Moving to Ecuador

Summary: Many expats and digital nomads move to Ecuador due to its low cost of living, beautiful scenery, and friendly people. People can find a place to live in Ecuador by searching online for rental properties, or by asking around in the local community. The most popular cities for expats and digital nomads in Ecuador are Quito, Cuenca, and Salinas. These cities offer a variety of amenities, as well as a vibrant expat community.

What do I need to know before moving to Ecuador?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Ecuador, they said:

"Good idea to take a exploratory trip first, get an idea of the area and where you might want to live. Check out available apartments and rent cost. Many expats arrive here with a container full of stuff that they cannot live without which is an added expense considering you can have furniture made here at very reasonable costs. And then many of them move back to their country just after 6 months selling all their stuff here," replied a member in Cuenca.

"Most importantly, ask yourself if the place is a spiritual or emotional match Are the values similar? Or are they so different that you are always on pins and needles. Even though there are wonderful people in every country (I've lived or worked in over 40 countries), this is the hardest place for my sensibilities, I am not accustomed to toughness and indifference, so I may not stay. I've given it two years, done my best to fit in. It's also too cold for me, no insulation or heating in buildings. Why not move to the coast? Fewer amenities and not the best idea for a woman alone," commented one expat who made the move to Cuenca.

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How do I find a place to live in Ecuador?

We asked expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:

"The best way to find a place to live in Ecuador is to visit the country in person. This will allow you to explore different neighborhoods and areas and get a better understanding of the local culture and environment. You can also look into renting an apartment or house from a reliable source. There are numerous real estate agencies and websites that list rental properties in Ecuador, so you should have no trouble finding a place that suits your needs. Additionally, many expats join local Facebook groups and other social media sites to network and search for housing opportunities. Lastly, you could consider connecting with an established property management company that specializes in providing international real estate services," explained one expat living in Ecuador.

"We came to Ecuador 4 times and fell in love with Salinas. We had a realtor help us find our new condo," said one expat in Salinas.

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What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Ecuador?

"Condo and most expats seem to live in Condos in this area, although there are a few in homes but mostly those were built by them for their own living," remarked one expat who made the move to Bahia and San Vicente.

"I live in an apartment within an 8 unit building (tower) within a gated community of about 20 towers. Ideal mix of privacy and neighborly acquaintances. I don't know what the house/apt mix is, but I would imagine expat families with kids go for houses (in Sanborondon, Los Ceibos, or Via la Costa) and expat singles and couples go for apts. The houses in Sanborondon are usually huge, expensive, and not many to rent," explained one expat living in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

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What is the average cost of housing in Ecuador?

If you are thinking about moving to Ecuador, cost of living in probably a key consideration. Expats commented about the cost of housing:

"If you have funds, you can afford to live anywhere in the world. Ecuador can cost almost as much as the U.S. because of "gringo gouging" Best way to find housing is not to read paid ads but to first find a neighborhood and buildings you might like, then look for signs and call the numbers directly. It takes an enormous amount of work to figure out which landlords are honest and fair and those who are not. Even if they seem correct, they may turn on you. The name of the game is $$$ and if you are not on a budget, then nothing really matters and you can pay double or more than a local would... This later remark is noteworthy... paying more contributes to the economy, but also creates understandable resentment among locals," remarked one expat in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"Much lower. We paid cash for our land and to build our house. Electric is about 100 per month. We get 2 trucks of water a month roughly and it equates to about $50/month in water. There are no other bills," said one expat in Puerto Cayo.

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Should I buy or rent a home in Ecuador?

If you have not spent a lot of time in Ecuador, you should rent before even thinking about buying. We asked expats there about the buy vs. rent decision:

"Lots of rental and for sale properties everywhere. I rent an apartment. In smaller towns like mine people don't even sign any rental agreements and it is convenient to rent from month to month," said one expat in Vilcabamba.

"There are many rentals and sale options, we have rented the entire time as we like the security of our apartment while we are traveling," remarked one expat who made the move to Cuenca.

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What should I pack when moving to Ecuador?

We asked people living in Ecuador to list three things they wish they had brought and three they wish they had left behind. They responded:

"Wish I had brought: more rain gear, especially shoes (low quality shoes here), books (not a country of readers even in Spanish), back-up computer. The best thing I brought was a small space heater," commented one expat who made the move to Cuenca.

"Wish I would have brought: Gallons of Patina for our stained glass hobby; Desk Chair because I work from home; more towels and dishrags Things I could have left: all things leather (we live on the beach and everything molds); metal lamps (rusted); outdated computer (should have bought a new one before shipping down here)," remarked one expat in Puerto Cayo, Ecuador.

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What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Ecuador?

We asked people in Ecuador if they could share any humorous cultural blunders they commited. For new expats, keep in mind that these incidents are an inevitable part of expat life. Learning to laugh about them is the key!:

"I used to translate "you know what I mean" to "si me entiendes" and people would just nod politely but give me a weird look... later I was informed that "si me entiendes" sounds condescending to the other person in Spanish because the context of the sentence implies they are not bright enough to follow my chain of thought-- I was told to use "si me explico?" which translates to "am I explaining myself? " which puts the responsibility of any misunderstanding on my shoulders," said one expat in Guayaquil.

"I am blessed with an Ecuadorian wife, so I have avoided most of this sort of thing. We have been married for six years, so I get it. One thing I would note for gringos is that in my experience, Ecuadorians lack a sense of humor - they don't tell jokes. They are some of the most literal people imaginable, so get ready for a blank stare if you have a funny story to share. Ecuadorians prize conformity, even anonymity, above all. The best metaphor I can come up with for their society is of a prairie dog village. They never raise their voices or speak critically of each other. They criticize the government but never with any specific purpose or agenda - they just bitch gently about whatever. So do not speak your mind forcefully - I lost my temper visiting my wife's family in Quito and it was incomprehensible to them that I could raise my voice," remarked one expat who made the move to Cuenca.

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Why do people move to Ecuador?

When we asked people why foreigners move to Ecuador, they responded:

"Two former Minnesotans: Our experience and decision,, after a long land and home hunt in vilcabama, was to move elsewhere. We found a warmer area having less expensive property, both for land itself, and for homes and have been here nine years. Catamayo is warm, much of the time, (80;s) though it does get cooler at night. Loja, which is a 50 min. bus ride from Catamayo, is about 10-15 (?) degrees lower.," wrote one expat living in Catamayo and Loja.

"People move here for a more laid back lifestyle. The price of rentals and property is still fairly cheap so that attracts foreigners," commented one expat who moved to San Clemente.

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How are healthcare services Ecuador?

When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Ecuador, they replied:

"I let them know about public and private insurance options. This with chronic conditions should enroll in Ecuadorian IESS public system. But even without insurance the medical care in Ecuador is much more affordable than in the US," said one expat living in Loja, Ecuador.

"IESS (federal system) is cheapest insurance here UNLESS you came on "retirement income" visa, where it can be quite expensive (they they charge 17% of your income for the insurance). Almost all non-opioid prescription meds in the US are available here OTC," offered one expat living in Cuenca.

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What are medical services in Ecuador like?

When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Ecuador, they replied:

"Cotacachi has very little health care if you compare it to the U.S. Ibarra, Quito, and Cuenca offer excellent health care," offered one expat living in Cotacachi.

"Ecuadorian Social Security (EISS) is comprehensive and includes doctor visits, tests, and frequently used medicines. Due to the pressure of the Pandemic less services (specialists, face-to-face doctor visits, speedy lab tests) are available though the system still works. It's set up a bit like an HMO, with doctors on staff who can be asked for by name. Meds are despensed on site. ," wrote one expat living in Cotacachi.

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Moving to Ecuador

What do I need to know before moving to Ecuador?

How do I find a place to live in Ecuador?

What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Ecuador?

What is the average cost of housing in Ecuador?

Should I buy or rent a home in Ecuador?

What should I pack when moving to Ecuador?

What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Ecuador?

Why do people move to Ecuador?

How are healthcare services Ecuador?

What are medical services in Ecuador like?

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