Why I Left Ecuador Forever

In this video I’ll be sharing with you the reasons why I left Ecuador. As much as I loved experiencing a new culture and exploring some of the beautiful landscapes, I eventually made the difficult decision to leave. I want to share with you the factors that led me to this decision, the challenges I faced, and the lessons I learned along the way. Whether you’re someone who’s considering a move to Ecuador or simply curious about my personal experience, I hope this video provides you with valuable insights and a glimpse into my journey.
Thumbnail photo: reeet_jank on Unsplash.com
Music: "No Frills Cumbia" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

[@cynthiareese2425]

Thank you for the honest assessment. I had planned to do as you did, selling out, getting the visa and moving all without ever visiting Ecuador. I've changed my mind in the last few months and will just tourist hop for awhile if I can manage on a budget. I sold my house and downsized a few years ago after my husband passed and bought a used 5th wheel that I can pretty much just fold up and put on a storage lot, so I can return to the US for a bit if I needed. I'm in the Western NC mountains so a camping spot is never a problem. I don't have a mountain of savings and live on a retiree budget. I have enjoyed your content very much. Please keep posting!!!

[@americanjohnnie]

Hi Cynthia, it sounds like you have a good plan. Having a place to return to if needed should reduce a lot of the stress and urgency around finding a landing spot. I plan to continue to post the fun things I find as I continue this journey. Thank you for watching!

[@ronmar7208]

Definitely is best to explore for a few months if you can. Too many KZbinrs giving only the positives but not some realities. Examples are “you can find cheap rents for under $500”. But the question is, where is it? Is it a nice neighborhood? Is it safe? Does it have AC? Hot water? Walking distance to local markets? Transportation? In one country for example is just a 25 cents for the bus, but it’s not the most pleasant ride.

[@BH-pl7vg]

You can’t drive to South America, there’s no road from Panama to Colombia (darians gap)

[@cynthiareese2425]

@@BH-pl7vg I will fly there, not drive 😎✌

[@rvdareyet7201]

We just sold everything and hopped on a plane to Manta. Couldn't be happier!

[@mayafreeman7614]

Hi ya, I’m from Cuenca. I appreciate your advice on doing research before you move to another country. It’s very important to understand that Ecuador it’s very different to The United States. We have a different culture, a different way of life a different language as does any other country on the planet, we’re all different so to expect things to work the same as they do in the United States it not realistic. Many people retire in Ecuador because it’s cheap and relatively safe (the latter it’s not so true now a days) unfortunately they expect everything to work exactly like in the USA and complain all the time about the internet, the water company, the power company, the lack of services, the lack of English being spoken. The official language of Ecuador is Spanish followed by Quichua y Shuar and there are a lot more indigenous languages too. English is not on list, so it’s down to the people that move to live in a different country to learn the language of that country. I moved to England 20 years ago and had to learn English to be able to make friends, get a job, etc. I feel you’re frustration because it’s probably not nice moving to a country and then having move out again but al least you know what you like and don’t like now, it’s always a good idea to match expectations with reality.

[@americanjohnnie]

Thank you for watching and for the comment. I believe if I had arrived prior to 2020 that I may have a different opinion. Unfortunately the events of the past several years changed the entire world, and not for the better. There are a lot of things I am willing to compromise on but safety isn't one of them. Ecuador was a great experience and I certainly don't regret visiting but I wouldn't recommend that anyone relocate until seeing it for themselves.

[@laurenn7774]

Ecuador is a bad country, I don’t blame you for leaving.

[@Newworld1492]

@@laurenn7774 today yes is a bad country. But in the time of Correa The only ones that felt it was bad at the time was the rich because they had to pay taxes they never paid before. Today the rich and narco r in power and gave damaged the country in every way.

[@rvdareyet7201]

@@TerriCarroll exactamente!

[@aniceemalley1424]

Ecuador sadly is not cheap anymore

[@aaronml8298]

Thanks for the content. The safety issue of Ecuador is my number one issue. I can live pretty cheap and do without a lot but I will not downsize my safety. Thailand is a great option also. Good luck and keep posting Johnnie!

[@americanjohnnie]

Absolutely agree, safety is the one issue that should never be compromised. Thank you for watching!

[@vidfreak727]

You’re safer living in the crater of the Cotopaxi than living in Guayaquil because of the crime that my cousin keeps telling me about.

[@larrypicard8802]

I've lived in Cuenca for three years with little to no safety issues.

[@defazio8]

I’ve really enjoyed your videos. I’m looking to retire in Cuenca 2024. First visit will be in October. I just won’t know until I spend some time there. My plan B will be Albania. All I know for sure is that I want to leave where I currently live. Good luck to you and I really hope we both find what we’re looking for

[@americanjohnnie]

Thank you! I hope you really enjoy your time in Cuenca! I highly recommend Tres Estrella's restaurant if you are ok splurging on a meal one night. Albania sounds interesting, I've never looked into it but will now. Thank you for watching and good luck on your journey.

[@defazio8]

@@americanjohnnie yes look into it. You can stay a year with US passport. Warm weather, lovely beaches, nightlife and affordability. Very close to Greece. Albania is NOT on the euro. Just an option.

[@MrJx4000]

@@defazio8, I don't know for sure but from the few (bikepacking) videos I've seen, Albania looks pretty impoverished. The bikepacking videos take you into the country on both urban and suburban levels where the riders have some interaction with the communities.

[@Newworld1492]

Today Ecuador is dangerous.

[@gabrielmalas]

As an Ecuadorian, I am sorry that you had a couple of bad experiences and had resolved finally to leave. It's true that we still don't have this international cultural habit of having better English or in general any foreign language learning. On the other hand, I consider that people are usually very friendly and willing to help, everywhere there, and regarding the services, you could easily find different companies that could suit your needs, in different contexts, either financial or others, which are still getting more prominent because of the commercial opening (especially with the United States) Finally, I would say that it would not have been a surprise that in an upper-class area, you would surely feel of course an increasing price in your expenses. Wish you the best, and I hope that the title of your video does not fully come true (that is not forever that you are leaving Ecuador), so hope to see you there around some day ;)

[@americanjohnnie]

Thank you for watching and for the comment and feedback. I appreciate it!

[@larrypicard8802]

You shouldn't apologize for people in Ecuador not speaking English.

[@stevebbuk9557]

Gabriel could you tell me whether Atacames is safe, whether I can find what I want in the supermarket and whether I would be a victim of crime if I retired there?

[@billobrien4680]

I have lived in Cuenca for 5 years and I have the completely opposite opinion. There are things that have to be dealt with, but such is life everywhere.

[@americanjohnnie]

Hi Bill, I agree, there will be pros and cons to every location. I'm glad that Cuenca is working out for you. Thank you for watching!

[@pungr]

Finally, some honesty!

[@GMAceM]

Glad you made this video and said what you felt. While some might not agree because they've had a better experience, that does not and should not undervalue what you felt and went through. The insight will definitely help others see things that maybe they otherwise wouldn't had you not have made this video. Were you by any chance able to stop by Loja? I keep hearing that it's the safest city. It is pretty uncomfortable to be sitting and enjoying your meal, alone or accompanied, and to have someone come up and ask for money or for you to buy something. I understand their situation but there is most certainly a time and place, even if I generally won't give money to beggars because you just never know where it's ultimately going to end up. It's unfortunate that people didn't seem to want to take the time to help you understand. When I arrived to Ecuador my Spanish was super basic but maybe since I was in a school setting I had the chance to have more people want to try to understand me, who knows how it would've been had I not been in school. Sad to see you may not have eaten the best encebollado's which are in Portoviejo but I have hopes that maybe one day you'll be able to come back and try some. Thanks for the video!

[@americanjohnnie]

Hi Ace! Thank you for watching the video and for taking the time to leave me a comment! I really enjoy your videos and your feedback means a lot to me. I was interested in visiting Loja but discovered that I really am a bigger city type of person and was afraid that Loja would have too much of a small town vibe for me to enjoy it. Of course the issue of crime increases along with the size of the city so I realize that my choices directly influenced my enjoyment in Ecuador. I may be too much of a "wants their cake and eat it too" type of person but after already making a lot of compromises in order to live this lifestyle, my tolerance for any further concessions was low. I absolutely love encebollado and wish that I would have made the trip to Portoviejo to try it. There's nothing like a great encebollado with plenty of lime and chifle, I will miss that the most. Thank you again for the kind words and keep up the great work!

[@hjander]

Thanks!

[@americanjohnnie]

Thank you for watching!

[@dovygoodguy1296]

The mayor was just murdered, and it seems that Ecuador is beginning to resemble Mexico in some ways. But what actually caused you to leave the country (with or without residency?)??

[@americanjohnnie]

Thank you for watching. What you just described are reasons why I left and have no regrets in doing so. I figured it was just a matter of time before Manta was under curfew as well and it appears that the problems that were primarily in Guayaquil are spreading to other areas.

[@jdsantibanez]

You should not move to a country with a language you do not speak. It makes everything harder.

[@larrypicard8802]

Well that limits citizens of the US then as we are mostly too lazy to learn another language.

[@home4life505]

Ignorant comment. Will you say that to refugees?

[@home4life505]

Im an Afr Amer, moved to switzerland, still learning german 13 years later. It takes time.

[@jameskelly9243]

I travel and American They want my Dollars so they learn English. I learn how to say beer, bank, bathroom and dollar conversation. Not lazy just have and have no need to learn another language

[@OPTAFTP]

​@@jameskelly9243 Damn, from looking at your horrible writing I think maybe you need to learn English too.

[@Eric99935]

Where are you now? I'm retired in Florida and will visit Cuenca next month. I've also been to Thailand many times. Good luck to you!

[@alistairfreedom2456]

When someone says they are comfortable doing something.... i picture them sitting on something uncomfortable...anyone who reads this will now have the same experience...

[@cynthiareese2425]

If you look like a local and would be thieves are still messing with you that's not good.

[@mbwahaha]

He might think he looks like a local, but its very obvious when someone is from abroad, its an atitude thing. I was born in Quito, but when i go visit some people ask where im from, even without opening my mouth. I dont think its too dangerous yet, but its getting worse, a lot of inmigration is going to cross to Ecuador again, and the current crysis set in USA and Europe will hit there with delay, but Ecuador dont have the resourses to fight it.

[@cynthiareese2425]

@@mbwahahaDo you live in Ecuador now?

[@mbwahaha]

@@cynthiareese2425 No, i want to go and check, but all my family is there.

[@cynthiareese2425]

@@mbwahaha It's sad and I don't know what to do in a foreign country if a stranger comes to my diner table wanting my drink or food and won't leave. I will give it to them because I don't want trouble and make due with a banana and a pkg of crackers. I would think the restaurant owners would not allow this but you would know better than I in Ecuador.

[@mbwahaha]

​@@cynthiareese2425 That never happened to me. So i cant say what i would do, i guess i could give him a dolar, or get angry and make him go away, but until it happens i cant say for sure. Must be a Cuenca thing, i dont see that ending well for the begger in Quito or other less touristy places.

[@Newworld1492]

Good luck wherever u go.

[@americanjohnnie]

Thank you!

[@rvdareyet7201]

I'm curious where you intend to go that has the perfect weather of Manta, better tech and infrastructure, and a lower cost of living. We're always looking at options. :)

[@americanjohnnie]

Finding weather better than Manta is no easy task. Several locations in SE Asia do have better technology, infrastructure, and much lower cost of living. It is typically much safer in SE Asia as well, depending on the location. Unfortunately the weather is one area where compromise is necessary.

[@destinationmax]

Hi Johnnie! Where have you decided to relocate? I’ve definitely changed my mind in Ecuador for now.

[@americanjohnnie]

Hi Destination Max! Thailand is my next destination, it checks almost all of the boxes for what I am looking for.

[@destinationmax]

@@americanjohnnieI’m looking at this also. My only speed bump is the working time zone with my USA clients.

[@jagsfanrick]

@@destinationmax Though it ain't the prettiest, Merda Mexico is supposed to be the safest place in Mexico.

[@cynthiareese2425]

​@@jagsfanrick I looked into Merida because of the safety factor and decided I wouldn't be able to handle the excessive heat. That's why I left Texas.

[@cynthiareese2425]

​@@americanjohnnie I need to check out Thailand. Have you been? I'm a mosquito magnet and have been told based on that I might have problems.

[@mbwahaha]

I wonder why they dont change working hours, it starts at 6 AM, but since its in the ecuator, night sets at 6 PM, too little light to enjoy after work. Im used to Madrid, where the sun sets at 10 pm in the summer. Good luck in Thailand.

[@americanjohnnie]

Thank you :)

[@juspoland3969]

It's easy for you Americans. You are used to the fact that the street is not safe. I grew up in Europe and my wife calmly goes to the beauty salon at one in the morning, and then we sit in the park and enjoy the night. Children constantly walk until one in the morning. Especially in summer. And we don’t even have thoughts that at 11 pm it can be dangerous on the street. Any area, any city. The American government, like many countries, itself supports this terrible level of crime so that people stay at home and everything is calmer. But is this life? I used to live in Detroit And it's terrible to see that after 8 pm there are so few people on the street and everyone just spends their lives watching TV. I didn’t understand why Europeans leave the USA before, but then I understood. This constant feeling that nothing is happening and life is empty. Every family closes in their little backyard and it's terrible. America is not the best country, but the trouble with Americans is For them, this way of life is the norm. It is sad. And I'm glad that there are Americans who discover a new world and understand that life is much more interesting than just watching TV. Although people around the world have not watched TV for 10 years, Americans continue to enjoy television due to poor mobile Internet in the country. In short, I'm happy for you, well done.

[@arthurmelander6224]

I live in the Detroit Metro area and I haven't been robbed once. You are rating the U.S. based on the first or third worst city in America and think that is the U.S.? Detroit Metro can be quite safe. There are cities around Detroit that have some of the lowest crime rates in America. Detroit not so much. Also learning Spanish is actually quite easy if you put your mind to it. I learned it in 2 months and although not fluent could easily communicate. I lived in Peru for a little over a year and at the end some even considered me fluent. I could converse for hours. Put effort into it and use a couple of months to learn Spanish, then this issue pretty much goes away. Pick the right city in Ecuador like Cuenca and crime is pretty low. If Cuenca is too expensive than you really haven't saved much. Social Security alone is more than enough to live in Ecuador if you actually worked for the median pay rate in the U.S.

[@juspoland3969]

@@arthurmelander6224 thanks for your replay! I'm agree with you.

[@DivineSeer]

I lived in La Troncal during my time in Ecuador, the area was to some extent hostile

[@vidfreak727]

I left in 1993, just before the economic crisis hit the country.

[@BPe-ie9je]

did you ever hear of a bank that did work well online ? Ecuador ? I'm moving there '23. Working on visa.

[@americanjohnnie]

I don't have any personal experience with them but I have read that JEP has a good online system.

[@lovebl1212]

Banco del pichincha , banco del austro

[@larrypicard8802]

Almost EVERYTHING you list can happen ANYWHERE.

[@americanjohnnie]

I absolutely agree. There is no one destination that is perfect.

[@luisofecuador]

Well, finally we are doing something against the gangs! Hopefully the new government keeps this fight and we can prevail!

[@MrJx4000]

I guess you must not be a fan of that somewhat popular ex-pat Am. couple (I won't mention their names)?

[@westcoastkitties]

Dude where did you go??? Ecuador had G5 way before USA , Probably your personality didn’t help. I follow few people from USA than have been living in Ecuador fir 5 years and they LOVE IT,

[@americanjohnnie]

I am now in SE Asia. You are right, my personality wasn't a good match for Ecuador. I know there are many expats living in Ecuador that absolutely love it. There are some who are not so thrilled about it as well. Especially with the power grid issues and the uptick in murder and robbery in the coastal areas.

[@Juanse2541]

Oh god you are a full American the only place you can move to with 0 things different is Canada and even then you would complain of the weather

[@americanjohnnie]

Thank you for watching. I'm not sure why so many people are unnecessarily defensive about the place. I've been living in SE Asia and it has been great.

[@Juanse2541]

Is not about being defensive, you are not objective to how is it to live outside of the US. In SEA you have all those problems without the dangers but a much more different society.

[@themaxandlucyshow7590]

Sounds like a typical gringo and most of them should not be leaving their home country. People like this are a plague in Costa Rica.

[@richieyyz]

He can't afford Canada.. way too expensive.

[@jacqueline8729]

Ok, I'll say it. As an American, Ecuador is not for us. I say this as someone who has traveled the world to numerous countries of different backgrounds. I have visited Ecuador twice staying predominantly in Cuenca for 6 months each time and not by choice only because my parents retired there, I work remotely and I wanted to spend time with my mother. I must say, that police officers favor criminals, and men treat women horribly. They have the highest femicide & rape rate - right up there with El Salvador with little to no penalty for it. I have seen multiple men smack women on their faces in public and not a soul intervenes. Our culture is very different from theirs, they lack respect invading personal space while waiting in line, I also had several instances where Ecuadorians approached me while I was trying to enjoy a mediocre breakfast to hurry me up, they had a group with them and one put her hands on my table another placed her bag on top as well. I understand how they can come off as polite, but I am no longer fooled. They have multiple personalities. They lack in gastronomy, nothing stands out to me, except the terrible experiences I have had with food. And do not forget, they charge an arm and a leg for things. They may have the dollar as a currency they use, but they are not Americans. It is still a third-world country, they better charge like it. I have seen absurd amounts of prices for food and basic things. Equal if not more expensive than American prices. Not to mention safety concerns. Things have only gotten worse in Ecuador. My mom is looking elsewhere to call home as she is fed up with the disrespect, safety, and how absurdly expensive it is.

[@americanjohnnie]

Thank you for watching and for the comment. I have received many messages from people who feel the same as you.

[@erickgarcia191]

FIRST and ONLY tip: don’t come if you’re not invited!!!

[@americanjohnnie]

Thank you for watching! This comment definitely reinforces some of the sentiment that I felt while I was there.

[@alistairfreedom2456]

One problem is the butt wipe can not go down the toilet. Very smelly experience

[@pavozurayt4000]

grande Lassogod impulsando el turismo extranjero 🤑😍😍🥰

[@gilbertmatrinez8458]

Expats ..cuenca has become..very dangerous..

[@henlao9756]

complainer

[@DreamTeamSvcs]

this video is terrible, Ecuador is a paradise 100 times safer than ANY big city in the states, ANY!

[@americanjohnnie]

I agree, Ecuador is a lot safer than most places in the United States. The problem with that is using the US as the bar for safety is setting your expectations pretty low. I'd prefer to live where it is safe to walk around at night without fear of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. There are many locations around the world that are much safer than both the US and Ecuador. I'd prefer to relocate to these areas rather than be satisfied with Ecuador being somewhat safer than somewhere that is falling apart. Thanks for watching!

[@BH-pl7vg]

Ecuador is okay but there’s much nicer countries in South America such as Venezuela or Colombia and no, “Ecuador” is no safer than “any” big city in the USA. Guayaquil, Manta and Esmeraldas are to be treated as such, underestimate the seriousness and eventually you’ll find out

[@rapidresponserepairllc.man9552]

Try portugal

[@americanjohnnie]

I have read a lot of great things about Portugal. It certainly is a popular destination for many expats.

[@keyboards6364]

How old are u