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Move to Ecuador
Living in Ecuador: Q and
A’s
Please click the question to see the answer:
Can I afford to move to
Ecuador: What’s the price
of food, houses, cars?
Is building a house anything
like it is in my country?
Can I finance land or
houses in Ecuador when I am ready to buy?
How is land measured in
Ecuador?
Are the people friendly or
antagonistic toward my country?
What is the social and
cultural environment like?
How hard is it to get a
resident visa and what does the process cost?
Is it difficult to receive and
send mail in Ecuador?
Q - Can I afford to move to Ecuador: What’s the
price of food, houses, cars?
A – Living in Ecuador is extremely affordable in many
ways. The prices of food, gas and rents are very
low. Ecuadorian friends here in Cotacachi recently rented a 5
bedroom, 4 bath house with car park, large yard and garden for $150 a
month.
$8-12 USD a week will buy all the fabulous fresh fruits and
vegetables needed for a whole week of munching.
Move to Ecuador for Plentiful and Cheap
Fresh
Fruits and Vegetables 
Move to ecuador for the markets! Market days are often the highlight of the week for many locals and
markets are bustling on those days. Cotacachi’s
market day is Sunday and Otavalo’s is Saturday.
Market day is a day for vendors to socialize as well as profit from the
literal “fruits” of their labor and the markets
ring with laughter, lively conversation and bartering as
each buyer
looks for the best produce at the best price.
Your move to Ecuador can save you money. Here’s a sampling of approximate costs for Ecuador food as of
September, 2007:
- 3 medium pineapples (pinas) - $1
- 4 small papayas - $1
- 6-8 Gala apples (manzanas) - $1
- fresh blackberries (mora) - $1 per liter
- huge red juicy fresh strawberries (fresas) - $1
per 1 – 2 lbs.
- bunch of fresh herbs like cilantro, basil,
parsley - $.15
- free range eggs (huevos) - 10-12 cents each
- potatoes (papas) - $2 for 10 pounds
- red bell peppers – 10 cents
each
- zucchini, eggplant, broccoli, etc.
– 25 - 50 cents
per large piece
- 2 dozen fresh roses or other cut flowers - $1-2
A chain of grocery stores called, “SuperMaxi,” has
locations in most larger cities and towns in Ecuador. They
carry many of those things
ex-pats crave but often cannot always get in
other countries; things like peanut butter, olives  with pimento,
imported cheeses such as Romano, Gouda, and parmesan, pancake mix,
organic yogurt, sacks of dry dog food, jalapenos, Mexican salsa, chips
like Doritos and Ruffles, safely-packaged meats of all kinds, and
ketchup. You move to Ecuador will not take you far away from familar foods.
Upon moving to Ecuador you will recognize those tried-and-true American brands you know and
love, plus a large variety of European items. They
don’t carry very many spices, especially the ethnic ones from
countries like India or Thailand.
SuperMaxi also sells very good quality kitchen utensils, glasses and
cups, pillows and specialty ingredients for Thai and Mexican dishes.
Their pots and pans are the Ecuadorian standard—not the
greatest.
A huge MegaMaxi has just opened in a new mall in northern Quito.
Move to Ecuador for Custom Built Homes
$25 -
$40 per Square Foot
Any area populated by gringos has seen land prices go up considerably
in the last 5 years. Today you will pay $25k for 1/3 acre or
as much as $50,000 for one acre in a gated community in Cotacachi or
$5,000 to 10,000 per acre for raw residential land. However, the diligent and thorough gringo
can still move to Ecuador and find bargains.
Recently friends bought five acres of land with beautiful
views for $5000 and a Texan found 10 acres near Cotacachi for
$20,000. Needless to say, he snapped it up!
The price of home construction is still a bargain by U.S. standards,
largely due to low labor costs, since a typical workman is paid between
$8-10 USD per day. Brick, adobe or concrete Ecuador homes can
be built for $25-$40 per square foot, depending upon the region and
amenities.
Move to Ecuador for a beautiful home. Marble and
granite is fairly cheap, from $25-195 per square
meter, installed, with granite being the more expensive. A
large variety of colors and sizes of floor and wall tiles are
available--Ecuadorian and imports from Italy, Columbia and
Brazil. Quito has several carpet stores where you can find
U.S. wall-to-wall carpeting and area rugs from a number of different
countries.
Here are some sample prices for housing materials and furnishings for
Ecuador homes:
- Ceramic tiles – 70 cents to $1.50 per
square foot
- Concrete blocks – 14 cents each
- Chrome bath faucets – cheap to
expensive, depending upon
whether they are from China or Italy, but any quality desired is
available in Quito.
- Small electric washing machine - $300
- Frost-free refrigerator - $480 and up depending
on size and amenities
- Custom wood kitchen cabinets cost about $100
-200 per linear meter
- Solid wood door - $90 - $130 installed
My Kingdom for a Home Depot!
Are you worried that a move to Ecuador will leave you without Home
Depot? Where does a man, or woman, desperate for a Phillips
screwdriver, a
pair of pliers or an Allen wrench, go when he or she absolutely has to
have one? There is no longer any need to get an emergency
care package from the U.S. for those vital tools.
A chain called “Kywi” has come to the rescue of the
building supply-impaired. While in small towns you may have
to visit half a dozen or more hardware stores, called
“ferreterias,” and still not find exactly what you
are searching for, larger cities now have a “Kywi,”
-- one-stop shopping for
many of your move to Ecuador home needs.
“Kywi” carries tools of good quality, such things
as safes, plants, pots and gardening supplies, bathroom fixtures,
mirrors, paint, household items and light fixtures, electrical and
plumbing supplies. They do not carry lumber, plywood or
building supplies. Kywi is like Ace Hardware.
Prices are reasonable for most items.
Get Help Buying a Used Car for your Move to Ecuador
It is possible to move to Ecuador without a car, because there is good
cab and bus transportation at very inexpensive prices.
However, exploring all those out-of-the-way places and enticing dirt
roads is much more fun in your own vehicle!
The newspapers are full of used cars, trucks, buses and vans---Toyotas
and Chevrolets of all kinds and SUVs are popular. Chevies are
made here. It is a Suzuki design sold under a Chevrolet
trademark. We see lots of well-maintained older Mercedes,
too. Everyone in Ecuador seems to have a new or late model
car. Not many
junkers!
Purchasing a used vehicle necessitates finding a reliable and
trustworthy mechanic, plus an Ecuadorian middle-man to negotiate the
deal for you. Unless you are a top-notch negotiator or speak
fluent Spanish, it is better to have help from a local, who can procure
a better price for you.
Your car will have to be registered yearly. This is usually
done at the local police station.
Only new cars or those less than one year old can be legally imported
into Ecuador from other countries. If older, they will be
impounded, sold or returned to their country of origin.
Taxes for a
vehicle you import can run as much as 50% of the value of
the car. Most car brands can be
purchased here in
Ecuador, except for some of the luxury models. It will cost
you roughly 25% more than in the U.S.
Q - Is building an Ecuador home
anything like it is in my home country?
A
– Probably slower. Workers love fiestas and
celebrations are frequent. Building contractors can be heard
to complain because on Monday their workers sometimes don’t
show up. . . for days!
Ecuador does not require the reams of paperwork, building inspections
or zoning that the United States does, although there are building
codes and restrictions. For this reason, you are free to
express your creativity and individuality with a move to Ecuador, but you may
also end up
living next to a restaurant, garage or shopping mall!
Ecuador homes are often grand, three-or four or more stories of glass
and concrete, complete with painted swans, curved windows, turrets and
domes. Many families build one or two stories at a time,
waiting until they have the money to finish or add another
story. The fronts of buildings are finished. The
sides are not; the bare bricks and mortar are left exposed and
unpainted.
You won’t see that many obvious brick homes here because
although brick is used, it is often covered with concrete. Wood is
seldom used for exteriors, either. Roofs are usually tiles of
the Spanish variety or thick concrete, the most common material for
housing construction. Most Ecuador homes do not have garages
or carports in rural areas, but they are more common in cities.
Architects abound and the work process is similar to the process in the
United States. A general contractor supervises the
construction. Condos are often pre-sold before being
finished. The economy is healthy and vital.
The finish work is often not as fine as it can be in the
U.S. Kitchen countertops are usually several inches
lower than North American standards because the people here are
shorter. As with any construction, being on location yourself
is the best way to get the quality you want. And it is
important to pay attention to every detail. Don’t
take anything for granted.
Q – Can I finance land or
houses in Ecuador when I am ready
to buy?
A – There has not been very much financing available for
foreigners to purchase real estate in Ecuador, although in some areas
that is changing. Sometimes an owner or developer will carry
financing for you, but interest rates will be high.
Cash is king for your move to Ecuador,
with as much as 50% required for a deposit and the
balance due when the building is complete.
Condo developments are offering more financing, with as little as 5-10%
initial down payment on pre-construction units. Then the
purchaser has the option to make monthly payments until the unit is
completed in order to come up with the rest of the down payment or
deposit required. Even this financing can be prohibitive for
expats since they do not usually have established credit in
Ecuador. Interest rates can run as high as 12-14%. Click here to read about a condo buying experience.
Q – How is land measured
in Ecuador?
A
- Land is measured in meters and hectares. A meter is 3.28
feet and a square meter is 10.76 square feet. A hectare
equals 2.47 acres, 10,000 square meters or 107,000 square feet.
Land is sometimes sold by the square meter.
Q - Are the people friendly or
antagonistic toward my country?
A
– We have recently seen graffiti that is anti-American
written on walls—“Cuba si, Yanks
no.” There is a strong Cuban sentiment among some
factions and an equally strong U.S. affinity.
Much has been written in the U.S. press about the current president,
Rafael Correa and his relationship with Venezuela’s
Chavez. To us, Correa looks like a highly educated individual
who has his country’s best interest at heart. 
By April of 2008 a new constitution will be written which will give a
much better indication of the future direction of this
country. We feel very optimistic that the very friendly
attitude of the people and the politics of this country towards ex-pats
will continue and shall on have positive impacts to your move to Ecuador.
Ecuadorians are in general, very
low-key and calm in nature.
They seldom speak up in the face of pushy salesmen, noise or
problems. Their usual solution to a difficulty that remains
unresolved after a long time is to go on strike. They will
also set up roadblocks in protest. But to our knowledge,
there have been no demonstrations against North Americans living in
Ecuador.
Ecuadorian democracy seems to function extremely well. When a
President or Congress becomes unpopular, they simply throw them
out! Move to Ecuador and experience democracy in action.
Q - What is the social and cultural
environment like?
A
– Ecuadorians are friendly, helpful (although they may send
you off in the wrong direction rather than admit they don’t
know the answer to your question), communal and generally
non-aggressive. They are not outspoken or vocal in most
situations. I have never seen a mother or father reprimand or
physically punish a child in public.
The indigenous tend to group together in rural areas, keeping the
surrounding land for only agriculture. Life in Ecuador moves
at a slower pace than in North America. Mañana
rules.
Each indigenous village or community has its own individual dress, but
that usually means skirts and blouses for women and pants and shirts or
ponchos for men, all in distinctive colors and materials, depending
upon the village. Village life is agricultural, centering
around fiestas and the church, which is mostly Catholic.
Large cities are like most others in the world—a variety of
cultures and races, including those from other countries.
International dining, opera, theater, music, fine shopping:
all are available. There are coffee houses, delis, English
bookstores, good public transportation and a multitude of nightlife to
choose from. You move to Ecuador will provide a true range of experiences.
If you are friendly and open, you can assimilate into the Ecuadorian
culture fairly easily.
Q - How hard is it to get a resident
visa for my move to Ecuador and what does the process
cost?
A
– Since you can only stay in Ecuador for six months out of
each year, the ex-pat choosing to move to Ecuador more permanently must
obtain a resident visa. There are at least six different
kinds of resident visas to choose from.
Once you decide which visa to apply for, the process can take several
months. Although you can do it alone, hiring an attorney can
be quicker and easier, but more expensive. If you
don’t know Spanish, then we would suggest that you get an
attorney.
When the process is complete, you are then required to stay in Ecuador
for at least 9 months each year, total, for the first two
years. The authorities are sticklers and staying out of the
country for even one more day may lead to the revocation of your
resident visa.
The resident visa allows you to bring
your household items into Ecuador duty-free
and you will also be eligible for discounts for such things as flights
to the Galapagos, paying the same price as locals. With a resident visa your move to Ecuador will start to pay off!
Resident visa fees are generally $350 per person, plus the cost of an
attorney, if used, which can vary greatly. Then there are the
additional costs of photographs, notarized copies of your passport and
copies of other documents. Notaries in Ecuador often have
elaborate offices and can charge much more for their services than
their U.S. equivalent does.
Q – Is it difficult to
receive and send mail after my move to Ecuador?
A
– Mail service is fairly reliable in large
cities. Paying for a post office box in a city like Quito may
be the best and safest method for receiving mail. There is a
small fee for this service.
Mail in smaller towns and rural areas is sporadic or
non-existent. Here in Cotacachi some mail can be delivered at
your address, but there are no mailboxes or letter slots to receive
it. You can get general delivery at the local post
office.
Use UPS, DHL or FedEx. It’s safer and more
reliable, although expensive. We recently received a credit
card from the states through FedEx International Priority and the price
for mailing was $89USD!
Mail
Forwarding and your move to Ecuador
www.EarthClassMail.com makes your
postal mail instantly available
online, just like email. You can look at, open, recycle and
manage your mail online, from
anywhere in the world. Check
out your mail and then eliminate the junk mail, fliers, advertisements
and other useless paper. Simplify your move to Ecuador.
You have your selected mail sent to a remote
address. Earth Class picks up your mail each day at
the post office, scans in all the sealed envelope images, then
electronically sends each one to you online.
You view your envelopes in a secure online mailbox and tell them what
you want to do with your mail.
• Recycle all the junk with a
click of your mouse
• Have them securely scan the
contents so you can read it online
• Shred sensitive information
• Forward the original to you or
someone else
• Forward the electronic
document to whomever you choose
• Archive the originals at their
facility
This service is quick,
safe and environmentally sound. Save
fuel costs and reduce your carbon footprint.
Ex-pats save 50-90% over traditional mail forwarding
services. They even have check processing.
www.usglobalmail.com gives you
your own U.S. mailing address, whether
it be a suite, box, apartment, department or office. You can
view all incoming mail and customize each shipment by carrier, speed
and price.
For international business, a U.S. address is necessary. They
offer inventory and fulfillment services in addition to mail
forwarding. You can shop on E-bay.
For individuals, they offer the most advanced mailing
service. View incoming mail in real-time and customize each
shipment by carrier, speed, and price.
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With U.S. Global
Mail you can shop on EBay.com and other popular sites that will only
ship to a U.S. address. Forward mail and packages to your current
foreign address.
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