The election of Donald Trump and the Republican Party tilt toward fascism has led many U.S. citizens to consider moving abroad. One of the most favored places for U.S. ex patriots has been Ecuador. It is a beautiful country, with a variety of climates, a stable, albeit somewhat authoritarian government, friendly people, including a large ex patriot community, and one of the lowest costs of living in Latin America. While a recent imposition of import taxes on food has increased Ecuador’s cost of living, it is still considered about 40 percent of the U.S. cost of living and in its simplest terms unlikely to become prohibitive for those seeking a bargain.
Ecuador straddles the equator
In its simplest terms, proclaimed in numerous “come hither blogs,” Ecuador’s cost of living includes housing, food, utilities, public transportation, and health care. These items add up to a very reasonable life style on about $3,500 per month. There are, however, some items that are not typically included in cost of living considerations. Generally, these considerations include the costs private citizens must pay to make up for the goods and services that the government does not provide. When these costs are considered, the trade-off of higher cost of living for lower government spending is not as advantageous as the right wing claims. These considerations are as follows:
Infrastructure – Sewage, roads, and sidewalks are frequently in need of repair. The effects of sewage spills can be mitigated by avoiding those parts of the city where they are a problem and road ill-repair can be mitigated by using public transportation or a SUV. In some parts of Ecuador rock slides have causes major automobile accidents and resulted in death.
Overlooking Quito
Inadequate regulation – Health care, financial, food, and legal services are inadequately regulated. Hospitals and clinics, for example, may cause more harm than do good because there are no enforced standards of care. Drug stores may sell incorrectly labeled or adulterated medicine. Financial and legal services may be corrupt; food services are not subject to inspections. Potential clients seeking these services must rely on the recommendations of knowledgeable friends;
Crime – Petty crime is a well-known occurrence in most Latin American countries. Pick pockets, working in teams, abound on the narrow streets and buses stealing wallets, cameras, and cell phones. Thieves may break the windows of either parked or stopped cars and steal any package that are in sight. But, petty crime inspires more serious crimes. Robberies, pickpockets, and luggage thefts are common on buses. Corrupt taxi drivers have been known to pick up an accomplice who threatens the passenger at gun- or knifepoint while he is driven from ATM to ATM and forced to withdraw the maximum amount. Home break-ins and invasions are also common, especially among expatriates in rural areas. Unfortunately, the police do not provide a barrier to crime that most Americans expect to help shield them. Help from the police in Ecuador is not always forthcoming either because of widely perceived incompetence or corruption; in too many cases the police are accomplice to many serious crimes.
Government goods and services - Besides Ecuador having fewer government goods and services than the U.S. citizens living there might be used to, there are aspects of its culture with which ex patriots may grow disaffected. For example, the reminders of widespread inequality are dishearteningly visible in the beggars in the streets, the armed guards outside commercial enterprises, and the multitude of obviously low wage workers. Also, while social interactions with ordinary Ecuadorans is unfailingly polite and friendly, one ex patriot said it can be wearing because many Ecuadorans avoid giving bad news by various circumlocutions. Exchanges with bureaucracy can be even more onerous for a number of reasons including mindless adherence to their rules, inadequate language skills, and, in some cases, expectation of a bribe or “cola.”
Ex patriot community - Because there is a large community of U.S. ex patriots in Ecuador (the exact number is not reliably known, although one estimate is 5 to 10, 000), some of them depend on this community for their social life. According to one of these ex patriots living in Cuenca, the city with the largest U.S. ex patriot community of perhaps 4,000, reliance on it is also problematic. For example, some ex patriots complain about the “high school” like quality of the community because of rumors and petty quarrels. In some cases, ex patriots feel that they have been taken advantage of when dealing with ex patriots who offer services to their compatriots.
Crime – Petty crime is a well-known occurrence in most Latin American countries. Pick pockets, working in teams, abound on the narrow streets and buses stealing wallets, cameras, and cell phones. Thieves may break the windows of either parked or stopped cars and steal any package that are in sight. But, petty crime inspires more serious crimes. Robberies, pickpockets, and luggage thefts are common on buses. Corrupt taxi drivers have been known to pick up an accomplice who threatens the passenger at gun- or knifepoint while he is driven from ATM to ATM and forced to withdraw the maximum amount. Home break-ins and invasions are also common, especially among expatriates in rural areas. Unfortunately, the police do not provide a barrier to crime that most Americans expect to help shield them. Help from the police in Ecuador is not always forthcoming either because of widely perceived incompetence or corruption; in too many cases the police are accomplice to many serious crimes.
Government goods and services - Besides Ecuador having fewer government goods and services than the U.S. citizens living there might be used to, there are aspects of its culture with which ex patriots may grow disaffected. For example, the reminders of widespread inequality are dishearteningly visible in the beggars in the streets, the armed guards outside commercial enterprises, and the multitude of obviously low wage workers. Also, while social interactions with ordinary Ecuadorans is unfailingly polite and friendly, one ex patriot said it can be wearing because many Ecuadorans avoid giving bad news by various circumlocutions. Exchanges with bureaucracy can be even more onerous for a number of reasons including mindless adherence to their rules, inadequate language skills, and, in some cases, expectation of a bribe or “cola.”
Ex patriot community - Because there is a large community of U.S. ex patriots in Ecuador (the exact number is not reliably known, although one estimate is 5 to 10, 000), some of them depend on this community for their social life. According to one of these ex patriots living in Cuenca, the city with the largest U.S. ex patriot community of perhaps 4,000, reliance on it is also problematic. For example, some ex patriots complain about the “high school” like quality of the community because of rumors and petty quarrels. In some cases, ex patriots feel that they have been taken advantage of when dealing with ex patriots who offer services to their compatriots.
Cuenca is more relaxed than Quito
Life events – Personal changes and events in one’s life can also affect the duration and cost of living in Ecuador. Some ex patriots mention, for example, the break-up of marriages due to different tolerances for life in Ecuador. Changes in one’s state side family was also cited as an important factor in the enjoyment and duration of living in Ecuador. Travel back for two can cost easily cost $5,000 to $7,000 per trip when tickets, food and lodging, and transportation is included. Of course, buying items not easily or cheaply obtainable in Ecuador, like clothing and shoes in larger sizes and electronics, also add to the cost of a trip state side. While good medical care is available in Ecuador, it is not as advanced as that in the U.S. nor is it as accessible in all cities and facilities. It is prudent to expect some treatments and diagnoses are best obtained in the U.S.
Preferences – Some things can make life more comfortable, but are not usually added to the monthly cost of living expenses touted for Ecuador. For example, owning a car is not considered a necessity, but will often be preferred, especially when one considers the risk crime associated with taxis and buses. ( A reasonable used car might be $15,000 and don’t expect to finance it.) Over a long-term, housing costs can be reduced when an apartment or house is purchased, although living in rural or isolated areas can also increase the risk of burglary or home invasions. And, since homes in Ecuador are not heated, but can be quite chilly during the winter, heaters can add $10.00-20.00 per month to housing costs.
Preferences – Some things can make life more comfortable, but are not usually added to the monthly cost of living expenses touted for Ecuador. For example, owning a car is not considered a necessity, but will often be preferred, especially when one considers the risk crime associated with taxis and buses. ( A reasonable used car might be $15,000 and don’t expect to finance it.) Over a long-term, housing costs can be reduced when an apartment or house is purchased, although living in rural or isolated areas can also increase the risk of burglary or home invasions. And, since homes in Ecuador are not heated, but can be quite chilly during the winter, heaters can add $10.00-20.00 per month to housing costs.
Modern apartment in Quito
Unexpected events that can incur unanticipated costs occur in the U.S. as well as Ecuador. But, people who are familiar with U.S. culture are in a better position to anticipate and avoid these costs in the U.S. that with which they are not familiar. As one South American pundit put it, “any problem that money can solve, is a problem that can be overcome.” Including funds to cover these “unanticipated life costs” is absolutely necessary if one is to have a truly carefree life with the options of moving to another location in the country, moving to another country, or returning to the U.S.