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What About Machala?

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2020Lena
  7/8/2020 14:08 EST

Hi, I have been doing extensive digging into moving to Ecuador. Why is Machala "off the radar for expats" so to speak. It looks like a beautiful city. I have been considering Cuenco but I am unsure of the altitude. Salinas looks great but I am just undecided as there seems to be so many choices. Guayaquil was a thought until I saw the Covid rates and it seems to have a higher crime rate. I plan on opening a small retail/services business after arriving and I am hoping if I were to higher a resident or two that speaks both Spanish/English, the business might take off. In the meantime I am learning Spanish as well. Any advice? Thanks all!

windshadow
  7/8/2020 15:28 EST

Have you ever visited Ecuador?
I think that would be a good idea before anything else.
All the places you mentioned have their own set of issues but could be the perfect place depending on your wants and needs.

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kmoriarty45
  7/8/2020 19:48 EST

Hi Lena,

I have lived with my wife in Machala for over 7 years and am very happy here. If you would like to PM (Private Message) me with any specific questions you have, I will be more than happy to answer them.

I will tell you that one of the reasons that Machala is "off the Gringo radar" is that is NOT a tourist destination and is more of an international port city - think Baltimore or Philidelphia. But it does have a lot to offer. Unlike like Cuenca or Salinas or Quito, there's not a large segment of the populace that are English speakers, so if one were thinking of moving here, I would advise their having a fairly good working Spanish vocabulary. That said, I will say that the people are very kind and patient with someone struggling to learn their language.

I look forward to hearing from you. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

GringoinQuito
  7/9/2020 06:59 EST

Good luck starting a business. Have you done any research on the economic situation in Ecuador, or the labor laws?
Do the research. It will be a revelation for you

user001
  7/9/2020 11:48 EST

Machala is a working city. Not somewhere you would go to visit. Don't expect to find other English speakers there. Expect to isolated if your Spanish is not fluent.. Don't expect expat nights, meets and greets. Without a family connection to the area, expect it to be difficult.

But a lot will depend on you. What are you hoping to get out of moving there? How do you see your life being there? What business are you expecting to open there.

The old (modified) saying "The best way to end up with a million dollar business in Ecuador is to start with 2 million" is very valid.

Do you know anything about Ecuador? The culture? The people? Many people fail as they expect to waltz in and do things in the way they are accustomed to and in some cases expect to show the locals how to do things better. These people without exception fail.

LADDIED
  7/12/2020 14:28 EST

Machala is a nice little town. Close to the sea, with abundant seafood available. Close to Peru. The biggest disadvantage would be the language. They speak coastal which is a mixture of Spanish and native languages.

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LADDIED
  7/12/2020 14:35 EST

It took me 3 years and I had to pass 16 inspections by 6 agencies to establish a business here. Now things are worse because of the lockdown and the inability to get the equipment and supply you need. They also have one of the worst customs department on Earth. 65% o the companies in the world, will not ship to Ecuador. Shipments either disappear or get returned to the sender.
Larry

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