I had the same fist experience Don. I made 7 trips over a two year period to Ecuador. On my first trip, I visited the beach areas from Salinas to Puerto Lopez. I was literally in shock over much of what I saw my first week here. I got depressed thinking I could never live here. Later, I visted la sierra and it was so much better. In subsequent trips, I slowly adjusted to the things that had bothered me. And now after 3.5 years here, I am not bothered by much. But #1 for me is and always has been the litter. Such a beautiful country uglied by the litter. Second are the dogs. I can't take walks without being acausted by dogs. But, the people here are super sweet and kind. I am the happiest I've probably ever been.
Tom , when I was a kid, i remember the tv campaign, fed. govt. , smokey they bear, pick up trash; dont throw trash. the ditches were loaded. the campaign had trah fly out car window. then reverse, back into car window. ha ha. it worked. it became very unpopular to throw trash. later organizations adpted highways....
@@BPe-ie9je I live outside of Riobamba. I love it here, just bitching about things that bother me. Yes, when we were kids, litter was bad in the US. Ladybird Johnson's campaign to keep America beautiful started the ball rolling in the US.
After 8.5 years in Ecuador, it's what I'm questioning now, not to return to US [no thanks] but for a new experience elsewhere. I have never regretted moving here. It's been a great experience for me. Anything could happen anywhere you go. I don't think like that. Such experiences tests one's knowledge of self. As the saying goes, "wherever you go, there you are!" I wanted to hear your thoughts on it. ☀🌎 ✨
Thank you Don. Such any important topic for any expat or immigrant. I’m here in Mexico single lady for 8 months now and obtained my residency. I am not retired and work online. The honeymoon does wear off anywhere you go and the need to work makes it a reality that I’m not on a vacation here. Many of my USA friends and family think I’m sitting by the sea/pool sipping Cocktails and working on my tan. I do get very homesick at times for Texas, Oregon, Midwest, all my friends and family. I also realized when I start feeling homesick that I’m longing for the way things were 30 years ago in USA or when I was a child. After thinking of this I realize I am so much happier right where I am south of the border. My ultimate goal is to obtain a 2nd residency somewhere else and my 1st pick was Ecuador.
I fall into that trap also from time, longing to go back to the USA of 30 years ago. Then I snap out of it when I remember that it's not the same place. Ecuador has its problems, but it's been very good to us. We're very blessed to call Ecuador home.
@@eleonoravishenina5482 Congratulations 🎉 It really depends on what is on your list of needs, wants, weather, budget and goals. For safety, being new to Mexico, a solid expat community there are several. Merida, Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel, Mexico City and a few more. Me personally I’m not big on hanging around a bunch of tourists and desire to immerse myself in the culture. I’m currently in Playa del Carmen but really was just here to gain my residency with a well known attorney here. I felt comfortable starting here because I had lived here 4 years ago for a few months, have friends here. Honestly Playa del Carmen Cancun etc. are all relatively new and do not have a lot of historical buildings. There are a lot of Myan ruins cenote‘s and Myan culture to learn about here. However I’m ready to explore the Northern state of Veracruz and visit some more indigenous areas such as Chiapas. Mexico is a really big country so the possibilities are vast. I highly recommend to join the female solo expat groups for Mexico on Facebook and groups for areas that strike your interest. Best wishes to you and your exciting adventures. Email me anytime.
@@destinationmax Thank you for responding. I am also planning to visit Veracruz , San Cristobal Chiapas , Hidalgo, Morelia Michiocan and a few small pueblas magico, I have a big list of them. Morelia, PV , Cancun is too hot and humid and touristy for me. I want to be able to grow my own garden in the future . I can give you my phone number, if you want to contact me, I don't use Facebook.
@@eleonoravishenina5482 A girl after my own heart 💜 I also plan to explore the Pueblas Mágicos for the same reason. Lush forest areas to be able to grow my own food, plants and some chickens 🐓 Maybe a couple of goat kids, and a loyal huggable dog 🐕 I would love to exchange numbers.
Don! Great to see you! I know that this question leads to several sets of ideas that Tracie and I struggle with as we prepare to move to Ecuador. I hope you know that your videos, perspective, and candor, are invaluable during this process! We are grateful to have found you and grateful for the way in which you have embraced us as friends and for your willingness to share your life in Ecuador! Thank you, Don!
@@twylaingerson5945, Don Shader doesn't need me to jump to his defense because quite clearly he can handle that himself. But just for my own information, where has Don ever claimed that some countries have no poverty at all? If he has made such a claim, I have missed it. (Or are you referring here to a different person named Don?) As for Amelia and JP, I have no problem with them myself. I think they perform a valuable service with their videos and research. But if Don has a different point of view, and he "dares" to express it, why is that cause for shame?
I can relate to how you feel; 40 years ago when I came to the states all I thought was I wanted to go back to Manta; I missed my friends, my relatives but I had to wait until I had the money to go back. I didn’t know anybody, I didn’t speak the language so I decided to go to college, my circumstances changed. I got married and started a family. I lost my husband last year and we wanted to retire to Ecuador, all that changed and now I only go to visit my mother because I have my sons here in the states and don’t want to be away from them. I think most of us who leave our home country feel homesick no matter how long you’ve been away.
Don, as always, lots of helpful commentary. The greatest value I take from this video is twofold: 1. Don't expect the honeymoon to last. It will end. 2. Get creative in order to make a good life for yourself. This is sound advice not only for those of us who move abroad but also for anyone who contemplates (or makes) a major change in life - whether of job, relationship, or place of residence. Case in point - even when moving just from one American city to another I have had (in my younger days) an almost gushy enthusiasm over making a fresh start. And one might call this a honeymoon. But of course this feeling inevitably fades over time, and from that point on we have to make sure we have all the building blocks in place for a satisfying or rewarding life. And if we don't, then we either need to move yet again or, as you say, we need to get creative. This is especially true for retired persons. When the time comes for me to retire (which will be soon), I don't want to be put out to pasture - or, worse yet, to be the very one doing it to myself. I want to remain engaged with life. To be sure, there are always conditions and circumstances which lie outside our control, but for our day-to-day routines, we are often the author of our own trials, and so it's incumbent on us - out of volition and an inner strength - to break out of it and become the architect of our future and how we choose to live. Yes, just words. So easy to TALK about living and not always so easy to live. But many people struggle with retirement - no matter the country they call home. And I want to make sure, when I take stock of myself, to determine whether I really need a change of country or instead a change within me. As I ponder this question, I think in my case the answer is both. I need a change in both. I was last in Ecuador in 2014, and at that time I was under no illusions that it would be some kind of Shangri la. I knew it was a developing nation and not to be mistaken for Australia or Canada or France. Still, when I think of what I need in order to be happy, it's not fancy accommodations or the finest clothes. I can be happy and still live rather modestly. Don't get me wrong - especially in my old age I want life to be simple and easy - at least as much as possible. I'm not a twenty-something who embraces a rustic way of life. I make no bones about wanting some comfort in my later years. Still, I'm sure I can be happy in Ecuador - even more so than in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, or other expat hot spots in Latin America. There are pros and cons to all places, and neither Ecuador nor the United States are exceptions. But as I survey my non-negotiables and I weigh all the pros and cons, right now Quito is looking like the place for me. I hope one day to join you for breakfast or coffee at one of your favorite Ecuadorian hangouts.
Thanks Jeff. That all makes perfect sense to me. Good luck to you. Thanks for your thought provoking feedback. It's much appreciated and worthy of keeping in the archives. -ds
I have never thought of going back to Canada, and feel more immigrant than expat. Bought a house and being over 65yrs of age have no property taxes, and pay only 1/2 for electricity and travel. Care free with no bills and enough pension money to live as well as I want. I started a little farm and keep busy enough that there isn't much time to get home sick, and I probably would'nt anyway. Tried Cuenca, but it's too cold at night up there. The coast has everything I wanted being warm at the equator with warm water and beaches. No ocean up in the hills which was'nt for me. Biggest problem was boredom, which I solved by making Ecuadorian friends.
I myself haven’t had any second thoughts about moving to Cuenca. I will never ever return to the US. I might move to another country but never to the US.
been here for 10 months now, first 4 in Loja, now in Pto Lopez, and in June, somewhere else but not sure where yet. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to leave the US, and am really enjoying being here in EC. There are always plusses and minuses to everyplace in the world, I think. No two people will have the same experiences. There is a great deal here that I love, but I also know that one day I will leave, as some of the minuses are pretty big ones for me. It is a reasonable flight into Florida to see my elderly Dad, but after he passes I will no longer have any desire to continue visiting the US and will likely move much further afield. I always moved a lot within the US, I enjoy discovering new places as a resident, so it is just part of the adventure of life for me, and want to continue that while I still can!
Hi Don. I’m your age so kinda know your fears on the move. You are so lucky to of gotten out of the US. Totally a different way of life. I would be there if I wasn’t married. I’m just board with this country. I was a truck driver and slept in the day time. I put hand cream on my ear plugs and shoved them in. Sometimes need tweezers to get them out. Couldn’t hear nothing. No damage to my ears. I’ve had a lot of bad experiences in Mexico. Wouldn’t go there. We looked in Cotacachi but I think I liked Cuenca better. Cotacachi is a quite town. Where ever you go I’m sure you will do great.
Hi Don, This video really resonated with me. There are things that I've realized after living in Ecuador I would like to have and experience but that won't really be fulfilled here. I'm giving it my best effort and will continue to do so but you are so right that "you know" if its the right place for you. The checklist is a great idea because although I find so much positive about living here, it's just my personal preferences that I feel will be better fulfilled for me in another place. However, I don't kid myself that every place you go is a trade-off. Sometimes you are just switching seats with a different view. Anyway, thank you for giving me the freedom to think about this in a healthy way, and to the guy who emailed you.
I’m a big one for having a goals list, a dealbreakers list, and a generally cheerful attitude. Living anywhere where you aren’t fluent is a huge amount of emotional labor.
Great video Don. It's great that you brought up this topic. All of us go through it, a moment or period of doubt, but like some, I didn't know this is very common with expats looking for paradise. I'm in Thailand right now and thinking I might give Ecuador a go. Amelia & JP paint a very rosy picture, but also mention some cons. We all need to look closely at ourselves and know that compromises are necessary. Thanks for doing a vlog on this subject.
Hi Don. Another great and to the point video as always. You’re absolutely right. Every single person has different needs and expectations. Everyone has to take into account so many things. Our age, health, mobility, company and current and near future needs. There’s no perfect place for one thing or another even if you move from one state to another. In fact it must be so if you’re thinking of moving away to a completely different town or country. If it was perfect where you are you’d not need to move. Noisy, yes. Get noise canceling EarPods and live happily ever after 👍. A lady got sealed windows and insulated inside walls. Owner actually did that for her and she’s still there. Trash? Get a few expat friends and pay a local to keep you immediate zone clean. No clean no pay. You can go to the end of the world and never find perfection. You’ll need to adjust and tweak your thinking a bit no matter where you go. Blessings and good luck 🙏
Hi Don, I have to say I was in Manta in October and I hated it. I was supposed to be there for four weeks and all I could think was that I couldn't live in Ecuador. I stayed for four days l got on a plane and went to Cotacachi. OMG what a difference. I couldn't believe how good I felt. The scenery was green and the views fantastic. I met expats there and they would come up to me and introduce themselves. I stayed at a little finca and it was wonderful. There was one man expat there that rented a small airbnb there and in vilcabamba and went back and forth whenever he wanted, he was going to Cuenca for Christmas. I suggest you get on a plane and get yourself to Cotacachi. I can give you some names of drivers who will pick you up at the airport and at a great airbnb you can stay at. Very affordable. I know that I never want to go back to Manta. But Cotacachi is where I'm going to live at. I took walks everyday, took a taxi into town and eat at the wonderful restaurants. I talked with the expats on the finca, played with the dogs and did my Spanish lessons. The locals were great, they would sit and talk with me so that I could practice my Spanish and tell me about there lives. I did nothing and it felt like I was actually living. I believe I already made the friends I'll have for life. I'm not saying it was all fun. I suffer from depression and when the sun fell, the depression would hit me. It gave me a chance to see what being there was going to be like even through the worst times. It was a healing place in all. Stay at an airbnb for awhile. It's probably cheaper than what your rent is in Manta. Then decide if you want to rent for six months or a year. Try Vilcabamba. Perhaps you would like a smaller town better.
Hi Tina, I feel the same way about Manta. It's really not for me. Too much concrete, disrespect, noise, and not much to do. I've already made plans for visiting Cotacochi. Not interested in Vilcabamba at all. Thanks for your feedback. I've heard several stories similar to yours. I too suffer from depression and I worry though about it being even worse there. I'll wait to find out. As soon as I finish my dental work and get my car, I'm heading that way.
@@DonShader, unfortunately, I have never been to Cotacochi. The closest I came was to Otavalo. However, going by the videos and photos I have seen, and the articles I have read, it's a charming and picturesque community. Cotacochi's main downside (from my point of view) is that as a small town it has little to offer in the way of activities, venues, and the like. Moreover, while it has some access to physicians, it has (to my knowledge anyway) no major hospital or clinic - and at my age, I must confess this is an important consideration. I want to live not too far from a good hospital. I had considered Manta myself for a while but it struck me as having something of a "scrubby" landscape and aspect. I get the impression that the city is undergoing active development and it may well prove to be a desirable place to live in another ten years or thereabouts. But as much as I appreciate an ocean view, Manta is not for me (at least not as a place of residence). I have considered Cuenca and Loja, but I'm leaning strongly in favor of Cumbaya (in the Quito metro area). Quito has a lot going for it but of course it does exist at a high elevation - something on the order of 9400 feet above sea level. Cumbaya, in contrast, is 7200 feet (which is lower than Cuenca as well). I'm a city person. I want to be near stores and restaurants, museums and concert halls, etc. But I also value quiet places and lots of greenery. So if I can live in a place with easy access to shops and cafes but far enough away that the street noise is not bad and I'm closer to parks and trees, that's my ideal. Besides, once I'm retired, if the beach should ever beckon, I could always bop over to Montanita or Olon for a short vacation.
@@BlazerLz Thanks Derek but I wouldn't do that. With my luck, I would drop it and then owe you for the rest of my life. Give me a holler when you get here and lets have a cup and talk motorcycles.
Speaking of cruising through Arizona, there is a popular RUclipsr who lives 6 months of the year in Mexico and 6 months traveling through Arizona in his RV. He and his wife enjoy both worlds.
Which channel, please? I'm a backpacker and haven't hiked everything on my list here in the US by a long shot! I'll probably be coming back periodically to hike, so they sound interesting. Thanks!
Don, I have been watching your channel for some time now and have always appreciated your advice and honesty. I stopped watching it for some time because in September 2022 my wife and I retired and sold everything and moved to Colombia with a carry on suit case and a backpack. My wife is originally from Colombia and it seemed like the right choice to start our retirement. I received my cedulla the end of October and am all set up with my medical insurance. That is the main reason we left the USA was because of the high cost of medical in retirement. The medical has been top notch to date and we are very happy with the service and the cost of living in Colombia. An issue we just discovered was that if we become residents and live her more than 183 day we are subject to Colombian tax with could be 35% on our US income and our savings. 35% is just too much so we are looking at other options. We still have to verify that percentage but I believe it is accurate. I will probably continue this in an email to you and check out your past videos to confirm some questions I have. Some of my questions are should we return back to the US to start the Visa process, our home state is NY. We are in the process of changing our state of residence to FL, or could we do it in Ecuador. Can you confirm that US residents are NOT taxed on their income or savings? Would you recommend a trusted lawyer to start the process? We still have to visit Ecuador for about 2-3 months to see if we like it and are looking at other options like Mexico or Spain, but Spain seems to have similar tax laws even though they have a treaty with the US. We are going to Europe for 3 months to in spring 2023 to travel and see if there are places we could retire and still afford it. Most places are too expensive. We net about $3000 a month with our pensions and social security, have no debt and enough saving so we could purchase a CD in Ecuador if that is an easier path. I apologize for writing so much. It was just on my mind and I thought I would throw out my thoughts. We are a step ahead of the game since we already retired and our plan is to establish a base country with good health care, tax laws, and cost of living and travel to different parts of the world. I am 67 and my wife is 57. Thanks for your videos and all the help you provide. Bill and Claudia
@@lvovodessa "Today in one of the Cuenca expats fb groups is a horror story about the Hospital del Rio, one of Cuenca’s best hospitals" - and we're supposed to believe anything like that from Facebook? What is the group name?
According to a recent global analysis and ranking by CEO World, Columbia's health care is NOT superior to that of Ecuador. See the URL below. It's quite the contrary - Ecuador outranks Columbia and even the United States (in this regard). We can always cherry-pick anecdotes about health care, for the good or bad, but that's no substitute for an analysis of a large sample size of data. Also, according to at least one source, Columbia has the 18th highest homicide rate (per 100,000 inhabitants), and this is higher than Ecuador. Unfortunately, Ecuador does have a serious problem right now with robberies. I have been favorably impressed with Columbia in a number of respects, but I need to correct the record here.
Hi Don I just really think that only certain people can actually expat here and remain for the rest of their lives..I ve been here 3 yrs and have had only wonderful experiences..i think the main reason people get weary is because they dont bother to learn Spanish or are simply incapable of learning it ..I love Ecuador and have loved it unseen all my days..I m blessed to be here and have no intentions of leaving ..Hope to cu in Cuenca Don..I am moving back in a few weeks..Happy Holidays Merry Christmas
Interesting chat Don. There is a 7 year rule for xpats that reasons that after 7 years , you put down enough roots and life changes to stay forever. For example, we had moved from Nova Scotia to Houston. Stayed 5 years and moved back. Has we stayed another couple years, our kids would have been enrolled in local schools and we would have not have moved back. Five years left for you :)
Trade offs. I believe going abroad for retirement is all about trade offs. You give up some things to gain other things. I am considering a few places. They all differ in pro's & con's. It is a Very Tough decision process. Good info. sources like Don's channel and its comments section help. The exploratory trips of some meaningful duration of time are very key. I still do not know. Will I ever ?
Hello! Glad you're doing better. The general climate seems to have changed rapidly in the time I've been considering Ecuador. Watching and monitoring with great internet.
We tend to think the grass is greener anywhere else after living in a place for awhile. The honeymoon phase eventually ends and you start contemplating other countries and cities that seem more exciting than where you have been living. For some people that could be a couple of years and other people maybe 6 years. I do think that's very normal and natural and if you can it's a good idea to go visit and check those places out like Don suggested and rent for a year before buying anything and making a long term commitment.
Yes Don ,November 23 rd was my 2 year anniversary all those thoughts go through my mind . Lived in Guayaquil for first. year , Manta the second year but now I feel bored.Moving to Cuenca at the end of the month !
I'll go out on a limb here. You jumped from the frying pan right into the fire. You will absolutely love Cuenca as long as you can handle the altitude.
Really good video, Don. Identifying deal breakers and must haves is really important. I am taking that to heart wrt my retirement plans. This can inform whether you really should move at all - not just when to leave. I think it is important to recognize that some people feel they have no choice but to leave the US due to finances. They too need to consider the deal breakers and must haves in order to pick the right country. Everyone's list will be different. While I am not a huge fan of Mexico, for example, its proximity to the US would be something I need to consider if we want to move, given our family situation.
It is true, it happens for everybody... I live in USA for 40+ years and still miss my noisy " third world" country! I came when l was 19, was a stewardess, went to NY, fought with my dad in Ecuador, he had a mistress so I decided to stay here and met my husband, after one year went back, my husband to be came to Ecuador, asked me to marry him, we married, came back to USA ,NY. lived in Bayside a nice place but so many places scared me in NY, all those drogadictos that look like zombies, etc had my 3 kids, moved to Midwest, I never liked the cold.. miss my beautiful warm beaches, family .. but lm stuck. This place is getting worse wit transgenders, pronouns, schools teaching kids all these crazy things, expensive medicine etc. My kids are grown up and parents themselves, I'm divorced and now leaving in a senior nice place. Thanks God lm a healthy person so, I don't know about medicine expenses. I heard other people about this and l hope I don't get sick. Take care and enjoy the beach, the weather and yes, think nowhere is perfect!
As I have shared before, I will not be able to move full time outside the US due to my large family and family responsibilities. But this question has been on my mind because I will need to relocate in a few years in order to make retirement economically possible. Even moving within the US, this can be an issue. Where we live now is really nice and I am used to everything about it, but I am sure it is amplified when one moves to another country. And I certainly felt it during my two trips to Ecuador. Things feel, sound and look different. All of us are, to some extent, creatures of habit - and many of us have difficulty breaking out of those preconceptions. I think that in either case, trying out an area first makes sense. And I think a bit of self examination helps - are you the sort of person who can embrace the change?
Maybe you could move to a larger place there and live with your girlfriend or get a 2 bedroom and have a roommate. It could be nice to have good companionship. Having good relationships can make any place you live in better. Becoming isolated is very common as we get older.
My suspicion is - that to leave Ecuador without the desire and strong anticipation for a suitable replacement - it is likely a bad idea. -- Be in pursuit of somewhere not simply leaving where you are is what I mean. = Run after something special not just away from something detestable. -?- Don's sounds like it could be Mexico - my thoughts are - w/o even yet coming to Ecuador - is for Tagaytay - in the Philippines. = US > Cuenca > Philippines - IF necessary - before I leave the US ! -- A "plan B" decided on before I leave. -- Hope that's enough ? Always the rest of S.E. Asia.
i guess i am lucky in as much as my early 20's, while serving in the US Air Force, my three base assignments were in Iceland then Las Vegas, Nv and finally Sicily. that was 40 plus years ago and to this day, i have always wanted to go back to Sicily but life goes on, you have to make a living and pretty much the Euro ruined the Dollar to Mille rate. couple that with about five years driving a big rig on and off around the country and into Canada, i think i'm ok with new places and temporary things. this past October was spent in Manta and while others use the term "culture shock", i just look at it as a different city. Culture is Culture people. it differs from city to city, block to block and even state to state. if you are a guest in a foreign country, open your mind then, open your heart. nothing is perfect but not accepting how things work where you're at isn't going to get you the Most Popular Tourist vote anytime soon. Manta isn't perfect. no city is. i live 85 miles from Los Angeles proper yet 18 miles down the road was the killings done by a couple in San Bernardino a few years back. if you're looking for the safest city to live in, Good Luck with that because shit happens EVERYWHERE! the roads in Manta aren't the best. the sidewalks definitely suck. dogs and their shit are everywhere. i think i counted eight feral cats on a vacant lot while waiting for a taxi my last night there. OMG the cars without catalytic converters stink to high heaven and the taxi drivers honking at you while they're driving in the opposite direction you're walking... HELLO?! if i wanted you to stop, i would flag you down. shez. i was lucky i wasn't in one of the more noisier parts of town so it didn't get too crazy until it was closer to Halloween. but then again, Manta had a lot going on with it's Centennial, the holiday, the Queen contest and upcoming World Cup. basically, Manta sucks in certain aspects but to be honest, getting on the plane to fly back to the states was the hardest thing i've had to do in the past 20 years. i'm back doing my work every day just waiting for someone to say or do something stupid so i can say, "that's it! i'm done! see you all later. I'm going back to Ecuador". unfortunately, i haven't been that lucky... yet. i AM counting down the days until my next trip in Q1 2023. hopefully i'll be able to say Hola! to Paola at the Laundromat again soon = ) Another Great Video, Don. thanks
This is why it's important to start traveling when you're young. If you are an experienced traveler, you won't be shocked by things you see and experience in a developing country.
Great question. I think any ex-pat living in Ecuador should always have a plan B & C as governments can radically change with a vote or a coup. (Same with US) That said I think my line would be if I was forced to carry a decoy wallet & phone when I went out. (Some ex-pats in Salinas have confided in me) that is not my idea of a life I would dream of. Granted how the love life is currently going could blur that line some. BTW returning to N America isn't in the top 4.
The moment you have doubts you should move. You're not a prisoner! You can live anywhere you want! There's nothing stopping people from moving! What I find silly is people who judge a place by looking only in one place! Ecuador is a vast and beautiful country. The diversity of climate and culture and beauty is fantastic. We're lucky as Americans' to have the ability to make choices. Others cannot.
The moment you have doubts you should move? I don't go along with that. If we all took this advice, we could wind up fleeing a country on the basis of nothing more than a mood swing. Don't get me wrong - I don't say we should ignore our doubts. To the contrary, we should take them seriously and evaluate the foundation on which they rest. But no one, and I do mean no one, is certain about their choices every day of the year. Whether it's about a job, relationship, or place of residence, if we are thinking individuals we are bound to reconsider from time to time. And there's nothing wrong with that. It's a healthy thing. What's not healthy though is to allow our doubts to hold us hostage the instant we encounter them.
@@RJMincey When you start to think about moving, you will find other reasons to affirm your choice. People don't just move. Moving is one of the top 3 stressors in life. You took a far too literal swipe at the basis of my thesis which is when you start to think you should leave there are usually reasons for it. Staying until your feelings change usually ends up being the wrong strategy becomes something undoubtedly will happen and you're wish you would have went with your gut There is no RIGHT answer with this. You live your way, I'll choose happiness over regrets 100% of the time
@@lawrencelipman5426, I choose happiness over regrets too. But one can regret actions taken in haste as much as they can regret the choice to keep the status quo. To be sure, one can over-analyze and devote too much time to research. No question about it. If we have the attitude that we must know every last scrap of data before we make a change, then we will never change. But the other extreme (of changing the instant we feel a pang in our gut) is problematic too. Some people change for the sake of change. They leap toward every new shiny thing. And that can lead us in a direction that doesn't suit us well. What we feel in our gut at any given moment can be very ephemeral. Our "gut" can tell us one thing today only for it to tell us another thing tomorrow. Our intellect is not always right, but neither is our gut (or intuition) always right. There is a sweet spot between these things, and I just feel that your first comment above doesn't strike that balance. I do think you make other good points though. We should not judge a country by looking at only one place. The irony though is that this requires time for us to do some exploration and research. It means we should not make a snap decision.
Another great video, Don. I know you didn't have a good experience with AirBnb, but would you mind saying how much the accommodations cost and what type of room you had? I'm starting to put a budget together in preparation for my trip down there in April/May and have noticed the airfare for the flight I would take (Delta non-stop from ATL to Quito) has increased $150 from the last time I checked to when I checked it a couple days ago ($680 to $830). Take care and be safe...
My AirBnB in Cuenca was $835 for one month. I got gringo'd. The two that I stayed in here on the coast were considerably less, but quite honestly, I don't remember but I do remember that they both SUCKED.
@@DonShader No. I'm referring to just the cost of a room/place to stay. I'm planning on 1K for airfare, $250 for food, and $250 for 'other' for my trip...just would like to try and nail down an amount for lodging and would like to keep total cost to 2K at most.
Yes. MR. Shader..I completely. Agree. W u .not easy .to survive in in my native country .have u try to go for a trip to Spain Madrid. Just VISIT. .there's plenty retiree LIVING .there. THANKS for sharing. 🇪🇨
Great post as usual Don. You tell it just like it is, no sugar coating. People need to realize that Ecuador is a third world country and even behind in many things when compared to its So.American neighbors. Don’t believe those youtube videos that sell Manta as paradise. Sure it looks great from the high rise apartment overlooking the ocean but that’s only part of the experience. There’s no paradise for $1000/month. As you’ve said many times, do an exploratory visit first, maybe 1-2 weeks, if you like it, try a 6-month stay and see how it works. Its a big decision, do it wisely. Don’t rush.
Thanks Peter. That's exactly how I feel about it. When anyone comes to Manta, especially after following certain RUclipsrs, there is a great possibility there will be many surprises that they probably won't like. -ds
Peter, I wouldn't go so far as to say Ecuador is a third world country. It's not the jungle or the bush. Instead, I think it's better to characterize it as a developing nation. For instance, it shows glimmers here and there of being on par with the most developed nations. But even as Ecuador also falls behind the developed world in other areas, calling it a third world country can evoke images which are more misleading than not. It's not some muddy backwater after all. Don't get me wrong - I realize that some RUclipsrs may be very selective in what they show and then mislead their audience in the other direction. True enough. Ecuador is not heaven on Earth. Still, this country shows much promise in my opinion. It's a work in progress, and I have high hopes for it.
Hi Jeff, thanks for your reply. Technically, developing countries are also known as being “third world”. By no means they are jungle and bushes. I’m Peruvian and Peru is definitely a third world country and we’re ok with it. The challenge is to push forward in the right direction but there’s always a lot of obstacles, number one being corruption which is so common in pretty much all of South America
@@peterhammond1851, well, I don't want to get too much into the linguistic weeds over terminology, so we can just say, "To each their own." The terms, first world, second world, and third world originated from the time of the Cold War for the self-serving purposes of the United States and NATO on the one hand and the former Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact on the other hand. The term, third world, has today fallen out of fashion among people who study world affairs and international relations. It strikes me as an example of Western privilege to lump together the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, et. al. and then say that virtually everyone else is "third world." I prefer to use a term that is more accurate and descriptive and also that is more granular in its focus. Or do you think it makes sense to use the same term to classify both Ecuador and Haiti (to use but two examples)? Ha - so no sooner than I say I don't want to get too much in the weeds over terminology than I do that very thing. Sorry about that. 🙂
I live in Ecuador and things work here too. There are many things in the US that don't work well at all, including quality of life and affordability. Everything is a tradeoff, no matter where you go.
I had the same fist experience Don. I made 7 trips over a two year period to Ecuador. On my first trip, I visited the beach areas from Salinas to Puerto Lopez. I was literally in shock over much of what I saw my first week here. I got depressed thinking I could never live here. Later, I visted la sierra and it was so much better. In subsequent trips, I slowly adjusted to the things that had bothered me. And now after 3.5 years here, I am not bothered by much. But #1 for me is and always has been the litter. Such a beautiful country uglied by the litter. Second are the dogs. I can't take walks without being acausted by dogs. But, the people here are super sweet and kind. I am the happiest I've probably ever been.
where do you live, Tom ?in EC? I'm moving to EC, sooon., '23. working on visa, emptying house.
Tom
, when I was a kid, i remember the tv campaign, fed. govt. , smokey they bear, pick up trash; dont throw trash. the ditches were loaded. the campaign had trah fly out car window. then reverse, back into car window. ha ha. it worked. it became very unpopular to throw trash. later organizations adpted highways....
@@BPe-ie9je I live outside of Riobamba. I love it here, just bitching about things that bother me. Yes, when we were kids, litter was bad in the US. Ladybird Johnson's campaign to keep America beautiful started the ball rolling in the US.
I love hearing that you are the happiest you’ve ever been despite some problems. This puts much into perspective.
I plan to bring my two dogs (45# Portuguese Water Dogs…. )
After 8.5 years in Ecuador, it's what I'm questioning now, not to return to US [no thanks] but for a new experience elsewhere. I have never regretted moving here. It's been a great experience for me. Anything could happen anywhere you go. I don't think like that. Such experiences tests one's knowledge of self. As the saying goes, "wherever you go, there you are!" I wanted to hear your thoughts on it. ☀🌎 ✨
Thank you Don. Such any important topic for any expat or immigrant.
I’m here in Mexico single lady for 8 months now and obtained my residency. I am not retired and work online. The honeymoon does wear off anywhere you go and the need to work makes it a reality that I’m not on a vacation here.
Many of my USA friends and family think I’m sitting by the sea/pool sipping Cocktails and working on my tan. I do get very homesick at times for Texas, Oregon, Midwest, all my friends and family. I also realized when I start feeling homesick that I’m longing for the way things were 30 years ago in USA or when I was a child. After thinking of this I realize I am so much happier right where I am south of the border. My ultimate goal is to obtain a 2nd residency somewhere else and my 1st pick was Ecuador.
I fall into that trap also from time, longing to go back to the USA of 30 years ago. Then I snap out of it when I remember that it's not the same place. Ecuador has its problems, but it's been very good to us. We're very blessed to call Ecuador home.
Hi, what is the good place to live in Mexico for single ladies ? I am moving to Mexico in a few weeks. Thanks.
@@eleonoravishenina5482
Congratulations 🎉 It really depends on what is on your list of needs, wants, weather, budget and goals. For safety, being new to Mexico, a solid expat community there are several. Merida, Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel, Mexico City and a few more. Me personally I’m not big on hanging around a bunch of tourists and desire to immerse myself in the culture. I’m currently in Playa del Carmen but really was just here to gain my residency with a well known attorney here. I felt comfortable starting here because I had lived here 4 years ago for a few months, have friends here. Honestly Playa del Carmen Cancun etc. are all relatively new and do not have a lot of historical buildings. There are a lot of Myan ruins cenote‘s and Myan culture to learn about here. However I’m ready to explore the Northern state of Veracruz and visit some more indigenous areas such as Chiapas. Mexico is a really big country so the possibilities are vast. I highly recommend to join the female solo expat groups for Mexico on Facebook and groups for areas that strike your interest.
Best wishes to you and your exciting adventures. Email me anytime.
@@destinationmax Thank you for responding. I am also planning to visit Veracruz , San Cristobal Chiapas , Hidalgo, Morelia Michiocan and a few small pueblas magico, I have a big list of them. Morelia, PV , Cancun is too hot and humid and touristy for me. I want to be able to grow my own garden in the future . I can give you my phone number, if you want to contact me, I don't use Facebook.
@@eleonoravishenina5482
A girl after my own heart 💜
I also plan to explore the Pueblas Mágicos for the same reason. Lush forest areas to be able to grow my own food, plants and some chickens 🐓
Maybe a couple of goat kids, and a loyal huggable dog 🐕
I would love to exchange numbers.
Don! Great to see you! I know that this question leads to several sets of ideas that Tracie and I struggle with as we prepare to move to Ecuador. I hope you know that your videos, perspective, and candor, are invaluable during this process! We are grateful to have found you and grateful for the way in which you have embraced us as friends and for your willingness to share your life in Ecuador! Thank you, Don!
@@twylaingerson5945, Don Shader doesn't need me to jump to his defense because quite clearly he can handle that himself. But just for my own information, where has Don ever claimed that some countries have no poverty at all? If he has made such a claim, I have missed it. (Or are you referring here to a different person named Don?)
As for Amelia and JP, I have no problem with them myself. I think they perform a valuable service with their videos and research. But if Don has a different point of view, and he "dares" to express it, why is that cause for shame?
I can relate to how you feel; 40 years ago when I came to the states all I thought was I wanted to go back to Manta; I missed my friends, my relatives but I had to wait until I had the money to go back. I didn’t know anybody, I didn’t speak the language so I decided to go to college, my circumstances changed. I got married and started a family. I lost my husband last year and we wanted to retire to Ecuador, all that changed and now I only go to visit my mother because I have my sons here in the states and don’t want to be away from them. I think most of us who leave our home country feel homesick no matter how long you’ve been away.
I couldn't agree more. Thanks for sharing Amelia.
Don, as always, lots of helpful commentary. The greatest value I take from this video is twofold:
1. Don't expect the honeymoon to last. It will end.
2. Get creative in order to make a good life for yourself.
This is sound advice not only for those of us who move abroad but also for anyone who contemplates (or makes) a major change in life - whether of job, relationship, or place of residence.
Case in point - even when moving just from one American city to another I have had (in my younger days) an almost gushy enthusiasm over making a fresh start. And one might call this a honeymoon. But of course this feeling inevitably fades over time, and from that point on we have to make sure we have all the building blocks in place for a satisfying or rewarding life.
And if we don't, then we either need to move yet again or, as you say, we need to get creative.
This is especially true for retired persons. When the time comes for me to retire (which will be soon), I don't want to be put out to pasture - or, worse yet, to be the very one doing it to myself. I want to remain engaged with life.
To be sure, there are always conditions and circumstances which lie outside our control, but for our day-to-day routines, we are often the author of our own trials, and so it's incumbent on us - out of volition and an inner strength - to break out of it and become the architect of our future and how we choose to live.
Yes, just words. So easy to TALK about living and not always so easy to live. But many people struggle with retirement - no matter the country they call home. And I want to make sure, when I take stock of myself, to determine whether I really need a change of country or instead a change within me.
As I ponder this question, I think in my case the answer is both. I need a change in both.
I was last in Ecuador in 2014, and at that time I was under no illusions that it would be some kind of Shangri la. I knew it was a developing nation and not to be mistaken for Australia or Canada or France. Still, when I think of what I need in order to be happy, it's not fancy accommodations or the finest clothes. I can be happy and still live rather modestly. Don't get me wrong - especially in my old age I want life to be simple and easy - at least as much as possible. I'm not a twenty-something who embraces a rustic way of life. I make no bones about wanting some comfort in my later years.
Still, I'm sure I can be happy in Ecuador - even more so than in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, or other expat hot spots in Latin America. There are pros and cons to all places, and neither Ecuador nor the United States are exceptions. But as I survey my non-negotiables and I weigh all the pros and cons, right now Quito is looking like the place for me.
I hope one day to join you for breakfast or coffee at one of your favorite Ecuadorian hangouts.
Thanks Jeff. That all makes perfect sense to me. Good luck to you. Thanks for your thought provoking feedback. It's much appreciated and worthy of keeping in the archives.
-ds
I have never thought of going back to Canada, and feel more immigrant than expat. Bought a house and being over 65yrs of age have no property taxes, and pay only 1/2 for electricity and travel. Care free with no bills and enough pension money to live as well as I want. I started a little farm and keep busy enough that there isn't much time to get home sick, and I probably would'nt anyway. Tried Cuenca, but it's too cold at night up there. The coast has everything I wanted being warm at the equator with warm water and beaches. No ocean up in the hills which was'nt for me. Biggest problem was boredom, which I solved by making Ecuadorian friends.
I like ur down to earth honesty abt ur experience. Honeymoon phase of both relocation AND retirement is a real phenomenon
I myself haven’t had any second thoughts about moving to Cuenca. I will never ever return to the US. I might move to another country but never to the US.
been here for 10 months now, first 4 in Loja, now in Pto Lopez, and in June, somewhere else but not sure where yet. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to leave the US, and am really enjoying being here in EC. There are always plusses and minuses to everyplace in the world, I think. No two people will have the same experiences. There is a great deal here that I love, but I also know that one day I will leave, as some of the minuses are pretty big ones for me. It is a reasonable flight into Florida to see my elderly Dad, but after he passes I will no longer have any desire to continue visiting the US and will likely move much further afield. I always moved a lot within the US, I enjoy discovering new places as a resident, so it is just part of the adventure of life for me, and want to continue that while I still can!
Hi Don. I’m your age so kinda know your fears on the move. You are so lucky to of gotten out of the US. Totally a different way of life. I would be there if I wasn’t married. I’m just board with this country. I was a truck driver and slept in the day time. I put hand cream on my ear plugs and shoved them in. Sometimes need tweezers to get them out. Couldn’t hear nothing. No damage to my ears. I’ve had a lot of bad experiences in Mexico. Wouldn’t go there. We looked in Cotacachi but I think I liked Cuenca better. Cotacachi is a quite town. Where ever you go I’m sure you will do great.
Hi Don, This video really resonated with me. There are things that I've realized after living in Ecuador I would like to have and experience but that won't really be fulfilled here. I'm giving it my best effort and will continue to do so but you are so right that "you know" if its the right place for you. The checklist is a great idea because although I find so much positive about living here, it's just my personal preferences that I feel will be better fulfilled for me in another place. However, I don't kid myself that every place you go is a trade-off. Sometimes you are just switching seats with a different view. Anyway, thank you for giving me the freedom to think about this in a healthy way, and to the guy who emailed you.
I’m a big one for having a goals list, a dealbreakers list, and a generally cheerful attitude. Living anywhere where you aren’t fluent is a huge amount of emotional labor.
Great video Don. It's great that you brought up this topic. All of us go through it, a moment or period of doubt, but like some, I didn't know this is very common with expats looking for paradise. I'm in Thailand right now and thinking I might give Ecuador a go. Amelia & JP paint a very rosy picture, but also mention some cons. We all need to look closely at ourselves and know that compromises are necessary. Thanks for doing a vlog on this subject.
Hi Don. Another great and to the point video as always. You’re absolutely right. Every single person has different needs and expectations. Everyone has to take into account so many things. Our age, health, mobility, company and current and near future needs. There’s no perfect place for one thing or another even if you move from one state to another. In fact it must be so if you’re thinking of moving away to a completely different town or country. If it was perfect where you are you’d not need to move. Noisy, yes. Get noise canceling EarPods and live happily ever after 👍. A lady got sealed windows and insulated inside walls. Owner actually did that for her and she’s still there. Trash? Get a few expat friends and pay a local to keep you immediate zone clean. No clean no pay. You can go to the end of the world and never find perfection. You’ll need to adjust and tweak your thinking a bit no matter where you go. Blessings and good luck 🙏
Hi Don,
I have to say I was in Manta in October and I hated it. I was supposed to be there for four weeks and all I could think was that I couldn't live in Ecuador. I stayed for four days l got on a plane and went to Cotacachi. OMG what a difference. I couldn't believe how good I felt. The scenery was green and the views fantastic. I met expats there and they would come up to me and introduce themselves.
I stayed at a little finca and it was wonderful. There was one man expat there that rented a small airbnb there and in vilcabamba and went back and forth whenever he wanted, he was going to Cuenca for Christmas.
I suggest you get on a plane and get yourself to Cotacachi. I can give you some names of drivers who will pick you up at the airport and at a great airbnb you can stay at. Very affordable.
I know that I never want to go back to Manta. But Cotacachi is where I'm going to live at. I took walks everyday, took a taxi into town and eat at the wonderful restaurants. I talked with the expats on the finca, played with the dogs and did my Spanish lessons. The locals were great, they would sit and talk with me so that I could practice my Spanish and tell me about there lives. I did nothing and it felt like I was actually living.
I believe I already made the friends I'll have for life.
I'm not saying it was all fun. I suffer from depression and when the sun fell, the depression would hit me. It gave me a chance to see what being there was going to be like even through the worst times. It was a healing place in all.
Stay at an airbnb for awhile. It's probably cheaper than what your rent is in Manta. Then decide if you want to rent for six months or a year. Try Vilcabamba. Perhaps you would like a smaller town better.
Hi Tina,
I feel the same way about Manta. It's really not for me. Too much concrete, disrespect, noise, and not much to do. I've already made plans for visiting Cotacochi. Not interested in Vilcabamba at all.
Thanks for your feedback. I've heard several stories similar to yours. I too suffer from depression and I worry though about it being even worse there. I'll wait to find out. As soon as I finish my dental work and get my car, I'm heading that way.
@@DonShader, unfortunately, I have never been to Cotacochi. The closest I came was to Otavalo. However, going by the videos and photos I have seen, and the articles I have read, it's a charming and picturesque community. Cotacochi's main downside (from my point of view) is that as a small town it has little to offer in the way of activities, venues, and the like. Moreover, while it has some access to physicians, it has (to my knowledge anyway) no major hospital or clinic - and at my age, I must confess this is an important consideration. I want to live not too far from a good hospital.
I had considered Manta myself for a while but it struck me as having something of a "scrubby" landscape and aspect. I get the impression that the city is undergoing active development and it may well prove to be a desirable place to live in another ten years or thereabouts. But as much as I appreciate an ocean view, Manta is not for me (at least not as a place of residence).
I have considered Cuenca and Loja, but I'm leaning strongly in favor of Cumbaya (in the Quito metro area). Quito has a lot going for it but of course it does exist at a high elevation - something on the order of 9400 feet above sea level. Cumbaya, in contrast, is 7200 feet (which is lower than Cuenca as well).
I'm a city person. I want to be near stores and restaurants, museums and concert halls, etc. But I also value quiet places and lots of greenery. So if I can live in a place with easy access to shops and cafes but far enough away that the street noise is not bad and I'm closer to parks and trees, that's my ideal.
Besides, once I'm retired, if the beach should ever beckon, I could always bop over to Montanita or Olon for a short vacation.
@@BlazerLz Thanks Derek but I wouldn't do that. With my luck, I would drop it and then owe you for the rest of my life. Give me a holler when you get here and lets have a cup and talk motorcycles.
Speaking of cruising through Arizona, there is a popular RUclipsr who lives 6 months of the year in Mexico and 6 months traveling through Arizona in his RV. He and his wife enjoy both worlds.
Which channel, please? I'm a backpacker and haven't hiked everything on my list here in the US by a long shot! I'll probably be coming back periodically to hike, so they sound interesting. Thanks!
@@leapintothewild JC Travel Stories
Don, I have been watching your channel for some time now and have always appreciated your advice and honesty. I stopped watching it for some time because in September 2022 my wife and I retired and sold everything and moved to Colombia with a carry on suit case and a backpack. My wife is originally from Colombia and it seemed like the right choice to start our retirement. I received my cedulla the end of October and am all set up with my medical insurance. That is the main reason we left the USA was because of the high cost of medical in retirement. The medical has been top notch to date and we are very happy with the service and the cost of living in Colombia. An issue we just discovered was that if we become residents and live her more than 183 day we are subject to Colombian tax with could be 35% on our US income and our savings. 35% is just too much so we are looking at other options. We still have to verify that percentage but I believe it is accurate. I will probably continue this in an email to you and check out your past videos to confirm some questions I have. Some of my questions are should we return back to the US to start the Visa process, our home state is NY. We are in the process of changing our state of residence to FL, or could we do it in Ecuador. Can you confirm that US residents are NOT taxed on their income or savings? Would you recommend a trusted lawyer to start the process? We still have to visit Ecuador for about 2-3 months to see if we like it and are looking at other options like Mexico or Spain, but Spain seems to have similar tax laws even though they have a treaty with the US. We are going to Europe for 3 months to in spring 2023 to travel and see if there are places we could retire and still afford it. Most places are too expensive. We net about $3000 a month with our pensions and social security, have no debt and enough saving so we could purchase a CD in Ecuador if that is an easier path. I apologize for writing so much. It was just on my mind and I thought I would throw out my thoughts. We are a step ahead of the game since we already retired and our plan is to establish a base country with good health care, tax laws, and cost of living and travel to different parts of the world. I am 67 and my wife is 57. Thanks for your videos and all the help you provide. Bill and Claudia
US citizens are not taxed on their retirement income in Ecuador.
@@lvovodessa "Today in one of the Cuenca expats fb groups is a horror story about the Hospital del Rio, one of Cuenca’s best hospitals" - and we're supposed to believe anything like that from Facebook? What is the group name?
I heard Portugal is a good choice in Europe, it’s cheap according to Amelia and JP.
According to a recent global analysis and ranking by CEO World, Columbia's health care is NOT superior to that of Ecuador. See the URL below. It's quite the contrary - Ecuador outranks Columbia and even the United States (in this regard).
We can always cherry-pick anecdotes about health care, for the good or bad, but that's no substitute for an analysis of a large sample size of data.
Also, according to at least one source, Columbia has the 18th highest homicide rate (per 100,000 inhabitants), and this is higher than Ecuador. Unfortunately, Ecuador does have a serious problem right now with robberies.
I have been favorably impressed with Columbia in a number of respects, but I need to correct the record here.
Very helpful information. Thanks!
Good video as usual Don.
Thank you for sharing your insights.
Always appreciate your candor, Don! 😎
Hi Don
I just really think that only certain people can actually expat here and remain for the rest of their lives..I ve been here 3 yrs and have had only wonderful experiences..i think the main reason people get weary is because they dont bother to learn Spanish or are simply incapable of learning it ..I love Ecuador and have loved it unseen all my days..I m blessed to be here and have no intentions of leaving ..Hope to cu in Cuenca Don..I am moving back in a few weeks..Happy Holidays Merry Christmas
I can’t thank you enough Don, you are so incredibly talented in your work on uTube I can’t wait to watch you 😊
Wow, thank you. That means a lot to me.
-ds
Interesting chat Don. There is a 7 year rule for xpats that reasons that after 7 years , you put down enough roots and life changes to stay forever. For example, we had moved from Nova Scotia to Houston. Stayed 5 years and moved back. Has we stayed another couple years, our kids would have been enrolled in local schools and we would have not have moved back. Five years left for you :)
I'll be lucky if I live five more years.
Trade offs. I believe going abroad for retirement is all about trade offs.
You give up some things to gain other things. I am considering a few places. They all differ in pro's & con's.
It is a Very Tough decision process. Good info. sources like Don's channel and its comments section help.
The exploratory trips of some meaningful duration of time are very key. I still do not know. Will I ever ?
Hello! Glad you're doing better. The general climate seems to have changed rapidly in the time I've been considering Ecuador. Watching and monitoring with great internet.
We tend to think the grass is greener anywhere else after living in a place for awhile. The honeymoon phase eventually ends and you start contemplating other countries and cities that seem more exciting than where you have been living. For some people that could be a couple of years and other people maybe 6 years. I do think that's very normal and natural and if you can it's a good idea to go visit and check those places out like Don suggested and rent for a year before buying anything and making a long term commitment.
That viewer did ask some interesting questions and they were so well-worded too. 👍🏽
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very informative and real! Outstanding!
always helpful.. thanks Don
Hello Don, I think it be best if you create new memories. Not look back. Your in a better place. Make it your best. God bless you 🙏
This is NOT about me.
Yes Don ,November 23 rd was my 2 year anniversary all those thoughts go through my mind . Lived in Guayaquil for first. year , Manta the second year but now I feel bored.Moving to Cuenca at the end of the month !
I'll go out on a limb here. You jumped from the frying pan right into the fire. You will absolutely love Cuenca as long as you can handle the altitude.
Interesting perspective and great food for thought.
Really good video, Don. Identifying deal breakers and must haves is really important. I am taking that to heart wrt my retirement plans. This can inform whether you really should move at all - not just when to leave.
I think it is important to recognize that some people feel they have no choice but to leave the US due to finances. They too need to consider the deal breakers and must haves in order to pick the right country. Everyone's list will be different. While I am not a huge fan of Mexico, for example, its proximity to the US would be something I need to consider if we want to move, given our family situation.
I feel the same way about Mex and I'm reasonably sure that's where I'll end up in a couple years.
Good advice thanks🤠👍
You bet
Home is, where the heart is. Where the heart is, isn't always home!
It is true, it happens for everybody... I live in USA for 40+ years and still miss my noisy " third world" country! I came when l was 19, was a stewardess, went to NY, fought with my dad in Ecuador, he had a mistress so I decided to stay here and met my husband, after one year went back, my husband to be came to Ecuador, asked me to marry him, we married, came back to USA ,NY. lived in Bayside a nice place but so many places scared me in NY, all those drogadictos that look like zombies, etc had my 3 kids, moved to Midwest, I never liked the cold.. miss my beautiful warm beaches, family .. but lm stuck. This place is getting worse wit transgenders, pronouns, schools teaching kids all these crazy things, expensive medicine etc. My kids are grown up and parents themselves, I'm divorced and now leaving in a senior nice place. Thanks God lm a healthy person so, I don't know about medicine expenses. I heard other people about this and l hope I don't get sick. Take care and enjoy the beach, the weather and yes, think nowhere is perfect!
As I have shared before, I will not be able to move full time outside the US due to my large family and family responsibilities. But this question has been on my mind because I will need to relocate in a few years in order to make retirement economically possible. Even moving within the US, this can be an issue. Where we live now is really nice and I am used to everything about it, but I am sure it is amplified when one moves to another country. And I certainly felt it during my two trips to Ecuador. Things feel, sound and look different. All of us are, to some extent, creatures of habit - and many of us have difficulty breaking out of those preconceptions. I think that in either case, trying out an area first makes sense. And I think a bit of self examination helps - are you the sort of person who can embrace the change?
Maybe you could move to a larger place there and live with your girlfriend or get a 2 bedroom and have a roommate. It could be nice to have good companionship. Having good relationships can make any place you live in better. Becoming isolated is very common as we get older.
My suspicion is - that to leave Ecuador without the desire and strong anticipation for a suitable replacement - it is likely a bad idea. -- Be in pursuit of somewhere not simply leaving where you are is what I mean. = Run after something special not just away from something detestable. -?- Don's sounds like it could be Mexico - my thoughts are - w/o even yet coming to Ecuador - is for Tagaytay - in the Philippines. = US > Cuenca > Philippines - IF necessary - before I leave the US ! -- A "plan B" decided on before I leave. -- Hope that's enough ? Always the rest of S.E. Asia.
i guess i am lucky in as much as my early 20's, while serving in the US Air Force, my three base assignments were in Iceland then Las Vegas, Nv and finally Sicily. that was 40 plus years ago and to this day, i have always wanted to go back to Sicily but life goes on, you have to make a living and pretty much the Euro ruined the Dollar to Mille rate. couple that with about five years driving a big rig on and off around the country and into Canada, i think i'm ok with new places and temporary things.
this past October was spent in Manta and while others use the term "culture shock", i just look at it as a different city. Culture is Culture people. it differs from city to city, block to block and even state to state. if you are a guest in a foreign country, open your mind then, open your heart. nothing is perfect but not accepting how things work where you're at isn't going to get you the Most Popular Tourist vote anytime soon.
Manta isn't perfect. no city is. i live 85 miles from Los Angeles proper yet 18 miles down the road was the killings done by a couple in San Bernardino a few years back. if you're looking for the safest city to live in, Good Luck with that because shit happens EVERYWHERE!
the roads in Manta aren't the best. the sidewalks definitely suck. dogs and their shit are everywhere. i think i counted eight feral cats on a vacant lot while waiting for a taxi my last night there. OMG the cars without catalytic converters stink to high heaven and the taxi drivers honking at you while they're driving in the opposite direction you're walking... HELLO?! if i wanted you to stop, i would flag you down. shez. i was lucky i wasn't in one of the more noisier parts of town so it didn't get too crazy until it was closer to Halloween. but then again, Manta had a lot going on with it's Centennial, the holiday, the Queen contest and upcoming World Cup.
basically, Manta sucks in certain aspects but to be honest, getting on the plane to fly back to the states was the hardest thing i've had to do in the past 20 years. i'm back doing my work every day just waiting for someone to say or do something stupid so i can say, "that's it! i'm done! see you all later. I'm going back to Ecuador". unfortunately, i haven't been that lucky... yet. i AM counting down the days until my next trip in Q1 2023. hopefully i'll be able to say Hola! to Paola at the Laundromat again soon = )
Another Great Video, Don. thanks
This is why it's important to start traveling when you're young. If you are an experienced traveler, you won't be shocked by things you see and experience in a developing country.
I don't agree with that at all but thanks for your contribution.
Great question.
I think any ex-pat living in Ecuador should always have a plan B & C as governments can radically change with a vote or a coup. (Same with US)
That said I think my line would be if I was forced to carry a decoy wallet & phone when I went out. (Some ex-pats in Salinas have confided in me) that is not my idea of a life I would dream of.
Granted how the love life is currently going could blur that line some.
BTW returning to N America isn't in the top 4.
The moment you have doubts you should move. You're not a prisoner! You can live anywhere you want! There's nothing stopping people from moving! What I find silly is people who judge a place by looking only in one place! Ecuador is a vast and beautiful country. The diversity of climate and culture and beauty is fantastic. We're lucky as Americans' to have the ability to make choices. Others cannot.
The moment you have doubts you should move? I don't go along with that. If we all took this advice, we could wind up fleeing a country on the basis of nothing more than a mood swing.
Don't get me wrong - I don't say we should ignore our doubts. To the contrary, we should take them seriously and evaluate the foundation on which they rest. But no one, and I do mean no one, is certain about their choices every day of the year. Whether it's about a job, relationship, or place of residence, if we are thinking individuals we are bound to reconsider from time to time. And there's nothing wrong with that. It's a healthy thing.
What's not healthy though is to allow our doubts to hold us hostage the instant we encounter them.
@@RJMincey When you start to think about moving, you will find other reasons to affirm your choice. People don't just move. Moving is one of the top 3 stressors in life. You took a far too literal swipe at the basis of my thesis which is when you start to think you should leave there are usually reasons for it. Staying until your feelings change usually ends up being the wrong strategy becomes something undoubtedly will happen and you're wish you would have went with your gut There is no RIGHT answer with this. You live your way, I'll choose happiness over regrets 100% of the time
@@lawrencelipman5426, I choose happiness over regrets too. But one can regret actions taken in haste as much as they can regret the choice to keep the status quo.
To be sure, one can over-analyze and devote too much time to research. No question about it. If we have the attitude that we must know every last scrap of data before we make a change, then we will never change.
But the other extreme (of changing the instant we feel a pang in our gut) is problematic too. Some people change for the sake of change. They leap toward every new shiny thing. And that can lead us in a direction that doesn't suit us well.
What we feel in our gut at any given moment can be very ephemeral. Our "gut" can tell us one thing today only for it to tell us another thing tomorrow.
Our intellect is not always right, but neither is our gut (or intuition) always right. There is a sweet spot between these things, and I just feel that your first comment above doesn't strike that balance.
I do think you make other good points though. We should not judge a country by looking at only one place. The irony though is that this requires time for us to do some exploration and research. It means we should not make a snap decision.
Another great video, Don. I know you didn't have a good experience with AirBnb, but would you mind saying how much the accommodations cost and what type of room you had? I'm starting to put a budget together in preparation for my trip down there in April/May and have noticed the airfare for the flight I would take (Delta non-stop from ATL to Quito) has increased $150 from the last time I checked to when I checked it a couple days ago ($680 to $830). Take care and be safe...
My AirBnB in Cuenca was $835 for one month. I got gringo'd. The two that I stayed in here on the coast were considerably less, but quite honestly, I don't remember but I do remember that they both SUCKED.
@@DonShader Ok, thanks for the info. Would it be safe to say $500 for 2 weeks is a good number to use for budgeting purposes?
@@KG-xt4oq Are you talking $500 for everything including rent?
@@DonShader No. I'm referring to just the cost of a room/place to stay. I'm planning on 1K for airfare, $250 for food, and $250 for 'other' for my trip...just would like to try and nail down an amount for lodging and would like to keep total cost to 2K at most.
@@KG-xt4oq You should be fine with that amount.
Morning Don!
Mornin!
Yes. MR. Shader..I completely. Agree. W u .not easy .to survive in in my native country .have u try to go for a trip to Spain Madrid. Just VISIT. .there's plenty retiree LIVING .there. THANKS for sharing. 🇪🇨
It's crossed my mind a few times. But don't know if I could afford it.
Hard to get products here in the US anymore!
I keep hearing that.
Great post as usual Don. You tell it just like it is, no sugar coating. People need to realize that Ecuador is a third world country and even behind in many things when compared to its So.American neighbors. Don’t believe those youtube videos that sell Manta as paradise. Sure it looks great from the high rise apartment overlooking the ocean but that’s only part of the experience. There’s no paradise for $1000/month. As you’ve said many times, do an exploratory visit first, maybe 1-2 weeks, if you like it, try a 6-month stay and see how it works. Its a big decision, do it wisely. Don’t rush.
Thanks Peter. That's exactly how I feel about it. When anyone comes to Manta, especially after following certain RUclipsrs, there is a great possibility there will be many surprises that they probably won't like.
-ds
Peter, I wouldn't go so far as to say Ecuador is a third world country. It's not the jungle or the bush. Instead, I think it's better to characterize it as a developing nation. For instance, it shows glimmers here and there of being on par with the most developed nations.
But even as Ecuador also falls behind the developed world in other areas, calling it a third world country can evoke images which are more misleading than not. It's not some muddy backwater after all.
Don't get me wrong - I realize that some RUclipsrs may be very selective in what they show and then mislead their audience in the other direction. True enough. Ecuador is not heaven on Earth. Still, this country shows much promise in my opinion.
It's a work in progress, and I have high hopes for it.
Hi Jeff, thanks for your reply. Technically, developing countries are also known as being “third world”. By no means they are jungle and bushes. I’m Peruvian and Peru is definitely a third world country and we’re ok with it. The challenge is to push forward in the right direction but there’s always a lot of obstacles, number one being corruption which is so common in pretty much all of South America
@@peterhammond1851, well, I don't want to get too much into the linguistic weeds over terminology, so we can just say, "To each their own."
The terms, first world, second world, and third world originated from the time of the Cold War for the self-serving purposes of the United States and NATO on the one hand and the former Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact on the other hand.
The term, third world, has today fallen out of fashion among people who study world affairs and international relations.
It strikes me as an example of Western privilege to lump together the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, et. al. and then say that virtually everyone else is "third world."
I prefer to use a term that is more accurate and descriptive and also that is more granular in its focus. Or do you think it makes sense to use the same term to classify both Ecuador and Haiti (to use but two examples)?
Ha - so no sooner than I say I don't want to get too much in the weeds over terminology than I do that very thing. Sorry about that. 🙂
“To each their own”. I like that. Regardless of the category, what matters IMO is how comfortable you feel living in Peru,Ecuador, US or Haiti.
Hi Don, what's stopping you buying a motorcycle there and touring?
Availability and costs, not to mention the danger factor.
You touch and discuss on many things that I’ve thought about recently and was wondering about US medicare… do you have it
Yes, when I'm in the states. Here, it's called IESS but I don't use it.
Hi can you move back in the states? Things work in the states.
Health care works in the United States - provided that you are rich.
Sure if I want to live on the streets and not have health care.
I live in Ecuador and things work here too. There are many things in the US that don't work well at all, including quality of life and affordability. Everything is a tradeoff, no matter where you go.
having trouble hearing you.....low volume
I just checked and I don’t see a problem with it.
@@DonShader msnbc coming thru chromebok (which I hate! mistake,,,,wish apple.... ) maybe internet. tks, good video!
@@DonShader I can turn you up enough, but the commercials blow my ears out, lol!
I understand but my audio levels are the same as my other videos.
Don't sell everything and move to Ecuador! Just be a snow bird. Nuff said.
That might be a good idea for people of wealth or considerable means. But not so much for others.
What is your email address??
You have to actually go to my channel page. It's there.