Expat Articles
Move Abroad | Work Abroad
These articles are dedicated to helping you Move Abroad or Work Abroad to attain a higher quality of life for a lower cost of living.
Get the Free Move Abroad Toolkit
You can get access to the Free Move Abroad Toolkit right now! It'll help you start getting prepared to leave the U.S. and move to another country! It might be easier and faster than you think!
Get the Free Move Abroad Toolkit
The Free Move Abroad Toolkit will help you start planning to leave the United States and move to another country.
Tipping Etiquette in Ecuador
/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetTipping in Ecuador is a lot different than the United States where tipping is completely out of control. Businesses in most countries are required by law to pay their employees a living wage, and tips are not considered part of that equation.
This article explores the tipping etiquette in Ecuador, as well as the consequences of over-tipping and overpaying in Ecuador.
It also discusses why it’s important to blend in and adapt to the local customs and culture rather than trying to change them.
Shipping, Mail & Muling Packages to Ecuador
/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by Amelia BasistaShipping 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.
Earthquakes in Ecuador
/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetEarthquakes 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
/in Blog, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetLeaving 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!
/in Blog, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetEven 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…
Why Does The United States Cost so Freaking Much?!
/in Blog, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetThe 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.
How To Travel to Ecuador from the United States
/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetEcuador 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.
Unexpected Benefits of Living Abroad in Ecuador
/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetAs 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.
The Dark Side of Cuenca Ecuador!
/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetCuenca is a popular expat destination in Ecuador. It’s a beautiful city with a colonial center and friendly people. Cuenca’s healthcare is also of high quality and affordable. The cost of living is also relatively low. But, there is another side to Cuenca that is not so pretty.
Medical Tourism: Escape The USA Healthcare Scam!
/in Blog, Comparisons, Health & Medical, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetHealthcare and Health Insurance in the United States is a huge headache that can rightfully cause you a lot of distress. We know people who work jobs they hate or even delay retirement simply because they need health insurance. It doesn’t have to be that way!
Why Expats Love Cotacachi Ecuador (mostly)
/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetCotacachi, Ecuador, is one of the most popular cities in Ecuador among expats. It’s a small, slowly growing and developing town in the Andes Mountains gaining popularity for its rich culture, climate, low cost of living, and scenic beauty.
Top 10 Expat Countries (According to Expats)
/in Blog, Comparisons, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetAre you planning to move abroad to enhance your quality of life? The process is complicated and you have several things to consider before you take the leap.
Your first and most difficult decision is to decide where you want to live. To help people who are planning their move abroad, InterNations asked 12,000 expats in 181 countries what they thought about their home away from home. So in this article you’ll learn about the top 10 expat countries for 2022 according to the people who already live abroad.
Reverse Culture Shock In The USA: 22 Wild Things That Took Us by Surprise!
/in Blog, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetThey say that distance makes the heart grow fonder, and after 5 years of living in Ecuador, we were prepared for a huge dose of nostalgia going back to the United States. However, there were a lot of things about the US that felt really foreign to us!
Top 10 Countries with Cheap Rentals
/in Blog, Comparisons, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetIt is increasingly difficult for people to find affordable rental options, especially for those living on a tight budget. But did you know that you can live comfortably and affordably in various other places around the world? You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg renting a home.
Best Countries for Expats Who Speak English
/in Blog, Comparisons, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetWhen you’re planning your move abroad, learning a new language may be too much hassle on top of everything else you need to do before you leave home. You might feel a lot more comfortable if you can just speak English.
In this article, we discuss the top 10 popular expat destinations where you can speak English. You’ll learn about the pros and cons of each, and the visa requirements for these destinations.
Top 10 Cheapest Countries for Expats
/in Blog, Comparisons, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetThere are many countries to settle in as an expat. We live in Ecuador and love it here. However, we know there are other great places for the perfect expat life, and yes, they are cheap. We have done our research and will highlight a few countries where couples can live for less than $2000/month.
All of these countries have a variety of visas, including tourist visas, 1-2-year temporary visas, and permanent visas, so you should qualify for at least one.
Here are the top 10 cheap countries to live in as an expat.
Our Ecuador Healthcare Experience
/in Blog, Ecuador, Health & Medical, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetBefore our recent hospital visit, we did not have in-depth personal experience with the Ecuador healthcare system. We know Ecuador has one of the best healthcare services globally, so we expected something nice. Pleasantly, our expectations were exceeded. The quality was so great that their affordable cost was almost shocking.
Popular Expat Restaurants in Cuenca Ecuador
/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetWe’re often asked for a review of popular restaurants in Cuenca Ecuador where expats like to eat.
During our two and a half years of living in Cuenca, and our recent visits, we had the opportunity to eat at a lot of restaurants. While we can’t possibly cover all of them in one video, we did share our experiences with over 3 dozen!
Shipping a Car to Ecuador
/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetIt seems like we get this question daily: Can I ship my car to Ecuador? Unfortunately, the answer is NO, you cannot bring a vehicle to Ecuador unless you are a returning Ecuadorian citizen.
In fact, you cannot bring a car, truck, motorcycle, golf cart, or anything with a combustion engine that’s used for transportation. You are allowed to bring electric bikes and scooters with your household items, but not electric cars or golf carts.
Cuenca Ecuador Pros & Cons for Expats
/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by JP StonestreetCuenca Ecuador has been near the top of the “best expat cities” list for over a decade and a lot of expats live in Cuenca because of its international renown.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a modern city with old world charm, affordable living, and a variety of amenities. However, like any place, it also has its drawbacks.
In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of living in Cuenca Ecuador to help you decide if it’s the right expat city for you.