Expat Guide

At Live the Life, our goal is to help you discover the many joys of living in Ecuador. In order to help you settle in to your new life in paradise, we’ve come up with guides that will tell you all you need to know about living in Cuenca, Yunguilla Valley, Lentag, and other areas in Ecuador.

To get started, here are some helpful articles you can find on our blog:

Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Ecuador
Immigration and Visas to Ecuador
Getting Around in Ecuador
Medical Services in Ecuador
Food and Water in Ecuador

Cost of living in Ecuador

Ecuador has a very affordable cost of living, making it an excellent option for expats or retirees who are planning to relocate to Central America. Prices vary from location to location, so it’s essential to spend some time doing research on which areas are ideal for your budget and lifestyle.

Before making the move to a new home, let alone a new country, it is critical to create a new budget to account for a new cost of living. Even if you’re already projecting the cost to be lower, it’s better to actually put it on paper.

Here are some important things to remember when moving to Ecuador:

Factors that can affect cost of living

In Ecuador, location plays a huge role as where you decide to live can significantly impact your budget. As a rule of thumb, bigger cities such as Guayaquil or Quito are typically more expensive than relatively smaller areas such as Cuenca or Ibarra.

The size and the type of property you choose is another important factor to consider. For example, a 1-bedroom apartment located on the outskirts of the city center is more budget-friendly than say, a 3-bedroom property located close to attractions and popular destinations around the city.

Your type of lifestyle can also affect your budget. Opting for a more “rustic” type of lifestyle can lead to bigger savings, as premium services or amenities such as WiFi, cable television, or air conditioning can impact your budget.

Lastly, choosing to buy local Ecuadorian meats, produce, and products is a great way to save more money, as these are generally less expensive than imported items from other countries.

Should you rent or buy property?

The great thing about most Central American countries is that expats share the same ownership rights with regular citizens when it comes to property, and Ecuador is no exception.

The country has a diverse selection of properties, so looking for an ideal home shouldn’t be much of a problem. Whether you’re looking to buy or rent property in Ecuador, you’ll be pleased to discover that prices here are more affordable compared to other locations in Central America.

Medical care and insurance

Another important factor to consider when relocating to Ecuador is the cost of medical care and insurance. In most major cities like Cuenca, Guayaquil, or Quito, quality medical care is offered for lower costs compared to the US. There are also many Ecuador-based health insurance providers that offer very affordable rates.