Our Ecuador Retirement: The First Months

We are a couple in our early 60s who retired to Ecuador in 2020. We spent the first few months exploring the country, getting to know the culture, and finding a place to live. We are now settled into our new life in Ecuador and we love it!

Our Ecuador Retirement...The First 8 Months

by Donald Murray

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	726 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	97 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

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Why Ecuador?

We chose to retire in Ecuador for a number of reasons. First, it is a beautiful country with a diverse landscape. We can enjoy the beaches, the mountains, the rainforests, and the Andes all within a few hours' drive. Second, Ecuador is a relatively inexpensive country to live in. We can live comfortably on a fraction of what we would spend in the United States. Third, the people of Ecuador are friendly and welcoming. We have made many new friends since we moved here.

Finding a Place to Live

The first step in retiring to Ecuador is finding a place to live. There are a number of different options available, depending on your budget and lifestyle. You can rent an apartment or a house, or you can buy a property. We chose to buy a house in the town of Cuenca. Cuenca is a beautiful city with a vibrant culture and a large expat community. We found a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with a garden for $120,000.

Getting a Visa

Once you have found a place to live, you will need to get a visa. There are a number of different types of visas available, depending on your circumstances. We applied for and received a retirement visa. The retirement visa is valid for one year and it can be renewed indefinitely. To qualify for the retirement visa, you must be at least 55 years old and you must have a monthly income of at least $1,000.

Adjusting to the Culture

Adjusting to the culture of a new country can be a challenge. However, we found that the people of Ecuador are very welcoming and helpful. We have made many new friends since we moved here and we feel like we are part of the community. We have also found that it is easy to adapt to the Ecuadorian way of life. The pace of life is slower here and people are more relaxed. We have found that we have more time to enjoy life and to do the things that we love.

Our Recommendations

If you are considering retiring to Ecuador, we highly recommend it. Ecuador is a beautiful country with a lot to offer. The people are friendly and welcoming, the cost of living is affordable, and the culture is rich and vibrant. We have found that retiring to Ecuador has been a wonderful experience and we would do it again in a heartbeat.

Here are a few tips for retiring to Ecuador:

• Do your research. There is a lot of information available online about retiring to Ecuador. Take some time to read about the different aspects of life in Ecuador, such as the cost of living, the healthcare system, and the culture.
• Get involved in the community. The best way to adjust to the culture of a new country is to get involved in the community. Join a local club or group, take a class, or volunteer your time. You will meet new people and learn about the local culture.
• Be patient. It takes time to adjust to a new culture. Don't get discouraged if you don't feel like you fit in right away. Just keep at it and you will eventually find your place.

Our Ecuador Retirement...The First 8 Months

by Donald Murray

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	726 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	97 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE