My parents retired to Ec as seniors and I was so pleased to see how much respect they get from everyone. We went to the bank, and people got up to offer their seats so they could wait to be speak to the bank reps; then the bank had a special lane for seniors. That was so special to see seniors are respected in the smaller towns, not sure about the big cities.

Thanks so much for sharing this about my country. We live in Canada and we've seen how things are getting worse here and everything is so expensive. Can't wait to go back to Ecuador in the next two years. So nice to hear positive things about Ecuador!

So inspiring to watch your videos, we're a couple close to your age in Canada 🇨🇦. We're seriously thinking/considering moving to Ecuador, we're not city oriented people so we would be looking for country/small community home to purchase. Love to garden (fruit and vegetables) and have few chickens. We're currently on 2/3 of acres and don't need more than that, even a bit less would fine. Obviously this is a 1-2 year plan but the more we watch your videos the more convinced we are this the best thing for us.

Great video. Being a Swede in America I am sometimes culture shocked of how people behave. In Sweden we are just like in Ecuador polite when visiting people and we help out with the dishes and trash and everybody says goodbye properly to everyone. Here in the south people just disappeared.

Regarding the rules observation - it all makes a lot more sense when you recognize that the rules/regulations are all designed and put in place for monetary reasons. Either to protect the insurance companies or to protect the businesses or to protect the helpless consumers. Follow the money. In big corporate, it's about "protecting the mother ship" with no real care for the employees or customers. We are in Quito for a few days and with each trip and each interaction I fall more in love with this country.

Great video I love Ecuador so much can’t wait to go back I miss Ecuador so much I’ve been there four times I am American, and my husband is from Guayaquil Ecuador 🇪🇨💛💙❤️

Love your channel, you guys are an example of how to live life🌈 you guys look younger and full of life. Thanks so much for your advice Happy Bless New Year 🎉 say hi to the dogs 🌈

I've had an 'on demand hot water system' for almost 5 years, No. Mich. Very common in Calif. My daughter lives there and sent me one when my monster hot water tank died. They are very smart.

Willow caught my eye! 😂 a natural superstar. ✨ I absolutely adore your videos and the way you showcase the positivity and curiosity that make my country so special. Thank you for sharing this with us! 😊

I love your new intro, and your dog Willow has a sweet face! Thank you for all of the great information and for keeping things so positive!

I love how it really is the small things you’re talking about, so wholesome!

I’m a small town jailer and crime is up in our little county too…drugs, burglaries, even murder. I’m looking forward to seeing Ecuador for the first time in March and the latest reports of criminal activity there doesn’t scare me in the slightest. As you said, Don, be aware of your surroundings and don’t put yourself in situations that you should know will put you in harm’s way and you’ll be just fine. Maybe we’ll see you in March.

Great video!

So interesting to hear your observations….very inspiring and positive. Love that you included willow in the video! 🐕

Very nice, informative video. Really enjoyed it. I'm retired, living in US. Everything is getting so expensive here, lots of gun violence and mass shootings, and political issues, etc. I'm looking for a more peaceful, natural place to live. I've been watching videos about Ecuador for a couple of years. I don't speak Spanish, so I know that's something I'd have to learn. I guess I need to plan a visit to Ecuador and see for myself. Not sure if I prefer the coast or a place like Vilcabamba. Anyhow, I really enjoy the information you provide and you both have great personalities. Thanks

It is so refreshing to see you guys talking with such a good energy and beautiful vibes , sharing all your joy for your new life!! We hope we bump into you guys during our next trip to the the coast .. You are giving us EXTRA reasons to move to Ecuador we are going to Montañita / Olon area to stay for a week and look for a good place to rent for few months, a good place to fit our needs (3 cats and a large dog 😂😂😂) flying next Sep 16 , arriving to the El Cielo next day

Brand new to the channel and loved the content. I've seen plenty of videos on the negative but that has not dissuaded me in the least. We'll be in Ecuador in five weeks for and exploratory visit. Can't wait to get there.

Would love to see an Interview with “a senior “ or family member who is receiving “care”

16:17 if you feel handy... get some 'conformal coating spray' and seal the electronics boards.

I got lost in the hoods of guayaquil, never seen such hoods , i am suprised i made it out alive

Lovely video🎉 Really encouraging to hear personal experiences w healthcare & govt policies etc. Moving down in April 2024🎉

I call it a three teared healthcare system in Ecuador, Public, IESS and Private.

I am grateful to see this video again!

Wow what an informative and important video!!!❤

The last time my dog wasn't feeling well, it cost me $500 for Xrays, exams and pain meds. That night she had a bit of diarrhea and the next day she was fine...

Love the new intro !!!

I'm almost electrocuted myself with that dang shower! I was going to switch it to hot water and I felt an electric charge. We had that disconnected the next day.

The US may be one of the few countries where parents expect you to move out at 18 or 21. 😢

even worse in Ontario, code says you have to have a regulator on your tank that infuses cold water into your hot water line after youve paid to heat it, cold water gets added. But there are On demand systems available here in Ontario Canada as well.

Hi Kris and Mike, this sounds like an excellent topic. When you have a moment, would you please be kind enough to configure it to provide the option to toggle on Spanish subtitles? Thanks as always for your consideration.

I believe the reason that Ecuador has hot water on demand vs HWT is because the technology is fairly newer. So us and Canada have been using these tanks for decades but in Ecuador is probably fairly new. Same with internet Ecuador speed up and down is very similar but North America the upload is usually way slower than the download.

When I was in Ecuador the running joke was that the Food safety inspectors from Canada would loose their minds if they were there and saw the way things were being done. I ate from the mystery meat carts and that was a mistake a very big mistake! Maybe a video just for pet owners? Vet care/services prices? Food options/quality prices? Airline/Options and prices for getting them down to Ecuador? Great vid tones of info thnx Kris and Mike !

What a helpful video! I found all of this info very useful.

I was not going to bother you guys with a comment today, but can't help myself, because I feel like I'm hearing an echo. Number one huge agreement; the youth. I volunteer with the youth orchestra here in Riobamba and teach cello. The kids, who are 14-young adult, ALWAYS speak to me; buenas tardes Tom, como estas.....etc. They make a point to come by my little teaching space. The orchestra I played in Virginia had teenagers that wouldn't even speak to me. I practically hated them they were so arrogant and unfriendly. As you say, HUGE difference. Also, your Yassuni discussion reminds me of something interesting. In the Ecuadorian Constitution, the environment has rights as though it is human. I don't know the details, but interesting. Wish the litter wasn't here so much though. I won't talk about all the other things, but you skimmed over most of what I've observed too. I could write pages on the positives (negatives too). But totally agree with you. Oh yes, love that they make things, and repair things. Had a custom made tuxedo for half of what a crap tuxedo that didn't fit properly cost in the US. Also a pair of leather shoes and work boots custom made for about $85 each. Only disagreement, to me, beauracracy here is very slow and tough to navigate. They love paperwork, but no consistency in rules and often requires bribes to make it to the end.

Great new intro! Another wonderful video!

Hi Kris and Mike! I'm planning to move to the Olon area in December or January. Would love to meet you in person. Love your videos. Can you please do a video on everyday or monthly things like banking, grocery shopping and hair cuts? I am coming down with my cat and I'm super concerned about where and how easy it'll be to find her food and litter. Thanks!

Great video. I so concur with many of your points. #SanJoseRocks

Isn't that the truth...if the hot water is hooked up correctly! lol I was only in Ecuador for a month, but on several occasions it was either boiling OR cold water, there was no using one to balance out the other.

Love your videos. Can you bring your little dog on the bus. We will be bringing our little dog with us

The elderly privileges aren't limited to Ecuador. Panama too has epic benefits for the elderly, or 3rd age as it's called in Spanish (tercera edad), and those also includes things like airfare. If you like to travel, that's a great place for retirement. In Brazil, the elderly (and disabled) come first. For example, I was in crutches when I went to the bank. I stood in line, and noticed that the cashiers were looking at me weirdly. They then called me, and openend a cashier station for me alone. After I left they closed it. I didn't know about this perk, so I just stood in lineband I think they found it odd that i didn't immediately behave as someone who knew about this. Lol Or when I went to the post office. You take a number and wait to be called. But there's a separate ticket for the elderly and disabled. I spent hours waiting because every time an elderly person walked in, they were helped first. They also get free public transit. When my mom would visit me in the US, she would always be horrified at how she was treaded. This is why "equality" does not mean justice. Equality means that everyone has to stand in line even if you can't. Justice is realizing that there are some differences, and one cannot expect an 80 something yr-old to stand in line as if they were 15 year olds.

Great video! Restored our desire to get off our butts and move down there!

Love the new video! The medical office visit sounds familiar 😂

The waiters serves food they say “Buen Provecho” you say “Muchas Gracias”

Great video gues and very informative. Subscribed

Thanks so much, Kris and Mike. Great topics. Q: Did you hook up 'Whats App' in Canada? How did you establish your number ? Does it say , by #, you are an expat? or are #'s everywhere random? Suggestions? Really terrific, fun , informative, positive video. Looking forward to moving to EC. Your info has been so helpful on all levels. Have a wonderful weekend. (I still think you should stay longer in Cuenca. By the time you adjust and do the touristy things and start really exploring you will be leaving. It will be a safe, lovely resource for you over the years, I'd imagine.) Picking apples in No. MI. Adios.

People repair things in Latin America because labor is cheap. The reason people in Canada and the US toss things away is because labor is more costly. It's cheaper to buy a new TV or coffee maker than to getting it repaired. Also, be careful about referring to "North America." Things aren't the same in Mexico, Canado, or the US. I'm not 100% sure, but I think that Mexico may have the same benefits for the elderly as those in Ecuador. 😉

Use the cheese stuff if cooking we do

I lived in Ecuador when I was a child, I remember that we never threw away anything even shoes were repaired, I’m sure is the same now…North America is a throw away society.

Where are you living … Manta, Guayaquil,? Looks like you’re on a green hillside with an oceon view.

I would be careful with the code money movement, my friends here in Ecuador are constantly telling me about fraud happening especially through WhatsApp messages and calls. We are Canadians living here for over 2 years.

Thanks a lot for all this good and positive info 😊 Is it possible to miss a place one haven't even moved to I wonder. 😄!?!! Enjoy your weekend!!!

More questions - who do you use for cell and internet?

i NOTICED the elevation. What's the temperature at your place?

Hi get a question for you....we're your dogs completely asleep to their dental cleaning?....can you give me the name and telephone number of their ver?

This video was so emotional to me, especially when you talked about freedom... that one hurts. Sadly, you can't find that outside small communities anymore. Social media is turning our societies into careless money driven individuals. Enjoy it as much as you can, all the best.

They installed our air conditioning in the night and even a neighbor helps us with an electrical issues that happen late a night because I WhatsApp her that I was nervous they here right away they joke now about the time our house was possessed they even helped us get a electrician the next day

Hi!!! I really like your videos !!! I'm a doctor in Ecuador, and I actually think that the fact that u can buy certain drugs, like antibiotics, withouth prescription is really bad!!! It only worsen de problem of antibiotic resistance.. please always get a medical diagnosis and prescription first 😊...

Hello Kris and Mike. Been watching your videos and to say I'm intrigued is an understatement. My wife and I are Canadian living between North Bay and Sudbury Ontario (which I suspect was your neck of the woods, NB area.) We are sick of the political climate (liberals) taxing the crap out of us and paying through the nose for everything lately. My wife and I are both retirees, her being a little older than myself, 67 and 72. My questions are. My wife has PD but is still relatively mobile I have high BP. Any idea of acceptance into Ecuador and what the health insurance would cost us? Is it still very affordable to live there and what is the amount required monthly to live very comfortably? How are Canadian pensions treated? Are we taxed there and in Canada or just Canada? I appreciate in advance for you taking the time to answer these concerns if you can and really enjoy your videos Maki g us feel we already know you. Brian and Laurie

Do you guys have an email where you could respond to a question that probably wouldn't be good to share publicly?

Hi 🤗 I have some questions.are you renting if so where did you find your rentals and what city are you in?

what up with that knee Mike? iv similar concerns.

i wish your voice volume was louder.

High 5 to Ecuadorians & the Supreme Court there to say NO to the oil industry!!! That's SO AMAZING !!! VERY VERY IMPRESSIVE!!!🫶🙌👍👍👍👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶 🇪🇨 💞

This is what I like from most Latin countries they're respected people's not like in the US 😢

CT scan in a private clinc cost me $450 USD last week.

Almost everything you have described is because they are poor, and you are rich. It isn't to be green that they repair tv's. It is because nobody can afford a new one, and their import tax is so high. There is no lack of political discussion or turmoil - they just car-bombed a leading candidate - it is just that you don't speak the language or understand the poverty issues. People don't work late because they are so nice - it is because they are desperately poor and need the work. One day you will look back on this video with insight and embarrassment.

They have had that billl paying system in Germany for decades except you pay your bills at the post office.