Amelia And JP’s Blog
Embrace the Unconventional Life!
Our blog is dedicated to the 3 pillars of The Unconventional Life: Online Income, Living Abroad, and the FIRE Movement. Each pillar is pivotal in living a dream life on your own terms. Together, they allow you to choose where you live, when you work, and what you do. This section is a rollup of everything we share.
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Colonia Americana: Coolest Neighborhood in the World! (Guadalajara Mexico)
/in Blog, Live Abroad, Mexico/by Amelia BasistaWe were so excited to take our first trip to Guadalajara, Mexico. We decided to stay in Colonia Americana (map) and were even more excited to visit the area after it was named the “Coolest Neighborhood in the World” by Timeout.
We stayed in a 2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom condo we found on AirBnB and the location was fantastic! We arrived after dark so we were a little apprehensive about walking around since we didn’t know the area, but we felt more at ease when we saw a young woman walking her dog alone. After that, it felt safe for us to find a place to eat.
Medellín vs Cuenca: Comparing Two Popular Expat Destinations in Latin America
/in Blog, Colombia, Comparisons, Ecuador, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetMedellín, Colombia and Cuenca, Ecuador have become increasingly popular destinations for expats, digital nomads, and retirees.
Both cities offer a unique charm, vibrant cultures, and an array of attractions that cater to various lifestyles and preferences.
In this comprehensive blog post, you’ll learn about the many facets of living in these two amazing cities, including the pros and cons of each, comparing aspects such as living conditions, cost of living, infrastructure, and safety.
Hopefully, this will help you make an informed decision about which city might be the ideal destination for your next adventure or new home abroad.
Buying Real Estate in Colombia: Process & Tips
/in Blog, Colombia, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetWe had the opportunity to interview Juan Camilo Villegas on our recent trip to Medellín, Colombia.
Juan is an experienced real estate agent and shared some valuable information about buying real estate in Colombia, the unique process, and the essential steps for foreigners looking to invest in the country.
In this blog post, we summarize the main points of our conversation with Juan to help you successfully navigate the Colombian real estate market.
Kristen Shares Her Story About Living In Ecuador as a Single Woman from the United States
/in Blog, Ecuador, Live Abroad/by Kristen CrawfordWe’re often asked if there are single women living in Ecuador, so we’re excited to share Kristen’s story because she is a single retired woman living in Cuenca.
We met Kristen through Amelia’s belly dancing studio when we lived in Cuenca. She is one of those people who lights up a room when she enters it. She never meets a stranger and makes everyone feel welcome.
If you’re a single woman considering a move to Ecuador, you’re certain to appreciate Kristen’s perspective. Here’s her story…
7 Easy Side Hustle Ideas for 2023 (Non-Technical Skills)
/in Blog, Earn Online, FIRE/by JP StonestreetA thousand dollars a month. That’s all you need to earn from working online to completely change your life!
The side hustles in this article do NOT require technical skills so pretty much anyone can do them as long as you have a computer and a reliable internet connection.
You’ll learn how easy it is to get started doing each of these side hustles, how long it will take to hit that magic $1000 per month milestone, and how you can use that money to set yourself free and change your life forever.
Medellín Colombia Real Estate Tour: 4 Amazing Properties
/in Blog, Colombia, Live Abroad, Real Estate Tours/by JP StonestreetIf you’re a real estate enthusiast like us, you’ll definitely enjoy this post about our recent real estate tour in Medellín, Colombia.
We had a blast exploring four amazing properties with a range of prices to fit almost any budget.
As an added bonus, we’ll also compare these Medellín homes to similar properties in Denver, Colorado, where we used to live.
Spoiler alert: Medellín offers some incredible value!
Best Expat Countries (According to Expats)
/in Blog, Comparisons, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetEvery year, InterNations.org conducts a survey to see what current expats think about their home away from home. The results are tabulated and ranked to determine the Best Countries for Expats.
Most of the countries that made the top 10 expat country list for 2022 shouldn’t be surprising, especially the number 1 country for expats, but a few might be considered controversial.
No countries from Central or South America made the list this year, which is very surprising!
Manta Ecuador Pros & Cons
/in Blog, Ecuador, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetAmelia and I had always dreamed of living in a high-rise condo on the beach with an ocean view, and that dream came true when we moved to Manta, Ecuador.
Overall, we enjoyed the year that we lived in Manta, but no place is perfect so we ended up leaving.
In this article, we’ll share the pros and cons of Manta Ecuador to help you decide if it’s the right place for you.
Are We Moving to Mexico? Comparing Mexico and Ecuador for Expats
/in Blog, Comparisons, Ecuador, Live Abroad, Mexico/by JP StonestreetLately, we’ve been getting tons of questions asking if we’re moving to Mexico since we started sharing videos from our adventures there.
So, we thought it would be a perfect time to compare Mexico and Ecuador head-to-head and see which one comes out on top for factors that matter most to us (and maybe you as well!).
Playa del Carmen Mexico Pros & Cons
/in Blog, Live Abroad, Mexico/by JP StonestreetToday, we’re going to take a trip down memory lane and revisit our decision to move to Cuenca, Ecuador rather than Playa del Carmen, Mexico when we left the United States.
As some of you may know from watching our older videos, Ecuador wasn’t our first choice. We had our sights set on Playa del Carmen because it was familiar to us and much closer to home. However, we ended up ruling it out for various reasons.
After traveling throughout Ecuador, Mexico, and Colombia, we felt it was time to reevaluate our decision and answer the burning question: Did we make the wrong choice?
Redefining Retirement: Pursue Your Passion and Live a Life with Purpose
/in Blog, Comparisons, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetFar too many people spend their entire lives working hard to make someone else rich, only to find that when they finally cross the finish line to retirement, they’re bored and aimless.
Sadly, this is the reality for many who retire, leading to deteriorating health, depression, and early death.
And now, according to recent studies, more baby boomers than ever are becoming homeless. It takes just one crisis, like a job loss or medical bills, to push someone nearing retirement onto the streets!
The traditional concept of retirement is outdated, but you can redefine your retirement to make it more fulfilling and purposeful while protecting yourself from the dire consequences of unexpected hardships.
The Bowens Share Their Insightful Story About Raising Children in Ecuador
/in Blog, Ecuador, Live Abroad/by Blake & Brittany BowenThe Bowen Family (La Familia Bowen) is from Washington State via Arizona in the United States, but now they live in southern Ecuador with their young children.
In this insightful story, they share what it’s like to raise a family in a foreign country and take grandchildren so far away from their grandparents.
How To Start a Successful YouTube Channel: A Step-by-Step Guide
/in Blog, Earn Online/by JP StonestreetDreaming of living abroad and funding your expat lifestyle by starting a successful YouTube channel? That’s exactly what we have done!
With over 300 videos, 90K subscribers, and 12 million views on our YouTube channel, we now earn a six-figure income that supports our life in Ecuador and our travel to other countries.
In this comprehensive, step-by-step guide, we’ll share our journey and strategies for starting and growing a successful YouTube channel. Let’s dive in!
Cuenca Ecuador Neighborhoods
/in Blog, Ecuador, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetCuenca Ecuador has several neighborhoods that are popular with expats.
We lived in El Vergel, which was more popular with Ecuadorians at the time, but now has become more popular with expats, as well.
In this article, you’ll learn about the inner and outer neighborhoods of Cuenca Ecuador that are most popular with expats.
The NEW American Dream: Leaving
/in Blog, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetThe old American Dream was about freedom, prosperity, and opportunity, like home ownership or providing a better life for your kids.
However, for many Americans, that dream now seems unattainable so a NEW American dream is taking its place: Leaving.
The US State Department estimates that 9 million Americans live abroad, and this number has been on the rise for the past several years.
So, let’s dive into the top seven reasons why people are leaving the United States and pursuing the new American dream abroad.
How To Find Online Jobs
/in Blog, Earn Online/by JP StonestreetIf you’re looking to shift your career toward the work online realm and find an online job with an employer, it might be easier than you think.
With the right work experience and a marketable skill set, your dream remote job may be just around the corner.
Let’s dive into the most in-demand remote work jobs, how to find them, and how to sell yourself to remote-working companies.
Why Kris and Mike Moved to Ecuador from Canada
/in Blog, Ecuador, Live Abroad/by Kris and Mike NelsonKris And Mike left Canada and moved to a small rural beach town in Ecuador. Here is their inspiring story about Living the Life You Love!
We owned a beautiful home on a lake in northern Ontario Canada. It was our dream home.
I was retired and Kris owned and worked at her small-town decor store. We loved to travel but other than that we never even talked about moving anywhere else, even within Canada.
Why would we? We had everything and were happy.
Top 10 Reasons Why We Chose Ecuador
/in Blog, Ecuador, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetWhen it comes to choosing a new home country, there are a lot of factors to consider. After careful research and much deliberation, we decided to take the plunge and move to Ecuador.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 reasons why we chose this South American gem as our expat destination. Hopefully, our insights will help during your decision making process.
Ecuador Gun Laws
/in Blog, Ecuador, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetGuns in Ecuador are tightly regulated and the right to bear arms is not guaranteed by the constitution as it is in the United States.
There are several gun ownership restrictions and laws that make it difficult, but not impossible to have a gun in Ecuador.
Schools & Raising Kids in Ecuador
/in Blog, Ecuador, Live Abroad/by Amelia BasistaEcuador is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture, that’s why many people choose to live there as expats. If you’re moving to Ecuador with children, one of your top concerns will be finding the right school for them.
Additionally, raising children in a foreign country has its unique challenges, but it can also be a rewarding experience.
In this article, we’ll explore how it is to raise children in Ecuador and the different types of schools in Ecuador, including public, private, international, and homeschooling, to help you make an informed decision.