New members of the Ecuador forum, introduce yourself here

Hi to everyone!

My husband (Dave) and myself (Kathy) currently live in Crystal Beach Florida about 10 miles north of Clearwater. We are planning to move to Ecuador November 2015.

We were in Ecuador for our exploratory visit in October. After doing much reading it was great to see the country!  We stayed in Montanita as it was central to go up and down the southern coast on day visits  We took day trips from Salinas to Puerto Lopez.  We didn't make it on the north coast - Manta to Bahia however. 

Below are our requirements.  Any suggestions would be much appreciated

1).  On the coast in a small community that is about 20 to 30 mins away from a larger city that has amenities. 

2). Maximum sun☀️.

Visiting Montanita and Olon  we learned that the sun is out 6 months of the year and not 6 months. In reading about Salinas and surrounding areas there are contradictions about the amount of days of sunshine. For example, articles on Playa Casa say 340 days of sunshine.  Articles on Chippe quote 3 to 4 months. Puerto Cayo simply said it was the sunniest town on the coast   So we are not sure where to get "maximum sun".

3). We want to get involved  in the community and perhaps open a business once we settle in somewhere.

We will be returning in September 2015 to look for a rental   Since it is somewhat difficult to communicate with persons  or companies before you get there, if you have any suggestions on how to make connections -let us know.  We want to make the most out of our two weeks there   We do hope to get some assistance from some new friends (locals) we met in Montanita for transportation and interpretation.   They have lived on the coast their whole lives.

Thanks for listening and for any suggestions!!

Dave and Kathy

buenas ante todo, mi novia y yo ya con 5 años de relacion y 2 viviendo juntos decidimos emigrar a ecuador desde venezuela debido a la inseguridad y el alto costo de la vida, ella es diseñadora de modas y yo soy cheff internacional, tenemos una perra dalmata de 18 kg que tambien nos llevaremos, nos gustaria vivr en quito y agradeceria que me aconsejaran acerca de :
alquilar un departamento en una zona que no sea peligrosa y no tan cara de quito, o sea, algo neutral para podder empezar nuestra vida alla sin peligros
cuanto dinero tendriamos que tener disponible para poder soportar los gastos iniciales, alquiler, comida, ropa (ya que tengo entendido que el clima es templado) , seguro medico y demas
que es recomendable llevarnos de venezuela, por ejemplo, las maquinas de mi novia o algun otro articulop que sea preferible llevarnos a comprar alla
cuanto es el sueldo minimo en ecuador y mas o menos cuanto se requiere para vivir una pareja dispuesta a dejar de lado muchas comodidades para ahorrar para un futuro
y si alguien me puede asesorar en el costo del boleto de mi perra y permisos para poder llevarnosla

muchas gracias de antemano...

@ joseleomi > It would be best if you can post in english on this english speaking forum please.

Regards

Priscilla 

Good point, Barbara. I think it's important to remember that Ecuador is a place that is not looking to Westernize itself as the Far East is. In considering a business, it would be best to figure out what the community needs rather then going at it in a way similar to other more Western-oriented culture. For example, in Vilcabamba (only using as an example - not on the coast) there is a need for more varieties of shopping for the newly developing 20% expat population. A real need there is to have more international choices in the retail sector. If it were me, I would consider going this route. You would have a cornered market.

joseleomi wrote:

mi novia y yo ya con 5 años de relacion y 2 viviendo juntos decidimos emigrar a ecuador desde venezuela debido a la inseguridad y el alto costo de la vida, ella es diseñadora de modas y yo soy cheff internacional, tenemos una perra dalmata de 18 kg que tambien nos llevaremos, nos gustaria vivr en quito y agradeceria que me aconsejaran acerca de :
alquilar un departamento en una zona que no sea peligrosa y no tan cara de quito, o sea, algo neutral para podder empezar nuestra vida alla sin peligros
cuanto dinero tendriamos que tener disponible para poder soportar los gastos iniciales, alquiler, comida, ropa (ya que tengo entendido que el clima es templado) , seguro medico y demas
que es recomendable llevarnos de venezuela, por ejemplo, las maquinas de mi novia o algun otro articulop que sea preferible llevarnos a comprar alla
cuanto es el sueldo minimo en ecuador y mas o menos cuanto se requiere para vivir una pareja dispuesta a dejar de lado muchas comodidades para ahorrar para un futuro
y si alguien me puede asesorar en el costo del boleto de mi perra y permisos.

So let's get this straight.  It's you, your girlfriend and a Dalmatian coming  to live here in Quito, getting away from safety issues and high costs back in Venesuela.

She's a fashion designer and you're an international chef. 

You want an apartment in a safe(r) but not expensive part of Quito, and guidance on what it's going to cost for rent, food, health insurance, etc.

Also, whether it would be advisable to bring her machinery or buy new.

You want to know about wages in Ecuador.  Y'all are willing to put aside luxuries to save for the future.

You also want to know the cost of getting the dog into the country and what permit(s) are involved in that.

Well, Jose, you can find a livable unfurnished apartment in many areas of the capital for $300-something a month.  Stay out of South Quito, that's historically a place of less safe neighborhoods.  You can look for guidance from folks at work as to a "vecindario" convenient to your restaurant.

Clothing:  the climate is mild (usually 45-70's Fahrenheit), but I wouldn't presume to predict what a woman will need to spend on attire.  I got here almost a year and a half ago from the U.S. with several suitcases, and have bought almost nothing except a light jacket and some socks.

Health insurance:  that all depends, but let's say you're healthy, so as a couple will pay $250 a month for quality insurance.

Whether to bring her machinery, I have no idea.  Check with your airline if you're flying or with a freight forwarder.

Good luck with your move.

cccmedia, Quito

Susan F. wrote:

in Vilcabamba there is a need for more varieties of shopping for the newly developing 20% expat population. A real need there is to have more international choices in the retail sector. If it were me, I would consider going this route. You would have a cornered market.

20 percent Expats, wow.  I doubted that 1 in 5 Vilcabambans was an Expat when I first read it, but doing a little research around the Web, maybe it could be true.

There are multiple reports that Vilca is "teeming" with Expats and being "overrun" with Gringos, especially Baby Boomers.

International traveler Jasmine (jasminewanders.com) says the influx is largely due to excessive media reporting on the town.  She considers Vilca to be overrated, saying that it has an 8-month rainy season annually that  produces muddy tracks all over.  She says, though, that all the rain produces one of the greenest places on the planet.

Anyway, good luck with your move to Vilca in February.

cccmedia, Quito

Yes, Vilcabamba is developing. I prefer Vilca because the community is much more international than many other places that have such a high rate of expats. Americans tend to want their new environments to be "little Americas", and that, for me, would ruin the entire reason for living abroad.

I would not say that Vilca is overrun with gringos and baby boomers. For that, head to the coast or to Cuenca. THAT is my definition of overrun.

The fact that Vilca has so much organic land, combined with lots of potable water, has made it popular with people who want to live healthier lifestyles, and there are also many who come to develop organic farming. That, in itself, seems like a plus for me.

In a time that many parts of the US are facing the fact that water tables are falling and groundwater is drying up, I think the idea of some mud is not a bad thing.

And, yes, I don't think I've ever been anywhere that is as green as Vilca. The air is clean, the water drinkable from the tap and there is an abundance of food and space.

For me, these are all good reasons to live in Vilcabamba, also known as the Sacred Valley -

MUCHAS GRACIAS AMIGO..

Susan F. wrote:

I would not say that Vilca is overrun with gringos and baby boomers. For that, head to the coast or to Cuenca. THAT is my definition of overrun.

Susan:

If it's really 20% gringo (or anything close to that), it is far more gringo than Cuenca. The estimates I've seen for Cuenca are in the low single digits.

Of course, we're dealing with estimates in either case, since I don't believe there are any real numbers. And in Cuenca's case, it's a much larger city, so there are likely neighborhoods where the percentage gets very high.

There must be much to recommend Vilca, to get so many people to come. I may have to drop by and check it out. But I don't think I'd like to live in such a heavily expat community -- just my personal preference -- so I'll probably stick to Quito. It's good that there are so many excellent choices.

Bob, you're probably right. My apologies for making such a broad and sweeping remark. I think the point I'm trying to make is that because the expats are so spread out at the tops of the valleys, there simply isn't the concentration of expats in Vilca. It's sort of like comparing apples to oranges. Thanks for pointing out my error.

Hi Everyone,

I just moved to Guayaquil a few weeks ago and still trying to get settled. I'm working for the United Nations and while I love my job, I'm feeling a bit imbalanced since I haven't had a chance to meet many people here yet. Hoping to meet some fellow expats this way as well as hear about some events going on in the city.

Ciao,
Soraya

Sorajaci wrote:

I just moved to Guayaquil...I'm feeling a bit imbalanced since I haven't had a chance to meet many people here yet. Hoping to meet some fellow expats this way as well as hear about some events going on in the city.

Ciao,
Soraya

Soraya,

Welcome to Expat.com.

Given its large population, there are relatively fewer Expats moving to Guayaquil than the highlands cities due to the hot weather, safety issues and the fact that GYE is not at the beach.

Hence, fewer organised Expat activities than in Cuenca...or here in Quito where the South American Explorers and InterNations host multiple events and field trips every month.

Nevertheless, InterNations (internations.org) does bring people together from time to time in Ecuador's largest city.

Checking their website today, there doesn't appear to be anything scheduled for late November, but I'd consider it likely they'll do some holiday party before the end of the year.

cccmedia, Quito

Soraya: As CCC noted, there aren't a lot of Guayaquil people here (though there are some from other coastal cities). I did a Facebook search, and there's no Guayaquil group there that I could find. I thought there might be something similar to the Quito and Cuenca groups.

However, InterNations does have a Guayaquil branch, which says it has monthly get-togethers. Sounds like it could be just the thing.
http://www.internations.org/guayaquil-e … _Guayaquil

Good luck,
Bob

Hello Maria,

I am responding to your comment about the best landlord on earth in Cuenca.  I just arrived yesterday, and looked at 4 apartments today.  Please provide contact info. so that I can have more options to consider.
I'd appreciate any other tips on apt. hunting as well.  As a single woman, I want to have easy access to a bus stop, best to be within a ten minute walk of El Centro or on in El Centro.  I work online and need the best internet.  Thanks.
Nancy Blu

NancyBlu wrote:

Hello Maria,

I am responding to your comment about the best landlord on earth in Cuenca.  I just arrived yesterday, and looked at 4 apartments today.  Please provide contact info....
Nancy Blu

Hello, Nancy Blu,

I don't see where anyone named Maria has been active on this thread in recent weeks. 

If she's not paying attention or doesn't respond, I suggest that you send her a personal message (PM), which is possible by going to her intro page, clicking on her avatar and then clicking on Send a Message.  If necessary, go to her original post in order to navigate to her avatar.

Good luck with finding the best landlord on earth.  If you succeed, I am sure there are others on this Expat.com who would like said person's identity (and contact information) revealed.

cccmedia in Quito

Its sound great  I will see by the time I get there. .   Do you do any work in Ecuador?   
I think most be very difficult  to make a living  there!!!

I for one think that if I could get my hands on good old Canadian Swiss Cheese and Cheddar I would be one very happy camper!! I have asked about cheeses here and there is apparently a tight restriction on imported cheeses. When I go back --and getting cheese is enough reason to go--wink--I bring back as much as I can. Like 300 pounds. Oh--I wish!

Casinos in Ecuador were not banned by decree, they were voted out of existence by public referendum.

I'm not in favor of banning things or behaviors, but I must say it seems like anywhere there are casinos, there is organized crime. And organized criminal groups are often involved in a multitude of rackets and undesirable 'businesses'.

cccmedia wrote:

The government buildings in the capital (Santiago) are so enormous they seem to dominate the place.

You've touched on something I've noticed about Quito -- though it's a national capitol, it really doesn't have the feel that I've noticed in other such cities.  It really doesn't have any more big governmental building than Phoenix or Austin.

gardener1 wrote:

Casinos in Ecuador were not banned by decree, they were voted out of existence by public referendum.

I'm not in favor of banning things or behaviors, but I must say it seems like anywhere there are casinos, there is organized crime. And organized criminal groups are often involved in a multitude of rackets and undesirable 'businesses'.

There are other consequences of the voluntary taxation known as casinos.
In Bethlehem busloads show up every day from Chinatown, NYC.  Many of the people are given a free ride and a forty dollar credit to use in the casino.  Many sell the credit at a discount ($30-35) and spend the day wandering around Bethlehem eating at the soup kitchens, urinating in public or using rest rooms in businesses without paying a dime.  Southside Bethlehem residents are not at all pleased with the set up, and the soup kitchens and pantries are already stretched to the max.
The tax laws are different for professional gamblers, but the average recreational type can lose money and wind up paying taxes.  If you win $20,000 and receive paperwork (1099G), then it is reported as gross income or your tax return.  You can then deduct losses up to, but not more than the reported winnings.  Thing is this deduction goes on itemized deductions, schedule A, it is not deducted directly from the $20,000.  If you do not usually itemize deductions, then your taxable income has increased.  Even if you do itemize deductions the additional $20,000 in gross income can reduce some deductions based on your adjusted gross income, such as medical deductions, tax prep, employee business expenses etc.  In addition the higher AGI limits or eliminates certain tax credits(retirement investment, child tax credit, educational credits etc).  I see this on tax returns every year.
Ecuador has the right idea, here in the Philippines the poor buy lottery tickets hoping to hit it big, overall making matters worse.

Dear members,

Please note that this topic is for > introduction of new members and their project. I invite you all to start a new topic on the Ecuador forum if you have any specific questions on the country. If you want to talk about another subject, so please start a new thread on the forum.

I also invite you to read Code of conduct.

I have removed some posts from here in order to create some new topics > 1, 2, 3 .

If you have any questions on how to use this site > please contact us.

Let's keep this thread on introduction of new members.

Thank you,
Christine
Expat.com team

globalwoman wrote:

Hello--new here.

I am living in the U.S. but feel drawn to Ecuador.  I'm a year (at least) from early retirement but really wanting to get out of here.  Seeking a place to live which is much less expensive than forging a life out in the States but also that is quiet, simple, and where kindness is not relegated to the back burners of social interaction and everyday life.  Not sure yet where in Ecuador, but just Ecuador.  Would like to know how inexpensive I can live in say a 2 bedroom apartment where transportation is easy. I am not thinking of buying or building anything. Truly would be living on a budget.  How easy is it to make such a transition? How difficult to find a place, etc.? Any ideas, advice are welcome.

Hi, I know your post is old, but I just saw it.  OMG!  your reasons for wanting to leave the states are the same as mine to the "T"!.  I have at least 10+ years before I can retire unless I hit the lottery then as they say " I am Ghost" LOL!  Where in the US do you live, I am in Los Angeles, CA.  I will be 52 in January and I am actually afraid of getting old in this country as I do not have a 401K or any type of retirement pension so it will be just Social Security and whatever savings I have.  Initially I was looking at Vietnam, yes it is even cheaper there but there are quite few issues there that make me uncomfortable and in addition to the fact that unless there are special circumstances i.e, a large investment, company sponsorship etc. it is very difficult for expats to retire there.  Ecuador has always been on my radar so Ecuador it is.  I am currently trying to pin down a few locations, small villages or small towns, no large cities.  Anyway I saw your post and wanted to reach out.  I hope that both our dreams of retiring to Ecuador comes true.  Now I have to learn spanish.  Have a wonderful day.

louisb333 wrote:

It's very easy to live on $500/month here, even in Cuenca which is considered more expensive than most areas.  The key that I have found is to deal with locals, not other gringos, in finding your way.  For example not far from where I live in Cuenca is an area called "gringolandia" where it is common for a gringo to pay $300, $400, even $500 for an unfurnished 2 or 3 bedroom apartment.  I pay $200 for a brand new (I am the first tenant) 2 bedroom place, which I was able to totally furnish from local vendors for $2500.  Now I rent my extra bedroom for $250, so the place will pay for itself in two years.  I get to live for free!  My utilities (propane gas for hot water and cooking, electricity, water, garbage service, run about $10/month).  There's no need for heat or air conditioning in Cuenca.  Food costs maybe run $50/week and I eat very well.  I take the bus everywhere, so even an excursion to the beach for two days and one night will costs me under $100.  I have learned to live like a local.  Soon I will be renting a 4 bedroom house for $300/month and will rent rooms for added income.  It's an easy and beautiful life here...you can do it!  The secret is that you want to learn spanish and deal with the Ecuadorian people.  One of the main reasons why I left the USA was because most Americans are materialistic, egotistic fools.  Feel your way on these sites but try to avoid the fear-mongering which keeps most gringos who live in Ecuador locked in the same prison they thought they were leaving when they escaped the USA.  good luck! and happy to help in any way I can...you can contact me directly at my email ([email protected])

this is a wonderful post.  I just watched several YouTube videos about Americans living in Ecuador, some of them lived locked in these gated communities with guards and they spoke about not feeling safe around the locals.  So they only came there for the low cost of living and have absolutely no intention of learning the culture or interacting with the Ecuadorean people.  That is so sad and they are missing out on so much.  I plan to retire to Ecuador and will look for a town/village that has a mixture of expats and locals because I want the experience of learning about a different culture.  I will definitely make it a priority to learn spanish before I arrive.  Again, I loved your post.  Enjoy!

Hi Sjpersonal, 
I m. Currenty trying to find more  information on  Vietnam.If you have, some more information on that country?   Would u like to share with me??And why you dislike to go to live in Vietnam if its so cheap?   

What do u think of Cambodia there you could live there $5 a day or less.

bekerst wrote:

Hi Sjpersonal, 
I m. Currenty trying to find more  information on  Vietnam.If you have, some more information on that country?   Would u like to share with me??And why you dislike to go to live in Vietnam if its so cheap?   

What do u think of Cambodia there you could live there $5 a day or less.

Hi Bekerst,

There is a Vietnam forum here that is full of information.  Currently it is extremely difficult for expats to relocate to Vietnam.  Many have been living there by renewing their visas over and over again and extending them all of which is against the law, per the Vietnamese Government.  These people run the risk of not being permitted to re-enter the country on one of these runs.  I would not be willing to take that chance.  There are also some extreme issues regarding fresh food there.  I am looking for a country where I do not have to worry about all of the chemicals that are used in the US on their produce.  Organic is expensive here.  But in Vietnam you have to worry about what type of soil the vegetables and fruit are grown in.  In some cases vegetables are grown and harvested in waste (human) polluted rivers, they are injecting fruit with chemicals.  Basically I would have more worries there than in the US. 

I will keep an eye on that country because I have been fascinated with a small town in Vietnam for years Hoi An.  If those things that I listed above change, doubtful, before it is time for me to retire in about 10 years, then yes more than likely I will end up there.  I believe that the same issues are prevalent in Cambodia.

Ecuador is so much more welcoming to foreigners in regards to retirement.  But make sure that you check out the Vietnam forum on this site, I learned so much. 

Take Care

bekerst wrote:

What do u think of Cambodia...you could live there $5 a day or less.

Please don't move to Cambodia, Johnny.

I was in Phnom Penh for a few weeks last year.  Only the rice farmers are living on five bucks a day ($150 a month).  It's cheap but not that cheap. 

The health care in Cambodia is so unreliable that anyone in the know is traveling to Thailand to take care of anything more serious than a head cold.

Late edit:  After posting the above, I just read the latest "advisory" (also above) from the Home Office in Mauritius.  So, to avoid "fastidiando a ellas," Johnny, please start a new thread if you have more to say about Southeast Asia.  Alternatively, you can discuss other topics of interest to you by visiting us at the thread "For Entrepreneurs, TV Producers and Blackjack Players."

cccmedia, Quito

Thanks my mate I think  would be better  to go to Chile or Ecuador.. I will let you know. Please keep in touch

Thanks for your help  I think would be better to go to Chile or Ecuador.   I will let u know  please keep in touch. .
take care

Hi there!

Stefan here from Holland. The plan is to move to Ecuador next year September. Next February I will be 2 weeks in Quito to make arrangements, talk to people about jobs, appartments, visa and networking.

I am in the final stages of a TEFL study to be able to teach English plus I have a degree in Training/Coaching , so I hope to find some work in that line of business.
I also did a lot of work in the music industry and through contacts in Madrid, Spain I also might have some contacts in the music scene (metal, rock) in Quito. Such things take time which is the latin american way haha.

For the rest I do a lot of preparing like learning Spanish, reading the news on Ecuador a lot and even watching Ecuador tienes talento on Youtube haha. Anything goes to learn their culture as best as possible on every level.
I am planning to live there with a friend from Venezuela who is already an English teacher in Venezuela (life seems really hard down there).

I'm going to bring my cat too and I do am a bit worried about getting a rental appartment in Quito with my cat included as I heard they don't approve pets everywhere, but I won't leave my cat here of course. She is gonna come with me. Next week she is going to get a rabies injection already (valid for 2 years). Any help/advice on getting an appartment is welcome. Avoiding south Quito seems not a bad thing to do.

Through this forum I hope to learn from people who live in Ecuador already and especially from Quito. And maybe getting some more contacts! I'm happy to hear and learn from you!

Stefan1975 wrote:

Stefan here from Holland. The plan is to move to Ecuador next year September. Next February I will be 2 weeks in Quito...

I am in the final stages of a TEFL study to be able to teach English....

I'm going to bring my cat too...Any help/advice on getting an apartment...

Since you're making the two-week exploratory trip in February, you can get some boots-on-the-ground information about the cat and future apartment avails. 

Then in September you can check the local papers and walk the neighborhoods you found appealing in Feb., looking for signs of rentals.  These are some of the best ways to get good deals -- not relying on pricey Internet postings.

In September, if you have a connection to a school for teaching, you can ask (potential) co-workers for apartment advice for the school neighborhood as well.

Whichever of the activities you mentioned that you end up going for, find out ASAP whether you can apply for or do them if you arrived on a tourist visa.

You're doing a good job paying attention to places to avoid -- having mentioned Ven. and South Quito.

cccmedia in Quito

cccmedia wrote:

Since you're making the two-week exploratory trip in February, you can get some boots-on-the-ground information about the cat and future apartment avails. 

Then in September you can check the local papers and walk the neighborhoods you found appealing in Feb., looking for signs of rentals.  These are some of the best ways to get good deals -- not relying on pricey Internet postings.

In September, if you have a connection to a school for teaching, you can ask (potential) co-workers for apartment advice for the school neighborhood as well.

Whichever of the activities you mentioned that you end up going for, find out ASAP whether you can apply for or do them if you arrived on a tourist visa.

You're doing a good job paying attention to places to avoid -- having mentioned Ven. and South Quito.

cccmedia in Quito

Thanks for the advice! This is helpful information I think.
Yeah it's all about getting the network there as you get things done if you know people. I been in Madrid, Spain many times and it kind of works the same way there. There are a lot of latin americans living in Madrid actually,
I do know a few people in Quito and one owns an au pair agency. I already had a Skype interview to see if there were any possibilities of working there. But it's like you said, internet doesn't seem the best way really to get things done, so thats why i'm doing these 2 weeks in February to be there in person. And through the net i'm trying to make some appointments etc. In September my plans are to start with the 6 months tourist visa which I can get here at the embassy in The Hague. I will also get a new passport before I leave. A passport is vaild for 10 years, so that will be one worry less when i'm there, because the Netherlands doesn't have an embassy anymore in Ecuador haha I don't why, but they closed it a few years ago.

" Soon I will be renting a 4 bedroom house for $300/month and will rent rooms for added income."

Sorry about my ignorence but I have to ask the obvious because this seems so unreal:
Is it leagle to rent a room from the landlord for a low price and then rent it for more to somebody else?
how does it work with the landlord. I mean you dont own the place, what do you do when there is fixing to do? what if the landlord finds out that you are renting his place for double or tripple the money you are paying him?

sjpersonal wrote:

louisb333 wrote:

Soon I will be renting a 4 bedroom house for $300/month and will rent rooms for added income.  It's an easy and beautiful life here...you can do it!

Sorry about my ignorence but I have to ask the obvious because this seems so unreal:
Is it leagle to rent a room from the landlord for a low price and then rent it for more to somebody else?
how does it work with the landlord. I mean you dont own the place, what do you do when there is fixing to do? what if the landlord finds out that you are renting his place for double or tripple the money you are paying him?  ( I cant get that quoting thing works for me how do you do it.....hahahaha )

Roeyklein wrote:

" Soon I will be renting a 4 bedroom house for $300/month and will rent rooms for added income."

Sorry about my ignorence but I have to ask the obvious because this seems so unreal:
Is it legal to rent a room from the landlord for a low price and then rent it for more to somebody else?
how does it work with the landlord. I mean you dont own the place, what do you do when there is fixing to do? what if the landlord finds out that you are renting his place for double or tripple the money you are paying him?

Klein Brothers,

You're wise to consider these questions now, before renting.

Although I am not an expert in EC property-rental law, I would bet that these matters are governed by (1) municipal codes, including default rules when such codes are not specific, and (2) your rental agreement with the landlord.

Once you know in which municipality you would lease rental property, you could discuss these questions with the landlord and-or a local attorney to gain total clarity.

IMO, if you lease a property and rent out the rooms without telling the landlord what you are doing in advance, you run the risk of p***ing off the landlord, who may retaliate by attempting to raise the rent, speaking loudly with Spanish words you do not understand or deciding to do  who-knows-what.

cccmedia in Quito

Gee--I don't think that's a good idea. More and more people would be doing that. In fact it is said that the gringos here have driven up the prices to a considerable extent.

These questions came up due to the post that "louisb333 wrote"...: " I pay $200 for a brand new (I am the first tenant) 2 bedroom place, which I was able to totally furnish from local vendors for $2500.  Now I rent my extra bedroom for $250, so the place will pay for itself in two years" and " Soon I will be renting a 4 bedroom house for $300/month and will rent rooms for added income.

I was astonished that this is possible. It sounds like Louis knows what he is doing and I hope he can clarify in details how it works.

I can't figure how to work the quotaions works and how to comment on a post that was posted by another member so it might appeard that I am actually renting a 4 bed room house etc... I am not. I am curious how it was done.

Anyway, sure we will look into all the details once we get to Manaby and discuss these matters with the locals and other expats in the area.
Its so good to have this site as I am constantly getting new ideas and inspirations. and I am so greatful for the possitive feedback and quick responses from the members (Thanks cccmedia and others).
Just for the update. We got our 180 day visa to Ecuador and we are arriving on the 11th of December so things are moving forward

Barbara Suderman wrote:

Gee--I don't think that's a good idea. More and more people would be doing that. In fact it is said that the gringos here have driven up the prices to a considerable extent.

I don't think Babs has made her case.

If Gringos have driven up real estate prices anywhere in EC, it's not because they were renting out rooms...

...but because they were buying highly-promoted properties for above-market prices.

cccmedia in Quito

Roeyklein wrote:

I was astonished that this is possible. It sounds like Louis knows what he is doing and I hope he can clarify in details how it works...We got our 180 day visa to Ecuador and we are arriving on the 11th of December so things are moving forward

Don't see how this is so astonishing, Klein Bros.  Folks rent out rooms all the time in EC and other places.

You have common areas such as the kitchen and bathroom(s).

Everybody has their own private bedroom.

Your rental agreement could specify whether you or the landlord is responsible for maintenance and other issues in and around the premises.

See if you can get a sample rental contract used by someone who is doing this.

Congratulations on getting your 180-day visa.

cccmedia in Quito