On more than one occasion, Ecuador has been among the top 5 of the favorite countries for retirement. The International Living magazine ranked it as the best country to reside after retirement due to low housing costs and generous benefits. Apparently, our country is the favorite retirement destination especially for inhabitants of the countries of North America. But, which cities are preferred by older adults? What are the reasons why Ecuador is the favorite destination to retire? Here are some of the main reasons: The Ecuadorian weather: Due to its geographical location in Ecuador, the climatic seasons cannot be distinguished too much. There are no marked winters or suffocating summers. The climate is rather spring most of the year in the mountains, with stronger rains in Quito and moderate heat on the coast, as well as humidity in the Amazon. Galapagos is dry and hot but I would not count on for retirement as there are some restrictions. Costs of living: Compared to the costs of living in the US, Canada or Europe in Ecuador, you can live very comfortably with a moderate budget that includes housing. However, these costs vary considerably between cities. If you go to places like small towns like Mindo, Sangolqui, Lloa, Nono here in Quito, you will find your cost of living very low. Environment: In Ecuador there are many places to visit, food to enjoy, health benefits such as hot springs, natural medicine, shaman treatments, landscapes, very quiet places to live a full old age. Small towns have a lot of things to offer you. Real estate: The cost of houses, apartments and others in Ecuador is quite affordable, much more if it is within a small city. You can even have an apartment in the city and on the beach and divide the time between these two environments as many people do, they live in the coast Manta and Quito or Cuenca. People: Ecuadorian people are very friendly and generous. The language does not become an impediment since the people in Ecuador are warm, witty and supportive. In addition to being creative and friendly.
Language:We do speak English but you might need to learn basic Spanish and we are very happy to walk with you during this process for 6 months to let you manage a very comfortable language usage. The favorite cities for the retire are: Cuenca: It is in the south of Ecuador and is the capital of Azuay, well known for being a cultural area, a quiet, small, organized and very beautiful city. Here there are more than 500,000 inhabitants with a percentage of foreigners and older adults. Quito: Despite being the capital of the country, it is still a fairly comfortable and quiet city to live. It has around 2 million inhabitants and very close to it there are many natural areas to enjoy warm days and nights right in the middle of the world. Loja: This is a much-loved destination for seniors and recent retirees where the local impact of retirees has been very noticeable. Vilcabamba (near the city of Loja), for example, is a paradise for foreigners, since this niche has allowed the presence of a new foreigners market that motivates the development of new services. There is an effort to meet the new demand of retirees. Specialized services for real estate have increased with translations and legal advice. There is also a tourism and transport offer.
Imbabura: Cotacachi, in the Imbabura province, is getting the lion’s share of expat attention these days. Many, especially those of retirement age, are finding their way here to enjoy the perfect weather, beautiful scenery, low cost of living, and especially the tranquil, slow-paced small-town lifestyle.
Like Otavalo and many other villages in this part of Ecuador, Cotacachi (population: about 8,000) is an artisan town. Just 20 minutes northwest of Otavalo, Cotacachi is Ecuador’s famous “leather” town. Artisan shops line the main street and you can buy any type of leather item, from shoes, boots and jackets to coin purses, bags, and suitcases…even upholstered furniture. Prices for all these items are 50% to 75% less than you would pay in the U.S.
Cotacachi has always enjoyed a reputation as a clean, peaceful village, and its plazas are kept neat and tidy. At night the artisan shops close up and only a few restaurants and small mom-and-pop shops are open. On the corners, you may find families congregating around a hot grill, where ears of corn are roasting along with pork and chicken kabobs. The cool, crisp air smells faintly of wood smoke, roasting corn, and eucalyptus. Eucalyptus trees grow abundantly wild, as do palm trees. Cotacachi is becoming something of an expat magnet. Estimates are that about 100 expats live full-time in Cotacachi now. It’s a diverse group—not all American. There are Israelis, Cubans, Brits, and more among them, who get together regularly to discuss topics of interest or just to celebrate life. This makes retirement in Cotacachi enjoyable. The expats here are outgoing and relaxed, since there’s not much to worry about. No traffic, no temperature swings, no pesky insects, and certainly no money problems.
The town is also scenic. Two of the most majestic cordilleras of the Andes flank either side of the small village of Cotacachi. And several of Ecuador’s most famous volcanoes can be seen from just about anywhere in town, including Volcan Cotacachi to the west and Imbabura to the east. On a clear day, you can see Volcan Pichincha to the south.
If you want to enjoy good weather, clean air, great scenery, and a rich indigenous culture, but still be within two hours of the international airport in Quito, then retirement in Cotacachi could fit the bill.
Photo Credits: Flavio Muñoz (Professional photographer)
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