We want to reach out to expats for advice

lorinadams70 · 2023-01-01T19:11:40+01:00

@Julien Hello!My wife and I are in our early 50's and we are looking to Equidor to explore the possibility of living the lifestyle we have worked toward our careers. We have dreamed of owning a small...

rkg695

01 January 2023 19:33:20

158

Cotacachi, Imbabura

@lorinadams70 …Best wishes for 2023! I'm sure you will love a new life in Ecuador! 🌺🌺🌺

If I could give ANY one piece of advice to ensure your happiness with a new life in Ecuador, it is this:

Integrate with local culture…

Learn to speak the language - this is Ecuador, the mestizo (spanish / indigenous mixed) speak spanish, the primary culture and traditions here are Ecuadorian, do NOT expect the Ecuadorians to adapt to you and the culture / traditions you leave behind. They have centuries of history, tradition, religion, arts and culture of their own; they have little need or reason to white-wash their country for anyone.

If you make the effort, the locals will (often literally) embrace you and welcome you and make it easier to find your home and happiness here! And after that the rest is gravy… learning more about the beautiful indiginous cultures will be your reward: the Tsáchila, Chachi, Epera, Awa, Quichua, Shuar, Achuar, Shiwiar, Cofán, Siona, Secoya, Zápara, Andoa y Waorani, and Afro-Ecuadorians…

After that, embrace these three words:

Manana, Paciencia, Tranquillo

I also suggest you check out Amelia & JP on YouTube, I found their video tours, relocation and life / living expenses / rental information invaluable to help me explore Ecuador! They also have a website called Live Abroad Now with links to free referral services… everything from tour guides, private drivers (to explore Cuenca or travel city to city), to dentists, vets and pet care, relocation & visa experts (If your first grand tour of Ecuador will include Cotacachi, Imbabura I can recommend someone to help obtain an investor visa and my Cedula; Ecuador ID), rental / real estate agents, etc.

There's lots of interesting discussions to read in the forums; have a look around, here's a few I enjoyed:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 40#5556363

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 40#5554621

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 39#5563664

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … =2#5494926

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 90#5490659

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 56#5437330