An Expat Talks about Moving to Machala, Ecuador

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Machala

What advice would you give someone preparing to move to your area about the actual move, choosing a neighborhood and finding a home?

Your comfortability level with the language will also be a determinative factor. Most locals DO NOT speak English - especially, in those wonderful areas off the tourist track that don't particularly cater to expatriates. I've lived in such an area - Machala - on the far southern coast for the past 1o years. It was my choice to live apart from the expat communities in other parts of the country BUT, I had been to Ecuador several times before moving here and knew what I wanted, if not exactly where, and was proficient enough in Spanish to get along without any major problems. The pros of living in a non-tourist/expat locale are that the cost of living is much cheaper, you will have greater independence, and the process of assimilation is much faster. The cons are that you might not have all the big city diversions and amenities, and people are a bit shy and slower to accept you but once they do, you'll have life-long friends. Come visit, travel, and decide ... then if it's right, by all means, relocate.