To Move or Not To Move,

That is the question

For those considering moving to Ecuador, Mas Despacio, (literally translates to “more slowly”) is both a practical phrase and a suggestion. While the book is a key element, the website also includes prices from bus fares to blackberries. There are two 6000+ auto surveys, showing market penetration here. Land, home, and rental prices for various cities are here as are the prices for Drill Bits, Hammers, and Allen Wrenches.

Both are designed to slow the reader down in their decision-making yet help them make an informed decision. It’s a glass-half-full-and-half-empty read. Yes, 2,500 sq. ft. homes rent for $700 – $1,000 / mo. (Cue revving motorcycle.) But many have no heat or air conditioning. (Add screeching brakes.) Yes, the Cordillera, a 50-mile-wide valley running the length of the country, has temperatures between 60 – 75 ⁰F year-round (Cue motorcycle). Yes, it’s called the land of eternal spring. But there are 24 volcanoes here, 7 of which are active – as in regularly going off (Cue crash). Did we mention the seismic activity?

They speak Spanish here – just like most of Central and South America. But while most everyone here took English in school, few expected to actually use it. They seem a bit surprised by the number of Expats, around 24,000, that moved here – and frankly, they aren’t that prepared. Will the reader learn Spanish or will they hire a facilitator / translator every time they need a 3 cm bolt. BTW remember 8^th grade when most of us slept through the metric system? Well guess what – bwhahahahaha!

There are scorpions and tarantulas – not everywhere, but they exist. There are dogs – lots and lots and lots and lots of dogs – and no dog catchers. Noise is an issue here. Ecuador has used the dollar since 2000, so the government can’t print its way out of trouble – which helps the economy stay vibrant. About 40% are communists, 40% capitalists, with 20% looking at all the Venezuelan refugees and voting democratic socialist, for now.

The food is varied, delicious and cheap. But we wash most of our fruits and vegetables in a special bath. 5-star restaurants are around $25 – $30 / person and their food tends to be clean. Hearty 3-star lunches run between $2.50 – $3.50, tipping is optional. The water in parts of the country varies. But on the coast we use bottled water, keeping our mouths closed in the shower. In Cuenca we use filtered water.

Together, my wife, a North Carolinian, my mother (a Texan) and I, retired here from Colorado, in October 2018. Ironically my retired, Ecuadorian Father lives in Las Vegas.

I’m attempting to give a person as well-rounded an understanding of the country as possible. Hopefully motivating some people, to move elsewhere. Portugal is reportedly beautiful and reasonably priced. (Portugal is saying, “Oh sure, shunt all your whiners our way. Thanks a lot.”) Moving here is huge: physically, financially, socially, and psychologically. Who wants to say, “We moved to Ecuador for a couple of years. It was horrible. Then we moved to…”? Rather if someone researches first, comes, visits and then says, “We looked into moving to Ecuador, but we found we couldn’t overcome these issues.” That person looks smart and will probably save $2,000 – $10,000.

Mas Despacio Por Favor recommendations might shave $500 – $3,000 off the cost of moving. How? $19.99 will allow you to see those cards. But hopefully you saw enough of my writing style to decide. Ecuador is a big, beautiful, imperfect place, with big-hearted, kind, imperfect people. If you join us – great! Either way I hope you go Mas Despacio, Por Favor.