Non-financial reasons to move to Ecuador

It really depends on where in Ecuador and where you are comparing it to.  For me, most consumption costs (other than vegetables and fruits) are the same as they were where I moved from.  However, . . .

1.  Where I live, there is no need for heating or air conditioning.  Where I used to live in the US, heating was between $2-3k/year (and a lot of work).

2.  Where I live, insects are minimal.

3.  I used to pay $2.5k/year in property tax for a house I bought for $50k.  Here I pay $50/yr for a property that cost ~$150k

So, as someone who retired before 40, costs are important.  My total cost of living here is between $200-300/month and that's very important.  Where I used to live, just for heating and property tax the cost was $400-500/month (then adding $200-300/month for the "normal" cost living).

1. It's a challenge and also fun.

2. it's beautiful, for such a small country.  it offers a lot in terms of geography, climate, etc  currently i'm at the coast with warm / hot temps with A/C on - yesterday i was in the mountains with the heater on.

3. the people are very friendly in the sierra and coast = nice social life

4. a chance to learn a new language - this is huge and a great way to spend time.

excuse grammar, on phone

You definitely improved your situation.

I went from renting a room for $500 a month in GA and FL. Bought a condo in FL - about 800 sq ft yet full kitchen, bath, living/dining shared, separate bedroom.

1.  My only utility is electricity and so far the monthly has been $45, 45, 35 and 27.

2.  There are insects; but I'm on the second floor and inside they are minimal. Outside - FL has been better than GA.

3.  Property taxes are $70 a month.

I'm pretty inexpensive and my hobbies are rest, pray, read and play (swim, bike, run, gym). Food about $400 a month.

A big is car insurance at $90 a month. Most of what I do is within four miles. If I did away with a car by using delivery services, which I may do when I'm older, I don't think my expenses would go up.

What I think I would be missing is the opportunity to speak Spanish daily. As a former Spanish teacher, I miss that.

Don't like noise though and hear about noise on the forum. Also it would be harder/ more expensive to find equivalent pool/gym there. Cycling on the road perhaps even more hazardous than here. Seems like it is cooler there and my body likes it between 60-80 F.

Food there would probably be a plus, hopefully healthier and less processed.

Some may not like the heat here and public transportation could be better there.

Still might rent what I have and check out Ecuador someday. Know a really nice student from Quito and he seems outstanding. If the young people are as polite and well educated like him, then that would be a plus.

Have you visited Ecuador yet?

Noise is relative and can vary wildly even in a single location. I live in Guayaquil, in a very urban, commercial neighborhood. It isn't  noisy for me at most times and on most days. I can hear a bit of traffic at rush hour and the occasional barking dog. However, when I was staying in small town coastal Puerto Lopez, I was awakened by roosters and dump trucks starting at 4am, as well as neighbors blasting music and a church that used loudspeakers. However, Cuenca in El Centro was quiet after dark, except for church bells, which stopped after 8.

What about them firecrackers?

Bigbrad2008 wrote:

What about them firecrackers?

Except for around holidays, I don't notice them any more or less often than I heard them in Ohio

lebowski888 wrote:

Except for around holidays, I don't notice them any more or less often than I heard them in Ohio

True. However it should be noted that holidays (at least where I am) seem to be every other week (and often seem to last a week).  When I lived in town, I swear there were months where it felt like living in a war zone (almost constant explosions/"fireworks").  Glad I'm not religious... Don't think I could handle that much celebrating.

Haven't been to Ecuador yet. Lived in Colombia twice. Once in Bogota and then Cali. I google mapped where I used to live and a lot has not changed.

Trying to build up the nerve to travel again. What used to be so easy and exciting seems like an effort 40 years later.

IT1 wrote:

Haven't been to Ecuador yet. Lived in Colombia twice. Once in Bogota and then Cali. I google mapped where I used to live and a lot has not changed.

Trying to build up the nerve to travel again. What used to be so easy and exciting seems like an effort 40 years later.

I think it's pretty easy to come for a short trip these days.

Spirit and JetBlue both have daily, direct non-stop to Guayaquil from Ft. Lauderdale for $90 to $200 each way. Uber operates here, AirBnb is popular throughout the country and you can get a fine room for yourself for around $30 per night.

Considering your command of Spanish, you have the biggest obstacle out of your way!!

lebowski888 wrote:

IT1 wrote:

Haven't been to Ecuador yet. Lived in Colombia twice. Once in Bogota and then Cali. I google mapped where I used to live and a lot has not changed.

Trying to build up the nerve to travel again. What used to be so easy and exciting seems like an effort 40 years later.

I think it's pretty easy to come for a short trip these days.

Spirit and JetBlue both have daily, direct non-stop to Guayaquil from Ft. Lauderdale for $90 to $200 each way. Uber operates here, AirBnb is popular throughout the country and you can get a fine room for yourself for around $30 per night.

Considering your command of Spanish, you have the biggest obstacle out of your way!!

Your right about flights from FL to Ecuador being pretty good.  Since there is not a financial reason to live there, I'm looking for non financial reasons - such as health, nature and nurture.

My target city seems to be Loja. Porque Loja esta' muy lejos.  They have a pool, swim team and some cycling. Vilcabamba would probably be better temperature wise with fewer religious holidays and firecrackers. I might have to take up mountain biking rather than road cycling.  Or on the coast for salt water swimming.

IT1 wrote:

Haven't been to Ecuador yet...  Since there is not a financial reason to live there, I'm looking for non financial reasons - such as health, nature and nurture.

My target city seems to be Loja. Porque Loja esta' muy lejos.  They have a pool, swim team and some cycling. Vilcabamba would probably be better temperature wise with fewer religious holidays and firecrackers. I might have to take up mountain biking rather than road cycling.  Or on the coast for salt water swimming.

Gyms and pools abound even in Guayaquil. There's a pool and water park and 3 gyms walking distance from where I live. There's the  enormous Parque Semanas, where there's everything from rollerblading, biking, boating, volleyball, and informal neighborhood clubs practicing all week. There's a posh, private athletic club in Samborondón, about 2 miles from where I live, called CLUB DEPORTIVO DIANA QUINTANA, just to give you an example of what is available here. I imagine Quito offers much more. And I bet Loja Or Cuenca have plenty to offer too.

Taking up mountain biking is a great idea, though.

IT1 wrote:

. . .Vilcabamba would probably be better temperature wise with fewer religious holidays and firecrackers. . .

Maybe better (personal preference) temperature wise, but Vilca has tons of holidays/fireworks.  That's the town I lived in before I bought my property which had an insane amount of festivals/fireworks.  There are plenty of other towns around Loja/Vilcabamba that aren't quite as crazy.

Can you please give me a name of a good endodontist or good dental clinic with all kinds of dental specialists in Guayaquil who also speak English /? Thanks--Yap