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Why Kris and Mike Moved to Ecuador from Canada

April 13, 2023/in Blog, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by Kris and Mike Nelson

Kris 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.

How the Pandemic Affected Our Plans

When the pandemic came in 2020, Kris’s store was shut down and she was off work. We caught up on lots of jobs around the house and enjoyed the summer, but eventually, we needed more to do.

When the short Canadian summer was over, we started watching House Hunters International. We love to travel and enjoyed the possible locations we could visit. What we realized is how expensive it is to live in Canada and how big the world is with so many countries that were so interesting to us.

Over a lot of months, we gradually came to the conclusion we should leave Canada for another country around January 2021. Amazingly we came to this conclusion together at the same pace.

It started as a 3-5 year plan but soon we both realized we need to make this happen soon. Were we serious or not? We developed a 2-year plan.

Why We Chose Ecuador

Next came the fun part of picking a country. We started, like everyone else, searching for “Best places to retire in the world”.

We saw the international living website’s top 10 list and narrowed it down to a few countries: Ecuador, Panama, Mexico, Portugal and Costa Rica made our top 5.

We had travelled on vacation to all those countries except Portugal so we knew a little about them from the perspective of someone vacationing. That of course is very different from living there.

I am a bit of a research junkie so I built a spreadsheet and modified the International Living criteria to match our priorities. I also gave weights to all the criteria based on what was most important to us. That was something International Living did not do.

That narrowed it down to Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica.

Portugal was eliminated for two reasons. First, they still have winter, although it’s mild, and second, we wanted to be in a similar time zone to our family.

We eliminated Panama and Costa Rica because of two major reasons. Based on our research, it looked like they had already had large increases in the cost of living. The second and more important reason for us was the Americanization of those countries. Because of their convenient location close to the United States, it is not surprising to see that.

We have nothing against our many American friends; however, we wanted a country that was much more international. Ecuador has a much more international feel and that appealed to us very much. So Ecuador rose to the top.

Research Research Research

We watched every YouTube Video we could (thank you Amelia And JP). We joined every Facebook group in the areas we were considering moving to. And of course, we did two exploratory trips.

When Kris and I did our first trip to the coast of Ecuador, we totally fell in love with the whole area from Manglaralto all the way up to Ayampe.

Lush beautiful foliage in rolling hills behind probably the best beaches in Ecuador. You can walk these beaches for hours.

Each beach town from the party place Montanita to the sleepy beach town of San Jose has their own unique vibe and they are only a few km apart. They are all a short distance from each other and easily accessible via a cheap taxi or even a much cheaper bus ride.

Remember though, if you like lush areas, they come at the price of less sun and more rain. It’s important to do your research and limit your surprises too as few as possible.

The Push and Pull of Our Decision

We talked a lot about why we were moving from Canada. We love Canada. We have family and grandchildren there. And why Ecuador?

We STRONGLY believe it is a push and pull. What is pushing us from Canada and what is pulling us to Ecuador? If you don’t have both, then your chance of long-term success in your move is greatly diminished.

Factors that pushed us away from Canada:

Climate – Winters are way too long. This became a bigger factor as we got older. Goodbye, winter.
Cost of Living – Not a huge factor in our decision, but leaving Canada allowed Kris to retire at least 7 years earlier. The gap is only increasing with the current huge inflation difference between Canada and Ecuador.

Factors that pulled us to Ecuador:

Nature – For its size, Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. With both of us loving nature and our nature walks there was no better place that fit our criteria with such accessible areas to explore. In fact, you can’t escape it.
Welcoming Ecuadorian People – based on our previous trip and our exploratory trips to Ecuador, we were overwhelmed by the kind, welcoming hospitality of the Ecuadorian People.
Climate – In Ecuador, you can basically pick your perfect climate to live in. Because the Andes split Ecuador in half, you can pick
spring-like conditions in many of the valleys or choose the coast for a much hotter and more humid climate. The choice is yours.

The Naysayers

In every big life decision, you have your supporters and the people who think you are crazy.

The decision to sell everything and move to another country seems to attract a lot of people who think you are crazy. Also, a few who admire you chasing a dream.

They comment directly or indirectly about things like:

Aren’t you worried about crime?
How can you leave your grandchildren?
Will all the garbage, noise and dogs roaming free bother you?
You can always come home if it doesn’t work out.

The Naysayers can be broken down into two groups:

Family members and friends who are genuinely concerned and, over time, they will become supporters as they get educated. They may even visit you.
Family members and friends who, for many reasons, only see the risk and not the benefit and will never change. These people, unfortunately, will be a casualty of your move.

The bottom line is all the benefits must exceed the drawbacks. No place is perfect so don’t expect it to be perfect. Was your home in Canada or the United States perfect?

Concentrate on what is pulling you to your new country so that you can Live the Life you Love.

Negative stuff will happen but if you pick the right place, those negative things will be no big deal.

Live the Life You Love

Kris and I started our Youtube Channel Kris And Mike to document our journey and life in Ecuador.

One of the themes we discuss is about living the life we love, and we promote and encourage others to do the same thing.

It doesn’t need to be about moving to another country, either. So many people are not living the life they love. They feel trapped. Trapped in jobs they don’t like. Trapped in relationships. Trapped in a lifestyle they can’t afford. Essentially, they’re living out their life in monotony, unhappiness, despair and denial.

The reality is, you really are in control and can make decisions to totally change almost anything. Think of why you CAN do something rather than why you CAN’T do it.

Our Life Now

We moved to Ecuador on the coast just 5 km north of Olón on January 5th, 2023. We live on a hill just outside of San José with a spectacular view of the ocean as well as the hills of San José.

We bought our house and did not rent against all conventional wisdom. We go into detail about why we did that in one of our videos. However, for most people, it is certainly a good idea to rent first.

Although our house and yard are being renovated and we have had lots of visitors from Canada, we can honestly say we are living a very tranquil life. Being outdoors in nature so much as well as being on the ocean and getting so much more exercise it feels like I am on some drug. The people have been so welcoming and the nature we came for has not disappointed us. It truly is amazing for us.

One huge additional benefit that we did not realize is that we are much healthier. I have lost 15 lbs in three months without trying. Just a better active lifestyle. Kris has lost weight too and gained lots of muscle from all her beach walks.

In addition, we are eating much less processed food and more fruit, vegetables, fish and seafood that all taste amazing. Red meat intake has decreased dramatically. Again, all without trying. We probably have added years onto our life with our move.

Yes, bad things happen. We had a strong earthquake that really scared us and we had some flooding in our house that will need to be fixed. We had no power for 3 days!

But for every bad thing, we have 20 good things to enjoy. It makes it easy to deal with bad things when you are living the life you love.

Watch a Video from Kris And Mike About Moving to Ecuador

Expat Life in Ecuador on Less Than $500/month

January 16, 2021/in Blog, Cost of Living, Ecuador, Move Abroad/by JP Stonestreet

Is it possible to live in Ecuador for less than $500 per month? The short answer is yes! Expats and retirees flock to Ecuador for its tropical weather and beautiful, biodiverse landscapes, as well as for the low cost of living! Depending on where you choose to live, it’s entirely possible to live well in Ecuador on a very small budget.

People worldwide—including US, Canadian, and European expats—have discovered that Ecuador offers many affordable options to choose from. Besides the prospect of pleasant weather and stunning scenery, you can also look forward to minimizing your expenses and stretching your income!

In this article, we’ll take a look at the typical monthly expenses you can expect to incur living in Ecuador. This is a guide to everything you need to know to make a $500 budget work well for you.

You’ll find information on housing options, health insurance costs, food, and transportation that will allow a single person to live quite well on a low budget.

Low Budget Housing in Ecuador

Housing is often the largest budget consideration. It’s also what makes moving to Ecuador so attractive for people who leave Canada, Europe, or the US. Although coastal options and larger properties will cost more money, it is entirely possible to find safe, comfortable housing for less than $300/month.

Here are some things you’ll want to keep in mind when you look for housing on a tight budget.

Hostel or Private Room

Although you’ll have to share amenities like a kitchen and bathroom in these setups, you can find a safe, spacious place to live in Ecuador for between $100-$200/month in a hostel or private room in someone’s home.

For example, a friend secured a well-appointed room in a house living with an Ecuadorian family in Cuenca for $110/month. Though she only had a small corner of the fridge to herself and shared a bathroom with her host family, she enjoyed the experience and lived on a very low budget. As a bonus, living with an Ecuadorian family allowed her to quickly learn the local culture and become fluent in Spanish.

Private Housing in Ecuador

If you elect to rent a private house, condo or apartment, there are plenty to find below or around the $300/month mark in smaller cities and towns throughout Ecuador.

Here are some things that you’ll want to factor into your housing search:

Furnished, Semi-furnished and Unfurnished

There are some pretty dramatic differences between the types of listings for rental properties in Ecuador.

Furnished homes are move-in ready and have everything you need, including kitchen items, like pots and pans, and linens, like sheets and towels. Consequently, they’re more expensive.

Semi-furnished homes have appliances, like a stove and refrigerator, but you’ll have to provide everything else, such as pots, pans, plates, bedding, etc.

Unfurnished units will not have anything included—sometimes you’ll even need to provide your own blinds and light fixtures!

If you decide to go with an unfurnished or semi-furnished place, you can find reasonably priced second hand furniture at moving sales or local consignments shops.

If you’re planning to ship your belongings to Ecuador in a container, check out our article about Ecuador Shipping Company Costs and Process for more on that.

Ecuador Housing Location

Desirable properties on or near the beach, or centrally located housing in popular cities such as Cuenca, usually charge higher rents, but there are plenty of places with great views and surroundings that you can rent on a budget.

Paute (which has a thriving expat community) and Azogues are about 45 minutes from Cuenca, but offer a host of cheaper housing alternatives. Inland cities like Cotacachi, Ibarra, or Otavalo also have very affordable housing options. You might find that you need a car to get around those areas rather than rely on public transportation, so that could be costly.

For more ideas on affordable coastal living options, check out our Affordable Beach Town Rentals in Olón Ecuador video to see opportunities like the Casita in Las Nuñez, which rents for $350/month.

Health Insurance in Ecuador

Health insurance is required to apply for the Pensioner visa and for your cédula. It is no longer required to enter the country on a tourist visa.

You will probably choose to purchase either private or public health insurance although some choose to have both. Public heath insurance costs about $83/month/person. Private health insurance costs vary depending on the type of coverage, your age, pre-existing conditions, and whether or not you smoke. You can expect to pay anywhere from $60 to $150 per person.

Private Insurance in Ecuador

For private insurance, in addition to the monthly premium, you can expect a nominal $100 annual deductible and a $10 copay per visit for low deductible plans. You can also purchase a high deductible plan with gap insurance, which has the benefit of lower monthly premiums.

These plans cover you at 90% in-network and 80% out-of-network. Pre-existing conditions are covered after a two-year waiting period with private insurance plans.

Public IESS Insurance in Ecuador

After you obtain your temporary residency visa AND your cédula, you can enroll in the Public IESS health insurance plan for a similar monthly premium.

Under the IESS coverage, you’ll have no copay or deductible and everything is covered at 100%, including doctors visits, surgeries, hospital stays and medication.

However, you must go to doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies in the public IESS network. Pre-existing conditions are covered after a 3 month waiting period.

To learn more about this topic, check out our article, Ecuador Health Insurance: Private vs. Public IESS.

Grocery Costs in Ecuador

Budgeting $50/month/person for groceries is a reasonable amount in Ecuador, especially if you buy most of your fruits, vegetables and beans from the local mercados rather than the grocery stores.

Meat, dairy, eggs and processed foods are more expensive in Ecuador, so if you eat a plant-based diet or limit your consumption of those products, you’ll save a lot of money.

Transportation

Ecuador is well-connected with a reliable public transportation system. Each ride costs about 35 cents in Cuenca and 50 cents along the coast.

Cab rides in Cuenca typically cost between $2 and $3, while on the coast they cost $1.50 to $5 depending on how far you travel between towns.

Interprovincial buses will take you from city to city throughout the country for just a few dollars per trip.

Realistically, you can get by on about $20 per month for transportation if you stay local and limit your cab rides.

Mobile Phone Service in Ecuador

WhatsApp is included in most mobile phone plans in Ecuador, and it’s used by most people to stay in touch using the free public Wi-Fi that’s available throughout the country.

Many expats choose to get a monthly phone plan that includes data for about $20/month. You can also go the prepaid route and spend a few dollars a month on minutes that you use until you run out. Depending on how heavily you rely on your mobile phone, this option can save you a lot of money over the course of a year.

Potential Extras

Many rentals include utilities like water, internet or electricity.

In warmer areas in the coastal or Amazon regions, electricity isn’t typically included because air conditioning preferences lead to varying costs that are hard to predict. Depending on how cold you like it, and how efficient your place is, you’ll probably pay between $20-$100 per month in electricity charges.

Basic, residential internet service costs about $30/month with Netlife on the coast or PuntoNet in Cuenca, and faster speeds will cost more.

Some extra costs that you might incur are bottled water delivery, for about $20/month. However, plenty of people in Cuenca enjoy the tap water.

Propane costs vary widely, from $2-$3/month to $15 or more.

Incidental Expenses

Dining Out

Though the best way to save money on food is by shopping at the mercados and cooking at home, there are affordable dining options that you can enjoy on a low budget.

Local-run restaurants that serve typical Ecuadorian fares like chicken, fish, soup, rice, plantains, and juice are very affordable. Almuerzos, which are sizeable lunch portions, normally run between $1.50 to $3 for a hearty, authentic meal.

Depending on where you go and what you eat, you can dine out a few times a week on a $30 monthly dining budget.

Entertainment

Ecuador offers plenty of free entertainment options, such as local walking tours, free museums and free concerts. Local parks are outfitted with free outdoor workout equipment, and the beautiful beaches and most national parks are free, too.

These are plenty of fun ways to entertain yourself on the cheap in Ecuador.

Clothing & Shoes

Local brands of clothing and shoes are more affordable than imported brands, like Nike or Skechers. You can find plenty of options in malls, small stores or pop up shops that are in line with what you’d expect to spend on clothes or shoes back at home.

Conclusion

Yes! It’s more than possible to live well in Ecuador on less than $500 per month!

Frugal couples can easily manage on $700-$800 per month since the cost of housing won’t increase with more people.

Health insurance is reasonably priced, but will be a significant budget consideration. Beyond that, fresh, healthy food is very affordable in Ecuador. Almuerzos at local restaurants and fresh fruits and veggies from the mercados will allow you to eat well on a low monthly budget.

Transportation, utilities, and incidentals are also inexpensive compared to high cost of living places like the United States, Canada and Europe. The low cost of living in Ecuador continues to attract expats from around the world.

With a little creativity and little frugality, there are plenty of ways to make a $500 monthly budget work well for you in Ecuador, while providing lots of enjoyment and a higher overall quality of life.

Watch Our Video About the Cost Of Living on a Budget in Ecuador

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