Why Expat couple Left Manta: A Story of Crime and Safety Concerns in Ecuador

[@TerriCarroll]

Very interesting post from Paula. I know exactly how she felt, when I left Ecuador last year after 3 1.2 years living there, I caught a lot of blowback, but I didn't care. I did what was best for me, and I'm very happy with my decision. I love Manta and am continually praying for a positive turn around.

[@williamwarren5269]

Hey Don, I'm new to Equador for only two months now. I'm in a little rural beach town called Crucita, which is about an hour north by bus from you. I feel very safe here, and love the cost of living so far. I have traveled to Manta a few times to buy things that just aren't available in this little town. I'm much more aware and alert when I'm in Manta, but haven't had any bad experiences in my very short time here. Best wishes to all that are on their journey here in Equador.

[@Resmith18SR]

Being in a small town you unknowingly may be even more of a target.

[@M5tworude]

@@Resmith18SRyou sound paranoid. Do you even live in Ecuador? Based on your comment I suspect that you do not.

[@Resmith18SR]

@@M5tworude I don't have to live in a place to judge how safe it is. I know that living in Ecuador right now isn't as safe as where I'm living now. Double up on your meds.

[@josephgarceau6753]

@@Resmith18SR This is actually correct because as a foreigner you stick out a lot in a small town and everyone knows that you are a foreigner and everyone talks. People are being kidnapped and held for ransom in Ecuador, taxi drivers, people selling mangos in the streets, and small business owners are being extorted and killed over a $5 debt. A wealthy foreigner is a tempting target

[@billeagle51]

I worked and lived in Maracaibo, Venezuela for five yrs and also conveyed to you many times living in Latin America countries is that you never know which way the political winds may blow today or even tomorrow. Right now you have many people now choosing to live in Mexico, but with the new President I can see the Political shifting beginning to take place while many American retirees are doing the same thing as when they move to Ecuador hoping for a cheaper life style in retirement...but I can say that political change is brewing in Mexico as it was in Venezuela. Give it time! I am Mexican American and my Grandparents escape with their lives from the 1910 Revolution of Mexico. My Grandparents always said when you hear the words "Patria, Libertad y mi Pueblo" its time to leave. U hear that tinge also in the US. But back to Venezuela, it started just like its beginning to happen to Ecuador. I enjoyed Venezuela, but when you see the crime happening every day, in front of your eyes! The odds are not looking favorable, and its time to get out of Dodge. My employer at that time even told me that it is time for you to leave, which I did and went to other Latin American countries to work until I retired in 2008. I did go back to Barranquilla, Colombia and stayed for awhile but I also witness the beginning of the diaspora of Venezuelans that were leaving and looking elsewhere to live in South America. And sad to say, a lot of them were supporters of Chavez..they even knew when to get out of Dodge. The current Government of Maduro's Venezuela gets a good sum of their money from the Cartels and the drug trade, thus the Venezuelan Virus is spreading to other countries like Ecuador. That is my opinion but ask many Colombians on that issue. Good Luck Don and remember these words from the movie "No Country for old Men"...“You can’t stop what’s comin’; it ain’t all waitin’ on you-that’s vanity.”

[@MarkHanna-ct6yr]

I’m sorry Paula and her husband had to leave Manta over safety concerns, but glad they are happily settled in Portugal. Thanks for sharing!

[@whosebonesaresharp]

Maderia is an amazing place- we loved it there. Really good podcast. Thanks Don.

[@wtcneverforget8163]

What gets me is that we hear about the crime you mentioned but we never hear any follow up. Not even a "they are still investigating". If the murder of the father attending his step daughter's memorial service in the church where an innocent young boy was collateral damage doesn't get the police to shape up than nothing will. What about the Mayor? I thought they caught one of crew that was there? Still I havn't heard anything.

[@DonShader]

There is no follow-up. Nothing changes. When the guy got shot on my door step recently, a handful of "cops" showed up, stood in the street and chit-chatted, then left. They weren't here more than ten minutes. What about the Mayor? There are probably about 300k people asking the same question. Here in Manta, the only thing I see the "police" do is drive around through the neighborhoods with their flashing red and blue lights, and occasionally turning their sirens on and off, just to let people know they have sirens, I guess. "They are investigating"? Are you serious?

[@wtcneverforget8163]

@@DonShader BTW, while I was there in 2007 I heard locals talking about Correa closing the U.S. military base in Manta that did operations for cocaine trafficing. I shook my head then and now see the results. While I was there a few weeks ago I was told Noboa is seeking a constitutional change that will allow foreign military bases back in Ecuador.

[@JourneymanJackinEcuador]

@Don Shader Thanks for another timely Report, i love the intro and outro music, reminds me of 'Slingblade' (1996) theme tunes🎼 wow, seems like yesterday, where have all the good times gone?: "...better send a hearse, that 2nd lick nearly took his head plumb off!" i really enjoyed our break fast 🍳🥞☕️and down to earth chitt chatt last month, ill be bauch for more in Nov., lets do it again, hang in there, we're pulling for yah🎰

[@DonShader]

Thanks Jack, come back anytime.

[@johnandsharon5785]

The difference between violent crime in Ecuador vs the US is that the US has a police force that actually works to investigate and stop further crime. Areas of Ecuador are now operating like the Wild West. Expats have gone to Ecuador to escape rising crime in the US. Now their potential risk of crime may be worse than the US. Other than not having the monies to move, I am not sure how anyone can justify staying in EC. It will be too late to make the decision to leave once you become a fatality. I think Paula was smart to listen to her better judgement. She found safety in an area of Portugal with warm winters and little violent crime. Stay safe Don.

[@mars54mars54]

Excellent commentary all around. Thank you 🙏🏽

[@mrfish1051]

Don , the situation in Ecuador will deteriorate in the next future. Thinking about an exploratory trip to Barranco or Miraflores in Lima , Peru isn't a bad idea.

[@dugfriendly]

On paper, back in 2022, I was hot to trot to retire to Manta in 2027. Then it all went sideways 😢 At least I’m still in the states with many options at 59 years young!

[@DonShader]

You're too damn young to retire anyway. :-)

[@zimben8]

She moved to Madeira. A very beautiful Island far away from mainland Portugal. I was there about 15years ago and loved it. It's sad she and her husband did not feel safe anymore in Ecuador. I can understand her. I wish all of u here all the best and may this crazy time after Covid pass.

[@impish22]

thanks for sharing,

[@Robertsdogs]

I'm sorry she and her husband left. But you always do what's best for you. Good video. It sounds well thought out. Getting away from crime you have to live so remotely it's impossible.

[@kathyandthedogs626]

Don, as always, thank you for your insightful comments. I appreciate Paula’s willingness to share her decision making process, too. As you said eloquently in yesterday’s Facebook post, each of us feels the situation differently. (You said it better than that). Having never lived in a foreign country, I really don’t know how I would react. Just more food for thought. Thank you!

[@DonShader]

Very welcome.

[@MattSmith-pf5di]

It’s interesting. I lived all over the world as a young person in the Navy. I live in small town Michigan. Crime would involve some teenagers doing whatever. We have plenty of guns as we grew up with them as a tool. November 15th is deer season, small game after that. Ironically wrestling season for children start November 15th. If you child can’t play basketball then he shall fight. 😂……. It’s all good. Expatriate for warmer weather I totally understand. I’ve been looking at Thailand. Perhaps a winter home in Dominican Republic. It would be very difficult to leave my community/family. We talk the same kinda thing talk the same, order half a beef in the spring. It’s very easy to talk to one another

[@richardbrown923]

It always works out

[@pacificcoastnorthern4842]

The homeless guy was Colombian. They shot him and then came back and shot him again in front of the coffee shop. I walked by the shop after I had dinner that night, and he was killed there two hours later. Thankfully, his dogs were adopted. They called him The Hombre de Perros.

[@coffeewithbabymae6503]

so incredibly sad. RIP.

[@DonShader]

I stand corrected. Thanks.

[@ecuadorexpat8558]

Hi Don I thought you went back to the States permanently.. you back in EC?

[@DonShader]

No, I visited for three months at the first of the year but have been back since Apr.

[@ecuadorexpat8558]

@@DonShader Ah bueno .. be safe down there

[@rvdareyet7201]

All of Ecuador isn’t a shooting gallery like Manta.

[@evelyngolden2272]

Come to Panama, Don!

[@robertwright1782]

Elsalvadors president can come change things 💪Have wanted to retire to Ecuador for years. It is so sad to see this now. I have many Ecuadorian friends, families here in VA. They are the most beautiful people i have ever known. A couple of them like i close to the age of retirement wanting to retire back to their homeland. Just like us with their gringo monies all the while still sending money home to there family. They to are reluntant to return now. That hurts my heart most💙

[@DonShader]

Mine too.

[@emese956]

Thanks for sharing dear Don! Ecuador is still safer than most part of USA. The minority of expats ,( yes, minority) have some bad experience..but most of expats are quite content to live in Ecuador. I hope you stay there…🇪🇨🌎😁❤️