The major downside of living in this rural area is the lack of medical care. Of these three northern cities that are popular with expats, Otavalo is the closest to Quito. The Montecristi Golf Club & Villas is a new golf course development located about 25 minutes from the beach. The airport in Cuenca makes it easier to reach than some of the other mountain cities like Cotacachi and Vilcabamba, which lack an airport; however, there are no direct international flights from the US or Europe into Cuenca. Widely acknowledged as the safest city in Mexico (and even Latin America), your biggest safety concern in Mrida will probably be the busy traffic. There are thousands of cities and towns in Ecuador, and expats live in a lot of them, but this article focuseson the most popular expat cities. 28.10%. Belo Horizante is a city in the central southeastern region of Brazil. Its also a short 45 minute domestic flight to both Cuenca and Guayaquil. These neighborhoods are very walkable with modern housing and plenty of shopping. Developed from the 1960s onwards, this town attracts travellers from around the world who want to spend a few weeks or months kicking back on the beach, surfing and partying. Just like Ibarra and Otavalo, Cotacachi is close to forests, lakes and waterfalls making it the perfect spot for nature lovers and one of the best cities to live in Ecuador for expats. The city also exports flowers. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. As Ecuadors largest city with more than 2 million people, Guayaquil has all the amenities of a big city, including an international airport with direct flights to the US and Europe, as well as most other countries in South America. Salinas lies in one of Ecuadors many microclimates, which sees very little rain and is therefore less humid than the tropical microclimates an hour to the north. The Andes Mountain Range runs through the center of Ecuador from north to south with the Amazon rainforest to the east and the Pacific coastal region to the west. All these volcanoes are currently listed as dormant or inactive, but not extinct. Count yourself lucky! Nearest International Airport: Quito (45 minute drive from downtown), Nearest US Consulate: US Embassy in Quito. 5. 12.31%. If you have a few hours and enough courage, the hike up to Mandango will give you a panoramic view of the Vilcabamba valley. However, its actually named after its sister city in Spain. Experience beachside living and city convenience in the diverse Guayaquil.. This means that if you use our links, Nomads Nation will earn a small commission at, 7 BEST Places to Live in Greece (Updated 2023), 11 BEST Places to Live in France (Updated 2023). Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. The entire western side of Ecuador borders the Pacific Ocean and is home to several popular expat beach cities and towns. Conservationists Are Solving A Big Cat Mystery In A Big City In Ecuador, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information. This is Part 4 in our series about living abroad in Ecuador. Scientists and historians originally thought Europeans brought TB to the Americas 500 years ago, but growing evidence indicates this bacterial pathogen was infecting Indigenous Americans for at least 3,000 years. Just a fyi. If you have the money, there are several cities in South America that make great homes. Wealthiest City in Minnesota: North Oaks Number of households: 2,100 Median household income: $178,816 The compact coastal town of Montanita is for nomads who like good times.. While there is a small mercado and a Supermaxi in Salinas, most of the shopping is done in La Libertad, which borders Salinas to the north and hosts a variety of malls, grocery stores and a large traditional Ecuadorian mercado. Ibarra is the largest of the three cities with 140,000 people, making it less than half the size of Cuenca. . It is situated on the west bank of the Guayas River, 45 miles (72 km) upstream from the Gulf of Guayaquil of the . There are several small food shops and veggie stands in town, but the main mercado pops up on Sundays where people from rural areas sell their wares. If you have serious or chronic health conditions, you may want to consider a more developed Ecuador beach town. The report said. GDP (current US$) - Ecuador. In its very richest neighborhood, the average, Read More The 10 Richest Neighborhoods in MinneapolisContinue, South Carolina is a place of tropical beaches, gorgeous weather, and vibrant cities. There are over 50 museums, 60 art galleries, 40 theaters and 70 entertainment parks including sports stadiums in Bogota. There are several other expat-friendly cities in the mountain region, as well as on the Pacific coast and on the western edge of the Amazon Rainforest that might better suit your interests and circumstances. This aint Hawaii. A single person living in the city can expect to pay $570 for food, clothing and entertainment. Living here also means youll be on the doorstep of the Andes. It is also a major banking center. 2.4 #3 Guayaquil. Garrett by trade is a personal finance freelance writer and journalist. Ecuador - GDP (PPP) Per Capita: $14,131 Next, we come to Ecuador. There are lots of expat-oriented, western-style housing options to rent or own in high rise condos near the ocean, as well as several gated communities located further inland. Over the past several years, Coca has invested in a river walk and other tourist attractions, as well as an IESS hospital similar to the one in Tena. Often called the most beautiful big city in South America, the old-world charm of the city center combined with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains will keep you mesmerized for hours. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Various economic policies under the CORREA administration, such as an announcement in 2017 that Ecuador would terminate 13 bilateral investment treaties - including one with the US, generated economic uncertainty and discouraged private investment. A single person living in the city can expect to spend at least $500 a month on food, clothing, transportation and entertainment. Nearest International Airport: Quito (4 hour 30 minute drive). The 10 Richest Neighborhoods in Minneapolis, The 20 Worst Places to Live in South Carolina, The 20 Richest Zip Codes in the United States. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. . In the last one and a half decade, Ecuador's economy boomed from $18.3 billion in 2000 to $101 billion in 2014 before dropping to $98.6 billion in 2016. Lets be real: Intag isnt the sort of place where youre going to find a lot of restaurants, cafes, coworking spaces or any kind of urban entertainment. The city has a multicultural population and attracts tourists from all over the world. Located in Ecuadors Andean Valley is Ambato. The Imbabura Volcano is clearly visible from all three cities. The beachside Selina Montaita CoWork boasts yoga lessons as a perk, as well as speedy wi-fi and a chill atmosphere. Nearest International Airport: Guayaquil (1.5 hour drive), Nearest US Consulate: US Consulate in Guayaquil (1.5 hour drive). Get a behind-the-scenes-look at us developing our own backpack (and help vote on some of the key features), Easy to meet other people and make friends, ***Disclaimer*** Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Unlike Cuenca, the weather in Vilca is warmer and drier, making it a better choice if you prefer a more tropical mountain feel. Set along the Intag River, the lush Intag Valley is a remote area famous for coffee and tourism. With its deep cultural heritage, broad range of shopping, affordable transportation, high quality medical services, and so much more, Cuenca is one of the best cities to live in Ecuador for expats. Because of its central location, the government was moved there from Rio de Janeiro in 1956 and is a very planned and modern city. Salvador is a major port city, so trade has always been important to its economy. A single person can plan to spend at least $650 in food, transportation, clothing and entertainment each month. Yet another Brazilian city is one of the most expensive South American cities to live in. Outsiders are generally quite welcome, theres some great seafood on offer, an exciting music scene, and a growing cultural landscape defining the citys modern-day identity. Nearest International Airport: Guayaquil (3.5 hour drive) or Quito (8 hour drive; 45 minute flight), Nearest US Consulate: US Consulate in Guayaquil or US Embassy in Quito. Medellin draws in tourists with its museums, architecture and festivals. Youll find lots of restaurants, bars, discos, and tourist activities there. Cuenca was settled by the Spanish in 1557. If youve always wanted to live in a beach town thats close to a major city and an international airport but has more of a small city feel, Playas may be the best expat city in Ecuador for you. Residents and visitors to the city enjoy surfing and other water sports as well as biking and hiking. What is the richest part of Ecuador? The cost for food, clothing, transportation and entertainment for a single person living in Medellin is about $400 a month. The airport that resides near Tena is no longer used for passenger travel due to low volume, so the only way to get there is by driving over Papallacta Pass, which sits at 13,000 ft (4.000 m) and, on clear days, provides amazing views of the valley below. Guayaquil Guayaquil, the capital of Guayas Province, is the largest and most populous city in Ecuador with a population of about 2,278,691. Its subway system is one of the best in the Americas. The most expensive cities in Ecuador are Cuenca, Guayaquil, . Cuenca, Ecuador. A single person living in the city will spend at least $450 on food, clothing, transportation and entertainment. The Quito airport is modern and fully international with direct flights to the United States and Europe, as well as many other destinations around the world. There arent a whole lot of coworking spaces in Montanita, but there is one in particular thats worth a visit. The city of 3.7 million is located in the Aburra Valley in the central Andes Mountains. The city which is perched on the banks of the Ambato River is the eight on the list. Named after the equator, the South American gem that is Ecuador has some incredible natural credentials. Asuncin is the home of several universities and draws tourists in with its museums, symphony, opera, theater ballet and sports. With nearly a quarter million inhabitants, Manta is one of Ecuadors largest cities. Monthly rent for a 900 square foot apartment is about $1,100. Unlike Salinas, the tropical microclimate in this area is more lush and green. . Youll have the benefit of the small town vibe with easy access to big city amenities. Kayaking and river rafting are popular tourist attractions and the whole area is a bird watchers haven. How cool is it going to be to live basically on the equator, too? Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. Santiago is the capital and largest city in Chile. During the off season from May through November, Salinas is reminiscent of a ghost town since most of the high rise condos are Ecuadorian vacation homes. Sun, sea and sand await nomads in vacation-friendly Bahia de Caraquez.. Values are in US dollars. Lima is the capital and largest city in Peru and one of the most expensive cities to live in South America. Life in Ecuador is stratified. Loja is a popular expat destination because of its close proximity to Vilcabamba and Ecuadors southern Amazon Rainforest. It also has a rich culture with lots of interesting activities and places to see. If you prefer living in a smaller city thats more isolated but still offers modern shopping and medical services, Loja might be the best Ecuadorian city for you. Remittances from overseas Ecuadorian are also important. The country generates more than $20.4 billion from exports. With lots of hiking, boating options, a mountain train, museums, and shopping, Ibarra has lots of activities to keep you busy. Nearest International Airport: Guayaquil (2.5 hour drive), Nearest US Consulate: US Consulate in Guayaquil (2.5 hour drive). However, youll likely still need to visit Quito for more serious conditions requiring specialists. These reports focus heavily on HNWI demographics such as city and suburb wealth breakdowns. Rounding out the top three cities is Tokyo, with $2.5 trillion in private wealth. The thin air is likely the first thing youll notice when exiting the plane. Youll be able to get most of your basic medical needs covered there, but youll probably want to head to Quito for more serious conditions. There are venues for music, contemporary dance and theater. The city lies on the banks of the Paraguay River. Nearest International Airport: Guayaquil (located near downtown), Nearest US Consulate: US Consulate in Guayaquil (located near the soccer stadium). Located just a few hours north of Quito, travelers can easily visit Otavalo as part of a guided excursion to Otavalo - or independently - in just a day. The citys economy and culture draws people from all of the world. The main industries in Cordoba are automobile and automobile parts manufacturing as well as agriculture. The ten largest The chance to live on the actual Galapagos Islands could be a dream come true for so many people, or living high in the Andes in Ecuadors beautiful capital city Quito could be what you dream of. 6. It may not be a tourist town, but theres a lot going on here. Dallas Number of individuals with a net worth of $5 million or more: 36,515 Percentage of global population: 1.2% 9. An elevator was created in 1873 to connect the two towns. Otavalo Ecuador is best known for its indigenous textiles market. Located roughly 2 hours north of Quito are three very popular expat cities: Ibarra, Otavalo and Cotacachi. A 900 foot square apartment costs about $1,100 a month to rent, and a single person living in the city can expect to pay at least $650 for food, clothing, transportation and entertainment. If you prefer a quieter, more suburban feel, the areas of Cumbay and Tumbaco to the east of Quito may be more your speed. The city is the home of the headquarters of Brazils oil, mining and telecommunication industries. Montanita meaning Little Hill has grown out of being a sleepy seaside town into the laid-back hotspot it is today. There are 18 islands in total, home to around 25,000 people, but only a few of the islands are permanently inhabited by humans. 1. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Situated on the banks of the Guayas River, this coastal settlement was founded in 1538 and has been an important urban centre ever since. The Salinas malecn and beach are where most of the action occurs. Are there wealthy people in Ecuador? The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. The cost to live in Porto Alegre is between $600 and $800 to rent a 900 square foot apartment and can cost up to $600 a month for a single persons expenses for food, clothing, transportation and entertainment. Located in Ecuador's Andean Valley is Ambato. Campinas is home to over 17,600 industries including high technology, pharmaceutical and telecommunication companies as well as manufacturing industries including textiles, motorcycles, automobiles, agricultural equipment. Its economy, which is highly dependent on commodities, has shown year-on-year growth for the past several decades, resulting in reduced poverty and a higher level of economic equality. Salvador is the third largest city in the country behind Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and the largest city in the northern region of Brazil. In the late 19th century, as the capital of an independent Argentina, Buenos Aires became immensely prosperous, known for its rich cultural life and architecture.Today Buenos Aires is a city of over 3 million people.It is one of the most diverse cities in South America with a foreign born population of around 13%. Ecuador - Poverty and wealth. What is the biggest city of Ecuador? Not only is it home to the Galapagos Islands, but also stretches of the Amazon and the Andes! Cuenca is the cool and cultural highland city.. Puerto Vallarta. I was reading about the cities and found a mistake in the writing. Youll also find a lot of restaurants, with many geared toward the sizable expat community living in Vilcabamba. Oln is quieter and more family friendly than Montaita. Nearest International Airport: Quito (3 hour 20 minute drive). Cuenca, Ecuador. Porto Alegre a major agricultural exporter of items including soybeans, rice and beef as well as leather. 19. Political Risk Analysis: Whats Ahead For Ecuadors Economy In 2021? These cookies do not store any personal information. Most tourists visit Manta for the water sports, including surfing and boating adventures. Number of individuals with a net worth of $5 million or more: 36,515 Percentage of global population: 1.2% Dallas is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the largest city and seat of Dallas County With an estimated 2019 population of 1,343,573, it is the ninth most populous city in the U.S. and third in Texas after Houston and San Antonio. Quito is situated at 2,818 metres above sea level nestled between mountain peaks. Founded in 1557, modern Cuencahas definitely become the center for culture and art in Ecuador. Some of the most beautiful cities to live in South America are also some of the most expensive cities to live. ***Disclaimer*** Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. 7. Plus, the Cuencana dialect is much slower paced than other Spanish dialects and their beautiful sing-song accent sounds more Italian than Spanish. The city is located in a subtropical forest and has green spaces throughout. Resorts host tourists and provide restaurants, cafes, shops, bars and nightclubs. 2.5 #4 Cuenca, a Small Town. And you may enjoy visiting the Iguana Park, which is home to dozens of the prehistoric reptiles. Its a sparsely populated valley that is going to suit anybody who really wants an adventure in a far-flung part of Ecuador. Monthly rent for a 900 square foot apartment is $1,000. Due to its lower altitude and location deeper into the Amazon jungle, its typically a bit warmer than Tena and Puyo with average high temperatures over 90F (32C). However, others want to live in exclusive areas with, Read More The 20 Richest Zip Codes in the United StatesContinue, Many people have probably never heard of a cosigner service. Here are the 20 most expensive cities in South America. The rambla is the waterfront. The San Francisco Bay Area - which includes Silicon Valley - rounds out the top three wealthiest cities, with 276,400 rich individuals, 12,890 of whom are multi-millionaires. Coach Izzy Medellin is the second largest city in Columbia and a major economic center in the country. (Kerrry Iannazzo). The 2016 earthquake did extensive damage in the area so several new structures have been built, including the IESS hospital, which opened in 2018, and Mall del Pacfico, a modern shopping mall. With 107 billionaire residents . China has become Ecuador's largest foreign lender since 2008 and now accounts for 77.7%. The Galapagos is a fragile ecosystem and is an absolute bastion of the worlds wildlife. Most of the cities in the Amazon are smaller and not nearly as developed as the other best cities to live in Ecuador for expats. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Hillsborough rightfully earns a place as one of the richest cities in America. Further out of the city is Cumbay, which is warmer and drier than central Quito. Osaka, Japan (GDP - $654.8 billion) The ranking of the top 10 richest cities in the world includes two settlements from Japan. La Paz is the third most populated city of Bolivia with over 775,000 residents. Tourists are drawn to the fine dining, shopping and fashionable clubs as well as the annual carnival. 4.54%. Unfortunately, its also a place of, Read More The 20 Worst Places to Live in South CarolinaContinue, When choosing where to live, the cost is often one of the most significant considerations. The city was founded in the 1700s and is a major, industrial and cultural hub in Brazil. It costs about $500 a month for a single person to live in the city excluding rent. Ibarra is the largest of the three cities with 140,000 people, making it less than half the size of Cuenca. However, if you prefer to live in one of the nearby beach communities, you may not need a car but it would make your life a lot easier. 20 Cities with the Worst Weather in the U.S. How Eiza Gonzalez Achieved a Net Worth of $5 Million. Itll cost you about $2.50 to take a taxi from Salinas to El Paseo Mall in La Libertad. The referendum resulted in repeal of taxes associated with recovery from the earthquake of 2016, reduced restrictions on metal mining in the Yasuni Intangible Zone - a protected area, and several political reforms. This is our list of best cities in Ecuador for expats, along with some interesting information and vital stats for each city. Urban areas, for example, are where things such as pickpocketing and unlicensed taxis could cause an issue. Loja: Best Ecuador city to get off the beaten tourist path. Is Buenos Aires a wealthy city? If youre the restless type, you could spend a few months in each of these amazing towns and cities. Learn how your comment data is processed. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as its currency, so retirees who have . La Paz is home to the major football teams of Bolivia. While youre still in Ecuador on a temporary resident visa, you may want to stay closer to a major city like Cuenca, Quito or Guayaquil with easy access to visa agents and international airports. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. China has become Ecuador's largest foreign lender since 2008 and now accounts for 77.7% . Perhaps for the same reasons as the official Blue Zones. It also has some pretty hip neighbourhoods to explore. Playa del Carmen. What is House Hacking and How is It Best Done? The city is cultural and home to museums, cinema, music, theater and a racecourse. The population of Paris is about 2.2 million people. The city experienced major economic growth between 1970 and 2004 and continues to develop industry particularly information technology. Parque Nacional Podocarpus is a short 25 minute drive from Loja to the northern entrance and boasts some amazing hikes putting Ecuadors vast biodiversity on display. Loja is another colonial mountain town located in south-central Ecuador. The city has continued to have steady economic growth. Its famous for the Amazon rainforest surrounding it, as well as the tributaries that eventually feed the Amazon River. Guayaquil is also one of the most expensive cities in South America. The Ecuador Expat Now eCourse covers every step from A-to-Z! Many expatriate employees have moved to Braslia for their work. The food in Bahia de Caraquez is also very good: peanut soup is a tasty local dish, while the citys take on ceviche is one of the most well known in the country. This region sits at 1,800 metres above sea level and is home to numerous endangered species, as well as several Intag communities, numbering around 17,000 in population. 5. The region's 198 large citiesdefined as having populations of 200,000 or moretogether contribute over 60 percent of GDP today. One particularly fun area to check out is La Mariscal. Youll find lots of nightclubs, both on and off the beach. Accordingly, its here where youll find charming colonial-era streets and plenty of historic buildings to marvel at. While Guayaquil isnt located on the coast of Ecuador, it is located in Ecuadors Pacific coastal region at the base of the Guayas River delta that empties into the Pacific Ocean. While Quito and Cuenca both have a lot of English-speaking Ecuadorians, Loja and most of the other cities on this list do not. Playas means beaches in Spanish, which is an appropriate name because the city is located near several beautiful beaches. The summer high season is from December to May when the weather is warm and sunny, but the remainder of the year its cooler and mostly cloudy. The city is a draw to tourists. What is the wealthiest city in Ecuador? Guayaquil is an important international port in the Gulf of Guayaquil leading to the Pacific Ocean. The cost to rent a 900 square foot apartment in Cuenca is about $650 a month. Ecuadors economy fell into recession in 2015 and remained in recession in 2016. Here's a list of the 62 communities with the highest estimated household income, along with the number of households in that community. Montevideo has a population of 1.4 million, half of Uruguays population. Many expats stay for a year or two before moving to someplace with a better culture, restaurant and entertainment scene. N ew York City has taken back its crown. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. On this list, New York City was ranked as the richest city with a total of $3 trillion in private wealth. Most of the islands are far from lush, lacking in vegetation. Many of the richest suburbs also have very expensive homes. Some of the most popular neighborhoods for expats are La Floresta, La Carolina and La Paz. New York City | Photo: Thinkstock. These spots are most likely where intrepid nomads will end up. The other towns (or comunas) such as Manglaralto, Cura, San Jos, Las Nuez and La Entrada are very small with virtually no services aside from a traditional Ecuadorian restaurant and a small tienda (convenience store) or two.
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