(7/2010) American Gringos: Retiring In Ecuador

"You can rent a place for $200 or $300." But you would not want to live in any of these places. this does not include buying your refrigerator and stove also.

"In the afternoon I wonder, why haven’t Ecuadorian women fought to get rid of the prohibition to wear shorts?" A lot of women wear shorts in Guayaquil. They are not prohibited here. Have no idea where she got this idea from?

"Living here I have had to let go of certain fears. For one thing, taxis don’t have seat belts!" HUH? In Guayaquil, taxis are stopped if the driver and the front passenger does not have their seat belts on! There are seat belts for the rear passengers as well, but most here do not use them.

"Cars don’t slow down for pedestrians." TRUE

Ecuadorean Chocolate is available also. She is not looking it the right places.

Cuenca Ecuador is considered by many the "The World's Best Retirement Haven" as named by International Living and Live and Invest Overseas in 2009. Rich culture, low cost, low crime rate, and year round spring-like weather put it at the top. The city as also awarded UNESCO's distinction as a World Heritage Trust site. Cuenca attracts more foreign residents than any other city in Ecuador.
Know as the Athens of the Andes and the city of flowers, Cuenca is the third largest city in the country, however retains the relaxed pace of a much smaller town. Charming cobblestone streets, old-world cathedrals, colonial parks and the confluence of 4 major rivers make this the most attractive of Ecuador's cities. Many travel writers have called Cuenca the most European of Latin American cities.
Cuencanos have a proud intellectual tradition that have produced more famous writers, poets, artists, and philosophers than anywhere else in Ecuador. Museums, research and cultural organizations abound. As a university town, Cuenca has 8 universities, the most prestigious being Universidad de Cuenca home to over 12,000 students. Excellent spanish language schools make Cuenca a hot spot for North Americans and Europeans. Cuenca is the capital of the Azuay province and the economic center of the southern Sierra with a urban population of over 400,000. Located as it is in the central Andean range at 8,200 ft Cuenca enjoys a year round spring-like climate. The temperate climate is ideal for raising the flowers and orchids exported internationally. Cuenca's year round pleasant weather makes it an all season destination.

If you or anyone you know are looking to visit or move to Ecuador , we can help!
We can help make your visit or move to Ecuador much smoother. We have information and connections on how to rent or buy a house, farm or other real estate, immigrate (which includes shipping containers, visas, and permanent resident papers), open a bank account and/or a business, buy equipment (like tractors, cars and trucks) and all the other little things that are needed such as telephones and Internet hook-up, Spanish classes (private or group), buying and selling gold and silver, etc.

Visit : ecuadorcentral.com

I have lived in Quito for over 16 years, I am happy to help with any questions you might have about the country. Patrick- bullock0005@yahoo.com

latino_gringo wrote:

"You can rent a place for $200 or $300." But you would not want to live in any of these places. this does not include buying your refrigerator and stove also.
"In the afternoon I wonder, why haven’t Ecuadorian women fought to get rid of the prohibition to wear shorts?" A lot of women wear shorts in Guayaquil. They are not prohibited here. Have no idea where she got this idea from?
"Living here I have had to let go of certain fears. For one thing, taxis don’t have seat belts!" HUH? In Guayaquil, taxis are stopped if the driver and the front passenger does not have their seat belts on! There are seat belts for the rear passengers as well, but most here do not use them.
"Cars don’t slow down for pedestrians." TRUE
Ecuadorean Chocolate is available also. She is not looking it the right places.

Si. I read the article with increasing skepticism, commenting to my wife that it doesn't sound like the writer's been here that long, and surprise, surprise... toward the end of her web-site article the writer claims to have lived in Cuenca for a whole 3 weeks!

i chose ecuador for 4 basic reasons over my natal US...

1. Food- Cheap, Delicious, organic, natural...great.

2. Low Costs- You really can live for $600 a month, not have to drive, eat for $2, and pay $150 month in rent in a decent but small, simple place.

3. Mild Weather- The weather in Ecuador is warm yet very mild, there are many places with micro-climates, you can pick and chose however hot or cold you want and live in that temperature all year round.

4. Single's scene- Ecuador is great for single men and women, the locals dig foreigners...

For more on Ecuador from an honest, expat point of view, check http://www.EcuadorRealEstate.org

I am considering moving to Ecuador in a few years, but I have a few concerns...
1. what are the public bathrooms like? I heard some don't have running water and that you pay for toilet paper- is this true?
2. how bad is the smog? is it only bad in some of the really big cities?
3. what jobs are open for gringos that don't speak Spanish? how much would they pay?
4. since some dangerous druggy countries border Ecuador; is Ecuador bothered with that more than the US has a problem with drugs?
5. i heard they have really bad water that can hurt you- how true is that? how do you avoid it and the other illnesses?
6. i heard the fruit can make you sick and you should cook it first. do you guys do that?

sammy wrote:

I am considering moving to Ecuador in a few years, but I have a few concerns...
1. what are the public bathrooms like? I heard some don't have running water and that you pay for toilet paper- is this true?
2. how bad is the smog? is it only bad in some of the really big cities?
3. what jobs are open for gringos that don't speak Spanish? how much would they pay?
4. since some dangerous druggy countries border Ecuador; is Ecuador bothered with that more than the US has a problem with drugs?
5. i heard they have really bad water that can hurt you- how true is that? how do you avoid it and the other illnesses?
6. i heard the fruit can make you sick and you should cook it first. do you guys do that?

1. Most public toilets are clean...just bring toilet paper as that's not generally supplied.
2. Most areas in the country are pretty clear. Quito has a lot of problems because it's nestled in a long "valley" that traps the exhaust of the many buses, taxis and aircraft flying into the city. I don't know enough about Guayaquil to say anything.
3. You can teach English. The pay will go from less than $4/hr to more than $15/hr. It depends on where you find work. I taught full time at the Fulbright Commission in Quito for a while. The pay was just over $800/month plus some benies. That's better than the average pay in Ecuador, but it was a demanding job. If you want to teach English, it might be a good idea to get a TEFL certificate (got mine online in 6 months from ITTT. Other than that, Ecuador is a country that requires you to become an entrepreneur to make a living. I created a business there that my wife is now running. The place forces you to think creatively.
4. Drug busts have become increasingly more abundant (a good thing, though unexpected thing) after the President kicked the US military out of the counrty. Ecuador got on the world's shit list for money laundering (after all, they use US currency), and after much imbarrassment the Ecuadorian government went into high gear. Lots of cocaine has been intercepted from Columbia. If your a day-to-day person without a drug habit or connection, the drug problem as it relates to Ecuador is sort of irrelevant. Just watch it on TV.
5. My family buys bottled water, but I ain't so sure it's all what it's supposed to be. I was drinking water from the the faucet, but my neighborhood was pretty good. We also boiled water then stored it in the fridge. If your uncertain, that's the best bet.(Gas for boiling your water is very, very cheap in Ecuador.)
6. No. Different fruits are available during the year. Last month, before leaving the country, you could get a bunch of juice oranges on the street for $1. Fresh orange juice is great! The only precaution we concerned ourselves with, was to make sure the fruits and vegetables were clean. Sometimes, we would use clorox in the cleaning process. That's all. I was there 4 years with my Ecuadorian wife and our three children with no ill effects.

domenick buonamici wrote:

i chose ecuador for 4 basic reasons over my natal US...
1. Food- Cheap, Delicious, organic, natural...great.
2. Low Costs- You really can live for $600 a month, not have to drive, eat for $2, and pay $150 month in rent in a decent but small, simple place.
3. Mild Weather- The weather in Ecuador is warm yet very mild, there are many places with micro-climates, you can pick and chose however hot or cold you want and live in that temperature all year round.
4. Single's scene- Ecuador is great for single men and women, the locals dig foreigners...
For more on Ecuador from an honest, expat point of view, check http://www.EcuadorRealEstate.org

1. Food used to be cheap, but not anymore, at least at the better Supermarkets.
2. Rent and housing used to be cheap, but in Guayaquil, it is more expensive now. An good apartment will cost you $400 or more, with no stove or frig, as landlords do not provide them anymore. Anything less will rent you a very small apartment and if your looking for an 'American style" apartment it will cost you $1,000+ no including electric ands in some cases a water bill. Outside the cities rents would be less, but you would need a car as there is no public transportation
3. Weather is humid and depending on what month it is can be rainy as well. There is a drought here, so there might be blackouts again starting in November depending if there is any water at the dams. Quito and Cuenca are cooler and less humid due to the altitude they are on. If you have high blood pressure you might not be able to live there full time.

Hey, is the bug population worse in that area because of the year-round warm weather? And, does it rain all day most days, or just the occasional showers...because I have been keeping track of the forecast for Cuenca, and it literally has been saying that it rains every day!!!

I have a house in la merced and am planning on retiring there in 2011 i built my home in 2005 and furnished it since i have a caretaker living there who takes care of the grounds we plan on taking a car there as the cars are much more expensive there than in the us. the food is cheap if you buy it in a local market not the large stores my total cost of my property is 3,600.00 per year including everything with the exception is my food car and car insurance I would sugest if you are going to retire there buy your house or condo but do not finance it there as the interest is very high

thomas ostrander wrote:

I have a house in la merced and am planning on retiring there in 2011 i built my home in 2005 and furnished it since i have a caretaker living there who takes care of the grounds we plan on taking a car there as the cars are much more expensive there than in the us. the food is cheap if you buy it in a local market not the large stores my total cost of my property is 3,600.00 per year including everything with the exception is my food car and car insurance I would sugest if you are going to retire there buy your house or condo but do not finance it there as the interest is very high

If your planning on bringing a car, it has to be NEW! And it will have to pass pollution testing...not sure what the tests are. Raffy's government is offering tax incentives for hybred cars. Yes, cars are expensive here and they will cost more shortly as Raffy has added a new 'luxury' tax to cars. A Nissan Versa in the USA is under $13,000 loaded, but here the same car as a base model is $19,900 and going UP! Gasoline on the other hand is cheap,$1.46 for regular!

I will not do business with this company or any company related to this company or cuencacentral.com
They make serious threats and more!
Kelly Stewart

EcuadorCentral wrote:

Cuenca Ecuador is considered by many the "The World's Best Retirement Haven" as named by International Living and Live and Invest Overseas in 2009. Rich culture, low cost, low crime rate, and year round spring-like weather put it at the top. The city as also awarded UNESCO's distinction as a World Heritage Trust site. Cuenca attracts more foreign residents than any other city in Ecuador.
Know as the Athens of the Andes and the city of flowers, Cuenca is the third largest city in the country, however retains the relaxed pace of a much smaller town. Charming cobblestone streets, old-world cathedrals, colonial parks and the confluence of 4 major rivers make this the most attractive of Ecuador's cities. Many travel writers have called Cuenca the most European of Latin American cities.
Cuencanos have a proud intellectual tradition that have produced more famous writers, poets, artists, and philosophers than anywhere else in Ecuador. Museums, research and cultural organizations abound. As a university town, Cuenca has 8 universities, the most prestigious being Universidad de Cuenca home to over 12,000 students. Excellent spanish language schools make Cuenca a hot spot for North Americans and Europeans. Cuenca is the capital of the Azuay province and the economic center of the southern Sierra with a urban population of over 400,000. Located as it is in the central Andean range at 8,200 ft Cuenca enjoys a year round spring-like climate. The temperate climate is ideal for raising the flowers and orchids exported internationally. Cuenca's year round pleasant weather makes it an all season destination.
If you or anyone you know are looking to visit or move to Ecuador , we can help!
We can help make your visit or move to Ecuador much smoother. We have information and connections on how to rent or buy a house, farm or other real estate, immigrate (which includes shipping containers, visas, and permanent resident papers), open a bank account and/or a business, buy equipment (like tractors, cars and trucks) and all the other little things that are needed such as telephones and Internet hook-up, Spanish classes (private or group), buying and selling gold and silver, etc.
Visit : ecuadorcentral.com

jeff wrote:

THE WRITER FAILS TO MENTION THAT THE INNER CITY IN CUENCA IS BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND EVENING WITH HEAVY SMOG/CARBON MONOXIDE AND YOU CAN'T GO FOR A COMFORTABLE WALK WITHOUT GETTING SICK FROM THE POLLUTION. THERE IS NO CLEAN AIR TO BE FOUND IN THE INNER CITY. ADDITIONALLY THE RESTAURANTS AND HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS ARE OVERATED IN CUENCA COMPARED TO QUITO. JUST MY TAKE ON IT AFTER SPENDING A WEEK IN BOTH CITIES AND VISITING THE SURROUNDING AREAS. CUENCA HAS NO INTERNATIONAL INCOMING FLIGHTS AND IS BASICALLY ISOLATED FROM THE REST OF THE COUNTRY BY CAR.....THE SURROUNDING AREAS OF CUENCA DO OFFER SO BEAUTIFUL RESIDENTIAL CHOICES DEPENDING ON YOUR STANDARD OF LIVING AND EXPECTATIONS....IT IS NOT ALL THAT IT IS MADE OUT TO BE BY "PROMOTERS" ON THIS SITE AND OTHERS THAT HAVE HIDDEN AGENDAS REGARDING THEIR BUSINESS INTERESTS.
<quoted text>

I agree with you Jeff. It is unfortunate that some people would misrepresent their intentions on these forums. I live on the north coast of Ecuador and prefer the year round warm weather. Cuenca is in all the travel magazines as a most desirable retirement location, but is somewhat isolated. I personally like some of the smaller communities outside of Cuenca much better.

domenick buonamici wrote:

i chose ecuador for 4 basic reasons over my natal US...
1. Food- Cheap, Delicious, organic, natural...great.
2. Low Costs- You really can live for $600 a month, not have to drive, eat for $2, and pay $150 month in rent in a decent but small, simple place.
3. Mild Weather- The weather in Ecuador is warm yet very mild, there are many places with micro-climates, you can pick and chose however hot or cold you want and live in that temperature all year round.
4. Single's scene- Ecuador is great for single men and women, the locals dig foreigners...
For more on Ecuador from an honest, expat point of view, check http://www.EcuadorRealEstate.org

You are forgetting the most important thing! Sexy young hookers cost only $25 to $35 US Dollars for full service! Some of those young Hispanic women have really great bodies and are truly amazing in bed. All you need is an inexpensive home or apartment and some Viagra, and it will be like retiring in Paradise!!!:)

Hi my name is Sarah. My family and I moved to Cuenca, Ecuador about three years ago. We love it here! Since we've been here we've started several businesses and written a 14 page report on travel, investment, relocation, and medical tourism. If you would like more information please contact Petrapresident@gmail.com. We would love to answer any questions you may have.

sammy wrote:

Hey, is the bug population worse in that area because of the year-round warm weather? And, does it rain all day most days, or just the occasional showers...because I have been keeping track of the forecast for Cuenca, and it literally has been saying that it rains every day!!!

In Cuenca we joke that you can experience four seasons in one day! Mornings always begin cool (50s-60s F) with a light jacket or sweater desirable. By midday it is generally sunny and warm/hot. Yes, the afternoon rains roll in off of the mountains nearly daily, but they are typical short-lived, light tropical showers. One in a while we get a real thunderstorm, but even they don't last long. After the rain it cools down once again. The climate is so mild year-round that most homes have neither heat nor A/C.
As for bugs, the altitude takes care of that. I live with my windows open day and night (except with the dark clouds roll in) and I've noticed perhaps two flies inside in as many months.