Separating myths from truth about living abroad in retirement Fear plays a powerful role in life decisions—especially when those decisions involve change. For many Americans considering retirement abroad, fear becomes the invisible barrier. Stories about safety, language, healthcare, and “being far from home” often outweigh facts and lived experience.

In almost every relocation process, one document quietly determines the outcome long before a visa interview or application review takes place: the criminal background certificate. For applicants moving abroad from the United States or Canada, this document is not a mere formality—it is a legal instrument that anchors the applicant’s past to their future immigration status.

Foreigners often describe Ecuador as friendly. Americans, however, tend to describe it differently. Words such as welcoming, warm, and unexpectedly familiar appear repeatedly in interviews, expat forums, and long-form testimonials written by U.S. citizens who settle in the country. This perception is not accidental, nor is it merely the result of tourism marketing or short-term hospitality. It is the product of a long historical process rooted in human relationships, collecti

Moving abroad is often described as a dream come true. A fresh start. A new country. A better quality of life. For many Americans and Canadians choosing destinations like Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, or Portugal, the decision represents freedom, affordability, and the chance to live with intention.

Many people approach immigration the same way they approach home projects or travel planning. They research.They read forums.They watch videos.They compare notes. And for some situations, that works. But immigration is different.

At 70 years old, Ruben never imagined his life would change so abruptly.After decades of marriage, his wife asked him for a divorce. In one moment, the future he had carefully planned—retirement, finances, even his social life—collapsed. “I had to reset my life and decide how I really wanted to live,” he said. Ruben’s story is far from unique. Across the United States and Canada, a growing number of older adults are entering retirement alone—divorced, widowed, or by choic

Why using the U.S. dollar in Ecuador changes more than your budget For many Americans approaching retirement, financial planning has become the center of every major decision. Budgets are calculated carefully, expenses are monitored closely, and long-term security often feels tied to how efficiently money is managed. But there is a deeper question beneath the numbers: Is the economy serving life, or has life begun serving the economy?

For many professionals considering a move abroad, the dream is clear: a slower pace of life, a lower cost of living, meaningful work—or semi-retirement—and a country that offers stability, culture, and natural beauty. Ecuador has quietly become one of the most attractive destinations for this lifestyle, especially for North Americans and international professionals seeking long-term residency.

For most expats, the first three months in Ecuador are not about paperwork alone—they are about adjustment, learning, and setting the foundation for a successful life abroad.

For many Americans, the idea of moving abroad begins with a simple question: Can I actually afford a better life somewhere else? Rising housing costs, healthcare expenses, insurance premiums, and daily living costs across the United States have turned that question into a pressing concern rather than a distant curiosity. What once felt like a lifestyle choice has become, for many, a f But this assumption collapses the moment we step back and look at global data rather than re