Fox News host Greta Van Sustern.
Having been in the U.S. Air Force and then later as a representative for an International Steamship Company and owning my own company, I’ve had the good fortune to travel to many places on this planet during my career. When I hit retirement age, I considered living abroad. After my first visit to South America and Ecuador about 10 years ago, I realized that Ecuador had everything I had been looking for… low cost of living, awesome coastal lifestyle, the year-round great weather of the Andes Mountains, affordable healthcare, political stability and an amazing people and their sense of community.
I found the northern Andes with its spring-like, year-round weather quite enjoyable. The capitol city of Quito has something for everyone and the awesome villages and towns of Cotacachi, San Antonio, Ibarra and Otavalo are simply amazing. The southern Andes has Vilcabamba, Loja and Cuenca and boasts a never-ending growing season. However, being more of a warm weather and sunshine type person, I fell in love with Ecuador’s beautiful coastline. Salinas is a beautiful city with many expats situated in the southwestern part of the country. Up the coast from Salinas are many fishing villages and great surfing towns. Then we come to the small city of Manta, which has very warm weather all year round (averaging 85 F during the warm season and 80 F during the cold season), and offers an amazing coastal lifestyle at a low cost.
Manta has 12 beaches, each of which is very unique. For example, there’s Santa Marianita, popular with expats and one of the best kite surfing locations in South America. San Mateo is famous for its outstanding surf break. And Murcielago, the beach in Manta city, has something for everyone – shopping, outstanding restaurants, and a calm ocean to swim in. My favorite beach is Murcielago. It’s easy to get to, clean, and full of friendly people.”
Like everywhere in Ecuador, Manta has a low cost of living, but the draw of this place is its relaxed lifestyle. A typical week can involve surfing lessons, Spanish classes, and eating out with friends. Every Thursday night, the large expat community gets together for “gringo night” and have dinner or check out the latest bar.
What I found so special about Ecuador is its people. Ecuadorians live in the moment, and are relaxed and peaceful; leading unmaterialistic lives, and yet seem so happy.
Here are some prices one might expect to pay in Manta.
Rent $210 to $230 a month for a furnished apartment (with a pool) in a gated community with only a five-minute drive from Murcielago beach.
Water $8 a month
Electricity $30 a month
Internet $30 a month Groceries $425 a month – and this includes eathing out at least once daily with drinks
Because Manta is such a small city, a car is not necessary. One can walk most places. Should you want to take a bus, $0.30 to $1.00 will get you anywhere in the city. A taxi can cost approximately $10 per hour or take a camionetta for $1.05 per trip. A camionetta is a small shuttle service run by locals between Manta city and the beaches.
Most expats choose not to take out health insurance as access to healthcare in Ecuador is affordable and accessible. While you need to be a permanent resident to obtain the full healthcare benefits, emergency hospital visits are free for everyone, including tourists. Here are some sample costs:
Dermatologist $42
Dentist $30
Medicines $10 to $104
Ecuador’s healthcare system is really quite amazing. Most doctors are trained in the USA or Europe. One gets the impression that the nurses in Ecuador really care about you. You’re not just a number to them. That alone makes you feel better about receiving any kind of treatment.
My advice for tourists and future expats alike would be this: Always display a smile, and be prepared to say hello, even to strangers. Come with the right attitude, try to fit in and then understand the local customs and be humble and friendly.”
A question I’ve been asked many times and I’ll take this opportunity to mention just one of the reasons. At a later time, I will post more reasons, more locales and more opportunities.
After landing in Quito and enjoying a very comfortable ride in a Mercedes bus, surrounded by awesome beauty of the northern Andes Mountains, I arrive in Cotacachi, Ecuador. Cotacachi has become one of Ecuador’s most active expat communities in recent years. Many foreigners, mostly from the United States, Canada and Europe have chosen to relocate here to enjoy the great weather and lifestyle.
It’s a small, mostly indigenous town with a strong sense of community. In Cotacachi, you can find good, fresh food, beautiful scenery, and some of the best leather-craft artisans in the world.
I found myself in a quaint little restaurant surrounded by low wooden ceilings, heavy doors, hand-painted alcoves, and Beethoven’s 9th playing softly in the background. The wait staff was perfectly attentive and my pizza perfectly topped with just the right amount of cheese and sauce. Had I not known better, I could have thought myself in Rome.
It’s a town I’ve grown quite fond of over the years. Plenty of other international residents love it as well. The weather is a major draw, with average temperatures running between 50 F and 72 F every day of the year. The beauty of the highlands of Ecuador is equally attractive to new residents. New residents as well as visitors alike, stand in awe of the beauty of the Cotacachi valley, with its looming, long-dormant volcanoes on either side. And of course, the town itself is a center of interest with leather crafts, restored colonial buildings, and plenty of friendly faces and great food. Whether you’re dining in little European-inspired eateries or sampling some of Ecuador’s delicious street fare, it’s a delight for the senses.
With its great appeal and growing number of expats, you can find some fantastic deals on real estate. There’s also a real opportunity in rentals due to a majority of expat residents looking to rent. But most are not looking for just any old rental; they want something with the North American amenities to which they’re accustomed, such as hot water throughout, indoor laundry facilities, high-speed Internet and a large, comfortable kitchen with plenty of storage. You can find such homes in Cotacachi that can be converted to rentals and which can provide a healthy yield. Most homes for sale or rent in Ecuador, come either partially or fully furnished.
Just a block from Cotacachi’s main drag, sits a condo development where an 1100 square-foot, two-bedroom turnkey condo listed at $105,000 can be found. You’ll have everything you need in place to turn around and rent it. Your tenants will enjoy building security, landscaped gardens, and volcano views. If you desire to rent it out, as many of owners do, you can expect $600 per month which will give you a 6.9% annual return.
Just about five minutes from town in a taxi, you’ll find Mount Cotacachi and another condo development with upscale units which give you uninterrupted views of the opposing Mount Imbabura. Asking price for a furnished two-bedroom unit is just $97,500. Again, if you should want to rent out this unit and ask just $600 per month, you’ll bring in a nice 7.3% yield.
Another example is a three-bedroom, two-story home at the edge of town on a quiet street for $80,000. From this home, a 10-minute walk will get you to the local produce market with all the fresh produce one could ask for. The local supermarket, the hospital and Cotacachi’s best private school are also about a 10 minute walk. Another plus is the fact that you won’t have to worry about those high property taxes that you did back in the States. Most homeowners in the area pay less than $50 per year in taxes.
Great deals can be found, even if you have no plans to rent it out yourself. All you need to do, is put in a little time doing your research and look around. You can find nice quality housing that is a fraction of what it would cost you back home.
You may want to experience life in Cotacachi with a home for yourself, where you can enjoy walking the town’s tiled sidewalks, partaking in the public fiestas, and shopping for quality crafts and … enjoy the lifestyle of Ecuador.
We are in the midst of winter now and looking forward to spring. However, don’t let the cold weather deter you from enjoying your RV in the wintertime. There are many wonderful and beautiful things to do and see during the winter months. Think snow skiing, ice fishing, riding snowmobiles, ice skating and wintry wonderland scenery and so much more. Is it then any wonder that more and more people are using their RV’s throughout the entire year? I belong to several RV forums and sites where I see a great number of people requesting information and tips about using RV’s during the winter, in cold temperature areas. A short blog article such as this one cannot do the subject a great deal of justice, however, you must also keep in mind that if your RV is not adequately prepared and protected against inclement weather such as freezing temperatures, you could end up with a not so pleasant experience.
In this regard, I would like to offer some tips and suggestions that you might find helpful in protecting your RV in case you want to hit the road during the winter months when it’s much colder. Mind bear that there are no guarantees that your RV will be 100 percent free from frozen plumbing lines, hot water tanks and holding tanks. What I am going to discuss here are tips and suggestions for short-term winter trips and camping in your RV.
The first thing to consider is how to protect your RV while camping in cold weather conditions. Equally important is to understand how to protect yourself and your fellow campers in cold weather.
If your plans include RV’ing when the temperature falls below freezing, and you have water in your plumbing system, the water could easily and quickly freeze, causing a burst pipe… or worse, which could result in costly repairs, not to mention the frustration of ruining your trip. The best way to combat this is insure your plumbing system is winterized prior to heading out. Winterizing your RV is much easier than it sounds, especially to newer RV’ers and the cost is minimal.
I have winterized my RV twice this winter, because when I begin to feel the effects of cabin fever at home during the winter, I just pack a few things and I’m on the road in just a couple of hours.
Here is a video that might help you to better understand the basics of winterizing your RV.
Once you winterize your RV, you can still use your bathroom facilities as you travel. I carry one-gallon jugs of water to use in the toilet. My holding tanks are heated, so I have no worries of frozen tanks. If your holding tanks are not heated, you can put some (RV)** antifreeze in your tanks to prevent freezing of the tank contents.
Add the RV antifreeze through the toilet for the black water holding tank and pour more down the shower or tub drain for the gray water tank. The antifreeze will also protect the shower or tub P-trap which is usually located below floor level. Check your owner’s manual for the amount of antifreeze to use; based on the size of your tanks. Depending on the brand of antifreeze you get, you may find directions on the label as to amount to use. Keep in mind too, that the more waste water accumulated, the more the antifreeze is diluted, thereby requiring more antifreeze.
Be aware of your holding tanks as waste accumulates in freezing conditions and don’t let them fill completely before dumping them. This will lessen the chance of your tanks freezing, resulting in damage and costly repairs. I take plenty of bottled water along for drinking and cooking, brushing teeth and washing up when my RV is winterized. If you have pets, make sure to carry extra water in gallon jugs filled from your home tap for them as well as what was discussed above. Extra water comes in handy when your RV is winterized.
When stopping for periods of time, try to find a sunny spot that ideally will also have a structure or tree line near-by to protect the RV from cold winds. This same tip applies when you arrive at your destination. If camping at a site with electric and fresh-water hook-ups, I de-winterize my plumbing system. I can then use all systems. All the water lines in my RV are above floor level, in a heated space, so I have no concerns about my water system freezing as long as I maintain heat inside my RV. If I keep my water heater filled with water and water heater turned on, there are no worries of it freezing. My water heater operates off LP gas and /or electricity, so it’s fully automatic and I do not concern myself too much with it.
Speaking of water, it’s a good idea to know where all your plumbing is located, where the drain plugs are, where the valves are and the hot water tank bypass valve is, etc. You should become very familiar with the uniqueness of your RV’s plumbing system. Some RV’s have water lines below the floor level, in areas not close to heat. In cases such as this, your lines are subject to freezing. If you have a fresh water connection where you are parked and are hooked to that water source, an option could be to leave the water dripping which keeps the water moving, which in turn, decreases the possibility of water lines freezing. Heat tape is another option. Heat tape can be purchased at most building supply stores or RV centers. Just insure that the tape you purchase is suitable for the type plumbing system in your RV.
In extreme cold conditions, the possibility exists that the fresh-water source where you camp, has been turned off for the winter and the connections are not operable. The fresh water tank on some RV’s is located above floor level in a heated area which affords the owners the ability to use their fresh water tanks without fear of them freezing.
If shower facilities exist in the park/campground where you are and are open during the winter, it might be a good idea to use those which keeps your gray water tanks from filling so quickly.
In this regard, if might be in your best interest to keep your RV winterized and just use the campgrounds facilities.
** RV antifreeze is pink in color and is not toxic like the antifreeze that one would protect their vehicles with. RV Antifreeze can be purchased at RV centers and big box stores. I purchased mine at Walmart for less than $3.00 per gallon. It can also be purchased at Amazon.
Travel Happy,
Bill
It will only take a little bit of planning to insure a happy and fun RV vacation that will remain with you in the form of memories and photos for years. Your planning will help you avoid the classic pitfalls of an RV vacation and it can be the best experience possible.
Following are 5 tips to make sure that ‘getting there’ really is the fun part.
To paraphrase T.S. Eliot – “The Journey, not the arrival is what matters.”
By using a tool like MapQuest, you can plan your route and estimate how long it will take you to get to your destination. You can figure in your stops along the way to see the sights. This will also save you from getting worn out and you’ll also be able to calculate your fuel costs.
These money-saving tips will help you to refuel for less:
• You may want to look into obtaining a FREE app called, “Gas Buddy.” Gas Buddy will keep you abreast of the cheapest gas wherever you are and can also tell you the cost of gas along your route.
• If you don’t have a smart phone or other means of downloading and using the Gas Buddy app, look for exits where there are multiple gas stations which create an atmosphere of competition as opposed to an exit with only one station.
• Plan your luggage like anything else and keep it as light as possible. This will make your vehicle lighter and help with fuel economy.
• If you’re prone to getting lost easily, invest in a GPS device before your trip to avoid wasting fuel on unnecessary detours.
• If you don’t have a GPS device, you can download another FREE app called “WAZE.” WAZE is a real-time traffic app that not only shows you your route, but alerts you to traffic conditions, hazards on the road, accidents, police speed traps, etc. The people that use WAZE are called Wazers and as they are driving, they report on conditions, etc which is fed to you and others in real time via the app. A necessary tool for travelers for sure.
• Use your cruise control and obey speed limits. This can save you fuel.
Make sure that your RV is in good repair before embarking on a trip. There are some maintenance checks you can perform yourself, but you should also take your RV to a trustworthy mechanic for a once-over, especially if it’s been sometime since your check. Performing basic maintenance will not only help you avoid a road trip disaster, but little things like insuring your tires are properly inflated will help the handling characteristics and will help you save money on fuel.
A road trip in an RV can be a ton of fun, but like a car trip, it can also become a bore at certain times when the scenery may not be the best, etc. Kids can get bored quickly, so try to plan for the kids as well as adults. Stop often where there is something for all to enjoy. Bring along plenty of books, CD’s and DVD’s and have some car games for a mix is also good. This keeps everyone happy and in a great mood and makes for a more pleasant trip.
Unfortunately, it’s easy to pig out on junk food while you’re on the road. Instead, think about preparing your own food and bring it along in your refrigerator. If you’re driving long distances, healthy snacks like mixed nuts and fruit such as apples and oranges will give you a bit of energy as you drive. One of the beauties of traveling in an RV is that you can plan your meals just as if you were home. All you have to do is pull over at a rest stop and prepare your meals.
Planning an awesome road trip does not need to be a headache. With these simple tips, your family can have memories that last a lifetime.
Travelling in an RV (motorhome) can be an exciting time. I think we have all fantasized about it at one time or another. Unlike conventional transportation, travelling in a motorhome is a vacation in itself. We are all aware that these modes of transportation offer so much more than your basic family car for taking a vacation. Since these vehicles are much bigger than our family car, we have a tendency to want to carry more than is necessary, but we must mind bear that these vehicles are limited on space and weight. Plus, you have to have room in which to eat and sleep. it’s important to plan your trip in advance; what you will be taking on your vacation and what you have to sacrifice.
Some things are essential and will have to be included, but there are other things that will simply consume needed space. Some of the items that will need to be left behind are:
Gourmet food items: When at home, you can cook and eat whatever you like, but when traveling in a motorhome, this is not the case. For example, appliances such as your cappuccino maker, waffle iron, sandwich maker and other such items should perhaps be left at home. That is unless you are traveling in one of those huge, home away from home type motorhomes. Basically, RV’s aren’t your home and taking these types of appliances will only take up too much space. Simple pots and pans along with basic utensils will be enough.
Canned food: Canned food takes up a lot of cabinet space and quickly adds to the weight of the RV, therefore, it’s essential to take only the bare minimum. While shopping, you might be tempted to buy every kind of canned food you want but you must refrain from it.
Tools: No doubt you will have need for some tools on your trip. RV’s have a tendency to need some tweaking now and then. But, it’s more prudent to take along a simple tool kit rather than a large and full set of tools. They only add to the weight of the motorhome and weight equals more gasoline which equates to more unnecessary costs.
Water: Maintaining a supply of clean, potable water in your RV’s fresh water tank is essential, but again, when planning your trip, plan on the amount of water you will need. Even most small RV’s have a fresh water tank with a capacity of 50 gallons which is used for drinking, cooking, showering, etc. But, will you be spending time in the wilderness where 50 gallons will be needed? If you park in an RV park or campground, city water is normally furnished which would eliminate the need for using water from your fresh water tank. Keep in mind that a gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds. **
** The U.S. Department of Energy has found that for every additional 100 pounds of weight placed in your vehicle; the vehicle’s fuel efficiency is decreased by up to 2 percent. Again, unnecessary weight equates to wasted money. In this regard, consider carrying just the amount you might use while traveling and use the city water at your destination or partially refill the fresh water tank periodically instead of the entire tank at one time.
Heavy objects: Needless to say, the more lightweight the objects in your RV, the more comfortable will be your journey. For this reason, just make substitutions. For example, instead of glass and metal dinnerware, use plastic. Travel lightly and fully appreciate your experience.
A BONUS FOR YOU: If you travel and would like to use WI-FI, check out this video.
Thousands of American retirees are living out their golden years in a South American country the size of Colorado.
After International Living Magazine’s “Global Retirement Index” anointed Cuenca, Ecuador’s third largest city, as the top spot to retire in 2009, a great migration, or what some have nicknamed the “gringo invasion” began.
“Rather than sitting around waiting to die, we decided to do something different,” said 65-year-old Ernie Kinnard. “With the great medical care, cost of living, the weather, the people are wonderful – it’s a great place to be.”
But while this influx of people is considered by many to be a boost to the local economy, there is also growing concern that Americans are pricing out the locals and breeding culture clash.
Pensioner perks
For many retirees, the perks of life in Cuenca are too much to resist. For the 65-and-older set benefits include half-price water and electric bills, half-price tickets to cultural and sporting events, and sales tax refunds. Plus seniors can cut to the front of the line at the grocery store and the bank.
Ernie and his wife Jorie Kinnard, 60, call themselves “economic refugees.” Ernie lost his job and half his 401k in December 2008 during the financial crisis. With the value of their home in free-fall, the Kinnards decided to leave Cumming, Ga. for Cuenca.
“Since we’ve moved here, I don’t think there’s a week that’s gone by where I haven’t…
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the story.
Traveling and camping in an RV or motorhome can be very adventurous. Camping, however, may not be the word to use here as most people associate “camping” with sleeping outdoors in tents in campgrounds or the wilderness.
RV’ing can be an inexpensive and safe way to take a vacation at home or abroad. You’ll be able to experience things one is unable to experience by driving a car or flying to “a destination” for the purpose of vacationing. With an RV, one can experience practically everything your route has to offer and, you don’t have to necessarily use camp grounds when you’re ready to sleep. You will be surprised at how easy it is to find free places to park for the night. Here are some suggestions for places to park your motor home.
The Interstate highway system offers roadside rest areas where you can park an RV overnight along with the truckers stopping for the night. Most of these roadside rest areas provide overnight security, so there is little to no concern for one’s safety. In addition, you can usually find vending machines for hot and cold drinks and snacks as well as clean rest rooms. You will also find dog walk areas for your 4-legged friends traveling with you. More and more of these rest areas are providing dump stations for your RV as well.
** There are brochures available showing all the Interstate highway systems rest areas. If you have an interest in this, please contact me and I’ll provide you with information on how and where to obtain them.
** Many Walmart’s allow overnight parking for RV’s in their parking lots. As a courtesy, it’s always best to check with the local manager first to insure that this is alright. There is a brochure available listing all the Walmart’s in the country that allow this practice. Let me know if you would like a copy.
If you are not on the Interstate, not to worry because you can also find other free places to park your RV for the night. In urban areas, a quiet residential street can be a good place to spend the night. However, choosing a place with not much foot traffic would be best.
In the country you’ll find even more choices. A nice, quiet spot beside a lake or river or close to a forest can be very relaxing; or how about near a wharf or marina? Even a back country road can be a safe place to park. It’s usually better to be right in the middle of a town or way out in the country, as parking areas close to a town can have locals coming and going during the night.
An RV/motor home can attract unwanted attention in even the safest parking spot so it’s useful to have a good security system while you’re sleeping. This will give you the peace of mind for a good night’s sleep, knowing that it’s going to be difficult for someone to break in.
In addition to the key lock on the RV entrance door, an added dead bolt can give you the extra benefit of feeling secure.
A loud alarm is a very effective method. Another effective security measure is to have a chain and padlock running between the inside front door handles. You just need a solid chain which is looped through the door handles with the two ends joined in the middle of the front seat by a padlock.
Lock the padlock to secure the chain when you go to bed or any time you leave your motor home unattended. This can give you peace of mind. A quick glance in the cab will show any would-be thief that this is going to be a difficult vehicle to break into.
When you go to bed at night it’s also a good idea to place a sunshade in your windshield, making it difficult to see inside the cab area. Also, remove all your valuables from the cab area and place them in the living area with you. This includes keys, money, credit cards, passports, mobile phones, etc. In fact, it’s a good idea to never leave personal items on display in your mobile home.
So find a safe spot where there’s not much foot traffic, move your valuables to the sleeping area, secure the front door handles with a chain, and have a peaceful night’s sleep.
With some advance planning and common sense, free camping in an RV can be a relaxing and cheap way to see the country. The more you do it, the more your confidence will grow.
Enjoy your RV…
Recreational Vehicle (RV) Camping can be an awesome way for any sightseer to enjoy the country. RV’ing has become more widely popular with the advent of baby boomers attaining retirement age; those same camping aficionado’s who no longer wish to rough it in tents. RV’ing provides one with a camping experience with a new lighthearted twist. Just pull your RV into a campsite nationwide, pay your campsite fee and you’re almost certain to have a wonderful time.
Most of the camping locations where you will be able to enjoy your motorhome will be pay sites. Certain areas continue to be available with free camping options although these may have little to no amenities. Some of the most common places for camping with a motorhome will be in locations offering full hookups for electrical power, water and sewer and sometimes, Internet and cable TV.
You can easily design a camping experience which will take you from coast to coast with a new location for camping every night if you wish. It is generally much cheaper to stay at a modern RV camping site than staying in a motel or hotel and you will be carrying all your needed essentials in your motorhome. Most RV’s have an awning which will provide shade, even when just sitting out and enjoying the great outdoors on a beautiful sunny day.
Most camp grounds that accomodate RV’s, provide WiFi Internet for your online surfing enjoyment or for those that choose to travel while “working from home.” And speaking of WiFi, most Internet providers sell small mobile devices that can make your motorhome or even your car, a “hotspot” providing WiFi for several devices at once. Newer iPhones and perhaps some droid phones also have the capability to turn your motorhome into a WiFi hotspot as well. You’ll also find that the majority of the camp grounds across the country today will have details on local activities such as fishing, hiking, bicycle paths, nature trails, walking trails, horseback riding, mountain climbing or other interests.
You will hard-pressed to run out of RV camping options. RV camping locations are gaining popularity all the time and with the baby boomer generation continuing to retire it is sure to grow to be a more popular camping option for many. In response to this demand, the Recreational Vehicle Camping Industry have become much more visible with their mainstream marketing. Even as this is being written, the popularity of RV’ing is causing home builders to create parking spaces for families that are jumping into the RV market.
Although Recreational vehicle camping requires a much larger upfront cost in terms of buying or leasing an RV, it provides you with almost limitless camping possibilities!
Enjoy your RV…
