Both Montaita and Oln offer the best surfing in all of Ecuador, which is what makes them popular with younger expats from around the world. With so many amazing cities to choose from, you might have a hard time deciding which one is best for you. Theres a real hippie atmosphere here that has enticed many travellers to settle permanently; however, a steady flow of backpackers means cheap places to stay, plenty of food options, a ton of bars, and a good party-time atmosphere. However, during normal times when there isnt a worldwide pandemic, youll be very happy with the available medical services in Guayaquil. With a PPP per capita of $14,131, its ranks as the third richest country in Latin America. I was reading about the cities and found a mistake in the writing. Living here also means you'll be on the doorstep of the Andes. Its famous for the Amazon rainforest surrounding it, as well as the tributaries that eventually feed the Amazon River. In its very richest neighborhood, the average, Read More The 10 Richest Neighborhoods in MinneapolisContinue, South Carolina is a place of tropical beaches, gorgeous weather, and vibrant cities. Resorts host tourists and provide restaurants, cafes, shops, bars and nightclubs. Otavalo Ecuador is best known for its indigenous textiles market. The city of 1.4 million people is located at the delta of 5 rivers where they converge to form a lagoon called the Lagoa dos Patos. Located in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas on the Suquia River, Cordoba is northwest of Buenos Aires and is the second most populated city in Argentina with 1.3 million residents. What is the richest part of Ecuador? This means that if you use our links, Nomads Nation will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The city of 1 million draws in tourists to its zoo and gardens, cathedrals, theater, central market and sport venues. As a whole, the area has one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. There are venues for music, contemporary dance and theater. It could be a very interesting place to base yourself, especially for nomads who enjoy wildlife the Isla Corazon Wildlife Refuge, comprising around 100 hectares of mangrove forest a few kilometres from San Vincent Bridge, is a hotspot for ecotourism. Its a sparsely populated valley that is going to suit anybody who really wants an adventure in a far-flung part of Ecuador. Today, Lima is one of the most important financial centers of Latin America. Its tiny, but its also the centre of Intags coffee industry. Its more like Leadville, Colorado in terms of amenities, but at roughly a mile high (5,233 ft / 1.595 m), you wont struggle as much for air. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Sources: Heritage Foundation; World Economic Forum; Transparency International; Freedom House; World Bank; Central Intelligence Agency; Property Rights Alliance. Ambato is the nearest major city located a little over 2 hours drive west of Puyo on winding mountain roads. If you travel light, you can easily move between cities until you discover the best city in Ecuador for you. Bahia de Caraquez is also home to one of the best archaeological museums in the country the Museo de Bahia de Caraquez, which has around 600 pieces on display showcasing Ecuadors long history. Its also a short 45 minute domestic flight to both Cuenca and Guayaquil. Belo Horizante is a city in the central southeastern region of Brazil. Located in San Mateo County, the city has the best restaurants, parks, shops, and most importantly, an excellent schooling systemno wonder most affluent families choose to settle down in this wealthy town. The city lies on the banks of the Paraguay River. ***Disclaimer*** Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. The thin air is likely the first thing youll notice when exiting the plane. No. If you're looking to establish a backup residency, Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Portugal, and Northern Cyprus should be on your mind. When Qatar kicks off the first match of the 2022 World Cup against Ecuador on Sunday night, the world will finally witness the end result of one of the largest capital campaigns in human history. Public transport is also on the move, with a tram system in the works that will make getting around this Andean gem a veritable breeze. Music from opera to samba to rock is a vital part of the citys culture. Biologist Mara Claudia Segovia Salcedo is not only helping to create a seed bank of Andean mountain plants, she is also planting the seeds for a more inclusive environment for women in STEM in Ecuador. Life in Ecuador is stratified. If you prefer a more laid back atmosphere, youll want to visit La Playa de Chipipe (Chipipe Beach), which is a 5 minute walk south of the main beach just past the Salinas Yacht Club. There are several modern shopping malls in Guayaquil, including Mall del Sol and San Marino Mall. Its a 5 minute, $1.50 cab ride north along Olns MASSIVE beach that stretches 5 miles (8 kilometers) north to La Entrada. With fewer than 10,000 people, its the smallest of the 3 popular northern expat cities so youll get more of a small town vibe. The country comprises the Amazon jungle, the Galapagos highlands, and Andean highlands. The city is cultural and home to museums, cinema, music, theater and a racecourse. Nearest International Airport: Guayaquil (located near downtown), Nearest US Consulate: US Consulate in Guayaquil (located near the soccer stadium). Ecuador is substantially dependent on its petroleum resources, which accounted for about a third of the country's export earnings in 2017. Plus, the Cuencana dialect is much slower paced than other Spanish dialects and their beautiful sing-song accent sounds more Italian than Spanish. Each is filled with parks and tree lined sidewalks. Uruguay was the South American country with the highest gross national income per capita, with 15,800 U.S. dollars per person in 2021. There are nearly 3 million people living in the greater metropolitan region of Salvador. Population: 181k (estimated) Elevation: 2,060 M (6,758 Ft) Airport: Domestic flights. Monthly rent for a 900 square foot apartment in La Paz runs between $600. The beaches are nearly empty and many of the restaurants are closed except during holiday weekends when everything springs to life. Consulting firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers recently ranked the richest cities in the world by measuring economic output and consumer buying power. Universities and sports venues are important parts of Cordoba. If you prefer living in a smaller city thats more isolated but still offers modern shopping and medical services, Loja might be the best Ecuadorian city for you. This Ecuadorian coastal beach town is very popular with wealthy Ecuadorians, many of whom own beachfront vacation condos that they visit on weekends and holidays. If traveling in South America, this is a city that you will not want to miss. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Salvador is home to a Ford Motor Company and a JAC Motor plant. Once each year, the Guayacanes Forest near Loja blooms with a bright yellow explosion of color. 6. Located in the valleys of the Chillon, Rimac and Lurin Rivers, Lima is located in the central coastal region of Peru on the Pacific Ocean. Monthly rent for a 900 square foot apartment is more than $1,000 a month. The cost to live in Porto Alegre is between $600 and $800 to rent a 900 square foot apartment and can cost up to $600 a month for a single persons expenses for food, clothing, transportation and entertainment. Last year, Beijing was the city home to the most billionaires in the world. You can check these in your browser security settings. It costs about $500 a month for a single person to live in the city excluding rent. IMPAQTO Capital in Ecuador aims to attract local investors and, in the process, prove to international funders that social entrepreneurs can generate both profit and impact, while boosting investing in the Andean region. In 1996 the wealthiest 20 percent of Ecuadorians earned half of the nation's total income, while the poorest 20 percent collected only 5 percent. With 17 times more space than New York Citys Central Park, its a popular place to visit for Quitos residents and tourists. It is also a major finance center. Further out of the city is Cumbay, which is warmer and drier than central Quito. It is also a major banking center. The city is located in a subtropical forest and has green spaces throughout. Foreign investment in Ecuador is low as a result of the unstable regulatory environment and weak rule of law. Located in the Sierra of the Andes, Cuenca has a population of 580,000 and is the economic center of Ecuador. In 1999/2000, Ecuador's economy suffered from a banking crisis that lead to some reforms, including adoption of the US dollar as legal tender. Santiago, Chile, is known for its economic wealth as well as its rich and vibrant culture and history. Loja: Best Ecuador city to get off the beaten tourist path. The Boardwalk of Guayaquil The Boardwalks of Guayaquil . Elsewhere, Guayaquil has a ton of cool cafes, with good wi-fi where you can rock up with a laptop. Lima is the capital and largest city in Peru and one of the most expensive cities to live in South America. Theater, museums, sports and telecommunications are important to the citys vibrancy. Walking down the street, youll spot Papaya, Guanabana (Soursop), Lime, Naranja, and a host of other tropical fruit trees and tropical birds sitting in them. Set along the Intag River, the lush Intag Valley is a remote area famous for coffee and tourism. Many expats stay for a year or two before moving to someplace with a better culture, restaurant and entertainment scene. La Pazs main industry is manufacturing of food, clothing, tobacco products, agricultural tools and tin. Famous for its seafood cuisine and notable artists, authors and musicians residing in the city over the past century, is a cultural and historic center of western South America, universities and sports also attract residents to the city. Braslia is the center of government in Brazil and one of the countrys most expensive cities. For most renters, if their application gets denied, they just move on to the next. The city also exports flowers. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. If you live in Manta, you wont need a car as there are plenty of buses (30 cents/ride) and taxis ($2 to $3). Nearest International Airport: Guayaquil (3.5 hour drive) or Quito (8 hour drive; 45 minute flight), Nearest US Consulate: US Consulate in Guayaquil or US Embassy in Quito. Hillsborough, California. Cuenca, Ecuador. Contents1 Where do the wealthy live in Ecuador?2 What are the poorest cities in Ecuador?3 Is Ecuador a rich place?4 What is the richest part of Ecuador?5 Is Ecuador good to live?6 What is the main city in [] We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. Here, youll find big shopping malls and even some biking trails, making it a good spot for chilled days off out of the busy city. While it is true that youll see many incredibly OLD people walking around Vilca (as the locals call it), thats a common occurrence in other cities, as well. Cuenca, with its population of 400,000 in the urban area and 700,000 in the wider metropolitan area, is regarded as being Ecuador's most European city. The gap between rich and poor grew noticeably during the 1999 economic crisis, when much of the middle-class fell below the poverty line because of rampant currency devaluation and inflation. Medellin is the second largest city in Columbia and a major economic center in the country. Want to be an expat? It is not possible to live a really complete or successful life unless one is rich.Check out the most expensive things in the world. Popular as a vacation spot for Ecuadorians, this city sadly felt the effects of an earthquake in 2016, which devastated many of its buildings. This is a list of cities in the world by gross domestic product (GDP).The United Nations uses three definitions for what constitutes a city, as not all cities may be classified using the same criteria. Dallas Number of individuals with a net worth of $5 million or more: 36,515 Percentage of global population: 1.2% 9. The Imbabura Volcano is clearly visible from all three cities. You may even want some gloves and a scarf to keep warm on your way home from dinner, especially after you watch the beautiful sunset over the Cajas National Park to the west. The city experienced major economic growth between 1970 and 2004 and continues to develop industry particularly information technology. World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files. 12.31%. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, its a beautiful old-world Spanish colonial city with all the modern conveniences. Scientists and historians originally thought Europeans brought TB to the Americas 500 years ago, but growing evidence indicates this bacterial pathogen was infecting Indigenous Americans for at least 3,000 years. So, what's the richest big city in America according to the data? The city is known for its neoclassical architecture and famous residents including revolutionary leader Che Guervara and several sports stars. The country has a sizable middle class and roughly a million people who are considered upper class Ecuadorians. Situated on the banks of the Guayas River, this coastal settlement was founded in 1538 and has been an important urban centre ever since. Ecuadors economy returned to positive, but sluggish, growth. To the east of the main ranges are peaks Reventador (11,434 feet [3,485 metres]) and Sumaco (12,759 feet [3,889 metres]); the Cordillera de Cutuc, which borders the Upano valley and includes the central peaks; and the Cordillera del Cndor to the south, which borders the Zamora valley. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. You might want to live in the mountains or beside the beach whichever it is, our guide will help you make that decision. 5. What is the biggest city of Ecuador? Values are in US dollars. It's time to cast your vote, When we moved to Manta Ecuador, Amelia and I both, Real Costs of Moving to Ecuador from the United States. Founded in 1557, modern Cuencahas definitely become the center for culture and art in Ecuador. Nearest International Airport: Quito (2 hour drive). We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Rosario is also home to fine dining, shopping and several universities. If you missed the other articles, you might want to Start Here. Ibarra Ecuador Located roughly 2 hours north of Quito are three very popular expat cities: Ibarra, Otavalo and Cotacachi. We tell you exactly how to earn reliable income from anywhere in our Online Income eCourse. You wont find the same level of medical services in La Libertad as you will in Guayaquil. Popular with visitors and locals alike, the bars hot up here on weekend nights. Most of the cities in the Amazon are smaller and not nearly as developed as the other best cities to live in Ecuador for expats. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Ecuador was worth 106.17 billion US dollars in 2021, according to official data from the World Bank. In early 2018, the MORENO administration held a public referendum on seven economic and political issues in a move counter to CORREA-administration policies, reduce corruption, strengthen democracy, and revive employment and the economy. Each city has a variety of pros and cons, but you wont know what resonates with you until you live there. With daytime high temperatures from 60 to 80F (15 to 26C) and nighttime lows from 40 to 60F (4 to 15C), youll often need a jacket for more than just the rain. Guayaquil is also one of the most expensive cities in South America. Its also a great spot to meet likeminded people and develop ideas. Ecuador is the largest exporter of banana in the world. Medellin, Columbia Medellin is the second largest city in Columbia and a major economic center in the country.