14 Comments

1. 

   Lorie on January 20, 2018 at 1:19 pm

   Great videos and blog. I’m seriously considering relocating to Olon from Cotacachi, (not able to afford a vacation there before moving) but I don’t know anything about the potable water, reliable cell phone service and good quality Internet along the coast. I don’t want to pay an excessive amount if the signals good out on a regular basis.
   I don’t frequent bars or go to restaurants very often (I’ve had food poisoning 4 times in 5 years while residing in Ecuador) so I do wonder about socializing and if there are more than just a few English speakers in Olon?

   thank you,
   L.D.

   • 

     Todd on January 20, 2018 at 4:52 pm

     Hi Lorie, thanks for reading! I would suggest you don’t move anywhere without first visiting, even if that means you have to save up for it. We buy water here; we don’t drink it from the tap. The internet is probably about 90% reliable. It goes in spurts. Will go several weeks without any problem, then have a few down times in one week. It is more expensive for service here and you get less. $100/mo for 4 megas, and that is not gauranteed. As far as socializing, I dont know the exact number of expats here, but there are enough to have regular meetups for socializing and playing games during the week. It does seem like most if us enjoy wine or cerveza while we do that. 😉 Come check it out!

     Thanks again for reading Lorie.
     Todd

     • 

       Lorie on January 20, 2018 at 6:27 pm

       Thanks Todd for responding so quickly. I moved to Virginia (from Florida) sight unseen and I also moved to Ecuador without visiting first. I’ve lived here for 5 years and really need a change of weather. After living in Florida for 16 years I’m never warm in Cotacachi, I miss the beach.
       I’ve watched all the Olon videos (I think?) on YouTube and Olon looks like a place where I could live, but I do have concerns regarding long term rentals, how expensive the Internet is, safety and quality health care. I’m on a fixed income so I need to be careful.
       Going to Salinas once a month for shopping does sound almost like a day trip and I’m wanting to volunteer at the orphanage should I relocate?
       I’m Messianic so maybe I could also find a Sabbath service locally?

       all the best,
       Lorie

       • 

         Todd on January 21, 2018 at 5:00 pm

         Hey Lorie, I understand all too well about never being warm in the sierras. My soul sings at the ocean and on the beach. My comparisons on cost are with Cuenca. I get less than half the internet speed for 2.5 times as much ($40 Cuenca vs $100 per month Olon). Since the major grocery store is in Salinas/Libertad it does create a round trip for us about once a month. It is $40-50 by taxi (~ 5-6 hours round trip). Rentals vary. Honestly I don’t think you can find much of anything less than $400-500 a month for something nice (no ocean view). I have a friend renting a one bedroom casita for about $350, no ocean view but house is on the ocean. The bus, although only about $5 round trip to Libertad doesn’t make sense trying to transport groceries. Not sure about what the religious services are here. My religion is the beauty and wonder God created all around me. So I guess the beach is my church. 🙂

         Thanks for reading!
         Todd

     • 

       Kelli on January 26, 2018 at 9:13 am

       Thinking of moving to teach ESL opportunities?
       Single. 53 years young- is it safe?
       Can you really live in $1000 us like I’ve read?
       Cheapest place to stay for two-three weeks to check it out?

       • 

         Todd on January 26, 2018 at 12:39 pm

         Hey Kelli,
         I think Ecuador overall is safe. Places like Guayaquil and Quito are not in my opinion. Typical of big cities anywhere. Most areas in Cuenca seemed safe to me. Where I live on the coast in the Olon area feels the safest so far. As far as ESL, I have a friend who does that for the locals and I think the company only pays $5 an hour (I could be wrong). I suspect you would do better teaching on line.

         I don’t know what the magic number is to live here. Rent on the coast is 1.5-2 times what it is in Cuenca for comparable accommodations.That being said I have friends who have found great deals. One friend rents a nice studio with a killer patio less than one block from the beach (no view), including utilities and internet for $550 a month. Fruit and vegetables are cheap. About every other food item is double what it is in the US. Basically you learn where and how to buy food here. The “grocery stores” like in the US are very expensive to shop at. Even chicken from the local meat guy is around $2 a pound, and it’s very good.

         I would check out Tripadvisor for the area you are thinking of staying at and see what hotels, hostels are available. I believe you can get a decent room for $25 a night. You can also pay close to $100 a night. Everything is negotiable. I would email for prices, then ask for a cheaper rate based on the length of stay.

         Hope this helps! Thanks for reading.
         Todd

2. 

   Lolo on January 20, 2018 at 3:43 pm

   Beautiful pics and, wtg on that nice foot tan! Wish we were there 🙂

   • 

     Todd on January 20, 2018 at 4:53 pm

     Thanks sis! The weather has finally arrived!

3. 

   Catherine Holland on January 21, 2018 at 10:13 am

   I am so happy the “winter blaahs” have been replaced with the “sunshine highs” for you!!!!

   • 

     Todd on January 21, 2018 at 4:45 pm

     You and me both amiga!

4. 

   Catherine Holland on January 22, 2018 at 10:46 am

   Still a go for Thurs 25th?

   • 

     Todd on January 22, 2018 at 4:03 pm

     por supesto!

5. 

   ashwinijindal on January 22, 2018 at 11:02 am

   Beautiful Pictures Todd!! making me even more excited to visit you!

   • 

     Todd on January 22, 2018 at 4:04 pm

     Thanks! That would be great Ashwini!