I knew the basics…importing means bringing items from one country in to another and exporting, conversely, involves sending products from one country back to another. Mostly I was just eager for an adventure, and I was taking a leap of faith. At the time, I had no idea how profitable it can be— and how much fun it is.
If anyone needed a retirement rescue—it was Ron and Terresa Moore. But thanks to low-cost Ecuador, they’re enjoying a relaxing early retirement in a warm, sunny climate. They have quality health care for $133 a month. And today they “sleep like babies every night,” says Ron. Back in July 2007, Ron and Terresa were living easy. But fast forward to December 2008. After 30 years, they found themselves out of work.
Jack and his wife, Debbie, had it made in the States and they could have retired anyplace they chose. But when it came down to quality of life and value for money, they chose to retire to Cotacachi, Ecuador.
We are in Cotacachi, Ecuador, for the day. Here, one long road I’ve dubbed Leather Lane makes up the main drag…as far as shopping goes, that is. The street smells heavenly—of good quality, new leather. I could find something to please every single person I know here.
If you’re looking for affordable mountain living with U.S.-style comfort, then put Cotacachi, Ecuador, on your short list.
When Don and Anita McGrae lost their savings on the stock market, they had to abandon their plans of retiring in Florida. So, they explored their options and moved to Cotacachi, Ecuador.
How much does it really cost to live in Ecuador? I’ve reported in the past about couples living in this country on no more than $500 or $600 per month. Now that my husband and I have been living off and on in Cotacachi for the last couple of years, I’ve put pencil to paper to tally our own cost of living in Ecuador.
In this video, International Living editor Jessica Ramesch spends a day in Cotacachi, Ecuador. Though Cotacachi is a tiny town, it has a big reputation for fine, custom made leather items.
In this video, International Living correspondent Jessica Ramesch went on a tour of Otavalo Market in Ecuador. You can get great bargains at this market (the largest indigenous market in South America), known for its textiles.
Ron and Terresa Moore from CA worked hard for 30 years, saving consistently for retirement. But when the economic crisis wiped out two-thirds of their nest egg, they decided to trade up overseas. Today they’re living better than ever in Ecuador—with enough funds to have a condo in the mountains and one on the beach, too. This week they share their story…
IL editors Dan Prescher and Suzan Haskins live part-time in Cotacachi, Ecuador. In this video, they are getting the bus from Cotacachi to Ibarra to do some shopping.
At the rooster’s first crow and just as the sun peeks a winking eye over Mt. Imbabura, Dan Delgado goes to work.
For the second year in a row, American retirees won’t see a cost-of-living increase in their Social Security benefits.
Deborah Miller’s New York-based travel business took a nosedive after the events of September 11, 2001. Her husband, Leslie Payne, had an online job he could do from anywhere, so they decided to seize the opportunity circumstances had handed them.
If you love the outdoors and crave a small-town mountain life (minus snow and ice, of course), listen up. I’ve got a place for you…
The cool, green valleys around Cotacachi village seem a world away from the bustling streets of Quito, Ecuador. This little mountain town is the perfect place to reflect on the lessons learned and insights gained from our largest… and I believe most valuable… conference to date.
One of the most common questions we get from IL readers is: Where in the world is it easiest to retire or relocate? The answer? It depends.
The flight from Quito left just after sunrise. Like most Andean mornings, a sheer, silky haze rose from the tarmac, and wisps of clouds covered the mountains beyond. As the plane gained altitude, we left the high-rise condos and traffic of cosmopolitan Quito behind and looked forward to the view we’d see next.
We ask five of our roving reporters where they’re hot on right now…simply pick the town that matches your plans.
Between the massive cordilleras of the Andes, nestled in fertile green valleys of equatorial eternal spring, sit some of Ecuador’s most beautiful highland colonial towns and cities. Here are my top four choices for retirement living:
My wife, Suzan, and I have been traveling to Cotacachi since 2001. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, but it’s water that has been kind to Cotacachi.
One of the hot new words for 2008 was frugalista—someone who lives frugally but still manages to be fashionable and healthy. Expat Cuyler Salyer and his wife Alicia have been frugalistas since before the term was invented.
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