It’s time once again to take off the rose-colored glasses. South of Zero is pleased to introduce a new article written by Dr. Lee Dubs. Today, in in Part I of “What Aren’t You Being Told about Moving to Ecuador?” he expresses his concerns for future expats who are being sold on Ecuador as the “perfect place to retire” not realizing the gross understatements about the cost of living comfortably and the difficulties of getting visas. In Part II, which we will publish on Friday, Dr. Dubs addresses the need to know some Spanish, the overpriced seminars that push overpriced real estate, why to rent and not rush to buy property, and other scams.
What Aren’t You Being Told About Moving to Ecuador? – Part I
By Dr. Lee Dubs
When a slumping economy, a troubled housing market, and slipping savings and investments created a “perfect economic storm” a few years ago, many retiring Baby Boomers were faced with a serious dilemma. Large numbers of the retirees had to rethink and revise long-held plans. Many faced a choice of either downsizing their goals or else finding a cheaper location in which to live their autumn years in the style which they had planned.
As a result, several organizations and entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to cash in, and soon there were articles, seminars, and overseas tours offered to bewildered and sometimes frantic retirees, urging them to move to other countries where they could enjoy the fruits of retirement at low cost. Magazines and online writers that were once objective turned their attention to urging and even pushing retirees toward specific destinations where those very organizations and entrepreneurs often had property to sell, especially in Latin America.
By 2009 there was already less property to sell in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama, and the barrage of articles and blogs turned to Ecuador: Retire in Ecuador. Buy real estate in Ecuador. Invest in Ecuador. Make money in Ecuador. Life is cheap and wonderful in Ecuador. While exuding their aura of professionalism, many started telling retirees anything that would get them to buy into their seminars, tours, and real estate deals. Often innocent and confused retirees, eager to find utopia on a budget, started to heed the siren song of such pitches, hurrying to enjoy what they were led to believe would be a near-perfect life on the cheap. The less experienced even believed that life would be just like in their home country, except more affordable. A surge of what some have called “economic refugees” began heading to Ecuador, only to discover that the picture that was painted for them was often overly rosy, incomplete, and even inaccurate.
Let’s take a deeper look at what is going on, especially at what some promoters are not telling folks. The following is based on the personal experiences of this writer who has known Cuenca and Ecuador for over two decades, as well as from the experiences of other expats who have lived here long enough to be reliable sources of factual information. Frankly, we are tiring of watching so many innocent and hopeful retirees being misled and ending up frustrated.
Why all the articles pushing Ecuador? The first question to ask yourself when reading or hearing pitches for living in Ecuador (or anywhere else) should be, “What is the writer or speaker getting out of this?” Is it the satisfaction of helping you or are they looking to make a buck (or a killing) off of you? In most cases, the motive is profit, not good will. Writers and speakers are usually either paid directly or else they have something to sell, sometimes both. It is wise to look for the articles by and comments from people who have lived in Ecuador for at least a few years and who are trying to help you, not profit off of you. There are even expats who used to complain about life in Ecuador and belittled the culture, but who suddenly turned into promoters of the country as soon as they started getting paid for it. Simply stated, there is some shameless hypocrisy and outright deceit out there. There are also truly helpful folks, but you have to spot the difference. Just because an article appears on a “respected” website or in a well-known magazine or journal, or because some business advertises heavily, does not always mean that their information is objective and reliable.
Not only are there some organizations and individuals who are willing to use distortion to persuade you to head for Ecuador, there are also those who wait for your arrival in order to offer services that are never performed or are performed poorly. One U.S. couple paid for an advertised service that promised to “start the process” of obtaining resident visas; after five months of no action, they discovered that the American woman who took their money had left the country and no process had been started. The U.S. government has included the following delicately-worded warning in its travel advisory:
“Retiring In Ecuador: In recent years, Ecuador has become a top overseas destination for retiring U.S. citizens. Bear in mind that organizations promoting Ecuador or any other place as a retirement destination may have a financial incentive to attract retirees, and may not always present a balanced picture. Consider multiple sources before choosing a destination.
Remain vigilant when contracting professional services for assistance with Ecuadorian visas, real estate transactions, or customs brokering for imported household effects. U.S. citizen retirees regularly complain about unethical practices by lawyers, real estate agents, and others who have taken advantage of their lack of knowledge about local language, laws, and culture, resulting in costly losses and little hope for a remedy through the local judicial system.”
Simon Black, the senior editor of Sovereign Man, writes the following about what he has seen happen when foreigners move to a new country, in this case Chile: “Three years of constantly writing about the virtues this place has certainly had an effect. The word is out, and people are starting to jump on the bandwagon. The downside of this is that it brings out all sorts of snake oil salesmen preying on inexperienced foreigners. I saw the same thing happen in Panama years ago as that country became the booming expat destination; scam artists showed up in droves, defrauding foreigners in shady real estate and financial deals.” (The bold print belongs to the writer).
Is Ecuador really a good place to live? For most expats, yes, it is great. The writers and speakers are correct when they speak positively of the weather, the quality of medical services, the food, the lower cost of living (compared to North America and Europe), the friendliness of the people, and other benefits. However, moving to someone else’s country requires adjustments, which some make easily, while others either cannot or will not make; and starting out with false expectations does not help. Those who want to separate you from your money do not usually mention the difficulty of transition for many. Immigrants who do not adjust remain unhappy. Newcomers very quickly meet the malcontents, those who complain about a culture which they consider inferior to their own. Some talk of how much they disliked life in the U.S., yet they want to create a Little America in their new location and associate only with fellow countrymen. Yes, Ecuador is a good place to live – if you accept it as it is. If the sole reason you want to change countries is economic, you may be in for a hard time.
Can a couple really live on $600 a month, or whatever similar figures are being tossed about? That depends on how and where you choose to reside. Do you want to “live” or just “exist?” In urban areas, costs are higher, and Cuenca is known as the most expensive city in the country. One honest writer recently cited $1,200 as a minimum figure for a couple to live in Cuenca, while another said $1,600 to live comfortably. Those are reasonable figures. Many factors must be taken into account, of course, but no objective residents will tell expats they can “live” well on $600 or $700 a month in an urban area. Again, evaluate closely those who urge you to move down here. Using exaggerated economic figures is their bait of choice. Far too many gullible expats have arrived, only to realize they had believed fudged figures. Those resident writers whose articles include their monthly budget analyses frequently exaggerate exactly how they live or just how rural and isolated their paid-for home is. Keep in mind that most are paid to write those articles, where even hints of a downside almost never appear. It’s as if there are no cons to go with all those pros.
Is it possible to live on the low figures that are usually touted? Sure, but do you want to enjoy life or just survive? One expat until recently existed on $450 a month, but he had no social life, never ate out, sold used clothing, had no TV, and kept his lights off most of the time. He “existed.” Increasing numbers of recent immigrants not only have insufficient income to live a comfortable life in Ecuador, but some of the disillusioned cannot afford to return to their home country. Those writers and speakers who selfishly mislead people about the cost of residing here do not see some of the unfortunate results of their exaggerations. Many expat residents regularly express concern for those compatriots who are struggling to scrape by.
Is it easy to get a visa? A temporary tourist visa, yes. However, getting a resident visa can be like a chapter from a surrealist novel by Franz Kafka. It seems that Immigration officials have reported so many cases of dealing with obnoxious foreign applicants – one official bluntly told an American researcher, “We don’t like gringos” – that there are now so many new and changing hoops, hurdles, and obstacles that it has become a Darwinian survival of those who can clench their teeth and hold their tongue. “Lost” applications and return trips to the capital or even back to one’s home country for yet more “properly officialized” documents are reported by applicants. One British couple got their resident visas only after 15 months of trips, frustration, and sleep loss. Among the ever-changing rules, a new regulation required single people to prove they have never been married. This was modified only after the U.S. Consulate and Embassy convinced Ecuadorian officials that there is no such document.
Another example of a Catch-22 is submitting the police report and, while waiting for action months later, being told that the police report is invalid after 30 days and a new one is necessary. Also, temporary visas can expire while applicants wait for a permanent visa, and leaving the country after a visa has expired means paying a hefty fine and not being allowed back into the country for six months or more. One’s passport may still be with the application documents, so trying to leave the country becomes an experience in frustration. Many expats have pulled their hair out while ensnared in the bureaucratic morass. Here is what the U.S. government says in its travel advisory to Ecuador:
“As in any country, Ecuadorian rules governing visas and customs are subject to change with little notice. The Ministry of Foreign Relations and other Ecuadorian government agencies publish little information in English, increasing foreigners’ reliance on lawyers or other facilitators, some of whom have distorted the true cost or requirements for obtaining Ecuadorian visas. Staff members at the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate General are not in a position to give detailed advice about Ecuadorian immigration law.”
Want to shorten the process? Come prepared! One couple got all their resident documents in less than a month. How? Before they left their home country, they spent months communicating with a good lawyer in Cuenca who made sure they had every document that was necessary when they got to Ecuador. Showing up and asking, “What do I need?” is the worst way to start a new life here.
A new Immigration office has opened in Cuenca, and recent applicants report generally friendly service and assistance in English without the need for a lawyer. Multiple trips are still the norm, however, and a commonly heard exclamation from those leaving the building is, “Nobody told me I needed that!” Different officials commonly give contradictory answers to the same question.
Thankfully, there has been some reduction in the number of documents required after one has a resident visa. Expats no longer are required to have a military identification card (for males), a registration card exclusively for foreign residents (censo), or a travel permit every time they leave the country. The elimination of such requirements has been helpful.
To be continued… Part II
Lee Dubs first visited Cuenca in the early 1960s and has been a full-time resident for the past nine years. A retired language professor from North Carolina, he and his wife, Carol, are the owners of Carolina Bookstore on Calle Hermano Miguel at Calle Larga. Lee can be reached by email at cld941@yahoo.com.
Well done, and very much in need for would-be expats.
I personally think you wrote this because you don’t want more Americans coming down there. I don’t think that you really want to help them. Shame on you for not offering advice on how to succeed at living in Ecuador. You of all people should know, and I hope you will follow up with good advice about who to contact when you don’t know anyone, where the most affordable and nice cities are in Ecuador are to live more comfortably than in urban areas. You come across bitter and mean. You have a lot to offer. Use it to promote Ecuador and help Americans who really want to come thrive from you experiences.
I will forward your comment to Dr. Dubs. You may have misunderstood his point. There are numerous articles that publicize Ecuador as a paradise for retirement and many folks arrive unprepared for the reality of moving to a foreign country. His articles are meant to be thought provoking to those that are considering such a move and offer a counter balance to the often overly rosy promotions. Mary
All I want is total immersion into a Cuencan by keeping away from Expat organizations. I want to have nice neighbors who I can laugh with at my Spanish. I want to be part of a gated community. I don’t want to be a Gringo, but this is impossible! (I’m single, so it’s easier for me.)
Hog wash!! He’s NOT the only one saying this. There are bloggers etc all throughout central america saying the same thing about Costa Rica, Panama, Belize etc… I’ve been to Costa Rica twice and Belize once looking for a place to retire. Neither of these countries match up to all the hype you read on the internet from these people who want you to come down and take our tour etc… It’s pathetic… I’m looking at Nicaragua now but still have some interest in Ecuador. These shisters can kiss my ‘you know what’ cause I’ll do my own research, talk to as many locals as I can via as many methods as I can before and after I get there. It’s the only way I personally feel the information I’ve gathered wasn’t given to me based on some jerk who could care less with nothing more than a profit motive. Oh, BTW, CR cost of living is getting way out of hand and as far as I can tell it’s greedy expats taking advantage of folks like me just looking for a nice place to retire and make my limited means streatch a little further…. Belieze has a dire infrastructure problem. Electricity goes out every day. Sometimes for a few minutes, other times for 2 to 3 hours or more. I never saw anyone mention that before I went and experienced it for myself.
Sounds to me like your the type that caused the problems! Typical “gringo”
He also said another couple got in less than a month by being prepared! They hired a lawyer who helped them.mwas that not enough helpful information for you!!! Stay in the USA PLEASE!
Like it was said before, do not take anybody’s word for it. I am also pretty sure that if the guy did not want gringos to go down to Ecuador he would have said so. He did not come across as shy. I am an american citizen living in Ecuador and it takes a little getting used to it. My advice, do not be defensive, even my Ecuadorian wife thinks that Ecuador could use some improvement.
I live in Banos, renting a fully furnished 3 bedroom 3 1/2 house on Montvalo y Eloy Alfaro for $300 a month. I have plenty of friends Ecuadorian and expats. Costs me under $800 a month to live and I am not wanting for anything. I been thinking about moving to Ambato but for now I will stay in Banos. I also could rent one bedroom for a time to people who want to come down and experience Ecuador first hand. The real idea about living in Ecuador is to stay mobile and don’t buy a lot of crap. I will be 60 this year and just started climing walls. I am a cooker and love the vegetables you can buy for super cheap and I make all my sauces from scratch. The meat I buy here in Banos is superb. And I go trout fishing on the way to Puyo. The best things for me is that I am mobile and can leave anytime and my young Columbian girlfriend.
Oh Andre, Banos sounded so perfect until the young girlfriend part :).
A very good Article with lots of information. Will be waiting for part 2. I am moving to Cuenca in May and I’m happy that I already have my paper work submitted and already in Ecuador. Looks like money well spent and (edited by admin). I have one question you are saying that you don’t need to prove that you are single any more? What do you do if you are seperated from you wife and moving to Ecuador?
Where did you go to find out all the forms you needed before you move to Ecuador?
Elise, the information you need is located at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. The application form for immigrant visas is here http://www.mmrree.gob.ec/servicios/FORMULARIO_VISA_INMIGRANTE.pdf. Good luck, Mary
Elise, Between Worlds Language Services provided the services to Joseph Frank Tana on the preparation of the paperwork in the United States.
When you arrive in Ecuador, your birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce record (if you have remarried), proof of income and criminal background check must be Apostilled and translated into Spanish. The translations must also be Apostilled and your proof of income must be certified by the Consulate of Ecuador. We can assist the applicant with that part of the process and send the paperwork to our agent in Ecuador for the immigration process.
Mr. Tana is one of the many satisfied customers with our services. For more information, please contact us at 1-888-815-0647 Ext 104 or at gminotta@betweenworlds.biz.
Regards,
Giovanna Minotta
betweenworlds.biz
i agree with steven; well done!
this is so true: “Those writers and speakers who selfishly mislead people about the cost of residing here do not see some of the unfortunate results of their exaggerations.” the same holds true to those who scoop up the money (promoters) as if the participants have dollar symbols painted on their foreheads; they quickly forget about that group and focus on the next. this practice saddens me.
I’ve done a lot of research, and the processing of current documentations for becoming a resident are tough. I can’t figure out to get a police records & proof I’m single. A little help, please>
I heard that the single requirement was no longer necessary. To get a copy of your criminal record you will need to go to your local law enforcement agency to request it. In our case it was the county sheriff’s office. Mary
Excellent article. Sage advice. Would like to know the name of the lawyer that worked ahead of time thru the documents needed.
I’ll see if I can find out for you. Mary
Thanks!
KUDOS to Lee for saying something that needed to be said, but needs to be said over and over. You nailed it friend,
Great Thanks for writing this article. People should know that the immigration office in Cuenca can be a complete nightmare. The gals at the front desk are very friendly until their boss turns down the visa. Then they get nasty. The guy making visa decisions is very moody and if he is in a bad mood that day, he will turn down visas just because he CAN and comes right out and says so! Many people are having to go to Quito to try to straighten out a complete mess after they are turned down in Cuenca. It is very difficult to get a residency visa once you have been turned down even if you were denied for absolutely no reason!
The people who post in the public discussion groups are usually the ones who got their visas quickly and easily. This creates the impression that it works this way for everyone. It does not. Many people are stll going through great distress over visa issues that might drag on for months or even years. For the unlucky (who came just as prepared as the lucky) it can be extremely unpleasant and stressful. This happens even to people paying high-power big name immigration lawyers. Be warned!!
We had part of our application rejected because they only wanted my husband’s name on the CD (I was his dependent) and were commiserating with other expats who were rejected for the exact opposite reason. It kind of feels like a right of passage to have to apply for an extension. Mary
I am so happy that someone finally wrote this article! I have lived in Ecuador for about 30 years and have been concerned by some of the comments I read on the expat chats. I think it is a huge mistake to sell the house and move down here to invest your life savings. I love Ecuador and at this point in my life wouldn’t even consider living anywhere else, but the reality is that living expenses for a couple (and we own our houses no rent) is around $1,200 a month. I am still working and will have to tighten up some when I retire, but I don’t think we could live comfortably on less than $1,000.
Another thing that is being overlooked by most people is culture shock. It takes time and patience to overcome and most people are unaware of how this can affect their entire experience. I always think it takes a good two years to really feel at home in a new place. I may be slower than others to adapt, but it does take some time and there will be many emotional ups and downs along the way. The last thing I will say is please learn the language! If you don’t speak well but make the effort everyone will be pleased and the ecuadorian people will always try to help you.
Thanks Gina for your insights. Mary
Correction. It needs to be the State Police or FBI for the Backround check
I think it depends upon the state you live in. Mary
Good read Lee… looking forward to part 2. George
Congratulations to Dr. Dubs for another great article. Too bad that it is not more widely circulated, And the reason for its not being widely circulated is that publications such as Gringo Tree and Expat forum have a stake in multiplying the number of expats in Ecuador (the Gringo Tree advertises and the Expat Exchange participants are the real estate companies and other “expat services”)
A proof to that, about which Dr. Dubbs writes is in some responses to his article. For example, Joseph Frank Tana, writes: ” I am moving to Cuenca in May and I’m happy that I already have my paper work submitted and already in Ecuador. Looks like money well spent and Pat Minga and his wife have been very helpful. I have one question you are saying that you don’t need to prove that you are single any more? What do you do if you are seperated from you wife and moving to Ecuador?”
My remarks to the above are as follows:
1. Since Mr. Tana is moving to Cuenca, it is not clear why and how he got enrolled by the so called visa facilitators in Quito, who live far away from the center of Quito, long-long-long way from the new Quito airport, and further yet from Cuenca, which has its own Immigration office.
2. Looks like Mr.Tana already paid Patrick & Nora. This is a no-no. You pay visa facilitators or lawyers, or whoever, for their job if and after it has been accomplished. Sure, they may ask for some small deposit for copying/notarizing your documents, and for around 1 hr spent on submitting your visa application, but no more
3. If Mr. Tana is asking the question “What do you do if you are seperated from you wife and moving to Ecuador?”, here at the forum, it means that a) his visa facilitators did not do their job and did not tell him about all the documents necessary for a permanent visa and b) if they submitted Mr. Tana’s application, Mr Tana is in trouble. For the purposes of Ecuadorian Immigration, Mr. Tana is a married man, with all the consequences for the Ecuadorian visa paper work and processing.
With regards to Patrick and Nora Minga, I can only say that different people have different experiences with them, and with their B & B. On the basis of my own experience, I would never recommend them for anything to anybody.
The visa facilitator who has the most consistently raving ratings from Gringos is Dana, a long term Ecuadorian resident, who lives in GYE, is fluent in Spanish, and who writes under the name of SilverWater at expatexchange.com, where she provides, free of charge, most valuable updates for the residential visa requirments. She has also posted warnings about a few so called “facilitators” who want your buck without any intention to deliver a bang
Idea, do you have experience with Minga? what was it? Im trying to check him out.
violet
Sorry Violet, we did not use a lawyer.
[…] Continued from Part I […]
so glad you posted this and we’ll be re-posting to spread the word. Life is a bit different here on the coast than inland and after Dr. Dubs series is completed we’ll be telling our story. ” Just because an article appears on a respected website….does not always mean that their information is objective and reliable”.
That includes people (lawyers) on their reference list. Do we have a story to tell, oh yeah.. but even after the problems we ‘ve experienced, our love for Ecuador and it’s people is still the number one reason that we live here.
Reblogged this on Living It Up in Ecuador and commented:
A must read for all those considering to retire to Ecuador..after the series is completed we will be telling our story and the main differences of living on the coast or in-land.
We lived in a small beach down in Alabama and I simply got a 2 sentence letter from the chief saying we had no criminal background and sent that to the Sec of State and got it apostilled. BUT every visa story is individual. I personally know 2 people living in EC that got a visa in the States.
Thanks, Lee, very well written. I would add a word about those intending to make lots of money. In Vilcabamba a real estate co-owner was brutally murdered this week. It seems this realtor came from Canada to make a killing in the “business as usual” manner of north american realtors and lawyers. One person who knew him said the realtor apparently used stolen money to start his business, a very bad idea. Another acquaintance who had known the deceased for three years said he had “poor business practices.” The Ecuadorians I know said the realtor had no respect for Ecuadorian beliefs about the land, did not wait for the legal system to do its job, would not return “deposits”, and did not acknowledge the presence of people he met on the street with a word, a nod or gesture. They are saying it was a “hit”, that for $50 you can give an assassin the photo of one you wish to eliminate and it’s a done deal. They noted that being “white Ecuadorians” they have encountered intense hatred by some of the indigenous who see to it that justice is done, one way or another.
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great article, thank You for awesome work, I love to be in Ecuador, on small finca, real humans around, love the climate, fresh waters and food, Im in San Antonio De Ibarra, it is awesome, hope to stay here for next 50 years
I would like to talk to you about finding a reputable lawyer to start the immigration process and also a reliable real estate agent, if you would be so kind as to contact me.
Where are you thinking of residing in Ecuador? i am in Manabi and have a Lawyer here, but the firm also works in Quito
A good read hits the nail on the head, I’m from Newcastle in the UK and have been living here in Manabi for nearly 3 years, I do have a Lawyer that I can trust which is essential when your life is in their hands,
I can’t stress enough that if you are wanting to live here you must adjust to the culture, if you can’t do this then Ecuador is not for you.
You must have some kind of plan what visa are you after? Do your research for documents requirements etc will make life easier,
There are some great people here as for real estate as mentioned above what is in it for these people? Are you getting a good deal? Or are you just lining someones pockets?
Be careful just because they may be of your native origon doesn’t mean they are there to give you a good deal
It’s a learning experience I had a run in with an American rubbing his hands thinking he could rip me off good job I did some research on property values in the area by speaking to the locals, which I must say is high priority ask yourself a question would a local pay that price? Answer definitely not and chances are you can snap up a place on the beach for under 40k, Anyhow it’s nice to see a site like this full of great info any advise I am happy to give, I love Ecuador best decision I made!
I am originally from Scotland but have lived for over twenty years in Australia. My darling wife died earlier this year and I am thinking of a complete change although Australia is great and there are great people around me.
I am very old (81) but very active in various voluntary (unpaid) organisations. Bush fire brigade, Coastguard and computer tutoring of seniors who are mostly younger than me. It would be an attraction if such activities were also in Ecquador. I would like to learn Spanish ASAP. Does the Ecquadorian variety differ significanty from Spanish generally?
Swimming in the ocean is my favourite pastime so to be near the beach would be a big plus. A beach condo at around US$40k sounds too good to be true! It seems that driving in Ecquador is a bit hairy. Could an oldie cope? What is it like riding a push bike?
I will probably remain in good old Oz but Ecquador has interested me since I was a kid
Hello Mate….I was thinking about Ecuador as one of the places that I would probably like to live in after I retire. I am in London and got land and relatives in Jamaica, where I grew up, but am concerned about the high level of crime out there. can you please give a heads up on what the crime is like in Ecuador..also what does an average house cost to buy…can foreigners own property outright ?
Fantastic article, thank you. 🙂
Hi Dr. Dubs, just read your article, excellent advice. My wife Sharon and I visited Ecuador from our home in Canada for the first time back in June 2012 and after landing in Quito headed straight for Cuenca. During our 2 week stay we visited your book store while on one of our many walks. We enjoyed a most enlightening conversation with you and a friend, a very nice chap. I’m afraid I can’t recall your friends name (I’m 74 does that count?) but I do remember he was a chiropractor. Sharon retires in 2 yrs. and the plan is to return sans rose-colored glasses and pick up where we left off. So don’t sell the store or go anywhere, we look forward to picking up the conversation where we left off. In the meantime Lee, the best to you and Dr. Bones, David and Sharon.
Thanks for the awesome article. I also found a lot of information at GringoTree.com. Thanks to websites like these I will be a lot better prepared for the great move.
Thank you so much for this article!
There are a lot of wolves disguised in sheep cloth.
I too have read about the wonders of the low cost of living in Ecuador!
This article is going to make me think twice!
I don’t understand why anyone would be offended by this article!
Like Jesus said: The truth shall set you free!
Thank you Lord that in the last few days I have learned so much about the real estate schemes (adding 20-30% to the asking price, etc…) and now I see that living in Ecuador is not as cheap as may have claimed!
I may still decide to move there but at least I know what I’m getting into!
God bless you Sir for having the courage to go against the grain!
I personally know how hard it is!
Never try to please anyone by deceiving them!
Fear God alone!-Not men!
Doesn’t sound very much different then obtaining a temporary resident Visa here in the USA! I received threatening letters about the case. Spent hours on the phone trying to straighten things out and was told the I couldn’t be helped because the case didn’t exist! My stepdaughter eleven years old at the time, under then current immigration law was not supposed to be subjected to being fingerprinted. When we went to the office to be processed I asked directly, would she be fingerprinted. I was told no. Lied to my face, I could see her being fingerprinted from where I sat. Just a small sampling of what goes on. I have friends who have suffered far worse. I think the main difference between what you are describing and what happens in Ecuador is that you can add deception and hypocrisy to the list when applying for residency here in the good ole USA!!
The article by Lee Dubs is way out of date. The visa process now can be done in 2-3 weeks. The list of what is needed is on the EC. web site http://www.mmrree.gob.ec . Also The site “Gringo Post” has the visa answers by an Ecuadorian employee of the visa office. There are truly “snake oil salesmen” but a little caution and common sense will go a long way not to fall prey. It is critical to move here with the attitude to fit in to the culture. If you want USA rules,,, Go back or don’t come to beautiful Ecuador! I recommend people join the Chamber of Commerce. They have an expat division to help honestly, new expats. I am on the committee for Q and A’s for newcomers. Use Gringo Post or Gringo Tree to post question to resident expats and get many good reply’s from the expats that fit in here! The culture and people here are the best I have seen in the world. Come fit in and enjoy!! God Bless.
My husband and I own a home in Ecuador outside the little town of Apuella. We do not live there but spend about three months. I agree that life there is not that cheap although it is cheaper to head to the restaurant to eat. A full meal with soup, juice, chicken, rice and vegetables it $2.00 to $2.50 each. To purchase a small chicken is $5.00 to $6.00…there is not much bread so you have to bake your own. Hydro is about $15.00 per month, taxes maybe $30.00 per year, gas is cheap…transportation is cheap .25 cents to ride to town on the bus and .25 cents home…I love the people but you must speak Spanish. We have quite a few Americans in the area and some Canadians and they love it but again, you have to speak Spanish and be smart or locals try to take advantage of you. Go to Ecuador yourself do not take those tours that soak you and just take your money. Hope this helps
I read today that a couple who provided a completed resident visa was a fraud.Thier names are Patrick and Norma Minga. I have already paid them half thier fee of $1400. Do you know or heard anything. I only have a small disability pension. Please reply
Hi
I looked at Norma and co and I also got the feeling they were a fraud that’s why I never used them I feel sorry for us expats being taken for fools maybe the guys can get to get her in Ecuador and take care of them this is bullshit they are like vultures preying on elderly people !!! Sorry you were a victim hope done one there can help you .
Watch out with Ecuador!
It is the so-called AUTHORITIES that change the paradise into hell!
Those people in power do not miss the opportunity to get anyone, especially those coming from USA. They’re under the impression in USA people sweep dollars with a broom so easily!
What is yours is mine they say!
Hi, I am Ecuadorian and totally agree with the article. No one need to be offended by when I hear about how “wonderful” is life in Ecuador I also ask myself what I’m doing living abroad? but even tough I always visit my country and my family in Ecuador every single year ( 6 years in a row) I am not willing to go back, cost of life is way to expensive (even for natives who knows all the tricks to improve the quality of life, like me) and for that cost I’m also expose to huge risks that I know exists in many other countries but at least the salary is way better. It’s definitely a personal choice, but BUT if someone asks me, I will say NO WAY, Ecuador, specially for retired people ( old people who is most vulnerable for many things) it’s not a good option. Good article! looking forward to read more about it.
Hi all
I am a British citizen wanting to come and live in Ecuador the problem I am havering is trying to get my birth certificate ! I have a British passport and have not lived there for over 45 years can anyone help I really don’t want to have to fly there just to get a piece of paper which I feel in this day and age is useless if you have a passport saying were you were born !! Thanking you in advance .
Try this…. peace
http://www.vitalcertificates.co.uk/uk-certificate-services-48-c.asp?gclid=CML3_eThwLwCFSUS7AodWAUARw
LOL – the fact that you are breathing is proof that you were born.
There is no culture shock, if you are arriving from a larger metropolitan area, of the World. Cost of living here is about 60% less. We used a lawyer, but did a huge amount of paperwork first, in the US. You need to read, read, read n absorb. There is no down side here for us. We do spend over $2, 500 monthly, our rent is $475. n it is gorgeous! You need no car. Just like NY you wave down a taxi, or call one. We do not speak Spanish, but we know the right things to say n are learning. People here are amazing. Do not let grumpy old men, or women lead you off your track. So what are you going to do, sit on your sofa till you die? No travel, see the World n leave your footprint. Peace
Get your residency visa in your passport before you leave your home country.
True,,,cost a little more but worth it…every penny.
Great bog mate i’ve been looking at different countries in South and central america as an old saying goes “When in Rome do as the Romans do” if you blend in with the locals you’ll do fine another time would be if anyone did know a good lawyer to recommend ones we could trust that would be a plus
I am a researcher and negotiator at heart. I know exactly what you mean Lee. Presently in Banos, I have research properties for rent in Cuenca just two weeks ago just and found out if you live out just 3-4 kilometers from Calderon Park you can find nice house rentals for $300 – $350 a month if you hook up with an Ecuadorian family and have them go with you. I have talked to expats paying $550-$600 near Supermaxi and just two kilometers up the road I have found rentals for $300. Everything is negotiable which most Americans haven’t figured out yet. Even dental work is negotiable…. As long as Americans will allow themselves to be led to the slaughter and pay asking price,… asking price will keep going up..
Great article, it’s true the visa process can be expedited in 2 weeks. You will need to have assistance from a friend or relative in Ecuador though. You can also buy a private home for under 500k!
http://www.quitohouse.com
Lee, I have read your article and liked it, true and straight up. I am originally Swedish, speak perfect Spanish wife from Colombia we have been thinking of moving from the US to Ecuador – however we are still thinking. At the same time I have been also reading all the rosy stories from comercially motivated advertisers and it is a shame what they try to tell innocent foreigners in order to get them to bite. I have been in Ecuador several times and in most of the Latin American countries, lived in Colombia, Venezuela, Panama and Honsuras. Please keep up the good work – Bo Fred
I am looking to move to Ecuador and although I have considerable savings, I am not a retiree and I was hoping to live off my savings until I could find a job. Do you need proof of income or simply proof that you are financially secure?
There is the investor’s visa and the CD rates pay pretty well here. You will have to put $25K into property or a bank CD. If you have a college degree from Ecuador’s approved list you could apply for the professional visa. One expat I know paid for Spanish lessons and applied for a student visa. A permanent income of $800 per month would qualify you for the pensioner’s visa. There are visa options available, finding a job may prove to be much harder.
I like this article. My fiance is born and raised in Ecuador but she will be moving here to California. She is an attorney specializing in International Law. When she and I first met 3 years ago, I asked, “how much does it cost to live comfortably in Ecuador?” Her answer was at least have a steady income of 2K a month so this article doesn’t surprise me. I do think many foreigners are fooled and ripped-off when moving to other countries for retirement but that is due to them not doing their homework. You would think a person who worked long enough to retire would do their homework and as sad as it is for some, it is their own fault. The scams are nothing different from the scam artists here in the US so as the old saying goes, “BUYER BEWARE AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!” My fiancee and I have recently bought 2 homes in Portoviejo and as the article implies, “what do you think is a dream retirement?” And yes, please learn to speak and understand the language you are planning to retire to regardless if it is Ecuador or another non-english speaking country. That’s just common sense!!!!
I am a newly retired teacher, that just read a book about retiring in Ecuador and am so glad to read this sincere, informative article and all its comments. I hope to visit with a more educated eye. Thank you so much
I lived with wife and kids 7 years in Quito and 7 years in Cuenca. In order to have the same lifestyle as we had in the USA (2 new cars, washer, dryer, good neighborhood, 3k sq ft home, buying at supermarkets, etc) it cost us about the same as living in the USA in the Atlanta area. Naturally, New York, San Francisco or Miami would be much more expensive.
do you’r own homework ,there is places in Cuenca that are expensive and places that are very cheap and nice.Above all ,it also depends on you’r lifestyle.
Do we really need an article like this one,to help you make up you’r mind.Travel to Ecuador talk to expats who live there talk to the locos,do research while you are there.This type of thing happenes everywhere,people moving to the usa also have it hard.I want to move to Cuenca find a little corner somewhere drink
cold beer and go fishing,kickback and leave all this arguing and crapp up to you guys. enjoy.
C-YA
Thanks for this article. I’m still a few years out from retiring. Being in research mode, the nagging question is always “what am I not being told?”. This helps. My research continues…
Nothing new here.of course someone is always trying to make a buck off of you.Their is good things and bad things about every country,you can’t belive everything you read good or bad.Do you’r homework,rent don’t buy and talk to both expats and locals to see what they say,stay for a while test the waters and see if this is a good place for you or not.Some people will say It’s paradise and some will say It’s hell.But I say what is it to you,are you happy.I plan on moving to Ecuador in about 7 years or so,I have never been there,I’m already doing my homework ,but It’s going to come down to me living their for about 6 months or so,for me to dertermine if this is the place for me.
I lived and worked 14 years in Cuenca. Cuenca is a great place to raise kids (we did) and if you like hiking, fishing, camping and horse-back riding, Cuenca’s Cajas is one of the best places in the world. However, if you want the same lifestyle and amenities that you have in the U.S.A., it is going to cost the same as living in a mid-size city in the U.S.A. For retirement, we prefer the United States and live in Central Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. For an older couple, there are many more advantages here than in Cuenca, and with Medicare Advantage, have few net medical expenses.
I am still here in Banos, been here since last year, Being 59 and Navy retired, I have Tricare Overseas so medical is not an issue. I also have Humana in the USA because I retired from the Postal Service, I took an early. I do keep a residence in central Florida ( I use my mothers house), but just for license and going back for buying stuff. Next year, I will return to China (I am a martial arts guy) for a year and then will probably head to Cuenca when I return. Ecuador for me is a nice place to live. Lots of outdoorsy things to do, and I really like the mountains and the weather here. Being originally from Detroit, really no issues with the people here.
If you really want a cheap place to live, go to Paraguay or Romania. We lived 2 years in a small town in North-eastern Romania for $400 a month total. Our apartment rent was $50.00 a month. Bucharest, however is expensive as is Brasov and Timisoara. You have to go to out of way small towns.
That’s right!
Any other place -as corruption runs all over- will be better than Ecuador!
I’m planning to retire in Romania where the climate and humility of its citizens makes an ideal place to live.
excellent plans…. retired life in romania is ok… but avoid any mid/large towns…. hilly or low-mountainous area are perfect…..now, you have cheap and rapid access everywhere in europe… i am romanian national-35 years worldwide seaman….. i still live in craiova, hometown….
What a one sided view of the hurdles of moving to a foreign country. What about the lifestyle? This is one side that every country in the world exhibits, including the USA.
Hello
for all people that will like to move to another place to start a new live, be aware that will be a lot of changes and full of new experiences.. I move to US and it took me a very long time to adjusted, but I did.. I’m working very hard to keep up with my bills, and if you want to have a good live any where you must have a very good job with a very good income. There is not place that life will be easy and cheap.. every thing has a price.. you pay for your food, fruit, gas, etc ..and at the same time someone lives from the production of the fruits..and so on..Ecuador is beautiful place make sure that you check which city or town in the country you will go, many people is there already enjoying their gold years
and people with a young family too.
Great article! Well said and so true. I read it before I moved here and I just came across it again and I linked it on my blog, http://www.ecuadorretirementreality.com to spread the word. It is just as true in 2015 as it was in 2013. Thanks posterdog and Dr. Lee Dubs for your heads up.
As Ecuadorian, I made the mistake ONCE (15 years ago) and that was enough for me to learn the lesson that Ecuador continues to be a corrupt third-world country!
I picked up everything I earned with the sweat of my brown, through years and put in a container and shipped to Guayaquil. My family is appalled and rightly so.
In customs “authorities” kept my container for three months -as red tape dictates- then I had to pay almost the same value of my old stuff I brought to my country to get out of the hands of the BUITRES, plus I had to hire a company SPECIALIZED in taking stuff out of customs. With humidity and carelessness in customs, my stuff was ruined, not counting the stealing of my most valuable items. Ecuador? No thanks!
I couldn’t read all of the comments, because I think one MAJOR point is missing from all of this. Ecuador is still a third-world country. Americans retiring or moving abroad after reading the nice articles in the New York Times and International Living, seem to forget that and I see them isolated in their gringo communities throughout the country. I am Ecuadorian. My family is Ecuadorian. My mother is Ecuadorian. She made the mistake of moving back there 5 years ago and she almost lost her life. Corruption is ridden deep throughout Latin America and Ecuador is no exception. This idea that there is quality medical services is a joke. My mom lost her leg after she was hit by a bus walking in a crosswalk in a mountain town in Pinchincha Province. She’s out of pocket more than $200,000 USD. No one is being held accountable. There is no insurance carried by the bus company to compensate her. If she waited as part of the government issued health care system to take effect, she’d still be waiting for the operation. That was a year ago. Two months ago, she lost her balance and broke her wrist. The ‘doctor’ displaced it when he was changing the cast and 8 weeks later, it healed completely out of place. Now she needs another round of surgeries that are also coming out of her pocket. No malpractice claims here.
My family and I see it everywhere. We know how unjust the country is – which is why most of us chose to leave it. And those that are there are plotting their escapes now.
Pay attention to the news. The people protesting are vocalizing concerns that should be heard. I would never put my money into any country with a president as corrupt as the one in place now. And if you’re one of the many considering it, do the research and think twice.
This is Latin America.
Thanks for the Info.I like Info good or bad,this help’s people make a choice much easier.Their is good and bad in all countries and in all goverment’s.But like you say people should do their homework and make a decision on where or what you want to do.
Thanks for the heads-up warning… appreciate it but also think corruption is most everywhere. Even the U.S. is becoming more corrupt by the day, at least imo. It’s almost as if one has to be corrupt to be a politician. I don’t feel safe in the U.S. anymore and others have told me they feel the same. JanaR
Thank you for all the helpful posts and for sharing your personal experiences. I have lived in the US all my life and am thinking of retiring in Ecuador. I have visited several times and love it, but visiting versus living there is two different things.
Several here mentioned that the ‘Cost Of Living’ in many desirable places in Ecuador is about the same as in the USA, and that it’s not cheaper there than living here in the US. What is so confusing is that I’ve read on several other blogs that the gas/electric utilities average $25 monthly and where I live in the US you can add a zero to that number. My monthly utilities in the US were $25 way back in the 1970’s, now they are a minimum of $250 monthly.
Also, water averages $100 per month here for me, but I read on several different blogs that even in nice places in Ecuador water only averages $20 per month. In most places in the U.S. you must have a car and good auto insurance, but it’s not necessary in Ecuador and cabs are cheap. Cabs are not cheap in the US. I also read that the housing in nice areas of Ecuador is cheaper than in most nice areas in the US. I realize that a lot depends upon where one lives in Ecuador, but the information is still conflicting.
So with all of that said, I don’t understand how it could cost the same as in the USA. How could the COL of Ecuador versus the US be so similar as some here have indicated? Does anyone know the answer to that? Thank you in advance.
Jana, I would have to say that for basic cost of living expenses it IS much cheaper to live here in Ecuador… once you have settled in and completed the immigration process. The start up costs can run in the thousands. Quality consumer goods are not always available and you only have the one chance to ship your household duty free. Imports are heavily taxed. I always tell people that the cost of living is cheap but THINGS are expensive. It really depends on your lifestyle.
Jana, my water bill here in Banos is $5.00 a month, my electric bill is about $8.00 a month, and the gas I use for cooking and shower is about $3.00 a month and I cook a lot. I have 4 tanks and have one for hot water and one for cooking with two back ups. One tank cost $3.00 and I use one tank every two months for each. Vegetables and fruit are really cheap and very good quality. I make my own tomato sauce, you can get 12 really nice and big tomatoes here for about a $1.50 which is enough to make sauce for a week. I go to Ambato and shop at Gran Aki. Imported food is expensive but you find some really good food that is made in Ecuador cheaper than the US. Almond are atrocious, I go back to Florida every 6 months to check on my mother and to shop and I bring back tons of stuff. Never have a problem at the border. I was going to bring a container but the cost did not justify the benefit for me. I rent a furnished 3 bedroom 3 1/2 bath home for $300 a month and it is only me. I got to know some Ecuadorians and that is how I found this house for so cheap. My total cost to live here for everything is under $800 a month and my pensions are over $4k. USA is terrible for taxes, insurance and utilities if you own your home. And rent is just stupid there. To get my visa was $1350 complete and I used an attorney in Quito and I got it while in the USA. Some people will buy a house and bring containers and all that stuff. That wasn’t for me, don’t need too. I have been looking for an apartment to buy but nothing that is worth it so far, so I will keep renting. My email is ajdaedone@gmail.com if you want more information.
A few more thoughts before I head to Ambato for my weekly grocery trip. Necessities in the USA are expensive whereas in Ecuador necessities are cheap. Items like appliances and TV’s and cars and expensive here. I bought a 32″ Smart TV for $510 which was a great price for here. And I brought a 24″ Smart TV from the USA I paid $200 for in my luggage for my bedroom. And sure you can spend more money to live if you choose too but you can find everything you need to live healthy and happy much cheaper here. And you really need to come and live here to find out if it is for you. Bottom line, Imported items are expensive. Need to adjust your lifestyle. It is not that hard.
Posterdog & Andre… thank you both so much for your replies. Your info is very helpful.
Posterdog you mentioned only one chance to ship household goods duty free.
Well, I also have concerns about shipping my belongings there. I have downsized quite a bit, but have do have a 2 bed/2 bath 950 sq ft home full of household goods and some furniture that I don’t want to replace and really would like to keep. Some of it has sentimental value (my late grandmothers table, etc). I have condensed my belongings and moved into a smaller home since my daughter got married and moved out, but still need what I have.
Back in the late 90’s after I returned from one of my trips I sent a package of goodies (to Banos) as a ‘thank you’ to someone, an American there on a temporary work visa, who had helped me out a few times. A few weeks went by and when it didn’t arrive we figured it was gone… as in stolen.
It contained several jars of fresh almond butter and tubes of mascara (which is supposedly very expensive in Ecuador) and a few other other goodies I knew she missed from the States or were too expensive to purchase In Ecuador.
Okay, so the total cost of the package and the postage was only $100, but it’s the principal, the loss still felt bad as we thought it was stolen… or so we thought when 2 months later she received a notice (she was still in Banos at the time) to pick up a package at the post office. When she arrived she had to wait in line for one hour. The package was torn apart. In all, it wasn’t worth it.
Then I read the above post by ‘Norma’, (posted on May 26th) about her heartbreaking experience shipping household goods purchased over the years. What are your thoughts on that? Thank you again for your help. JanaR
Yes, I agree. The mail system here is very inefficient. And unfortunately there will always be some risk of damage and/or theft whenever you ship anything. I know of one expat whose container was flagged by Homeland Security and the extensive damage that they (the US) caused.
We sought out a reputable shipping agent familiar with Ecuador customs and had no problems save for a few broken dishes. The cost to ship a partial container was almost as much as using the whole container so my advice to anyone is once you have decided that you are going to take advantage of having your household goods sent here bring everything you think you might need. You can always sell it later.
Jana, I sold almost everything before I moved here. Then I had an idea to send a 27′ container( figured I could by new stuff and take it out of the boxes as ship as used) , then it I checked with this guy that is online and in Cuenca about doing just that, he wanted $11,000, how about that for stealing from Gringo’s. I have a friend in Quito and he checked for me, from Orlando it would cost at the time was under 5k to my home here, where ever that would have been. So I would have had to spend about 15k to fill up the container, then 5k for the shipping…. so 20k. Not worth it. I went back to Florida in May and brought back a ton of stuff and in September I will go back and bring back a ton more stuff. I am coming back first class (Delta Skymiles) at the end of September so my luggage will be about 200 pounds (lol) Last time I took a cab from the Quito Airport to Banos.. I worked out a deal with the driver for $90 bucks and that was worth it, arriving at 11 PM. The only things I bought here was a TV, sheets, towels, a toaster and two cooking pans. The house that I am renting has everything.. furniture, appliances, cookware, dishes,,,even an office (lol). I bring my laundry to my friends laundry business who actually found me this house. And that costs about $15 a month. My internet is pretty good, faster than most around here and that costs $45 a month…..I need fast Internet. I do not use cable, I download movies on torrents for free and use Netflix. Their are pictures of my house on my Facebook (andre daedone is my handle) if you wanna see it? I am terrible with languages also, learning slowly but I surround myself with English-Spanish speakers. I still keep residency in Florida at my mothers house and have a Honda Accord I store near the airport. Next year, in September, I will return to China for one year, for Tai Chi and Xing yi Kung Fu, then I will return to Ecuador after that. For me, I retired at 53, almost 7 years now and I was always worried about not having enough money, but I have plenty, specially now that I am living here. Take Care, have to clean my house and cook today. Bye from Banos…..
Andre – That info is very helpful and what a relief to know it is cheaper there.
What you pay for water, utilities & rent are what I paid here in the U.S. back in the early 1970’s when I left my parents home and went out on my own. And, you’re right — rent and living costs have skyrocketed here and are ridiculous.
I can’t retire and also live comfortably and am stressed most of the time. Plus, I love Ecuador and the people, and quite frankly can’t stand America and Americans anymore, even though I am an American.
I also plan to rent for a year before buying, if I even decide to buy a home. I’ll have to see how it goes. But I certainly wouldn’t buy a house there until I lived there for at least a year. I hope things work out so I can leave this time next year. I have a lot of preparing to do and also need to learn conversational Spanish and then when I get there hope to eventually become fluent. I am not very good with languages, so that will be a challenge. Thanks again, JanaR
Renting is good, If you want to buy something here, you really have to look and look because prices have gone up quite a bit. The property that I am renting, the people want 400k for and it costs me $300 a month. lol That my dear is a no brainer to rent. The 400k is way overpriced, but the land in Banos near centro is about $100 – $150 per sq meter, land in the city of Cuenca can go for as much as $300 per sq meter. I have an Ecuadorian friend who is also a developer and he tried to sell me a house that him and his friends built for 100k, it was nice, but rent is so cheap…. If I could find a 80 sq meter 2 bedroom apartment or townhouse for $40 to $50k in a decent area I would buy, and they are out there but hard to find. I saw a house (townhouse) on OLX, brand new for $44k in Ambato right near Ficoa which is the nicest area in Ambato, but I think they decided not too build them…I tried and tried to get a hold of the people and I went there, just to find land, no houses ..lol. Now I really got to start my work… 🙂
Forget boys or sales pitches. The best way to really learn about living in Ecuador is to read forums where people share personal experiences.
I AM AN AMERICAN CITIZEN (ECUADORIAN) BY DECREE, DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS BORN IN NEW ORLEANS WHILE MY PARENTS WERE APPOINTED DIPLOMATIC SERVICE THERE , THIS STUPID GLITCH MADE ME AN ECUADORIAN,WHAT A MISTAKE ! I SHALL REGRET ALL MY LIFE,I HAD TO LEARN ENGLISH ( MY LANGUAGE MEANT TO BE ).PLEASE DO ME A FAVOR ! AND DO NOT GO TO ECUADOR ( A BEATIFUL COUNTRY POPULATED BY STUPID ” ASSHOLES ” PEOPLE ) THIS IS THE ONLY COUNTRY TO LIVE IN , NOT TO MAKE A PLACE TO BE WHICH IS MANOTHER ABERRATION !
Guayaquil is a good city to live-in , very cosmopolitans it is what New York is to the USA but at short ride from the other cities, especially beaches if you are a beach person. You may hear that it is not safe, no big city including Cuenca is safe. I say to my husband will you go to a fabela in Rio de Janeiro? and feel safe, unless you know a citizen of the country. There are beautiful communities in Guayaquil, a good area is Samborondon, and the route to the Coast. Before you make a decision, pay a visit to the Ecuadorian consulate in your area to find out what are the procedures to make your move. I am ecuadorian by birth came to US when I was 15 and have tons of family there, planing to move with my “gringo” husband and make the best of it. My plan is to live in Guayaquil, buy small land parcel in Tengel or any area that will give me fresh produce, hire overseers to take care of the land and get me a apartment in Playas, Libertad, La Milina o Salinas (shore towns). Sell one property here and buy a rental property that will give me monthly income and you will survive until your expiration date. From an ecuadorian.
Guayaquil is too hot for me and too big. Living in Cuenca now, it has all I want and more but to each is own.
I agree with Andre that climate in Guayaquil is a problem. After a month in Guayaquil my body has usually had enough, the heat wears me down. Manabi is an alternative for the laid back lifestyle, as temperatures there will be up to 10 degrees Celsius below Guayaquil with the added bonus of a beach that is not crowded. Salinas, Playas have a beach, but I feel the landscape in the province of Santa Elena and vicinity is outright ugly, comes close to a desert, dry, little vegetation and fairly flat. I cannot get out of there fast enough should I wind up there. Additionally, Playas and Salinas are the closest beaches from Guayaquil, so on public holidays you get an urban area of 5 million people make a run for the same spots on the beach. Not my kind of place. If I want to lead a productive life, Quito is my only choice, as Cuenca lacks opportunity. I am still looking at Manta. Pollution also seems to get to me more in Guayaquil than elsewhere, but I think the big cities in Ecuador generally have a pollution problem (Quito and Guayaquil). I was a landlord in Europe in the past and I am a landlord in North America now and yes, it can be a way of generating passive income to live on in Ecuador, but if you are not within a short drive of your properties, the complexity of administration will give you a lot of headache. Basically, you need to pay a caretaker/property manager for personalized service if you are overseas. One property I will definitely sell when my property manager retires, I cannot see another way out, and I live only 2.5 hours away from it most of the year. Whatever you do, this is not life on the easy track, but it is surely an enriching experience requiring lots of organizational skills. I like Andre’s approach, independence is king, don’t be burdened with properties. Have liquid assets, but keep most of them outside of Ecuador. I could start a blog about my experiences with Ecuadorian banks over the years, maybe I should. Only keep your immediate living expenses there, or be prepared to play Russian roulette with your money (Google “feriado bancario”, “COOPERA Cuenca”, “Banco Territorial”). Real estate is probably safer, but the market is a lot more informal, unregulated and not as dynamic compared to North America. In North America real estate is near cash in cities, not so in Ecuador in most places. Over the last 2 years prices have moved up a lot. Many products I routinely buy are 50% higher than 2 years ago. I agree that if you just need a roof, a bed, light, water, and transportation life is cheap. Then again, when I first came to Ecuador in 2003 local lunch for regular people (where your Fybeca cashier eats lunch) was $1 including drink, now I pay $3.50 for the same, so don’t bank on stable prices. Everything beyond that is expensive. In 2003 the most expensive vacation rental on the entire coast of Manabi would charge $20 a night, now Airbnb is littered with places on the beaches of Manabi charging you up to $150 a night. Luna Runtun in Banos used to cost around $100 a night not so long ago. You can go to their web page and check their prices now. I have been spending on average 2 months in Ecuador every year for the last 12 years due to family ties.
Jakob, It is cheaper here than the USA if you live cost effective. The problem with the USA is that you have to buy because rentals are terrible so real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, and homeowner fees are the never ending wallet drainer, every month forever. Where can you get a brand new 2 bedroom apartment in one of the best areas of any city in the USA for $350 a month. And utilities for me are only $15 a month (water, electric, and gas) total. My internet is 45 but I have fast internet because I am a gamer and since I don’t have cable, I download my shows. So, the duties and VAT here are quite high but I still furnish my new 2 bedroom apartment for 3500. I had furniture made for my living room and bedrooms, new washer, and fridge and dishes and stuff like that. I did buy a TV when I lived near Ambato and the price was steep but still got a good deal. The rest of my stuff I bring in from the USA. I travel between Orlando and here about 2 to 3 times a year to check on my mother and I have brought a whole lot of stuff over the past 20 months. I am done now. I have everything I want and need here. Last time I brought a gaming computer that I built, my bike, curtains for my new apartment and on and on. So now it cost’s me 800 a month to live and I cook everyday, I do not eat out. And with pensions of 4200 a month I am now saving a ton of money. About the banks you mentioned, yes they are dangerous, when the country has a problem they are the first ones to take your money. I keep about 6500 in Bank Pinchinca for living, some cash and I use my American debit cards if I need them. As for buying here, I think Ecuadorians ask to much for their property and selling it can be a hassle if you want to down the road. For instance, there is this building across the street from where I live and they are asking 240k for an apartment with a building fee of 150 a month. At 350 a month I could live for over 60 years which I doubt I will so buying an apartment is out of the question. As for traveling and staying in places here, you can still get a hostel with private room and bath almost everywhere in Ecuador for 12 – 15 a night. I used to use AirBnB but now most people renting there are asking too much. So in conclusion, your necessities here are still cheaper but your wants are more expensive. Cuenca is a great city to live in.
@Andre – Your posts are very informative and helpful. I posted above last summer and had planned to leave the States this summer, in 6-months or so, headed for Ecuador. But, my concerns have shifted, the new concern is a major one for me. It’s not about the cost of living. Hope it’s not too off-topic here.
I am concerned about GMO’s. Have you heard anything about them ‘coming to Ecuador soon’ type of stories. No sense moving there if Monsanto is going to eventually take over and destroy the farms/crops in Ecuador as they have in the U.S., where 90% of all food produced here is unsafe GMO food… and in other countries as well, where it’s now up to 50% and climbing.
Within the next few years it will be 99% here because that’s how they want it and they always seem to get their way. Monsanto (along with U.S. government backing) has rendered the soil unusable in many areas here (unless you use their seeds) and the farmland in others has been heavily sprayed with something that will eventually lead to GMO crops in those areas too.
I am not in a position to grow most of my own food (except for tomatoes, peppers & a few herbs, such as basil) and even if I did, it would eventually be contaminated by GMO’s especially due to pollination. The bees are also dying off because of the chemicals in the GMO crops/soil. “He who controls the oil controls the nation — he who controls the food supply controls the people.”
I’ve heard that the Ecuadorian president does not want GMO crops in Ecuador but that doesn’t mean he will actually have total control over that decision. Once they are there they spread and there’s no way to clean it up and start over. I know the Ecuadorian government and it’s people are against GMO’s, but that may not matter at the end of the day…. if you know what I mean.
What have you heard about GMO crops in Ecuador? Thanks for your insights. I appreciate all feedback/information from other posters as well. Thanks, JR
I don’t know anything about GMO foods or crops in Ecuador…
Ok, thanks anyway… maybe someone who does know will see this post.
I searched before posting here, but the info that surfaced was contradictory.
Dr Kary Calvas fluent English speaking physician (internal medicine) may be reached in Quito at 0995087477
If you contact the EC consulate in DC before you make the move he will tell you what you need for the cedula. He will tell you to verify the information on the EC website. He will tell you about the documens/certificates etc you will need to have certified by your secretary of state…apostilized!
Everything that you can imagine must have certification. Divorce certificates, passport documents in color and apostilized, marriage certificates, driver’s licenses in color, pilot certificates, FAA mechanic certificates, dog certificates, birth certificates, death certificates, proof or income certificates from SS or VA or employer or business certificates proving income, you name it, you might just need it down the road. So get it.
I had no problems and I did not speak Spanish, but I had a book and a helper. I found someone that assisted me and I paid her nothing. Bought her dinner and paid for a few beers and had fun. I found her before I left the states. You only need someone that speaks the language and that has half a brain to assist you. Or you can find someone after you arrive, but you had best have all of the documents or you will be on the internet requesting them from your state officials and that doesn’t mean city or county.
In fact, it took less time to get the document than it would have using a silly attorney here. They lie to you. They take your passport…why? They do not need it. I never gave my passport to anyone.
You are dealing with government employees so take that into consideration. Their brains have not developed beyond imbecilic. I’m serious. This is a developing country and their brains must develop along with everything else on this planet.
I also brought my 8 year old German Shepherd and I had no problems. I did not use a service. They lie to you! They try to scare you into believing that your baby will be taken from you and destroyed. BS! But you must follow the rules about vaccines and the time limits. A very simple process. Just don’t get disturbed and anxious.
This is a wonderful country. Stay away from Gary and his cronies and the rest of the scammers. Gary said that the cops here will not take bribes. BS! I know they do. I know they do in Chicago too! And St. Louis and Tucson! Cops take bribes of one type or another, be it sex or money or food or whatever they need at the time…even a coke and a hamburger!
And fly LAN Ecuador.
Last year nearly five thousand US citizens gave up their citizenship and left the country. That does not count the number who left the country, became expats and sought dual citizenship. If you are willing to assimilate into the language, culture, traditions, and communities of any country you move to, you will be happy. Admittedly, Ecuador is not as easy to buy things and find familiar conveniences. However consider why people are leaving the US: the Tax Structure is insane; Politics are outrageous and drifting farther and farther away from moderation; the Cost of everything increases monthly; the Judicial system is no longer something where one can get equal justice; the People are becoming less tolerant and more violent towards one another; there is a growing effort to denigrate Civil Liberties, Religion and the Constitution; Medical costs continue to skyrocket; the World is ripe for a nuclear WWIII in the Middle East, in Africa, with Russia, with China and involving the United States; Islamic Terrorists threaten all countries of the world, especially western nations, with an intense hatred for “the Great Satan,” the United States; there is an abnormal growth of the Federal Government with corresponding ineffectiveness resulting in increased populous dissatisfaction; there is a growing loss of Farms Lands, Irrigation Rights and Farmers that will continue the spiraling food costs; the nation’s infrastructure has been neglected to the point that dams, bridges, levies, railway beds, airport runways, and highways pose serious threats to the population; as baby boomers retire there is a generation of college graduates that cannot find jobs, are living with their parents, are not producing children and as a result will reduce the consumption of products, national GDP and the standard of living. My list is considerably longer, but those presented are sufficient to make the point.
So why Ecuador. It has a leftist government, so leans the US. The country economy is growing, the US declining. The Indigenous Population is agricultural with a year-round growing season of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. Adding to the abundant rainfall, the two mountain ranges are high enough for year-round snow and ice cap providing clean, clear water. The monetary system currently uses the US dollar. Except for western clothes like jeans and gym shoes, and electronics, the cost of living is considerably lower. A Social Security Check would provide a very good standard of living outside the three major cities, while at $2000 a month, you can live extremely well anywhere in the country. Ecuadorians are generally friendly to “Gringos.” Ecuador and South America offer a new culture to enjoy, new scenic wonders, a whole new adventure. Litigation is at a minimum as accidents happen and personal responsibility is expected, as long as you do not hurt someone other than yourself. At the equator, it enjoys equal 12 hour days and 12 hour nights, with only a five minute variation and no daylight savings time. The country is either foot hills to or valleys in between mountains to the west and the Amazon jungle to the east, always a spectacular view. In the mountain valleys, it is spring time year-round. The west south part of the country are beautiful beaches, commercial shrimp and fish sources of fresh seafood only a few hours away. Hammocks are a way of life.
[…] You can also refer to these other articles which I found helpful while looking for more information on Ecuador and things to know before moving or visiting : 1) Ecuador Visa- International Living 2) Ecuador Checklist: Life In Ecuador 3) What aren’t you being told about Ecuador- South of Zero […]