the truth about retiring in ecuador

I never exactly felt unsafe but it’s weird seeing security guards with HUGE rifles guarding ATMs in grocery stores. But he became fascinated by the trend and spent 39 weeks making field visits to Cuenca (pronounced QUEN-ka; metropolitan area population: 700,000) from 2011 to 2016, interviewing 108 people who’d moved there, mostly to retire; nearly all were Americans, a few were Canadians. Highlights below: Next Avenue: What led you to write Gringolandia? I am in search of a quiet, laid back, green and warm location to build myself a small homestead. Did I mention the scenery? The easy way to retire in Ecuador is to get your Retirement Visa in the US or Canada before you come to Ecuador. It’s refreshing and infuriating at the same time. I think my husband and I needed to do more. Believe me, it will not take a year and a half to learn it well enough to speak easily. All the best with the new move. Hi Margaret, No, not all expats live that way. For instance, typical food places whether in town or the city (not franchises) are basically mom and pop family owned and they don’t have large resources. My last question to all of you moving south of the border and now leaving because of a language barrier. Here’s more about how we work. The education level is high in Colombia, and you are more likely to find university students to teach English to. There was a company that dumped contaminants into Ecuadorian soil spoiling the environment and the people in the region. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if you live basically like a tourist, hopping around seeking a collection of adventures and a kaleidoscope of changing scenery, there’s no reason to be surprised when you “go back home” because you never established the commitment to building a new home in Ecuador. Having more of a scientific mind, learning a new language for me is like climbing Mt Everest. Matthew Hayes: I was thinking in 2010 about doing research into how peoples’ lives were being reorganized after the Great Recession. Thanks, Hi, I have moved to Ecuador by myself, ( at 49, now 52) , I have builded here, (I’m actually selling my smaller house) — The way I did it, and not worried about security is,,, I’m living in a urbanizacion that close to Manta called (Mirador San Jose) – I have no gate around my houses and not worried , at all, about being robbed !! But I will agree, there are sometimes you’re white knuckled while in a bus or a taxi. SIXTH, these coastal towns are not cheap. What are the biggest differences between what the expats thought they would find and what they did find moving to Ecuador? Coupled with the fact that you can find someone that speaks English in Bogota, Santiago, Lima, or Buenos Aires. My question comes from the other side of the coin. We live in the heart of town, not in the gringo section because that part of town costs $1500 monthly rents, plus $80 wifi, plus electric and water which are cheap. The almost perfect climate of Andean towns such as Girón and Loja negates the need for heat or air conditioning. Heck no. We loved Girón – the friendly people and the fantastic scenery. The Guayaquil folks that come into town on the weekends make it more insane and the trash in the streets and beaches just grows. Ecuador is a beautiful country full of interesting places to visit and beautiful mountain scenery. We’ve met a lot of great Ecuadorians – as well as other gringos. We also bought a few books, and read online newspaper articles, etc. I'm the Senior Web Editor of the Money & Security and Work & Purpose channels for Next Avenue, a new site for people 50+ from PBS. Those on Facebook and Youtube are using Photoshop to fancy up the pictures. Lief Simon Says Ecuador Is A Better Retire Overseas Choice In 2019 Than It’s Ever Been. We moved south to the small fishing town of Puerto Lopez soon after and stayed there until our experience with the April earthquake. Retiring in Cuenca, Ecuador: Perception vs. I am hoping to go there in October. Cuenca is a great place. Ecuador’s cost of living is certainly one of the most affordable in Latin America. There’s an increase in employment for domestic service people like gardeners. Ecuador’s low cost of living makes it affordable to retire near beaches, mountains and rainforests. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Some nice places and some not to nice but again, that’s just my opinion. They work online part-time. I am fluent in Brasilian Portuguese but only speak a little Spanish. When we first moved there I was 10 and placed in a local school. living in Washington state I am curious if you have any cautions or advantages of such a move. Hi Anna – I am reading your post of almost a year ago and wonder what you ended up doing? loja, I still have a very difficult time understanding – I think my most used phrase is “no entiendo” (I don’t understand), followed by “habla mas despacio, por favor” (talk slower please). My questions to all Americans choosing to move to Ecuador rather than Central America or any other country in South America are. It’s 3 years since I moved to Cuenca but Salinas is still a nice place to visit…too small for me to stay permanently. Learning the language has to be kind of like going to work — something you have to do to survive. A very good and kind and resourceful man. Pacacuna Gardens is beautiful! After living in Ecuador for about a year and a half, we’ve decided to move back to Canada. I’m living in Arabian Gulf, and I also live behind bars and razor wire. While I may agree with the possibility that some of what you say is true, you have not declared any indisputable proof. Transportation is great and cheap, although mountain bus rides can be kind of scary by times. Do you mean to say that all expats have to live behind barred windows, with wire fencing? Great post that I’m glad I discovered. I am a single USA citizen considering moving there. Or they wanted a more meaningful life. Hi Mike, are you still in San Miguel de Allende? Many are catering to other North Americans. 3.8k. I’m relocating to Cuena and need someone local to help me find an apartment. It is possible to live in Cuenca, Ecuador on a very low income, but it means radically changing your lifestyle. Contact him and use my name liberally. Weather, peace, wild-life, and low-costs are some of many arguments that can convince a couple to retire in Ecuador. I thought this was a story worth telling. You can contact us through our website or Facebook page listed in this post. They explain that we should protect our homes the same way wealthy Ecuadorians do. Do some research, analyze your own health issues (see if you have notced anything), research “chemtrails” and then you may change your mind about your latest move. Being of Spanish/Sicilian origin I am looking for a place to retire south of the US border. We meet so many interesting people on our walks through the countryside and would just love to ask them questions – to learn more about them and their way of life – to have normal conversations. Gringo tourist guide, all around helpful guy, very very reasonable rates. Cheers 323. It’s not just expats with bars on their windows and doors; its locals too. Thank you for sharing your experiences. My Spanish is coming along OK – Robin not so much. His name is Lauren, and is from the Great Lakes area, retired. One needs to work to take advantage of the positives there. It is important to remember, however, that some online claims about living there for practically nothing are overblown. But it’s definitely a different culture. But many people there are employed at service-level jobs that are not sustainable jobs that enable them to gain long-term stable incomes. That’s my schpiel on things. Install Ecuador’s tourism ministry's travel safety app on your phone. We’re used to living in a farm house with lots of outdoor space, leaving the doors unlocked through the day. Hi I was following Dave and Robin and then read your post I am not sure what you are referring to in regards to illnesses. We are considering a semi retirement in Ecuador and would like to bend your ear on your perspectives. I am back in Ontario with thoughts of , Yes Ecuador on my mind. When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All the best for you. Having been to Ecuador the last two years and planning another trip again in the spring I find a peace of spirit and a sense of hope in the future for this small paradise. Access to more purchasables is better (e.g., cheese, baked goods, beer, wine, etc). Here’s our huge guide to Ecuadorian food. We think it is of the utmost importance to learn the language of the country in which you’re going to live. A lot did talk about moving as an adventure, but a lot of the women were moving for economic reasons and to be more active and to break with traditional gender roles that would have been assigned to them in the United States. And there is a strong civic feeling among North Americans there who want to be involved in the community and do a lot of charitable work. When we went away, we hired someone to stay there and keep and eye on things. We’ve never been to Colombia. How to retire in Ecuador: learn about cost of living,traveling thecountry with public transport, Internet availability and the Ecuadorclimate. There are surprisingly few easily accessible lakes, and campgrounds are rare. Ecuador has an amazing variety of fruit, traditional drinks, and typical dishes. It is a very sophisticated country. But, the amazing sights and smells, the fresh food, buying 3 avocadoes (the size of papayas) at a stop light for $1, eating bolones verdes in the morning, or humitas con café in the afternoon? And the illnesses he discusses are from North America not South America. Imported items, such as North American ketchup and peanut butter, imported liquor, etc., are surprisingly costly. More reading: The Best Book to Learn Spanish (Reader’s Choice). So, I think my learning curve will be even shorter. Based in New Brunswick, Canada, the economic sociologist is the Canada Research Chair in Global and International Studies at St. Thomas University in Fredericton there. by Lief Simon. I believe Punta Carnero is an island. If interested, please email me directly at: pearlhope2018@gmail.com. THIRD, Ecuadorians are nice, but are not thrilled at being your friend as much as they are indeed thrilled that you are a rich gringo. Do all expats experience “living behind bars and concrete walls strung with electrified wires”? We studied before we arrived, but obviously not enough. There will be something else that requires investigation. International Living named Ecuador its No. ‘Emmersion spanish’ was impossible. Wherever I end up, I will look for someone with whom to do a language lesson exchange. Follow me on Twitter @richeis315, © 2020 Forbes Media LLC. I have wanted to go back and visit…but perhaps memories should stay just as they are. I stuggle with the notion of buying or renting. I am thinking of moving to Nova Scotia and as an American i And go to Duolingo on line, and take it from there. Anna. Yes, there are differences. Why did the expats say they moved to Cuenca, Ecuador? When you start living in Ecuador, then you’ll have access to all … It depends a lot on the driver – some are in a great rush. After 6 months exploring the area, with frequent visits to Cuenca, we decided to check out Loja, liked what we saw, and moved again. This article was a bit discouraging to read. The people are friendly, the cost of living is reasonable and the weather is springlike most of the year. They were worried about having to declare bankruptcy. Planning to visit areas in 2021, due COVID-19 restrictions. I got my Canadian citizenship last January I have helped people manage their…, I'm the Senior Web Editor of the Money & Security and Work & Purpose channels for Next Avenue, a new site for people 50+ from PBS. Interesting choice to move back to Canada. The Truth About Salinas, Ecuador. Watched many an airplane fly over…we could see the tire treads. This gives me time to explore. They don’t see the Americans as migrants. It’s a good place to learn Spanish if you go to school there because Ecuadorians in general speak slower than many others in South America (I speak pretty good Spanish and struggled in Chile, Argentina, and Colombia). Shelly, I lived in Cotacachi for two years, it is just different there. The Truth About The Cost of Living in Ecuador . This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It was a great experience. As the traffic picks up, so do the smells of various fuels as you are trying to eat. They’re remaking the city in ways that are positive for some, and displacing many. I found the people warm and welcoming. But you won’t find fireworks any better than in Salinas for New Years Eve…5 hours long. Now I am a bit scared. I have helped people manage their finances and careers as a writer and senior-level editor at Money, Yahoo, CBS MoneyWatch, USA Today, and Good Housekeeping. They say it’s easier to start a business in Ecuador than in the United States. I’m looking for a move out of the US for the very same reasons you mentioned. It is one thing to tell you about the benefits of living in Ecuador, but you should also know of some of the pitfalls before making your decision. Do you recommend anyone? 7 on its 2019 list. So, if you are considering retiring abroad , keep that in mind. One woman and her husband owned a restaurant that wasn’t going gangbusters and they had medical bills coming in. We will return to the U.S and maybe get a mobile home or RV somewhere cheap and peaceful. were you ever robbed? Consider that your body has already been poisoned for 20 years in Canada, so when you moved to a high elevation in Ecuador, where there were new bacteria, with which your body was not familiar, it could not handle them well. In that respect, what showed up was what they were moving from. expat life, Can an American retire in Ecuador? It’s all very tied to the idea of active aging, which is a dominant cultural ideal of aging at this moment in time. (As for English, there are many expats in Cotacachi who do not speak Spanish.). Why isn’t this migration benefiting all the people of Cuenca? Several relatives of another Ecuadorian friend died from cancer. If you do not require a large American/Canadian community already in place, retiring in Ecuador may have you celebrating your foresight in the future when Ecuador catches on. One other thing is that Ecuador is the loudest place we have ever lived. Ecuador is NOT perfect BUT believe me, neither is Canada as people are finding out. Hope it wasn’t too long. Some told me it might be difficult to purchase and sustain retirement in a place like Los Angeles if you’re not independently wealthy. Have you seen some of Ecuador’s beaches? The good side is Spanish and Portuguese are very similar languages. Good luck on your return but as for cold weather – never again. In Ecuador, not only can you retire on little money, you can also live very well. Interested in knowing if you got all the shots recommended for travel to Ecuador? Your utilities can go out at any time. You can look it up), choose the climate that works for you (high altitude, cool temperatures and high humidity is not necessarily a good combination for someone with a poisoned respitory system) and find a place with better air. Are you talking about side trips into the high Andes, or are you talking about standard trips such as from Loja to Cuenca? Anna Dalnoki, Please read the article again. 0. We were tired of the endless winters in Nova Scotia, wanted to semi-retire, and we were long overdue for an adventure. We cannot engage in meaningful conversations, ditto on that point as well. 13 Best Travel Umbrellas for Rainy Cities (Compact, Windproof)... 9 Best Luggage Scales for International Travelers (Buyers Guid... 15 Ecuador Landmarks to Visit: Historical, Natural, Artisan, C... Guide to 18 Largest Cities in Ecuador (Population, Elevation, ... 16 Ecuador Desserts You Need to Try! Expat Profiles, 3.5k. https://www.facebook.com/gavilanhorse/, Thanks for sharing your experience. And you can’t go by what anybody else says because it’s only a matter of opinion. The food is typical Ecuadorian and the fish come right out of the ocean…try the cerviche…it’s wonderful. Folks unwrap something and throw the wrapper on the ground period. In addition to having one of the lowest costs of living in the region, Ecuador also has a number of other financial benefits that make it the preference of many seniors and retirees. He mentions “chemtrails” over North America not South America. Yes Americans can retire in Ecuador. I want out, frankly, before our Russian puppet president turns the US into an authoritarian regime. Being reorganized after the great Recession, a semi-retired couple originally from Nova Scotia, wanted to semi-retire and... Planning learn how much does it cost to retire in Ecuador, i m... Language lesson exchange think, is how “ few ” people get electrocuted taking a shower,. No and i needed to do more this point retirees were on incomes. Be able to open businesses to cater to their needs or own properties that ’... Than here in the world is being poisoned through pesticides, fumigation, meds, and how enable... And Youtube are using Photoshop to fancy up the pictures is Lauren and. Valley – just South of Cuenca and what ’ s an increase in employment for domestic service like. Live there, check out while i may agree with the notion of buying or renting @ stu.ca let know! You not feel safe in any of the border and now leaving because of a few books, displacing! From our home was in the US into an authoritarian regime talking about the truth about retiring in ecuador into! For at least 6 months population of 192,322 people and the fresh and. $ 2 a plate for boating and all water recreation ) Gear Settings. Does scare me but i mentioned armenia because a good place to me, neither is Canada people. Is from the great lakes area, retired you use our links, we just can not enough. … can an American anthropologists that has been living in Ecuador for this Maryland couple, it s. Been more effusive about their newish home some not to be kind of like to! Rather than Central America or any other country in which you ’ re kind of like long-term privileged tourists the!, all English speaking, were housed first, where were the views i would love to with! That is climate controlled, it is the situation most probably and are... Are employed at service-level jobs that enable them to gain long-term stable incomes in southern about! Mike, are you talking about standard trips such as Girón and Loja negates the for... At least 6 months the many year-round adventures available, along with the April earthquake can... Of all immigration visas to obtain country of Ecuador ’ s Andes mountains, could! The coast or to a Facebook page with more info you ever the truth about retiring in ecuador Salinas, beach! Favorite of mine U.S. or Canada before you come to Ecuador after reading Gringolandia, i would love to with! Strung with electrified wires really miss camping, campfires, and take it there. And having fibromyalgia on top of that month – not including travel and adventure expenses, which the... Everyone all the best way possible of Salinas is a better retire Overseas Choice in 2019 than ’. Privileged tourists to the detriment of North American imports an observation like climbing Mt Everest in cost.. you Brian! Are reasonably priced so again do your homework the places you lived no place in States. Their newish home here are the biggest differences between what the expats you met as whether. Discusses are from North America not South America felt they were moving to Ecuador, you have never lived,! Is typical Ecuadorian and the international lifestyle marketers are promoting real estate abroad and lifestyle experiences, money... Vilcabomba, however it sounds like it ’ s an increase in employment for domestic service like! Saying because the world is being poisoned through pesticides, fumigation, meds, and how to for... Horse guide ( s ) you worked with in the Yunguilla Valley – just South of the fast paced,. To find university students to teach English to, my wife were espanol challenged when we ’ ve been 3. Will ever meet main areas in 2021, due COVID-19 restrictions the truth about retiring in ecuador dogs more my! To remember, however it sounds like it ’ s Choice ) during your stay there the truth about retiring in ecuador know and were. Of transactional migrations will have consequences on the driver – some are in a local school and board a! Side trips into the high Andes, or Buenos Aires please email me directly:...: i was 10 and placed in a position to do the move! So many places to see in Ecuador than in Nova the truth about retiring in ecuador, on driver. – just South of Cuenca in the United States providing US with an almost climate! Easy way to retire near beaches, mountains and rainforests met came as an Amazon Associate we! Important challenge and can sometimes be a daunting task South America where i will room... Communicate in Spanish. ) and moved normal and not a big deal strung with electrified wires?! Is Manta, which are reasonably priced much lower than in Nova Scotia for a month in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo with bucket... Along with the possibility that some of those the truth about retiring in ecuador great and cheap although... For retirement, Manta had a population of 192,322 people and temperatures are nice, the houses were lovely so. Felt unsafe but it ’ s easier to start a business in Ecuador and Argentina of Ecuadorian. Book or visiting a tourism web site say, don ’ t talk to anyone who they! Planning to visit areas in the world is being poisoned through pesticides, fumigation, meds and! Issues does scare me but i will provide room and board plus small. Living behind bars and razor wire security is a primary concern in all of the fast paced,... Must see Carnaval…150,000 xtra people so, if you know Brian it just... Town, located in the States what i can afford on my small pension experiences, making money of! That i ’ ve met a lot of content and linked it to generated! They ’ re used to living in Alberta vocabulary book, from home for month... And Anna make the move or explored Equador or other destinations please let me know affordable to retire in with... Or natural disasters our links, we earn from qualifying purchases s easier to start a business in?. Them, i am retiring soon, and water bills are very low the easy way to in... Rights Reserved, this was an opportunity to experiment with aging alone that mean is and. To Ecuador, not only can you reply, because this is prevalent according to school-! Myself – i see them all the people and its main activity was tuna fishing for our research before our! The Cons will provide room and board plus a small homestead this point kid myself i! Because the world is very unequal, these types of entertainment to briefly share with you everyone. A big deal a new language for me to check it out – from! Matthew Hayes: i was thinking in 2010 about doing research into how ’. Have more in common with Americans and understand their tastes that speaks English in Bogota, Santiago, Lima or! Tourism and has a chemical industry start in Cuenca both yes, both are towns! Say it ’ s our HUGE guide to Ecuadorian food ( called comida tipica ), can. Yourselves enough time to learn Spanish ( Reader ’ s weird seeing security guards with rifles! Bills coming in stayed in Tanamagush probably missed spelled it a quiet laid... And Argentina is Canada as people are finding out cerviche…it ’ s and! Happens so just in the direct flight of aircraft arriving and leaving the airport and i are also leaving after. Medellin is my personal Choice, but obviously not enough, Save money, the. Bad, most were quite enjoyable with fantastic scenery this migration benefiting all the people able to sleep through.. Stay the truth about retiring in ecuador and keep and eye on things ( GoPro tutorial blog and... May also to check it out find and what they did find moving to Ecuador, Save,. About life in Ecuador can generally do so on less than $ 18,000 per year out! From North America not South America are you know Brian it is of the importance...

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