I have a farm and a ranch here in Ecuador. Rural living in Ecuador is even less expensive. Our expenses for a family of 4 are less than $150 a month. Property taxes are almost nothing and we get to live in one of the most biodiverse and beautiful places on the planet. Intag! After more than 20 years living in Ecuador, I can't imagine ever going back to the states to live.
It makes NO CENTS for Americans to retire in the USA. There are 1000 places around the world where it's less expensive to retire and raise one's standard of living. To be HONEST, the biggest obstacle is "fear". Most Americans have lots of fear of living outside the USA. I happen to live in Mexico for the last 22 years and LOVE IT! But sadly, I hear the "fear" all the time. I actually gave up telling Americans NOT to fear. I mean, 95% of it is NOT based in reality but the news in the USA is so bad, so awful that "fear" is real to those living in that culture. And so, yes, it's an obstacle. But for those who can riggle themselves free from that web of non-sense, the world opens up and, wow.....what a world! For me, I am debt free, no mortgage, no rent, and virtually no utilities....I have solar power and I recycle grey and black waters. I grow my own food and l have a bunch of chickens. Talk about relative freedom in an un-free world. It's paradise. But that's me. For others, their paradise will be different. But it's all out there for those who take the step and tell Fear to take a hike.
In fact, come on over and see me anytime. Here's my BnB in Mexico. Check it out! My home is made from plastic bags and dirt! Get Ready! www.haciendaecodomes.com
My biggest reason is family. I have four kids (and their spouses) and six grandkids. I am alone and worry about that too…. But not seeing family is huge. But I sure would like to at least try it. But, then, did you sell everything you owned… including car?
I lived as an expat in a few countries and what I learned was that fees for locals were different then outsiders. I found out that I was paying more for the same lifestyle then some of my local friends. Don’t be afraid to ask and do research and negotiate everything.
I agree. When people ask me where I'm from now I just tell them "Everywhere" ... Have you found the intimidated newbie expats will advise "better to not rock the boat" pay much more for everything? 🤣
Exactly even here in the US my father negotiate EVERYTHING, if he buys a new pair of jeans he ask to pay $10 less on them, a few months back he was looking to buy a new couch it was $5000 he ended up paying $3000, and i know people that just pay what the sign says it cost.
@Juuk I knew a condo owner in Asia who rented to me and was infuriated at the renegotiation I did for a second lease after there for a year ... Contracts. I found out what he paid for the place and understood his anxiety. He told me he put his purchase in the place as a situation of "Live and learn".. I expressed to him what I was offering for another two years was more than fair for the area and other situations... And I told him since I was a good tenant he'd almost certainly give me my entire deposit back...I got the better lease price, I got deposit back (almost unheard of in Asia)... and the place looked as good or better than when it was leased to me when I left. But since he could afford the place here he was a real estate genius...??? I did leave some nice things there... small things... But from what I've heard people are offering 60 % what I paid now. Covid. Sometimes cutting your losses means what it means... When you haven't a place filled your averages can get crushed. Common sense you would think... Ruins ENTIRE economies of a country with this lack of understanding sometimes. As for the Covid issue...I believe people should analyze who bought and sold large amounts of properties before the..it happened... Those economies were pump and dumped.... And "savvy business people" are still demanding at least what they paid for what they bought... Or what expectations there were for renting places prior to overbuilding. It was felt by these"savvy" people ... Newcomers or present renters will want newer places so to heck with established owners as for their having lower rents due to supply and demand.. New homes, etc. When established owners saw this they sold these same "savvy" people discounted places that are now (rather should be) way discounted... And the clock ticks on their having to sell some of those places at huge losses just to maintain their other properties... Dominoes. Many places like this have incentives for VISA that include purchases of property. How angry do you think this will make people having to suffer... Living in those communities? They likely don't know... Lies... Promises aren't kept... Sad stories if starving beginning from arrogance and trust.
@@A_Box stop taking it so personally.... as someone who travels often to various parts of the world and have lived in three continents, anyone can relate to what she is saying... from poor to well off. She is just stating that people can take for granted where they live...
Love hearing all the financial details, and how you prioritize your health and enjoyment with things like private yoga, Spanish lessons, eating out, cleaning help ... and WINE!!
Hola, Amelia and JP. I just found your channel, and I've been watching all your videos 😄 You guys are amazing. Ecuador is a very safe and friendly country. I'm Ecuadorian. I hope you guys stay here forever. ❤❤❤
I lived in Baños, Ecuador for 3 years, had a one bedroom furnished apartment including TV, wifi, internet. Total expenses per month $700, food, medical insurance, local fruit and veggies. Great folks, you can live cheap in Ecuador.
@@GaryMeadowsMusicGreetings from Manta!. Lockdown still there but we can still going out, but for christmas and new year we'll be not pretty able to go out bcs the covid can spread more fastest, idk how are the business doing (sorry if i had sone errors)
@@angel-stories2547 Thanks, Here in the states, small towns are not very strict. Larger citys are under more if a lock down. I had covid about a month ago. For me it was very mild. Just a little stuffy.
I live in the coast city of Hai Phong in Vietnam. I have a brand new gorgeous luxury apartment includes wifi, and all utilities underground parking. I pay $300/month. Food is $200 or less. All organic, super friendly, tropical weather.
I've heard it is a good place to live now and the Vietnamese are very welcoming of Americans. I was there in the 60s and was exposed to agent orange. I understand it is still prevalent, even now.
@@thnaykhwam2425 If you ever come to Vietnam, don't make the mistake that I made by telling local's that it's a very inexpensive country to live in. It's cheap for us, but not for them.
The best are you both, every day are younger and younger. Yes Ecuador is wonderful. Thank you for your videos. In Ecuador if you want to work, every time you can live good, perhaps no than an millioner, but you can live good. Remember the sun is the best wealth of our country. You do not need expensive dress. You do not need heating. In Ecuador is easier to live. Thank you.
I live in Puerto Lopez (45 min north of you). Water is $1/5 gallon jug. Propane is $1.85 for a complete refill. The Claro bill went up because of a new govt tax.
up until I came across your channel, 67 was going to be my retirement age (10.5 years). now I'm running numbers on the possibility of 59 1/2 years old!!! time to bone up on ecuadorian spanish - love your channel!
'Great video. 'Chock full of information. The $100 per month maid deal is incredible, especially considering that she visits 3 times per week - $5 per hour. Wow! Thanks for letting us know.
New subscriber here! (From Ecuador) I loooove your living arrangements! This is literally my dream, to be able to work remotely from paradise (Olon), so happy I came across your channel. Best wishes for the remainder of your time in Ecuador. Glad to have you :)
Your are great. Thank you very much for your honest videos. As an ecuadorian I can say that all you say is true. Espero conocerlos en persona algún dia.
My AC+Heating guy has been talking about Ecuador to me. He talks highly of it and wants to retire there. Now he's got me checking out videos about Ecuador. Your videos are very informative.
We spent 14 days in Peru and 4 days in Quito two years ago, we really want to spend more time there, thanks for the information, that helps a lot, especially the health insurance video.
Thanks for the info guys! I’m currently living in Cebu, Philippines, me and my girlfriend and her daughter renting a 4 bedroom single detached 2 storey house in guarded subdivision for 580$ US including water, electricity and 100Mbps internet. Our other expenses here are traveling between the islands (mostly beaches) and our food totalling about 500$ a month (including gas in my own car) We will visit Ecuador and as well as Venisuella as yearly as travel ban lift off, hoping we meet one day! Stay safe.
I was in Ecuador (8-25 Oct), in Montanita about when you probably shot this! Nice country, great people! Hope the infrastructure gets some improvement and car rental prices and conditions get on par with neighboring countries and developed countries too (was waaay too expensive for 17 days compared to what I pay in Europe, Asia, Peru, Colombia or North America)!
I love how the fruit and veg is sold loose. It's criminal in the UK that a lot is sold in plastic wrapping. We would all buy like this if there was no other choice and i think its a nicer way to shop.
We live in Eastern Europe. We were spending $16K a month living in America and that was with the California mortgage. Here with zero debt we spend about $7.5K a month 60% of its discretionary so we live pretty well. I think we could get away with $2.5K/mo if we had to pull back
i love the video.I grew up in Cuba.the worst there was having no air conditioner at all.Im an american citizen now and i live in Miami.Central air conditioner all the time.The inventor of that machine should be given the novel price.
I've watched a couple of your videos, they're very informative. Thanks for putting the time into making these videos and helping out the rest of us. I'm only 57 but am tired of the rat race and would love to retire. Good luck and stay safe!
@@AmeliaAndJP I wanted to read some comments on your videos. I have them to be very positive. I am 67 years old, a divorced grandmother, and now and great-grandmother. My health is better than many young people that I know. If I could get just a couple of mine to move, I'd be applying for a Visa tomorrow! I can still work in a few different areas. And I read and write Castillian Spanish, however, I can pick up a dialect very quickly. I've been in about 14 different states of Mexico. I do have problems with the very rapid Spanish from Guanajuato. I just ask them to speak a little slower for the gringa. LOL. Don't change a thing about your smiles, your humor, your style. I smile while watching your videos.
I've been there twice, 2 or 3 weeks at a time. Loved it, don't know if I would want to live there, but sounds like you all love it. Last year We went to Guatemala for 3 weeks. That was nice also.
I just happened to come upon your videos and have been binge watching for about three days! I love your videos. You two are a dynamic couple, and the things I most appreciate are how positive you are and how happy you seem. Thank you for sharing your life in Ecuador.
You guys have the best coffee there, which we can't get in the USA. Minerva Cafe is hands down, the best coffee that I've ever had. I have traveled everywhere and have never had coffee that was so good.
Hi my name is Monserrate and I lived in Allentown Pennsylvania I liked to watch your video. I was born Paterson New Jersey my parents from Puerto Rico my husbman is from Guayaquil Ecuador he took me to Ecuador for vacation and I liked it. My husbman was telling that we should moved to Ecuador. I am thinking to move over their because I do not if I would adjust to a different life. I believed both of you are good people very nice. One of the reason also we do not move to Ecuador because my husbman has his own business plus my son wants to go to college at U S A.
Thanks for your videos. you speak very well about my country, that´s is very nice. Thanks so much. I hope more people enjoy Ecuador like you, and I wish you the best in my country, always are places, food and things to know and try. muchas gracias. ustedes son muy gentiles. cuídense mucho. un abrazo a los dos.
I think it's amazing that you guys find living in Ecuador nice and affordable. I am Ecuadorian, and my parents are now retired in Ballenita, where life is indeed different than in Guayaquil. There is an increasing number of people from the US/Canada who find the coasts of Ecuador the perfect place to retire and that is just awesome. I would only advise you to get more informed about the IESS situation right now, because it's not great. So I don't know how much of a good idea would it be to start contributing to the public health system, specially if you need spine surgery, in which case, I would really recommend you to go to the US. I wouldn't risk it. There is a huge corruption problem going on internally, and even retired people's pensions are being threatened. Anyways, I know you're situation is all different and I for sure wish you have the best of times, but please, if you're living in Ecuador, try to get more involved in what's currently happening in the country so that you don't have problems in the future. And also, it is a nice way to show that you care about the country that's welcoming you, and you're not staying in a bubble of privilege. I mean this in the best way. Thank you so much for your videos and enjoy Ecuador !!
It think they should find out the costs in Colombia. Colombia has many of the best hospitals in South America, while it's by far not so expensive as the USA.
another good video. i spend a year+ in northern ecuador back in the early 80s. tumultuous back then but still a beautiful country with so much to see and do. was even cheaper for americans when the sucre was used. i liked the beach at esmeraldas but the place i called 'home' was ambato/riobamba. guess i need to see the southern part now
Amelia is just too cute. Have no intention of visiting or moving to Ecuador. I only watch the videos to see her. What an adorable lady. Congratulations JP.
I really love your channel is great and amazing, you talk very good about ecuador, I learn a lot watching these videos, your attitude is so fresh and clear, besides you are a fantastic and carismatic couple, JP I like your personality and amelia besides to be beautiful are you smart both make a good work, we want videos like this plz dont change
People who don't travel don't realize "hot water and constant pressure"- LOL. In Mexico, the Propane is far more expensive, about $20 per tank refill. Local produce is very inexpensive. I like when you two figure out the coffee on camera. Very cute couple. My health care is 15 usd per quarter, but I go to Ear Specialist ($100 per year) and a private hospital ($5 per visit) Hahaha- Wine Budget!! We get local produced for $4 bottle- but I am so jealous!! You get Argentine wine for just a few dollars more!!! AND - Yoga on beach- living large!!
I'm hoping to retire early in four years and I don't think I want to stay in the US after living abroad in Spain, Greece, Crete, Korea, and Yemen when I was younger. Not sure if I will choose South America, but I really appreciate your videos!
Hmmm yeah. I visited Florida at least 8 times before moving there and still learned it wasn't a great place to live (understatement of the year there.)
Don't know if anyone explained about the propane tanks. At higher altitudes you unable to get the same volume of gas than you can at sea level. Hence why planes are pressurized to keep air molecules closer together so we can breathe. Also temperature is a factor. The colder you are the more volume of gas you can get into a tank, but we are talking like Russia cold to notice the big difference. Temperature and pressure affects all gases
wow this was so great!!! I feel like my mind was just cracked wide open about how the rest of my life could go. thank you I owe you a bottle of wine if I ever get there. lol
Wow! I’m pretty jealous. Very surprised at the monthly expenses cost. I’m in rural Ohio and spend $1800/mo on a house payment alone. You guys got me thinking about moving to Ecuador! Seriously. Oh, & by the way I’m about 1k mikes from a decent beach! LOL 😆
This information is so helpful for us. Thank you guys ❤. I think is something wrong with the cost of electricity. Sometimes you have to ask to the electricity's company because this kind of mistakes happen often.
It is interesting to compare various countries or even regions of any one country. Equador seems to be more expensive than here in a large very cultured city in Russia except a modern 3 bedroom home on the beach would be higher here than there. Medical, gas, water, internet, dining out, food markets, are all more expensive than where you. I have a home still in Marin Co. just 6 miles north of San Francisco which I bought in the late 70s but before moving here, my monthly nut was about $10,000 with no mortgage payment. Now that would be $13,000 for a 30 year mortgage. Now I make a small fraction of that, partly because I do not work as hard now since I moved here as a second/third retirement and spend more time in restaurant, museums, dance clubs, pubs and drama theaters than working in my 4 businesses I set up simply because I will never fully retire. I am 71 but still have the energy and health to be very active socially and culturally and outlast most of the kids on the dance floor. My GF is less than 1/2 my age and she does not even attempt to keep up with me, despite her being a super fit long-distance open ocean swimmer. Currently, I support 2 demanding cats one GF, and myself on about $1500 a month and most of that is tickets to operas or clubbing. And that also includes a country house 48km from the city apartment. Most families have a Dacha, a country house to relax, tend gardens and flowers, fruit trees. Most of them are 2-3 hectares of land and pretty rustic but many are replacing them with modern large 2-3 story homes. By metro(subway) then route bus, it costs $1.50 each way to get there in an hour. With the pandemic shutting down my two tour companies, I spent much of the summer at the dacha hiking in the woods swimming in the lake and tending vegetable gardens and the 18 mature apple trees. The soil is so rich it is like a jungle needing cutting back constantly just to navigate on the property. I could probably get by with no internet because every subway car 300 feet below ground, buses,cafe, shops, pubs, has free wi-fi. That was something we never had back in California, free wi-fi was rare and buying short time SIM cards for data for a phone is expensive. I think the US is one of the least connected countries, where you have to have some contract plan to have any access. I can see 8 different wifi sources open for public access right from my city center apartment. I live in the same neighborhood that Fyodor Dostoevsky lived in and wrote about in so many of his novels.It is all pretty much as it was in the 1800s(he wrote CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. THE IDIOT. THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV. THE GAMBLER. NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND. THE DOUBLE. A GENTLE CREATURE. WHITE NIGHTS. Every building has marble plaques citing the famous writers, poets, scientists, revolutionaries, composers or artists who lived in the house. I used to rent the getaway apartment where playwright Checkov used to sneak away to when writing, and it still had an original desk from his era.
I love your videos and can’t wait for this pandemic to subside so I can take my initial 2 week vacation to start my expat adventure. Thank you so much for sharing......
Take me with you! lol. I went to Costa Rica in November but I just took out a second passport in Serbia. I’m thinking about moving there in a year or so.
I love this channel. Amelia and JP are so charming and informative. I'm 54 years old and seriously thinking about retiring to Ecuador. I never been to Ecuador, so these videos are very helpful.
RENT in different countries is relative. In Costa Rica, you can rent an airconditioned apartment in a medium sized city for around $400./month, including internet connection. You can also rent small houses for around $600./month in the same city. As usual, beach locations are more expensive - as are big city rentals. DO NOT BUY a home or condo in Costa Rica ! Real estate purchase prices are JUST AS HIGH as the USA, if not MORE - and the construction quality is substandard.
Cheap life but low salaries and no much labour rights, one of the thing my country has to improve but yeah I think with a average salary of 700$ is easy to live. Thanks for sharing it!!
Very happy you live in my beautiful Ecuador,I am from Bahia de Caraquez ,Manabi, I am a Canadian too,in the winter I go to my beautiful Bahia for 6 months, I have a beautiful big family.please take care ❤️❤️🇨🇦🇪🇨
$71 for transportation? Amazing! Her in the US is car insurance, gasoline and a car payment for most [people...depending on what you drive , how you drive and where to you drive will cost you hundreds per month! Hundreds! I like your way much better! You let a driver do that wherever you have to go and the rest of the time you walk, which will save you on doctor's bills! Walking keeps your body healthy! :)
We feel the same way! Back in Denver when we had 2 cars we were spending over $1,500/month for 1 car payment, insurance, tags, taxes, gas, parking, tolls and maintenance. We could live here for less than our cars cost in the US. We meant to talk more about transportation costs but forgot to mention that a Taxi from Olón to Montañita costs $1.50 and for most of the other towns in this area a taxi costs between $3 and $5. A bus ride is 50 cents to most towns in this area.
Ingeborg: We lived for 5 years in Costa Rica, and our pickup truck was our biggest expense by far. Gas was $6.00/gallon, "marchamo" (registration) was $250/year. Insurance was just as expensive as USA, despite CR only having about 4 million population. Oh, and the IMPORT DUTY on our truck was $6,000 (we brought it from USA) ! It PAYS to use public transport - they have "pirate taxis" (unregistered) who charge less than the "red cabs", and buses go just about everywhere.
Thank you both. I know you're not economists, but do you have any thoughts about the longer term stability of the economy and government there? Probably impossible to answer because most of the world is likely to be very different in 10 to 20 years. As someone in late 60s I'm more concerned about cost of staying in the US at this point.
We have no idea what next year will look like so we can't answer that. The world is a very uncertain place so we're hoping for the best, but unless some things change on a global scale, there will be a few trillionaires and 7.5 billion people fighting over food scraps.
In 2021 we will elect a new president, we have a lot of candidates but only two of them have a probability to win the presidency of the Republic The first one is Guillermo Lasso a former businessman and banker (banquero) he Is an center right candidate (liberal conservative: liberal in economics issues and moderate conservative in social issues) He want to "open" Ecuador to the world and make a lot of taxes cuts The second one is Andres Arauz, he's a young economist and former culture minister in the Rafael Correa's government. He is a Left wing candidate (socialist) Ecuador has quite a stable economy, thanks to the Dollar the annual inflation is around 0,5-1% the economic growth is around 2-3% the debt is around 48% the unemployment was at 6,6% before the pandemic I hope that I helped you
Peter: The whole world is in TURMOIL right now, thanks to the damn Coronavirus and its effect on the global economy. In Costa Rica, where tourism accounts for 1/3 of the national economy, there are daily demonstrations against the current government - which wants to raise taxes ! I would suggest WAITING until the epidemic subsides, or a vaccine is available. Things should get back to a semblance of "normal" then - and many countries will be BEGGING for US expats (and their pension $$$) !
Last October there were strikes and protests that shut the country down for over a month. The root cause of this has not been dealt with the the organisers regularly talk about shutting the country down when the pandemic is over until there grievances are dealt with. The pandemic has effect the country greatly, companies closed (national post office for instance so no international post is getting in or out currently). Unemployment, reduced hours, reduced pay and no government help for people as increased poverty and hunger. Petty crime subsequently is on the up. The country is heavily indebted to China and now the IMF. The IMF are insisting on restructures as they do, cutting public investments, cutting subsidises to help the poor, removing protections that protect Ecuadorian companies and will allow businesses to be bought up my international corporations who will, if past actions are anything to go be increase profits (which can be exported out the country) and reduce services and inrease prices locally. This cycle has been repeated time and time again throughout latin America that it must be assumed to be the desired effect. After 10 years of the Correa government, which borrowed heavily, gambling on a high oil price, the country got used to high public spending, teachers being paid, hospitals built and maintained, roads improved. With this spending extreme poverty went down, maternal and infant mortality improved, illiteracy was improved, but by the end the government moved towards an authoritarian nature and the government was very divisive - even now. But the above are all facts and those who claim Ecuador was a corruption free golden age pre-Correa either weren't here, too young to remember or online trolls. But those high spend days are gone and people got used to it and the readjustments are still happening. So stability, well it's relative, compared to what? Colombia? Peru? Or some western European country. Ecuador has always been "regionally" stable, but there is noise that is changing with the leaders of the national strike last year taken a more militant tone. Economy? Well oil is worthless, Panama diease will wipe out the banana industry in the next decade. The shrimp farming has destroyed the mangroves and continues to pollute. Coffee price fluctuations and coffee rust diease mean it is not as profitable as it was and the future is unsure. Cut flowers still doing ok. So prognosis there is not good.
Yup shes a princess/queen. I was planning to come to Equador when this Covid thing hit. Id have visited for a year by now. I still want to get there. My country doesnt have an embassy for Equador. Where do I start?
Dude has that DUDE/Jeff Bridges vibe going. So I can totally understand. How can you not love Jeff Bridges or John Paul Bridges.....yeah I figured it out... ;-) Oh and I told my wife that...that he had a Jeff Bridges vibe. So I click on a video to show her and just happened to click on the "$500/mo COST OF LIVING for LOW BUDGET EXPATS in Ecuador (2021)" video....Let me say....I was not let down and we laughed and laughed and laughed.
The tiny country of Ecuador has been voted the best place in the world to retire to. ... But it is proving attractive for expats - with a cheap cost of living, good weather and top-class yet affordable health care.
I grew up in Denver area (Westminster and Englewood) in the 60's and 70's. Graduated from Englewood High School in '73, and then went to Mines in Golden. My dad bought a 1900 sq.ft. home in Westminster in '67 for $19,000. It was a Hutchinson home, and those same homes now go for around $350,000 to $400,000. I live in a very nice neighborhood in Marana, AZ (15 miles NW of downtown Tucson) in a 2408 sq.ft. 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home with 2 car attached garage and six mature mesquite trees out front which I purchased in 1996 for $141,900. Our payments are around $900/month. Denver is insanely expensive. And while it was a nice affordable place to grow up in, it no longer is, unfortunately. Even Tucson now is getting more pricey, with all the outflow from California. But it's nowhere close to Colorado.
I have a farm and a ranch here in Ecuador. Rural living in Ecuador is even less expensive. Our expenses for a family of 4 are less than $150 a month. Property taxes are almost nothing and we get to live in one of the most biodiverse and beautiful places on the planet. Intag! After more than 20 years living in Ecuador, I can't imagine ever going back to the states to live.
Jealous!!
Sounds fantastic. I'm ready to leave United States I'm exploring where I might want to go
Where is your Farm located? I need to come and visit 😊
Is your Farm available for rent?
@@xaviergomez4574 No sorry, Not interested in leasing the farm. We have 5 hectares of coffee going in in a couple of weeks.
I'm Ecuadorian and i am looking forward to moving back after 22 years living in the US. Hopefully we can make it happen this year
It makes NO CENTS for Americans to retire in the USA. There are 1000 places around the world where it's less expensive to retire and raise one's standard of living. To be HONEST, the biggest obstacle is "fear". Most Americans have lots of fear of living outside the USA. I happen to live in Mexico for the last 22 years and LOVE IT! But sadly, I hear the "fear" all the time. I actually gave up telling Americans NOT to fear. I mean, 95% of it is NOT based in reality but the news in the USA is so bad, so awful that "fear" is real to those living in that culture. And so, yes, it's an obstacle. But for those who can riggle themselves free from that web of non-sense, the world opens up and, wow.....what a world! For me, I am debt free, no mortgage, no rent, and virtually no utilities....I have solar power and I recycle grey and black waters. I grow my own food and l have a bunch of chickens. Talk about relative freedom in an un-free world. It's paradise. But that's me. For others, their paradise will be different. But it's all out there for those who take the step and tell Fear to take a hike.
In fact, come on over and see me anytime. Here's my BnB in Mexico. Check it out! My home is made from plastic bags and dirt! Get Ready! www.haciendaecodomes.com
Great pun
My biggest reason is family. I have four kids (and their spouses) and six grandkids. I am alone and worry about that too…. But not seeing family is huge. But I sure would like to at least try it. But, then, did you sell everything you owned… including car?
@@lindalockhart1266 Family is the most important. Without People we are nothing. So put that first and go from there. Best of success
Inspiring
I lived as an expat in a few countries and what I learned was that fees for locals were different then outsiders. I found out that I was paying more for the same lifestyle then some of my local friends. Don’t be afraid to ask and do research and negotiate everything.
I agree. When people ask me where I'm from now I just tell them "Everywhere" ...
Have you found the intimidated newbie expats will advise "better to not rock the boat" pay much more for everything? 🤣
Great advice!
Exactly even here in the US my father negotiate EVERYTHING, if he buys a new pair of jeans he ask to pay $10 less on them, a few months back he was looking to buy a new couch it was $5000 he ended up paying $3000, and i know people that just pay what the sign says it cost.
@Juuk I knew a condo owner in Asia who rented to me and was infuriated at the renegotiation I did for a second lease after there for a year ... Contracts. I found out what he paid for the place and understood his anxiety. He told me he put his purchase in the place as a situation of "Live and learn".. I expressed to him what I was offering for another two years was more than fair for the area and other situations... And I told him since I was a good tenant he'd almost certainly give me my entire deposit back...I got the better lease price, I got deposit back (almost unheard of in Asia)... and the place looked as good or better than when it was leased to me when I left. But since he could afford the place here he was a real estate genius...???
I did leave some nice things there... small things... But from what I've heard people are offering 60 % what I paid now. Covid.
Sometimes cutting your losses means what it means... When you haven't a place filled your averages can get crushed. Common sense you would think... Ruins ENTIRE economies of a country with this lack of understanding sometimes.
As for the Covid issue...I believe people should analyze who bought and sold large amounts of properties before the..it happened... Those economies were pump and dumped.... And "savvy business people" are still demanding at least what they paid for what they bought... Or what expectations there were for renting places prior to overbuilding. It was felt by these"savvy" people ... Newcomers or present renters will want newer places so to heck with established owners as for their having lower rents due to supply and demand.. New homes, etc. When established owners saw this they sold these same "savvy" people discounted places that are now (rather should be) way discounted... And the clock ticks on their having to sell some of those places at huge losses just to maintain their other properties... Dominoes. Many places like this have incentives for VISA that include purchases of property. How angry do you think this will make people having to suffer... Living in those communities? They likely don't know... Lies... Promises aren't kept... Sad stories if starving beginning from arrogance and trust.
All our friends are Ecuadorian live in a basic Ecuador neighborhood and they help to negotiate everything so we do very well
Oh, i love my beautiful Ecuador, we as ecuadorians dont really appreciate how fortunate we are despite everything. Love your videos ♥️🥰
Estoy de acuerdo. A and JP are welcome to my pais . Do not forget to visit us in Cuenca.
Ecuatoriana de acuerdo ☝️
As an Ecuadorian, you should know this lifestyle is out of reach for most of the population...
@@A_Box stop taking it so personally.... as someone who travels often to various parts of the world and have lived in three continents, anyone can relate to what she is saying... from poor to well off. She is just stating that people can take for granted where they live...
@@A_Box these two are working hard every day, promoting an amazing “pais” and inspiring Americans and others to “carpe diem” and take the leap.
Love hearing all the financial details, and how you prioritize your health and enjoyment with things like private yoga, Spanish lessons, eating out, cleaning help ... and WINE!!
Hola, Amelia and JP. I just found your channel, and I've been watching all your videos 😄 You guys are amazing. Ecuador is a very safe and friendly country. I'm Ecuadorian. I hope you guys stay here forever. ❤❤❤
I lived in Baños, Ecuador for 3 years, had a one bedroom furnished apartment including TV, wifi, internet. Total expenses per month $700, food, medical insurance, local fruit and veggies. Great folks, you can live cheap in Ecuador.
How's the covid lock downs there?How are the businesses doing? We've been to Manta a couple of times. My son in law is from there.
@@GaryMeadowsMusicGreetings from Manta!.
Lockdown still there but we can still going out, but for christmas and new year we'll be not pretty able to go out bcs the covid can spread more fastest, idk how are the business doing (sorry if i had sone errors)
@@angel-stories2547 Thanks, Here in the states, small towns are not very strict. Larger citys are under more if a lock down. I had covid about a month ago. For me it was very mild. Just a little stuffy.
I live in the coast city of Hai Phong in Vietnam. I have a brand new gorgeous luxury apartment includes wifi, and all utilities underground parking. I pay $300/month. Food is $200 or less. All organic, super friendly, tropical weather.
I wish these nice places were not so hot / humid ... 😰💦
I've heard it is a good place to live now and the Vietnamese are very welcoming of Americans.
I was there in the 60s and was exposed to agent orange. I understand it is still prevalent, even now.
Great country yet very cheap
@@wernerdanler2742 Many deformed babies are still born to this day, thanks to Agent Orange
@@thnaykhwam2425 If you ever come to Vietnam, don't make the mistake that I made by telling local's that it's a very inexpensive country to live in. It's cheap for us, but not for them.
I'm sorry to hear about Mr. Miranda. He seemed like a nice caring person.
The best are you both, every day are younger and younger. Yes Ecuador is wonderful.
Thank you for your videos.
In Ecuador if you want to work, every time you can live good, perhaps no than an millioner, but you can live good. Remember the sun is the best wealth of our country. You do not need expensive dress. You do not need heating. In Ecuador is easier to live.
Thank you.
Just came back from Ecuador, what an eye opening experience that was! And the country is so beautiful! Thanks for the great content!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I live in Puerto Lopez (45 min north of you). Water is $1/5 gallon jug. Propane is $1.85 for a complete refill. The Claro bill went up because of a new govt tax.
$158 a month for insurance... I pay $800 here in Arizona that covers hardly anything! Thanks and be safe!
You two have me seriously considering moving to Ecuador … I cannot begin to afford retiring in the US simply because of health care costs.
up until I came across your channel, 67 was going to be my retirement age (10.5 years). now I'm running numbers on the possibility of 59 1/2 years old!!! time to bone up on ecuadorian spanish - love your channel!
Bonnie here... love that you adopted the phrase marital aid! Our marital aid is a dishwasher. Helps our marital happiness immensely!
I love that you say please when asking viewers to give you a thumbs up. You're the only ones so far that I've seen to do that. Thumbs up for manners!
Thanks Chloe!
Thank you both for keeping us so well informed. Can’t wait to start our expat adventures in a few years. You’ve made Ecuador a top contender for us.
'Great video. 'Chock full of information. The $100 per month maid deal is incredible, especially considering that she visits 3 times per week - $5 per hour. Wow! Thanks for letting us know.
New subscriber here! (From Ecuador) I loooove your living arrangements! This is literally my dream, to be able to work remotely from paradise (Olon), so happy I came across your channel. Best wishes for the remainder of your time in Ecuador. Glad to have you :)
¡Gracias!
The first concern that would make me hesitate would be access to medications.....
That condo is a steal!
Your are great. Thank you very much for your honest videos. As an ecuadorian I can say that all you say is true. Espero conocerlos en persona algún dia.
My AC+Heating guy has been talking about Ecuador to me. He talks highly of it and wants to retire there. Now he's got me checking out videos about Ecuador. Your videos are very informative.
Move over I'm moving in...wow 3 bedroom that's like $233 per bedroom...amazing..great job guys!
We spent 14 days in Peru and 4 days in Quito two years ago, we really want to spend more time there, thanks for the information, that helps a lot, especially the health insurance video.
Great video. I'm 50 and planning some expat ideas now. You two are doing it perfectly.
Well....I’m moving to Ecuador now.
Me too
Ha ha ! They do good PR for Ecuador 👌
Thanks for the info guys!
I’m currently living in Cebu, Philippines, me and my girlfriend and her daughter renting a 4 bedroom single detached 2 storey house in guarded subdivision for 580$ US including water, electricity and 100Mbps internet. Our other expenses here are traveling between the islands (mostly beaches) and our food totalling about 500$ a month (including gas in my own car)
We will visit Ecuador and as well as Venisuella as yearly as travel ban lift off, hoping we meet one day!
Stay safe.
Thanks for sharing your expenses. It is interesting to learn about costs around the world.
MY SON LIVES IN ECUADOR.. WAS EXCITED AND HAPPY TO SEE THE WAY YOU PUT IT UP.... GOD BLESS
Thanks for the breakdown on the budget.
Los amamos mi hermana Inés y yo!!! Bendiciones!! Que disfruten cada día nuestro hermoso país!!!
I was in Ecuador (8-25 Oct), in Montanita about when you probably shot this! Nice country, great people! Hope the infrastructure gets some improvement and car rental prices and conditions get on par with neighboring countries and developed countries too (was waaay too expensive for 17 days compared to what I pay in Europe, Asia, Peru, Colombia or North America)!
Love your honesty, not like others that exaggerate numbers, all is extra cheap, no crime, is heaven..You guys keep it real..saludos y bendiciones..
I love how the fruit and veg is sold loose. It's criminal in the UK that a lot is sold in plastic wrapping. We would all buy like this if there was no other choice and i think its a nicer way to shop.
I love you two! Such great info and insight. Truly enjoy and appreciate you!
I really enjoy watching your videos. I like the the simple and positive vibes that you share, no matter what you guys are sincere and truthfull.
We live in Eastern Europe. We were spending $16K a month living in America and that was with the California mortgage. Here with zero debt we spend about $7.5K a month 60% of its discretionary so we live pretty well. I think we could get away with $2.5K/mo if we had to pull back
i love the video.I grew up in Cuba.the worst there was having no air conditioner at all.Im an american citizen now and i live in Miami.Central air conditioner all the time.The inventor of that machine should be given the novel price.
I've watched a couple of your videos, they're very informative. Thanks for putting the time into making these videos and helping out the rest of us. I'm only 57 but am tired of the rat race and would love to retire. Good luck and stay safe!
Thank you!
@@AmeliaAndJP I wanted to read some comments on your videos. I have them to be very positive. I am 67 years old, a divorced grandmother, and now and great-grandmother. My health is better than many young people that I know. If I could get just a couple of mine to move, I'd be applying for a Visa tomorrow! I can still work in a few different areas. And I read and write Castillian Spanish, however, I can pick up a dialect very quickly. I've been in about 14 different states of Mexico. I do have problems with the very rapid Spanish from Guanajuato. I just ask them to speak a little slower for the gringa. LOL. Don't change a thing about your smiles, your humor, your style. I smile while watching your videos.
I hope next year my dream come true . Sale my house in USA 🇺🇸 and move to beautiful. Country 👍
I would rent it not sale
Come to Bali,Indonesia.
@@kastrobudiman Bali is lovely!
I was born in the United States. Currently living in Puerto Rico. In the future I would consider somewhere like Ecuador.❤️
I've been there twice, 2 or 3 weeks at a time. Loved it, don't know if I would want to live there, but sounds like you all love it. Last year We went to Guatemala for 3 weeks. That was nice also.
Any relation to Ron Meadows? Just wondering?
@@stevenmeadows6917 I have a cousin down around Urbana, Ron Meadows, he worked at Honda and retired a couple years ago.
Is it the same guy ?
@@GaryMeadowsMusic No, He was in Tampa Florida, and was a cop.
Honda? Was he a car salesman?
I just happened to come upon your videos and have been binge watching for about three days! I love your videos. You two are a dynamic couple, and the things I most appreciate are how positive you are and how happy you seem. Thank you for sharing your life in Ecuador.
You guys have the best coffee there, which we can't get in the USA. Minerva Cafe is hands down, the best coffee that I've ever had. I have traveled everywhere and have never had coffee that was so good.
Minerva Especial...so, so good!
You guys are the best. Merry Christmas from Michigan😃 🎄
Hi my name is Monserrate and I lived in Allentown Pennsylvania I liked to watch your video. I was born Paterson New Jersey my parents from Puerto Rico my husbman is from Guayaquil Ecuador he took me to Ecuador for vacation and I liked it. My husbman was telling that we should moved to Ecuador. I am thinking to move over their because I do not if I would adjust to a different life. I believed both of you are good people very nice. One of the reason also we do not move to Ecuador because my husbman has his own business plus my son wants to go to college at U S A.
Sometimes the Devil you know.......is better than the one you don't
Thanks for your videos. you speak very well about my country, that´s is very nice. Thanks so much. I hope more people enjoy Ecuador like you, and I wish you the best in my country, always are places, food and things to know and try. muchas gracias. ustedes son muy gentiles. cuídense mucho. un abrazo a los dos.
Greetings, J.P. and Amelia. I hope you're not overselling Ecuador. We will have to build a wall, haha!
🤣😁🤣
It’s so nice you pay your cleaner a nice wage. I’m sure she’s really grateful towards you guys 🥰
$700 per month for a 3+1 house that includes fiber optic internet... Wow!
plus is near the beach
It's a lovely home also!!
You guys are such a good couple my goodness. Very calm, happy without worries.
Very handsome couple. You are lucky to be so young to be having such a great experience.
Thanks for all d infos. Very helpful♥️have a great time der ya
I think it's amazing that you guys find living in Ecuador nice and affordable. I am Ecuadorian, and my parents are now retired in Ballenita, where life is indeed different than in Guayaquil. There is an increasing number of people from the US/Canada who find the coasts of Ecuador the perfect place to retire and that is just awesome. I would only advise you to get more informed about the IESS situation right now, because it's not great. So I don't know how much of a good idea would it be to start contributing to the public health system, specially if you need spine surgery, in which case, I would really recommend you to go to the US. I wouldn't risk it. There is a huge corruption problem going on internally, and even retired people's pensions are being threatened. Anyways, I know you're situation is all different and I for sure wish you have the best of times, but please, if you're living in Ecuador, try to get more involved in what's currently happening in the country so that you don't have problems in the future. And also, it is a nice way to show that you care about the country that's welcoming you, and you're not staying in a bubble of privilege. I mean this in the best way. Thank you so much for your videos and enjoy Ecuador !!
It think they should find out the costs in Colombia. Colombia has many of the best hospitals in South America, while it's by far not so expensive as the USA.
Really like your channel guys. I lived in Costa Rica and want to live abroad again. This was really good information and relatable. Thank you!
I'm with you Amelia, less is more! 😉
another good video. i spend a year+ in northern ecuador back in the early 80s. tumultuous back then but still a beautiful country with so much to see and do. was even cheaper for americans when the sucre was used. i liked the beach at esmeraldas but the place i called 'home' was ambato/riobamba. guess i need to see the southern part now
$193.00 for eating out 9 TIMES for a party of 2? That’s one dinner night here in NYC....outside! LOL
Come to Ecuador 😉🇪🇨
Very good observation of you.
2 for $20 Applebee's.
Yeah... not the same food, sanitation, or proximity to civilization.
Those were fancy restaurants. on the cheap you can feed 10 people with $20
I’m planning to move in 2 years so thank you for this insightful video. California is just too expensive and overpriced especially in Sonoma County!
"BREAKING BAD" In Ecuador!
They got good drugs down there Opium and cocaine plants in the gardens amidst the natural MJ plants
Indeed!!!
Thank you!
Amelia is just too cute. Have no intention of visiting or moving to Ecuador. I only watch the videos to see her. What an adorable lady. Congratulations JP.
Awww, thanks.
I really love your channel is great and amazing, you talk very good about ecuador, I learn a lot watching these videos, your attitude is so fresh and clear, besides you are a fantastic and carismatic couple, JP I like your personality and amelia besides to be beautiful are you smart both make a good work, we want videos like this plz dont change
People who don't travel don't realize "hot water and constant pressure"- LOL. In Mexico, the Propane is far more expensive, about $20 per tank refill. Local produce is very inexpensive. I like when you two figure out the coffee on camera. Very cute couple. My health care is 15 usd per quarter, but I go to Ear Specialist ($100 per year) and a private hospital ($5 per visit) Hahaha- Wine Budget!! We get local produced for $4 bottle- but I am so jealous!! You get Argentine wine for just a few dollars more!!! AND - Yoga on beach- living large!!
I'm hoping to retire early in four years and I don't think I want to stay in the US after living abroad in Spain, Greece, Crete, Korea, and Yemen when I was younger. Not sure if I will choose South America, but I really appreciate your videos!
Thanks and good luck with your move!
Thanks Mike!
Thailand has been my choice for years. I've been thinking about Ecuador lately. Thanks for the great video.
I've went there once when I traveled to the Galapagos Islands. It was great!
Hmmm yeah. I visited Florida at least 8 times before moving there and still learned it wasn't a great place to live (understatement of the year there.)
Don't know if anyone explained about the propane tanks. At higher altitudes you unable to get the same volume of gas than you can at sea level. Hence why planes are pressurized to keep air molecules closer together so we can breathe. Also temperature is a factor. The colder you are the more volume of gas you can get into a tank, but we are talking like Russia cold to notice the big difference. Temperature and pressure affects all gases
wow this was so great!!! I feel like my mind was just cracked wide open about how the rest of my life could go. thank you I owe you a bottle of wine if I ever get there. lol
Excellent vid on expenses and discretionary purchases- thanks for sharing!
Wow! I’m pretty jealous. Very surprised at the monthly expenses cost. I’m in rural Ohio and spend $1800/mo on a house payment alone. You guys got me thinking about moving to Ecuador! Seriously.
Oh, & by the way I’m about 1k mikes from a decent beach! LOL 😆
And you can’t compare the horrible weather up there with the all year spring weather down here.
This information is so helpful for us. Thank you guys ❤. I think is something wrong with the cost of electricity. Sometimes you have to ask to the electricity's company because this kind of mistakes happen often.
I love this channel always great content..keep up the great work
I really enjoy your videos. I am moving in one year and Cuenca is top of the list for me
Wow, you two are Awsome, I want to come there, I’m ready to retire early and head out! lol great video and Awsome info thank you so much,
It is interesting to compare various countries or even regions of any one country. Equador seems to be more expensive than here in a large very cultured city in Russia except a modern 3 bedroom home on the beach would be higher here than there. Medical, gas, water, internet, dining out, food markets, are all more expensive than where you. I have a home still in Marin Co. just 6 miles north of San Francisco which I bought in the late 70s but before moving here, my monthly nut was about $10,000 with no mortgage payment. Now that would be $13,000 for a 30 year mortgage. Now I make a small fraction of that, partly because I do not work as hard now since I moved here as a second/third retirement and spend more time in restaurant, museums, dance clubs, pubs and drama theaters than working in my 4 businesses I set up simply because I will never fully retire. I am 71 but still have the energy and health to be very active socially and culturally and outlast most of the kids on the dance floor. My GF is less than 1/2 my age and she does not even attempt to keep up with me, despite her being a super fit long-distance open ocean swimmer. Currently, I support 2 demanding cats one GF, and myself on about $1500 a month and most of that is tickets to operas or clubbing. And that also includes a country house 48km from the city apartment. Most families have a Dacha, a country house to relax, tend gardens and flowers, fruit trees. Most of them are 2-3 hectares of land and pretty rustic but many are replacing them with modern large 2-3 story homes. By metro(subway) then route bus, it costs $1.50 each way to get there in an hour. With the pandemic shutting down my two tour companies, I spent much of the summer at the dacha hiking in the woods swimming in the lake and tending vegetable gardens and the 18 mature apple trees. The soil is so rich it is like a jungle needing cutting back constantly just to navigate on the property.
I could probably get by with no internet because every subway car 300 feet below ground, buses,cafe, shops, pubs, has free wi-fi. That was something we never had back in California, free wi-fi was rare and buying short time SIM cards for data for a phone is expensive. I think the US is one of the least connected countries, where you have to have some contract plan to have any access. I can see 8 different wifi sources open for public access right from my city center apartment. I live in the same neighborhood that Fyodor Dostoevsky lived in and wrote about in so many of his novels.It is all pretty much as it was in the 1800s(he wrote CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. THE IDIOT. THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV. THE GAMBLER. NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND. THE DOUBLE. A GENTLE CREATURE. WHITE NIGHTS. Every building has marble plaques citing the famous writers, poets, scientists, revolutionaries, composers or artists who lived in the house. I used to rent the getaway apartment where playwright Checkov used to sneak away to when writing, and it still had an original desk from his era.
Amazing value. Thanks for the great information.
I love your videos and can’t wait for this pandemic to subside so I can take my initial 2 week vacation to start my expat adventure. Thank you so much for sharing......
Take me with you! lol. I went to Costa Rica in November but I just took out a second passport in Serbia. I’m thinking about moving there in a year or so.
@@cityguyable It’s too cold in Serbia for my FL bones! Enjoy your adventure!
@@Judy1957 I’m actually moving to Florida in a few weeks. lol
@@cityguyable welcome to the Sunshine ☀️ State!
You both are so adorable, very nice...I am inspired
I love this channel. Amelia and JP are so charming and informative. I'm 54 years old and seriously thinking about retiring to Ecuador. I never been to Ecuador, so these videos are very helpful.
Glad you think so!
Love the show. My girlfriend and I are thinking of moving there👍
Gracias amigos por esa buena energía y positivismo💜💙💜
I love Amelia's smile😍
Wow. Great couple. You complement each other so well. Wish I had a relationship like that.
Ecuador will become a cycling tourist generation with Richard Carapaz! This country is on my radar! Thanks for the info!
Right!! Tour d' France winner!
@@fredsamuel6817 Winner Giro de Italia 2019. Second place Vuelta a España 2020
RENT in different countries is relative. In Costa Rica, you can rent an airconditioned apartment in a medium sized city for around $400./month, including internet connection. You can also rent small houses for around $600./month in the same city. As usual, beach locations are more expensive - as are big city rentals. DO NOT BUY a home or condo in Costa Rica ! Real estate purchase prices are JUST AS HIGH as the USA, if not MORE - and the construction quality is substandard.
Got it
Cheap life but low salaries and no much labour rights, one of the thing my country has to improve but yeah I think with a average salary of 700$ is easy to live. Thanks for sharing it!!
Very happy you live in my beautiful Ecuador,I am from Bahia de Caraquez ,Manabi, I am a Canadian too,in the winter I go to my beautiful Bahia for 6 months, I have a beautiful big family.please take care ❤️❤️🇨🇦🇪🇨
Thank you!
$71 for transportation? Amazing! Her in the US is car insurance, gasoline and a car payment for most [people...depending on what you drive , how you drive and where to you drive will cost you hundreds per month! Hundreds! I like your way much better! You let a driver do that wherever you have to go and the rest of the time you walk, which will save you on doctor's bills! Walking keeps your body healthy! :)
We feel the same way! Back in Denver when we had 2 cars we were spending over $1,500/month for 1 car payment, insurance, tags, taxes, gas, parking, tolls and maintenance. We could live here for less than our cars cost in the US. We meant to talk more about transportation costs but forgot to mention that a Taxi from Olón to Montañita costs $1.50 and for most of the other towns in this area a taxi costs between $3 and $5. A bus ride is 50 cents to most towns in this area.
@@AmeliaAndJP that's true. 👍😁☺️
Ingeborg: We lived for 5 years in Costa Rica, and our pickup truck was our biggest expense by far. Gas was $6.00/gallon, "marchamo" (registration) was $250/year. Insurance was just as expensive as USA, despite CR only having about 4 million population. Oh, and the IMPORT DUTY on our truck was $6,000 (we brought it from USA) ! It PAYS to use public transport - they have "pirate taxis" (unregistered) who charge less than the "red cabs", and buses go just about everywhere.
Thanks! This was fun and informative. You are both so fun to watch / keep up with!
Thank you both. I know you're not economists, but do you have any thoughts about the longer term stability of the economy and government there? Probably impossible to answer because most of the world is likely to be very different in 10 to 20 years. As someone in late 60s I'm more concerned about cost of staying in the US at this point.
We have no idea what next year will look like so we can't answer that. The world is a very uncertain place so we're hoping for the best, but unless some things change on a global scale, there will be a few trillionaires and 7.5 billion people fighting over food scraps.
In 2021 we will elect a new president, we have a lot of candidates but only two of them have a probability to win the presidency of the Republic
The first one is Guillermo Lasso a former businessman and banker (banquero) he Is an center right candidate (liberal conservative: liberal in economics issues and moderate conservative in social issues) He want to "open" Ecuador to the world and make a lot of taxes cuts
The second one is Andres Arauz, he's a young economist and former culture minister in the Rafael Correa's government. He is a Left wing candidate (socialist)
Ecuador has quite a stable economy, thanks to the Dollar the annual inflation is around 0,5-1% the economic growth is around 2-3% the debt is around 48% the unemployment was at 6,6% before the pandemic
I hope that I helped you
Peter: The whole world is in TURMOIL right now, thanks to the damn Coronavirus and its effect on the global economy. In Costa Rica, where tourism accounts for 1/3 of the national economy, there are daily demonstrations against the current government - which wants to raise taxes ! I would suggest WAITING until the epidemic subsides, or a vaccine is available. Things should get back to a semblance of "normal" then - and many countries will be BEGGING for US expats (and their pension $$$) !
@@marytica123 true,, Mary.
Last October there were strikes and protests that shut the country down for over a month. The root cause of this has not been dealt with the the organisers regularly talk about shutting the country down when the pandemic is over until there grievances are dealt with.
The pandemic has effect the country greatly, companies closed (national post office for instance so no international post is getting in or out currently). Unemployment, reduced hours, reduced pay and no government help for people as increased poverty and hunger. Petty crime subsequently is on the up.
The country is heavily indebted to China and now the IMF. The IMF are insisting on restructures as they do, cutting public investments, cutting subsidises to help the poor, removing protections that protect Ecuadorian companies and will allow businesses to be bought up my international corporations who will, if past actions are anything to go be increase profits (which can be exported out the country) and reduce services and inrease prices locally. This cycle has been repeated time and time again throughout latin America that it must be assumed to be the desired effect.
After 10 years of the Correa government, which borrowed heavily, gambling on a high oil price, the country got used to high public spending, teachers being paid, hospitals built and maintained, roads improved. With this spending extreme poverty went down, maternal and infant mortality improved, illiteracy was improved, but by the end the government moved towards an authoritarian nature and the government was very divisive - even now. But the above are all facts and those who claim Ecuador was a corruption free golden age pre-Correa either weren't here, too young to remember or online trolls. But those high spend days are gone and people got used to it and the readjustments are still happening.
So stability, well it's relative, compared to what? Colombia? Peru? Or some western European country. Ecuador has always been "regionally" stable, but there is noise that is changing with the leaders of the national strike last year taken a more militant tone. Economy? Well oil is worthless, Panama diease will wipe out the banana industry in the next decade. The shrimp farming has destroyed the mangroves and continues to pollute. Coffee price fluctuations and coffee rust diease mean it is not as profitable as it was and the future is unsure. Cut flowers still doing ok. So prognosis there is not good.
First time here. Wow, very affordable for what I would call an upper middle class lifestyle.
Hey there from Mississippi. I spent a couple of weeks in Olon. Tell Gringo Bobby hello. I may return soon with my fiancé.
My God...Amelia is nothing short of stunning. Oh yeah - great info about the cost of living in Olón as well!
Dude you hit the wife jackpot, she is beautiful.
Yup shes a princess/queen. I was planning to come to Equador when this Covid thing hit. Id have visited for a year by now. I still want to get there. My country doesnt have an embassy for Equador. Where do I start?
lol agreed!
Dude has that DUDE/Jeff Bridges vibe going. So I can totally understand. How can you not love Jeff Bridges or John Paul Bridges.....yeah I figured it out... ;-)
Oh and I told my wife that...that he had a Jeff Bridges vibe. So I click on a video to show her and just happened to click on the "$500/mo COST OF LIVING for LOW BUDGET EXPATS in Ecuador (2021)" video....Let me say....I was not let down and we laughed and laughed and laughed.
The tiny country of Ecuador has been voted the best place in the world to retire to. ... But it is proving attractive for expats - with a cheap cost of living, good weather and top-class yet affordable health care.
I grew up in Denver area (Westminster and Englewood) in the 60's and 70's. Graduated from Englewood High School in '73, and then went to Mines in Golden. My dad bought a 1900 sq.ft. home in Westminster in '67 for $19,000. It was a Hutchinson home, and those same homes now go for around $350,000 to $400,000. I live in a very nice neighborhood in Marana, AZ (15 miles NW of downtown Tucson) in a 2408 sq.ft. 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home with 2 car attached garage and six mature mesquite trees out front which I purchased in 1996 for $141,900. Our payments are around $900/month. Denver is insanely expensive. And while it was a nice affordable place to grow up in, it no longer is, unfortunately. Even Tucson now is getting more pricey, with all the outflow from California. But it's nowhere close to Colorado.
Another great video! Many thanks ❤️😊
You are so welcome!
wow, in Australia we pay 1000 per WEEK rent for a 4 bedroom house!. I am seriously thinking going back home now.
Per week??? 😳😳😳
@@VicMansaMusa Yeah but AUD they are about half of USD
@@alejandromoralesgonz I see. So, rent is about the same as here in Chicago