more towels and dishrags Things I could have left: all things leather (we live on the beach and everything molds); metal lamps (rusted); outdated computer (should have bought a new one before shipping down here)," said one expat in Puerto Cayo.

"More books - not the Kindle I was given --personal effects, small paintings, items you love at home (small and transport friendly) Nothing in 2nd category," remarked one expat who made the move to Quito.

"I discovered the word "embarazado" does not translate to "embarrassed." Go ahead, look it up -- and save yourself," commented one expat who made the move to Anconcito.

"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 in Ambato, Ecuador.

"Vilcabamba is very progressive lifestyle in that area with people from all over the world. Eternal spring: always pleasant, green and beautiful," wrote one expat living in Vilcabamba.

"The tranquil and economical lifestyle on the beach in San Jacinto, small fishing village community and easy access (45 minute drive South) to Manta airport," commented one expat living in San Jacinto.

"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! ," commented one expat who moved to Malacatos, Ecuador.

"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," remarked one expat living in Cuenca.

"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.

"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.

"IESS (federal system) is cheapest insurance here UNLESS you came on "retirement income" visa, where it can be quite expensive (they they charge 17% of your income for the insurance). Almost all non-opioid prescription meds in the US are available here OTC," offered one expat living in Cuenca.

"Medical services in Ecuador are generally of a good standard, with a wide range of public and private hospitals and clinics available. The public health system is free for Ecuadorian citizens, and there are also a number of private health insurance plans available. The country has a number of highly trained doctors and specialists, and the quality of care is generally good. Ecuador also has a number of specialized medical centers, such as cancer treatment centers, and a number of medical research centers," offered one expat living in Ecuador.

"Note that you will not find current US style healthcare in most areas outside of large cities, it is more like 1980s. Good, adequate, not fantastic. Fine for daily stuff, maybe not good for you if you have some more complicated medical issues. My guess would be a beach town near a large city where you can go for more advanced healthcare. Larger cities will also be more likely to have English speaking doctors and dentists," wrote one expat living in Ecuador.