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

For most people planning a move abroad, the focus naturally gravitates toward the destination country. Climate, cost of living, healthcare, visas, neighborhoods, and lifestyle dominate the conversation. Yet, in practice, many relocation projects succeed or fail not because of what happens after arrival—but because of what was (or was not) done before leaving the country of origin.