I only wish I would have had a Don Shader to help me when I decided to move. Now that I have my permanent 'pensionado' visa in Panama, I no longer fear anything and feel great about my life. Don, you are awesome!!
Just a note to people like me who have never been very social. Don't think that by moving to another country, your basic essence will somehow be transformed. If you're an introvert who tends to isolate, yet are still lonely, relocating to a foreign country will not turn you into an extrovert who seeks out friendship. If you move, you will likely discover that you're the same person you were before. And now you will need to ask people for help, which might make you miserable.
Thank you for this video. I'm in the process of selling my home and getting rid of 67 years of accumulation. A hurculean task, but it HAS to be done before I get on that plane. Your video is helping me calm down a bit, and decide just to take it one small step at a time.
Don, this is so sad.. Lonely individuals fleeing the U.S. out of desperation. My heart bleeds for these people..Becoming isolated as we age is a common problem in Western countries. For those of you reading this, take a moment to talk to your senior neighbor and get to know them.. Help them, because one day many of us will also be old and I pray that there is someone to help me..
What makes you think he's fleeing the US out of desperation. I felt the same way he did but I didn't flee the US because of it. He's going through the same emotions that many people do. It has nothing to do with fleeing the country out of deperation. Nothing like that was mentioned nor implied in this video. Thanks for you feedback my friend but you're a little off base here.
@@DonShader Well, I didn't listen to it completely, but I thought it was mentioned in his letter that he's lonely and has nobody to fall back on in the U.S. I also thought in the past that you said that you had no children, little contact with your siblings, etc, etc.. I see desperate, lonely, elderly people every day in the states.. The U.S. is an independent society and many that are lonely have mental issues.. Therefore, the U.S. has such a high rate of mass shootings. There is no sense of community and if you fall over dead, many Americans will just step over you and continue their day..
@@comrade916 It's all good Comrade. I know Don fairly well and he's a fairly positive person that just wants to have a change in his life and he's in a bad place now. I went through the same stuff. Thanks Comrade, I always appreciate your feedbacks. -ds
@@DonShader And, to follow up a bit Don.. I have always thought since watching your initial videos that you are going through a mental crisis.. At times worse than others, but certainly an individual that is teetering on a mental breakdown.. I'm just saying...And, I think many who have viewed your videos would agree.. I wish you all the best, my friend!!
Hey Don...and Don! At least your house is sold! Mine isn't yet, but all my legal residency paperwork is finished, and pretty much everything else is given away. My son has power of attorney for my house if it doesn't sell right away. Good luck and welcome change...it can only be positive, right? When I went for my exploratory trip to Cuenca, four years ago, my airbnb experience was great, and the host introduced me to a gal across the hall, who took me to coffee, where I met Bill, who is a friend I keep in touch with to this day...and I had made volunteering connections and social connections and had the time of my life. I hope to be there by the end of this month! Good luck!
Don, you’re so kind I truly appreciate your kindness to others. These people you’re helping are so fortunate to have you. Thanks for doing what you do.❤️👍
I also came alone. Even though I was sure of my decision, the closer I got to the date the more nervous I became because it’s such a huge undertaking and nearly overwhelming. After being here 10 months I am really happy, I’ve made wonderful friends, I love where I live and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. Eyes on the prize my friend! You can do this, just one step at a time!! ❤️
Totally agree that leaving some stuff in storage. If it doesn't work out, it won't be tough to head back. That takes the pressure off.. breathe, trust, relax.
Yes, and what the deal with selling your house, car and everything before you even visit? Why not keep everything in the USA, spend six months in the foreign county, then return to the USA . Travel around, you can explore the USA... It's easy to be happy in the USA... Just quite watching the cable news that tells what to think.
Great advice, I live in Cuenca for almost 2 years, I came alone and didn't know anyone. I had to deal with problems due to the pandemic and getting my dog here but I really like Ecuador and don't regret it.
Bienvenidas al Ecuador todas las personas buenas y trabajadoras. Gracias Sr. Shader por contribuir al desarrollo de nuestro país. Que lo disfrute muchísimos años. Saludos cordiales.
Don, I know that you’re not the first person to move to Ecuador, but I thank you for being a trailblazer at a time we I needed to hear it. I thank you, as well as my family for your channel.
Don, I may not know you but you are a hell of a great human being. Great video, you have and continue to help me plan for my move to that wonderful country. Best wishes to you my friend.
Great video Don! I'm semi retired in Mexico, but now with the dollar going down, and Peso going up (with several other issues) cost of living has significantly increased, am strongly considering Ecuador. I'm "a beach/coastal guy" so Vilcabamba or Cuenca are out of the picture. It seems Manta has it all. Great beaches just south, great weather and what's appealing is the airport, connecting Manta to the world. Thank you for all of the advise re visa, etc, you are indeed a wealth of information, and will (and are) blessed for contributing so much. Perhaps someday we will have a cup of coffee (with my two Chihuahuas lol).
My goal in life is to be recommended as Juan zambrano. Have people tell other people say “talk to Jim he’s a great person who will help you out. “ that’s enough that is a worthwhile life
To the gentleman that wrote to Mr. Shader. A little advice on shipping your household goods here from someone that did it last year. DON'T DO IT!. It's not worth the hassle you'll have to go through when you get here, and when your container arrives. We were put through hell and there was nothing in our container that made that hell worth it. One of the worst decisions we've made, ever.
Jeff Davis is absolutely right. In hindsight, shipping things to Ecuador was the worst decision we made during our move. What a waste of money, a belligerent attitude from Customs, 4 months of BS. I try to block that whole experience out of my memory.
this is good advice. anything you want to bring, you can get here. not worth the hassle of shipping. most will be lost or broken when it arrives. months and months later. what you want to bring, you should be able to bring with you on the plane. even if a couple of trips. worth the fees. still cheaper. in my experience, best option. shipping is a nightmare. cheers.
Just wanted to say I discovered your channel around the end of May and I have finally caught up/watched them all to date. Your videos have been invaluable to me and have convinced me to make an exploratory trip within the next 6-12 months as well as making long-range plans of moving there in 18-24 months. I will be emailing you soon with some questions and to get your opinion on what initial plans I have in mind. Thanks again for making your experience/knowledge of moving to and living in Ecuador available to us!
Don, thanks again for your very candid and helpful information. AND... Especially thank you for keeping your Comments section clean of Scammers. You maintain a Quality channel for both us and yourself....All of us, really. Cheers.
Hi Don I would like to thank you for the great public service you provide to others and so generous and caring with your time wish more people were like you. Chris
Don, it is an Honor and a Privilege to have you here in Ecuador, as always, thanks for the wonderful and valued information in order to help others. We appreciate it.
Letter writing Don, I feel you. The amount of work of selling a house and moving is overwhelming. I recently had the big reality shock.. o crap this is actually happening. And I have a partner to help. Press on brother. I hope we are having coffee together in manta in a few months.
You are such a star Don 🌟🌟🌟 And, correct about Jesse, Ryan, Carl and their families from Abundant Living in Vilcabamba as well..lovely people all of them and, I'm counting down for my move to lovely Ecuador!! I hope, your friend here, find his way down as well. You are welcome to let him know, we are many who started out from a Hell but, there are good places on our planet as well and, Ecuador is clearly one of the very best 💕 Thanks so much for sharing Don!
@@elgringoec But, off course it's the people 🌟 It always is - in all countries...Ecuadorian people are just lovely and, I truly admire the strong, strong indigeneous Ecuadorians - they are pure human Gold 😍
Don you have personally helped me so much with all the information that you provide in your videos, answering my emails and your spot on recommendations. The thing about you is that you really enjoy helping people. I have great admiration and appreciation for what you do. For anyone that is planning to make the big move, they would benefit greatly just from watching your RUclips channel, it is an invaluable source of information. So thank you very much!
Thanks for another great video. I used your checklist to start my own. With so many things to think about and then add the normal anxiety to a big move, I think checklists are essential to success. Once the chore is on the list, I can stop carrying around in my head. Instead, I spent time revising the list and executing the chores. The list changed many times but I was not having to start all over again in my head. I made it to Loja on Thursday, and so far, I don’t seem to have forgotten anything. I had my immigration advisor meet me at the airport and went to accommodations he recommended to me. Monday, I will take a look at the apartments he has lined up. Works for me. Please start learning Spanish. Don’t leave home without it.
Don! Great to see you! You’re always helping people with these videos. Thank you. Your reassurances and willingness to help us feel more and more confident in our decision to move!
We started all that insanity in March ( after our exploration trip) fours weeks and we’ll be there Ecuador 🇪🇨. We did it! We can breathe now. We shall be home soon!
Great video. Moving from Arizona to Ecuador in a few months and also needed to hear this. Juan Zambrano is a great driver and person. Used Juan's services recently when we were there and highly recommend him !
Hi Don, I'm coming on August 31st. (Cuenca) I'm pretty excited 😊. I'm also feeling overwhelmed getting everything done. I've already sold my place and it's just a matter of time now. Even though I have a couple of good friends here (Florida) most are spread out acrossed the US. It does get lonely here sometimes. When I visited in June I meet 4 expats and had a great time. I'm excited to have an adventure in retirement instead of living in fear of how am I going to make it in Florida. If I ever make it to Manta I would love to meet with you and your lady. Keep up the good work amigo. Diana
The getting rid of stuff you don't need, selling stuff, storing stuff is in itself a daunting task. When I was young I lived in other countries, but now that I'm your age, it's all a bit overwhelming. Giving the "family" pieces to family members, happy that those things are staying within the family. Great video I think this is important. It's a different ball game doing this as a relatively care-free young person versus as an senior retiree. Whew.
Anyone listening to Don in this vlog reallyREALLY needs to pay attention. After 20 years of wandering around So. América, 4 years in Ecuador, Don said a lot truth.
Hi Don, I have watched your videos before and loved them. But this one was perfect for where I am at the moment, mentally and emotionally almost a basket case! Gringo Visa is helping me with the process but my Stuff! What to do with all of this. Your video today gave me some ideas. I am so encouraged. I have my son to help me. We are set in our minds to be out of here by September. I have one friend here. She can't really help me. My family is too far away. So we are on our own. Right now we are planning to settle in Cuenca. It looks wonderful but the altitude may be a problem for my son. Thank you so much! Lots of things to consider. You are a fantastic help. Keep on making these videos please. You are a blessing to me and my son!
@@DonShader Thanks for the good wishes Don. You always keep your videos about real stuff and that is what I need. I watched your video a little while ago about real estate in Manta. Your real estate friend was super nice and so helpful. We are hoping we can find someone like that in Cuenca. That is where we have decided to start exploring. You are a marvelous interviewer!!!! Big hugs! We are reaching the apostille stage now for almost everything and it seems more real that we are actually be leaving here. I am going to use the Professional Visa. What a job! It took me five schools to finally earn my BA in Art. Hope I can teach some art when we settle down. We got a storage unit and that was a huge win! I have lots of my art and friends art to store. This week is going to be pretty busy packing up with all the little things we cannot throw away!!!!Thanks for listening to my ramble. Very lonesome here. Looking forward to making friends in Ecuador! Like you!! Catch you later. Hasta luego. jf
Don, Thank you so much for this video. Tonight is my first night in Cuenca....after a wonderful prolonged stay in Quito due to the paro. I am having those same horrible feelings...staying in a supposedly great dog friendly place and it is disgusting. My dogs have been washed many times than these floors. Your positive attitude and kind words to Don helped a lot. i know we will find our place, next stop megamaxi for cleaning products....dont think i have a lot of hotel options...never cleaned a hotel room before...but what the fluff....we are flexible. We wiill find our way and so can the other Don. Your empathy is amazing. Fanks pal, Susy, Luna and Rebel
Oh Susy, get out of there if you can. Did you get a AirBNB? Or a hotel room? This is not good news. You should not be having to clean your room. I'm curious to know where you stayed? PM me please. let me get you some help.
The cat vs goat ending is hilarious! It would be great to peer into the mind of the cat in this event… Cat: “don’t do it… don’t do it..”WHACK!! .. _Wtf did I just tell you??!_
Don, I COULD HAVE WRITTEN 90% OF DON’S LETTER. I have sold or given away everything I have owned except what will fit in my RAV4. The house closes next week. I too am not fleeing from but going on road-trip adventures in Mexico (first-time road-tripping there). There is nowhere I know of, right now, that I want to put down roots. I have loved my times in Colombia, Perú, and Ecuador but I skipped over my next-door neighbor Mexico. All the RECOMMENDATIONS you gave are SOLID. Keep making informative content. Buena Suerte amigo.
Don, as I told you and I am telling this individual you mentioned in this letter. Latin Countries are very different in culture than the US. When I was in Colombia and also Venezuela, people do not like to see people by themselves. You can go to a party, and see young people having a good time, but you will also see older people included at these parties. In fact, being American, I would want alone time, but Colombians sometimes didn't understand why you wanted to be alone. Sometimes it's hard to explain this if you haven't lived in a Latin Country. I even knew this American nurse that left Colombia because she just liked being alone, and didn't like being crowded, or inundated by people in her free time. One more thing! Not sure if it's like this in Ecuador, but if you go to parties or a friends home and put your hand out for American handshake, your going to get a Latin American Bear Hug, that sometimes will take the wind right out of you😆Not kidding! So, this individual you mentioned as "Don" will be leaving one world, and entering a whole new world of culture. I miss it, and hoping to return to it one day..
Hello Dan, you are a great man trying to help this guy and advising him with all you can. Thumbs up for you. God bless you… be well 🤗 God bless you …Chao
Very encouraging video, Don. I think I would be this discombobulated just moving cross country here in the US, let alone to another entirely new country. The other Don just needs to stick to his conviction to move, and I'm sure that everything will be OK in the end. There might be some jogs in the road along the way, but he WILL be able to roll with them and do well.
This is my first video of yours that I’ve seen Don but wow gotta say, love how straightforward you are and how real everything is. Would be great to talk to you if you’re up for a collab!
To me it's just a matter of finding something that resonates with you and acting on it; not so much loneliness/desperation. Many of us making the decision to relocate to another country are older (not always), and have had enough life experiences to make an informed life changing decision like this. We've lived enough life to recognize what we want when we see it. Sure there are exceptions. It doesn't work out for everyone. Things are sometimes different enough from what we perceived beforehand to make us want to go elsewhere (not necessarily return home). The positive to that is that if we packed light, going someplace else should be easier than the initial move.
Don, this is a great, informative video. I'm like # 200. My multi-lingual family thanks for publishing it with the option to toggle Spanish subtitles on.
When Don from Florida said that he was thinking of driving an RV to California first, that was puzzling to me. He would be going in the opposite direction for getting the best flights to Ecuador. If he really plans to relocate, then shouldn't he stay in Florida where he can get short flights from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale to Ecuador. Less expensive and less time.
I also live in west central Florida & I have concerns about calling Cuenca my final stop , I met so many people in Cuenca that made me actually consider it home ... I'm coming for 2 months this year to try & make sure before I sell everything & make this move ...I totally agree it's Scarey to make drastic change !!!
Maybe when you first arrive would it be better to spend a little more to stay in a 2 or 3 star hotel with breakfast included? There’s daily maid service and you don’t have to grocery shop and cook for breakfast in a foreign country where you don’t know the language or places very well. After a few weeks you can look for a rental. Moving to a foreign country when you’re retirement age is difficult and your channel is very helpful.
I like the Ecuador Women's 👌👌👌👌👌💯💯💯I'm thinking myself to move in Ecuador some day !!! I'm tired of leaving alone here in the US .... See you guys soon 👍👍👍👍
Don's doing great. Have finally taken delivery on my car and have been very busy with other things. I will have some videos very soon. Thanks for checking.
Going through the same thing myself. I'm about 2 months into the visa application process. The USA paperwork issues are the biggest problem so far. I'm using a highly recommended visa service mentioned in some of your videos, but I'm still nervous that a ball is unintentionally being dropped. State department took forever to apostille my fbi report, just got it two days ago. Still waiting on the state background apostille. I'm getting rid of stuff. Getting easier, but that's surprisingly hard. I will store some stuff, sell my car, keep my motorcycle near my daughter's. I plan on several visits to my grandchildren a year. Finances are another. My biggest worry is having my debit card needing to be replaced. So I have two banks with no atm foreign transaction fees. Redundancy. I have two bank accounts with branches both where I live and where my daughter lives. Redundancy. Then of course, the slide in the stock market. Yep, alot but looking forward to the adventure.
You are worrying way too much. If you need to talk, let me know. Send me an email, give me your US phone number and I'll call. Watch my video on checklists!
Selling everything, including your home, makes sense right now even though r/e values are falling everywhere. The ongoing stock market collapse is creating what might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Sitting on a pile of cash waiting for bulletproof investments to get cheap is a good place to be. While this is happening you can explore the world too. Ecuador is a good place to start and maybe set up a home base to explore SA. The only major thing wrong with Ecuador imo is that it's not Europe. That said it's a lot cheaper than almost all of the EU. Bulgaria is probably cost comparable, but learning a Latin alphabet language has got to be easier than a Cyrillic one.
I still have hope that I'll have my house sold and have what stuff I want to hold on to in a 10x20 storage unit within a year of when I decided that was what I needed to do. I'm going to say that would be by March 2023. Where I screwed up is I spent too much time doing things that weren't worth my time. If you spend 4 hours on something you sell for $20, you probably would have been better off paying to dump it. Now it's hot, humid, over 100 heat index, weather person says big, red miserable category, the air is bad with pollution and allergens are very high to extremely high. Realizing time is money but, I have more money than time. I'm down a butt load in the stock market but, I saved losing a lot because I moved a lot to cash before it went down. Do I really need to squeeze out all I can getting rid of the stuff I have? Not to be ranting but, the crime and political problems in Ecuador seem so trivial. Politics in the US are a hot mess no matter which side you're on and crime is abundant including homicide. We're over 80 homicides for this year in the metro area (Edit- I checked, 85 homicides so far for 2022). The one I think about lately is a guy that was sitting outside, somebody riding by shot and killed him. Police say random shooting, no suspects, yada, yada, yada. It's unlikely anybody will get charged. That's bad but, I'm thinking, I live in an average neighborhood and I wouldn't even think about sitting out on my front porch any time of the day. I wouldn't sit within pistol range of the road anywhere in town. Man, that's sad. Who wants to live like that? I did get a Google voice account, easy peasy. I'm thinking I can go to Ecuador, decide if I want to be there and come back to the US to visit and get my paperwork in order. Or, I might decide to travel some. I might come back to the US and live in a small town close to where home is now. I do not need to do what I'm doing the rest of my life.
Good Morning Don, I believe you mentioned coming to Ecuador with 5 bags, would you please elaborate on the details? a) How many were checked? b) What airline did you fly? c) What were your weight limits? Thanks for helping us better understand.
I came with another couple that checked a bag or two in on their flights. They came and stayed with me for a week, then went home. I checked three suitcases and carried on two backpacks with my camera gear. My checked bags were just under 50lbs each. I flew American
I blame myself all the way...just that time is running out and,I need to get into action with my shyness and depression.Maybe,going to Cuenca or Manta ,give me better luck in finding a single woman.
@@rafaelsolorzano700 There are lots of single women here, both in Cuenca and Manta. Come on down, relax, build a life for yourself, participate in Social Media and you will meet someone nice and willing to engage in a relationship with you.
You have to port your number and cancel your cell WHILE YOU ARE IN THE US not after you get here. I tried that. I figured I might want the number for a couple days here still. What that mean is that they would not forward calls. Not with a VPN either (Google knows). So that means you.may not be able to use your cell that last day at the airport, but if you want forwarding, that's what you have to do. I eventually communicated with peoe what the new number was but there were some who thought I just vanished because suddenly my number was no longer valid and wasn't being forwarded. Just a heads up😀
No, that's NOT true. But then again, maybe it depends on your carrier. I was with ATT. When I logged on to terminate my account, I was given the option of picking my termination date. So I set mine up to terminate two weeks after I arrived here. I had already ported my number to GV before I even requested the termination and it didn't have any impact on my service at all. You don't use GV to forward calls. It's not that kind of service.
@@DonShader That's good to know. I had the GV set up before I left for EC, and there was no problem with either service at that time. It think the difference is that you (I think) set up that termination date while you were still in the US. I terminated my cell service after reaching EC, which meant that my GV worked fine, but no calls were going to be forwarded from my canceled cell. If I had known that, I would have done it the way you did. It's hard to remember that far back exactly, but I thought terminating would be terminating there and then, with no option to set a termination date, and I thought it would be prudent to keep the US cell number active until I was here. That to me meant waiting till I got here before porting. I have to say I had a heck of a time figuring out what their rules were. To me google has a way of giving choices to you as you go that leave you wondering what the full ramifications to a choice are, and I found it very difficult to really nail them down with their help pages or by looking online. I think that's in part because they don't really want you to use it overseas because it's really supposed to be for US calls and not as a replacement for a cell phone or a way to make free i ternatiknal calls, definitions I also had a hard time really nailing down as. (For example, I wasn't sure if "US calls" meant calls made and received in the US or not. I still use it here to call the US, so they really meant US number to US number, but as far as I can tell they reserve the right to cut it off anytime they want since it is clearly EC to US and vice versa. I am still invited again and again to verify my phone again; I skip that every time, and it's been fine, but I keep waiting for the hammer to drop.) So in short, I think the bottom line is that if you don't actually port the number--or as you did, schedule it to be ported--in the US, the number doesn't get ported. The whole thing started to feel like an IQ test after a while, and I guess it's a good thing I didn't go into rocket science 🤣. Thank you for the follow up and the clarification! 👍👍
@@DonShader BTW I was with Verizon, so there may have been a difference in how it was handled with porting. I may have mistakenly thought that porting came with termination at the same time and should have thought to ask about that. Either way, I thought you could port from EC, which wasn't true for me. Thanks again 👍
You can talk to Victor Ojeda in Cuenca. You can find his contact info on this page: docs.google.com/document/d/1ArNRtsdqfleE1-l9r1yKrh-XyzksSIwj0MMyb09L0ro/edit?usp=sharing
This guy should really try Manta on the 90-day tourist visa before considering residency. He may hate it. Too many Americans invest too quickly and make poor decisions.
Hi Don I just want to ask you if being an American citizen with no papers yet in Ecuador we are allowed to open a bank account in Ecuador? (And if so, what is the minimum amount) The other thing that I want to ask you is, if we need to start the process of residence here in the USA through an Ecuadorian consulate or we can do it being physically there? Thanks a lot.
I opened a bank account with only my passport and $25. No Visa or cedula. I went to JEP Cooperative the seconc week I was here and I was earning interest on my CDs the very next month. No, you don't NEED to start your Visa process at a local consulate. You can if you want to but I hired a Immigration lawyer and let them do everything for me and I hired them before I came to EC.
@@DonShader Don one last question, is there any reliable Ecuadorian attorney in USA that I can use for the purpose of preparing my Ecuadorian resident papers? I live in Florida.
@@soilootelo9407 All the Ecuadorian attorneys I'm aware of have USA Branches and they have a toll free number you can call. You can call EquaAssist at 1-844-532-3282.
Delgado travel agency has PLENTY office in Ecuador .if u want send. Documents or clothes except electronics thi well know. Agency in the USA. Most of Ecuadorian send. Through this agency. It would take a week .for documents. They charge led then $20 .
Hello Don. I like your videos even I am from Guayaquil Ecuador living in Japan. I am in the US Navy. I would like to give you an advice if you let me please. Very cautious with those e-mails that you are receiving from strangers because it can be a scam. Thank you for all your advices to people but please be cautious.
I got it under control, thanks Luis. I'm not sure how getting emails can be a scam. The emails themselves are OK, it's the embedded links that need to be avoided.
Somebody posted a ridiculous comment about the fortune they made on a small investment by following some guy. I replied BS alert. I'm glad to see you deleted their comment. I would think you tube would police this. I see this all over youtube and it's unfortunate if somebody falls for this scam.
Doesn't sound like your friends makes decisions with discernment but instead makes them with his emotions...not smart. Anyone who thinks they should leave Florida and move to California, obviously is not thinking straight.
In order to change my lifestyle from N.Y to Manta or Cuenca....I have to take a trip for a couple of months to see if I adjust...I'm looking to meet single women who are ex pats....Over here where I'm at,I find it hard to mingle....Don,I need the names of the Facebook ex paTs where I can start finding new people.Thanks a heap..
Why do people think they need a camper van an or off-road rigged pickup? I have traveled solo to 5 different Latin American countries with an up-to-date travel book and everything in a carry on bag. = One of the main advantages of these countries is that you can get by without a private vehicle. = Also the thing you need to get away from is your useless junk, , so why do you want to take it with you???
Don the email writer: You seem unhappy. There is a saying: "Wherever you go, there you are." You can have happiness or sadness wherever you go. Each of those is in you, you just have to select which you want to be in most of the time. I do not wish to be negative, but your unhappiness needs to be addressed ACTIVELY. You need to work on a good life for yourself. You've sold you house and you are convinced that Ecuador is for you. Well, Idk how much time you've spent there, but I just spent a month there. The first day was hard with culture shock. But that went away quickly, as in: by the second day I was feeling good about the people there who are extremely poor, but just get on with things. I was inspired. But by the end of that month, I was finding things I did not care for. I am in no way down on the beautiful people and country of Ecuador, in fact I truly admire them, but I do not know if it is for me. I will take another trip and spend more time there, at least six months. Finding friends like Don Shader will help you tons, and as you heard, he's got great suggestions and is quite willing to help you. There are many more people, wonderful expats and wonderful locals who will help you. But most importantly think about your unhappiness. I am certain Ecuador will not be a panacea for you, but it may be a good place to explore yourself, try new things, and perhaps become a person happier with himself. Happiness is elusive and fleeting. Don't expect to be happy all the time. But it is also something to work on. Read about this. Work on yourself. Question yourself, because what's inside of you is what makes you happy or sad. I wish you the very best of luck with everything you are doing. Good luck with the move, and I hope the elation of landing in Ecuador lasts as you work on becoming a happier person.
Really the guy needs find a way be "happy" Some guys are already happy but do not know it.... Diving into a foreign country will not make you happy if you are not already happy. If you are lonely in the US its by choice.
I only wish I would have had a Don Shader to help me when I decided to move. Now that I have my permanent 'pensionado' visa in Panama, I no longer fear anything and feel great about my life. Don, you are awesome!!
Just a note to people like me who have never been very social. Don't think that by moving to another country, your basic essence will somehow be transformed. If you're an introvert who tends to isolate, yet are still lonely, relocating to a foreign country will not turn you into an extrovert who seeks out friendship. If you move, you will likely discover that you're the same person you were before. And now you will need to ask people for help, which might make you miserable.
Thank you for this video. I'm in the process of selling my home and getting rid of 67 years of accumulation. A hurculean task, but it HAS to be done before I get on that plane. Your video is helping me calm down a bit, and decide just to take it one small step at a time.
Don, this is so sad.. Lonely individuals fleeing the U.S. out of desperation. My heart bleeds for these people..Becoming isolated as we age is a common problem in Western countries. For those of you reading this, take a moment to talk to your senior neighbor and get to know them.. Help them, because one day many of us will also be old and I pray that there is someone to help me..
What makes you think he's fleeing the US out of desperation. I felt the same way he did but I didn't flee the US because of it. He's going through the same emotions that many people do. It has nothing to do with fleeing the country out of deperation. Nothing like that was mentioned nor implied in this video.
Thanks for you feedback my friend but you're a little off base here.
@@DonShader Well, I didn't listen to it completely, but I thought it was mentioned in his letter that he's lonely and has nobody to fall back on in the U.S. I also thought in the past that you said that you had no children, little contact with your siblings, etc, etc.. I see desperate, lonely, elderly people every day in the states.. The U.S. is an independent society and many that are lonely have mental issues.. Therefore, the U.S. has such a high rate of mass shootings. There is no sense of community and if you fall over dead, many Americans will just step over you and continue their day..
@@proyectonuevo7487 Agreed.
@@comrade916 It's all good Comrade. I know Don fairly well and he's a fairly positive person that just wants to have a change in his life and he's in a bad place now. I went through the same stuff.
Thanks Comrade, I always appreciate your feedbacks.
-ds
@@DonShader And, to follow up a bit Don.. I have always thought since watching your initial videos that you are going through a mental crisis.. At times worse than others, but certainly an individual that is teetering on a mental breakdown.. I'm just saying...And, I think many who have viewed your videos would agree.. I wish you all the best, my friend!!
loneliness and depression can be hard to deal..sometimes a change is necessary in life to get back on track
Hey Don...and Don! At least your house is sold! Mine isn't yet, but all my legal residency paperwork is finished, and pretty much everything else is given away. My son has power of attorney for my house if it doesn't sell right away. Good luck and welcome change...it can only be positive, right? When I went for my exploratory trip to Cuenca, four years ago, my airbnb experience was great, and the host introduced me to a gal across the hall, who took me to coffee, where I met Bill, who is a friend I keep in touch with to this day...and I had made volunteering connections and social connections and had the time of my life. I hope to be there by the end of this month! Good luck!
Don, you’re so kind I truly appreciate your kindness to others.
These people you’re helping are so fortunate to have you. Thanks for doing what you do.❤️👍
Wow, thank you
You're a good man Charlie Brown!
I also came alone. Even though I was sure of my decision, the closer I got to the date the more nervous I became because it’s such a huge undertaking and nearly overwhelming. After being here 10 months I am really happy, I’ve made wonderful friends, I love where I live and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. Eyes on the prize my friend! You can do this, just one step at a time!! ❤️
Can u give me direction I want to move their
Totally agree that leaving some stuff in storage. If it doesn't work out, it won't be tough to head back. That takes the pressure off.. breathe, trust, relax.
Yes, and what the deal with selling your house, car and everything before you even visit? Why not keep everything in the USA, spend six months in the foreign county, then return to the USA . Travel around, you can explore the USA... It's easy to be happy in the USA... Just quite watching the cable news that tells what to think.
You are about the kindest person in Equador! Thank you for the video!
Thank you! 😃
Good advice Don
Great advice, I live in Cuenca for almost 2 years, I came alone and didn't know anyone. I had to deal with problems due to the pandemic and getting my dog here but I really like Ecuador and don't regret it.
Bienvenidas al Ecuador todas las personas buenas y trabajadoras.
Gracias Sr. Shader por contribuir al desarrollo de nuestro país. Que lo disfrute muchísimos años.
Saludos cordiales.
Don, I know that you’re not the first person to move to Ecuador, but I thank you for being a trailblazer at a time we I needed to hear it. I thank you, as well as my family for your channel.
You are very welcome
Don, I may not know you but you are a hell of a great human being. Great video, you have and continue to help me plan for my move to that wonderful country. Best wishes to you my friend.
Glad to help
Great video Don! I'm semi retired in Mexico, but now with the dollar going down, and Peso going up (with several other issues) cost of living has significantly increased, am strongly considering Ecuador. I'm "a beach/coastal guy" so Vilcabamba or Cuenca are out of the picture. It seems Manta has it all. Great beaches just south, great weather and what's appealing is the airport, connecting Manta to the world. Thank you for all of the advise re visa, etc, you are indeed a wealth of information, and will (and are) blessed for contributing so much. Perhaps someday we will have a cup of coffee (with my two Chihuahuas lol).
My goal in life is to be recommended as Juan zambrano. Have people tell other people say “talk to Jim he’s a great person who will help you out. “ that’s enough that is a worthwhile life
I love Don Shaders helpful encouraging words here. This makes him part of a solution for the other Don who wrote the email!
To the gentleman that wrote to Mr. Shader.
A little advice on shipping your household goods here from someone that did it last year. DON'T DO IT!. It's not worth the hassle you'll have to go through when you get here, and when your container arrives. We were put through hell and there was nothing in our container that made that hell worth it. One of the worst decisions we've made, ever.
Jeff Davis is absolutely right. In hindsight, shipping things to Ecuador was the worst decision we made during our move. What a waste of money, a belligerent attitude from Customs, 4 months of BS. I try to block that whole experience out of my memory.
this is good advice. anything you want to bring, you can get here. not worth the hassle of shipping. most will be lost or broken when it arrives. months and months later. what you want to bring, you should be able to bring with you on the plane. even if a couple of trips. worth the fees. still cheaper. in my experience, best option. shipping is a nightmare. cheers.
Just wanted to say I discovered your channel around the end of May and I have finally caught up/watched them all to date. Your videos have been invaluable to me and have convinced me to make an exploratory trip within the next 6-12 months as well as making long-range plans of moving there in 18-24 months. I will be emailing you soon with some questions and to get your opinion on what initial plans I have in mind. Thanks again for making your experience/knowledge of moving to and living in Ecuador available to us!
Don, thanks again for your very candid and helpful information.
AND...
Especially thank you for keeping your Comments section clean of Scammers.
You maintain a Quality channel for both us and yourself....All of us, really. Cheers.
You are very welcome
Great video, excellent information Don. Thanks a lot.
Glad it was helpful!
Don, you are such a warm and kind person, thank you for all you do.
Your a good man Don! Good advice!
Hi Don I would like to thank you for the great public service you provide to others and so generous and caring with your time wish more people were like you.
Chris
Thank you kindly
This video is a brass tacks public service announcement! You're awesome, Don!
You do great deeds for all us innocent newcomers
These are great recommendations. I sincerely appreciate the info you share on your channel, Don.
Don, it is an Honor and a Privilege to have you here in Ecuador, as always, thanks for the wonderful and valued information in order to help others. We appreciate it.
Thank you kindly
Thanks to you, Don, I gave away my new inflatable kayak and my big Hoover vacuum cleaner this morning. I'm leaving too, but I'm going to Panama.
Don, this was the most inspiring video you have posted. It will really help people.
Thanks so much and thanks for watching.
Letter writing Don, I feel you. The amount of work of selling a house and moving is overwhelming. I recently had the big reality shock.. o crap this is actually happening. And I have a partner to help. Press on brother. I hope we are having coffee together in manta in a few months.
You are such a star Don 🌟🌟🌟
And, correct about Jesse, Ryan, Carl and their families from Abundant Living in Vilcabamba as well..lovely people all of them and, I'm counting down for my move to lovely Ecuador!!
I hope, your friend here, find his way down as well.
You are welcome to let him know, we are many who started out from a Hell but, there are good places on our planet as well and, Ecuador is clearly one of the very best 💕
Thanks so much for sharing Don!
Thank you for talking nicely about my beautiful little country ❤
@@carmenmancheno5817 I can only find nice things to say about Ecuador dear Carmen 💕 And, only nice things to say about the people of Ecuador as well 💖
@@elgringoec But, off course it's the people 🌟
It always is - in all countries...Ecuadorian people are just lovely and, I truly admire the strong, strong indigeneous Ecuadorians - they are pure human Gold 😍
@@elgringoec will do GeoMac 😊
Don you have personally helped me so much with all the information that you provide in your videos, answering my emails and your spot on recommendations. The thing about you is that you really enjoy helping people. I have great admiration and appreciation for what you do. For anyone that is planning to make the big move, they would benefit greatly just from watching your RUclips channel, it is an invaluable source of information. So thank you very much!
Glad to help
Thanks for another great video. I used your checklist to start my own. With so many things to think about and then add the normal anxiety to a big move, I think checklists are essential to success. Once the chore is on the list, I can stop carrying around in my head. Instead, I spent time revising the list and executing the chores. The list changed many times but I was not having to start all over again in my head.
I made it to Loja on Thursday, and so far, I don’t seem to have forgotten anything. I had my immigration advisor meet me at the airport and went to accommodations he recommended to me. Monday, I will take a look at the apartments he has lined up. Works for me.
Please start learning Spanish. Don’t leave home without it.
This is great Don. You just laid out an entire plan for "How to move to Manta"!
Thanks, Don. You're the best!
Don! Great to see you! You’re always helping people with these videos. Thank you. Your reassurances and willingness to help us feel more and more confident in our decision to move!
We started all that insanity in March ( after our exploration trip) fours weeks and we’ll be there Ecuador 🇪🇨. We did it! We can breathe now. We shall be home soon!
Great video. Moving from Arizona to Ecuador in a few months and also needed to hear this. Juan Zambrano is a great driver and person. Used Juan's services recently when we were there and highly recommend him !
Glad it was helpful!
Don Shader, you are a GEM! 💎💎💎 Those are great words for a newbie.
Hi Don, I'm coming on August 31st. (Cuenca) I'm pretty excited 😊. I'm also feeling overwhelmed getting everything done. I've already sold my place and it's just a matter of time now. Even though I have a couple of good friends here (Florida) most are spread out acrossed the US. It does get lonely here sometimes. When I visited in June I meet 4 expats and had a great time. I'm excited to have an adventure in retirement instead of living in fear of how am I going to make it in Florida. If I ever make it to Manta I would love to meet with you and your lady.
Keep up the good work amigo.
Diana
Thanks so much Diana. You will make a lot of friends here. It's be our please to meet up with you if you get the chance to meet up in Manta.
The getting rid of stuff you don't need, selling stuff, storing stuff is in itself a daunting task.
When I was young I lived in other countries, but now that I'm your age, it's all a bit
overwhelming. Giving the "family" pieces to family members, happy that those things are staying within the family.
Great video I think this is important. It's a different ball game doing this as a relatively care-free young person versus
as an senior retiree. Whew.
Don your 💜 is enormous.
Thanks Monica, that's very kind of you.
Don love your honest attitude and compassion. I like your sense of humor too. I plan to move to Ecuador in August 2022. See you soon!
Don, that is very commendable that you do offer out a hand to this expat and all others. Your video is very encouraging and reasuring. God bless.
Thank you kindly
Anyone listening to Don in this vlog reallyREALLY needs to pay attention. After 20 years of wandering around So. América, 4 years in Ecuador, Don said a lot truth.
Thank you Sir.
Very helpful video Dan.
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Don. Please try to be happy. Try to find friends to talk and hang out. You are amazing person. I'm from Ecuador living in USA.
Which Don are you addressing? I'm happy.
Hi Don, I have watched your videos before and loved them. But this one was perfect for where I am at the moment, mentally and emotionally almost a basket case! Gringo Visa is helping me with the process but my Stuff! What to do with all of this. Your video today gave me some ideas. I am so encouraged. I have my son to help me. We are set in our minds to be out of here by September. I have one friend here. She can't really help me. My family is too far away. So we are on our own. Right now we are planning to settle in Cuenca. It looks wonderful but the altitude may be a problem for my son. Thank you so much! Lots of things to consider. You are a fantastic help. Keep on making these videos please. You are a blessing to me and my son!
Thanks so much Jeanne. Good luck to you.
@@DonShader Thanks for the good wishes Don. You always keep your videos about real stuff and that is what I need. I watched your video a little while ago about real estate in Manta. Your real estate friend was super nice and so helpful. We are hoping we can find someone like that in Cuenca. That is where we have decided to start exploring. You are a marvelous interviewer!!!! Big hugs! We are reaching the apostille stage now for almost everything and it seems more real that we are actually be leaving here. I am going to use the Professional Visa. What a job! It took me five schools to finally earn my BA in Art. Hope I can teach some art when we settle down. We got a storage unit and that was a huge win! I have lots of my art and friends art to store. This week is going to be pretty busy packing up with all the little things we cannot throw away!!!!Thanks for listening to my ramble. Very lonesome here. Looking forward to making friends in Ecuador! Like you!! Catch you later. Hasta luego. jf
@@signelassie Good luck Jeanne and I'm jealous of you going to Cuenca. You're going to love it there.
-ds
Best advice you gave is to put his stuff in storage and go down and visit for a few months.
GREAT advise 🇪🇨
Don,
Thank you so much for this video. Tonight is my first night in Cuenca....after a wonderful prolonged stay in Quito due to the paro. I am having those same horrible feelings...staying in a supposedly great dog friendly place and it is disgusting. My dogs have been washed many times than these floors. Your positive attitude and kind words to Don helped a lot. i know we will find our place, next stop megamaxi for cleaning products....dont think i have a lot of hotel options...never cleaned a hotel room before...but what the fluff....we are flexible. We wiill find our way and so can the other Don. Your empathy is amazing.
Fanks pal,
Susy, Luna and Rebel
Oh Susy, get out of there if you can. Did you get a AirBNB? Or a hotel room? This is not good news. You should not be having to clean your room.
I'm curious to know where you stayed? PM me please. let me get you some help.
The cat vs goat ending is hilarious! It would be great to peer into the mind of the cat in this event…
Cat: “don’t do it… don’t do it..”WHACK!! .. _Wtf did I just tell you??!_
Don, I COULD HAVE WRITTEN 90% OF DON’S LETTER.
I have sold or given away everything I have owned except what will fit in my RAV4. The house closes next week.
I too am not fleeing from but going on road-trip adventures in Mexico (first-time road-tripping there). There is nowhere I know of, right now, that I want to put down roots. I have loved my times in Colombia, Perú, and Ecuador but I skipped over my next-door neighbor Mexico.
All the RECOMMENDATIONS you gave are SOLID.
Keep making informative content. Buena Suerte amigo.
That's the spirit!
@@elgringoec I’m an Itchy Boots fan TOO.
@@elgringoec I totally agree. 100%
Is there a channel we can practice Spanish with others that are learning too? That would be awesome
WOW, I feel for this man. I hope he's doing better 🥰
Great information, very helpful. Really good advice for moving anywhere in the world 🌎.
Don, as I told you and I am telling this individual you mentioned in this letter. Latin Countries are very different in culture than the US. When I was in Colombia and also Venezuela, people do not like to see people by themselves. You can go to a party, and see young people having a good time, but you will also see older people included at these parties. In fact, being American, I would want alone time, but Colombians sometimes didn't understand why you wanted to be alone. Sometimes it's hard to explain this if you haven't lived in a Latin Country. I even knew this American nurse that left Colombia because she just liked being alone, and didn't like being crowded, or inundated by people in her free time. One more thing! Not sure if it's like this in Ecuador, but if you go to parties or a friends home and put your hand out for American handshake, your going to get a Latin American Bear Hug, that sometimes will take the wind right out of you😆Not kidding!
So, this individual you mentioned as "Don" will be leaving one world, and entering a whole new world of culture. I miss it, and hoping to return to it one day..
You are a good man, Don. Good video.
Well done Don 👏
You are a gentleman.
For a grumpy gringo, you sure seem like a nurturing kind person:) Thanks for the advice and caring. All the best to you, Bob
shhhhhh, don't tell anyone.
@@DonShader Ha! …your secret is safe with me:)
I understand the gentleman's situation. I retired at 45 and have thought about moving to Vilca but just not yet.
Tranquillo Uncle Don
Hello Dan, you are a great man trying to help this guy and advising him with all you can. Thumbs up for you. God bless you… be well 🤗 God bless you …Chao
Hi Sandy. Who's Dan? :-)
This guy absolutely doesn't want my recommendations. Boy is he gonna be surprised in the near future.
Don..you are a great guy...love to hear your support for Don...keep up the fantastic work.
Thank you kindly
Thanks!
Timely video.
Very encouraging video, Don. I think I would be this discombobulated just moving cross country here in the US, let alone to another entirely new country. The other Don just needs to stick to his conviction to move, and I'm sure that everything will be OK in the end. There might be some jogs in the road along the way, but he WILL be able to roll with them and do well.
This is my first video of yours that I’ve seen Don but wow gotta say, love how straightforward you are and how real everything is. Would be great to talk to you if you’re up for a collab!
I appreciate that!
Don great advice to the Don in Florida. Hopefully he'll stay in touch and we'll all have breakfast at the restaurant.
I hope so too
To me it's just a matter of finding something that resonates with you and acting on it; not so much loneliness/desperation. Many of us making the decision to relocate to another country are older (not always), and have had enough life experiences to make an informed life changing decision like this. We've lived enough life to recognize what we want when we see it. Sure there are exceptions. It doesn't work out for everyone. Things are sometimes different enough from what we perceived beforehand to make us want to go elsewhere (not necessarily return home). The positive to that is that if we packed light, going someplace else should be easier than the initial move.
Don, this is a great, informative video. I'm like # 200.
My multi-lingual family thanks for publishing it with the option to toggle Spanish subtitles on.
Glad it was helpful!
GREAT advise THANKS
You're welcome!
When Don from Florida said that he was thinking of driving an RV to California first, that was puzzling to me. He would be going in the opposite direction for getting the best flights to Ecuador. If he really plans to relocate, then shouldn't he stay in Florida where he can get short flights from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale to Ecuador. Less expensive and less time.
I also live in west central Florida & I have concerns about calling Cuenca my final stop , I met so many people in Cuenca that made me actually consider it home ... I'm coming for 2 months this year to try & make sure before I sell everything & make this move ...I totally agree it's Scarey to make drastic change !!!
But it's so much fun in the end. Good luck to you.
Great.
In the words of playright John Heywood "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" Always shoot for the moon, the wrost you will do is fall amongst the star.
Maybe when you first arrive would it be better to spend a little more to stay in a 2 or 3 star hotel with breakfast included? There’s daily maid service and you don’t have to grocery shop and cook for breakfast in a foreign country where you don’t know the language or places very well. After a few weeks you can look for a rental. Moving to a foreign country when you’re retirement age is difficult and your channel is very helpful.
That's a good idea. I hope Don reads this comment. Thanks Gabrielle.
I like the Ecuador Women's 👌👌👌👌👌💯💯💯I'm thinking myself to move in Ecuador some day !!! I'm tired of leaving alone here in the US .... See you guys soon 👍👍👍👍
Such a good video. Reality check for us all. Do u have an update on Don.
Don's doing great. Have finally taken delivery on my car and have been very busy with other things. I will have some videos very soon. Thanks for checking.
Going through the same thing myself. I'm about 2 months into the visa application process. The USA paperwork issues are the biggest problem so far. I'm using a highly recommended visa service mentioned in some of your videos, but I'm still nervous that a ball is unintentionally being dropped. State department took forever to apostille my fbi report, just got it two days ago. Still waiting on the state background apostille.
I'm getting rid of stuff. Getting easier, but that's surprisingly hard. I will store some stuff, sell my car, keep my motorcycle near my daughter's. I plan on several visits to my grandchildren a year.
Finances are another. My biggest worry is having my debit card needing to be replaced. So I have two banks with no atm foreign transaction fees. Redundancy. I have two bank accounts with branches both where I live and where my daughter lives. Redundancy.
Then of course, the slide in the stock market.
Yep, alot but looking forward to the adventure.
You are worrying way too much. If you need to talk, let me know. Send me an email, give me your US phone number and I'll call.
Watch my video on checklists!
Selling everything, including your home, makes sense right now even though r/e values are falling everywhere. The ongoing stock market collapse is creating what might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Sitting on a pile of cash waiting for bulletproof investments to get cheap is a good place to be. While this is happening you can explore the world too. Ecuador is a good place to start and maybe set up a home base to explore SA. The only major thing wrong with Ecuador imo is that it's not Europe. That said it's a lot cheaper than almost all of the EU. Bulgaria is probably cost comparable, but learning a Latin alphabet language has got to be easier than a Cyrillic one.
I still have hope that I'll have my house sold and have what stuff I want to hold on to in a 10x20 storage unit within a year of when I decided that was what I needed to do. I'm going to say that would be by March 2023. Where I screwed up is I spent too much time doing things that weren't worth my time. If you spend 4 hours on something you sell for $20, you probably would have been better off paying to dump it. Now it's hot, humid, over 100 heat index, weather person says big, red miserable category, the air is bad with pollution and allergens are very high to extremely high. Realizing time is money but, I have more money than time. I'm down a butt load in the stock market but, I saved losing a lot because I moved a lot to cash before it went down. Do I really need to squeeze out all I can getting rid of the stuff I have?
Not to be ranting but, the crime and political problems in Ecuador seem so trivial. Politics in the US are a hot mess no matter which side you're on and crime is abundant including homicide. We're over 80 homicides for this year in the metro area (Edit- I checked, 85 homicides so far for 2022). The one I think about lately is a guy that was sitting outside, somebody riding by shot and killed him. Police say random shooting, no suspects, yada, yada, yada. It's unlikely anybody will get charged. That's bad but, I'm thinking, I live in an average neighborhood and I wouldn't even think about sitting out on my front porch any time of the day. I wouldn't sit within pistol range of the road anywhere in town. Man, that's sad. Who wants to live like that?
I did get a Google voice account, easy peasy. I'm thinking I can go to Ecuador, decide if I want to be there and come back to the US to visit and get my paperwork in order. Or, I might decide to travel some. I might come back to the US and live in a small town close to where home is now. I do not need to do what I'm doing the rest of my life.
Good Morning Don, I believe you mentioned coming to Ecuador with 5 bags, would you please elaborate on the details?
a) How many were checked?
b) What airline did you fly?
c) What were your weight limits?
Thanks for helping us better understand.
I came with another couple that checked a bag or two in on their flights. They came and stayed with me for a week, then went home. I checked three suitcases and carried on two backpacks with my camera gear. My checked bags were just under 50lbs each. I flew American
@@DonShader Thanks Don.
I'm a loner and that's the main reason why I want to change my life..
If you're a loner in this country, it's your own fault.
How do you want to change your life?
I blame myself all the way...just that time is running out and,I need to get into action with my shyness and depression.Maybe,going to Cuenca or Manta ,give me better luck in finding a single woman.
@@rafaelsolorzano700 There are lots of single women here, both in Cuenca and Manta. Come on down, relax, build a life for yourself, participate in Social Media and you will meet someone nice and willing to engage in a relationship with you.
You have to port your number and cancel your cell WHILE YOU ARE IN THE US not after you get here. I tried that. I figured I might want the number for a couple days here still. What that mean is that they would not forward calls. Not with a VPN either (Google knows). So that means you.may not be able to use your cell that last day at the airport, but if you want forwarding, that's what you have to do. I eventually communicated with peoe what the new number was but there were some who thought I just vanished because suddenly my number was no longer valid and wasn't being forwarded. Just a heads up😀
This is what I like about Americans expats, you help each other in a foreign land and that is beautiful
No, that's NOT true. But then again, maybe it depends on your carrier. I was with ATT. When I logged on to terminate my account, I was given the option of picking my termination date. So I set mine up to terminate two weeks after I arrived here. I had already ported my number to GV before I even requested the termination and it didn't have any impact on my service at all.
You don't use GV to forward calls. It's not that kind of service.
Yes it is but beware, some of it can be pure bullshit too.
@@DonShader That's good to know. I had the GV set up before I left for EC, and there was no problem with either service at that time. It think the difference is that you (I think) set up that termination date while you were still in the US. I terminated my cell service after reaching EC, which meant that my GV worked fine, but no calls were going to be forwarded from my canceled cell. If I had known that, I would have done it the way you did. It's hard to remember that far back exactly, but I thought terminating would be terminating there and then, with no option to set a termination date, and I thought it would be prudent to keep the US cell number active until I was here. That to me meant waiting till I got here before porting. I have to say I had a heck of a time figuring out what their rules were. To me google has a way of giving choices to you as you go that leave you wondering what the full ramifications to a choice are, and I found it very difficult to really nail them down with their help pages or by looking online. I think that's in part because they don't really want you to use it overseas because it's really supposed to be for US calls and not as a replacement for a cell phone or a way to make free i ternatiknal calls, definitions I also had a hard time really nailing down as. (For example, I wasn't sure if "US calls" meant calls made and received in the US or not. I still use it here to call the US, so they really meant US number to US number, but as far as I can tell they reserve the right to cut it off anytime they want since it is clearly EC to US and vice versa. I am still invited again and again to verify my phone again; I skip that every time, and it's been fine, but I keep waiting for the hammer to drop.) So in short, I think the bottom line is that if you don't actually port the number--or as you did, schedule it to be ported--in the US, the number doesn't get ported. The whole thing started to feel like an IQ test after a while, and I guess it's a good thing I didn't go into rocket science 🤣. Thank you for the follow up and the clarification! 👍👍
@@DonShader BTW I was with Verizon, so there may have been a difference in how it was handled with porting. I may have mistakenly thought that porting came with termination at the same time and should have thought to ask about that. Either way, I thought you could port from EC, which wasn't true for me. Thanks again 👍
Don what is a good van service from Cuenca to Vilcabamba?
You can talk to Victor Ojeda in Cuenca.
You can find his contact info on this page: docs.google.com/document/d/1ArNRtsdqfleE1-l9r1yKrh-XyzksSIwj0MMyb09L0ro/edit?usp=sharing
Do you still recommend folks to move to Ecuador as expats?
Of course. As long as they come with an open mind and don't have unreasonable expectations.
This guy should really try Manta on the 90-day tourist visa before considering residency. He may hate it. Too many Americans invest too quickly and make poor decisions.
Agreed.
Hi Don I just want to ask you if being an American citizen with no papers yet in Ecuador we are allowed to open a bank account in Ecuador? (And if so, what is the minimum amount) The other thing that I want to ask you is, if we need to start the process of residence here in the USA through an Ecuadorian consulate or we can do it being physically there? Thanks a lot.
I opened a bank account with only my passport and $25. No Visa or cedula. I went to JEP Cooperative the seconc week I was here and I was earning interest on my CDs the very next month.
No, you don't NEED to start your Visa process at a local consulate. You can if you want to but I hired a Immigration lawyer and let them do everything for me and I hired them before I came to EC.
@@DonShader Thanks Don I appreciated it
@@DonShader Don one last question, is there any reliable Ecuadorian attorney in USA that I can use for the purpose of preparing my Ecuadorian resident papers? I live in Florida.
@@soilootelo9407 All the Ecuadorian attorneys I'm aware of have USA Branches and they have a toll free number you can call. You can call EquaAssist at 1-844-532-3282.
@@DonShader Thanks a lot Don, hope to see you one day in Cuenca Ecuador to grab a coffee together..I am Harry
Delgado travel agency has PLENTY office in Ecuador .if u want send. Documents or clothes except electronics thi well know. Agency in the USA. Most of Ecuadorian send. Through this agency. It would take a week .for documents. They charge led then $20 .
Hello Don. I like your videos even I am from Guayaquil Ecuador living in Japan. I am in the US Navy. I would like to give you an advice if you let me please. Very cautious with those e-mails that you are receiving from strangers because it can be a scam. Thank you for all your advices to people but please be cautious.
I got it under control, thanks Luis.
I'm not sure how getting emails can be a scam. The emails themselves are OK, it's the embedded links that need to be avoided.
Somebody posted a ridiculous comment about the fortune they made on a small investment by following some guy. I replied BS alert. I'm glad to see you deleted their comment. I would think you tube would police this. I see this all over youtube and it's unfortunate if somebody falls for this scam.
And every time I catch them I block them permanently but they just get another Google ID and return. I need to revise my filter some more.
Doesn't sound like your friends makes decisions with discernment but instead makes them with his emotions...not smart. Anyone who thinks they should leave Florida and move to California, obviously is not thinking straight.
In order to change my lifestyle from N.Y to Manta or Cuenca....I have to take a trip for a couple of months to see if I adjust...I'm looking to meet single women who are ex pats....Over here where I'm at,I find it hard to mingle....Don,I need the names of the Facebook ex paTs where I can start finding new people.Thanks a heap..
Look in the description. Everything is there.
How is the revolt going down there? Getting violent against the government or against the citizens
What revolt? What channel have you been watching? You obviously haven't been watching this one. Maybe you got mine mixed up with someone else?
@@DonShader Just the news in the states claiming the commies were fighting there. Figured it was nonsense but asked anyway. Thanks
Why do people think they need a camper van an or off-road rigged pickup? I have traveled solo to 5 different Latin American countries with an up-to-date travel book and everything in a carry on bag. = One of the main advantages of these countries is that you can get by without a private vehicle. = Also the thing you need to get away from is your useless junk, , so why do you want to take it with you???
Good question.
Don the email writer: You seem unhappy. There is a saying: "Wherever you go, there you are." You can have happiness or sadness wherever you go. Each of those is in you, you just have to select which you want to be in most of the time. I do not wish to be negative, but your unhappiness needs to be addressed ACTIVELY. You need to work on a good life for yourself. You've sold you house and you are convinced that Ecuador is for you. Well, Idk how much time you've spent there, but I just spent a month there. The first day was hard with culture shock. But that went away quickly, as in: by the second day I was feeling good about the people there who are extremely poor, but just get on with things. I was inspired. But by the end of that month, I was finding things I did not care for. I am in no way down on the beautiful people and country of Ecuador, in fact I truly admire them, but I do not know if it is for me. I will take another trip and spend more time there, at least six months. Finding friends like Don Shader will help you tons, and as you heard, he's got great suggestions and is quite willing to help you. There are many more people, wonderful expats and wonderful locals who will help you. But most importantly think about your unhappiness. I am certain Ecuador will not be a panacea for you, but it may be a good place to explore yourself, try new things, and perhaps become a person happier with himself. Happiness is elusive and fleeting. Don't expect to be happy all the time. But it is also something to work on. Read about this. Work on yourself. Question yourself, because what's inside of you is what makes you happy or sad. I wish you the very best of luck with everything you are doing. Good luck with the move, and I hope the elation of landing in Ecuador lasts as you work on becoming a happier person.
Really the guy needs find a way be "happy" Some guys are already happy but do not know it.... Diving into a foreign country will not make you happy if you are not already happy. If you are lonely in the US its by choice.