adminee
From: United States
11/25/2008 12:08 EST
We're going to be putting together an article entitled, 10 Tips for Living in Ecuador, and we need your help. Please post a reply to this thread with as many tips as you'd like (or as few) for expats living in Ecuador. Whether you're a newcomer yourself or a seasoned expats whose lived abroad for many years, share your favorite tips for expats living in Ecuador. If you want to discuss or expand upon someone elses tip, feel free! We'll use your posts to compile the articles.
Thanks, in advance, for your help!
Betsy Burlingame
ExpatExchange.com
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jacovo
11/25/2008 13:01 EST
1. where not to live in Ecuador
2. Latest info on resident Visas
3. How to get a bank account
4. Health insurance options
5. Cost of used Cars, list
make&model
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marcov2ec
11/25/2008 13:08 EST
My 10 tips for Living in Ecuador
1) Don't be a Dreamer. Keep both feet planted and your eyes wide open (not: "Eyes Wide Shut)
2) Don't spend like crazy. Save your money. Don't invest in land if it's too good to be true.....
3) Choose a nice area to live in. Talk to the people in the neighborhood, smile, wink and nod. But never say I have this and that.
4) Be kind and Humble
5) Keep to yourself in the beginning. Remember you will always be observed due to the simple fact that you are a foreighner.
6) Maintain your money in a U.S. bank. Open an acct in an Ecuadorean bank but just enough to have "escape" cash for you and your family. You have heard of keeping your cash under your mattress this is not a bad idea in Latin America. Things can change quick and not always for the best.
7) Never burn your bridges in the U.S.. If possible leave your home rented for a few years or sell it and downsize your potential residence here in the U.S. Sell your big house and buy a 1 bedroom condo or a small house and maintain it for a few years.
8) Legal papers. Make sure everything is in order. Get your residency , Ecuadorean Drivers License anything where you may need a Lawyer use one. Get everything notarized and have your lawyer verify everything. If you are going to buy a car, land, house etc. check it out first.
9) Schools. Choose the correct school. I taught English at various schools and the inmates run the assylum. These schools are privately owned and the "students" pay $400 a month in tuition so the owner being a good businessman will protect his investment.
10) Have fun. See the country little by little. Always travel in the daytime and use common sense.
Ecuador is a wonderful country and if you need my advice I am at your service. I lived in Ecuador for 10 tears but, now I am in Houston, Tx because my daughter will be going to the Univ. next year. I most definitely plan on retiring to Ecuador.
Marco Viteri
marcov2ec@hotmail.com
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carolannemck
12/3/2008 10:41 EST
Driver's licenses are a biggy in Ecuador especially if you are not fluent in Spanish. According to the police, once you become a resident you have 30 days until you are required to have an Ecuadorian driver's license to drive legally. That entails going to driving school which requires you to have 16 hours of behind the wheel instruction and two weeks of classroom instruction. Finally, there is a test in Spanish (all the classes in Imbabura province at least are also only in Spanish). After having driven 40 plus years, it makes me feel like I am back in HS again. Also, don't purchase a vehicle until you have your censo/cedula because you can not register it.
Also, for the many expatriates that bring their animal (s) to Ecuador, don't be surprised by many of the vets. I had my cat to several vets before I found one I considered competent. The complete lack of sanitation (no aicohol on injection sites, straighten a need with ungloved, unwashed hands) made me cringe. We need a list of competent vets in all regions.
Everyone needs to know about who can and can not open a bank account. It is not like in the States, and people who live here 6 months a year and have no cedula can not have an account and probably can not cash any form of certified monetary instrument.
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adminee
From: United States
12/4/2008 15:06 EST
Great tips! Anyone else have any advice to add? If you got a call from an old friend or colleague who was moving to Ecuador, what advice would you give them?
Betsy
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InsuranceQuotes
12/9/2008 15:11 EST
The Today Show had a story of a couple that was attacked in Ecuador. The evacuation cost was $55,000 and they did not have evac insurance. The guy from the FBI that was interviewed said that Americans need to have international medical and evac insurance. Here is the link to the report:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27357885/
I hope this helps
-Adam
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mantalobo
3/12/2009 21:51 EST
Betsy:
Lots of good and true advice from Marco above.
Best single piece of advice as a former resident for one year in Quito is to know some spanish before you get there or start learning fast. (immersion really helps)
I have a website located here: http://mantarealestate.com which used to have active real estate listings when I was a broker there, but is now geared primarily with the travel aspects of Ecuador with many articles by persons who have traveled or lived there. Feel free to check it out, and send me an email if you have any questions or would like to write an article there to be published. I had some of the greatest experiences of my life as a resident there, and hope to someday return as a retiree.
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midcourt
4/19/2009 21:21 EST
I keep reading that you should be prepared for robbery in Equador. Are you sure you don't mean property thefts. Robbery is when someone steals from you while using a gun, knife, etc, coupled with a threat. Could you clarify this. If you mean robbery that is lot more serious than someone breaking in your car or home.
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lennis
4/21/2009 07:40 EST
I have been going to Ecuador on a nearly annual basis since 1982. I married a Quitena and have been happily married since then. We own a home out in the countryside in a very small village. Never been robbed or had any problems in Ecuador and plan to retire there next year. My advise id quite simple : respect the local customs just as you would expect folks to do in your own country. Don't expect the "smooth" life we have in the more developed countries or get upset when things go a little slow. I often find myself "forgetting" similar problems here when I am there. And please leave your arrogance and feelings of superiority at home. I can usually spot a "gringo" a mile off by their rudeness and contempt to the locals! Viva Quito Viva Ecuador!
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