Are there any single female expats in Ecuador? Meet Patti Helmuth.

[@Dee8H]

Great interview Don! As a single female looking to retire abroad, it's great to hear Patti's experiences. 🍁

[@mohamedm7571]

Dennes am single too live in us iwan retired there too if u respond will be nice then we plan together

[@susywilliams9217]

So great to hear from another single lady. Thanks a bunch for all you do! Look forward to each vidoe!

[@sherrym2337]

This was one of my favorite videos. Patti, you rock!! Love the quilt on the wall. For those who wouldn't know, that is a piece of art that took many hours to make. Don, you just keep getting better and better.

[@pattihelmuth30]

Thanks, Sherry. It was a lot of work

[@DonShader]

Oh thank you!

[@cecilialemire2]

I love the quilt, so so much. Can u please tell me how to reach you? And as for the interview! Don ::: you rock! Every video I watch from you is better than the previous one! Congrats 🍾 you are doing a great job. Me encantaría saber si los dos Patti y Don están ya hablando Español… just curious 🧐

[@DonShader]

@@cecilialemire2 Thanks so much Cecillia for your kindness. Patti's email address is right above in the description. -ds

[@joann5157]

Great interview, Don! Patti seems like a very self confident woman with world travel experience. As such, she might not be the "typical" female expat, but she is the single older woman we all aspire to be. It would take a LOT for me to do this venture alone knowing NO ONE in Ecuador, but she looks as if nothing would faze her. Lovely portrait of her, by the way!

[@Jetmab04]

Don't be afraid of moving country on your own 🥺! I've lived in 5 countries so far and, am planning to retire in Ecuador in a few years - on my own and, from Europe. Think of it this way: people are curious about meeting someone who is travelling alone (man or woman) but as soon as two people travel together, most often other people don't want to interrupt and, they meet less new people,!! I'm a single woman as well and, I've had the best times in my life, while travelling and, have friends from all over the world 😊

[@joann5157]

@@Jetmab04 I aspire to be YOU!! You are absolutely right about being more approachable as a single! Never thought of it that way. Continued happy travels to you!!

[@Jetmab04]

@@joann5157 Thanks so much Jo Ann..you're too kind! And, happy travels to you...start small, with short trips, speak to other travellers, listen to what they say and, look after yourself everywhere....including home. The place in which I have been robbed and scammed worst was in the place I was born.. Take care...

[@seaglasscolor]

Congrats, Don, on being about to make 4,000 subscribers! Enjoyed your interview with Patti. Glad she is getting top quality health care in Manta.

[@nellie...]

Don this is another great interview. Can't wait to visit Ecuador some day.

[@Resmith18SR]

I really enjoyed the interview with Patti, it was very interesting and it revealed to me that it may be easier for some women to socialize and create relationships than it might be for single expat men. People that travel and relocate to other foreign countries tend to be more adventurous and lead more interesting lives. To me it's all about enjoying the differences in culture, food, language, etc.

[@catherineedwardsclemment5327]

This was a great talk! I am so happy that she is available for questions, “boots in the ground” information. I will be coming by myself in early 2024 and the closer it gets, that’s when I’ll be all ears. I’ll target Cuenca. I have a Cartier Bresson framed poster of his photo in the countryside of France where the trees make up a colonnade on both sides of the dirt road. Catherine from Mesa.

[@DonShader]

Thanks Catherine. Good luck to you.

[@fluffy5534]

Patti is a brave lady. She looks very happy. Best wishes to both of you.

[@DonShader]

Thank you so much!

[@susywilliams9217]

The furfaces and I will be there in just over a month....thanks for leading the way Patti!

[@berthatamayo4613]

Hi Don And Patti great interview, so glad to hear the life in Ecuador. As an Ecuadorean getting ready to retire with my husband in Ecuador; we are very confident to be happy. Your channel has helped lots of people including myself. Keep up the good work. Greetings from Long Island New York!

[@DonShader]

Best of luck!

[@pattihelmuth30]

Many retired Ecuadorian expats coming here to retire

[@DoItYourselfDIYAtHome]

Thank you Don. Great interview and interesting conversation.

[@captainmorgan7809]

4K subscribers! Congrats super Don and thank you for all that you do :)

[@destinationmax]

Patti, thank you for sharing your journey with us. You are a true inspiration. I am currently solo in Mexico and looking forward to moving to Ecuador solo in November. Yes, I am scared but I know it will be the right place for me.

[@maxinemccollister2615]

@Diose007 Hello there. I hope your weekend is amazing. To answer your question; it is not that I do not want to stay in Mexico. I love Mexico. This is my 2nd 6-month stay here in the past 4 years. I am from Texas, and Mexico is right next door to the US and Canada, making it a convenient place to live and visit. There is a special once-in-a-lifetime regularization residency program here in MX that ends this year, and it is too good to pass up. I will be able to apply the first week of November when my 180-day tourist visa expires, then get a temporary residency for 4 years. I will then have the ability after 4 years to easily get my permanent residency. My next plan of action is to move to Ecuador to live. I will apply for temp residency, and work for my permanent. I plan to make Ecuador my forever home. I am very attracted to many things about Ecuador; especially the beautiful Ecuadorian people, the ecosystem, and very excited to explore everything there. The Amazon Rain Forest seems incredible as well. I actually like the idea that Ecuador is still a developing country. I would like to volunteer and work in my free time with the community on developing some helpful things. I want to have at least 2 residencies to be able to have the option to stay in Mexico and Ecuador as long as I want and NOT be a perpetual tourist as I have NO PLAN to EVER live in the United States again. I will visit friends and family, maybe do some shopping there, but that is all. This is an entirely different topic all together. lol To sum it up, Life is far too short to limit yourself to staying or visiting in just one place.

[@dianamayfield5615]

Don, I've been following your posts for several months and must tell you how much I enjoy them. BTW, they are getting better and better. Patti is lovely. As an "older" soon-to-be expat, I've found, on my several exploratory trips that the single women expats I've met are all cut from a similar independent cloth. Impressive lady. Keep up the good work. I'll see you soon.

[@kriskirmse9655]

Hurray Patti! Don, I love these expat interviews, keep them coming.

[@DonShader]

Will do.

[@edsedlak6827]

Great interview Don, you're getting to be a real pro.

[@Robertsdogs]

Another great interview Don. Nice to hear things from a woman's perspective.

[@DonShader]

Thanks for listening

[@johnneycoon7808]

A great interview. Patty sounds like a very interesting woman. I love your interview series. Keep up the great work.

[@DonShader]

Thanks for listening

[@fabianserrano9371]

Don do it again 👏👏

[@suarezolga836]

Patti,you are an amazing lady I only wish I was single , it is refreshing to see such a adventurous woman. and thank you Don outstanding job.

[@JW-bh2ud]

Thanks Patti for sharing your story :)

[@sallyg77]

Congrats Don on hitting 4K!

[@janethamilton7583]

Great episode!

[@impish22]

Thanks for the very interesting conversation

[@injunnc]

After seeing this I am convinced Don Shader is the Mike Wallace of Cuenca! Perhaps, better than the original copy. Thoroughly enjoyed getting Patty's perspective. Thank you, Don! Hope to meet you one day. In the process of moving down to Cuenca Land!!

[@DonShader]

Unfortunately I (nor Patti) are in Cuenca. We're in Manta. Thanks for your kind words. -ds

[@injunnc]

@@DonShader Well, in that case I will amend my previous comment - "...Don Shader is the Mike Wallace of Manta.....". Good luck in Manta!

[@robertjackson9601]

Another great video Don, good job on the photo at the end / thumb nail.

[@DonShader]

Thanks Robert.

[@whacked00]

Great interview. Wonderful lady!

[@dianalutke2098]

Yea! You made over 4000 subscribers. Good on you. The interview with Patty is by far my favorite video you have done. I'm on my way to Cuenca on the 1st of September and she is exactly the interview I wanted to see. Thanks to both of you 😘

[@DonShader]

Wow, thank you!

[@RickFidelisReed]

Excellent interview. She was so open and very interesting.

[@olgalucanu8513]

Hello! Don, first I just want to tell you at every vlog how much I LOVE the introduction for your videos! So creative, SO YOU! Secondly, love the very informative interview! Thank you! Great lady! So brave! Me and my husband cannot wait to meet you!

[@DonShader]

Wow, thank you! Good luck to you and please be safe.

[@susanmarling2079]

Thanks Don and Patti! Enjoyed your interview.

[@DonShader]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jayleon2080]

Subscribed! Don, you put out helpful content. Candid information. Thank you. The interviews with different expats with different stories and perspectives are very useful. Friendly request: Could you please consider a video on non-food Shopping for Clothes, Electronics, Household Items, Books, etc? What does the mall near you offer?..and the local stores? Grateful for what u do!

[@jayleon2080]

I ask this question about non-food Shopping because I am told that the product availability is limited throughout much of South America -- especially when it comes to Clothes and Electronics. And there is no Amazon or similar service for delivery. Thank you.

[@DonShader]

You got it Jay. I'll make that my next video. Thanks for joining my family. -ds

[@tmcdon]

Don! Great to see you! Thanks to you and Patti for the video! I hope the young lady finds romance, companionship! Interesting interview and topics. Thank you for this video!

[@vickideirdrelevon6580]

Thank you, Don!

[@ecuadorhusker2449]

Excellent job as always Don.

[@DonShader]

I appreciate that

[@MemeHam123]

Wonderful interview with Patti! Thanks!

[@DonShader]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sukulo]

Lovely Lady Don, and she's Nice looking Too, Wish her the Best. greetings from Boston.

[@robertwright1782]

Another great one Don!!! Remember when I get there I was one of your first subscribers🤪😆

[@DonShader]

Will do. Breakfast will be on me too. -ds

[@robertwright1782]

@@DonShader 🙂cant wait😋

[@chrisogle001]

Another excellent interview. Thanks Don! - Chris

[@DonShader]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kellycarr5883]

Thanks for such a great interview. Really enjoyed Ms. Helmuth's perspective.

[@DonShader]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hipsterkennyrogers909]

I am personally so ready for mañana time.

[@larryhanson6674]

These interviews put you "Head and Shoulders" above your competition that have been in Ecuador years longer than you have.

[@NitaBluberri]

Great interview. Patti inspired me. and I subscribed.

[@DonShader]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@jaynebuck5163]

Another great interview! Thanks Don

[@DonShader]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@thaimaxcan]

Thanks for this interview , I will share it with my sisters .

[@DonShader]

Wonderful!

[@rikksullenberger6864]

Nice lady Don. If she is free for dinner in a few years I’d like to book a table for 2 🤗

[@DonShader]

Drop her a note. Her email address is in the description. -ds

[@Resmith18SR]

A few years?

[@TimeToTravel-u2x]

@@Resmith18SR 😂...apparently he likes planning ahead

[@barbarabooth9824]

Thank you that was great

[@chaugg1]

Thank you Don and thank you Patti. Must say this is a very casual interview but very informative and real. You two have skill and truthful expression. Please keep going with more interviews. Best wishes to both of you. 🌹🌹🌹👍👍👍😍😍😍

[@DonShader]

Glad you enjoyed it! I'm working on more interviews as we speak. I interviewed my doctor yesterday and tomorrow, I will be interviewing an Insurance broker.

[@mikewest9159]

Great practical conversation for consideration

[@vizypro2952]

I love your videos. Youre an awesome Gentleman

[@jmyonan]

Hi Don. I very much enjoyed your interview with Patti. She seems like a very nice lady. I also liked the Tik-Tok video at the end...it cracked me up!

[@DonShader]

I'm glad you liked it but I had to take the Tic Tok video down because of copyright violation. -ds

[@fuelcontech]

Thanks Don

[@Jetmab04]

Yet another perfect interview from you Don - thanks!! I love seeing other women, travelling on their own and, not being afraid of doing so... Thanks to both of you 😊

[@orlandovelastegui1391]

I’m from N.Y. So I like Cuenca but, if I move from the United States I’m going to move to a beach city in the coast of Ecuador because I love the beach.! I can take walks everyday on the beach for hours. The nearest beach to Cuenca is in Guayaquil playas and that’s like 3 1/2 hour from Cuenca.

[@danielexum1110]

Great interview I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. Especially to be brave and just do it. I just turned 62 and starting to plan for expat retirement. I did notice many people in this interview and others had tried Panama and ultimately chose Ecuador. What was the big difference, what was the determining factor to choose Ecuador, why Ecuador over Panama? Thanks Dan

[@kentwheeler6515]

Great program

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

Thank you for doing an interview with a female expat!! And thanks for giving out her email... I am sending one today.

[@DonShader]

Please do! She'll be glad to hear from you. -ds

[@Cuprum46]

An other great Interview. Thank's Don and Patti. How is the pollution in Manta area comparing to Vilcabamba for example?

[@ecuadorstreetdogrehab]

Good to know there are other single female expats out there & more coming! I've been in Salinas since January & am generally a 3rd or 5th wheel. 🤣

[@eileenmc4746]

Funny comments here. I sometimes watch Amelia and JP channel on Ecuador. Keep it going!

[@DonShader]

So glad to hear.

[@waynewhite2314]

Ur hair looked combed to me....day to day thats fine. Aint no wedding photo time..lol

[@andrewsmith9174]

Good interview Don. One question you never asked was, after nine years, is she a citizen of Ecuador now? I would have liked to explore a bit of that part of her story. My ultimate goal, at this point with my Ecuadorian wife, will be retirement in Ecuador. That will be in the future and laws will change. My path will be different because of my marriage, but I am curious of the process in the paperwork necessary of changing status.

[@DonShader]

YES!, She has her permanent residency. Sorry I didn't think about that part, but hell, I can't think of everything. I'm old. :-)

[@andrewsmith9174]

@@DonShader, I’m old on the inside. File it away for the next interview. Good job so far, still enjoy your content.

[@michaelcroom2601]

Interesting video Don. Thx. I would love to move to Ecuador but wife has different ideas. Don’t you know she is right.

[@DonShader]

Maybe you should do an exploratory trip.

[@davidfigueroa712]

SUBSCRIBED

[@alienseeker1]

Hi Don, my wife and I have been planning on moving down there in November from the Phoenix area. We are both the same age as you and I am sensitive to the humidity that causes inflammation in my joints. Watching your latest video it was unclear if you were saying Cuenca is less humid then Manta or was it visa versa. We were planning on starting out in Cuenca and was hoping it wouldn’t seem quite as humid since it is much cooler there then here in Phoenix. Would you please clarify this to if Cuenca or Manta is drier? I always thought Cuenca was much more humid since I hear about all the rain they get. Thank You, Don and Andrea

[@DonShader]

Cuenca is wayyyy less humid than Manta. Cuenca is in the mountains. Manta is ocean side. More humidity. Cuenca is cooler and a little rainier and the air is thin but OMG what a beautiful, magical place it is. Hope that helps. -ds

[@sunshinet3058]

Cuenca is chilly at night, but even a rainy day is comfortable. I don't know what altitude is like in Phoenix but it has an impact on someone like me who was born and lived at sea level 99% of my life lol. Cuenca has so much to offer

[@sunshinet3058]

I'm a single female myself, a lot of what Patti said I agree. Ecuador is still a good option for solo women retirement

[@DianeHeyn-mv7is]

Just watched the video and it was very educational. Patti didn’t talk about safety. I’m a single lady coming to Monta for 3 months next January. I can’t see Patti’s email because I’d like to ask her about where is safe for a lady to live alone in Manta. Could you please re show her email address? PS. I really enjoy your videos

[@DonShader]

Please email me and I will give it to you. Patti has moved, FYI.

[@idarodriguez9602]

Hi. Loved this interview. We are planning our 1st exploratory trip to Cuenca in July for about a month. Want what ever advice we can get on our trip. We are taking our 14 year old granddaughter with us. Any advice on this would be appreciated

[@DonShader]

Just have a good time and when you first get there, take it easy for the first two or three days and you'll get somewhat used to the altitude. Cuenca is a great experience.

[@billeagle51]

Don...ask you u about another video. U conveyed that it would be best to do an exploratory trip to Cuenca. Can you give me any point of contact to show me around Cuenca and Manta? I ask this question in another video. I am a single 71 yr old...could you let me know..appreciate it

[@DonShader]

See my video interview with Victor please. He'll be your man.

[@rafaelsolorzano700]

Another excellent video.....Don...........I didnt gert her e-mail,can you send it to me,please.....

[@DonShader]

It's in the description my friend.

[@rafaelsolorzano700]

I hope you can achieve 5.000.00 and more subscribers....

[@rafaelsolorzano700]

I'm an Ecuadorian trying to find a single ex-pat lady ,is that difficult..

[@rafaelsolorzano700]

If you can get more interviews like this,you can reach a gold mine.

[@soloncoleman2691]

Hey Don, this is Solon from Houston. I want to ask you about something that has been bothering me a lot. But how does an American citizen pay their Income Taxes around February of each year? It seems to me that one would have to return to the USA just to go to H & R Block file me tax returns. Do you pay your Income Taxes in the USA or in Ecuador?

[@DonShader]

Why on Earth would you have to return to the US to do Taxes? Do you not know about Freetax USA, HR Block, TurboTax? All of these are online entities. I did my taxes from right here in Ecuador and already got one of my refunds. -ds

[@dianalutke2098]

Ugh! I can't find her email. Can you please help me out?

[@DonShader]

It’s in the description.

[@elisabethlewis5926]

can you tell me how you managed to come to Ecuador by yourself, How is it for you and how do you cope alone.

[@DonShader]

Elisabeth, who is this question for?

[@elisabethlewis5926]

@@DonShader for Patti please

[@DonShader]

@@elisabethlewis5926 Oh OK, thanks.

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

I sent her an email and she never responded. I guess she thought it was junk ??

[@DonShader]

I'll tell her to check her spam folder. Patti is a very friendly person and I can't imagine her just ignoring your email unless she had a reason to. I'll find out for you.

[@raymiller764]

Don, I am surprised your channel has so few subscribers, have you given any thought to changing the name (or tweaking) of the channel?

[@DonShader]

No. I don't care how many subscribers I have. I'm not doing this for money, only to help others get through what I've been through. I'm not a filmmaker nor producer, just another expat that retired and moved abroad while following other KZbinrs that candy coated their stories about living here, all in the name of profit. Do you have suggestions?

[@raymiller764]

@@DonShader Don Shader, living the dream in Ecuador bringing you the good, the bad and ugly of everyday life in Quinta.

[@DonShader]

@@raymiller764 what is Quinta?

[@davidproject8274]

Is about connecting with people also, not about reaching a number... thou I don't consider 4k a small number. we overlook the value of 1 subscriber

[@DonShader]

@@davidproject8274 what is the value of one subscriber? There is no money in this. Everything I do is voluntary yet I still get the subs that call me racist, spam other subs, troll, and generally waste time. For some this is a profit center. For me, it’s something to do.

[@jerardnighorn8213]

Great video. The funny thing is and maybe you wanna explore this as a video, the people in Latin America and many being women want to do the opposite and that’s leave Latin America and come to the United States.

[@bartholomewnyc3503]

Do you have to get the covid shot in order to live there?

[@DonShader]

Yes, of course. Why not?

[@raymiller764]

What kind of relationship can one have if they don't speak the same language? I am drawing a blank

[@DonShader]

Me too. I could never stand to be in the same house with someone I couldn't understand, or couldn't understand me.

[@raymiller764]

@@DonShader I mean clearly one thing jumps to the mind but there must be more.

[@sunshinet3058]

@@raymiller764 might be why the Philippines is so popular with older expat men, English spoken lol

[@raymiller764]

@@sunshinet3058 yes, it is the riveting conversations

[@TimeToTravel-u2x]

@@raymiller764 yeah...she will love you as long as you keep paying

[@lesliedavid1244]

I can’t find a guy in the US so definitely not looking for that in Ecuador.

[@DonShader]

I couldn't find a GF in the US either. That was mostly my fault though.

[@haroldwaynejackson7880]

GREAT VIDEO! Deep thanks to Ms. Helmuth. She seems to be the kind of person with which I equate myself... adventurous, unafraid of life. And I am incredibly ready to leave this BS American throw-away society for a truer meaning.

[@mariadavis3797]

Why wouldn’t a woman be able to make it alone in Ecuador or anywhere else?

[@DonShader]

I don't know. You tell me.

[@LAGirls-lv5gh]

Sounds interesting expat community. Wonder any Christian churches, communities?

[@DonShader]

Not that I'm aware of but that doesn't mean they don't exist. Facebook would be a good place to look.

[@hump1953]

Great video… I’ve been thinking about making a move…do u have an email I can follow up with you ?

[@DonShader]

It's always in the description.