Entries by JP Stonestreet

Earthquakes in Ecuador

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Earthquakes in Ecuador are a common occurrence due to its location on the Ring of Fire. However, most quakes are small and barely noticeable, and the bigger ones typically only occur once every 20 to 30 years.

The Ring of Fire is a seismically active region that follows the western coast of South America, Central America and North America before it heads west to the eastern coast of Asia and then south to New Zealand. Earthquakes and volcanoes are common throughout this region where nearly 2 billion people live.

How I Convinced My Skeptical Spouse to Move Abroad

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Leaving the United States and moving to Ecuador was a decision that took some time, but once I started researching it, I quickly became convinced that it was the right decision for us.

After reading a lot of blog posts and watching a bunch of videos, I was ready to sell everything and move to Ecuador with our two dogs. Sight-unseen!

Amelia, on the other hand, was a bit more skeptical. Although she liked the idea of living abroad, she was reluctant to leave our comfort zone and move to a small country in South America.

The HARSH Realities of Expat Life!

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Even after five and a half years of living in Ecuador and lots of personal and national changes, we’re still thankful we moved here. It was (and still is) the best decision we could have made.

However, moving abroad also comes with a set of harsh realities that are often overlooked or underestimated.

Looking back, here are some of the most challenging aspects of expat life that we experienced and that you need to be prepared for…

Mexico City Pros and Cons: A Comprehensive Review for Digital Nomads and Expats

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Over the past few years, Mexico City has become increasingly popular with foreign residents, and especially digital nomads. However, we were very hesitant to go there. We didn’t know what to expect or if we’d even be welcome.

We did enjoy our time in CDMX. It has a lot of great things going for it, but several drawbacks and one thing in particular that will probably keep us from going back. So in this article, we talk about the pros & cons of Mexico City.

Why Does The United States Cost so Freaking Much?!

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The cost of living in the United States is OUT OF CONTROL! Many of the things we need to live have become unaffordable for the vast majority of people. Things like food, healthcare, transportation and elder care are being charged on credit cards and driving people further into debt. It’s INSANITY!

You might not realize that the cost of living is NOT sky-high everywhere. In many countries, you can still afford to buy the things you need without breaking the bank.

We Believed The Propaganda About Latin America!

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If you’re considering a move to Latin America, it’s normal to have fears and concerns about making such a dramatic change.

When we first considered moving abroad, we had a lot of fears about the safety, healthcare, infrastructure, language barriers, and other challenges that come with living in a new country.

However, after doing a lot of research, and after living in Ecuador for more than five years, we realized that our fears were largely unfounded or exaggerated.

How To Avoid a Common Rental Car Scam

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We’re not brave enough to drive in foreign countries, which has helped us avoid a common rental car scam that our viewers often complain about in the comments.

These rental car scams occur throughout Latin America, including Ecuador and Mexico. If you’re not careful, you could end up paying hundreds or thousands of dollars in extra fees, but scams aren’t the only issues you might face by driving in a foreign country. 

How To Travel to Ecuador from the United States

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Ecuador is more comfortable and more affordable than ever, and traveling to Ecuador from the USA is easier than ever. In this article, you’re going to learn about several of the options at your disposal for getting to Ecuador, and how to get around once you’re here.

Cotacachi Ecuador vs Ajijic Mexico (Pros & Cons)

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Are you considering a move to Mexico or Ecuador and wondering which expat destination to choose? Both countries have plenty of options, but two towns that stand out are Ajijic in Mexico and Cotacachi in Ecuador.

These two picturesque mountain towns have a lot in common, but also some unique features that may sway your decision. In this article, we’ll compare the pros and cons of living in each town.

Unexpected Benefits of Living Abroad in Ecuador

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As humans, we have a tendency to focus on the fears and the risks of making a change from “the way we’ve always done it.” It’s our innate protection mechanism to keep us safe from harm. We’re here to help you focus on the incredible and unexpected benefits of living abroad in Ecuador.