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Seeking a comparison between CR and Ecuador

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amSteve
  11/6/2017 19:01 EST

If ever a topic title seemed primed to start a flame war but resist the urge.

My wife and I are retiring in 3 - 5 years and expect that health care in the US will be too expensive for our security. Equally pessimistic over the future of Medicare.

We've seen enough to know neither CR nor Ecuador is a panacea and don't expect to find one. We are not looking for an expat 'enclave', will learn the language and welcome the change in diet.

What I've read so far leads me to think the 2 countries are reasonably similar with CR being 10-15 years ahead in most measures of development.

But I'm here to be educated so very interested in any comparisons as can be shared.

lindyluvsCR
  11/6/2017 20:41 EST

I really don't know, though I know people that checked out Ecuador and did not feel it was near as nice as CR.

But honestly, to want an opinion on a time frame so far in the future, seems at this point a bit of wasted time,, as so much can change in 3-5 years. The world in general is getting crazier by the minute, no one knows what things will be happening in one year, much less 3-5 yrs.

Just my opinion.

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PombinhaCoco
  11/8/2017 09:23 EST

We too were ready to buy in Salinas when we found out that their Winter was like the Portuguese Winter.

efn4
  11/9/2017 15:43 EST

Spend the next few years visiting both places.

guestuser
  11/9/2017 21:25 EST

It took me 1 visit to know Ecuador was not for me. From the second you land and the warnings everywhere not to drink water and the military everywhere with machine guns made me nervous. It was ok in some other respects but nothing compared to Costa Rica.

Gill Phelan
www.gvecr.com

GringoinQuito
  11/11/2017 16:11 EST

I have lived in Ecuador for almost 7 years and drink the water straight from the tap. Military with machine guns? What have you been drinking? Quito is a beautiful city, unlike San Jose. The coastal towns are also beautiful.

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Kohl
  11/12/2017 08:47 EST

Some friends of ours who have lived in many countries around the world and are Permanent residents here, have traveled twice to Ecuador touring the country one time, and on a second trip when their 6 extended family members joined them, where they stayed at a luxurious rental villa one of the beach areas. They liked the country and their only complaint was the lack of veggies offered by restaurants on their initial trip, so they came home constipated... 8-)

jayhb62
  11/17/2017 14:27 EST

I think all of the above comments provide valid points (I especially enjoyed the lack of veggies issue).

And I agree that the situation today will likely be different than reality in 3-5 years out.

The best advice is not to rely on someone else's opinion when what is at stake is a life changing decision.

Go visit each country, formulate your own opinions, then ask specific questions that address concerns from your personal visits.

Pura Vida
Jay in Guanacaste.

wiltayxx
  11/17/2017 15:30 EST

I've only heard part of this conversation, but I'll ad my two cents anyway. I was in Ecuador 30 years ago and in Costa Rica last spring. Both relatively poor developing countries and they have very similar issues with the poor quality of infrastructure, which won't go away anytime soon. Ecuador certainly has a clearer definition of climate zones, with the long, high central plain much different than the jungle on one side and the ocean on the other.
The biggest difference in my limited experience is the politics. Ecuador was kind of scary in places--there were heavily armed young soldiers boarding every bus in some areas. Even now, I think CR is probably far more stable politically. That's big in my book.

mate31658649
  11/17/2017 16:41 EST

Both are beautiful countries, but Costa Rica is definitely a more expensive place to live.

lindyluvsCR
  11/17/2017 16:54 EST

Most restaurants, even in the US, do not offer big choices of veggies. I am sure there were markets in Ecuador where they could have picked up some fruits to supplement restaurant meals. Hey! Take a bag of prunes next time.

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costarisa1
  11/18/2017 11:01 EST

Ecuador vs. Costa Rica

I have lived in Costa Rica for almost 40 years and 50 in Latin America.

I visited Ecuador on several occasions and have done a great deal of research on the country.

The cost of living is definitely lower in Ecuador. Many make the mistake of equating the cost of living with quality of life. You really get what you pay for in the long run.

Once you get settled in Costa Rica and learn how to find the bargains you can live affordably.

It is easier to get to Costa Rica from the States than to Ecuador. Since Costa Rica is small and has oceans on both sides you can reach almost any place in the country in a matter of hours. If you are in Cuenca, for instance, it is a long haul to the Pacific Ocean.

Costa Rica is the oldest democracy in Latin America and has no army. Furthermore it has an untarnished international reputation. When was the last time you heard anything negative in the U.S. media about the country?

Obviously, I am biased since I live in Costa Rica. However, I have been a pioneer in the relocation business for over 30 years and feel that I am more than qualified to express my opinion on the subject. I have written retirement guides for Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua and Colombia and offer tours to many of said destinations.

No place is perfect or for everyone. future expats have to do their research to see where they feel comfortable.

Mi granito de arena (two cents worth)

I hope it helps.

Christopher Howard

lindyluvsCR
  11/18/2017 16:27 EST

Christopher - Good and true advice in my opinion.

guestuser
  11/20/2017 15:00 EST

Like a friend of mine says---Haiti has some great deals and so does Detroit! LOL

Gill Phelan
www.gvecr.com

guestuser
  11/20/2017 15:05 EST

Seriously--infrastructure here is awesome--with the exception of the traffic and roads. Road quality is good but because the economy is doing so well many people who could not afford cars in the past now can and the roads are not made for the numbers. Other than that there is nothing that could be compared to the states that is not as good or in many cases better.

Gill Phelan
www.gvecr.com

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