Pros and Cons of Living in Ecuador

Summary: The pros of living in Ecuador include its diverse landscape, with a variety of climates and terrains, from the Amazon rainforest to the Andes Mountains. The country also has a rich cultural heritage, with a variety of traditional foods, music, and festivals. Additionally, the cost of living in Ecuador is relatively low, making it an attractive destination for expats. The cons of living in Ecuador include the fact that the country has a high crime rate, with a high rate of violent crime in some areas. Additionally, the infrastructure in Ecuador is not as developed as in other countries, and the healthcare system is not as advanced. Additionally, the language barrier can be a challenge for expats, as Spanish is the official language.

What are the pros and cons of living in Ecuador?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Ecuador responded:

"The Ocean is great ! But I would not want to live there full time. A vacation to the coast twice a year is cheap! Cuenca is magnificent but spread out, and tryng to find this company or another is tough and frustrating, but cabs are super cheap. The weather here can get to you in the Andes at 8000+ ft, cold is not what I expected when I moved here. No addresses, NO mail and good luck ordering from Amazon! BUT, that is part of retirement that keeps it interesting, especially if you are a larger figured or shoe person! LOL DL's you can rent a small car , but after 90 days you must go through a bit to get a DL in spanish with more paperwork from home, and a vehicle is weird, all old tickets on cars stay with car when you registar! FED EX or DHL, a single document may cost you upwards of 120 bucks! There are flowers in bloom 365, too high in Cuenca to have many big critters IE spiders, although I have met a few tarantulas and a couple of scorpions. No matter who you are you will hate Ecuadorian way of treating their dogs, FACT The indigenous people are funny and happy to be around, EC'rs maybe not so much.... A tad racists about us Gringos. But I am never leaving and this country grows on me. I will not tell you that the change is a walk in the park, but FB has great Expat commuities and we help each other daily with simple questions about where to buy things to supporting people who are having a tough time, or a hospital stay," said one in Cuenca.

"Have been here over 8 years and love the people,etc here. Our one concern is that my husband can't learn Spanish for the life of him and I worry that in an emergency the lack of english-speaking medical personnel could be a problem. We've gotten good care from the medical staff, Doctors, and hospitals though," explained one expat in Cuenca.

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What do expats in Ecuador appreciate most about the local culture?

"i love it all; the relaxed attitude of most people, how giving the locals are, and how trusting they are. the low cost of fruits and vegetables, of hostal rooms, almuerzos, new foods: vegetables like achojcha, soupls like viche and encebollado... last night a friend made torta de pescado- oh my goodness; it was wonderful," said one person in Jama.

"Still working on that one as I do not care for this town I am living in and is much more primitive than cities," remarked one expat in Bahia de Caraquez.

What do expats find most challenging?

"My Spanish - when caught off-guard, or in the early morning, my language ability (Spanish, but to a degree, English as well :-) fails and I am floundering. By afternoon, all is well," said one person in Cuenca.

"We are struggling with the language but that is getting better on a daily basis. Sometimes you think of what you were planning to say but it is later than you wanted to say it. People still talk to you like you understand, but they are patient and they don't get angry because you cannot speak their language," remarked one expat in Bahia de Caraquez.

Pros and Cons of Living in Ecuador

What are the pros and cons of living in Ecuador?

What do expats in Ecuador appreciate most about the local culture?

What do expats find most challenging?

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