Home

Photo: Volcano Cotopaxi (19,347 ft.)

Think about a foreign country with a World Heritage Site as its capitol. Think of traveling to a place where you are surrounded by almost unimaginable beauty; think of the possibilities of living in a place where the standard of living is high, the cost of living low, and it is easy to get to and from where you live now. You are thinking about Ecuador!

Flying times from North America are short, and and the cost of flying is way less than going to Europe or Asia. If you live on the East Coast of the US, there is no jet lag because we are on the same time as you (except we do not go on Daylight Saving Time). You can make it in less than a day and arrive with enough time to still enjoy the warm, sunny afternoon in Quito.

Let me start you on your journey by introducing you to some vital facts that will help set the stage for all you will need to enjoy Ecuador to the fullest!

                  "MUST ASK" QUESTIONS AND ESSENTIAL RULES FOR

MOVING TO ECUADOR

Moving anywhere new can be a bit scary, whether to a different city in the US, or a different country- like Ecuador. What is most intimidating however is the lack of information and not speaking Spanish. Hopefully we can make the process less worrisome.

If I don't speak Spanish, is this going create problems?

RULE #1- You will be so much better off if you learn some Spanish, or work with someone who can translate for you until you do. Most small shops are run by people who speak no English. It is frustrating to try and get a repair person or get your telephone hooked up if you cannot communicate!

Can I really live well on $600 or $800 a month?

RULE #2- Many of us make assumptions about life in Ecuador, based on our own life in the United States- or on very favorable magazine articles- and these are often misleading or incorrect. Take what you read with a "grain of salt".

About shipping my stuff- like furniture, cars, and the like. Should I?

RULE #3- We have one solid recommendation: Whatever it is you are thinking of doing that has major consequences- like shipping furniture, buying property, sending large sums of money- get a good lawyer. Do not make any arrangements without checking first with someone in Ecuador who has familiarity with such things.

What should I do about renting or buying? Ecuador offers attractive possibilities for both. If you decide to buy:

RULE #4- Get a good lawyer. Under no circumstances should you exchange money for property with anyone without competent legal representation. If you buy property, make certain every detail of what you are buying, expecting to receive, etc., is in writing. The Ecuadorian legal system is quirky and will supply you no protection or satisfaction after the fact.

Where is the best place to live in Ecuador? How would you answer that question if someone from Europe or South America asked you where is the best place to live in the United States?

Although it is a small, compact country, Ecuador offers a good life for every conceivable desire- urban, rural, mountains, seashore, so you have to give much thought to what you want. If, for example, you want to live in the mountains, remember that, as in the US, living in the Appalachians is vastly different from living in the Rockies.

Do I need a bank? Since 9/11, this has become a big problem everywhere. and opening an account in a country where you are not a citizen is even more problematic. Sometimes not even permitted at all.

RULE #5- Get a good lawyer. You cannot walk into a branch of any large bank and just open an account. Even in your own country you must furnish certain documentation to prove who you are.

What about Standard and Cost of Living? The opportunity to raise your standard of living without raising the cost of living is substantially higher in Ecuador than in the States. Dollar for dollar, your money goes much further in South America. Costs in rural or remote areas will be lower than in the cities- just as in the US. You should consider, however, that Ecuador does not have social security and social support systems in place as you have in North America. It is unrealistic to move to Ecuador on the assumption you can get by on $600/month, unless you are quite self-sufficient, have very modest expectations, and don't require much beside food and shelter. Remember RULE #2.

What about loneliness? One of my United States clients writes:

Moving to Ecuador can be quite lonely, especially if you are not fluent in Spanish. Naturally, most North Americans want to know about "expat" communities. Social groups, as well as commercial and support services, vary from location to location, and you have to balance these according to other needs. In Cotacachi, near Otovalo, which American Gary Scott has been extolling for years, there is a sizable American community. For my disabled wife and me, however, the area has an insufficient level of services. Where we live, just outside Quito, there are a number of Americans and lots of services, but I do not have the sense of any semblance of an organized expat community.

Is Ecuador Safe? This is always on everyone's mind. Our area (Cumbaya) is totally safe and we have never felt threatened in any way, nor "put upon" because we are taken to be rich Gringos. However, this is not true country-wide.

Our home is across the street from a wonderful, private university, and the community is well-to-do by Ecuadorian standard. Perhaps our sense of safety and level of confidence is influenced by the " prevention orientation" in place: It is gated, with an armed guard. The cost is shared by the community, and is not expensive.

Should we buy a car? In the US, with our suburban orientation, owning a car is almost assumed. This is quite different in Ecuador. Registration is complicated and licensing is a process chocked with red tape. You will need a professional "go between" to get everything accomplished.

To bring this all together, what you need more than anything else is a plan and some common sense.

RULE #6- Have a plan which considers all your wishes, dreams and needs. Make a list. Where we decided to locate was greatly influenced by being a "special needs" couple. While we may have loved to live in Otovalo or Cotacachi, distance from adequate hospital facilities dictated otherwise. Being in a wheelchair virtually excluded the entire Pacific coastline/beach scene. Preferring cooler temperatures made the higher elevations more appealing. If you have young children, nearness to private schools will likely eliminate some of the more remote areas. Give your list the greatest degree of honest scrutiny.

I hope your fellow countryman's concerns answer many of the same questions you have. But now it is time to be more specific. If you come to Ecuador, And when you arrive here, what will you find?

Ecuador has scrumptious Pacific Coast beaches and the fabulous Andes Mountains. Places to take great tours. This site is filled with ideas and attractions that make you want to linger longer than you expected- and you can easily do so because the cost is so low.

We have the Amazon, the "One of a kind" Galapagos Islands, and wonderful Native Markets And once you are already in South America you can easily reach Buenos Aires, Macchu Pichu, and Rio from Quito, our capitol.

Don't be concerned about your health: There is top-notch medical care available here at a fraction of the costs you would pay "back home". Well-trained physicians, dentists and nurses, many of whom have degrees from American institutions.

And if you have children, you will find here a society that does not think only about buying more and more things; does not dwell on exploitation, sex, and decaying moral values. For those with children considering moving here, we have wonderful private schools with tuition fees low enough to make private schooling for your children financially possible.

You will travel throughout Ecuador with a much "lighter" feeling than traveling in Europe, Southeast Asia, or the Far East. In those countries, expenses are so high that you find yourself thinking how costly it is for a simple cup of coffee- instead of thinking about all the wonderful things you are seeing.

When you come to Ecuador, you find yourself falling in love with the country and its people. Because there is so much to see and do, and because it is so inexpensive to do this, you find yourself wanting to linger longer in some charming town; you find yourself thinking, "I wish I could stay here forever."

I know this is  true because many of my guests end up buying a home or condominium here. They commute back and forth for a number of visits, but each time I take them to the airport to fly home, they tell me it gets harder and harder to leave Ecuador. Finally, they realize that with only one life to live, they would rather live it here. Live in Ecuador and visit back wherever it was they came from originally.

I know there is much activity on the Internet telling you of spectacular deals in real estate or home purchasing- and this is true.

A Gentle Story About the Volcanoes in the Picture Above

We Ecuadorians love our country and appreciate the great natural beauty we have been given.The Ecuadorian capital of Quito is surrounded by a string of nine volcanoes, and the snow-capped volcano above is named Vulcan Cotopaxi, one of the prettiest. But there is a legend about two volcanoes nearby I must tell you:

Not too far away is a volcano we tenderly call Mama Cotacachi (16,600 ft.). Near her is another volcano, Volcan Imbabura (15,121ft.) which is called Daddy Imbabura.

Ecuadorian legend says that when Mama Cotacachi awakens in the morning with a fresh cover of snow, Daddy Imbabura has spent the night with her making love.

That legend embodies the spirit of Ecuadorians. They are sweet, unpretentious and guileless. Naturally gentle and good natured, they have a way of making you feel instantly "at home", whether that home is little more than a hut with an earthen floor, or an elaborate hacienda with a thousand acres of land around it.

As your Ecuador Personal Assistant, I will advise and guide you as you learn our culture and how to best make things work to your advantage. Remember, this is worth your effort because here, your dollars can provide the comfortable lifestyle you may no longer be able to afford in your country. I can help you. Just Click here.