Everything matters in Ecuador, even nature.
They were the first country to make laws that treat nature like an entity that needs to be protected.
As you can imagine, those who call Ecuador home are proud of the green space they upkeep.
Their efforts are encouraging, but the country is not perfect.
The citizens and government are working to improve the status of the country while preserving history.
Come explore this South American sweet spot as we go through the good and bad about being a resident of Ecuador.
Contents
Pros of Living in Ecuador
1. Weather
Ecuador is situated at the northern tip of South America facing the west.
That means it has 1,400 miles of coast and ocean currents.
There is a real Mediterranean feel across the country with an endless spring.
So, while there are no snow days, there’s going to be a lot of rain.
That is actually a good reason why it is so lush and green.
2. Cost of Living
If you are looking for a place with great amenities that is budget-friendly, Ecuador can fit that bill.
On a salary that would be below the poverty line in the US, you can live quite comfortably in this part of South America.
Many houses for rent come with housekeeping.
It is also not uncommon for people to have homes in the city and a vacation home on the coast or in the mountains.
You can expect to have all your bills paid and have money to eat in luxury for around $1,500 a month or less.
3. Retirement Friendly
Because you can do so much more with so much less in Ecuador, the country has become a haven for retirees from more wealthy nations.
The reason why Ecuador specifically is that they have a visa that makes it easy to move there for people who make at least $800 a month.
That includes people with a pension.
So, as far as picking a place you plan to be for a while once you have left your career, this is it.
4. Low Crime Rates
For being a nation that isn’t quite as developed as America, Ecuador has some of the lowest violent crime rates in the world.
The best way to stay safe is to keep a low profile.
As long as you’re not flaunting wealth, no one is really going to be paying attention to you.
Most parts of the country are even okay to walk around at night alone.
Take precautions and you will not have to worry about being a target for any crimes.
5. Health Care
There are multiple ways to stay healthy and insured while living in Ecuador.
First, there is public assistance provided by the government.
If you want more options, you can pay into the national healthcare system.
The cost runs around $65 a month and it takes care of pretty much any basic need you could have.
If you have a high-paying position, it could make your costs go up somewhat.
Paying for dependents is also a bargain, only adding about 3.5% more for each person.
You can also fund your insurance privately.
6. Budget Travel
There are so many activities to do around the country, that it is highly likely that anyone who lives there would want to get out and see the sights as often as they could.
Why drive yourself when you can hire a driver for less than $20 dollars that will drive you for two hours?
What a steal!
There is seeing a country, then there is being chauffeured around.
With there being so much to check out, you might give up having a car of your own in order to enjoy this special treatment.
7. An Exploration of History
Europe has nothing on Ecuador, which can trace back its inhabitants 8,000 years.
The balance of power has changed numerous times over the centuries.
This change and influx of people from outside the country have helped create the citizens we know today.
Luckily, pieces of the past can be found all across Ecuador in the form of historical sites and even buildings like churches.
The influence of a multicultural past lives on.
8. Incredible Scenery
The fun thing about living in Ecuador is the proximity to both the ocean and the Andes Mountains.
The flora and fauna are unlike anything most people are used to.
There is just an abundance of biodiversity all across the country.
You will feel healthier just being exposed to all the nature.
It really does your body and soul good.
Cons of Living in Ecuador
1. Blackout Periods
Ecuador has worked hard over the last several years to improve the infrastructure.
While things have improved a lot, the system still has not been perfected.
So, residents have to prepare to lose power at any given time.
A stock of fresh water, candles, batteries, and even wireless technology will need to be on hand just in case.
2. Over Abundance of Dogs
It’s hard to understand, at first, why having lots of dogs could be considered a con.
Well, mainly because there are so many that are starving.
There are packs of dogs all over the place and the government does not seem to be doing much about it.
Some citizens have even taken to using alternative means to end the dogs’ suffering.
On the flip side, this could be your calling.
If you plan to have a lot of free time, you could work to help get these dogs fixed so the problem can start to decrease.
3. Water Quality
In certain areas, the local government will strongly suggest boiling water before consuming it.
They just cannot always be 100% certain that there are no issues lurking in the water.
Some residents have regular shipments of water to their homes so they can avoid having to use the tap altogether.
If the thought of having to go the extra mile for your water sounds like a pain, you may want to do extra research to find a city with trustworthy water sources.
4. Bugs
As mentioned previously, it rains a lot in Ecuador.
It is great that rain brings so much vegetation to the region.
What is not cool is the number of bugs the rains bring.
If you are at all squeamish, you may want to rethink making Ecuador your home.
That is, of course, unless you plan to stay inside most of the time.
You cannot go out on the patio either, since mosquitoes can fly up to you.
There are also bugs that bite.
Just be prepared.
5. Serious Health Needs
Health care for basic needs is pretty legit.
If you come down with something more serious like cancer, though, that might be a problem.
To avoid any potential massive health scares, residents would need to look into private insurers to cover any of those potential issues.
Everything relies on waiting for the government to approve treatments and you just might not have that long if you’re using government-subsidized insurance.
6. Sun Exposure
It may sound obvious, but if you are moving to a country named after the equator, you should expect lots of sunshine.
In fact, you get 12 hours of sunshine every day.
Honestly, it is great at first.
You do not have to worry about getting off of work and driving home in complete darkness.
However, that means you are running a risk of developing sun-related complications over time.
Things such as skin cancer can develop and, in regards to the last point, it might be tough to recover from.
7. Building Code Violations
Before moving into any establishment, it is important to get an inspection.
The regulations are not very tight and it is not uncommon for a builder to take shortcuts in even the finest of establishments.
Improper wiring has caused the deaths of people using electricity that has not been properly installed.
The last thing you want is to be exposed to electricity while in the midst of the water.
8. South American Dust Bowl
If you have heard of the American Dust Bowl from a century ago, you know what we mean.
Back then, there was so much dust everywhere that it caused constant discomfort and, in some cases, death.
Costa Rica is not quite as bad as Oklahoma, but the amount of dust in the air can be annoying.
This is a good reminder that before you eat any product, you must clean it off first.
Pros and Cons of Living in Ecuador – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Ecuador | Cons of Living in Ecuador |
|---|---|
| 1. Weather | 1. Blackout Periods |
| 2. Cost of Living | 2. Over Abundance of Dogs |
| 3. Retirement Friendly | 3. Water Quality |
| 4. Low Crime Rates | 4. Bugs |
| 5. Health Care | 5. Serious Health Needs |
| 6. Budget Travel | 6. Sun Exposure |
| 7. An Exploration of History | 7. Building Code Violations |
| 8. Incredible Scenery | 8. South American Dust Bowl |
Ecuador Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Ecuador Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national language of Ecuador?
Spanish.
If you do not know Spanish, now is the time.
If you plan to move there, you will want to sign up for a program to learn before you go and after you arrive.
Locals will be much more receptive to people from abroad if they see you are making an effort.
If not, they will interpret you as someone to be wary of.
Be seen going out of your way to greet everyone in Spanish and you will be on your way to making friends.
When did Ecuador become a country?
Ecuador has been an independent entity since 1822 when it became free of Spain.
That came after almost 300 years of rule by the European conquerors.
In the two hundred years prior to that, Ecuador was annexed as part of the Inca Empire.
After all those years of being under someone else’s rule, Ecuadorians proudly celebrate Independence Day on May 24th.
Is Ecuador a third-world country?
Technically, Ecuador is designated as a developing country.
To be fair, 85% of the world’s population is considered part of the developing world.
While the country thrives in the natural resources department, there are a lot of needs that are not being met.
What is Ecuador's most populated city?
Guayaquil has 2.7 million inhabitants.
People probably flock here more than even to the capital because of where it sits.
Not only is it a massive city, but it is also right on the Rio Guayas.
So that means great weather without some of the tropical storms that can come from the ocean.
What are the top exports coming out of Ecuador?
Petroleum oil brings in around $5,000,000,000 a year.
Next are bananas at $4,000,000,000.
To round out the top three, the last is crustaceans at $3,800,000,000.
Ecuador seems pretty appealing on a sm pension of 2800/ month would seem affordable!! Actually more like 4,000. But converting to USA currency roughly 3,000/ month.
I do not know how old this article or the comments are, but there is no need to do conversion to USA currency, the official currency of Ecuador for the last 13 years is the US dollar.
So anybody on Social Security cannot dare living there? how much renting a small apartment will cost?
You can easily live in Ecuador on $1,000/mo. as a single person, in a nice place like Loja!
I was looking into bigger spaces to rent. I have found several inside the smaller cities for 600 to 800 a month. Now granted, these were 1500 sq ft+, fully furnished with all utilities paid including internet. Oh, and 3 bedrooms.
My husband and I have a young child, a few animals, and we need a third room for an office to do remote work.
We are trying to work with a realtor to rent until we can buy. We are still in the states, but I really hope we can move down here soon.
Where is more information about this “South American Dust Bowl?”