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Looking at retiring in Manta

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bigdog7172
  8/29/2018 17:35 EST

Been doing a lot of research and am looking at Manta as a retirement destination. I LOVE the beach and gotta be nearby plus I also want conveniences. Q: How are the rents in Manta for say a 1 bedroom, furnished, on or near the beach? And also how is the weather there yearound?

kmarch
  8/29/2018 19:02 EST

Let's Google That:
"Monthly Weather Averages Manta"

https://www.worldweatheronline.com/manta-weather-averages/manabi/ec.aspx

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EARLABS
  8/30/2018 08:54 EST

Before you decide in a location travel the coast and check out some alternatives. Salinas and surrounding areas is a viable option with very reasonable rentals and close to GYE airport and other metropolitan services . For compartivies check out realestate listings for rentals along the coast then you can have an idea of costs of rentals in several areas . Then come for a cpl months before you make any decisions see for yourself what appeals to your lifestyle and budget. GOOD LUCK

ronwatral
  8/30/2018 09:00 EST

While you're at it, Google "Manta Earthquakes"
https://www.cnn.com/2016/04/17/americas/ecuador-deadly-earthquake/index.html

mantatiger
  8/31/2018 14:17 EST

LOL every time someone mentions Manta, Ron posts his link to Earthquakes...

Funny part is that it wasn't a Manta earthquake, it was 200 miles North two and a half years ago. Manta just happened to be the most populated area nearest to it. Don’t get me wrong, it was devastating. But that’s like saying you should never move to anywhere in the state of Nevada due to the 2017 Las Vegas Strip shooting that killed 58.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Shakemap_Ecuador_April_2016.jpg/771px-Shakemap_Ecuador_April_2016.jpg

Yes, if you want beach and also the amenities that a city does provide within walking or $1.50 cab ride distance, Manta is the place for you. There are smaller cities have some of the things you may want, but many desire not having to drive 30 minutes or more to have the items a city has to offer.

Anyway, to answer your question accurately. You can have a nice apartment a few blocks from the beach for about $400-$600. Nicer condos at the beach can run you $700-$900.

The weather is 70-84... every day. Can alter by a few degrees. And at the coast you can be cloudy, or windy, or straight up sun which is what really effects the temp you feel. But its shorts and polos during the day, pants and short sleeves at night. And if windy, you may need long sleeves occasionally. Been here for 18 months, have put on a jacket twice. Official humidity is about 80%, but it is nothing like the coast of the US. Rarely ever feel the 'sticky hot' that can be associated with humidity. And really doesn't change much with the seasons. Some part of the year it is windier and some sunnier, but I have not really noticed a change. Much more consistent that any part of the States.

bigdog7172
  8/31/2018 14:33 EST

Thank you, thank you for your honest and detailed reply to my post. I'll be coming to Manta in February for 10 days to check things out and see if I'd be happier in a smaller town nearby. Are there regular expat get together activities?

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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ronwatral
  8/31/2018 15:57 EST

TIGER: Every time I point out the history of the disastrous quake in Manta to those unfamiliar with the area, TIGER laughs it off. He must be a realtor or own rentals there. For being "200 miles north of Manta" just imagine what it would have been like had it been centered there. Ask EARLABS what he saw from his friend's boat off the beach. He watched it happen. Just in the way of edification:

"Manta has had: (M1.5 or greater)
0 earthquakes in the past 24 hours
0 earthquakes in the past 7 days
0 earthquakes in the past 30 days
13 earthquakes in the past 365 days"

There is no denying, the further south you go, the lesser quake activity. Go south, young man. Go south... such as Salinas or Playas. Just sayin'!

lindae
  8/31/2018 17:10 EST

My husband & I have lived in Manta for 7 years. We explored the coast before settling because we knew we wanted to live on the beach but just did not know where. I thought we would end up in Salinas - and we actually visited there 3 times trying to find an apartment there comparable to what we had found in Manta. Things may have changed in Salinas since we last looked - 6 years ago - but back then we could not find a condo as nice as the one we had right on the ocean in Manta for the price we had. They were much more expensive in Salinas at that time. Also, Salinas is more of a holiday town - during the holidays and when school is out the town is bustling - but in the off season the town is pretty quiet. Manta is a working city so it is always bustling. For information on Manta and the expat gatherings, check out the website: mantaexpatsonline.com.
I hope you enjoy your time in Ecuador as much as we have:)

Johninnv
  8/31/2018 17:51 EST

Get the best of both worlds. A little beach town that is also a fishing village and a world famous Kite-boarding spot named Santa Marianita. We are just 15 mins from Manta by car. Beach is quite quiet and secluded during the week and a little busier on the weekend, but quiets right down about 6:30. Great weather all year and the constant ocean breeze. Good inexpensive restaurants all around and only 15 mins from all the Big City stuff in manta. We love it!

bigdog7172
  8/31/2018 17:55 EST

What would you say the going rate is on rent on a furnished 1 bedroom apartment?

Johninnv
  8/31/2018 18:09 EST

There aren't any big high rise apartment/condo complex's here but there are several 6, 10, 12 unit buildings. We rent a 4 bedroom, 3 bath furnished house for $800. I am guessing a 1 bedroonm can be had easily for $600 ish.

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

William RussellWilliam Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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bigdog7172
  8/31/2018 19:08 EST

What are the rents there like? Say furnished, one bedroom on or near the beach?

gemstar007
  8/31/2018 22:43 EST

People love to quote statistics to supposedly make a point. But as often as not they just tend to distract from the subject at hand. Ron talks about the earthquake numbers for Manta. I have lived in Manta for more than 7 years. Indeed just a block from the Murcielago beach. My 3 bedroom, 3 bath house experienced a 6 inch hairline crack during the big 7.2 quake more than 2 1/2 years ago. Yes, some areas and buildings had considerable damage; often exacerbated by poor engineering and construction. In no way would I want to play down the event...it was very bad. But earthquakes happen frequently in many areas throughout the world. Check out these Statistics for perspective: https://abc7news.com/bay-area-earthquake-tracker/25012/

Manta is a wonderful place to life...as is San Francisco. But the weather in Manta is much, much better and the cost of living is a mere fraction!

joetysk
  9/1/2018 10:48 EST

Anyone ever live in Thailand before? If so, how do you compare it to Ecuador for friendliness of the locals, cost of living and infrastructure such as internet and roads? I know it can and will vary by specific location.

happychap1
  9/6/2018 02:22 EST

I have to leave the US next year, have visited Ecuador a couple of times. Found Cuenca lovely in its fashion but deadly dull and depressing after 3 days. Quito was interesting but dangerous. Maybe the coast will be more my style. Do they have any decent gyms or health clubs there? This is a priority, also fast dependable internet. Please give me your wise counsel.

withoutego
  9/6/2018 11:19 EST

Bored with Cuenca in three days?

Maybe Cuenca wasn't trying hard enough.

I get bored too. I think its my fault.

sinego

happychap1
  9/6/2018 11:51 EST

thanks for the snark that is why this site is practically dead

withoutego
  9/6/2018 13:08 EST

The Snark ! Funny you should mention the Snark. It was invented by a mathematician, Deacon and early photographer..... Charles Dodson

The first few lines of his poem, "Hunting of the Snark"

"Just the place for a Snark!" the Bellman cried,
As he landed his crew with care;
Supporting each man on the top of the tide
By a finger entwined in his hair.

"Just the place for a Snark! I have said it twice:
That alone should encourage the crew.
Just the place for a Snark! I have said it thrice:
What I tell you three times is true."

The crew was complete: it included a Boots—
A maker of Bonnets and Hoods—
A Barrister, brought to arrange their disputes—
And a Broker, to value their goods.

A Billiard-marker, whose skill was immense,
Might perhaps have won more than his share—
But a Banker, engaged at enormous expense,
Had the whole of their cash in his care.

There was also a Beaver, that paced on the deck,
Or would sit making lace in the bow:
And had often (the Bellman said) saved them from wreck,
Though none of the sailors knew how.

sin

happychap1
  9/6/2018 16:16 EST

but no, I didn't really find Cuenca boring after 3 days, a bit of an exaggeration for effect. Actually though, a bit of boredom can be a good thing in the long run.

GringoinQuito
  9/6/2018 21:42 EST

Quito is no more dangerous than any other big city. There was a presentation today by the Department of State Security Service asst, director today. He stated that the crimes in Quito are the petty crimes of property, i.e. pick pockets, purse snathching, etc. While in Guayaquil, it is crimes of violence.

remoore2001
  9/6/2018 23:02 EST

Quito being dangerous is a big gringo myth. Spend time there whenever we can.

kmoriarty45
  9/7/2018 08:39 EST

I've done a lot of traveling in my life and lived and worked in many places around the globe, I would not rank Quito anywhere near being a "dangerous" city to visit or live in. It is a very charming and laid back city. Like anywhere else, of course there is going to be crime but you don't put yourself in situations where you can be a victim.That's common sense.


I'd rate Quito as a very safe city - especially, in comparison to Guayaquil !

kmarch
  9/7/2018 08:57 EST

After last night's 6.2 Earthquake I looked up the strongest quakes in Ecuador in the past year -
One of the strongest was near Manta.
A 6..0 in Bahia. Just N of Manta. along the coast.

kmoriarty45
  9/7/2018 12:24 EST

We felt last night's temblor all the down here in Machala.

Felt like, all of a sudden, I had a vibrator in my La-Z-Boy !


Wife thought there were a couple of cats using the roof for a trampoline.

remoore2001
  9/7/2018 14:04 EST

Felt the quake up here in Cotacachi. Just a gentle swaying

mantatiger
  9/8/2018 19:45 EST

To answer a few at once:

RON RON RON...

So how was the 6.2 in Guayas Wed night??? Much closer to Salinas than Manta, and right in Guyas. Barely felt it in Manta... TOO FUNNY, Karma bit you in the backside on that one. jajajaja

Guess I should ask you if you are a real estate agent for Salinas. I am not one FYI. I just live here, am happy here. Just regardless if people do their own research and like Manta, you just instantly post 'manta bad earthquake bad' rant. OMG, 'imagine if it happened closer'... REALLY? And what if it happened in Salinas? What it happened right under YOU!!! Most of the damage here was due to bad buildings.

"Are there regular expat get together activities? " Yes, there are a bunch of different groups that get together. There are a few regular standing lunch and dinner places. Golf groups, poker groups, drinking groups, beach walkers groups, etc. Also a variety of ages here in Manta. I think it is the youngest Expat average in Ecuador.

"Do they have any decent gyms or health clubs there? This is a priority, also fast dependable internet. Please give me your wise counsel." Yes, they have a bunch here. Crossfit gyms, full tennis club with huge gym, and they building a new gym right now. As for Internet, I have fiber optic 50 MBPS for $65 a month. I consistantly get 48 from it. Been down for 45 minutes in the last 2 months, and the internet company actually called me to ask if there is a problem and came out and fixed it within 20 minutes.

kmoriarty45
  9/8/2018 20:02 EST

mantatiger,


PLEASE, PLEASE, tell me the name of your internet provider. Down here in Machala , will my provider TVCable, has promised fiber optic for the last three years ( and is even advertising it now. ) I fear it will never happen in my lifetime. And it doesn't matter which provider ( I tried several over the years ) what they promise and you contract for...and what is actually delivered in terms of MBPS is the difference between day and dark of night !

Johninnv
  9/9/2018 06:41 EST

have the same excellent experience with CNT fibre over here on the coast in Santa Marianita. Yes, they have fibre to our little town. We contract for 20/10 and that is what I get. In addition,our NORD VPN upgraded their systems not too long ago and I even get those speeds when running through the VPN. Just tested and got 19.32/9.35. And we live right on the beach.

mantatiger
  9/16/2018 09:12 EST

"PLEASE, PLEASE, tell me the name of your internet provider."

I have FiberGo here in Manta. I have also heard that Netlife is another great provider.

kmoriarty45
  9/16/2018 10:30 EST

Thanks for the info. At least you have fiber optic up there, Lord knows when it will actually get down here, in Machala.

Johninnv
  9/16/2018 12:12 EST

CNE is my provider. Yes, the govt run one. Fibre to the beach!

icemeister
  9/16/2018 15:30 EST

K...Check out NetLife fiberoptic. I'm in Samborondon and have their 20 mbs upload/20 mbs download plan and I love it. Here's a coverage map link that shows they are in Machala:

https://www.netlife.ec/atencion-al-cliente/cobertura/

Even if they don't show your neighborhood as in their area, call anyway. They don't always keep the map up-to-date.

Charlie B

kmoriarty45
  9/16/2018 18:44 EST

Thanks Charlie, I will.

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