I'm looking into Ecuador

Member since 16 August 2010

GendotteNew member16 August 2010 05:10:44

Hi, I'm Mike, and from what I have been reading, my lady and I can do pretty well in Ecuador on our combined retirements.

As I see it, we probably will not import much in the way of household goods, will probably rent at least for awhile, and Cuenca seems to be the best bet for living. I don't really like 100 degree days (Yeah, I know, 38), and we have had a few in Kansas City this year. And I hate humidity. There Kansas City = Houston. When it's 90 degrees and 80% humidity, ugh!

These questions are pretty tentative, since it will be at least 2 years before DW can retire, but we still need to plan.

First, we will sell-give away pretty much everything. We will keep pictures and maybe my motorcycle, if I can still ride it (story for someday).

Can anyone give me an idea of what air fares are? Boats? Is it possible to drive from the States to Ecuador without getting yourself killed-robbed-raped-etc?

Is Rosetta Stone a good language teacher? My Spanish is from grade school via an Ecuadorian music teacher, so I have lost most of it. I can still count to ten, and puzzle out certain words, many of which would get me in trouble if said to a lady.

I guess those are my main questions, so I will now go to bed and dream of 75 degree days.

eagleandcondor Member

Member since 31 August 2010

eagleandcondorMember31 August 2010 15:25:04

Hi Mike,

You don't say when you are going to come to Ecuador, so my advice is not to gather information that will have no relevance in one month, much less two years when DW retires.

Airfares, visa regs, prices, everything is changing in Ecuador all the time.聽 Lately every time I've checked airfares from Quito to Cali it's been a very different price.

I have stopped writing very many particulars on my blog and website because things are changing so quickly.

There was a law that you couldn't bring a car into Ecuador if it was older than one year.聽 That changed for a few months and you could bring an older car in.聽 Then it changed again and now you can't bring a car at all!聽 Stay tuned.

You plan to sell most of your belongings and rent is a sound one.聽 That's what we did. People buy here and then don't like it and then what?聽 Sell out, move again.

You can drive to Panama but then you face the impassable Darian Strait, so you'd need a boat for passage of goods.

Ecuador is a practice of living in the moment.聽 Life slows down here, whether or not you want it to.聽 Manana rules!

Come for a visit, take your time, check things out with your body, mind and soul.聽 Have an experience of this great country and much of what you are asking will be answered by the full-body yes or no you get when you connect with the land, the people and the customs.

I've lived in Cotacachi for 4 years.聽 You can read our blog-Living in Ecuador - and find out tons of great information on our website--www.Pro-Ecuador.com聽 We do our best to answer many of the questions newcomers to Ecuador need to know.

Good luck!

larryp@vistapacificahomes Active member

Member since 14 August 2010

larryp@vistapacificahomesActive member17 November 2010 10:56:14

HI Mike;

Eagle has a good point. You can get basic information but the important legal items need to be done through an attorney and probably within 6 months of your intended move. I have 3 good attorneys that speak english and have helped me with many different items and areas of Ecuadorian law.
When you visit try to get to our part of the Pacific coast as its very pristine and laid back (I am not fond of city life).
You might find you like it.....;-)
Rosetta stone is one of the best language programs out there in my opinion and they released a new version. The newest version is expensive ($500 to $700). I have found version 3, brand new for as little as $250.

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All the best.