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Yes I also found a Yahoo Group that has a lot of gringo/expat members with great info and can answer questions timely. While I was in Ecuador I also got almost all questions answered about visa's, importing, etc and met a lot of good contacts, both expats and locals alike to make it a smooth transition.
Congrats @Big Mike, looking forward to seeing/hearing about your trip and the land you purchased.
Also interested if/when you get the time to post deciding factors +'s and -'s on Ecuador vs other countries you were looking at.
Hard to believe it's two years since I started this thread, and of course this dream has lived in me much longer than that. I will meet my goal to retire before 40 (turn 36 next month), but more importantly, I am really looking forward to the more relaxed lifestyle of Ecuador.
And it doesn't hurt that I am building on a golf course... that will keep me busy, active and a nice tan! Then just drive 5 minutes to the beach as needed for some sightseeing...
Congratulations Mike!!! Well deserved for such a hard working person. I know very few people who have accomplished what your about to enjoy. Your post should be an inspiration to all of us, especially the younger members here on futures.io (formerly BMT).
Rick
ps.........I am looking for a new winter vacation spot
"If you're going to panic during a trade............. panic early."
65-80 degrees F most days, 90% of the year, little to no rain, and always a constant breeze.
There are actually many micro climates in Ecuador. I experienced them driving up and down the coast, with some big differences -- up to 20 degrees F different, drastic differences in overcast or rainfall as well. This happens due to the location on the Equator.
The place I selected sees clear days something like 340 days a year. You can find rentals for $500 a month and it's a 4 hour flight from Miami, 8 from Dallas.
I also really loved the food. They have a fantastic sauce called Aji (pronounced ah-hee) that everyone makes fresh and has their own twist on. I loved it, it goes on all meat, rice, anything really. Fantastic food down there. Immediately could taste the freshness of the seafood. Found that far less food leaves me far more satisfied. Had my first Americanized meal in the airport on the layover on the flight back, and it was just pathetic. Loaded with salt to hide the lack of real taste. Felt terrible after eating it, slow, bloated. I could tell the exact opposite while in Ecuador, the food was just that good, and you can get it everywhere.
The street vendors have some fantastic food for dirt cheap. At a sit down air conditioned restaurant five people had a fantastic lunch and it was $2.50 per person plus VAT at 12% plus tip at 10%.
While in Manta we dined at the #1 rated restaurant twice, called Martinica Restaurant - Manta Ecuador - Restaurantes en Manta Ecuador -- I had the best steak of my life there, you could cut it with a fork. Total bill for four people out the door, including wine and beer and four expensive menu items was $125. I've had $500 bills at Smith and Wollensky that didn't compare in terms of the quality of the food.
Anyway, I have lots more to share when I have some time to get to everything.