How a slower rhythm of life in Ecuador changes what retirement truly means For much of life, time feels scarce. It is scheduled, measured, and spent. Careers, commutes, obligations, and deadlines quietly teach us to treat time as something to manage rather than something to live. By the time retirement arrives, many Americans expect relief—yet often find that the pace of life remains hurried, shaped by costs, logistics, and constant planning.

For many Americans and Canadians, the question isn’t whether they want a different life—it’s whether they can afford one. With rising costs across the United States, $1,500 a month no longer represents comfort or security. In many cities, it barely covers rent. In Ecuador, that same amount tells a very different story.