Moving Abroad E-book - judithbanquist.gumroad.com/l/CompleteResearchGuideToMovingandLivingAbroad?layout=profile Love the music in my videos? Use this link to access - share.epidemicsound.com/plq6qx Support me so I can create more quality content - ko-fi.com/wellnessxplora Paypal - www.paypal.com/paypalme/JudithBQuist
My son and I moved to Ecuador and Cuenca almost 3 years ago. If I had stayed in the US I have no doubt that I would be homeless. Here in Cuenca we live a simple frugal but very happy life. Love you videos and music selections.
So relatable, I often also wonder what our lives would be like if we had stayed in the US. Especially considering the rising cost of housing, food and general living. Over here, we also live a simple life and get to enjoy the simple pleasures without breaking the bank. Super grateful for the opportunity to live in this beautiful country. Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate you ❤️
Your video really captures what I felt when I visited Cuenca for the first time in February. I 100% concur on feeling less stressed, healthier, and happier. I loved the local people I met; kind, gentle. The U.S. feels so different now than when I grew up; so aggressive, divided, more mean-spirited. The gringos I met in Ecuador (at least those who have truly embraced the culture and the differences) seemed truly happy. I felt so much more grounded walking everywhere instead of always being in a car. Hiking in Cajas was so close and wonderful, even for an older guy like me. You are so right when you mention finding the joy in discovering what you REALLY need to be happy. Sorry about the long note here; I really just wanted to thank you for a lovely video. I do hope to move there and perhaps take you both for a canelazo at Yaku! I’m so glad to see your happiness - it really shines through in this video. Cheers!
I appreciate the long message. No worries at all. I know exactly how you feel. I don't know what it is about this place.. but it makes you feel more balanced. The US can feel unhealthy a lot of the time. When I visited the US in January.. there was a constant stream of bad news on TV, shootings, divisive politics, followed by ads for medications, illnesses, side effects...puts you right into a state of fear and anxiety. It was as if I had entered a negative bubble again. It can all be a bit much.. Hope you find ways to stay balanced and healthy. And I'm going to hold you to that Canelazo hahahaha...Thanks for watching and commenting.
I enjoy this style of video. I visited Cuenca a couple of years ago and will be returning to live for the rest of the year pretty soon. It's great to know that Cuenca has had a positive impact on your health and wellbeing overall.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting Jane. I appreciate your support. My recommendation - Please make sure the accommodation you choose when you get back has a generator because Cuenca has been suffering a lot of power outages lately. ( Just incase you need consistent power to work remotely)
Beautiful video 🙂 I feel much the same way living in the US. We want to come to Cuenca but have been worried about what we are seeing in the news. So glad you've found some peace. The fruit and the flower market in Cuenca is amazing...much love 💜
The media is blowing things out of proportion. We feel absolutely safe here in Cuenca. As the other person who commented stated, the violence is mainly in a few coastal cities. The whole country hasn't descended into chaos as the media is trying to portray. Thanks for watching and commenting ☺️. I appreciate you
Hi, Thank You for a Great video. I have travelled back and forth to Ecuador 5 times starting in 2001. I now live in Sangolqui ( 3 years now ) and plan to live here for the rest of my life. I recently went back to U.S.A. for a visit and was Shocked at the prices! No way I could live there again! Viva Ecuador!!!
I am Ecuadorian and it makes me so glad to read you saying that being here has been a healing experience for you! In this country, most people are friendly, open and humble, and the slower pace and simpler life brings peace to many people. I wish you both the very best. I liked your video ❤
Thanks so much, Yes, Ecuador has been very good to us in many different ways. It's the best decision we've made in the last decade 😂 We love it here so far. Appreciate you watching and commenting.
My husband who's fluent in Spanish had such a had yime with the Ecuadorian dialect. We still enjoyed the few days we spent in Chone and Quito. I want to try that pork belly. We just finished Shogun too. Toragana and Mariko were excellent at playing chess. I love how there was no cliffhanger ending as well
That's amazing. I'm glad you enjoyed your stay here. Heading to Quito soon, and hoping to document the journey. Also, you HAVE to try that pork belly recipe. I jthink I Just forgot to state that I added oyster sauce, as well. It's so yummy. I was inspired by this guy's recipe --->>ruclips.net/video/ln2CKN9WIJg/видео.html I'm sad Shogun ended. Now I need to find another good show. Toragana and Mariko-sama were excellent. I even fell in love with the Anjin-sama by the end of the show. I'm hoping for a season two, but I hear it's based on a book. So don't know if that'll be possible. Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate you ☺
Welcome to my country, I hope you keep having a good life here. I advice you too try as many dishes as you can, humitas, caldo de bola, viche de pescado, guatita, corviche, hayacas, encebollado, tortillas (de verde, yuca, choclo, etc), morocho, pan de yuca and the list goes on 😅
I’ve been waiting on your new video for days😊 Cuenca Ecuador is in my heart now and forever, these are going to be the longest 11 months of life until I return. Thank you for your beautiful videos. I forgot to ask how are you guy’s coping with the power cuts
Wow. I'm so humbled. I'm learning how to use a new editing software that kept crashing my computer, so I took a little longer than expected with this video. I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. In terms of the power cuts, they've been pretty frequent and long. However, we live in a building with a generator so we have been lucky enough not to feel them as much. I'm sure you're counting down the days till you get back here. Stay Safe. I appreciate you watching and commenting.
Thank you so much for watching and commenting, I appreciate your support. Please don't forget to subscribe if you haven''t to help me reach a 1000 subscribers.
@@TheXplorasDiary I'll hve to go looking for it. Said 3 locations. odd hours. New business I want to say highlighted in Cuenca High Life newsletter or YapaTree newsletter!!!??!!! planned to deliver expand away from Cuenca. ........
Welcome to our country good People. The Earth is one for good Persons than you. You will give to much to our country and you will receive to much from it. Enjoy Ecuador, enjoy only the best of our life. Thank you for your videos. Best wishes for you.
Very nice video. My husband and I live in a town close to Ambato, Ecuador. It is a non-expat community but, is has places like what you see in Cuenca. The cost of living is less expensive. The only downside is that we aren't able to socialize with English speaking people.
Thanks for sharing! I have heard of Ambato, however, I haven't had the chance to visit yet. I hope to be able to make it there sometime soon. It would be nice to be able to capture the beauty there as well. Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate your contribution
Oh Wow I never watched your videos but it sure was excellent, Ecuador is my born country coming from Jewish background but I live in the States and I cannot wait till April 2025 moving to Ecuador, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, peace on your journey and let God guide you on your future, blessings 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼❤️
I agree with you - I haven't been to too many places, but I think Ecuador is the most beautiful country I've been to. Those breathtaking mountainous landscapes always take my breath away. All the best with your move here, I bet you're counting down the days till your move. Thanks for watching and commenting, we appreciate you ❤️
Lovely. And I need to try that dish since pork is so plentiful here. I never cook it as I don't know what to do with it really. LOL! It would be nice to meet you one day!
Yes, the pork dish is super easy and very delicious. Plus, you can find all the ingredients you need to make it here. You should absolutely try it. And I'm sure we might run into each other one day. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Your support means a lot.
Hello friends, greetings from the Galapagos Islands, a very safe place, although we have certain problems of petty crime or drug trafficking through speedboats that use the Galapagos route to supply their boats with gasoline and food, we are really safe. I hope that many cities in Ecuador will live in total peace as Cuenca and Galapagos do
I would love to move to Ecuador but US news been showing lot of violence but it could be the US trying to keep its people from fleeing. The cost of living in the US is unbearable and the constant need to make $$$$ just to survive its tiring.
The drug related/cartel violence is only within a few places in the country. It's not as bad as it's being portrayed in the news.. I saw a headline saying the whole country had descended into violence and chaos, which is far from the truth. Can't trust the news... a lot of sensationalizing going on. I hope you're able to make it out of America, if that's your heart's desire. I understand the cost of living crises and constant need to make money can make life very unbearable. Goodluck and thank you for watching and commenting on my video.
I see you withdraw cash from ATMs in Cuenca. Can you tell us the costs involved? The fees charged by the local banks and/or the fees charged by your US banks. Thanks!
We both use our Bank of America accounts/debit cards. Cost from the bank: $5 international withdraws The atm fees here typically range from $3-5, however we use Banco de Guayaquil which charges $1.52. It's the cheapest we've found so far. Maximum withdrawal per session is $400 Hope this helps
The weather in Cuenca has been great since we got here. Not too cold... not too warm, either. But it rains multiple times in a week. Last week parts of the city were flooded after heavy rains and other parts experienced landslides. I think we're in the process of experiencing a season change, but I'm not too sure.
Thank you too for watching and commenting. I confess my Spanish could be much better. I can understand better than I can speak. But i'm getting better.
I'm living in Quito now and love it, much friendlier " Hola veci" everywhere I go the food is less expensive and much more nourishing the markets I visit with the " a dollar " for 12 tangerines 🍊 tomatoes or a bunch of bananas 🍌 only a dollar rent is not sky high busses are only 35 cents taxis are everywhere and don't charge you for just getting in and they will, all stop for me I'm dark brown and in Chicago that's a problem, I'm married to a wonderful local woman and we want to bring our daughter stateside for a better education and job opportunities I'm retired and as soon as we do that we're returning to Sangolqui to live out the remainder of our lives our daughter wants to return as well, I'm not looking forward to returning to Chicago due to the high cost of housing on a pension here we live very comfortably.
No social life in Ecuador? No health goals? No volunteering in Ecuador? No friends in Ecuador? No spiritual life in Ecuador? No book or blog to write, no hobbies, no goals, no vision? No plan for the present or future? You may take time to heal in Ecuador.--that is what you need. However, I don't need 5 years of aimlessly doing nothing, I'd go crazy. My soul needs more. My life has a purpose and I will complete it. "Man does not live by bread alone."
Should I leave the U.S. and move to Cuenca? I do not have enough money to move to anywhere in the U.S. Or would it cost less to live in a rural area of Ecuador? I want to buy, not rent and I want to ship a container.
Hi Yose, Hmmm..so I can't tell you what the best decision for you is. However, my recommendation is - if you can't afford to move anywhere in the US or live in the US, looking at a low cost third world country may be a wise decision . It doesn't necessarily have to be Cuenca, Ecuador. But Ecuador is a good option. But - Yes, rural Ecuador will be cheaper. Our cost of living was cheaper when we lived in Vilcabamba, Ecuador ( a rural town in Southern Ecuador), than it is in Cuenca. Bear in mind, Cuenca is also supposedly Ecuador's most expensive city. (so that's something to bear in mind) If you're interested is discussion the subject more over a call, you can book a call with me with the link below. Link: www.xplorasdiary.com/book-online
@@TheXplorasDiary Does rural mean dirt roads that get washed out and destroy car suspensions? Is the annual car registration the horror that I read about, in a 2010 outdated book? Comparatively simple in the U.S. Does rural mean well water and septic tank, which could work well or be problems? And if I have no car anymore, then I must always call a taxi? I am thinking around Cuenca, because that is where so many English-speaking expats go, but maybe I can not even afford their crowd and how they run up the property prices? And because I probably do not want to be around the salty corrosive air nor the costly beachfront areas nor higher crime. Nicer milder climate around high-altitude Cuenca, which is not so bad too-high Quito? U.S. seems affordable right now, just so long as I never move? But I hear of the cost of everything going up, rising cost-of-living is a measure of rampant government corruption. And the Democrats who stole the election, they do not care about us, nor to solve any problems. So what are my great incentives to make the move? If I can own a better house in Ecuador, if Ecuador is going forwards and the U.S. backwards, improved prospects of getting married, too much stress and mental illness and rising crime in the U.S. And I get a valuable 2nd citizenship or the option to Renounce should I need it. Sad that horrible policies of the U.S. leading so many people to Renounce, as U.S. citizenship is found to be more so a liability than a benefit. So much so, that Nomad Capitalist would much rather have a baby in Mexico than in the U.S. I am too used to my American food convenience, but Cuenca has Supermaxi. I don't know if I would save much money on food, unless I find a girlfriend who would help me to learn to cook and to adapt to the better food markets. I heard from a relative about how much better the food was in Peru than the American crap food, could feed their entire family for $5. Should I consider Vilcabamba instead? I thought I might like to be around English-speaking expats, but not if they are running up the cost of any possible houses. Are the expats too rich for to be my neighbors? I want to be able to talk and get to know expats, however I suspect I will soon be picking up some useful Spanish anyway. I am still binge-watching videos, maybe not quite ready for phone calls?
@@TheXplorasDiary If I could just make telemarketers pay my fine of $500 per call that I did not ask nor approve of the call, then I could afford to live in the has-been corrupt USA in which foreigners in Pakistan or wherever that those telemarketers live, think that we Americans are all rich. When I was growing up, calling random phone numbers begging for money, supposedly selling some junky product or service, was unheard of. But then long-distance was not free either. That is one of the pluses of Latin American countries, staying in much the same time zone, as I plan to take my American phone number (internet phone adapter box) with me, so that people can reach me, that is, people who I have actually given my phone number to and who care about me. But there still would be other reasons to leave.
She was worried about eating her food in the United States because she didn’t know what toxins were in there. So she moves to Ecuador and pays $3.50 to put alcohol in her body, which is a definite poison. She’s not making sense to me.
I'm sharing what I'm passionate about. However, I'm sure you can find videos on poverty, lack of medical care, crime etc here in Ecuador, on youtube. Search a little harder. They're there. All the best ☺️
@@TheXplorasDiary Your videos are very well done and have high artistic qualities. I believe you work with people who are interested in leaving the US.
Moving Abroad E-book - judithbanquist.gumroad.com/l/CompleteResearchGuideToMovingandLivingAbroad?layout=profile
Love the music in my videos? Use this link to access - share.epidemicsound.com/plq6qx
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I'm a new subscriber today & love travel videos!
I'm looking at moving to Ecuador or the Caribbean in the future.
Thanks for sharing your video!
My son and I moved to Ecuador and Cuenca almost 3 years ago. If I had stayed in the US I have no doubt that I would be homeless. Here in Cuenca we live a simple frugal but very happy life. Love you videos and music selections.
So relatable, I often also wonder what our lives would be like if we had stayed in the US. Especially considering the rising cost of housing, food and general living. Over here, we also live a simple life and get to enjoy the simple pleasures without breaking the bank. Super grateful for the opportunity to live in this beautiful country.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate you ❤️
Your video really captures what I felt when I visited Cuenca for the first time in February. I 100% concur on feeling less stressed, healthier, and happier. I loved the local people I met; kind, gentle. The U.S. feels so different now than when I grew up; so aggressive, divided, more mean-spirited. The gringos I met in Ecuador (at least those who have truly embraced the culture and the differences) seemed truly happy. I felt so much more grounded walking everywhere instead of always being in a car. Hiking in Cajas was so close and wonderful, even for an older guy like me. You are so right when you mention finding the joy in discovering what you REALLY need to be happy. Sorry about the long note here; I really just wanted to thank you for a lovely video. I do hope to move there and perhaps take you both for a canelazo at Yaku! I’m so glad to see your happiness - it really shines through in this video. Cheers!
I appreciate the long message. No worries at all. I know exactly how you feel. I don't know what it is about this place.. but it makes you feel more balanced.
The US can feel unhealthy a lot of the time. When I visited the US in January.. there was a constant stream of bad news on TV, shootings, divisive politics, followed by ads for medications, illnesses, side effects...puts you right into a state of fear and anxiety. It was as if I had entered a negative bubble again. It can all be a bit much..
Hope you find ways to stay balanced and healthy. And I'm going to hold you to that Canelazo hahahaha...Thanks for watching and commenting.
I enjoy this style of video. I visited Cuenca a couple of years ago and will be returning to live for the rest of the year pretty soon. It's great to know that Cuenca has had a positive impact on your health and wellbeing overall.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting Jane. I appreciate your support. My recommendation - Please make sure the accommodation you choose when you get back has a generator because Cuenca has been suffering a lot of power outages lately. ( Just incase you need consistent power to work remotely)
@@TheXplorasDiary Thanks for the tip. I do work remotely so this is my biggest concern about the move
Another great video, so relaxing! Enjoy the good times ❤
Thanks. I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. I appreciate you watching and commenting.
Beautiful video 🙂 I feel much the same way living in the US. We want to come to Cuenca but have been worried about what we are seeing in the news. So glad you've found some peace. The fruit and the flower market in Cuenca is amazing...much love 💜
I wouldn't worry about Cuenca. The main problems are along the coast in Guayaquil and Manta.
The media is blowing things out of proportion. We feel absolutely safe here in Cuenca. As the other person who commented stated, the violence is mainly in a few coastal cities. The whole country hasn't descended into chaos as the media is trying to portray.
Thanks for watching and commenting ☺️. I appreciate you
Hi, Thank You for a Great video. I have travelled back and forth to Ecuador 5 times starting in 2001. I now live in Sangolqui ( 3 years now ) and plan to live here for the rest of my life. I recently went back to U.S.A. for a visit and was Shocked at the prices! No way I could live there again! Viva Ecuador!!!
I am Ecuadorian and it makes me so glad to read you saying that being here has been a healing experience for you! In this country, most people are friendly, open and humble, and the slower pace and simpler life brings peace to many people. I wish you both the very best. I liked your video ❤
Thanks so much, Yes, Ecuador has been very good to us in many different ways. It's the best decision we've made in the last decade 😂 We love it here so far. Appreciate you watching and commenting.
My husband who's fluent in Spanish had such a had yime with the Ecuadorian dialect. We still enjoyed the few days we spent in Chone and Quito. I want to try that pork belly. We just finished Shogun too. Toragana and Mariko were excellent at playing chess. I love how there was no cliffhanger ending as well
That's amazing. I'm glad you enjoyed your stay here. Heading to Quito soon, and hoping to document the journey.
Also, you HAVE to try that pork belly recipe. I jthink I Just forgot to state that I added oyster sauce, as well. It's so yummy. I was inspired by this guy's recipe --->>ruclips.net/video/ln2CKN9WIJg/видео.html
I'm sad Shogun ended. Now I need to find another good show. Toragana and Mariko-sama were excellent. I even fell in love with the Anjin-sama by the end of the show. I'm hoping for a season two, but I hear it's based on a book. So don't know if that'll be possible.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate you ☺
Your video is so soothing. I will have to try that pork belly recipe 😊
Welcome to my country, I hope you keep having a good life here. I advice you too try as many dishes as you can, humitas, caldo de bola, viche de pescado, guatita, corviche, hayacas, encebollado, tortillas (de verde, yuca, choclo, etc), morocho, pan de yuca and the list goes on 😅
Thank you so much. I'm going to write your recommendations down. Thank you for sharing.
Your video reminded me of why I keep returning to Cuenca. February can’t come quick enough - thank you
Thank you too for watching and commenting. I appreciate it.
I hope I will be smart enough like you to move to Cuenca someday very soon. ¡Me gusta Ecuador mucho!
That was great, and excellent chef! 👏🏽🎉
I’ve been waiting on your new video for days😊 Cuenca Ecuador is in my heart now and forever, these are going to be the longest 11 months of life until I return. Thank you for your beautiful videos. I forgot to ask how are you guy’s coping with the power cuts
Wow. I'm so humbled. I'm learning how to use a new editing software that kept crashing my computer, so I took a little longer than expected with this video. I'm glad you're enjoying the videos.
In terms of the power cuts, they've been pretty frequent and long. However, we live in a building with a generator so we have been lucky enough not to feel them as much.
I'm sure you're counting down the days till you get back here. Stay Safe.
I appreciate you watching and commenting.
I like this edit. Bienvenidos a Ecuador 🇪🇨
Muchas Gracias. I appreciate you watching and commenting. Thank you again ☺️
Saved mine too. 9 years now.
Best decision ever ❤️
Ha ha. I believe so as well.
Im so happy for you. If there is a definition of finding yourself, this is it.
Awww thanks so much. I appreciate you watching and commenting.
I'm making my way through all your videos and I believe this is my favourite so far. Thank you for your candour.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Welcome to Ecuador 🇪🇨
I am here now. 10/24 loving the city. Spoke with a realtor.
Love the style of this video! Great job!
Thank you so much for watching and commenting, I appreciate your support.
Please don't forget to subscribe if you haven''t to help me reach a 1000 subscribers.
beautiful background music...bienvenidos al Ecuador
Gracias amigo 🙏🏾
Top top video as always!❤ well done!!
Thanks so much. I appreciate your kind words.
Great job y'all! Our only regret moving to Ecuador is that we didn't do it 10 years ago lol.
😂😂 I can understand. Ecuador is a beautiful country. I'm grateful we get to experience this. Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
Great to see you!!!!! Thank you,,,thank you!!! Lets see if Pina Colata icecream made film debue 🙂
Thank you too for watching and commenting. Still haven't found your Piña Colada ice cream yet
@@TheXplorasDiary I'll hve to go looking for it. Said 3 locations. odd hours. New business I want to say highlighted in Cuenca High Life newsletter or YapaTree newsletter!!!??!!! planned to deliver expand away from Cuenca. ........
Welcome to our country good People. The Earth is one for good Persons than you. You will give to much to our country and you will receive to much from it.
Enjoy Ecuador, enjoy only the best of our life.
Thank you for your videos.
Best wishes for you.
Wow, thank you so much for these kind words. ❤️🙏🏾
Nice video, I wish you the best in Cuenca ❤
Thank you so much. I appreciate you watching and commenting.
Nive vide. Lots of tasty things! Congratulations on finding your happy place!
Thanks so much! 😊 I appreciate you watching and commenting.
nice camera work, and editing , thanks for the Tour and views
Thank you too for watching and commenting. I appreciate you ☺️
Another great Video!! Keep Going!
Thank you ☺️
I hope you stay over there in Cuenca.....I would love to see more videos of you guys over there...😊😊😊
Very nice video. My husband and I live in a town close to Ambato, Ecuador. It is a non-expat community but, is has places like what you see in Cuenca. The cost of living is less expensive. The only downside is that we aren't able to socialize with English speaking people.
Thanks for sharing! I have heard of Ambato, however, I haven't had the chance to visit yet. I hope to be able to make it there sometime soon. It would be nice to be able to capture the beauty there as well.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate your contribution
Oh Wow I never watched your videos but it sure was excellent, Ecuador is my born country coming from Jewish background but I live in the States and I cannot wait till April 2025 moving to Ecuador, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, peace on your journey and let God guide you on your future, blessings 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼❤️
I agree with you - I haven't been to too many places, but I think Ecuador is the most beautiful country I've been to. Those breathtaking mountainous landscapes always take my breath away.
All the best with your move here, I bet you're counting down the days till your move.
Thanks for watching and commenting, we appreciate you ❤️
Im here for the Soothing Music 😄
😂😂😂😂😂😂 I'm glad you're enjoying the music. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Lovely. And I need to try that dish since pork is so plentiful here. I never cook it as I don't know what to do with it really. LOL! It would be nice to meet you one day!
Yes, the pork dish is super easy and very delicious. Plus, you can find all the ingredients you need to make it here. You should absolutely try it. And I'm sure we might run into each other one day.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Your support means a lot.
Hello friends, greetings from the Galapagos Islands, a very safe place, although we have certain problems of petty crime or drug trafficking through speedboats that use the Galapagos route to supply their boats with gasoline and food, we are really safe. I hope that many cities in Ecuador will live in total peace as Cuenca and Galapagos do
Glad to hear you feel safe in Galapagos, as we do here in Cuenca. Thank you for watching and subscribing. I appreciate you
Good points 🙂 ❤ !
Very lovely couple 😊😊😊😊
Thank you 😊
I would love to move to Ecuador but US news been showing lot of violence but it could be the US trying to keep its people from fleeing. The cost of living in the US is unbearable and the constant need to make $$$$ just to survive its tiring.
The drug related/cartel violence is only within a few places in the country. It's not as bad as it's being portrayed in the news.. I saw a headline saying the whole country had descended into violence and chaos, which is far from the truth. Can't trust the news... a lot of sensationalizing going on.
I hope you're able to make it out of America, if that's your heart's desire. I understand the cost of living crises and constant need to make money can make life very unbearable.
Goodluck and thank you for watching and commenting on my video.
I see you withdraw cash from ATMs in Cuenca. Can you tell us the costs involved? The fees charged by the local banks and/or the fees charged by your US banks. Thanks!
We both use our Bank of America accounts/debit cards.
Cost from the bank: $5 international withdraws
The atm fees here typically range from $3-5, however we use Banco de Guayaquil which charges $1.52. It's the cheapest we've found so far.
Maximum withdrawal per session is $400
Hope this helps
How has the weather been since you're there....cool or warm,or both??😊
The weather in Cuenca has been great since we got here. Not too cold... not too warm, either. But it rains multiple times in a week. Last week parts of the city were flooded after heavy rains and other parts experienced landslides. I think we're in the process of experiencing a season change, but I'm not too sure.
@@TheXplorasDiary The weather near Ambato, Ecuador are in the 70s in the daytime, and 50s-60s at night, mostly sunny.
I kinda envy your life over my birth country....
Thanks for sharing. So heavy doing w Spanish. ???🇪🇨
Thank you too for watching and commenting. I confess my Spanish could be much better. I can understand better than I can speak. But i'm getting better.
I'm living in Quito now and love it, much friendlier " Hola veci" everywhere I go the food is less expensive and much more nourishing the markets I visit with the " a dollar " for 12 tangerines 🍊 tomatoes or a bunch of bananas 🍌 only a dollar rent is not sky high busses are only 35 cents taxis are everywhere and don't charge you for just getting in and they will, all stop for me I'm dark brown and in Chicago that's a problem, I'm married to a wonderful local woman and we want to bring our daughter stateside for a better education and job opportunities I'm retired and as soon as we do that we're returning to Sangolqui to live out the remainder of our lives our daughter wants to return as well, I'm not looking forward to returning to Chicago due to the high cost of housing on a pension here we live very comfortably.
you permanently live there now?
Yes, for now. But we don't know for how long.
@@TheXplorasDiary Awesome.
Thanks for sharing so how u doing w Spanish..???
Thank you too for watching. My spanish is slowly improving
No social life in Ecuador? No health goals? No volunteering in Ecuador? No friends in Ecuador? No spiritual life in Ecuador? No book or blog to write, no hobbies, no goals, no vision? No plan for the present or future? You may take time to heal in Ecuador.--that is what you need. However, I don't need 5 years of aimlessly doing nothing, I'd go crazy. My soul needs more. My life has a purpose and I will complete it. "Man does not live by bread alone."
The sizzling sounds of the food was the best part!
Should I leave the U.S. and move to Cuenca? I do not have enough money to move to anywhere in the U.S. Or would it cost less to live in a rural area of Ecuador? I want to buy, not rent and I want to ship a container.
Hi Yose,
Hmmm..so I can't tell you what the best decision for you is. However, my recommendation is - if you can't afford to move anywhere in the US or live in the US, looking at a low cost third world country may be a wise decision . It doesn't necessarily have to be Cuenca, Ecuador. But Ecuador is a good option.
But - Yes, rural Ecuador will be cheaper.
Our cost of living was cheaper when we lived in Vilcabamba, Ecuador ( a rural town in Southern Ecuador), than it is in Cuenca. Bear in mind, Cuenca is also supposedly Ecuador's most expensive city. (so that's something to bear in mind)
If you're interested is discussion the subject more over a call, you can book a call with me with the link below.
Link:
www.xplorasdiary.com/book-online
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Does rural mean dirt roads that get washed out and destroy car suspensions? Is the annual car registration the horror that I read about, in a 2010 outdated book? Comparatively simple in the U.S. Does rural mean well water and septic tank, which could work well or be problems? And if I have no car anymore, then I must always call a taxi?
I am thinking around Cuenca, because that is where so many English-speaking expats go, but maybe I can not even afford their crowd and how they run up the property prices? And because I probably do not want to be around the salty corrosive air nor the costly beachfront areas nor higher crime. Nicer milder climate around high-altitude Cuenca, which is not so bad too-high Quito?
U.S. seems affordable right now, just so long as I never move? But I hear of the cost of everything going up, rising cost-of-living is a measure of rampant government corruption. And the Democrats who stole the election, they do not care about us, nor to solve any problems.
So what are my great incentives to make the move? If I can own a better house in Ecuador, if Ecuador is going forwards and the U.S. backwards, improved prospects of getting married, too much stress and mental illness and rising crime in the U.S. And I get a valuable 2nd citizenship or the option to Renounce should I need it. Sad that horrible policies of the U.S. leading so many people to Renounce, as U.S. citizenship is found to be more so a liability than a benefit. So much so, that Nomad Capitalist would much rather have a baby in Mexico than in the U.S.
I am too used to my American food convenience, but Cuenca has Supermaxi. I don't know if I would save much money on food, unless I find a girlfriend who would help me to learn to cook and to adapt to the better food markets. I heard from a relative about how much better the food was in Peru than the American crap food, could feed their entire family for $5.
Should I consider Vilcabamba instead? I thought I might like to be around English-speaking expats, but not if they are running up the cost of any possible houses. Are the expats too rich for to be my neighbors? I want to be able to talk and get to know expats, however I suspect I will soon be picking up some useful Spanish anyway. I am still binge-watching videos, maybe not quite ready for phone calls?
@@TheXplorasDiary
If I could just make telemarketers pay my fine of $500 per call that I did not ask nor approve of the call, then I could afford to live in the has-been corrupt USA in which foreigners in Pakistan or wherever that those telemarketers live, think that we Americans are all rich.
When I was growing up, calling random phone numbers begging for money, supposedly selling some junky product or service, was unheard of. But then long-distance was not free either.
That is one of the pluses of Latin American countries, staying in much the same time zone, as I plan to take my American phone number (internet phone adapter box) with me, so that people can reach me, that is, people who I have actually given my phone number to and who care about me.
But there still would be other reasons to leave.
She was worried about eating her food in the United States because she didn’t know what toxins were in there. So she moves to Ecuador and pays $3.50 to put alcohol in her body, which is a definite poison. She’s not making sense to me.
Don’t worry about her. Her life doesn’t need to make sense to you. ✌🏽
Keep improving your Spanish, it WILL pay off.
Thank you for the encouragement. I'm hoping to be able to take formal classes soon to accelerate the process.
Why not show the poverty , lack of medical care, crime and the rest of the real life instead of food.
I'm sharing what I'm passionate about. However, I'm sure you can find videos on poverty, lack of medical care, crime etc here in Ecuador, on youtube. Search a little harder. They're there. All the best ☺️
@@TheXplorasDiary Your videos are very well done and have high artistic qualities. I believe you work with people who are interested in leaving the US.