Best place to live in Ecuador...
The pictures look nice.
I will have to check out the Fish and Chip restaurant when Im there in a few weeks;)
Bob
Contrary to popular myth, the Ecuadorian southern coast is dry. Salinas is like Vegas by the Pacific. Desert dry, without the extremes in heat, along the coast. Humidity in these parts is very moderate.
Hector G. Quintana
RDRHGQ@gmail.com
The fish n' chips place is Big Ralph's and definitely worth a look. Owned by a classically trained British chef. Runs a downright hospitable Hostal, as well. The owner and his Ecuadorian wife are wonderful folks! If you get to the area, drop me an email. I will join you for a good Big Ralph's meal.
Hector G. Quintana
RDRHGQ@gmail.com
Salinas is very safe. Statistically, one of the safest cities in all of Ecuador. It is the premiere resort town and they protect their tourism revenue generating source. During low season, your target rental rates are not a problem, for a modest place, with a very "Ecuadorian" feel. During high season, you can find it, but it will require some work and finesse.
Hector G. Quintana
RDRHGQ@gmail.com
HGQ2112 wrote:Contrary to popular myth, the Ecuadorian southern coast is dry. Salinas is like Vegas by the Pacific. Desert dry, without the extremes in heat, along the coast. Humidity in these parts is very moderate.
I know it doesn't rain much on the coast, but I just checked on Weather.com, and it says the current humidity is 94%. I realize it's middle of the night there, when humidity is higher, but the forecast for tomorrow mid-day is 81%.
Rain is less a concern for me than a muggy atmosphere, and to me humidity that high, combined with heat, is very unpleasant. Though it's certainly not likely to be as bad as here (we get humidity at similar levels, combined with 30C temps -- it looks like 25C is more typical there).
Still, I appreciate your input, and I will visit Salinas. But the mountains seem more enticing to me right now, coupled with an occasional short break on the coast.
Bob
Hector G. Quintana
RDRHGQ@gmail.com
HGQ2112 wrote:Weather.com and the rest pull their data from Guayaquil, 2 hours away, which has Miami weather. It may read "Salinas", but the weather station source is Guayaquil. Just an FYI.
No, the two cities have totally different info at Weather.com.
The current temp shown for Salinas is 73F; for Guayaquil, it is 75F.
Tomorrow's forecast: Salinas 75F with 86% humidity; Guayaquil 81F with 65% humidity.
Both are better than Cebu. 
Bob
I will email you.
Hans
Then they have inverted the weather sources. No way does Guayaquil, ever, have lower humidity than Salinas. That is a dead give away. I assure you, as I sit here, there is no 90%+ humidity in Salinas right now. Guayaquil...no doubt, I am sure there is. It is more humid than the norm here right now, but nowhere near 90%. Something is wrong with that read.
Hector G. Quintana
RDRHGQ@gmail.com
Just to be clear, Salinas temperatures range between 65º- 85º year round, with the low end being night time lows and the upper end day time highs. Humidity is dry, like AZ. As for sierra region areas that are desirable, I like the towns of Chordoleg and Gualeceo, both near Cuenca, so you can partake of whatever the city has to offer, but much more peaceful, pristine, and more of a "local lifestyle". I would also look at Urcuqui, this time just outside Quito. The beautiful rolling hills setting is being turned into an Ecuadoran "Silicon Valley" of sorts, with the introduction of the "Yachay, City of Knowledge" project. Nice, tranquil setting, set to see price appreciation as the project slowly evolves. If you must have a "big city" lifestyle, just outside your front door and you want the sierras, can't do better than Quito, itself. Those are my initial thoughts, given the limited data I have for your circumstances.
Hector
HelenRudd wrote:Mountain is where I want to go not the coast I hate humidity I now live in Arizona is very dry and too hot for me. What mountain area are you looking at
I will most likely settle in Quito, because I like the amenities of big city life, but I will probably take a good look at Cuenca as well. I think everything else is too small for my tastes.
Where in Arizona? I was born and raised in Phoenix (old enough to remember when there was a stand selling farm produce on the corner of Central & Camelback).
Bob
The only reason I am not leaning towards Ecuador is due to my limited amount of Spanish (but eager to learn) and the seemingly difficult/costly process of gaining residency.
Belize has what we are looking for (low cost of living, beaches within a short drive, large expat communities, and English as the official language), but it lacks the medicines I may need.
Any advice?
Laura
FYI, I represent business interests in both countries. Preferred to live in Ecuador. Candidly, not even close in my book. Ecuador is an economically self-sustainable country, with a diverse economic base, further being enhanced by the Presidential Administration of Rafael Correa. While Ecuador's population may be modest, it dwarfs that of Belize. Belize is wholly reliant on tourism in an external world increasingly in economic crisis, less prone to tourism travel, except the ultra-wealthy who will, I assure you, not select Belize as their travel destination of choice. In short, Belize is nowhere a self-sustainable nation, on an economic basis.
Furthermore, Ecuador's infrastructure - roads, medical, schools, law-enforcement, fire services, water/sewer, electric, etc. - is light years more advanced than Belize, again largely due to the efforts of the current Presidential Administration. Not even close. So it is not just "medicines" you might not be able to get...it is medical service...potable water...ready road access to your residence (especially during the rainy season) and a host of other considerations.
All this is made worse by the fact that Belize is actually more expensive, with much less to offer! Ecuador has one of the world's easiest permanent residency programs, so I am unsure as to why/where you were told otherwise. An Investor Visa or a Retirement Visa are ultra-easy to get. The rest, only slightly more difficult.
In short, respectfully, that leaves you with the only valid point in favor of Belize being the language. However, have you visited Belize? The language may be "English", but it is a mixed dialect not always the easiest to follow. Certainly better than Spanish, for a non-native speaker of the latter, but no cake-walk, as far as English. It takes some getting used to the dialect, as spoken by many.
Your choice...but for me...it was an easy one. It is also curious to note that 3 of my last 5 business transactions were with relocated USA/Canadian residents, who had moved to Belize and have now relocated to Ecuador. Something to think about.
Hector G. Quintana
RDRHGQ@gmail.com
We intend to come down this October.
kayana10 wrote:Thank you so much for your input. You have placed Ecuador on my priority list.
We intend to come down this October.
I have been to neither, but from my reading up on both, I think I'd take Ecuador in NY minute. I think Hector makes valid points. Also, I have listened to a number of interviews of President Correa, and he sounds like a first-class person to have leading the way.
Great! If I can be of any help, in any way, either contact me here or through my email address below.
Hector G. Quintana
RDRHGQ@gmail.com
Bob
I am still working will be retiring soon and want to go to ecuador.
Many units have washers/dryers. If not, they have laundry room facilities. If not, there is at home laundry pick up services, which is dirt cheap, for good quality work. The option is generally defined by the type of rental you seek and the budget you are working with at the time.
Hector G. Quintana
RDRHGQ@gmail.com
I will be semi-retired from a career in corporate finance in the US and want to get as far away from the greed and American ignorance/arrogance as possible. Ecuador seems very inviting.
I would like to pursue part time self employment while living in Ecuador and hope to draw upon my love of the sport of billiards. Obviously, I will need to be close to one of the larger cities for this to work and wonder which cities (if any) already have a good number of pool players (both expat and locals)???? Although I have dealership arrangements with many equipment manufacturers, I am most interested in playing socially (and competitively) and teaching/coaching players. I am wondering if there are any organized leagues or other social opportunities surrounding the sport of pool and where such activity exists.
BTW, although I've done my share of it many years ago, I now avoid "gambling" on pool here in the states due to the abrasive attitude of the modern American players/gamblers. However, it would be useful to have some idea of what type of pool playing already exists here in Ecuador.
- Carlos aka "El Bueno Gringo"
Mr10Ball@live.com
Billiards...the story. If I were going to open a billiards parlor, I would select Guayaquil...but...billiards does not have a huge following here, anywhere. Additionally, there have been 3 recent attempts here in the resort town of Salinas, where people go to recreate and the results have not been stellar. Ecuador may be the right place, but billiards may not be the right investment vehicle. That's my 2 cents.
Hector G. Quintana
RDRHGQ@gmail.com
Thanks for the input on billiards. I suspected as much due to my poor results while trying to research it online. Your replay confirmed my "guess" and has been most helpful.
Carlos aka "El Bueno Gringo"
Mr10Ball@live.com
PS "El Bueno Gringo" is my aspiration to become an expat who is thoughtful and welcomed by the lovely people in my new land. Being from the US where the pace of life and the value system of most folks in the business community is pretty egocentric, becoming a bueno gringo might be a bit of a challenge., but that's why I want to move to a new land.
I love your attitude! Ecuador would be proud to welcome you, but I am sure you will do well wherever you land.
Hector G. Quintana
RDRHGQ@gmail.com
May I clarify that the correct Spanish word for your intended Ecuadorian nickname is "BUEN gringo", or gringo bueno (in that order). Good luck and keep up posted on how you are!
Loving Ecuador wrote:the Ecuadorian way usually means time to oneself and family, not for customers.
Can you explain this a bit more? I don't know that I understand how providing timely customer service takes away from family time. Ecuadoreans work longer work weeks then gringos.
I mean, if one can solve clients problems quickly and effectively, one will have more time and energy for ones private life, no?
It is true Ecuadorians work often harder than gringoes, yet following your line of thought, think an urgent situation in which a client requires extended service beyond regular working hours. An Ecuadorian will certainly prioritize time off (for onself and family) over client needs. He/she will likely drop everything at work until the next ocassion, no matter how critical the client problem is.
Furthermore, think a critical client request versus a critical family request both originated during working hours...duty goes to the family. No valid claims to proceed otherwise.
As for your input on the cultural differences regarding time, it is a mixed blessing in my case. I am a Type A personality by nature and so patience hasn't always come easily to me. On the other side of the coin, I'm committed to making the change and have shown considerable progress over the past couple of years and life in Ecuador will hopefully make it easier to slow down even more.
Carlos aka "El Gringo Bueno"
Mr10Ball@live.com
Carlos aka El "GringoBueno"
Mr10Ball@rocketmail.com
PS Had to use a different email address to set up the new profile.
PPS I've added the southern coastal region to my short list of possible place to relocate.
Another concern for me is the crime rate there. I have been to Quito 6 times and travel to Guaranda & Chillanes thru the mountains
so that presents a concern re: robbery while travelling.
.Anyway, any comments from you would be welcome.
greg Holt
thefundingdoor8yzy@gmail.com
Think that with a minimun salary of US$ 319/month, lots of said items are completely out of reach for many Ecuadorians and are therefore easily re-sold as used in a black market.
Good luck!
bbrjhn wrote:fdmcg wrote:Luna2 wrote:Why doesnt anyone talk about the North coast of Ecuador?
Am 78. Don't like hot? Temps there? Humidity?
Can one rent a half-decent place for $300?
My social sec'y is only $1005 a month.
Internet?
Are there any fishing villages there?
Do not like cities.
Am not interested in tourists.
I'm attorney-turned-author.
Live like a hermit.
There have been a lot of problems on the north coast with bands of armed robbers, mainly from Colombia. I was beaten and robbed in 2010 by a band of about 15. They robbed 22 hotels but I was the only one who filed a report. When I went to all of the others trying to get them involved I was told the robbers held guns to their childrens heads, beat some of their guests and told many that if they filed reports they would return and kill their families. Some of the Cantons, like Rio Verde have posted directly on their website that right now there is a problem with bands from Colombia to warn people. It's not widely advertised because many people are afraid to speak up. There are some good places to live down in Sua and Atacames. You just need to make sure it's a secure location and always be aware. For your answers. The weather is nice, cool breezes come in during the hottest part of the day (noon-3:00), apts can be found for $300 off the beach, Internet is almost everywhere and internet cafes can be found in every town, Rio Verde is a fishing Village on the north coast of Esmeraldas but along the beaches in Atacames (the south coast of Esmeraldas) you'll also find fishermen who go out, You can pay them $5 and go with them. Want to live like a hermit...I would suggest going to Canoa. It's safer, simple and quiet except for Carnaval and holidays.
mugtech wrote:Thank you Ecuachick54, first time I heard of this, surprised Luna2, Northern Coast Expert, had not mentioned it previously.
I guess that rules Ecuachick54 out from getting a job with International Living?
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