'The best place to live for cheap' Prices

The best place to live for cheap

Life has pushed us around the hemisphere since then…Panama, Nicaragua, three different places in Mexico. But during the year we lived in Quito we were able to explore much of Ecuador’s beaches, highlands, and mountains–and we flat out fell in love with the place. It’s not only one of the most affordable places on earth to live…it has the best weather on the planet as far as I’m concerned.

$28, 000 for a luxury apartment, $75, 000 for a beachfront condo, $30 per week for a fulltime maid and $25 for a gourmet meal for two… sounds too good to be true. But it’s not.

Every cliché you’ve heard about living large on very little, about settling into the lap of luxury on even a pensioner’s budget, its all true in this beautiful little country.

Just an example of Stidman's wrong information. A full-time maid in Ecuador does not cost $30/week. I happen to have one and these are the approximate costs: minimum wage -- $240/month. Social Security -- $48/month. 13th and 14th salaries prorated -- $40/month. Transportation -- $20/month. All this adds up to $348/month and does not include food, which you also have to provide.

Thank you Randy for clearing up some points there. Its the same all over South America, people think its super cheap when its not (and when it is, that usually means services and products are very poor quality!). What are the good reasons to move to Ecuador do you think? Is it only good for retired people or also for young people with online work?

I spent some time in Uruguay and many wannabe expats contacted me saying they heard Uruguay is really cheap - well I'm telling you it is NOT! Ok it may be cheaper than living in Manhattan or London, but the wages aren't the same so you are comparing apples and oranges!

Randy I'd like to hear more from you about the realities of life in Ecuador seeing as you are actually there and experiencing it. Could you tell me a bit about daily costs? What is expensive and what is not? How much do local people earn?

1) The country is beautiful and offers a variety of spectacular settings, ranging from the mountains, jungle, and beaches. I happen to like the mountains and, when I was younger, climbed them as often as I could. That experience is exhilarating. 2) The pace of life in Ecuador is much slower than in the U.S. There is no rush to do anything and as a result much less stress than you would experience in the U.S. Just relax and enjoy every day. 3)The climate, at least in the mountains and surrounding valleys, is near perfect. It's hardly ever too cold or too hot. You don't need air conditioning or central heating. You just add or take off layers depending on the time of day. It's cool at night, warm at noon, and spring-like in between. 4) I bought a farm in Tumbaco which is in a valley near Quito. It has a large expat community there and good international type schools if you have children. It also offers basic conveniences: modern supermarket and shopping centers, movie theaters, and a good hospital nearby.

Regarding your other questions: 1)Costs per month: My wife and I spend roughly $700 a month on groceries; $200/month on internet/telephone/TV; $500/month for a car; $700/month on health (including $125/month for a gym); $350/month for a full-time maid plus food for her; $80/month on utilities (water/electricity); and $800/month on miscellaneous items. Although health costs are much lower in Ecuador than in the U.S., you should be aware that Medicare does not cover treatment overseas. 2) Relatively expensive items: good quality imported clothing, cars, electronic equipment -- basically anything imported and not produced in Ecuador. Relatively inexpensive items: real estate (either purchased or rented); local vegetables; labor (maid/gardener). 3)Salaries in general in Ecuador are low and opportunities scarce. For example, the President and Ministers in the government earn around $4000/month and so normal professionals make less than half that. Naturally, it depends on what skills you have to offer. If you have a professional degree and good Spanish, you might be able to get a job in a university. In the Quito area, the University of San Francisco pays best. Years back, a friend of mine got a job there which paid $25, 000/year. I imagine salaries have gone up since then -- but don't know by how much. For most expats who are not retired, it is best to think of being self-employed, perhaps investing in a business that is tourist-related. Tourism is one area that is growing rapidly in Ecuador. I hope this information is helpful to you Carla. Randy

I look forward to hearing more from you on the board.

Thanks

Thanks

For one to live "cheap" they require all imported name brand stuff from the USA, for another "cheap" means integrating into the local culture.

You will probably find that many Ecuadorians live very "cheap" compared to the amounts your talking about. But can you live the same lifestyle?

There is really no answer besides going and exploring for yourself, to see how you fit in (price wise).

Thanks for the info.

So your only motivation is the cost of living?

I've not lived in the USA for 8 years. The question of money and cost of living aside, there are so many interesting and great places to live, I wouldn't choose the USA.

I think the ultimate place to live would be one where you could live comfortably for $1, 200 a month, yet would want to remain if you income unexpected rose to $10, 000 a month!

That's a good thought, I don't want to live in the USA either, I'm sure Ecuador or even other countries are very nice, my motivation is not only the cost of living ( which is very important as I have to be able to live on my SS ) but also the beautiful country and better more friendly people, I'm so sick of people here, so I will be checking these places out, I can't wait to get away from here, but I also think what I said is true, by the time I get there ( 3 years ) it will be too expensive ( more than I have from my SS )I think some people have more money than me and that is not a consideration for them, they live there for other reasons and can't relate ( like our government ) to people like me that will only have about $1, 700 a month and have to find a place where we can have a decent life on that amount.

Thanks for your reply.

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