OpenTube

The Truth About Living In Ecuador: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Joyful Life Retirement

3,706 views

Thinking about living or retiring in Ecuador?
In this video, we share the real good, bad, and ugly of expat life so you can make an informed decision before making the move.

#Ecuador
#RetireAbroad
#ExpatLife

📺 Watch next:
Healthcare in Ecuador: What Retirees Need to Know
Healthcare in Ecuador: What They Don't Tel...
Living in Ecuador on $1200 / month - Healthcare in Ecuador: What They Don't Tel...
Ecuador on $800/month

🎁 Could You Really Retire Abroad?

Take our FREE 5-Minute Retire Abroad Readiness Checklist to see where you stand—and what to consider next.

Get your free checklist:
https://joyfulliferetirement.com/free...

------------------------------------
CHAPTERS
------------------------------------
0:00 Americans Moving to Ecuador
1:52 The Good Parts of Moving to Ecuador
6:20 The Bad Part of Moving to Ecuador
12:03 The Ugly Parts of Moving to Ecuador
16:20 Culture Shock
17:35 What Surprised Us The Most
18:33 Who Should Move To Ecuador
19:12 Would We Still Choose Ecuador

-------------------------------------------------------------------

If this video helped you better understand what life in Ecuador is really like, subscribe to Joyful Life Retirement.
We share honest, practical guidance to help you decide whether living or retiring abroad is right for you.

📌Subscribe FREE @joyfulliferetirement

Healthcare in Ecuador link

Follow us on our social platforms
✅FaceBook: Facebook: JoyfulLifeRetirement
✅Instagram: Instagram: joyfulliferetirement
✅Threads: https://www.threads.com/@joyfullifere...

Get tips for smart retirement abroad in affordable retirement destinations enjoying an expat lifestyle that is financially free.

RESOURCES
Our Recommended Retirement & Travel Essentials

Planning your own retirement abroad? We've handpicked a few travel essentials that can help make your scouting trip and international travel a little easier. If you're exploring life overseas, we hope you find them helpful! Check the shopping links in this video.

Helpful Resources For Living Abroad
Planning a scouting trip to Ecuador or another retirement destination? Stay connected with Airalo eSIM : https://airalo.pxf.io/c/7503891/38695...

Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and reflects our personal experiences, research, and opinions. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the video's publication date but may change. Some links may be affiliate or YouTube Shopping links, which may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services we believe provide genuine value. Always verify current information and consult qualified professionals before making financial, legal, medical, or relocation decisions.

20 Comments

@JoyfulLifeRetirement Creator 1 month ago (edited) Pinned

Are you really ready to retire abroad? Get FREE help to figure it out https://joyfulliferetirement.com/free-retire-abroad-checklist

@Clifor-k8h 2 months ago

81 years old 30 ecuador love it here

@tomg1247 2 months ago

Greetings from Cuenca! We love Ecuador--its landscapes and its people!

@calmcaninerehabwithjennifer 2 months ago

I was on the coast of Ecuador for 4 years, and I've been in Vilcabamba for about 9 months.

@michaelharris9615 2 months ago

A good, honest, well organized video

@JoyfulLifeRetirement Creator 2 months ago

What's the biggest factor that would influence your decision to move abroad—cost of living, healthcare, safety, climate, or something else?
We'd love to hear your thoughts!

If this video helped, please give it a 👍 and subscribe for more honest retirement abroad content every week.

@courtneyl1424 2 months ago

So glad to have found your channel! Ecuador (Cuenca specifically) has moved up on my list of places to retire in the next few years and your videos have been so helpful in providing an overall picture and insight into life in the country. My main concern is truly about safety and your thoughts about women moving there solo. Also, are you aware if homes often burglarized or are most theft crimes, crimes of opportunity- like pickpockets, etc?
Lastly, my fingers are crossed for there being a Costco there by the time I retire! 🤗
Your videos are great!!

@DadHominem 2 months ago

Excellent video. Very informative!

One thing regarding the earthquakes - I was in Ecuador about 10 months after the 2016 earthquake, and one of the confounding factors that contributed to the widespread destruction is the variance of construction quality due to the absence of building codes.
For instance, in many coastal areas, builders use beach sand for making concrete, and the salt in the sand erodes the rebar used to reinforce the concrete. Over time (5-7 years) the concrete buildings made this way are inherently weaker, then an earthquake comes along, and mass destruction is the result.

@wendyleelynds-y8i 1 month ago

i’ve been dabbling with the idea going to outskirts of cotacachi for awhile and i appreciated your opinions. i’d have to admit to thinking all of that rings true. makes me all the more excited about that possibilities. and…you guys are adorable!

@PursueHigherDreamsCoaching 2 months ago

Thank you for this video. Ecuador is on my short list for a 3 or 6 month sabbatical in 2027. Thank you for this. I’ve been to Mexico and Colombia before so this is a natural next step. Also I hope to continue to build my Spanish language skills.

@LoveLalaRamos 3 weeks ago

We're arriving in 3 weeks to live. Sight unseen. We are so ready .. We're from NY ... but transitioned to the beach in Myrtle Beach for 5 months until our real move to Cuenca.

@PBandJustGo 2 months ago

Really well done video!!

@resad6040 2 months ago

Watching from Houston, TX!Concerned about safety for solo women travelers!

@DebbieMorelli 2 months ago

Hi guys. I’m from Washington state USA

@ameliaberton4411 2 months ago

Im Ecuadorian living in NYC for 43 years; like you said it’s not safe here. I’m afraid to take the subway, someone may push you to the tracks, or cut your face with a box cutter, even light your body on fire and don’t even mention pick pockets. Country wide the mass shootings is terrifying, at church on a gathering at even birthday parties. You don’t see that in Ecuador. I’m sure I’ll move back to Ecuador when I retire. I miss it’s gastronomy; to me the best in the world; everything is freshly cooked in small restaurants and big fancy restaurants.

@donactfussy9890 2 months ago

12 yrs. under $1400 SSA in Cuenca. I can put away $300 a month. I've had 3 major surgeries Hernia, Gall bladder and Prostate cancer. $12, 000. Cancer free 4 yrs and doing fine. $7 mini bus ride over the Andes and I'm on the beach in 4 hrs. I'm stayin'

@JoyfulLifeRetirement Creator 2 months ago

If you already live abroad, what's one thing you wish someone had told you before you moved? We'd love to hear your experience. And if you're still deciding, drop your biggest question below—we may answer it in a future video.👇🏾

@JoyfulLifeRetirement Creator 2 months ago

Would you move to Ecuador if it meant cutting your monthly expenses in half?
Tell us your biggest concern, then watch the full video on YouTube!

@ambrosejoseph4843 2 months ago

Love and live in Cuenca. 4 1/2 years

@macman9689 2 months ago

We have made two exploratory visits to Ecuador. We loved EVERY minute of it. We have done thorough research and spoken to many ‘expats.’ We are convinced we are making the right decision to move there once my wife retires in a few months. We know there will be some hiccups and things in our blind spot we may miss. All that said Ecuador is still a much better place for us compared to how we want to live our lives going forward.

Regarding the hot topic crime/safety. The most profound statement someone told us on our last visit, ‘if your are not into drugs, politics or big money you’ll be find regarding crime and safety.’ Makes total sense to me!