I spent 8 days in Loja a few years ago and found that there are very, very few ENGLISH speaking expats, but there are quite a few European expats, many of which speak English as well as European languages. I especially encountered lots of French and German expats, not just as tourists, but residents of Loja. Loja also has an "Alliance Francaise", a cultural, artistic, and language center for locals to learn French culture and language. The French government opens these cultural centers in many, many cities around the world. If you go to the Alliance Francaise, you will encounter more European expats than American expats. Since I enjoy meeting people from all around the world, it was a joy for me to be in Loja.
We have our eyes on Loja...considering moving back to Ecuador, having returned Stateside in 2016 - we lived in El Oriente for almost 4 years...love, love, love Ecuador!
I lived for 8 months in Loja close to 40 years ago and at that time it did not rain a lot. To be honest all I remember are the cool sunny days. I walked all over town in that city of 80,000 people at the time. Looking forward to go back and see the growth.
Glad you made it to Loja. As a frequent visitor to Loja Province over the years I would definitely say that the entire province is special..it is more traditional Ecuador in many ways. The fact that it is harder to get to has preserved a lot of the history and culture there that have slipped by the other large cities in Ecuador. Loja has a thriving music tradition found nowhere else in the country and the town is full of artists. There are many words, foods and mannerisms that you will only find in Loja and nowhere else in Ecuador. To have the local horchata, made from grasses, leaves, flowers and berries is something that you will never forget. There are wonderful day trips from Loja to Malacatos and Vilcabamba, the Basilica at Cisne, Saraguro, and the roads to Cariamanga and Macara are breathtaking. A short drive away is Zamora and you are on the edge of the Amazon basin. I came to love the people there and their way of life as I hope you will. Soy gringo de nacimiento, pero lojano por elección...
Que maravilla! The only way I could live in a city again is with so much nature so near. And the music and arts sound like the other part of heaven, thanks, lojano! I wasn't considering EC until now, it's the first perfect mix I've seen, of all the places they've showed us.
I’m so happy to finally see a video like this on Loja. I have not visited Ecuador yet, but Loja has been on my radar for several years due to it being a quieter city in a warmer mountain region with plenty of rain to keep things green. I’m so thrilled to see how beautiful it really is! This has solidified my plans to make a visit. Thank you for making this video!
Loja has maintained it's friendly, provincial attitude. About 5 years ago they tore up the streets and sidewalks and refurbished everything, also creating the pedestrian mall. They want to be a world-class Smart city, which some expats may have a concern about. The Supermaxi mall is getting an overhaul and enlargement currently. Boyaca has moved and got replaced with a Pycca. Loja is known in Ecuador as the country's music capital so there are several venues for mostly classical music.
WOW - Loja is very modern ! Actually, much cleaner than similar sized cities in Costa Rica - which often have storm drains clogged with plastic bottles & bags. VERY NICE !
Saludos from England. Really interesting video, thanks! I just got back from a couple of weeks in Ecuador and would recommend a couple of day trips - Cero Blanco is a tropical dry forest just outside Guayaquil (on the via la costa road) and Churute which is an ecological mangrove reserve and tropical dry forest. Both great if you want to see some wildlife - howler monkeys, snakes, lizards etc. and amazing pants and trees. However, do take your mosquito spray if you go, the mosquitos love the taste of an extranjero😄
I've been drinking the tap water in Loja and have never had an issue. I have many Lojano friends who also drink tap. Loja's potable water comes from the El Carmen watershed which is carefully managed for biodiversity and sustainability. In some of the older neighborhoods with really old plumbing, I'd drink bottled water.
Thanks for the info! We stayed in an old building in El Centro. We didn't feel comfortable drinking the water there, but it's nice to know you can drink it in some of the newer places.
Water is good in Loja ECUADOR and in the mayority of cities, the water is better than the water in USA. IN USA water has 100 chemicals lo be purified and also in USA ALL the water is processed in the same place drinking water and sewage full of poo.. so it has so many chemicals.. people from other countries are the ones who come sick from their own countries.. so you so called tourists should be careful.. and take care of yourselfs when you go to other countries and then blame the country that is hosting you . When I go to USA CANADA. and europe.i don't drink tap water . because I know how it has been processed and it is not good for the body.. that is why so many people have so many more. Than poor countries incurable diseases. When I go to your country I drink bottled water and also I boil tap water .thanks. . not culpen Al agua de ECUADOR . El agua de ECUADOR es mas saludable que el agua de sus paises.USA por EJEMPLO purifica en el mismo lugar el agua para el toilet y el agua para beber .con 100 quimicos lo que Les causa enfermedades incurables LAS eztadisticas EZTAN ahi para que analicen. En ECUADOR el agua es mas pura. Son ustedes turistas que vienen ya enfermos de sus paises. Si van a algun lugar son USTEDES que tienen que adaptarse Al lugar el DICHO dice CUANDO en Roma hacer lo que Los Romanos hacen.. there is a saying. WHEN IN ROME DO WHAT ROMANS DO.. THANKS gracias 😁😁👍
Very accurate comparison, based on my own experiences. Most of the important differences are related to the fact that Loja is smaller and lower than Cuenca. Definitely better for my Spanish skills!
Sounds like a delightful place. I visited Vilcabamba and although a delightful town the expats there really turned me off. The vast majority of them had no interest in learning Spanish. Could be a problem getting from Loja to the airport with landslides! I would love to know more about the symphonies, etc there. And the Universities.
I landed in Loja and lived there for four months, it is a really nice small city! 💗 You really nailed the pluses and minuses. The gas trucks LOL!, and the garbage trucks with the same melody, definitely cemented in my mind, but it just became a ubiquitous background sound that I actually missed once I left! Personally, I was cold every minute while indoors there, my heating pad got quite the daily workout keeping my feet warm... the house never really warmed up inside after the overnight lows in the mid to lower 50´s F, but I get cold easy and much prefer a warm environment, so I am on the coast now. Also, I never really adjusted to the altitude... a lot of housing is on those very steep slopes and while that does provide for amazing views, it was a super huff fest for me in that way.
Amazing review of my beloved city Loja! Usually on Sundays or weekends, we spend more time in Malacatos or Vilcabamba which could be one of the reasons why on Sunday the city itself is not as active as during the week, but if you travel south for around 45 minutes, you will find these amazing valleys where you might even find a lot of expats.
I began my retirement in EC in Loja in 2018. I didn't care about it not having a big expat community, but I found it too small. I rented an apt. in Rodriguez Witt, the wealthiest neighborhood. I experienced both water & electrical outages a few times a month, along with a German Shepard living in the biggest hacienda in town that barked nonstop (home was probably a weekend home for a Quito resident) and lots of trash (city workers rarely came to clean). Gave up on Loja and moved to Cuenca.
I have found in Cuenca, the residents use dogs as a pseudo burglar alarm and it is really maddening at times. I had to move from a beautiful apartment because of the neighborhood dogs barking constantly.
@@patnewman1 The best investment I made to ensure a contented retirement here was bringing Bose noise-cancelling over-the-ear headphones. 😀 Worth every penny when EC noise level is at an 11!
You really nailed Loja. Great job! We moved to Cuenca in 2001, and at the time, there were virtually no expats there either. Somewhere around 2010, I made the prediction that once expats discovered Loja, it would explode in the same way that Cuenca did. Well I sure missed the mark on that one. I returned in 2013 to write about it again, and found Loja to be mostly the same as when I left in 2006. And you show that it's still mostly the same today. Frankly, I don't understand it. Loja's awesome. But I'm glad that it's never become the expat haven that Cuenca did. There are a handful of expats who prefer it that way, and places like it are harder and harder to find.
You reference in the video, the city provided outdoor Fitness Areas. This is one of my favorite things about parts of South America including a fantastic one in Medellín Colombia.
It looks like a very good small city for a foreigner (retiree or digital nomad) to live in. Once again, I must emphasize the importance of studying Spanish to be able to live within society and not on the fringes. It is an inexpensive city to live in though. A quick check on Numbeo, comparing to Porto, Portugal, a city that I am familiar with, Rent Prices in Porto are 230.45% higher than in Loja Restaurant Prices in Porto are 69.89% higher than in Loja Groceries Prices in Porto are 67.20% higher than in Loja Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment are 248.16 % than in Loja Of course, salaries in Porto are much higher, being +154.76 %. But, if you are living there on a fixed income of maybe 2000,00 euros a month (for two) life in Loja would be very affordable.
Again, I commend JP & América for good reportaje. In my 3 years in Ecuador i did not visit Loja. I have spent more than enough $$ in search of residency, so now stay within the 180 days available on my visas. I Will visit Loja enroute to Colombia later this winter.
Great video!! My husband and I are headed to Ecuador for our second exploratory trip in September - 3-4 weeks in Cuenca and then 10 days staying in Loja at this same AirBnB. We're very excited!
About getting from Cuenca to Loja: I've done that four hour trip, both in a taxi on the way there (not good, to say the least)- and in a hotel shuttle on the way back (better, but not by much). Stunning views and beautiful countryside, to be sure; BUT, the most terrifying road trip of my life. The drivers drive WAY too fast trying to make good time. They pass at every opportunity including on narrow, winding, semi-washed out mountain roads. Doesn't matter if it's another car, or a truck, or even a bus- if another vehicle is going even a little slower they will pass it. Bottom line, I recommend taking a flight from Quito to Loja if you want to visit Loja/ Malacatos/ Vilcabamba, and arrive with your body and nerves intact. Unless you're an adrenaline junkie- In which case I'd say eat a light breakfast and go for it. : )
Great video! And thanks for talking about plastic bottles! Although recycling is important, the best option is not having to recycle at all! The carbon footprint of transporting bottles of water is almost always overlooked.
Great video! Yes. I've never read anything negative about Loja while negative appraisals of Cuenca abound on UA-cam! Great to get your perspective on it.
I've been living in San Gabriel up way farther north than you guys and have been for 6 years. It helps that my wife is Carchense and we are close to the farm her grandparents live on outside of town. I have never gone farther south than Quito, and I doubt my wife and I would ever want to live somewhere like Cuenca or Loja, but it is always interesting for me to see through the eyes of some fellow expats as compared to what I hear from the locals up here in Carchi. And yes, the white guy living up in Carchi for 6 years married to a local driving an old Lada around working as an English teacher will turn heads no matter how long I stay here or how much I integrate haha.
Thank you for mentioning the land slides. I'd asked about them in a different forum and was told no big deal. Also very good to know about the tap water. Thank you again for this informative video.
Glad to help! The landslides are usually cleared quickly, unless they're really bad. Then they can take weeks or months. The road between Vilca and Cuenca was closed for several weeks earlier this year. Buses and taxis took people to the landslide, then they had to walk with their luggage to the other side where other buses and taxis were waiting. Not ideal.
JP & Amelia, I recommend checking out "Pristine Hydro" portable water filtration system from California. I bought mine and had it shipped to Cuenca in the container with my other household goods. It comes with a box of handy adapters for every kind of faucet. It produces the best water I have tasted in years, superior to any bottled products I've tried.
You guys are so lucky to be there. The US is a mess, everyone is angry all the time, the economy is jacked up, prices are skyrocketing, and both political parties are radicalized and out of control. I am soooo jealous you guys are there!
Excellent presentation. Great job. The issue of rainy weather means you always need to use a dryer (sometimes in short supply). When I lived in Manizales, Colombia it would take days to dry clothes and you'd often have to take a taxi or get drenched pushing up day to days costs.
I really enjoy your channel. Loja definitely looks like a cool place. I need to get out of the US soon and Cuenca, and now Loja, is at the top of my list for a longish term place to live. Keep the info coming!
I recommend you look at Santa Elena and the valleys of Sangolqui or Quito, they are at a not so high altitude, at 2350, although loja is at 2100 and malacatos and vilcaba 1400.. The city of Ibarra at 2000 meters with a bine health system and many long-lived people.
Thanks for all the info! I was born and raised in the US, but when I retire to another country, I will want to be in an area that has not been taken over by expats.
Travelling to Ecuador in October to look into moving. Loja looks perfect to me. The negatives actually seemed not so negative to me, especially the lack of English speakers. My attitude is that you're living in their country so you should speak the language. Lower elevation than Cuenca, warmer, smaller, fewer expats, a bit more isolated, all sound great. Having a national park nearby along with Vilcabamba seem like huge pluses. The only real downsides are the water and Sunday's. However, you just have to adapt.
You should get on the "garafon" wagon (5 gallon water bottles).The purified water is much cheaper and you exchange your empty for a new full bottle.One just has to carry one of the many models of small hand pumps which fit on top and can be purchased there or brought from home.I been doing that overseas for 40 years.Zero plastic to a landfill and not burned as they do in some countries which can tox you out !
Some how I think as much as you mention SuperMaxi in your videos that it is a tourist destination. I know people have to eat and are interested to know it is available but it is so funny that you mention it so much. Keep up the good work. Your videos keep me informed if I can ever get my wife to move. I am ready now. There is only one catch. She is five years younger than me and I am 72. I am going to die in Nashville, TN .
Loja looks nice. Street cleaners doing a good job. I take my Shaklee water filter pitcher when going to places where you can't drink the tap water. Lightweight and you can stuff some clothes or whatever in it when it is in your bag.
Just read your newsletter on coming back to the US and the outrageous prices here. Loja sounds lovely. My biggest drawback is that they do not seem to have have a Spanish language school and associated homestay options. Hopefully if it is getting more people from different countries they might get one! On the other hand - it is a Plus + for me that it is not an expat community! More of an Ecuadorian culture:)
Thank you for sharing. You guys are the best, you share what matters and not like other channels it’s all about blah blah blah blah blah and annoying to watch. Keep up with the good work you guys are amazing!!
Thanks so much for sharing. I like Loja more and more, the more I see from there and, the people I've spoken with from there, all sounds like just my style.. 😊
Hi you doing JA. Neither the landslides, nor the rain, nor how far the airport is, few people speaking English and etc, nothing of these cons stop you. Right?
@@asdrubalvivanco2301 Exactly dear Astrubal and guess what! It must have to do with the people there - and off course the Amazonas 😊 Remember, I promised myself to live the last part of my life in or close to the Amazon many years ago, simply because I fell in love with the place I researched and wrote about back then. This love hasn't become less over the years.. 💕 I don't expect much but the smiles from the people and off.course the iguanas.. I love them - except their sharp claws when they decide to walk on my legs. They are SO funny 😊 Take care in the US...
@@Jetmab04 Definitely there are a lot of your loved iguanas there . lol. If you enter little more into the rain forest you will find all kind of "exotic animals" such as pumas, jaguars, big anacondas, crocodiles and much more. hahaha...You must stop going further into the jungle because you will meet the TAGAERI and TAROMENARE tribes. They are people not contacted by anyone, who have lived in the Ecuadorian amazon basin for centuries, isolated from our civilization. So, said this, don't forget to stop in the first rain forest....hhhhh. Greetings and take care df J. A.
@@asdrubalvivanco2301 ha--ha Astrubal 😊 I wouldn't say, the anakondas are the one's I want to befriend - huh and, off course there are other creatures, I'd prefer never to meet in the jungle... However... When compared to certain of the Colonial human race as they are - not again but, as they have always been.... I think I prefer the jungle and the animals as, I believe the animals only will harm me if I scare them. These Colonial humans are worse than Hell I'm afraid - yrgh😢 My former country - the oldest Colonial - have a sad reputation of, still being the most extreme pedophile place (the worst child-sex-traders 😰) on Earth and, I'm afraid the reputation is more than true.. So, so sad 😪Some of the Colonial rielgions are so horrible by now. It's human impossible to fathom.... They are way past forgiveness by now and, I condemn them with all my heart😭 Maybe it wasn't an "accident" where Epstein chose to buy his Pedo-Island... He was a freak but, he certainly wasn't stupid.... I've heard about this tríbe you are talking about! Do you know where I can find more about them? I know there is a similar tríbe on an island in the Pacific somewhere.. Nobody have ever come out from there alive.. Huh Anyway, my Irish friends keep saying, they won't allove me to go to Ecuador before I have left my new address there and, as we know the Irish, they will definitely come visiting me so, maybe I'll have to open an Irish B & B in Ecuador - exclusely for my Irish friends - just so they can see the scorpio's the anakondas, iguanas, vulcanos and earth quakes etc with their own eyes ☘️
The timing of this video could not have been any better...for me, at least...lol. I have plans to take a trip to Ecuador in April or May next year with the possibility of moving there at the end of 2023/beginning of 2024. My intent is to start on the coast (Manta/Salinas or somewhere in between), but I would like an alternative city in mind in case the coast is too warm/humid for my liking. I don't think I'd be able to handle the altitude of Quito or Cuenca, so something close to 'mile high' status would be preferable. Just yesterday I was looking at Loja and the surrounding area and I think if the altitude of Loja is still too high for me to handle, nearby Catamayo looks like a good 2nd option if the coastal area doesn't work out for me. Thanks for all the info you guys make available for the rest of us 'dreamers' to take in...an invaluable service!
You and Amelia are living the life I wanted. Many thanks for showing us colorful and modern LOJA. Is footwear there reasonable in price or similar to the US?
Thanks for the update on life in Loja. Lived there in the late 80s; Malacatos/Vilcabamba in the early 90s. Loja and Cuenca have always been different in atmosphere. I prefer the more authentic, less "gringo" feel of Loja. "Isolated"? If you live in Loja, why would you want to go anywhere else? LOL. From your drone shots Loja doesn't look like a "smaller city" anymore. Love what they did with the pedestrian only streets. Looks like they have turned former SRO housing into little shopping malls. Very cool. Thanks again.
Thanks for all the great videos! Like you, I was surprised at how "urban" Loja is. I don't recall you having ventured into Amazonia. Any plans. E.g., Nueva Loja? I guess I couldn't blame you if you avoided that city. When I lived in Ecuador in the early '80s, it was named Lago Agrio.
Sound nice like the altitude is less and temps a little warmer. Don't mind a smaller town. Working on getting my visa so exploratory visit maybe early mid next year. However we're vegetarian's. Also be more of a culture shock with few Gringos and my poor Spanish. Thanks again guys.
We are really enjoying your content! We are planning an extended tour of South America with our four kids (ages 16 months, 11yo, 12 yo, and 13 yo) and planning to start with a few years in Ecuador. Loja has been number one on our list from the get go. I am curious about the expact centered services that are missing in Loja. Do you mind providing more information concerning this, as we do not yet know what that will be like. Thank you so much!
We’re mainly referring to expat oriented events, activities and restaurants run by English speakers. Cuenca is like a cruise ship with tons of things to do and a large variety of great food. Loja is more utilitarian.
I'm planning to go to Ecuador on an exploratory trip. Do the buses from Cuenca to Loja run everyday? I'm planning to go to Loja on a Sunday. Is there a particular bus company that you recommend? Thanks.
Holly, I see that JP hasn’t responded to you yet so I’ll give you an answer based on when I used to live in Loja from 1973 until 1977, there was a bus service every day from Loja to Cuenca and vise a versa, as to the name of the service I can’t recall.
Loja is good for learning spanish, because there is no english, so you are force to acquire the language, that can be an advantage o desadvantage for you, depends on what your preferences are.
Be advised that Lojanos love spanish diminutive suffixes…such as aguaita for agua, cuentita for cuenta, lechita for leche, amorsoski …and on and on for a lot of nouns. You will even hear some English words used in this way such as babycita, punkincita and whiskoski. You also hear the word ‘buenaso’ here almost exclusively and nowhere else in Ecuador, denoting the friendly final, satisfactory end to almost any conversation or transaction.
@@briscoedarling3237 sí, lo sé, yo soy ecuatoriano y también hablo en diminutivo a veces jaja ... A veces también se omite la última vocal como "tomates" por "tomats"
I’ve heard Loja is considered to have the most correct Spanish spoken in Ecuador. Not too sing songy like Cuenca, not too much dragging or the Rs like Quito and other Sierra regions and no aspiration of the S like Guayaquil and the rest of Coastal Ecuador.
It's a pity you didn't discuss property options, I assume due to lack of time. The rain does make the environment green and lush, but if I wanted that I'd retire to Ireland. The day trips mentioned by one contributor here I might be wary of if the one main artery out of town is subject to landslips.
Stayed 30da in Vilcabomba. Expats who wanted the security, convenience and larger community of Loja over tiny Vilcabomba admitted that the sketch-y Loja scene made them regret choosing Loja
Thanks so much for providing food options for those of us who are mostly "plant based" and gluten free. The gluten free issue has made me weary of travel, not because I'm some kinda snob, but because I'd rather not have diarrhea for 2 days. Even today in the US, restaurants in sophisticated areas seem to resent it if you ask. Sorry to disrupt your comfort zone and daily routine.
I can’t eat gluten in the US, but never have a problem w it in Europe or S America. Maybe it’s psychosomatic. Maybe it’s bc we have exploded the gluten content of our wheat.
That was a funny story about JP speaking to the Server in Spanish and did not recognize the English by the Server. Maybe that happens when you're there for years 😀.
HI there! Love your vlog! I appreciate that you are plant-based. I like to stick to organic when possible. Are most of the vegetables and fruits grown in Ecuador and Peru organic? What about at the markets? Thanks so much! Would you be able to do a vid about being plant-based in South America ... what to look for when you shop the small markets, Restaurants, etc ... I imagine the Sushi bars might be a good option.
Most produce is not organic because they use chemical fertilizers and pesticides. However, there are a lot of organic options and it’s growing in popularity 👍
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Doing so now!
I love to living in Ecuador that’s my dream.
Do you use a water tester to know for sure the quality of the tap water in Loja?
I spent 8 days in Loja a few years ago and found that there are very, very few ENGLISH speaking expats, but there are quite a few European expats, many of which speak English as well as European languages. I especially encountered lots of French and German expats, not just as tourists, but residents of Loja. Loja also has an "Alliance Francaise", a cultural, artistic, and language center for locals to learn French culture and language. The French government opens these cultural centers in many, many cities around the world. If you go to the Alliance Francaise, you will encounter more European expats than American expats. Since I enjoy meeting people from all around the world, it was a joy for me to be in Loja.
We have our eyes on Loja...considering moving back to Ecuador, having returned Stateside in 2016 - we lived in El Oriente for almost 4 years...love, love, love Ecuador!
Closed on Sundays! Good! Everybody deserves a day OFF.
I lived for 8 months in Loja close to 40 years ago and at that time it did not rain a lot. To be honest all I remember are the cool sunny days. I walked all over town in that city of 80,000 people at the time. Looking forward to go back and see the growth.
Funny, I've been drinking the tap water in Loja and have never had a problem...
Glad you made it to Loja. As a frequent visitor to Loja Province over the years I would definitely say that the entire province is special..it is more traditional Ecuador in many ways. The fact that it is harder to get to has preserved a lot of the history and culture there that have slipped by the other large cities in Ecuador. Loja has a thriving music tradition found nowhere else in the country and the town is full of artists. There are many words, foods and mannerisms that you will only find in Loja and nowhere else in Ecuador. To have the local horchata, made from grasses, leaves, flowers and berries is something that you will never forget. There are wonderful day trips from Loja to Malacatos and Vilcabamba, the Basilica at Cisne, Saraguro, and the roads to Cariamanga and Macara are breathtaking. A short drive away is Zamora and you are on the edge of the Amazon basin. I came to love the people there and their way of life as I hope you will. Soy gringo de nacimiento, pero lojano por elección...
Thanks for sharing! 😊👍🇪🇨
Que maravilla! The only way I could live in a city again is with so much nature so near. And the music and arts sound like the other part of heaven, thanks, lojano! I wasn't considering EC until now, it's the first perfect mix I've seen, of all the places they've showed us.
I’m so happy to finally see a video like this on Loja. I have not visited Ecuador yet, but Loja has been on my radar for several years due to it being a quieter city in a warmer mountain region with plenty of rain to keep things green. I’m so thrilled to see how beautiful it really is! This has solidified my plans to make a visit. Thank you for making this video!
Loja has maintained it's friendly, provincial attitude. About 5 years ago they tore up the streets and sidewalks and refurbished everything, also creating the pedestrian mall. They want to be a world-class Smart city, which some expats may have a concern about. The Supermaxi mall is getting an overhaul and enlargement currently. Boyaca has moved and got replaced with a Pycca. Loja is known in Ecuador as the country's music capital so there are several venues for mostly classical music.
Yes, people in Loja kept the old good ways of greeting others in the streets or anywhere. Very polite people.
WOW - Loja is very modern ! Actually, much cleaner than similar sized cities in Costa Rica - which often have storm drains clogged with plastic bottles & bags. VERY NICE !
Thank you for the upload.
I'm stunned by how clean the city looked.
Glad you enjoyed it! Loja is super clean!
I agree and compared to any city I've been to, Loja has an amazing amount of civic pride. JP did a great job capturing this.
Saludos from England. Really interesting video, thanks! I just got back from a couple of weeks in Ecuador and would recommend a couple of day trips - Cero Blanco is a tropical dry forest just outside Guayaquil (on the via la costa road) and Churute which is an ecological mangrove reserve and tropical dry forest. Both great if you want to see some wildlife - howler monkeys, snakes, lizards etc. and amazing pants and trees. However, do take your mosquito spray if you go, the mosquitos love the taste of an extranjero😄
Great suggestions!
I've been drinking the tap water in Loja and have never had an issue. I have many Lojano friends who also drink tap. Loja's potable water comes from the El Carmen watershed which is carefully managed for biodiversity and sustainability. In some of the older neighborhoods with really old plumbing, I'd drink bottled water.
Thanks for the info! We stayed in an old building in El Centro. We didn't feel comfortable drinking the water there, but it's nice to know you can drink it in some of the newer places.
We don't drink the water anywhere in Ecuador
Si es potable el agua pero igual yo hierbo diario 3 lts en Quito por si acaso 🖐️
The issue is that it is not chlorinated when it leaves the treatment plant.
Water is good in Loja ECUADOR and in the mayority of cities, the water is better than the water in USA. IN USA water has 100 chemicals lo be purified and also in USA ALL the water is processed in the same place drinking water and sewage full of poo.. so it has so many chemicals.. people from other countries are the ones who come sick from their own countries.. so you so called tourists should be careful.. and take care of yourselfs when you go to other countries and then blame the country that is hosting you . When I go to USA CANADA. and europe.i don't drink tap water . because I know how it has been processed and it is not good for the body.. that is why so many people have so many more. Than poor countries incurable diseases. When I go to your country I drink bottled water and also I boil tap water .thanks. . not culpen Al agua de ECUADOR . El agua de ECUADOR es mas saludable que el agua de sus paises.USA por EJEMPLO purifica en el mismo lugar el agua para el toilet y el agua para beber .con 100 quimicos lo que Les causa enfermedades incurables LAS eztadisticas EZTAN ahi para que analicen. En ECUADOR el agua es mas pura. Son ustedes turistas que vienen ya enfermos de sus paises. Si van a algun lugar son USTEDES que tienen que adaptarse Al lugar el DICHO dice CUANDO en Roma hacer lo que Los Romanos hacen.. there is a saying. WHEN IN ROME DO WHAT ROMANS DO.. THANKS gracias 😁😁👍
Very accurate comparison, based on my own experiences. Most of the important differences are related to the fact that Loja is smaller and lower than Cuenca. Definitely better for my Spanish skills!
I can see how it would remind you of Ft. Collins, and in some areas, even like Boulder. But it looks like a dream town.
According to Numbeo, Loja is also much safer than other cities in Ecuador.
Sounds like a delightful place. I visited Vilcabamba and although a delightful town the expats there really turned me off. The vast majority of them had no interest in learning Spanish. Could be a problem getting from Loja to the airport with landslides! I would love to know more about the symphonies, etc there. And the Universities.
I landed in Loja and lived there for four months, it is a really nice small city! 💗 You really nailed the pluses and minuses. The gas trucks LOL!, and the garbage trucks with the same melody, definitely cemented in my mind, but it just became a ubiquitous background sound that I actually missed once I left! Personally, I was cold every minute while indoors there, my heating pad got quite the daily workout keeping my feet warm... the house never really warmed up inside after the overnight lows in the mid to lower 50´s F, but I get cold easy and much prefer a warm environment, so I am on the coast now. Also, I never really adjusted to the altitude... a lot of housing is on those very steep slopes and while that does provide for amazing views, it was a super huff fest for me in that way.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts 😊👍
We were cold all the time too. That is why we moved to Malacatos. And the garbage trucks are actually a different melody.
Loja it’s a big city! Let’s make this straight!
Amazing review of my beloved city Loja! Usually on Sundays or weekends, we spend more time in Malacatos or Vilcabamba which could be one of the reasons why on Sunday the city itself is not as active as during the week, but if you travel south for around 45 minutes, you will find these amazing valleys where you might even find a lot of expats.
I’ll most likely be in Ecuador this winter, im thinking of doing 3-4 weeks each in Guayaquil, Quito and Cuenca. Might have to add Loja to the list.
We plan on doing the same thing.
I began my retirement in EC in Loja in 2018. I didn't care about it not having a big expat community, but I found it too small. I rented an apt. in Rodriguez Witt, the wealthiest neighborhood. I experienced both water & electrical outages a few times a month, along with a German Shepard living in the biggest hacienda in town that barked nonstop (home was probably a weekend home for a Quito resident) and lots of trash (city workers rarely came to clean). Gave up on Loja and moved to Cuenca.
Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Dogs are a real problem here. We heard that the mayor some years ago tried to restrict them to some degree but was not successful
I have found in Cuenca, the residents use dogs as a pseudo burglar alarm and it is really maddening at times. I had to move from a beautiful apartment because of the neighborhood dogs barking constantly.
@@patnewman1 The best investment I made to ensure a contented retirement here was bringing Bose noise-cancelling over-the-ear headphones. 😀 Worth every penny when EC noise level is at an 11!
You really nailed Loja. Great job!
We moved to Cuenca in 2001, and at the time, there were virtually no expats there either. Somewhere around 2010, I made the prediction that once expats discovered Loja, it would explode in the same way that Cuenca did. Well I sure missed the mark on that one. I returned in 2013 to write about it again, and found Loja to be mostly the same as when I left in 2006.
And you show that it's still mostly the same today.
Frankly, I don't understand it. Loja's awesome. But I'm glad that it's never become the expat haven that Cuenca did. There are a handful of expats who prefer it that way, and places like it are harder and harder to find.
You reference in the video, the city provided outdoor Fitness Areas. This is one of my favorite things about parts of South America including a fantastic one in Medellín Colombia.
It looks like a very good small city for a foreigner (retiree or digital nomad) to live in. Once again, I must emphasize the importance of studying Spanish to be able to live within society and not on the fringes. It is an inexpensive city to live in though. A quick check on Numbeo, comparing to Porto, Portugal, a city that I am familiar with,
Rent Prices in Porto are 230.45% higher than in Loja
Restaurant Prices in Porto are 69.89% higher than in Loja
Groceries Prices in Porto are 67.20% higher than in Loja
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment are 248.16 % than in Loja
Of course, salaries in Porto are much higher, being +154.76 %. But, if you are living there on a fixed income of maybe 2000,00 euros a month (for two) life in Loja would be very affordable.
EC is much more affordable than Portugal.
@@AmeliaAndJP Yes, it sure is.
Again, I commend JP & América for good reportaje. In my 3 years in Ecuador i did not visit Loja. I have spent more than enough $$ in search of residency, so now stay within the 180 days available on my visas. I Will visit Loja enroute to Colombia later this winter.
Fantastic!! Informative and based on what I know about the two of you - very much a guide for newbies in Ecuador. Thanks both for this!
Cuenca is definitely a better choice for most expats. Good job on the video.
Thinking now Cuenca for my first year, then exploring and fer sure go to Loja. Sounds quieter and looks beautiful!!
I need a lover to get there to run away. Thanks again and big air hugs
Great video!! My husband and I are headed to Ecuador for our second exploratory trip in September - 3-4 weeks in Cuenca and then 10 days staying in Loja at this same AirBnB. We're very excited!
That AirBnB was great and the host was super helpful! Enjoy!
I sure appreciate the details & the nuance you include in your videos. Beyond helpful 💕
About getting from Cuenca to Loja: I've done that four hour trip, both in a taxi on the way there (not good, to say the least)- and in a hotel shuttle on the way back (better, but not by much). Stunning views and beautiful countryside, to be sure; BUT, the most terrifying road trip of my life. The drivers drive WAY too fast trying to make good time. They pass at every opportunity including on narrow, winding, semi-washed out mountain roads. Doesn't matter if it's another car, or a truck, or even a bus- if another vehicle is going even a little slower they will pass it. Bottom line, I recommend taking a flight from Quito to Loja if you want to visit Loja/ Malacatos/ Vilcabamba, and arrive with your body and nerves intact. Unless you're an adrenaline junkie- In which case I'd say eat a light breakfast and go for it. : )
We can record private drivers who won’t take years off your life 😁
liveabroadnow.com/referrals/ecuador-private-driver-referral/
@@AmeliaAndJP Thank you! I will definitely look into a private driver next time I need to travel in Ecuador.
Great video! And thanks for talking about plastic bottles! Although recycling is important, the best option is not having to recycle at all! The carbon footprint of transporting bottles of water is almost always overlooked.
We hate plastic bottles! It’s hard to believe they’re still allowed!
Great video! Yes. I've never read anything negative about Loja while negative appraisals of Cuenca abound on UA-cam! Great to get your perspective on it.
Glad it was helpful!
I've been living in San Gabriel up way farther north than you guys and have been for 6 years. It helps that my wife is Carchense and we are close to the farm her grandparents live on outside of town.
I have never gone farther south than Quito, and I doubt my wife and I would ever want to live somewhere like Cuenca or Loja, but it is always interesting for me to see through the eyes of some fellow expats as compared to what I hear from the locals up here in Carchi.
And yes, the white guy living up in Carchi for 6 years married to a local driving an old Lada around working as an English teacher will turn heads no matter how long I stay here or how much I integrate haha.
Thank you for mentioning the land slides. I'd asked about them in a different forum and was told no big deal. Also very good to know about the tap water. Thank you again for this informative video.
Glad to help! The landslides are usually cleared quickly, unless they're really bad. Then they can take weeks or months. The road between Vilca and Cuenca was closed for several weeks earlier this year. Buses and taxis took people to the landslide, then they had to walk with their luggage to the other side where other buses and taxis were waiting. Not ideal.
The info suggesting the tap water isn’t drinkable is false. Loja has very good water. Yes, we drink it.
If you go to Ecuador please #1 RESPECT NATIVE AMERICANS
Cuanto la adoro esta cuidad!!
Hey JP ... I'm "old" too ... 68 years joven ... you'll get there ... soon ... JayHawk !
I pretty sure everywhere you guys go are well loved. You are such a lovely people . Greetings from Canada 🇨🇦
Gracias 😊
JP & Amelia, I recommend checking out "Pristine Hydro" portable water filtration system from California. I bought mine and had it shipped to Cuenca in the container with my other household goods. It comes with a box of handy adapters for every kind of faucet. It produces the best water I have tasted in years, superior to any bottled products I've tried.
ANOTHER amazing city to consider! Thank you!
You guys are so lucky to be there. The US is a mess, everyone is angry all the time, the economy is jacked up, prices are skyrocketing, and both political parties are radicalized and out of control. I am soooo jealous you guys are there!
We are thankful to be elsewhere 👍
I am headed down there from Cuenca in Late September to spend a week there thanks to your videos.
Excellent presentation. Great job. The issue of rainy weather means you always need to use a dryer (sometimes in short supply). When I lived in Manizales, Colombia it would take days to dry clothes and you'd often have to take a taxi or get drenched pushing up day to days costs.
Great to see you both again! I enjoy your videos! You are inspirational and you make me think maybe I would like it there as well! Thanks for posting!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for this video on Loja, it's on my list for a visit or residence by this winter. Still leaning toward Manta though.
If you are young, blanket is ideal, lots of beach experience and sun
as always guys wonderful well balanced video.
I really enjoy your channel. Loja definitely looks like a cool place. I need to get out of the US soon and Cuenca, and now Loja, is at the top of my list for a longish term place to live. Keep the info coming!
I recommend you look at Santa Elena and the valleys of Sangolqui or Quito, they are at a not so high altitude, at 2350, although loja is at 2100 and malacatos and vilcaba 1400.. The city of Ibarra at 2000 meters with a bine health system and many long-lived people.
Sounds like a city for me, thanks.
Great! We really liked it!
Thanks for all the info! I was born and raised in the US, but when I retire to another country, I will want to be in an area that has not been taken over by expats.
Travelling to Ecuador in October to look into moving. Loja looks perfect to me. The negatives actually seemed not so negative to me, especially the lack of English speakers. My attitude is that you're living in their country so you should speak the language. Lower elevation than Cuenca, warmer, smaller, fewer expats, a bit more isolated, all sound great. Having a national park nearby along with Vilcabamba seem like huge pluses. The only real downsides are the water and Sunday's. However, you just have to adapt.
El agua de grifo es de buena calidad
Enjoyed it very much … thanks 😊
You should get on the "garafon" wagon (5 gallon water bottles).The purified water is much cheaper and you exchange your empty for a new full bottle.One just has to carry one of the many models of small hand pumps which fit on top and can be purchased there or brought from home.I been doing that overseas for 40 years.Zero plastic to a landfill and not burned as they do in some countries which can tox you out !
Great info! Thanks for all you share with us.
Some how I think as much as you mention SuperMaxi in your videos that it is a tourist destination. I know people have to eat and are interested to know it is available but it is so funny that you mention it so much. Keep up the good work. Your videos keep me informed if I can ever get my wife to move. I am ready now. There is only one catch. She is five years younger than me and I am 72. I am going to die in Nashville, TN .
Loja looks nice. Street cleaners doing a good job. I take my Shaklee water filter pitcher when going to places where you can't drink the tap water. Lightweight and you can stuff some clothes or whatever in it when it is in your bag.
Great suggestion!
You can drink the water. Loja has great water.
Just read your newsletter on coming back to the US and the outrageous prices here. Loja sounds lovely. My biggest drawback is that they do not seem to have have a Spanish language school and associated homestay options. Hopefully if it is getting more people from different countries they might get one! On the other hand - it is a Plus + for me that it is not an expat community! More of an Ecuadorian culture:)
Thanks ! Very informative.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for sharing. You guys are the best, you share what matters and not like other channels it’s all about blah blah blah blah blah and annoying to watch. Keep up with the good work you guys are amazing!!
Thanks so much for sharing.
I like Loja more and more, the more I see from there and, the people I've spoken with from there, all sounds like just my style.. 😊
Great!
Hi you doing JA. Neither the landslides, nor the rain, nor how far the airport is, few people speaking English and etc, nothing of these cons stop you. Right?
@@asdrubalvivanco2301 Exactly dear Astrubal and guess what! It must have to do with the people there - and off course the Amazonas 😊
Remember, I promised myself to live the last part of my life in or close to the Amazon many years ago, simply because I fell in love with the place I researched and wrote about back then. This love hasn't become less over the years.. 💕
I don't expect much but the smiles from the people and off.course the iguanas.. I love them - except their sharp claws when they decide to walk on my legs. They are SO funny 😊
Take care in the US...
@@Jetmab04 Definitely there are a lot of your loved iguanas there . lol. If you enter little more into the rain forest you will find all kind of "exotic animals" such as pumas, jaguars, big anacondas, crocodiles and much more. hahaha...You must stop going further into the jungle because you will meet the TAGAERI and TAROMENARE tribes. They are people not contacted by anyone, who have lived in the Ecuadorian amazon basin for centuries, isolated from our civilization. So, said this, don't forget to stop in the first rain forest....hhhhh. Greetings and take care df J. A.
@@asdrubalvivanco2301 ha--ha Astrubal 😊
I wouldn't say, the anakondas are the one's I want to befriend - huh and, off course there are other creatures, I'd prefer never to meet in the jungle... However...
When compared to certain of the Colonial human race as they are - not again but, as they have always been.... I think I prefer the jungle and the animals as, I believe the animals only will harm me if I scare them. These Colonial humans are worse than Hell I'm afraid - yrgh😢
My former country - the oldest Colonial - have a sad reputation of, still being the most extreme pedophile place (the worst child-sex-traders 😰) on Earth and, I'm afraid the reputation is more than true.. So, so sad 😪Some of the Colonial rielgions are so horrible by now. It's human impossible to fathom.... They are way past forgiveness by now and, I condemn them with all my heart😭 Maybe it wasn't an "accident" where Epstein chose to buy his Pedo-Island... He was a freak but, he certainly wasn't stupid....
I've heard about this tríbe you are talking about! Do you know where I can find more about them? I know there is a similar tríbe on an island in the Pacific somewhere.. Nobody have ever come out from there alive.. Huh
Anyway, my Irish friends keep saying, they won't allove me to go to Ecuador before I have left my new address there and, as we know the Irish, they will definitely come visiting me so, maybe I'll have to open an Irish B & B in Ecuador - exclusely for my Irish friends - just so they can see the scorpio's the anakondas, iguanas, vulcanos and earth quakes etc with their own eyes ☘️
Hello loving couples we love your video . Loja & Vilcabamba gorgeous place to living.
Well done & informative video as usual guys.
The timing of this video could not have been any better...for me, at least...lol. I have plans to take a trip to Ecuador in April or May next year with the possibility of moving there at the end of 2023/beginning of 2024. My intent is to start on the coast (Manta/Salinas or somewhere in between), but I would like an alternative city in mind in case the coast is too warm/humid for my liking. I don't think I'd be able to handle the altitude of Quito or Cuenca, so something close to 'mile high' status would be preferable. Just yesterday I was looking at Loja and the surrounding area and I think if the altitude of Loja is still too high for me to handle, nearby Catamayo looks like a good 2nd option if the coastal area doesn't work out for me.
Thanks for all the info you guys make available for the rest of us 'dreamers' to take in...an invaluable service!
You and Amelia are living the life I wanted. Many thanks for showing us colorful and modern LOJA. Is footwear there reasonable in price or similar to the US?
Thanks for the update on life in Loja. Lived there in the late 80s; Malacatos/Vilcabamba in the early 90s. Loja and Cuenca have always been different in atmosphere. I prefer the more authentic, less "gringo" feel of Loja. "Isolated"? If you live in Loja, why would you want to go anywhere else? LOL. From your drone shots Loja doesn't look like a "smaller city" anymore. Love what they did with the pedestrian only streets. Looks like they have turned former SRO housing into little shopping malls. Very cool. Thanks again.
JP's favorite song:
"If your cylinder looks like it won't last...
...don't worry here's the truck with gas!" Beep Beep XD XD
Haha! 😂
Thanks for all the great videos! Like you, I was surprised at how "urban" Loja is.
I don't recall you having ventured into Amazonia. Any plans. E.g., Nueva Loja? I guess I couldn't blame you if you avoided that city. When I lived in Ecuador in the early '80s, it was named Lago Agrio.
You guys are awesome! Good job
Great bird view filming!
wish you both all the best
Loja is beautiful
Sound nice like the altitude is less and temps a little warmer. Don't mind a smaller town. Working on getting my visa so exploratory visit maybe early mid next year. However we're vegetarian's. Also be more of a culture shock with few Gringos and my poor Spanish.
Thanks again guys.
There were more vegetarian options than vegan, but still limited compared to Cuenca.
We are really enjoying your content! We are planning an extended tour of South America with our four kids (ages 16 months, 11yo, 12 yo, and 13 yo) and planning to start with a few years in Ecuador. Loja has been number one on our list from the get go. I am curious about the expact centered services that are missing in Loja. Do you mind providing more information concerning this, as we do not yet know what that will be like. Thank you so much!
We’re mainly referring to expat oriented events, activities and restaurants run by English speakers. Cuenca is like a cruise ship with tons of things to do and a large variety of great food. Loja is more utilitarian.
Excellent video Thanks 😊
Botanical garden...sold!
Toda la vida he bebido agua de grifo y nunca he tenido algún problema, tampoco la hervimos, saludos 😃
Great job guys ❤️
I'm planning to go to Ecuador on an exploratory trip. Do the buses from Cuenca to Loja run everyday? I'm planning to go to Loja on a Sunday. Is there a particular bus company that you recommend? Thanks.
Holly, I see that JP hasn’t responded to you yet so I’ll give you an answer based on when I used to live in Loja from 1973 until 1977, there was a bus service every day from Loja to Cuenca and vise a versa, as to the name of the service I can’t recall.
@@thomashowison8598 Thanks Thomas, I appreciate your help.
In Misahualli we have the orange crew to keep it clean !!
thanks
Loja is good for learning spanish, because there is no english, so you are force to acquire the language, that can be an advantage o desadvantage for you, depends on what your preferences are.
We think that’s a great advantage! It’s too easy to speak English in Cuenca.
Be advised that Lojanos love spanish diminutive suffixes…such as aguaita for agua, cuentita for cuenta, lechita for leche, amorsoski …and on and on for a lot of nouns. You will even hear some English words used in this way such as babycita, punkincita and whiskoski. You also hear the word ‘buenaso’ here almost exclusively and nowhere else in Ecuador, denoting the friendly final, satisfactory end to almost any conversation or transaction.
@@briscoedarling3237 sí, lo sé, yo soy ecuatoriano y también hablo en diminutivo a veces jaja ... A veces también se omite la última vocal como "tomates" por "tomats"
I’ve heard Loja is considered to have the most correct Spanish spoken in Ecuador. Not too sing songy like Cuenca, not too much dragging or the Rs like Quito and other Sierra regions and no aspiration of the S like Guayaquil and the rest of Coastal Ecuador.
Excellent video.
Glad you liked it!
It's a pity you didn't discuss property options, I assume due to lack of time. The rain does make the environment green and lush, but if I wanted that I'd retire to Ireland. The day trips mentioned by one contributor here I might be wary of if the one main artery out of town is subject to landslips.
Planning a "new" trip to Cuenca in about two weeks. How far is Loja from Cuenca? Any long distance buses?
It’s a 4 hour drive in a car. There are lots of buses, but they take longer.
Cuenca looks great, but the weather is a bit cooler than I like...........and I like cool weather.
It is very cool there!
@@AmeliaAndJP I like highs in the 70's.
Stayed 30da in Vilcabomba. Expats who wanted the security, convenience and larger community of Loja over tiny Vilcabomba admitted that the sketch-y Loja scene made them regret choosing Loja
No dogs barking... Nice. I started in Guayaquil & now I'm in Puerto López, so far I've heard dogs all day & all night.
Lots of barking dogs in Ecuador!
Driving through the little pueblos on the way here, they were wandering everywhere.
Lots of dogs in Loja
Thanks so much for providing food options for those of us who are mostly "plant based" and gluten free. The gluten free issue has made me weary of travel, not because I'm some kinda snob, but because I'd rather not have diarrhea for 2 days.
Even today in the US, restaurants in sophisticated areas seem to resent it if you ask. Sorry to disrupt your comfort zone and daily routine.
I can’t eat gluten in the US, but never have a problem w it in Europe or S America. Maybe it’s psychosomatic. Maybe it’s bc we have exploded the gluten content of our wheat.
@@DurangoC probably the glycosphate pesticide on American wheat which is banned everywhere else. USA food supply is basically poisoned
I guess Loja is the perfect City to learn Spanish...
Thanks for Loja.
Bravo 👏
Very very nice...
Amelia and Jp did you go to Banos de Ambato is a beautiful city
That was a funny story about JP speaking to the Server in Spanish and did not recognize the English by the Server. Maybe that happens when you're there for years 😀.
His English was likely terrible and with a heavy accent which is why JP mistook it for Spanish.
@@jsphat81 I know, but it was still funny.
JP and Amelia Ecuadorians go to Church on Sundays, it is a holy day.
Yes. But they don’t all go to the same church and we’ve seen some that aren’t nearly as full.
HI there! Love your vlog! I appreciate that you are plant-based. I like to stick to organic when possible. Are most of the vegetables and fruits grown in Ecuador and Peru organic? What about at the markets? Thanks so much! Would you be able to do a vid about being plant-based in South America ... what to look for when you shop the small markets, Restaurants, etc ... I imagine the Sushi bars might be a good option.
Most produce is not organic because they use chemical fertilizers and pesticides. However, there are a lot of organic options and it’s growing in popularity 👍
Perhaps Ceviche de chochos from street vendors.
You guys rock.
Great video! I know you weren't in Loja for an extended period of time but what is your impression of crime there?
It seemed very safe to us. Lots of kids playing and walking by themselves. Loja rarely makes the news for crime.
I walked in many of the parks with a large telephoto lense without any problems, though no city is completely safe
Nice video, 🥰🥰 good luck 🌟🌟 always waiting for your new 🌟🌟🔃🔔🔃🔔🔃🔔