Why Ecuador, Pt 2

The most popular video in my collection is the one I did last year on why I live in Ecuador.
Today's video is part two of that video with a little of the same.
Please note: In the video, I made a reference to a spreadsheet of my August Budget. I forgot to place it so here is a link to it in Google Sheets.
docs.google.co...
I know, I screwed up so excuse me for living.
Me:
I can no longer share personal information because of Internet trolls.
Links to know:
My Channel Video Index
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My Google Docs document of useful information
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Document Links
My Checklist for migration docs.google.co...
Facebook
Manta and Manabi Expats and Amigos - / 323275021650751
Remember this folks.
A country might look good on paper, or on a KZbin video, but what about the “Chemistry” between you, the individual and the country and culture as a whole?
This is something we can’t know in advance. We can only make our move, dive in and test the waters…….and see how it goes.
If you can't walk on water, freeze it
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The views expressed in this video are in no way intended to be taken as advice on retirement, migrating to Ecuador, investing, buying insurance, or getting your immigration documentation.
I am not responsible for any decision you make after watching my videos.
I don't give advice and I don't recommend anything unless it is based on my own personal, verifiable experience.
I want to be sure that the information I provide is accurate information and I don't want people to make a poor choice based on anything I say.
If one person comes here based on my influence and doesn't like it at all, then has to return to start all over again, I have failed.

[@dalemadden3914]

I’ve been watching your videos for some time & never commented. I once was very high on Ecuador for retirement, but I have slowly changed my mind. Argentina gets very little publicity as a retirement destination, but the more research I do, the more attractive it becomes. The blue dollar rate is phenomenal over there. Nearly three times the official exchange rate. Buenos Aires seems to be a wonderful city. I’m from Los Angeles btw. I think I would learn their version of Spanish as quickly as possible once I arrived. Immigration doesn’t seem to be too difficult, or one can stay by leaving to Uruguay or Chile every 90 days. I think it’s definitely worth an exploratory visit at the very least. Good luck & I look forward to many videos when you arrive in Argentina!

[@dovygoodguy1296]

Don is an introspective and sincere person who is not like those who are just interested in fun and food who bore the hell out of me.

[@GMAceM]

Why Ecuador? Because Don Shader is here. 😎 It has been quite hot, I think I have to get my air conditioner serviced because it takes a while to cool down my room. Always great to see another video brother, can’t wait to see that Ayampe video!

[@conradcarlton2756]

Don,great channel ,scary media should not influence you as long you are not personally afflicted. Keep it up. Greetings Tim.

[@tmcdon]

Don, as long as Mr. Parker makes it, I think you (we) are gonna be okay!

[@pascalguerandel8181]

Boom boom music...you are such a character..and so 🤣😅😂 funny! Ecuador is not perfect but awesome enough! Great reviews!

[@dianamayfield5615]

The very best thing about Ecuador is the people. Most are kind, happy, and ready to help. Well, except for some of the bureaucrats, but I think that's universal... Don, as I told you before, I love Ayampe. Glad you liked it. If you want peace and quiet, you might check out Canoa. Visit Argentina and let us know what you think. Glad you are not rushing into a decision.

[@kanointhephilippines8082]

It's the same here in the Philippines, everything has increased in price by about 30% in the last year or so. Land in many cases has doubled in the last 2-3 years. And those same expats are here as well. For me I find having a small circle of like minded expat friends is best and I avoid the places most expats frequent. Just live simple and try to stay under the radar. Things have changed everywhere but for me the Philippines is my last home. Take care and God bless.

[@carmenmancheno5817]

"Everybody speaks " I love that❤, that's I love vacationing in my country, here in NYC nobody speaks to nobody; Argentina is really, really cheap, and the people the best.

[@hackeandoeltoc]

This was really enjoyable video Don, heartwarming as an Ecuadorian in Canada, to know you have felt this 'warmth' us Ecuadorians have and your genuineness is inspiring. Looking forward for the Ayampe video.

[@destinationmax]

❤ Thank you Don. I want you to explore but still selfishly hope your still in Ecuador after the first of the year.

[@haydenmoss-rz9wo]

Great Video as always Don ! Looking forward to future videos !!! Thanks for your call!! H.

[@colleenporter316]

Thank you for expressing your point of view - it is much appreciated! I'm headed to Cuenca for a long exploratory trip (cool suits me much better than the warmth & humidity of Manta). I'm also looking at Buenos Aires & Mendoza as possible home bases - looking forward to hearing your take on these cities. Thanks for the video!

[@DonShader]

Glad it was helpful! Say hello to Cuenca for me please. I love that place.

[@dudeonabeach-tx6pc]

Great video Don. As always, love the insight. Thanks!

[@DonShader]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ChrisJames-tf8yw]

I moved out of Chicago to southern rural US. I ran some cost comparisons to Ecuador. It's cheaper to stay in the states, once you factor in air fares and US storage costs. It could be cheaper if I sold all my stuff and never flew back. But I don't want to do that.

[@RJMincey]

Yes, some places in the United States which have the fewest resources and amenities may have a cost of living which is lower than places in Ecuador which have abundant resources and amenities - that is, provided you never get sick or need health care.

[@mars54mars54]

Great vid, Don! Excellent overview, I think the real estate prices, therefor rental prices, are the biggest price hike in all the popular places.... and the expat rant as well! 🤣

[@RJMincey]

Regarding Mendoza, Argentina, its elevation is nearly 2500 feet. Of course, this can't compare with Quito's 9400 feet or Cuenca's 8600 feet, but it's something to consider for people with certain respiratory conditions.

[@estelamino6356]

Thanks for all u information

[@pascalguerandel8181]

I'll Have to check out Mendoza Argentina!!

[@whacked00]

Great video, Don. I am thinking aot about visiting Argentina as well.

[@flordeborinquen]

😂loved your video. Especially what you said about some gringos.

[@dovygoodguy1296]

People are more shocked and turned off by the recent violence in Ecuador than by the spreading cancer of the cartels in Mexico. Everyone's in love with Mexico with much more violence and instability than exists in Ecuador!!

[@kathyandthedogs626]

Don, I love your video. Thanks for your honesty and directness. I’ve reached the same conclusion as you did about Uruguay. Plus the weather is too dang cold for me. Is real estate outside Manta (e.g., in Ayampe) as expensive? My impression is that Manta is experiencing a bit of a bubble, a concept I’m very familiar with living in Floriduh. BTW, my electric bill for a 1500 sf house was over $300 last month. We’ve had a brutal summer. $135 sounds awesome! Thanks as always!

[@DonShader]

I have so much to say about Manta, but not while living here.

[@josephgarceau6753]

I live in Cuenca and I pay about $40/month for electricity, water, garbage and $3/month for gas for a 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment.

[@DonShader]

@@josephgarceau6753great!

[@RJMincey]

I notice that in some of the user-contributed comments here, the topic of crime in Ecuador has come up, even as Don (thankfully) did not touch on it in this particular video. (I say thankfully only because I'm beginning to tire of this topic.) Don't get me wrong - public safety is important to be sure. And for this reason, it's on my radar as I evaluate places for my future retirement. But rates in violent and property crime are not meaningful when measured nationwide. Take the United States as a case in point. The crime rate in Martha's Vineyard or Duluth, Minnesota is sure to be very different from that in Memphis or St Louis. And by the same token, getting back to Ecuador, the crime rate in Cumbaya, Cotacachi, and Loja is quite different from that in Guayaquil, Manta, or Esmeraldas. The point being - in order for crime statistics to be meaningful, they need to be narrowed down to specific regions or, better yet, specific cities.

[@DonShader]

I couldn't agree more. It's simple mathmatecs. The more people you have, the more crime you're likely to see. The more people, the more more more...everything. It's exponential, right? Thanks Jeff.

[@intriagoandrade]

Here we go

[@libuseleman3049]

I like to go to Argentina too, check it out. And what about Colombia, U do not care for that country? I might. Went there several times, prices are good, people are nice and very friendly too

[@christopherhouse7937]

How about looking at Paraguay as a option? Argentina isn’t as tax friendly if you get residency there.

[@jerrygarcia4390]

I am going to visit the following places before making a decision: Ecuador (both the mountain cities and villages) Argentina (I liked Buenos Aires several years ago; I want to visit cordoba, Mendoza and Salta) Brazil (Praia de Pipa south of Natal). I have visited Rio, São Paulo, Curitiba, and Joinville. I like the big cities but I really loved the beaches in Santa Catarina state in the south; hundreds of miles of natural beauty.

[@jerrygarcia4390]

@@LuisVPazmino yes, Luis I have seen both the coastal city of Flor and Curitiba. They are both very lovely places, but they are expensive relative to what I heard from an American concerning Praia de Pipa. I’m almost fluent in Portuguese thanks to an ex-wife. Also, I’ve never traveled to Bahia. Brazil made a big mistake by not selecting Flor to host an early round of the World Cup. The weather is perfect there that time of year.

[@James-uk8dx]

Hi Don. FYI, the US inflation rate is currently about a 1/2 point lower than Ecuador. Too high for all of us. My wife and I are exploring options. We just returned from our first visit to Central America. You are correct, the locals are much nicer than the cranky north American. My take is there is a serious gastro intestinal problem in the US. Anyhow, I appreciate your content. Stay safe.

[@ciscoxzy]

hola Don, the interest you can draw in Mexico on your money is 10 percent now

[@mariescott9853]

They recently had massive snow in Mendoza.

[@RJMincey]

Snow in Mendoza is very rare.

[@goldgeologist5320]

Inflation and price increases are world wide Don!

[@DonShader]

Yippee! Thanks for the update.

[@Kevin-et5zs]

Argentina might really rock, if Milei gets elected! I stayed with friends in both Mendoza and Buenos Aires, they're both excellent places. Sadly, crime has gone up just as it has in other places with ruined economies---but the people are great!

[@ceciliaovalle7160]

Hi, gringo. If you decide to go to Argentina, Mendoza it would be better for you, it’s a tranquilo town and not to big

[@Jetmab04]

❤❤❤

[@relicofgold]

Great vid. Straightforward as can be, no f'ing filter......as always!! I am confused about inflation in EC. EC cannot print its own money because it is on the USD. As a result the inflation should be less than almost anywhere, but I could easily be missing something. The downside is that they cannot stimulate their economy like other countries that can in fact print money. Any help with this is much appreciated. Ayampe is beautiful, incredible, but I believe it has a communal real estate system, so if you own real estate, you can be voted out, and I believe you lose rights to your property. Perhaps someone knows more about that. The Pacific coast of all of warm SA is foggy much of the year due to the heat + the Humboldt current. Chile is not warm, and as a result the coast is much more clear there, particularly Southern Chile.

[@DonShader]

I'm not qualified to discuss economics with the exception of my own economics. I'm sure there's a lot of useful information on line that can explain. If I try to do it, I just sound like a fool and I get into arguments with donkeys.

[@scareybailey]

So inflation has hit in Ecuador. I've been asking various KZbinrs about Ecuador inflation and they always downplay it. Yes it is lower than many other countries, but it exists. Don, have you considered Paraguay? It's easy to get residency and the cost of living is low.

[@DonShader]

Show me a civilized country that doesn't have inflation please.

[@scareybailey]

I agree inflation is in most places, and I've been trying to get an actual view of it in Ecuador. Recently you answered to me 'This is Ecuador, inflation, what inflation?' That didn't sound like reality and makes a huge difference to people's budgeting plans. @@DonShader

[@terryashley4674]

I was hoping that Uruguay would win out. I'll standby and wait for your next move.

[@DonShader]

Unfortunately, it's just too damned expensive.

[@terryashley4674]

@@DonShader I wonder if I can live in Uruguay on a lower budget such as $1,600/month. 🤔

[@DonShader]

@@terryashley4674 If you do, you won't be anywhere near the city center. From what I've seen so far, your rent would be that much alone.

[@terryashley4674]

@@DonShader I don't want to live in a high-rise or near a beach. I don't need to live in the City Center. I could live in a smaller town. I have no idea if I will actually like it there, but I don't know what I would like.

[@mannylopez15986]

Meanwhile thousands of equatorians dreaming of moving to US, crime and insecurity is high.

[@RJMincey]

Your point?

[@huyvu6613]

I agree that Ecuadorian grocery is fresh and highly economical but Ecuadorian food is very bland.

[@DonShader]

There's certainly not a lot to choose from. You have to get awfully creative in the kitchen.