Why do people move to Ecuador?
When we asked people why foreigners move to Ecuador, they responded...
"At the risk of offending someone, I am not in Cuenca because of the cost of living. That is a bonus of course, but not key for us. We did a lot of searching of the globe (40+ years) to find a place that had the elements we needed to be happy at this stage of life.. We have had second homes in many places. After all, one gives up the proximity of family and old friends when one expats. There has to be some potent compensation! Cuenca requires the least compromises. Gobs of culture from free opera to free rock concerts. Two stadiums. UNENDING boutique shopping. A quickly recovering restaurant and club scene. 4 rivers running through it. Inca ruins. 16 century architecture! Cobble stone streets. A modern side. Views everywhere. 4 universities, colleges, music conservatoires, great inexpensive health care on anything within 10 minutes 24/7. A college town fill of beautiful young people. Many international fairs. Incredible fruits and seafood. (Everything costs a dollar..the only thing that varies is how much you get for it! :D) Today it is 6 mangoes for a buck unless you want to pick them for yourself. The best of all is the airport. It is too small for most international flights and that keeps expats and tourists away. Merely 15,000 (about 45% American and the rest from everywhere) in a greater area containing 700,000+ souls. If one yearns for beach, it is 3 hours away and the weather is hot all year long. However, the water is its warmest from December through Mayish (80F) Coldest in August (71F)," explained one expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

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With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!
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"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 another expat in Malacatos, Ecuador.
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Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Ecuador?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Ecuador?
- Will I be able to find a job in Ecuador?
- What is life like in Ecuador?
- What do expats in Ecuador appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Ecuador?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Ecuador accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Ecuador like?
- What are healthcare services like in Ecuador?
- What are medical services in Ecuador like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Ecuador?
- What are emergency services like in Ecuador?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Ecuador?
- How are local medical facilities in Ecuador?
- As a foreigner living in Ecuador, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?
Why do people move to Ecuador?
If you live in Ecuador, newcomers to Ecuador would love to hear your answer to this question:
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.