Theres a lot of nice things about living in Loja and the valley of longevity (Vilcabamba), but there are some not so nice things most realtors won't mention too... ...today I cover it...
Lived in Vilca for many years. Main hwy is nicely paved and the taxi's know the alternative routes. We are remote, makes it that much more rewarding. The city is only a 45 min drive. You get real familiar with the plane and bus schedules. Also a couple higher end shuttles go to Cuenca and beyond. I would take a land slide any day over Quito or Cuenca traffic jams. Rush hour in Vilca is when you have to brake for a cow :) What is special is the international cuisine, owner run restaurants. And endless outdoor activities. Crime? no more per capita than any city. When something happens in a small town, everyone hears about it and it becomes widely publicized. Great video and point of view, visit us for yourself.
Vilca has the most obnoxious ex-pats in Ecuador. There’s nice ones but there is a huge contingency of entitled jerk wads who think they own the place. The violence against gringos is also an issue. Lots of home invasions when the people are at home asleep. The only reason people want to live there is that one video that came out about 10 years ago about how special vilca is. But longevity is coming in all of the Sierra regions of Ecuador, not just vilca.
@@PatientenO.T. And about half of all who seek a home here hightail it out within a year. Not for everyone. Usually what plays out for folks is the 'reality' that they bring with them. Why we say don't buy property for at least a year.
@@PatientenO.T. Agreed... I wish those self-entitled "gringo" immigrants would re-emigrate themselves back to where they're from and be self-entitled back home.
I agree that Loja is remote. That is the only reason I didn't try living there. I have traveled all over Ecuador and Loja is my favorite city. Of course, I have only visited. But I did not find it cold or boring. But my interests may be different. It's known as the Art capitol of Ecuador. There are two orchestras there. The city is really culturally oriented. Not all people care about that. Had it been easier to get to, I would be living there . Love Vilcamamba, but agree, inundated with gringos. Many, while kind good people, don't meld in well with Ecuadorian culture (in my opinion); more hippy kind of lifestyle. I don't have a problem with any of that, but it puts a neon sign on gringos.
Everyone who lives there loves Vilcabamba their only regret is not moving there sooner. Seems to be a destination for those that are very informed on world issues and are highly intelligent. Long live Vilcabamba!
Lived nearly 3 years in Vilcabamba and I can definitely second the crime element. I can also say that most of the people that were targeted seam to have antagonized certain other people with possible dirty money (enter source here) connections. There were also some other attacks on young women that were disturbing. There were also many good, decent locals and gringos. But you better be able to enjoy the natural setting enough to compensate for negligible going out options. Loja was ok for lunch after running errands. But not very attractive for night life. Cuenca was our weekend get-away that put a smile on our face. Also Mancora Peru was about the same distance as Montañita so that was often a nice sunny year round beach town.
Thanks for this perspective. What are some other options for people who'd like affordable, farmable acreage in a beautiful spot that doesn't have the same problematic aspects in terms of difficulty to reach for visitors from out of country? (Crime issues and nightlife are not issues under consideration for me, as I'm looking for a quiet farming life) Something that is maybe within two or three hours of a reliable travel hub? Some of the appeals of the Loja/Vilcabamba/Valladolid areas are the abundance of inexpensive land with fertile soil, ideal climate for farming and abundance of water sources right on the properties.
Again, thanks for the straight up. I've been studying, (from the US), expat living in Ecuador for over a year now and have settled on Loja as my target. I'm surprised that I concur with you in every respect, except possibly one -- the weather. You've been there and know a lot, whereas I'm just studying from afar. Regarding the weather. LOJA: avg. high/low (73/44); avg. rainfall (35.12); rainy days (136); avg. sunshine hours (1,736). CUENCA: avg. high/low (71/50.5); avg. rainfall (34.5); rainy days (179); avg. sunshine hours (1,799). QUITO: avg. high/low (70.5/49.6); avg. rainfall (43.4.12); rainy days (128); avg. sunshine hours (2,230). Apparently much more than altitude affects the micro climates. Looking at these numbers, it looks like it's yours and mine perspectives. Since I see that a lot of your vids focus on the coast, whereas beach life is not at all compelling for me. I understand your viewpoint. I'm going to retire so poor work opportunities is OK with me. Not much to do? I can't do much. Poor access? I can wait. Don't plan to buy real estate. RE: Vilcabamba. I'll visit but I expect I'll want to get the hell out of there after a few hours. It appears to be a shitload of self-absorbed expats slathering all over each other. I follow a trio of real estate agents out of Vilcabamba on RU-vid. They peddle "abundant" acres but never show the roads to those acres. I'm flying into Quito next March and will tour for 3-6 months to find my spot. Who knows? It may not be Loja. Appreciate your vids.
Please share us your findings and experience. We would love to hear straight “from the ground experience”. We are also planning to retire in Ecuador. Thanks
@@vegaszoom6139 I haven't been there yet... so I can't give you first hand knowledge ... just my thoughts on my research. What I've done is take good look at my self and truly see what pleases me and what I am comfortable with. I live in Reno and have found it generally good weather. I like a smaller or mid-size city. I think a lot of expats in Ecuador try to transition from an urban to a rural setting and don't like it eventually. I like Nevada because it is dry but the temps are not for me. I don't like bugs and humidly and excessive heat so maybe that leaves out the Coast and the Orient. Who knows? Ecuador has great diversity... it is actually pretty amazing and unique. I plan to wander around for awhile and check out different places till I find a spot that I really like. My research tells me Loja but I have to see with my own eyes that it is right for me. The other thing is: I don't think I want to hang out too much with gringos. I want to try to fit in with the locals. So my first month is going to be in an intensive language course in Quito.
@@retiredminimalist1937 Loja it's for you it's no big, nice weather, no hot, no could like this guy says that Loja is cold. It's far from Quito, of course because it's at the south of Ecuador.
Good vid man! I agree with your points and I still love it out here. I've lived in the province of Loja going on 2 years now but didn't go to vilca like most do. The province of Loja is large, and there is a lot of shit to do, but it's not super touristy cause it is still pretty undeveloped/under promoted. Some other places to explore in this area are: Catamayo (cool water park) Gonzanama (check out Pailas Rotas) Quilanga( tiny town produces the best coffee in Ecuador) Zapotillo (get some Chivo al hueco) Los lagos de Jimbura These areas have a drier climate and are very beautiful. Also property prices are still really good out here! And Peru is close by.
It ain’t so! Loja is a lot warmer than Cuenca and Quito. Loja is booming construction going on everywhere. Construction work is so labour intensive so everything takes so long so everyone is busy. Vilcabamba is definitely a no. Can’t be there for more than 30 minutes. 19 armed robberies since January 01 in Vilcabamba. They actually beat the victims for no reason! They didn’t resist but still got a beating! So many websites promoting Vilcabamba as paradise….it ain’t so. Also way too hot to enjoy!
Ok enough of the bad! Lol Please let us know a few of the top places you would recommend to live in Ecuador? Hopefully a mix between mountains and beach areas. Thanks.
Kind of a downer video… if you don’t like Ecuador then why are you there? Is your glass half empty? My sole reason for going to Vilcabamba is for the quiet yet you listed that as a negative. Perspective is everything.
Hey, enjoy your work. You mention that there are other beautiful towns and environs like Vilcabamba without all the gringo inflation. Would you mind sharing a few names of these towns/areas? Second part of the question,what do you know about the local crime rate/perception as of 2023 and where is it most problematic? Muchas gracias por todo! Diana
I just subscribed! Good video! Keep them coming! We were thinking "oceanside" then land-mountains-farm....now we would like to be closer the ocean, with land to garden... Thank you!!
Loja cold...I mean I don't know where you are from but I am from gquil (Guayaquil)..pretty hot..and Loja, Vilcabamba, have a great weather mild temps ...most people coming to live at Ecuador know they are running from crazy crime pollution, dystopian society looking for some peace of mind...go to Loja...and enjoy...beautiful region of Ecuador with outstanding real food...cheers ! Saludos
Hi there I am an Ecuadorian born , don't reside there for many years , my question to you is you say you have been living there for 7 years , there must be something that you like or keep you there , I myself have never been there , heard about been cold , but if you like the country you should settle somewhere were you feel comfortable and happy and I get you are giving a constructive opinion , and you well said people who wants to see what it's like Loja, I hope that you do find a place on Ecuador that you are happy and comfortable this is the first time I come across your channel and there is nothing wrong to give and honest opinion , and that's way expats or people that want to live abroad to any country have to do their homework in regards of everything that you want out of the country chosen to reside , I hope to see more content because it is always good to see people that were born there but live abroad what others think of the country they were born , good luck and keep safe
Now that the 1 Giraffe is dead, I'm cancelling my property purchase in Loja! Great video, the icing on the cake would be to comment on your first 10 places you could live. Just as a reference. I know we all have personal biases, but I really appreciate someone mentioning the 'downside' to a place. I happen to like 'quiet places, no car horns blaring through the night' , etc. You can tell the real estate people before they mention their occupation: always perfect, very quick pan-shots over the house. Hype, pump it up-hype. An honest salesman will do well there-he or she won't be wasting anyone's time. Thanks for the honest comments. -Dk.
Many thanks for the honest information! I've been looking at retiring there. I need to find good information about quality and availability of medical care. Do you have a video covering that or could you point me in the right direction?
First, Vilcabamba can be a beautiful place to be in any given time: it’s perfect weather, fresh and organic produce , magnesium-rich water , longevity concerns. But I think Vilcabamba is more esoteric than eclectic- meaning this place can best suit those of the same interest . For those who want to live in isolation away from the “noise” of the world then Vilcabamba will be for you other than probably hippie /Vidic culture coupled with some conspiracy theorists.
It's not a "theory", if you have verifiable research, with peer-reviewed papers, regardless of the propensity for people to listen to the mainstream brainwashing.. There are a number of Conspiracy "Realists" that iv'e met from Vilcabamba, fortunate for them their eyes are open.
Mr. Second Passport, Thank you for the information. What other towns do you recommend in Ecuador that are both equivalent weather to Vilcabamba and where prices are still lower than Vilcabamba? My wife and I planning a move to Ecuador in early 2024. Also where there is less crime and a good variety of restaurants and some expats? Thank you, Glenn Capitanio
Hi Mr. Second Passport, is there a small city in Ecuador that doesn't have mosquitos? How is Cuenca in regards to the mosquito situation and overall safety? Many thanks!
Curious, might the missing or killed people have been caught up in outside/inside crowds that were up to no good? Just a question in my mind. I don't know either way so I'm not insinuating.
Alausi , I have this permaculture farm there and we are located in the middle of the country . Most places of interest are about 4 hours drive or less, the nicest part of the coast imo is 7 hours drive. Airport in Guayaquil is 2.5 hours drive…
Can't help but seem to think you hate Ecuador.. are you seeking for click bait or am I confused altogether because all of Ecuador is amazing. Yes its not Asia but it's over to North America
Nothing to do? Like almost here in Iowa? Lol. I used to live in NY when l came to Iowa I was... what? Where is everybody? But then it is a nice quiet peaceful place when you have little kids... now NY seems too busy, too dangerous, too dirty, too many people. Noisy, dangerous etc. So. It depends what you want... we humans are animals of habits..
I want to move to Vilcabamba, my father is Ecuadorian from Quito. Do you think I need to worry about violence, I know you mentioned it is towards gringos.
I live in Cuenca 6 yes now and my husband and I enjoy visiting Loja and Vilca. There are too many gringos in Vilca for me and I agree Loja is too isolated. On my first trip to Loja I was time-traveling back to the 70s Ecuador in my mind. Road was not great, landslides, the scenes were picturesque, sparcely populated-- much as the northern Highlands used to be. Like going back 50 Yrs.
We don't need a Realtor to tell us that when living in any remote town in any country, fly to the major hub airport a couple of days ahead of an international flight. Realtors have a code of ethics that requires faithfulness, advice and service to their clients and truthfulness to all others, as it pertains to real estate. They are not travel agents.
When you see houses for sale for $349,000 its because the gringos that bought it realized once your here you can build a similar house for less than half of that.
I rather buy property in the Coast of Ecuador because their is more profitable and more money to be made.! Plus get around the coast is much easier.! Also you can rent your property on the Coast on Airbnb when you are not living their.
Well we stayed at Vista Azul ,close to Canoa. It’s an apartment complex. People from Canada and the USA bought some condos. And yes some bought it for rental property. I can tell you there where some that got 4 to 18 days of renters for the whole year. Plus you had to but up with some of the owner’s that made it there place to live . It was nice ,bus service right from the door in to Bahia but for investment purpose I would say no.
I think you are assuming a lot of things in this video. Flights cancellations happen anywhere in the world. Hey keep with your great videos, scaring foreigners. Great job, that’s what we want, less expats in Vilcabamba . I give them 2 to 3 years to most of those expats living in Vilcabamba until they leave the country.. To quiet, boring, nothing to do. I thing your videos are just your negative opinion. You never show the city around or anything like that… maybe you don’t want your own people to move to Ecuador lol
I was told by people who live in Vilcabamba that rentals are hard to come by. Also I don’t think I’d find my tribe there unlike Cuenca. I’d be bored to death there.
It is one man's viewpoint! I will say I do appreciate this young man's straightforward delivery, but remember what they say about opinions! He gives his quick perspective on how he sees things not in-depth with particulars. Researching is helpful but it's never the real thing, everyone has had different experiences in life & one has to really see or visit with own eyes and soul to know if it's correct for them! IMHO
At least with Mr.2nd here, you are told about things that no one else is talking about. AND he's clear, he is NOT selling anything. I saw him talk about a shrimp farm, he gives the info., but wants nothing else. And you don't want to subscribe to this kind of person ??? I suggest that you give his channel another look.
If you need to travel internationally a lot, Cuenca or Quito would be better choices. The Loja airport is actually in Catamayo, almost 45 minutes over the mountain. Loja seemed warmer than Cuenca to me, but I was only there a week. Rainy. A compromise between Cuenca and Zamora. Vilcabamba is next on my destination list. I hear the gringos have an ongoing culture war between the right wing nutters and the left wing nutters. We shall see!
Thank you for that information. I’ll be staying away from there. I left Chapala Mexico in 2015 because the politics everywhere with the expats were disgusting, and I find it disrespectful to the locals. Plus. There’s enough of that in the US, thank you very much.
Dude, who do you think your target audience on this channel is ? I would really like to know, because I don't think you understand your target audience at all.
From what I've seen his primary audience is potential investors or people looking to live or start a business in Ecuador. He's not selling anything which I find refreshing. He's just sharing his honest opinion based on his personal experience and the occasional deal he has run come across. That's why I follow the channel and I appreciate his candid assessment.
