Why I Chose Ecuador?

Many ask why I chose to move to Ecuador.

Why I chose Ecuador

For me, it’s simple.

I moved here because I love it, I feel comfortable, and I still feel like I have a lot to explore.

It’s true, I’ve been in and out of the country for 6 years, but there’s still A LOT I haven’t done.

Like see the pink, fresh-water dolphins that live in a few of the rivers in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

But generally speaking, I like four main points about Ecuador…

1. Mild, yet warm weather. Its not oppressively hot and humid like Panama, yet cold and highly variable like back in the States.

2. Low costs. Food, transport and housing are all considerably lower in Ecuador, with taxi rides starting from $1. I love that, you really don’t need a car!

3. The people. The people in Ecuador are truly welcoming to foreigners.

4. The food. I love the cheap, natural food available in Ecuador, like the full course lunches for $2.59 complete with fresh juice, soup and meat.

That’s why I chose Ecuador, but above all else, I’ve got soe great friends here. People ALWAYS make the place!

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Do you disqualify for health insurance in Ecuador?

“I’ve heard enough.”

“There’s no reason for us to keep talking to him.” My friend said this week as we chatted with an insurance agent in Ecuador. Many Fitness centers use to have gym instructor insurance UK.

“If I can’t get health insurance for myself and my wife, Ecuador’s not an option.”

Thing is, my friend who was looking for insurance is 70 years old (although he looks younger than me) and both he and his wife of 64 have some pre-existing health problems.

Most health insurance providers in Ecuador will only admit folks to new plans until age 65, like the agent we were talking to, effectively disqualifying my friend.

But we kept looking and looking, and we did find two insurance companies here that will accept you over age 65.

BMI and Cruz Blanca. Now, both have several years in business in Ecuador with many affiliated clinics nationwide and have good reps locally.

In fact, Cruz Blanca is the ONLY insurance company I know that has no age limit on new applicants looking to get into a health care plan. you can read more about health on health blog.

For my 70 year old friend and his wife the quoted cost of BMI insurance was $540 per month total to insurance both of them for $150,000 of coverage per year in mecical treatments and up to $15,000 a year in perscriptions and non-necessary medicial costs like check ups. With a $200 deductible.

Cruz Blanca has health insurance plans for folks 65 + starting from $105 per person for full coverage against accidents and necessary medical treatments.

But you should know a few things about health insurance in Ecuador.

As for insurance companies in Ecuador, pre-existing conditions found in the initial medical exam and their subsequent treatments are not covered in a newly opened plan.

But your initial exam probably won’t be too rigurous, or may not even be necessary, unless you are over 65. To know more about what kind of tests are done, go to Neuropathy Relief Guide and check their insurance section. That should get you the knowledge you need to be ready.

For example, if you are detected to have a minor medical condition in the initial exam, meds and treatment for that ailment will not be covered. And for several health issues, like Diabetes, most providers in Ecuador will simply disqualify you.

Now, Ecuador health care is CHEAP.

$20 for teeth cleaning. $5 for a doctor check up. $150 when you split your forehead open playing tackle football without pads (don’t ask).

Some just pay as they go living without insurance, like me.

Others keep their US plans although they live in Ecuador.

For instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield on some plans covers half of all medical costs incurred when outside their “home” country.

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Murali-Hostal-Guayaquil

Worthless Bills in Ecuador- Beware

In Ecuador, you’ll quickly notice everyone’s broke.

one-hundred-dollar-bill-ecuador

At least it seems that way.

And in the businesses almost NO ONE ever has any change.

And they simply WILL NOT accept your $100 and $50 bills.

The only place you can change them is waiting in line at the bank.

Don’t bring em.

Because you can’t use them down here!

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Free Ecuador Expat Information Center

Would you like free, unbiased answers to your questions about moving to Ecuador?

Now, at the Ecuador Expat Information Center of Guayaquil you can get ALL your toughest questions answered with one of our English speaking representatives.

How to hire health care?

How to get a residency visa?

How to ship your household goods without hassles?

How to find rentals and property at the lowest prices in your area of interest?

And we also serve as a bed and breakfast and can pick you up upon arrival in the Guayaquil Airport!

Click here for more on the Guayaquil Bed and Breakfast and Expat Info Center.

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A view of the matrimonial room
hotel-near-guayaquil-gye-airport
A view of the front door and lobby

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Will you get priced out of Ecuador?

This week I got an angry comment from a reader.

“The bottom line in all of this is that if you do not buy now you will be priced out of the market. The Americans Have literally driven the prices up so high that prices are ridiculously higher than they were even 5 years ago. What I do not like is how the Americans went into Ecuador and bought properties for 15, 20 ,25 thousand dollars and are reselling them for 150, 200, 250 thousand dollars. The people in Ecuador at the time were not aware of how valuable their houses were and when they were shown so much cash, and for them 15 thousand at the time was a lot of money they went for it. Now many of them feel duped. But the President of Ecuador is becoming aware of this and he could step in at any time and do whatever he wants to do, to expats. So do not under-estimate a president that graduated from an American school in Ecuador to take care of his own first.”

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Pescado a la Plancha in Ecuador, a typical and delicious dish...

My take?

Truth is…

I recently left Ecuador for a year to go live and work in China and India.

Came back a few months ago.

And within a few weeks found a liveable place with a beautiful ocean view for under $20k… that, yes, needed a lot of work.

No biggie.

The “Ecuador dream” of finding a desirable piece of real estate CHEAP is still out there.

But you have to know how to look!

As more foreigners buy up places the prices will naturally rise.

But they don’t rise across the board down here because there is no nationwide MLS system, most people have NO IDEA what true market values are when they buy or list homes.

It’s a free for all.

A crap shoot.

But it’s fun for those who know how to play the game.

Fact is, most of you will come down and think prices have already risen or that there is simply not much available.

Bull sh#t.

You can still find deals well under $50k if you are patient and know how to find them.

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