Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 37 minutes ago
Thinking about retiring abroad? Before you make the move, there’s one conversation you must have with yourself—and most people don’t.
In this voice-only podcast filmed from my ocean-view balcony in Ecuador, I talk honestly about deal breakers—the real, everyday issues that cause some expats to thrive here… and others to quietly pack up and leave.
This isn’t a sales pitch.
It’s not a fantasy.
And it’s definitely not sugar-coated.
I share what I’ve learned from living in Ecuador, watching others move here, and watching some of them leave disappointed. We talk about healthcare, aging abroad, language barriers, loneliness, bureaucracy, banking, culture, safety, noise, traffic, and even altitude—things that don’t always show up in glossy expat videos.
Ecuador can be an incredible place to retire—if it fits you.
And if it doesn’t, no amount of sunshine or cheap rent will save you.
Before you move abroad, ask yourself:
• What are my non-negotiables?
• What can I adapt to?
• What would quietly make me miserable?
If you’re honest now, you’ll save yourself money, stress, and heartache later.
👉 What would be a deal breaker for you?
Drop it in the comments—I read them, and I learn from them.
Link to the Survey: internations.org/expat-insider/2025/best-and-worst-countries-2025
Links to know:
Facebook - Manta and Manabi Expats and Amigos - facebook.com/groups/323275021650751
My Channel Video Index - docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-f4Wv3uBMulCX9OK6oNqS5a9wrS84cbUBYXzoq24JNA/edit?usp=sharing
My Google Docs document of useful information
docs.google.com/document/d/1ArNRtsdqfleE1-l9r1yKrh-XyzksSIwj0MMyb09L0ro/edit?usp=sharing
My checklist for moving to Ecuador - docs.google.com/document/d/1ySNcEa6_ffaKutXgMdlhdwAoD46lkwqKvd_H7DlEYGY/edit?usp=sharing
Remember this folks.
A country might look good on paper, or on a YouTube video, but what about the “Chemistry” between you, the individual and the country and culture as a whole?
This is something we can’t know in advance. We can only make our move, dive in and test the waters…….and see how it goes.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Thinking about retiring abroad? Before you make the move, there’s one conversation you must have with yourself—and most people don’t.
In this voice-only podcast filmed from my ocean-view balcony in Ecuador, I talk honestly about deal breakers—the real, everyday issues that cause some expats to thrive here… and others to quietly pack up and leave.
This isn’t a sales pitch.
It’s not a fantasy.
And it’s definitely not sugar-coated.
I share what I’ve learned from living in Ecuador, watching others move here, and watching some of them leave disappointed. We talk about healthcare, aging abroad, language barriers, loneliness, bureaucracy, banking, culture, safety, noise, traffic, and even altitude—things that don’t always show up in glossy expat videos.
Ecuador can be an incredible place to retire—if it fits you.
And if it doesn’t, no amount of sunshine or cheap rent will save you.
Before you move abroad, ask yourself:
• What are my non-negotiables?
• What can I adapt to?
• What would quietly make me miserable?
If you’re honest now, you’ll save yourself money, stress, and heartache later.
👉 What would be a deal breaker for you?
Drop it in the comments—I read them, and I learn from them.
Link to the Survey: internations.org/expat-insider/2025/best-and-worst-countries-2025
Links to know:
Facebook - Manta and Manabi Expats and Amigos - facebook.com/groups/323275021650751
My Channel Video Index - docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-f4Wv3uBMulCX9OK6oNqS5a9wrS84cbUBYXzoq24JNA/edit?usp=sharing
My Google Docs document of useful information
docs.google.com/document/d/1ArNRtsdqfleE1-l9r1yKrh-XyzksSIwj0MMyb09L0ro/edit?usp=sharing
My checklist for moving to Ecuador - docs.google.com/document/d/1ySNcEa6_ffaKutXgMdlhdwAoD46lkwqKvd_H7DlEYGY/edit?usp=sharing
Remember this folks.
A country might look good on paper, or on a YouTube video, but what about the “Chemistry” between you, the individual and the country and culture as a whole?
This is something we can’t know in advance. We can only make our move, dive in and test the waters…….and see how it goes.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
