Living In Ecuador - Best ways to travel, affordable place to rent?

bruceberger wrote:

Where could we most affordably rent? 

What would be the best ways to travel to the more popular cities in the country to see?

Let's start with the travel question.

Buses are extremely cheap and give you a closer view of the Ecuadorian  countryside.  The downsides are that they can be loud (music or TV's blasting) and slower than air travel.  Travel the intercity bus lines only during daylight hours.

The fact that y'all are going to be traveling to multiple cities does not fit with having one place with affordable rent.

Since you earlier told us you're interested in pursuing your career in massage therapy, I'll tell you some of what I know about massage here in Quito.

Most professional massage is performed in small "cuartitos" inside "peluquerías" (hair salons) within a radius of a few blocks in the Gringo-heavy Mariscal sector.

The style is what I consider Swedish.  The going rate for an hour of massage in such venues is $20 an hour.  Some of the classier hotels and some spas charge more.

I've had over 100 massages in Quito, and hardly ever have seen another Gringo seeking bodywork.

Since y'all are of retirement age, it eventually may make sense to consider applying for an investment-class residential visa (to remain in the country more than a few months) or a pensioner visa, rather than a professional/work visa.

cccmedia in Quito

You could consider choosing three locations that appeal to you and staying a month-ish in each place and using it as a base to explore the surrounding areas. The things most people take in to consideration are climate preference (hot coastal, spring-like Andes, somewhere in between), population density (city, country etc.), access to health care, affordability and expat community (some want larger expat communities and some people want to immerse). Staying about a month in each place would allow you to rent an apartment for the full month, which is more cost affective than hotel etc.

As cccmedia stated, bus travel is inexpensive, but travel times can be long, meaning a good portion of the day to get between cities. Regional flights are fairly reasonable, but have baggage restrictions, so you'd either have to travel light or pay for the extra kilos. You can also hire drivers to transport you which can be expensive for a couple, but more affordable for a bigger group. This still takes time, though, not quite as long as the bus, depending on how many times you stop, but can really eat in to your day.  (Example Cuenca to Mantanita (on the coast) is about 6 hours driving.

For your first visit I would recommend coming on the standard 90 day Visa that you get upon arrival in the country. It's good to actually leave on the 89th day or a bit earlier, so you don't have any trouble with customs. (Flights back to North America traditionally leave just before or slightly after midnight...which wastes a day on your visa.)

Best of luck!

Using Quito as an example are there natural bodies of water where one can swim that are not so far from where most of the expats live?

How would be the least costly way to fly to Ecuador from the U.s.?  We use Jet Blue, blue JB does not fly to Ecuador.

What is the average daytime temp. in Quito?  We're looking for a city where the temp. would be between 70 to 75 not too cold and not too hot..

How is food shopping in Ecuador and what are the types of stores that are the most useful?

How does one go about getting a visa and how much in advance does one need before traveling to Ecuador yo obtain one?

bruceberger wrote:

Using Quito as an example are there natural bodies of water where one can swim that are not so far from where most of the expats live?

Except for a couple of expensive hotels with heated outdoor pools, virtually all swimming in Quito is done indoors.

Swimming is primarily a kids sport.  However, some indoor pools allow for occasional swimming by the general public.

For instance, the Academía Valencia pool (Riofrío y Venezuela) and the new Cumandá pool in south Quito have been offering morning hours for adult swimming.

It is warmer in the surrounding valleys where Quito's suburbs sit at lower altitudes, and outdoor swimming pools exist there.

At this week's luncheon in the suburban Mitad del Mundo area, Expat Jon Byrd said he goes swimming in a river outside Quito.  He indicated it was a chilly experience.

cccmedia in Quito

bruceberger wrote:

How would be the least costly way to fly to Ecuador from the U.S.?

Price your air travel at cheapoair.com

U.S. hubs are ATL, HOU and MIA.  Quito's airport code is UIO.

cccmedia in Quito

bruceberger wrote:

What is the average daytime temp. in Quito?  We're looking for a city where the temp. would be between 70 to 75 not too cold and not too hot..

Due to its unique location so close to the Equator at 9,350-feet altitude, Quito's daily high temperature averages 68 degrees Fahrenheit 12 months a year.

Also as a result of its Equatorial location, Quito receives intense sun rays during mid-day periods on sunny days.  That might be from after 10:30 a.m. to mid-afternoon.  So it can seem quite warm if you're exposed to direct sun during those hours.

In the lower-altitude suburbs of Quito, it's not unusual for the temperatures to be 10 to 15 degrees warmer than Quito on sunny days.

cccmedia in Quito

bruceberger wrote:

How is food shopping in Ecuador and what are the types of stores that are the most useful?

Supermarkets:  Chains such as Maxi and Mi Comisariato provide North American-style shopping with large selection, many aisles and relatively high prices.  Lots of produce is available.  At the MegaMaxi, take a number and have an attendant prepare your meat and fish-seafood orders to your specifications;  large selection of wines and spirits, including Colombia's national drink, aguardiente.

Indoor mercados:  These provide less selection and (sometimes) limited produce.  Fish may be frozen-only.  Aisles can be narrow.  Prices are fixed.

Local mercados, weekly markets and "mercados para mayoristas" (wholesale markets):  These offer bargainable prices provided you can negotiate with vendors who speak in español.  Produce galore.  Fish and meat markets are typically part of the program.  Gringo sightings are few and far between.

Pulperías:  Mom 'n' pop stores found on almost every block in residential city neighborhoods.  Great for eggs.  As small cash businesses, some of these do not allow customers to enter the store, and business is conducted through a gated front door.

Specialty stores:  El Griego, Casa de Fromage and El Español -- often operating in large malls -- offer relatively high-priced selections, including some cheeses not found at Maxi.

cccmedia in Quito

bruceberger wrote:

How does one go about getting a visa?

Let's focus on the two residency-visa types for which Expats of retirement age typically apply in order to remain in La República on a permanent basis....

1. Investment visas require an investment of at least $25,000 in Ecuadorian real estate or a bank CD.  The real-estate investment is trickier to pull off, but can offer the possibility of rent-free living.  The monthly minimum is increased by $500 for a dependent such as a spouse.

2. The pensioner visa requires a minimum monthly income of $800 -- or, in your case, $900 for a couple -- from Social Security, a private pension or another source deemed dependable by the Cancillería.

The official EC website for visa information is cancilleria.gob.ec ... You may wish to review that site using the English-language option, and come back here with any questions.

cccmedia in Quito

bruceberger wrote:

how much in advance does one need before traveling to Ecuador (to obtain a residency visa)?

You will simplify things and make your EC transition easier by getting all your U.S. paperwork done starting a couple of months before moving.

This includes birth certificates, criminal background checks, state DL certification if you plan to drive a vehicle, apostilles and any other documents the Cancillería may require.

An apostille is a special certification that makes a document acceptable internationally.

You will also make life easier for yourselves if you use a qualified Ecuadorian attorney to run the visa obstacle course for you ($700 and up for the basic legal fee), or else a non-attorney visa specialist.

I'm not among the following group, but you should know that an estimated eight percent of Expats who successfully obtain a residency visa do it on their own, and many of these folks advocate to others to do it without professional help.  For most of us, it's better to have a professional manage the complex Spanish-language process.

cccmedia in Quito

cccmedia wrote:

Investment visas require an investment of at least $25,000 in Ecuadorian real estate or a bank CD....The monthly minimum is increased by $500 for a dependent such as a spouse.

Correction...

The last sentence in the above quotation should read:

"The minimum investment is increased by $500 for a dependent such as a spouse."

The Cheese Desk regrets the error.


                                                            .

From what you described Re:  Quito, that city won't work so well for us.  We love swimming in natural bodies of water outdoors without chlorine and the like.  Also I think the temp. that you described in Quito is a bit too cold. 

We're looking for a somewhat happy medium where the temp. would be during the day around 75 to 80 and where one would be near to a lake or beach to swim. 

If the area is located near shops where one could buy necessary food which would not be too expensive that would be great.

What other city could you think of in the country that would fall into these parameters where expats live, rent or have settled full time?

Also we are on Medicare.  Would the health system there accept our advantage plans, or would we need to buy health insurance for Ecuador?.

bruceberger wrote:

We're looking for a somewhat happy medium where the temp. would be during the day around 75 to 80 and where one would be near to a lake or beach to swim. 

If the area is located near shops where one could buy necessary food which would not be too expensive that would be great.

What other city could you think of in the country that would fall into these parameters where expats live, rent or have settled full time?

You might have been too quick to rule out the Pacific Beach communities.

There are micro-climates among the beach cities and towns, one of which might be suitable.

Equally important, some Expats have found locations such as cliffs near the beach where the breezes are so consistent that they have a desired cooling effect, and air conditioning is not needed to cool the house.

Although I can't predict which microclimate is most desirable for you, I can tell you a couple of the places at the beach that have historically attracted Expats:  Salinas and Bahía de Caraquez.

Consider typing "Beach" into the Search Expat.com box at the top of this page, and then clicking on the search icon to the right of the box.  This would take you to existing and previous Expat.com threads that may help guide you.

cccmedia in Quito

bruceberger wrote:

Also we are on Medicare.  Would the health system there accept our advantage plans, or would we need to buy health insurance for Ecuador?.

Doctors, hospitals and clinics in Ecuador do not accept U.S. Medicare.

Some Expats keep their Medicare so they have the option of returning to the U.S. for covered care.

cccmedia in Quito

Dear Sir/MIss;
Hola;Como te estas ud?
Hi.How are you?
I am from Iran.I am 48 years old.I was graduated from university in course of electronic field.
I heard alot about ecuador that there is paradise.
Thats why i make decition to know more about Ecuador especially quito.
I would like to start my new life with new job there.
I appreciate you if you could advice me about there.
My Em:ttechno1(at Sign)yahoo(dot)com
PLease write me ASAP.
Best Regards
Naraghi

Atra wrote:

Dear Sir/MIss;
Hola;Como te estas ud?
Hi.How are you?....
I heard alot about ecuador that there is paradise.

From which university did you graduate in electronics?  We'll help you check Ecuador's approved list of schools of higher ed.

cccmedia in Quito

Hello all,
Another reason one should maintain Medicare is this. If you unenroll but later down the road decide to repatriate to the U.S., Medicare will charge you a penalty for each month you were not covered (I forget the % but that represents wasted $$$$). The SSA doesn't care if you can provide proof of living outside the U.S. or having filed foreign exclusion status.  They want you to keep paying for the plan.  Currently, as you know, it's $104.90 per month for Parts A and B. You do NOT have to keep your advantage plan (e.g., Humana, AARP, Cigna) in addition to Medicare, however, if you retire outside the U.S. because that only applies stateside.  There are no penalties for unenrollment  since one can change to a different supplemental plan during designated annual enrollment periods and is separate from the good ole SSA.

I believe the Ecuador Guide on this forum outlines all the important information on health care in the country. It's a great resource.

PS

Dear Sir;
Thank you for your reply .I was graduated in Islamic Azad University.
I think my university is in list I think .
As I heard that the professional visa stop for a while but I don't know it is right or not?
1-Could you please tell me process of visa with details?
2-How is  jobs?
Best Regards
Nara

Atra wrote:

Could you please tell me process of visa with details?

Here are some sites and resources with that information....

1. Expat.com has a guide called Visas in Ecuador.  Navigate there by entering the guide name into the seachbox atop this page, then clicking on the search icon to the right of the box.

2. Expat.com also has a guide called Ecuador guide:  visas.  Get there the same way.

3. www.vivatropical.com has Ecuador residency visa information.

4. The official site of the EC ministry's website for residency visa information is
      www.cancilleria.gob.ec
    Look for the Engish-language option.

cccmedia in Quito

Atra wrote:

Dear Sir;
Thank you for your reply .I was graduated in Islamic Azad University.
I think my university is in list I think .
As I heard that the professional visa stop for a while but I don't know it is right or not?
1-Could you please tell me process of visa with details?
2-How is  jobs?
Best Regards
Nara

Atra, here is a link to the Ecuador government website detailing the kinds of immigrant (permanent residency) visas. I suggest you study it, and all of the requirements carefully -

Immigrant visas
http://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/immigrant-visas/?lang=en

Ecuador is a developing country with barely enough jobs for its own people. Any foreigner who wants to work in Ecuador will find a very hard time of it, and fluent Spanish language skills would be considered a must for nearly all employment.

Atra wrote:

I heard that the professional visa stop for a while but I don't know it is right or not?
....How is  jobs?

That first part sounds like an unsubstantiated rumor.

Both for the 9-V professional visa and to get a job, you will probably need strong Spanish language skills to succeed against the locally-grown competition.

There is likely an exam in your field, electronics, that you will have to pass to satisfy the ministry's requirements.  That exam would be in Spanish.

Do you know the following words in español which any electronics candidate should know....

    enchufar            inalámbrico         apague la luz

cccmedia in Quito

Dear Sir/Miss;
Thank you for your email.
I sent an email to this email before www.cancilleria.gob.ec but I didn't get any answer .
Could you please call it about professional visa stop for a while or not?
Of course if you live Ecuador
Best Regards

Atra wrote:

Dear Sir/Miss;
Thank you for your email.
I sent an email to this email before www.cancilleria.gob.ec but I didn't get any answer .
Could you please call it about professional visa stop for a while or not?
Of course if you live Ecuador
Best Regards

I don't think that is a valid email for them.  Try going to this page:
http://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/contactos-cancilleria/
Note that this contact page is in Spanish and you will have to fill out the fields and information accordingly (all fields are required, they say).  There is still no guarantee that they will respond.

What is your source for the assertion that the professional 9-V visa is stopped?

You can go to this page with the requirements in English, and download the application form:
http://www.cancilleria.gob.ec/9-v-professional-2/

Atra wrote:

Dear Sir/Miss;
Thank you for your email.
I sent an email to this email before www.cancilleria.gob.ec but I didn't get any answer .
Could you please call it about professional visa stop for a while or not?
Of course if you live Ecuador
Best Regards

Atra, you moved to South Africa about 8 months ago and now you want to leave.  Perhaps you should determine why you are leaving so soon, at age 48 it may be difficult for you to learn Spanish, as you are not exactly speaking college level English.

Dear Sir/Miss;
Going to South Africa was one of dream for living but I don't have gone there yet.
One of my friend told me Sudaamerica is better for life that,s why I make decision to change my plan.
Second: I know move from one country to other country not only is not easy but also it is horrible especially in my age.
I have suitable incoming but in my country everything is close .
I don't like my next generation grow up in close country .
I don't expectation to understand me because you don't have live such as these county.
Anyway I hope that I could find some good friends that could help me .
Best Regards

Dear Sir/Miss;
I know what are these as you wrote to me
enchufar            inalámbrico         apague la luz.

That site that Introduction is only Spanish lungua .
some one told me professional visa is stop for a while .

Atra wrote:

Dear Sir/Miss....
One of my friend told me Sudaamerica is better for life that,s why I make decision to change my plan....
I know move from one country to other country not only is not easy but also it is horrible especially in my age....
I hope that I could find some good friends that could help me.

Mugtech may have been unaware that you canceled the South Africa move, but his point about language is compelling. 

At least with English you might have a chance.  There are 67 sovereign countries worldwide where English is the official language, plus 27 non-sovereign entities.  Maybe someone is hiring Expats in one of those 94 places.

A single friend telling you that South America is "better" than South Africa just doesn't seem close to a good reason to move to Ecuador sight-unseen, especially given the barriers to entry into the employment market.

cccmedia in Quito

cccmedia wrote:

Atra wrote:

Dear Sir/Miss....
One of my friend told me Sudaamerica is better for life that,s why I make decision to change my plan....
I know move from one country to other country not only is not easy but also it is horrible especially in my age....
I hope that I could find some good friends that could help me.

Mugtech may have been unaware that you canceled the South Africa move, but his point about language is compelling. 

At least with English you might have a chance.  There are 67 sovereign countries worldwide where English is the official language, plus 27 non-sovereign entities.  Maybe someone is hiring Expats in one of those 94 places.

A single friend telling you that South America is "better" than South Africa just doesn't seem close to a good reason to move to Ecuador sight-unseen, especially given the barriers to entry into the employment market.

cccmedia in Quito

The first line of his profile says "living in South Africa"  Is this more language problems?

Thank you CCC for researching and providing us with those  very encouraging stats ..

Some of us 50 something people don't feel like or have the capacity to learn a second or third language

Can you substantiate this data by providing your source? 

Atra wrote:

Dear Sir/Miss;
.
Second: I know move from one country to other country not only is not easy but also it is horrible especially in my age.
I have suitable incoming but in my country everything is close .
I don't like my next generation grow up in close country .
I don't expectation to understand me because you don't have live such as these county.
Anyway I hope that I could find some good friends that could help me .
Best Regards

If the "next generation" means your children I understand why you don't want them to grow up in Iran. None of us has ever lived in a country like Iran. Do you mean closed rather than "close." It must be like a living hell to be able to see what life is like in a Western country  on your computer screen and not be able to participate

Atra wrote:

Dear Sir/Miss;
Going to South Africa was one of dream for living but I don't have gone there yet.
One of my friend told me Sudaamerica is better for life that,s why I make decision to change my plan.
Second: I know move from one country to other country not only is not easy but also it is horrible especially in my age.
I have suitable incoming but in my country everything is close .
I don't like my next generation grow up in close country .
I don't expectation to understand me because you don't have live such as these county.
Anyway I hope that I could find some good friends that could help me .
Best Regards

Are you married?  Do you have any children?  Could add complications.