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Amelia Basista

About Amelia Basista

I grew up in the Chicagoland area and spent most of my career working as a sales rep in the commercial lighting industry. I still work online for a company in Denver doing sales CRM administration. YouTube is my part-time gig, but I'm so happy we can share our Unconventional Life and hopefully inspire you live yours!

Entries by Amelia Basista

Schengen Zone Travel Hacks

April 27, 2024/in Blog, Move Abroad, Travel Tips/by Amelia Basista

A lot of our viewers asked about the Schengen Zone tourist visa in Europe and how it works. We were confused about the specifics before we started traveling through Europe and had the same questions too! That’s why we’re explaining the Schengen visa functionality and how to hack it to make the most of your time in Europe.

Designed to facilitate seamless travel within participating European countries, the Schengen visa simplifies border crossings and procedures for tourists and business travelers. Here’s an in-depth look at how the Schengen visa works.

The Pros and Cons of Porto, Portugal

January 26, 2024/in Blog, Move Abroad, Portugal/by Amelia Basista

Porto, Portugal is a city with a history that predates even the Roman Empire and it continues to captivate people from all around the world.

Despite our arrival coinciding with one of the worst rainy seasons in recent memory, we were lucky enough to have a few hours of sun and blue skies to explore the city. We didn’t let the weather stop us!

Porto is extremely popular with tourists and foreign residents but it isn’t perfect. In this article, we share what we love about Porto, as well as some of the downsides, to help you decide if it is a good fit for you.

What Still Shocks Us in Ecuador After 6 Years

January 6, 2024/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by Amelia Basista

Living in Ecuador for over six years has been an incredible journey, but at times we still experience culture shock.

In this article, we share some of the cultural nuances that continue to baffle and surprise us, including several things that are shocking in a good way, to help you better prepare for your visit or move to this amazing country.

Cumbaya Ecuador Pros & Cons

December 1, 2023/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by Amelia Basista

Cumbayá is one of Ecuador’s most popular expat cities and for good reason! It has a lot of modern amenities, including excellent healthcare, shopping, and restaurants!

It’s a suburb of Quito and functions as a bedroom community for many people who work in the city center. A good comparison in the U.S. would be the Denver suburb of Cherry Creek.

We lived in Cumbaya for almost 2 years and loved it, but there are some downsides. In this article, we’ll share the pros and the cons to help you decide if it is a good fit for you.

Shipping, Mail & Muling Packages to Ecuador

April 3, 2023/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by Amelia Basista

Shipping things to and from Ecuador is not a straightforward process compared to the United States and other countries.

In this article, we’ll share the best ways to ship packages to Ecuador, and how to mail packages in Ecuador.

Internet, WiFi & Cell Phones in Ecuador

October 11, 2021/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by Amelia Basista

Ecuador is a country where WiFi, Internet access, and cell service is fast, reliable, and affordable. Compared to the US, you can get more bandwidth for less money in Ecuador.

There are also a variety of mobile apps, streaming services and VPNs that are popular and useful in Ecuador.

Home, Auto & Renter Insurance in Ecuador

May 3, 2021/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by Amelia Basista

House, Renters and Auto Insurance in Ecuador are very similar to the United States. Rates will vary based on type of coverage and value.
This article discusses the different types of insurance in Ecuador and the associated costs.

Bring These to Ecuador When You Move

April 14, 2021/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by Amelia Basista

Some things can be difficult or more expensive in Ecuador.  In this article we provide some tips and recommendations for those planning to move to Ecuador. While you’ll be able to find most things you need you might want to bring these with you.

Pet Care & Vets in Ecuador

November 11, 2020/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by Amelia Basista

If you’re planning to move abroad with your furry family members, you likely have many questions about the availability and quality of Ecuador Pet Care, as well as pet sitting/boarding, and dog and cat food options. In this article, we’ll share our experience with Ecuador Pet Care in Cuenca and Olón, as well as a few options for pet food, including our very own recipe for Cheap & Healthy Homemade Dog Food.

How To Prepare Family and Friends for Your Move to Ecuador

September 24, 2020/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by Amelia Basista

When you prepare family and friends for your move to Ecuador, the news will likely generate mixed reactions. Your closest confidants may not be surprised, but you’ll hear exasperated questions from others.

Some may try to make you think that moving abroad is a mistake, especially to a Latin American country like Ecuador.

Their perception of Ecuador may be based on what they see in the movies or dramatized news coverage, which is exaggerated reality and often relating to a specific event or location.

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Amelia and JP

Amelia And JP with Fall Colors and turning trees in the background.

Following a life-changing event back in Denver Colorado, we took stock of our lives and decided we needed to do something different.

After a lot of research and reflection, we made the decision to sell everything we owned and leave the United States in search of a higher quality of life for a lower cost of living in another country.

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