WHY WE LEFT MANTA ECUADOR!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

We've made it easy to move to Ecuador! Just take the Ecuador Expat Fast Track! More Details Here: liveabroadnow.com/course/

[@marcellodistefano13]

Love your videos! What is your take on the eartquakes? Some have been quite severe... Thanks!!!

[@BeHelpfulNotHurtful]

@@marcellodistefano13 . Look

[@BeHelpfulNotHurtful]

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[@BeHelpfulNotHurtful]

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[@massimoranni9879]

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[@mick1581]

Love your videos. There's something wholesome and fun about you guys that makes me smile a lot.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Gracias! 😊👍

[@niko_walks]

Agreed. Particularly refreshing when compared to the rest of the internet.

[@Angelo-yj7bp]

I spent 4 years of my childhood in Manta. I would not trade those memories for the world. Including the smell of INEPACA....great and truthful video. keep it coming

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Gracias!

[@stevefeggestad9865]

Thanks for all the nice videos! I've been nomading for 18 months, I'm currently in Mexico City, and my next stop (arrive this weekend) is Manta! The decision was at least partly influenced by your videos. Actually, I'll be in Santa Marianita, a little bit south of town. Take care and keep the videos coming.

[@johnhamlett8414]

5 more days 😁to go. I decided to spend my first winter after retirement in Ecuador, I love the snow but hate the cold. I chose Manta about a year ago, so I was happy to see when you two decided to move there so I'd see more content on Manta. I did hear that it smelled really bad from another youtube travel video so I was a bit concerned, glad you cleared that up.

[@faisal-ca]

No immediate plans to leave Canada but I regularly watch your videos. Appreciate real information from real people.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Thank you!

[@MarioIzquierdoC]

I like how you address the different way we speak Spanish in Ecuador. In my experience, we people from the coastal provinces speak faster (and omitting some letters between words) than people in the sierra, which is another point towards expats starting out in Cuenca or Quito.

[@alexandravalencia6889]

Y ustedes en la Sierra remarcan desmasiado la letra s ,z ,R 😁

[@jessiefawn2797]

I just find you both so ADORABLE & PRECIOUS!! I am so glad every time I get to tune in. Thanks for your humour & your amazing smiles & of course for your helpful content. WIshing you a HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!!!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Gracias!

[@dantegreco1]

Love the wind...don't smell fish...weather is excellent...beach sucks lol... but Liguiqui and San Lorenzo Playas are amazing. My Spanish sucks but have no problemo getting around at all. All in all Manta has the needed infrastructure and is improving constantly. Agree about the lack of green spaces! I deal with locals and South Americans about 95% of the time ( both in my business and personally)...no real language issues that hinder or frustrate that relationship. I guess you get back what you put out right. Locals are happy to engage if you are sincere. Case in point: I go to Duice and the Mercado at La Quadra off and on ( it's a short walk for me ) After about a month now I get greetings from the employees and even a lot of English slang lol...they even show me their famlia pics now lol... its great.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Thanks for sharing! Ecuadorians are so nice and welcoming!

[@PierrePlogoff]

Thank you for your truthful speaking. It is useful.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tmcdon]

Wow! Interesting view points about Manta! Seems beautiful, but some of the cons you discuss put it lower on the list! Thank you for the video! Great to see you all! JP, AWESOME shirt!

[@junbarz361]

My wife and I just landed today here in Manta from Cuenca for a visits. I totally agree all your comments. But, Cuenca is not for us. I kind of liking Manta better.

[@michaeldobbins6362]

Thanks for the Manta update, very informative and interesting. JP, great shirt.

[@christinedailey9254]

We moved to Puerto Vallarta last summer, the sewer and garbage smells, all over town are nasty. It’s a major tourist hub, you’d think the government would do something about it. Also the homeless problem reminds us on a small scale of The San Francisco Bay Area, where we moved from. We’ve realized this isn’t the place for us but was/is a great jump off (out of the US) point. We’re considering Ecuador and Panama. Thanks for all your great videos!

[@bigradwolf5001]

I'm also considering Ecuador and Colombia. Panama to me is a bit too warm for my liking.

[@lucho444]

Thank you Amelia and JP for this video. That is the true. We were in Manta last week, and it didn't smell at all around all the places we visited. So it is a specific places problem.

[@danmetz3482]

Sounds like you two will be moving soon. You do an awesome job with the videos. Keep up the good work and see you back in Cuenca soon.

[@dl1130]

Amelia and JP. The most credible source of information for expats looking at visiting or living in Ecuador. Love this channel!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Gracias!

[@marleneyoung6575]

Thanks for the video and being honest with us. Of course no place is perfect so it's good to know the pros and cons before making a big move.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Thanks for the information. Great to see both of you looking healthy. Stay safe.

[@miguelchavez9057]

I am so glad you guys talked about the different issues expats may encounter by coming here. I agree with you in most of the points and that means we have to improve as a city to offer foreigners , as well as locals, more options to make their lifes more enjoyable. I hope you keep living in this city for a long time and even if you leave sometime soon, that you could save some nice memories ;)

[@adventuresinthelifeofkate6093]

I went to Olon 2 weeks ago .I totally fell in love with the beach.I live in Manta moved here from Guayaquil 2 months ago. I really love it here . Thanks for the video

[@davidc1961utube]

It is always good to travel with eyes wide open. Thanks!

[@Guillermo_says]

as a native spanish speaker from abroad, It's far easier for me to communicate anywhere in the ecuadorian coast than in Quito, I don't know about Cuenca but I'll take your word for it. Quitean is incomprehensible for most spanish speakers, verbs are all over the place. I was in Manta last week, I only got very frustrated at their super low tone of voice but it was kinda fun to interact with them, unlike people in Quito. I'm moving to manta for good next month, what a great place

[@lur3950]

Where are you from?

[@robbydad4321]

I have read somewhere that it is scientifically impossible to have hurricanes in Ecuador which is one good point. That way you can live near the beach and not worry about storm surges. This does not preclude the possibility of a tsunami since it lies in the ring of fire but get this, there were only 4 recorded tsunamis in Ecuador’s history. That is really low compared to Japan which had 11 of the top twenty tsunamis. I just read those on Google so it might be a reassuring piece of info.

[@joser.5166]

Yup there are no hurricanes on the Pacific Ocean side of South America ever and no sharks either.🤓

[@bigradwolf5001]

Tsunami is not the problem, earthquake is.

[@jctbay]

Great video. Headed to Santa Marianita in a few weeks. JP you look so familiar and then you saying you lived in Tornado Alley made me wonder if You were from Kansas, too. All the best.

[@LauroBastidas-u1f]

THANKS for all the love to my country. Grettings from London

[@oswaldC2243]

It time to get out of there, maybe head back to Olon or better yet Cuenca. Thanks to you JP and Amelia I’m in Cuenca. Also thanks for recommending Dra Grace, she’s a great dentist. Hope your new year is going well. Please take care and be safe.

[@Anthonyoutsidethebox]

In complete agreement with all you said especially not much variety of things to do apart from water sports. I was able to visit Manta for a couple weeks back in September and got that impression myself. Loved the feel of the city and like you said has plenty of modern conveniences

[@itsmee3675]

Im Ecuadorian from Quito to be exactly and sometimes I can’t even understand people from Cuenca lol I can’t even imagine for you guys! Keep it up!

[@thomashowison8598]

I lived in Loja, Ecuador for 4 years from 1973 to 1977, never felt an earthquake, however, felt plenty of them in Ambato and Portoviejo. I just bought a house in Jaramijó, got to finally stay in it at the end of December and the beginning of January of this year. Planning on returning later this year. Would love to have a visit with you all sometime in the future, either in Ecuador or here in Hialeah, Florida.

[@maxdatsun]

Great to see Jaramijo and Hialeah in the same paragraph 🙌🏻

[@raiz91]

Hello Amelia and JP, happy new year, thanks for keeping us informed. Greetings from the USA.

[@cesarlopez4772]

Amelia an JP Im from Manta Ecuador .. My parents and I moved to New York back in 1988 .. Im so happy to see how much you guys love my beautiful Port Manta.. I wish one day I can go back. God bless you and good luck..... I started to follow you guys and I like your videos and feedback ..Thank you

[@carlospulley8723]

We loved 🥰 Manta and Salinas those are my favorite 😍 places, I’d never noticed any fish 🐟 smells, only when we went to the fish factories to buy Fresh fish!!!

[@whiterabit09]

That's for the information, really appreciate your honesty on Manta.

[@kimberlygabaldon3260]

Aaah yes - The smells in Denver! I used to live not far from the rendering plant. Nothing smells quite like that! Thankfully, they finally shut it down.

[@howardfitzner7789]

thank you for being honest and detailed

[@dlvox5222]

Most places in south and Central America and Mexico have a stench. They just don’t have the sewer treatment facilities that exist in the US. In fact, most of the raw sewage from the beachfront hotels and condos dump sewage directly into the ocean. It’s a result of original construction and lack of infrastructure. That’s just the trade off with developing countries.

[@MrFartyman44]

I visited Manta for a few days. It seemed very safe but I didn't go too far into the neighborhoods away from the beaches and shopping center.

[@sandraoakley5732]

Considering that this week it has been-32 celcius which is is -25.6 Farenheit, the minor problems of smell and quakes is just a drop in the hat. Be thankful 🙏 for what you have. It could always be worse.....

[@kateannmarin2239]

Thanks for the "ring of fire" discussion. I have lived in California for many years, and I'm not terribly worried. I am more concerned about my adjustment going to Cuenca and the "mal di altura" Although the beach and coast towns look SUPER, I am more of a chilly weather person. I cannot wait to see the beaches though.

[@latgra1332]

Welcome to Ecuador when the time comes for you to move. 👍🏼😊

[@colibri4676]

I was looking for information about Manta and found you! Last time I watched a video you were living in Cuenca and I visited there because of you!😊 thank you for all the information! You are awesome 🤩

[@skt1731]

So far after watching your videos thought Ecuador was some flawless heavenly place, but here find out it too is only earthly.

[@pedromanuelguaicharodrigue894]

The South Orient region of Ecuador is a different world, Loja Province is a great example, good video 🎉

[@9344music5]

I’m a cali kid so earthquakes won’t be a big issue for me. Thanks for bringing it up.

[@fredmore8788]

While in the U.S. military we went to Manta a few times and it wasn't all that pleasant...now Guayaquil was great.

[@MDdelgado23]

Really how so ? I’m thinking of visiting Guayaquil

[@rollandstromsness7624]

We are coming to Manta in March! So excited!

[@gabrielmalas]

Interesting information! Hope that you have enjoyed your time in such a beautiful city and country :) I liked the way in which you explained the points trying to be very objective, maybe the title of the video is a bit confusing in terms of a very negative perception of the city though, but I guess that it is also related to promoting the video ;) All the best for you both, and you are always welcome to any of the wonderful regions and cities of our beloved Ecuador :)

[@antoniomateos3333]

Very good video. Congrats. In South America there are not good beaches, except in Brazil (clear, blue and green water end good climate for enjoying)

[@1YuriC]

By the way. There used to be plays and musicals in the theater center across from the park in the center of Manta; across from the malecon.

[@belenzurita3731]

Go to Pacoche Lodge it’s a beautiful area with monkeys where you can hike!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Pacoche is beautiful!

[@libuseleman3049]

Sooo true! About their slang that is harder to understand then Cuenca Spanish, about wind, I agree, very windy, not much of sandy beach in Murcielago, except lots of sand right by those restaurants there. If you walk little farther, there are rocks and small sharp stones, not good walk without shoes, like towards to El Dorado apt building walking on the beach, not easy Dry, not much of vegetation, not green. And you need to buy water unlike in Cuenca. Smell some places, but that would not bother me unless I live at that spot. Apartments prices much higher then in Cuenca. But it is warm. So if you like warm, Manta is better for you then Cuenca. I do travel to Manta but I am still living in Cuenca and many times complaining of being cold. Once I met JP and Amelia in the Mall Pacifico, it was very nice surprise!

[@dwdelve]

Hi you two, Happy New Year. Enjoying your growth and success and hope to see you both one day

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Thank you!

[@emiliogalarza6554]

I born in Manta, but your pov is real Luckily the major is doing some right now...I hope all this bad thing can change....I appreciate your pov

[@bartgoss7224]

Get used to the dryness. Normally it only rains one month a year on that part of the coast.

[@RonPaulyGirl]

The Russian Ballet will be in Cuenca to perform Swan Lake . . . .

[@billyakin3301]

I lived in Santa Monica when the Northridge Quake happened. Scared the hell out of me!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

I bet! 😬

[@billyakin3301]

@@AmeliaAndJP Are you guy's still living in Manta!? I'm trying to catch up 🤣 Love your videos ❤😎

[@tourguideecuador2764]

Yes it does smell in some areas where the "tuna fish factories" are by the ocean drive way 🤷😊😃

[@dennishassler605]

I've noticed sewer smells in some neighborhoods in Brazil and, also, in Mexico. The reason is they have some open sewers in Brazil and, also, in Mexico they use minimal septic tanks and sometimes even close to the beaches. This is caused by a building under-sized septic tanks r poorly designed one; also, they can crowd a building and be sending more sewage into tanks not designed to handle the load.

[@spikekavalench]

Another informative and interesting video, Thanks!

[@9344music5]

Great Point! "This can happen anywhere in the ring of fire" That includes California (where I live)

[@sarahmason8154]

What makes a beach enjoyable? There are a fair number of "prettier" and certainly cleaner beaches within a couple of hours drive, San Mateo being just 10 minutes away. However, the Murcielago Beach is still nice to walk on, with a nice boardwalk, and fun to play in the surf. It's main attraction is that our apartment overlooks it, and when we get tired, need a shower, forget something, just want to take a break, etc, our home is nearby. We can enjoy the beach every single day from our balcony, while still living in a city with all the amenities we need nearby. The Mall del Pacifico is not just clothing stores, it has the big supermarket, home good stores, banks, secure ATMs, place to pay your electric bill, coffee shops, restraunts, pharmacies, and a medical clinic. It is right across the street from a reasonably sized hardware type store. And close to all the stuff we need, medical, dental care, vet services that do house calls for your pet for reasonable prices, a nice sized ex-pat community, pretty much everything you need for your daily needs WHILE enjoying the beach. And great internet, a must for working from home. Condo buildings with generators for when the power goes out. Etc. Etc. It is by far the best compramise we found. As far as the wind goes, the best time to enjoy the day is the mornings. The wind generally doesn't pick up until the afternoon. The rental market is tight (but not impossible, especially if you are willing to compramise) and the real estate market, if you are able to buy has a lot of great options. We have been here a year, and love it. We live here, and visit the prettier beaches on the weekends when we want to, but are always happy to get back.

[@kenmcrae8591]

Hi, thanks for discussing the earthquake issue in this video. At the 2:30 point, you show a map with a large red rectangle, outlining the major inland fault lines. Is Vilcabamba located outside or inside that red rectangle area? I don't see it on the map. Thanks again!

[@BibleSamurai]

lol..I just started looking into Ecuador and stumbled on this channel. I think this is the third 'why we left video' yall did I know off. Cuenca, Olon and now Manta. Yall gone move again.

[@robgilbert3395]

More evidence of why you guys are the best in the business - cheers and thanks!

[@christopherhouse7937]

Another great video!! 👍🏻😁 “Happy New Year”

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Happy New Year!

[@luismarca5466]

I can’t wait to go back to Ecuador 🇪🇨 it’s unit 😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@johnway9853]

Thanks so much, really enjoying your videos unconventionals.

[@felisheikh6062]

Neat Video guys- Peace❤

[@RichFerreiraIns]

You do a good job. Both on the material and the presentation. Thanks!!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Thank you!

[@thebusinessonline2544]

VERY INFORMATIVE, THANK YOU, I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS AND YOUR ENTHUSIASM, I WISH YOU THE BEST.

[@nellie...]

Hi! Happy New Year! I live in Puerto Rico. But I hope to visit Ecuador someday.

[@1YuriC]

Hello unconventional. I really enjoyed Manta every time I go to Ecuador. It's true about the smell of fish, but it's just on a certain spot, which is not near the center of the town coast. I really miss the breeze of the ocean. Nice video!!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ramjet5192]

Gee, just love your adds. Like TV 20 years ago, when I threw my TV off a cliff. Keep this up and you'll go off a cliff, too.

[@jsphat81]

Regarding the Spanish spoken in Manta, it’s a variety of Coastal Ecuadorian Spanish, similar to the one spoken in Guayaquil my native city, where they use even more extreme slang than in Manta and you would be completely lost lol. Cuenca tends to have a lot of Ecuadorians who used to live in the US which is why they usually speak a lot more English there.

[@notgyfeden6245]

Ecuador does have caribbean beaches like, but to get there, you gotta spend and travel all the way to Galápagos Islands, in Manta there is another beautiful beach named Los Frailes, perfect for profesional pictures to be taken over there..

[@montebrown9528]

Hmm. Seems like the temperature in Manta is perfect for me, but I don't really like wind. Breezy is ok but stronger wind not so much. I like the fact that Manta is less populated than Cuenca.

[@9344music5]

Yup I was there and got a whiff now and then. Not too terribly bad

[@delvonmcdaniel]

Juan and Stella are really good friends of mine.

[@jlynnburton9718]

Thanks for this video, 1 always needs to know the Cons as well as the Pros of any location they are considering going to whether it's to vacation or live

[@tykellerman6384]

JP try some Flonase it’s a nose spray worked great for me in CR in the humidity 🤠👍

[@AmeliaAndJP]

That’s not available in EC.

[@albowman6852]

God bless you both. JP, I too have horrible allergies. Steroids fixed me here in Tennessee along with some prescription nose spray. It was a tough adjustment for me having lived in Las Vegas for the past 8 years.

[@y2k4ed]

Your information is awesome. I’m having problems in Colombia. Your videos are showing me an option. I wouldn’t be coming ignorant.

[@jkphotography9757]

Earthquakes are deal breaker for me! Thanks for the video!

[@rafaelramos1485]

Dear Amelia also Puerto Rico is an excellent country 🙏🌈🙏

[@keyesnm]

I notice in most of your videos on equador that is mostly cloudy and rarely mostly sunny. I like sunshine and it seems cloudy in most of you videos....true???

[@LivingLovingAbroad]

Thanks for the information guys!

[@diegovanegas3962]

I like to hear you over and over comparing all these places with beautiful, cultural, natural and friendly ciudad de Cuenca. You might as well admitted how much you both missed this city:))

[@AmeliaAndJP]

We really miss Cuenca a lot! But we don’t miss the cold temps and high elevation 😔

[@elenabost5974]

I think Venice is smell really bad, however tourists are keep going there 😜

[@thomasgourley2991]

Like your videos, I’m not sure about the rentals but they’re are a lot of ocean front condos for sale here in Manta. I just brought one in the Santorini on the 8th floor facing the ocean. I had a choice of several different condos. They are available, but they are not advertised. If you come here find a good taxi driver that’ll take you around to the different buildings and ask the management what’s available. In Manta everyone is in the real estate industry. Someone refers someone they will be taken care of.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Most places are for sale… for the right price. You’re right though. Most of them are not listed.

[@surf01er66]

Aloha, thank you , excellent information !!!!

[@jasperfrenchie]

Can you guys to a video on the new Grand Bay complex that is being built?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

They have a tiny sales office and won't start construction for at least 7 months so there's nothing for us to film. We don't expect the first people to move in for close to 2 years from now.

[@jasperfrenchie]

Thanks!

[@michaelriggio9696]

South Americans speak "Castilian" Spanish which is a lot different than Spanish in the US and Mexico.

[@AndreasLarsson95]

I would recommend Chile for expats and retired people

[@bigradwolf5001]

So where are you guys now after leaving Manta?

[@ThisOffGridLife]

Do you have a video going over visa options? Would be great to hear from canadians as well, maybe an interview with a Canadian couple you've met. Thanks for all the info:)

[@AmeliaAndJP]

We have a blog and video about visas. Here's the link: liveabroadnow.com/ecuador-temporary-resident-visas/

[@markphillips1911]

is there an old town or historic district? Looks like mostly new construction.

[@thehmspinaforeclub4960]

Norfh of Ensenada smelled back in the day (the fishing nets). I don't know about that now.

[@rexjamerson9316]

You mentioned in one of your previous videos, that you got a flat tire on your bike near the beach. As a long time cyclist and bike mechanic, I always carry spare tube, and a frame pump. ( be sure to get a quality made pump like Zefal). In addition, there is a product you can put on the inside of your tire, or the outside of your tube and I don't have the name of the product off the top of my head, but it will prevent 90% of flats. I am curious if it is safe to go cycling out on the roads for say 20 or 30 mile bike trip?

[@hideawayhomesllc5103]

Denver???? I thought you lived in Aurora, but who would know where that is...anyways... We RV'd through all 32 states in Mexico, plus Belize and Guatemala before we settled down (for winters) in Mazatlan. You will find your place, and in the meantime, you will keep things interesting by moving once again at the end of your lease. Pam and Randall, Dillon, CO.

[@MartySalo]

We took a cruise from Miami, an The beach d stopped in Manta as well as points south. The beach did seem not impressive, but compared to the US and Clearwater, FL, most beaches probably fall short. Florida is less expensive than California. Manta did seem to be a nice port town.

[@J_H72]

I kind of doubt if you went to Manta from Miami. Maybe you confused with somewhere else.

[@MartySalo]

@@J_H72 The cruise left Miami, Aruba, Panama Canal, Manta, Lima, Chile, Falkland Islands, Uruguay, Buenos Aires. I was disappointed by seeing the southern cross. Manta was a smaller port. It was on a Holland America Ship. Repositioning.