I think a slight win to Portugal, because you can travel much easier from there to other places in Europe and the travel isn't that expensive. Travel to other countries from Ecuador is just more difficult and takes much longer. In the end, it's probably where you're going to experience your happiness the most that is best for you.
Today I would choose Portugal if I was retiring with a large amount to take advantage of (expensive) Europe. For the many retiring Americans with limited income or simply wanting to guarantee a great living standard, and family to visit in USA, generally they will choose Ecuador(Cuenca being primary). Again the crime in Cuenca is lower than most places in the US. The crime is to be taken into context; the crime in Ecuador is largely relegated to the initial stages of drug gangs turf war (so I don’t think bystanders have much to worry about) which I understand was due to ironically the original drug operators(FARC Colombian rebels) signing a peace deal with the Colombian government and giving up their operations in Ecuador territory leaving a glaring drug route vacuum. So you hear reports of desperate thugs from Venezuela for example being imported to fight the gang wars in Guayaquil et al. I’ve lived all over the US and feel safer in most places in South America.
I also would give an edge to Portugal for providing a quick pathway to citizenship (after 5 years) which allows you access to free movement and settlement in all 27 Schengen countries.
Sounds like Ecuador is really better as a place to live, and Portugal is a wonderful place to visit. Especially if you want to keep closer contact with family & friends back home in the states. Cuenca would get the win for me I think.
How do we think so much alike? Have you made any progress towards that goal? I also think that the Cuenca area may be for me. Still trying to figure out how to get my status, maybe save up a bit more money towards Residence via investment, since I need a house to live in anyway. But unlike all those nomads who go offshore, I plan to just stay put, I am not much into traveling, I don't want to se the big scary world. I probably would not even go on a tour of my new country unless new friends beg me to go with them to do that. I do not feel like I belong anymore in the has-been USA. I likely would be happier elsewhere.
For someone like me, who's into birdwatching, hiking, and all things nature-related, clear win for Ecuador. I've been to both countries and speak both languages, but Ecuador's stunning biodiversity and incredible Andean scenery far outclass anything in Portugal (or anywhere else in Europe, for that matter)--although Portugal is a very nice country with a distinctively Latin American vibe. But for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts in general, there's no place on earth as brimming with incredible ecolodges and nature preserves than the Mindo area of Ecuador, not even Costa Rica.
❤❤ completely agreed! Nothing like my beautiful hummingbirds in Ecuador specially in Mindo! In Portugal they don’t know the meaning of canopy or trees!
Plenty of stunning mountain ranges close to Portugal such as the Pyrenees, and the Alps, and for something magical Norway is a few hours flight, but as part of the EU, easily accessible. Many pristine habitats as well in Europe. This is not really about who outclasses who but what you do you prefer.
Been in Cuenca five months (thanks in large part to Amelia and JP). I felt my BP rising to defend Cuenca, which means I made the right choice! Great video as always, and cool to see so many snippets with places I now know!
Cuenca will only get more favorable for Americans if it isn’t already the choice. Expect the expat community to more than double in ten years. I’m am visiting for the first time in five days, although I am very familiar with S American culture(14 times in Peru).
@@sinnombre3855 The statistics show that easily, not optimistically, the number of expats will double in Cuenca, which will continue be a great benefit to the local community.
I chose Cuenca, and am so pleased with the expat community in this beautiful country. Knowing Spanish really enhances the experience even in Cuenca (I still feel like a beginner after three years, but I'm much more fluent than most expats I spend time with). I feel much safer here than in the US. Thanks for the video.
I know people who never would like to go back to Perú. And Perú people who left it behind and never won't return ! Therefore, don't dream too much about living in Perú
I totally agree Saudade permeates everything....do not drink the Kool Aid believing the hype. Portugal's health care system is broken ....The information you are sharing is out of date. There is a huge exodus of skilled medical staff. The cost of living is rising as is the crime unfortunately. The weather is awful in the north...endless rain, damp and mould, poorly built houses.
I just want to ask where folks are getting their information about the safety of Portugal. All the information I find doesn't put Portugal as one of the safest countries in the world. Even amongst the European countries, it's in 28th place, so how could it be the 5th safest country in the world? This statement is not to contradict the information because I'm sure you did your homework. Other people also the same thing, but I wonder where this information from. I was robbed in Portugal some years back. They got €900.00 and my passport. People are people wherever you go. We mustn't ever let our guard diown when it comes to safety. I really enjoy your videos, and I'm sorry if my comments sound negative, but I don't find Portugal all that safe.
Europe has a history, diversity, and a Social Welfare system that makes feel safe. It is not perfect but for me is the place to live. The train is great to travel within Europe. Other places are great to go on holidays and get to know other parts of the world.
Do you like the beach? Okay, both Ecuador and Portugal have beautiful beaches, but are you one of those who likes to go into the sea? If you don't like going into the water, Portugal is still just as good as Ecuador, but if you don't like cold sea water, but rather warm water, avoid Portugal and stick with Ecuador. If you want to combine the good things that both have to offer, go to Brazil.
As an Ecuadorian living in NJ I found this information about my country very accurate, like other comments mentioned it looks like Portugal would be a great option for tourism but Ecuador still is the best option for living specially after retirement
Again it depends on your particular circumstances. Do you have sufficient means to support yourself in Portugal, would you be satisfied with less space to live in accommodation-wise, or is the fear of being a victim of crime for those advancing in years so strong that Portugal appears more attractive?
Double sided sword for me: Super High Tax Rate (Portugal) vs. Safety Concerns (Ecuador). Bottom line: I would chose to take my chances in Ecuador where I would have a lot more money to live on and maybe a more stable political climate along with cherry picking the safest location to live.
I went to Ecuador for the first time 10 years ago and since then it has been my vacation destination every year. For several reasons it will be the country where I’m going to retired . Just to say that I’m Portuguese.
Thanks for the video, love you guys! As a recent Eastern Algarve Portugal resident from California, the weather here is pretty good. When we first came to scout around there was a seafood allergy event, escorted right into the emergency ward and got two injections that worked immediately plus a prescription total cost 116 euros, that would have been $3000 at least in America. If we had insurance like we do now it would have been 16 Euros. Public transportation is ON TIME when they are not striking. Crosswalks are considered sacred, so sacred people don't look when crossing, be vigilant when driving! Bikes are considered a nuisance here and are not given the same respect as a vehicle. As of most of Europe smokers will light up right next to you and puff away, and the dogs barking will drive you mad. You can visit the beaches and Spain and airfare to the rest of Europe and North Africa is what Greyhound costs! The one thing you need to be very careful about is moving somewhere where the camara/cityhall is good.
@@mecima Different areas have local goverment agencies that can be very helpful or unhelpful, you should know what one your potential home has before buying.
This is your best video to date. The only omission as far as I can see is that property to buy in Ecuador is cheaper than a comparable area on the coast in Portugal, the Algarve say.
I appreciate this video because of the common sense down to earth approach. Everyone has their own wisdom / ideas to share but i enjoyed listening to yours. Thanks.
Cotacachi Ecuador has the cleanest, purest, city water I have EVER enjoyed! Way, way, way better than USA water! Could be because our water comes from Lago Cuicocha, exceedingly clean, clear snow melt! The rest of Ecuador may have questionable water, but please do not compare your Quito-area water to every other place in Ecuador!
This was a great comparison video, but since I really like Ecuador (due to your videos) and it would be quicker to travel back to the states from, it would be in the win column for me.
Nice overview and important areas of interest to cover. The end of the NHR plan in Portugal removed it from our list. We are looking at France as our best option. They don't tax pensions, good US tax treaty, they recognize Roth IRAs and cost of living is good. It is also nicely located for us for family and activities we like.
Same here. Looking at France for the same reasons plus my wife has an uncle in Paris and my father was born in Bordeaux but I no longer have relatives there. We're looking in southern France. Places like Montpellier, Nimes, Avignon, Aix-En- Provence, Bezier, Narbonne, Toulouse. Gonna take a long time to figure out where to live. Hope you find your spot.
@@basementstudio7574 We are looking at Colmar or the Alsace region. Family in Germany but health care costs for retirees is way too expensive so Alsace keeps us close but in France. We are doing exploratory trips to make sure and will also look at the Dordogne region. We spent time criss crossing the last trip and have been a few times to help confirm the general vibe. Toulouse and Bordeaux are nice and a possibility especially for nice weather.
your required to pay taxes on you retirement income to the "payer" country, it'll be like you're living in the states as far as whatever tax bracket you fall into, defiantly not "tax free"
Be aware that France considers its own language and culture to be the pinnacle of human achievement. They refuse to accept that we anglos are superior and more interesting. You have to indulge them a little.
My wife and I are in our late 60s and have lived on the north shore of Lake Chapala for 5+ years. When you discuss healthcare and cost you have to be careful that you are young. We self fund our healthcare and my wife just had heart surgery and suffered a stroke. Not having to deal with insurance has been a godsend. This has been a worst case scenario for healthcare and we have been very pleased with the healthcare. So just talking about the comparison of health insurance is too simple especially because of your age. Thanks for doing this.
Thank you for your comment and I hope your wife makes a full recovery! As someone who wants to maybe retire in that area would you recommend it? I don’t have children so I’m also considering assisted living facilities or nursing homes there. Thank you
This was the comment I was going to write about Portugal. Friends of mine who are in their late 60's are paying $300-$500/month in Portugal depending on level of care (private system).
@@nsanenthembrane yes. Ours for 2 x adults (54-59) and 1 x teenager is €2200/year for low-medium coverage. But I have friends who have a top tier policy and over 65 years old and pay €6000/year for a couple. For us, health insurance is one of many factors in evaluating if life here is working well for us. Most of the factors are not quantifiable (how do you quantify quality of life?). Our cost of living, including taxes, is less than the US, but not significantly less. But the quality of life is off the charts better.
@@janalombardi808 thank you for responding! I had a couple questions if it’s okay-do you find that it’s hard to make local friends? Is the bureaucracy aggravating? And how is the sentiment towards foreigners right now? I read there’s some tension against Americans.
After spending three weeks in Ecuador I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Safety though is a concern. We spent our time in Cuenca, Loja and Vilcabamba and felt safe the entire time. However, there was one incident that occurred while traveling with some expat friends that involved the police of all things. After the incident we spoke with various locals about it and after listening to what happened they were of the opinion that the cops, if that's what they were and certainly looked the part, were trying to steal the car we were in.
Or more probably, you were confused. If the cops or people pretending to be cops wanted your car, they would have had it while your corpses were left in the ditch.
Hi. For me I went to 8 countries in Larin America and, although I am fluent in Spanish, I prefer the European vibes. Being close to Spain, France, Italy, etc. Is a real plus. The culture is so much richer than in Ecuador. And let's not forget wine and cheeze. Lol. Latin America is having more and more security issues. I don't like winter too that is why I think you solve a lot of questions if you change place every 3 months. I must admit that SEA is number 1 for me on most everything except English speaking and close to the family.
Ecuador produces every kind of cheese you can imagine, I've lived in several large US cities where you can find expensive European cheese, I still find more variety and better cheese in Ecuador. Security is really an issue though (in the US too), in the last few weeks Ecuador has taken important steps against corruption and drug trafficking and there will soon be a referendum which should improve things significantly.
As someone who has to an extent experienced and understands how cartels operate in US cities, it appears that the crime in Ecuador will be temporary and most importantly relegated to areas and people involved in the turf war left by the departure of the Colombian FARC rebels that controlled it but left due to a peace deal with the Colombian govt. Many of those inside Ecuador causing this new crime are from outside Ecuador. If the Ecuadorian police apply pressure when the crime goes “outside the boundaries” of the turf war, the cartels will get the message and keep their disputes between each other, continuing to largely not affect the public. I suspect however the Venezuelan thugs brought in to fight each other will create some but not a lot of ancillary crime while they are present.
Very interesting. I am not planing to move to any of those countries but like all those ratings - my vote is for Equador. Europe is nice, no doubt, but weather and good prices are of the top importance for me. Equador wins on the hose fronts so equador it is
Hola Amelia and JP! I'm in Mexico and I love living here. If someone has a large disposable income or budget and likes to travel all the time then living in Europe would be a good choice for them because you can be in multiple different counties within a single day. It's a nice place to occasionally visit but I wouldn't want to live there full time. If you enjoy simpler things along with having a nice, very affordable, not so hectic place to call home where everyone is friendly and you prefer to only travel here and there, Mexico is great place to live. European countries are so small comparatively speaking. Mexico is a large country and going to each of it's 32 states is almost like going to a different country with so much history along with places to explore in each one. Whether you like to visit newer or historically old colonial cities or explore the empty natural beauty of off the beaten path areas with forests, rivers and waterfalls everywhere, Mexico has Europe beat. It's also way more affordable to travel and more affordable stay in all of the different states you may want to visit. You could easily travel in the lap of luxury around Mexico without skimping on anything, especially places to stay, for a year and spend considerably less than half of what it would cost to do the same in Europe. In my opinion the food is better here and people everywhere here are consistently friendly compared to US citizens traveling throughout Europe. The taxes are another thing all together especially in Portugal but it is a great place to visit and surf! Buena suerte!
I started searching for a place to live outside of the US and thus, I got lucky with Amelia and JP's content. They brought me to consider Mexico as I was hell bent on Cuenca. I love mountains and nature so San Miguel and Guanajuato on now on my radar. Any advice you have will be appreciated.
@@dlwilliamson5644 I just spent time in Guanajuato and San Miguel..and preferred Guanajuato for many reasons. It's beautiful, has more outdoor cafes and activties, and is about half the price. Plus, it's a university town, so there's more of an age range in the population. Fewer expats, too.
@@kateevansnomadicwriter WOW! Dear Kate, thank you for your advice and input. I am excited about the having "more". As I am close to 60 yoa, my hot yoga and group exercise classes have become more important that outdoor cycling clubs. I will now go into research mode in Guanajuato. Thank you again for your energy and input. Dedi
I live in Spain. I have lived in Málaga. Internet is wonderful in Spain the problem is that that, in general, owners of rental places has the cheapest service available. I used to live in the US and stayed in AirB&B when came to Spain for work. I always emailed the owner before booking asking how good was the Internet service because I use ir for work. I had not problems. Now I live in Tarragona. I paid 58 euros for Internet and cell phone. I have a great service, very fast, a lot better that the one I had in the US. And cheaper!
Great information Amelia and JP! I found in the Harvard Business Review - "Where Does Your Nation Rank on Wellbeing?" In it, the annual Legatum Prosperity Index and Portugal wins over Ecuador in all categories; safety, legal rights, governance, institutional trust, living conditions, education and health just to name a few. On proximity to the US, if you google the "flight time" from Lisbon or Cuenca to NYC it is about 8hrs vs 10hrs respectably. From Lisbon or Cuenca to Dallas 13.5hrs vs 11.5hrs respectably . From Lisbon or Cuenca to LA is about same time and with all 3 routes been cheaper from Portugal, at least in January 2024... did not see that coming... As someone else mentioned... the proximity from Portugal to the rest of Europe is really priceless...
We don’t fly through New York from Ecuador to get to Texas or Kansas. That’s way out of the way. We usually go through Miami or Mexico City. Takes a lot less time.
The elites at Harvard must have left out cost of living. Why be concerned with though when you have a Harverd degree? Ecuador has no minimum wage, Europe will never be able to compete on that. For instance, a Big Mac costs $6.80 in Portugal . In Ecuador $4.08. That's a 40% lower price . Just an example.
I’ve been to over 50 countries, my girlfriend is Ecuadorian, and Ecuador 🇪🇨 is one of the 3 countries I’ve spent the most time in. Unfortunately, the safety issues in Ecuador really concern me. My girlfriend fled the country in 2023 due to the violence. My Ecuadorian lawyer friend just got robbed at gunpoint last week during the holiday at an outdoor market. 😢
I’ve been to Cuenca. I liked it there but it is so isolated. Flying into Guayaquil and taking that long ride while hoping the road won’t be closed isn’t fun. BTW I live in Florida and I think Manta is miserably hot and humid. And you are correct, don’t drink their water
@@dlwilliamson5644 I didn’t have my bike with me then. But I did the steps to Turi almost every day. It took a few days before I could do them without stopping to catch my breath
Hi! Nice to watch you again. Is that true, Ecuador is becoming rather dangerous? I followed you other there. You seemed to enjoy it a lot! Be happy wherever you feel it.
Excellent video. This really helps people who are trying to chose between countries. I would be really interested in a comparison between Ecuador and Spain.
Great episode, thanks for this comprehensive breakdown! I always say taxes are the price you pay for a civilized life. Drinkable water, reliable utilities, maintained roads, low crime, and access to European countries make Portugal a clear win over Ecuador.
Thank you for the analysis and the spreadsheet. We used it and changed the weights and added a few categories. We don’t need to ever come back to the US and we wanted access to Europe so Portugal is an easy decision for us. Great job on the video!!
Ecuador’s on my list for the land, culture, location, many other thing’s important to me. I’m keeping an eye on it’s current situation. For me, the things that pauses me about Portugal is the foods available there & the smoking.. Azores is lovely…
Can you guys please post a video advising people on current Travel safety in Ecuador. At this time, your viewers who may be considerining travel really need your knowledge and advice.
We aren’t in Ecuador right now, but we have posted to our community tab, Facebook and instagram. www.youtube.com/@AmeliaAndJP/community facebook.com/AmeliaAndJP instagram.com/AmeliaAndJP
Thanks for all the suggestions! Please compare Ecuador with Spain and Costa Rica. My family loves swimming and cycling and nature. Saving money is also important. Happy new year 🎉
You may be a sibling. We love all types of cycling, water sports and saving money. We lived in Spain and it was phenomenal and many family members moved to Costa Rica and are happier than ever (they were living in Atlanta and Chattanooga areas of US).
Hi Amelia and JP; First Happy New Year to you both! I am going to have to disagree with you on the closeness of being home (USA). You flew nonstop out of Newark NJ (EWR), the flights to Lisbon are sometimes as short as 5 1/2 to 6 hours, trust me I have done it very many times. Not even sure if there is a nonstop out of Newark to Quito anymore, so of course that means connecting in Houston or Miami to Quito or Guayaquil, then another flight to Cuenca, if that is where You are going. That is three flights as opposed to one nonstop. I do agree with you both, that it is a Tie. Both great places.
Great analysis and kudos for leading with the visa information. Many sites just talk about cost of living, housing and other factors and ignore the fact that a particular country may not have long term or sustainable residence visas. If you can't live there legally what's the point? Good job.
Tax on pensions alone is a total disqualifier for Portugal. Initially, Portugal was going to be my first choice (I even have Portuguese citizenship which was a strong weighting factor). The cancellation of NHR, ludicrously skyrocketing property prices, and local xenophobia took Portugal straight out of consideration. Ecuador had slipped down the list before the NHR change but is back on along with a few other central and South American and Mediterranean countries, but all still running a little below Argentina who is the current front-runner despite their recent political upheaval.
Hi guys.portugal can cancel the NHR thing but there is an agreement with the US to someone not be double taxed. The comparison about these 2 countries are a little subjective but you should go where you feel good.
Thanks for the comparisons of these 2 countries, Ecuador and Portugal. Clearly, I will go with Portugal especially for safety, transportation, and food.
We've considered both! Every time we watch JP and Amelia we get the itch. We researched extensively (with these helpful tools from JP and Ameilia) the idea of moving to Cuenca. We LOVE the idea, but with our age, thought it would not be the best for us. Just getting our house ready to sell and downsize to Oregon is exhausting. Okay, now we are thinking of keeping the house in Oregon AND moving to Cuenca.....hummmmm...first another visit to Ecuador. Thanks Amelia and JP!
Happi New year to you both🎉 You both are looking really good and healthy:))) Love this video and thank you 🙏 Would love it if you would do a comparison video ( like this one) with Mexico and Colombia, Mexico and Ecuador, and Colombia and Ecuador, 🙏 Im recently retired and I’m serious wanting to move abroad ( I’m bilingual Spanish and English). I’ve lived the Majority of my life Is Chicago, Illinois and New York but frankly super tired of the rat race and the fact that USA is truly unaffordable especially on a fixed income 😢I Thank you in advance and I applaud you both on you’re great work with videos🙌👏🤙:)))
The seafood, ability to actually enjoy a tropical beach, rock a heavy coat / winter sweater and live out my master & commander / Indiana Jones boyhood adventures - the only choice is ECUADOR. The only time I was ever mugged was in the USA. But I love America!
I really love that you allow to change the weights of the importance of the categories. I would continue to work and see North American clients online, so the time zone is always a deterrent in Europe. Thanks for sharing your experiences. 🤩
Ecuador just announced that overland visitors from USA will have to present a formal no crime=inal history declaration with apostille, in order to enter the country. This is a huge burden and will make the land border crossings nearly impossible. Airports do not have this requirement.
but for the mainly younger backpackers it is a huge problem as these folks will have to go back to an airport that has a flight to an Ecuadoran city. In effect, the land borders are now closed, not just for US citizens, but for everybody.@@AmeliaAndJP
Not sure how this would fit into your matrix, but noise would be a big decision-making factor for me. (Ecuador likely has too much noise pollution for my taste.)
As a Portuguese guy looking for info about Equador, I am not gonna lie or sugarcoat it, when I saw this video I was like "what on earth is this, how can be such different places be compared?" A Latin and a European country being compared?! Thing is, I watched the whole video and it was a surprise. I find it super realistic, I've been reading about Equador for around 3 years and I found out that the points made in the video are very concise and overall just a very well done video with reliable information. Equador is a tropical heaven and ex colony of Spain, its mountains host a perfect paradise and climate, Portugal is a 800 year old nation in the tip of Europe in a very temperate climate. There may be many similar things but many different. I think the video explored these points in a perfect way.
I have been doing a lot of research on Paraguay and Uruguay. They sound fantastic. Not too many videos on them. I would like a comparison on those two countries.
I have a friend who travels the world regularly. He was disappointed in Uruguay. Paraguay is more of an agrarian economy (read poor) and its healthcare is lacking.
I have friends who moved two years ago to Setabul, Portugal. They love it. The only big issue has been learning the language, but even that has gotten easier since it's been two years. They even were able to sell their first house right in town in Setabul and bought a beautiful villa complete with a small olive orchard just outside the town. They say cost of living is way better than in the USA. They love the climate and never lack from things to do and love ease of travel to other places. They say it is very friendly to expats and they have found a group of expats who were very helpful in transitioning to there. They say they have no desire to move back to the states.
@@Quidproquo1143 Thanks for the correction. My bad for not checking the correct spelling. 😜 It was late at night and I was tired - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.😆😆😆
Amazing Presentation pretty Fair I would say but for us Ecuador 🇪🇨 had won 🏆 big time the quality of Life in Ecuador is unbelievable!! Mother’s nature is everywhere from amazing Lakes, beautiful landscape, mountains 🏔️ and if you add the Galápagos Islands 🐢 is a whole new dimension only the Galapagos is a paradise on earth 🌏 as it should had been back on time!!! Another big thing is the use of US Dollars 💵 so much easier no exchange is needed that one 1️⃣ is a big blessing 🎉🎉🎉 because we realize how affordable Ecuador is!! If you add the tremendous space when you rent an apartment with an amazing 🤩view of the mountains is just unbelievable! We have 4 bedrooms a Grill area a huge balcony a terrace 4 big bedrooms for $700 is out of this world 🌍 in the US only a room is $700 this is a whole new dimension!!! For us Ecuador 🇪🇨 is the big winner 🥇 with all the money we save we can go home 4 times a year or bring both of our parents down here!!! We enjoyed 😊your video! We love you 🥰 guys!!!
I think it would be better to compare only between cities and not countries as a whole. For example, Cuenca is the safest city in Latin America for me and doesn't deserves to be put as a unsafe place because it's in Ecuador. Lisbon locals are angry at expats and are not really friendly as opposed as other people in Portugal, also petty crime is rife (got my wallet stolen by a pickpocket there).
Nice overall view, quite fair and balanced. To me, Ecuador wins, because of its closeness to home,natural beauty, culture and the fact that winter there seems easier to enjoy there than in Portugal, given that I am not a fan of the cold, plus I like that it is on the dollar system and I think Spanish is easier to learn than Portuguese, as I feel, if I am immigrating someplace, then I should be responsible and considerate enough to at least attempt to speak the language of my host country.
I really need to both check out Portugal at least once and go back to Ecuador again. I rather like four seasons and rainy weather, which is good as I live in the Pacific NW. I need to explore Cuenca more, as well as some surrounding areas. Cuenca did satisfying my need for some rainy/cool weather, too. Part of me also says "Why not both?". How easy would it be to go back and forth maybe semi-annually? I suppose that depends on how much one prioritizes a single residence vs how difficult long term rentals are to come by. It's an option I'm considering, at least for a little while, post retirement. That's still a ways off but I really do need to stay where I am for another 5-10 years to get finances ready to where I'm comfortable.
I too, am looking at the next 5-10 years. I love mountain towns and especially mountain biking so Cuenca is high on the list and long term rentals are as important as where can my trail loving dog be the happiest. I loved Spain and China and am excited about exploring a new culture and language.
Commentary on drivers: Connecticut = Dangerous and swervy. New Zealand = Safe slow and respectful. Spain = Great stopping for pedestrians but love the horn. California = OK... compared to East Coast. Japan = OK like CA.... police on every crosswalk in Osaka. Australia= OK..not great. NC = Tailgating. That's what we have witnessed so far!
Ecuador wins for us because of the tax issues and time difference for Portugal. If we had to leave Ecuador I think we would probably go to Panama or Costa Rica.
Is there any chance you folks could put bookmark tabs/chapters under the video? TH-cam editing has that feature, making it easier to jump to the spots on a video. I know it's extra work, but it would make the videos so much more user friendly. Thanks. I appreciate all your hard work.
The cool thing about Europe is you hop on a train for a few hours and you’re in a different country with different foods and different languages. I love Latin America. I love the people. But if you like to see new places and eat new foods Europe is a little better. That being said you can spend a lifetime traveling thru Mexico and never be bored
@@tinportugal4655 did not know that. I assumed you could take a train from let’s say Lisbon to Madrid ? I really enjoy using the train system in Europe.
You can take a train from Lisbon to Faro and the a bus to Seville where you can connect to the rest of Europe by train. However, not all trains are high speed and the regular trains are very slow by comparison. It was a 2 hour flight to go from Porto to Seville. The train bus option was closer to 13 hours.
@@AmeliaAndJP oh wow. Then I’d just take a cheap flight. Thought everything was connected. Good to know when I make my way to Portugal. Thanks and happy travels.
Thanks a lot for sharing. I hope - really hope - I can make it "possible" to actually live in each of these two countries when I retire...let's see....😊...hope is green 💚
my winner is mexico / colombia / italy - 4 months each. Dont stay more than 6 months to avoid being a tax resident. (pay only US taxes at 0-10%) on 401k/social security. If I didnt have 7 cats, i would likely change to Asia/Latin America/Europe (Thialand or Japan/Mexico/Italy).
Very nice comparisment. And yes you have to weight all the factors since we judge them all differently. If I would be a US cititzen and do work from home, factors like time zone and travel distance would be major factors next to the currency exchange rate. As a European I don't now so much about Ecuador, so that was interesting to me. For sight seeing, I can't emagine if culture is important however that it comes even close to Portugal: many major European Cities, are within two ours flight: Paris, London, Madrid, Rome. And many beautiful Portugese and Spanish cities within a day drive range, depending where you live in Portugal ofcourse, Madrid, Sevilla, Lissabon, Porto, Bilbao, Barcelona, the list is almost endless. If nature is more the focus then Ecuador is ofcourse incredible beautiful and will take the win. Notice also that there is a big difference in weather between North and South Portugal. In the south you hardly have winter, the temperatures are then also very mild. Eating outside in a t shirt in January is very common. But the days are surely shorter in the wintertime (and longer in the summertime). Great video with interesting points to take into account.
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I think a slight win to Portugal, because you can travel much easier from there to other places in Europe and the travel isn't that expensive. Travel to other countries from Ecuador is just more difficult and takes much longer. In the end, it's probably where you're going to experience your happiness the most that is best for you.
Today I would choose Portugal if I was retiring with a large amount to take advantage of (expensive) Europe. For the many retiring Americans with limited income or simply wanting to guarantee a great living standard, and family to visit in USA, generally they will choose Ecuador(Cuenca being primary). Again the crime in Cuenca is lower than most places in the US. The crime is to be taken into context; the crime in Ecuador is largely relegated to the initial stages of drug gangs turf war (so I don’t think bystanders have much to worry about) which I understand was due to ironically the original drug operators(FARC Colombian rebels) signing a peace deal with the Colombian government and giving up their operations in Ecuador territory leaving a glaring drug route vacuum. So you hear reports of desperate thugs from Venezuela for example being imported to fight the gang wars in Guayaquil et al. I’ve lived all over the US and feel safer in most places in South America.
I also would give an edge to Portugal for providing a quick pathway to citizenship (after 5 years) which allows you access to free movement and settlement in all 27 Schengen countries.
I agree, the access to Europe is a major factor for us.
Too much corruption. EU and NATO owned
A great presentation of both places. I think these two should be paid by Ecuador and Portugal for attracting tourism.
Sounds like Ecuador is really better as a place to live, and Portugal is a wonderful place to visit. Especially if you want to keep closer contact with family & friends back home in the states. Cuenca would get the win for me I think.
How do we think so much alike? Have you made any progress towards that goal? I also think that the Cuenca area may be for me. Still trying to figure out how to get my status, maybe save up a bit more money towards Residence via investment, since I need a house to live in anyway.
But unlike all those nomads who go offshore, I plan to just stay put, I am not much into traveling, I don't want to se the big scary world. I probably would not even go on a tour of my new country unless new friends beg me to go with them to do that. I do not feel like I belong anymore in the has-been USA. I likely would be happier elsewhere.
For someone like me, who's into birdwatching, hiking, and all things nature-related, clear win for Ecuador. I've been to both countries and speak both languages, but Ecuador's stunning biodiversity and incredible Andean scenery far outclass anything in Portugal (or anywhere else in Europe, for that matter)--although Portugal is a very nice country with a distinctively Latin American vibe. But for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts in general, there's no place on earth as brimming with incredible ecolodges and nature preserves than the Mindo area of Ecuador, not even Costa Rica.
❤❤ completely agreed! Nothing like my beautiful hummingbirds in Ecuador specially in Mindo! In Portugal they don’t know the meaning of canopy or trees!
@@belenzurita3731??? 🙄🙄
Plenty of stunning mountain ranges close to Portugal such as the Pyrenees, and the Alps, and for something magical Norway is a few hours flight, but as part of the EU, easily accessible. Many pristine habitats as well in Europe. This is not really about who outclasses who but what you do you prefer.
Been in Cuenca five months (thanks in large part to Amelia and JP). I felt my BP rising to defend Cuenca, which means I made the right choice! Great video as always, and cool to see so many snippets with places I now know!
Cuenca will only get more favorable for Americans if it isn’t already the choice. Expect the expat community to more than double in ten years. I’m am visiting for the first time in five days, although I am very familiar with S American culture(14 times in Peru).
@@bobdobb9017 Double? Not with all the real estate ads that go something like "condo for sale, fully furnished, like new, call Bob and Jane." 🤣
@@sinnombre3855 The statistics show that easily, not optimistically, the number of expats will double in Cuenca, which will continue be a great benefit to the local community.
I chose Cuenca, and am so pleased with the expat community in this beautiful country. Knowing Spanish really enhances the experience even in Cuenca (I still feel like a beginner after three years, but I'm much more fluent than most expats I spend time with). I feel much safer here than in the US.
Thanks for the video.
Good News for 2024 -> *Peru 🇵🇪 is finally offering a 365 days Nomad Visa* + possibility of being renewed for the 2° year
Thanks for sharing!
But nobody wants to live there.
I know people who never would like to go back to Perú. And Perú people who left it behind and never won't return ! Therefore, don't dream too much about living in Perú
I love Portugal. Wonderful place! And safe and beautiful I’d pick that!! No matter what
I definitely like the European vibe!
saudade makes me sad
and bacalhau gets old fast
plus the ocean is cold
I totally agree Saudade permeates everything....do not drink the Kool Aid believing the hype. Portugal's health care system is broken ....The information you are sharing is out of date.
There is a huge exodus of skilled medical staff.
The cost of living is rising as is the crime unfortunately.
The weather is awful in the north...endless rain, damp and mould, poorly built houses.
I love Portugal, but you two liking Ecuador so much certainly has me looking closer at that option. As usual, a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing.
I just want to ask where folks are getting their information about the safety of Portugal. All the information I find doesn't put Portugal as one of the safest countries in the world. Even amongst the European countries, it's in 28th place, so how could it be the 5th safest country in the world?
This statement is not to contradict the information because I'm sure you did your homework. Other people also the same thing, but I wonder where this information from.
I was robbed in Portugal some years back. They got €900.00 and my passport.
People are people wherever you go. We mustn't ever let our guard diown when it comes to safety.
I really enjoy your videos, and I'm sorry if my comments sound negative, but I don't find Portugal all that safe.
We’re referencing the Global Peace Index.
I have part of my heart with Ecuador but due to the security issues and crime rates, I choose Portugal with yhe added value to easily visit all Europe
I would factor in how quickly and inexpensively I could return home in case of an emergency or family event.
Europe has a history, diversity, and a Social Welfare system that makes feel safe. It is not perfect but for me is the place to live. The train is great to travel within Europe. Other places are great to go on holidays and get to know other parts of the world.
Do you like the beach? Okay, both Ecuador and Portugal have beautiful beaches, but are you one of those who likes to go into the sea? If you don't like going into the water, Portugal is still just as good as Ecuador, but if you don't like cold sea water, but rather warm water, avoid Portugal and stick with Ecuador. If you want to combine the good things that both have to offer, go to Brazil.
As an Ecuadorian living in NJ I found this information about my country very accurate, like other comments mentioned it looks like Portugal would be a great option for tourism but Ecuador still is the best option for living specially after retirement
I agree.
Thanks for sharing!
Again it depends on your particular circumstances. Do you have sufficient means to support yourself in Portugal, would you be satisfied with less space to live in accommodation-wise, or is the fear of being a victim of crime for those advancing in years so strong that Portugal appears more attractive?
There are 2 beautiful countries. I want to visit both Ecuador and Portugal
Double sided sword for me: Super High Tax Rate (Portugal) vs. Safety Concerns (Ecuador). Bottom line: I would chose to take my chances in Ecuador where I would have a lot more money to live on and maybe a more stable political climate along with cherry picking the safest location to live.
More stable political climate in Ecuador 😳
@@alannateresaestrella4042 Yes, with new leadership coming on board soon you never know what to expect.
I went to Ecuador for the first time 10 years ago and since then it has been my vacation destination every year.
For several reasons it will be the country where I’m going to retired .
Just to say that I’m Portuguese.
No comments since war declaration in Ecuador? No thanks, Portugal is civilized.
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Thanks for the video, love you guys! As a recent Eastern Algarve Portugal resident from California, the weather here is pretty good. When we first came to scout around there was a seafood allergy event, escorted right into the emergency ward and got two injections that worked immediately plus a prescription total cost 116 euros, that would have been $3000 at least in America. If we had insurance like we do now it would have been 16 Euros. Public transportation is ON TIME when they are not striking. Crosswalks are considered sacred, so sacred people don't look when crossing, be vigilant when driving! Bikes are considered a nuisance here and are not given the same respect as a vehicle. As of most of Europe smokers will light up right next to you and puff away, and the dogs barking will drive you mad. You can visit the beaches and Spain and airfare to the rest of Europe and North Africa is what Greyhound costs! The one thing you need to be very careful about is moving somewhere where the camara/cityhall is good.
Appreciate your comment, did not understand last sentence? thanks
what town are you in if you don't mind my asking?
@@mecima Different areas have local goverment agencies that can be very helpful or unhelpful, you should know what one your potential home has before buying.
@@craftbrewer4032 Sao Bras de Alportel
you can't put a high enough value on safety. Portugal is much safer at any tax rate, time zone or cost of living
This is your best video to date. The only omission as far as I can see is that property to buy in Ecuador is cheaper than a comparable area on the coast in Portugal, the Algarve say.
You two did a good job for making me fall in love with Equador. Lol Closer to the U.S., Visa's and weather gives it the win for me.
I appreciate this video because of the common sense down to earth approach. Everyone has their own wisdom / ideas to share but i enjoyed listening to yours. Thanks.
Cotacachi Ecuador has the cleanest, purest, city water I have EVER enjoyed! Way, way, way better than USA water! Could be because our water comes from Lago Cuicocha, exceedingly clean, clear snow melt! The rest of Ecuador may have questionable water, but please do not compare your Quito-area water to every other place in Ecuador!
This was a great comparison video, but since I really like Ecuador (due to your videos) and it would be quicker to travel back to the states from, it would be in the win column for me.
i feel a move to Portugal coming in 2024!
Nice overview and important areas of interest to cover. The end of the NHR plan in Portugal removed it from our list. We are looking at France as our best option. They don't tax pensions, good US tax treaty, they recognize Roth IRAs and cost of living is good. It is also nicely located for us for family and activities we like.
Same here. Looking at France for the same reasons plus my wife has an uncle in Paris and my father was born in Bordeaux but I no longer have relatives there. We're looking in southern France. Places like Montpellier, Nimes, Avignon, Aix-En- Provence, Bezier, Narbonne, Toulouse. Gonna take a long time to figure out where to live. Hope you find your spot.
@@basementstudio7574 We are looking at Colmar or the Alsace region. Family in Germany but health care costs for retirees is way too expensive so Alsace keeps us close but in France. We are doing exploratory trips to make sure and will also look at the Dordogne region. We spent time criss crossing the last trip and have been a few times to help confirm the general vibe. Toulouse and Bordeaux are nice and a possibility especially for nice weather.
your required to pay taxes on you retirement income to the "payer" country, it'll be like you're living in the states as far as whatever tax bracket you fall into, defiantly not "tax free"
Be aware that France considers its own language and culture to be the pinnacle of human achievement. They refuse to accept that we anglos are superior and more interesting. You have to indulge them a little.
I have been in Cuenca the past two days. It is a gem 💎 of a city.
My wife and I are in our late 60s and have lived on the north shore of Lake Chapala for 5+ years. When you discuss healthcare and cost you have to be careful that you are young. We self fund our healthcare and my wife just had heart surgery and suffered a stroke. Not having to deal with insurance has been a godsend. This has been a worst case scenario for healthcare and we have been very pleased with the healthcare. So just talking about the comparison of health insurance is too simple especially because of your age. Thanks for doing this.
Thank you for your comment and I hope your wife makes a full recovery! As someone who wants to maybe retire in that area would you recommend it? I don’t have children so I’m also considering assisted living facilities or nursing homes there. Thank you
This was the comment I was going to write about Portugal. Friends of mine who are in their late 60's are paying $300-$500/month in Portugal depending on level of care (private system).
@@janalombardi808 300-500 for health insurance?
@@nsanenthembrane yes. Ours for 2 x adults (54-59) and 1 x teenager is €2200/year for low-medium coverage. But I have friends who have a top tier policy and over 65 years old and pay €6000/year for a couple. For us, health insurance is one of many factors in evaluating if life here is working well for us. Most of the factors are not quantifiable (how do you quantify quality of life?). Our cost of living, including taxes, is less than the US, but not significantly less. But the quality of life is off the charts better.
@@janalombardi808 thank you for responding! I had a couple questions if it’s okay-do you find that it’s hard to make local friends? Is the bureaucracy aggravating? And how is the sentiment towards foreigners right now? I read there’s some tension against Americans.
After spending three weeks in Ecuador I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Safety though is a concern. We spent our time in Cuenca, Loja and Vilcabamba and felt safe the entire time. However, there was one incident that occurred while traveling with some expat friends that involved the police of all things. After the incident we spoke with various locals about it and after listening to what happened they were of the opinion that the cops, if that's what they were and certainly looked the part, were trying to steal the car we were in.
😮
Or more probably, you were confused. If the cops or people pretending to be cops wanted your car, they would have had it while your corpses were left in the ditch.
I had same experience...not safe in Ecuador😢
Hi. For me I went to 8 countries in Larin America and, although I am fluent in Spanish, I prefer the European vibes. Being close to Spain, France, Italy, etc. Is a real plus. The culture is so much richer than in Ecuador. And let's not forget wine and cheeze. Lol. Latin America is having more and more security issues. I don't like winter too that is why I think you solve a lot of questions if you change place every 3 months. I must admit that SEA is number 1 for me on most everything except English speaking and close to the family.
Ecuador produces every kind of cheese you can imagine, I've lived in several large US cities where you can find expensive European cheese, I still find more variety and better cheese in Ecuador.
Security is really an issue though (in the US too), in the last few weeks Ecuador has taken important steps against corruption and drug trafficking and there will soon be a referendum which should improve things significantly.
As someone who has to an extent experienced and understands how cartels operate in US cities, it appears that the crime in Ecuador will be temporary and most importantly relegated to areas and people involved in the turf war left by the departure of the Colombian FARC rebels that controlled it but left due to a peace deal with the Colombian govt. Many of those inside Ecuador causing this new crime are from outside Ecuador. If the Ecuadorian police apply pressure when the crime goes “outside the boundaries” of the turf war, the cartels will get the message and keep their disputes between each other, continuing to largely not affect the public. I suspect however the Venezuelan thugs brought in to fight each other will create some but not a lot of ancillary crime while they are present.
I don’t know about Ecuador, but the culture here in Mexico is richer than anything in Europe.
@@DurangoC same in Ecuador, somos los mismos
Wild take, bro.
Very interesting. I am not planing to move to any of those countries but like all those ratings - my vote is for Equador. Europe is nice, no doubt, but weather and good prices are of the top importance for me. Equador wins on the hose fronts so equador it is
Hola Amelia and JP! I'm in Mexico and I love living here. If someone has a large disposable income or budget and likes to travel all the time then living in Europe would be a good choice for them because you can be in multiple different counties within a single day. It's a nice place to occasionally visit but I wouldn't want to live there full time. If you enjoy simpler things along with having a nice, very affordable, not so hectic place to call home where everyone is friendly and you prefer to only travel here and there, Mexico is great place to live. European countries are so small comparatively speaking. Mexico is a large country and going to each of it's 32 states is almost like going to a different country with so much history along with places to explore in each one. Whether you like to visit newer or historically old colonial cities or explore the empty natural beauty of off the beaten path areas with forests, rivers and waterfalls everywhere, Mexico has Europe beat. It's also way more affordable to travel and more affordable stay in all of the different states you may want to visit. You could easily travel in the lap of luxury around Mexico without skimping on anything, especially places to stay, for a year and spend considerably less than half of what it would cost to do the same in Europe. In my opinion the food is better here and people everywhere here are consistently friendly compared to US citizens traveling throughout Europe. The taxes are another thing all together especially in Portugal but it is a great place to visit and surf! Buena suerte!
I started searching for a place to live outside of the US and thus, I got lucky with Amelia and JP's content. They brought me to consider Mexico as I was hell bent on Cuenca. I love mountains and nature so San Miguel and Guanajuato on now on my radar. Any advice you have will be appreciated.
@@dlwilliamson5644 I just spent time in Guanajuato and San Miguel..and preferred Guanajuato for many reasons. It's beautiful, has more outdoor cafes and activties, and is about half the price. Plus, it's a university town, so there's more of an age range in the population. Fewer expats, too.
@@kateevansnomadicwriter WOW! Dear Kate, thank you for your advice and input. I am excited about the having "more". As I am close to 60 yoa, my hot yoga and group exercise classes have become more important that outdoor cycling clubs. I will now go into research mode in Guanajuato. Thank you again for your energy and input. Dedi
I live in Spain. I have lived in Málaga. Internet is wonderful in Spain the problem is that that, in general, owners of rental places has the cheapest service available. I used to live in the US and stayed in AirB&B when came to Spain for work. I always emailed the owner before booking asking how good was the Internet service because I use ir for work. I had not problems. Now I live in Tarragona. I paid 58 euros for Internet and cell phone. I have a great service, very fast, a lot better that the one I had in the US. And cheaper!
Great information Amelia and JP! I found in the Harvard Business Review - "Where Does Your Nation Rank on Wellbeing?" In it, the annual Legatum Prosperity Index and Portugal wins over Ecuador in all categories; safety, legal rights, governance, institutional trust, living conditions, education and health just to name a few.
On proximity to the US, if you google the "flight time" from Lisbon or Cuenca to NYC it is about 8hrs vs 10hrs respectably. From Lisbon or Cuenca to Dallas 13.5hrs vs 11.5hrs respectably . From Lisbon or Cuenca to LA is about same time and with all 3 routes been cheaper from Portugal, at least in January 2024... did not see that coming... As someone else mentioned... the proximity from Portugal to the rest of Europe is really priceless...
We don’t fly through New York from Ecuador to get to Texas or Kansas. That’s way out of the way. We usually go through Miami or Mexico City. Takes a lot less time.
The elites at Harvard must have left out cost of living. Why be concerned with though when you have a Harverd degree?
Ecuador has no minimum wage, Europe will never be able to compete on that.
For instance, a Big Mac costs $6.80 in Portugal . In Ecuador $4.08. That's a 40% lower price . Just an example.
I’ve been to over 50 countries, my girlfriend is Ecuadorian, and Ecuador 🇪🇨 is one of the 3 countries I’ve spent the most time in. Unfortunately, the safety issues in Ecuador really concern me. My girlfriend fled the country in 2023 due to the violence. My Ecuadorian lawyer friend just got robbed at gunpoint last week during the holiday at an outdoor market. 😢
We’re hopeful the new president can improve the safety.
I'm so happy to see this comparison and to see you both! Please continue to share with us! ❤
I found your channel a couple of days ago. Ecuador has won me over. Especially being from south Texas. Texas as a whole is sleeping on this gem.
I’ve been to Cuenca. I liked it there but it is so isolated. Flying into Guayaquil and taking that long ride while hoping the road won’t be closed isn’t fun. BTW I live in Florida and I think Manta is miserably hot and humid. And you are correct, don’t drink their water
Did you get to cycle in Cuenca?
Much better to fly to Quito and then fly to Cuenca. That drive through Cajas from Guayaquil is a nail biter!
@@dlwilliamson5644 I didn’t have my bike with me then. But I did the steps to Turi almost every day. It took a few days before I could do them without stopping to catch my breath
JP I love ❤️ your glasses 🤓
They look great on you the darker frames.
Hi! Nice to watch you again.
Is that true, Ecuador is becoming rather dangerous? I followed you other there. You seemed to enjoy it a lot!
Be happy wherever you feel it.
Our Thoughts About Ecuador Right Now…
ameliaandjp.com/our-thoughts-about-ecuador-right-now/
Excellent video. This really helps people who are trying to chose between countries. I would be really interested in a comparison between Ecuador and Spain.
Great episode, thanks for this comprehensive breakdown! I always say taxes are the price you pay for a civilized life. Drinkable water, reliable utilities, maintained roads, low crime, and access to European countries make Portugal a clear win over Ecuador.
Totally agree with your connection of taxes to the public benefits.
all day long
Thank you for the analysis and the spreadsheet. We used it and changed the weights and added a few categories. We don’t need to ever come back to the US and we wanted access to Europe so Portugal is an easy decision for us. Great job on the video!!
Glad it was helpful!
I appreciated the comparison. It looks to me like which place to choose boils down to personal needs and preferences.
That was an awesome comparison. Thank you.
Hands down i I would choose Ecuador any day. I speak english and spanish fluently so to me thats a big plus
Thanks, guys.
Ecuador’s on my list for the land, culture, location, many other thing’s important to me. I’m keeping an eye on it’s current situation. For me, the things that pauses me about Portugal is the foods available there & the smoking.. Azores is lovely…
Amelia i& JP :
Tks., much appreciative.
Can you guys please post a video advising people on current Travel safety in Ecuador. At this time, your viewers who may be considerining travel really need your knowledge and advice.
We aren’t in Ecuador right now, but we have posted to our community tab, Facebook and instagram.
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Thanks for all the suggestions! Please compare Ecuador with Spain and Costa Rica. My family loves swimming and cycling and nature. Saving money is also important. Happy new year 🎉
You may be a sibling. We love all types of cycling, water sports and saving money. We lived in Spain and it was phenomenal and many family members moved to Costa Rica and are happier than ever (they were living in Atlanta and Chattanooga areas of US).
Hi Amelia and JP; First Happy New Year to you both! I am going to have to disagree with you on the closeness of being home (USA). You flew nonstop out of Newark NJ (EWR), the flights to Lisbon are sometimes as short as 5 1/2 to 6 hours, trust me I have done it very many times. Not even sure if there is a nonstop out of Newark to Quito anymore, so of course that means connecting in Houston or Miami to Quito or Guayaquil, then another flight to Cuenca, if that is where You are going. That is three flights as opposed to one nonstop. I do agree with you both, that it is a Tie. Both great places.
It depends on your starting point in the US. Ours is Texas or Kansas. That puts Ecuador much closer for us.
Thank you sooo muc for all the adventures you shared in my life , Best Wishes, ALL THE BEST 2024. May the source be with you both.
I would always pick a European location over South America, but man Ecuador looks sweet! Love those mountain towns.
Europe is nice, everything is close but nothing like the biodiversity of Ecuador
It depends on your budget I suppose. Also Brexit has made Europe less of a possibility for Brits.
Great analysis and kudos for leading with the visa information. Many sites just talk about cost of living, housing and other factors and ignore the fact that a particular country may not have long term or sustainable residence visas. If you can't live there legally what's the point? Good job.
Tax on pensions alone is a total disqualifier for Portugal. Initially, Portugal was going to be my first choice (I even have Portuguese citizenship which was a strong weighting factor).
The cancellation of NHR, ludicrously skyrocketing property prices, and local xenophobia took Portugal straight out of consideration.
Ecuador had slipped down the list before the NHR change but is back on along with a few other central and South American and Mediterranean countries, but all still running a little below Argentina who is the current front-runner despite their recent political upheaval.
Spot on!!!
Spot on assessment for Portugal issues in 2024.
Health care has plummetted sadly.
Hi guys.portugal can cancel the NHR thing but there is an agreement with the US to someone not be double taxed. The comparison about these 2 countries are a little subjective but you should go where you feel good.
Ecuador because of low taxation and better weather also Spanish language. 😅
Thanks for the comparisons of these 2 countries, Ecuador and Portugal. Clearly, I will go with Portugal especially for safety, transportation, and food.
We've considered both! Every time we watch JP and Amelia we get the itch. We researched extensively (with these helpful tools from JP and Ameilia) the idea of moving to Cuenca. We LOVE the idea, but with our age, thought it would not be the best for us. Just getting our house ready to sell and downsize to Oregon is exhausting. Okay, now we are thinking of keeping the house in Oregon AND moving to Cuenca.....hummmmm...first another visit to Ecuador. Thanks Amelia and JP!
Thanks! Happy to help!
Spain ( Catalonia excepted ) better than Portugal in any case. Never been to Ecuador but I would favour it since I speak SP and not PT
Happi New year to you both🎉 You both are looking really good and healthy:))) Love this video and thank you 🙏 Would love it if you would do a comparison video ( like this one) with Mexico and Colombia, Mexico and Ecuador, and Colombia and Ecuador, 🙏
Im recently retired and I’m serious wanting to move abroad ( I’m bilingual Spanish and English). I’ve lived the Majority of my life Is Chicago, Illinois and New York but frankly super tired of the rat race and the fact that USA is truly unaffordable especially on a fixed income 😢I Thank you in advance and I applaud you both on you’re great work with videos🙌👏🤙:)))
The seafood, ability to actually enjoy a tropical beach, rock a heavy coat / winter sweater and live out my master & commander / Indiana Jones boyhood adventures - the only choice is ECUADOR. The only time I was ever mugged was in the USA. But I love America!
Great video!!! Thanks. You’re the best.
I really love that you allow to change the weights of the importance of the categories. I would continue to work and see North American clients online, so the time zone is always a deterrent in Europe. Thanks for sharing your experiences. 🤩
Ecuador just announced that overland visitors from USA will have to present a formal no crime=inal history declaration with apostille, in order to enter the country. This is a huge burden and will make the land border crossings nearly impossible. Airports do not have this requirement.
I don't see how this is a major issue. Most people from the US enter by air, not land.
but for the mainly younger backpackers it is a huge problem as these folks will have to go back to an airport that has a flight to an Ecuadoran city. In effect, the land borders are now closed, not just for US citizens, but for everybody.@@AmeliaAndJP
Not sure how this would fit into your matrix, but noise would be a big decision-making factor for me. (Ecuador likely has too much noise pollution for my taste.)
Thank you!
Excellent information, thanks.
As a Portuguese guy looking for info about Equador, I am not gonna lie or sugarcoat it, when I saw this video I was like "what on earth is this, how can be such different places be compared?" A Latin and a European country being compared?! Thing is, I watched the whole video and it was a surprise. I find it super realistic, I've been reading about Equador for around 3 years and I found out that the points made in the video are very concise and overall just a very well done video with reliable information.
Equador is a tropical heaven and ex colony of Spain, its mountains host a perfect paradise and climate, Portugal is a 800 year old nation in the tip of Europe in a very temperate climate. There may be many similar things but many different. I think the video explored these points in a perfect way.
Thanks!
I have been doing a lot of research on Paraguay and Uruguay. They sound fantastic. Not too many videos on them. I would like a comparison on those two countries.
I have a friend who travels the world regularly. He was disappointed in Uruguay. Paraguay is more of an agrarian economy (read poor) and its healthcare is lacking.
Nothing beats safety.
Portugal for sure
Also, infrastructure, healthcare, etc
I’m deciding between Mexico and France and it’s not much different between your comparison of Portugal and Ecuador.
How will the language factor in your decision? Thank you for your consideration.
Mine is italy or mexico, spain. People can try and country in the eu. Once your there a little bit you can go to a different eu country if you want to
We spent a week in Buenos Aires Nov 22 and loved it. If you use the Blue conversion it was very affordable.
Really useful video. Thank you.
I have friends who moved two years ago to Setabul, Portugal. They love it. The only big issue has been learning the language, but even that has gotten easier since it's been two years. They even were able to sell their first house right in town in Setabul and bought a beautiful villa complete with a small olive orchard just outside the town. They say cost of living is way better than in the USA. They love the climate and never lack from things to do and love ease of travel to other places. They say it is very friendly to expats and they have found a group of expats who were very helpful in transitioning to there. They say they have no desire to move back to the states.
They have money, amazing how that makes thing easier.
Setúbal.
@@Quidproquo1143 Thanks for the correction. My bad for not checking the correct spelling. 😜 It was late at night and I was tired - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.😆😆😆
Kinka sounds very nice! No heating or cooling, wonderful
I was team Portugal , until you stated , my pension would be taxed…. I guess I’m team Georgia , USA where my pension is untaxed 😐
Paying a lot more for healthcare in the US will eliminate those tax savings though.
Government pensions are not taxed.
Portugal is dirt cheap, and safe, so its no brainier when comparing to Ecuador. Great video
I vote for Ecuador...they use the dollar and have a warmer climate and better fresh fruits.
Melhores frutas frescas do que Portugal? So se forem frutas tropicais que é natural..
Em relação a outras frutas você não deve conhecer Portugal
Amazing Presentation pretty Fair I would say but for us Ecuador 🇪🇨 had won 🏆 big time the quality of Life in Ecuador is unbelievable!! Mother’s nature is everywhere from amazing Lakes, beautiful landscape, mountains 🏔️ and if you add the Galápagos Islands 🐢 is a whole new dimension only the Galapagos is a paradise on earth 🌏 as it should had been back on time!!! Another big thing is the use of US Dollars 💵 so much easier no exchange is needed that one 1️⃣ is a big blessing 🎉🎉🎉 because we realize how affordable Ecuador is!! If you add the tremendous space when you rent an apartment with an amazing 🤩view of the mountains is just unbelievable! We have 4 bedrooms a Grill area a huge balcony a terrace 4 big bedrooms for $700 is out of this world 🌍 in the US only a room is $700 this is a whole new dimension!!! For us Ecuador 🇪🇨 is the big winner 🥇 with all the money we save we can go home 4 times a year or bring both of our parents down here!!! We enjoyed 😊your video! We love you 🥰 guys!!!
Thanks for sharing 😊👍🇪🇨
Thank you! This is very informative.
I think it would be better to compare only between cities and not countries as a whole. For example, Cuenca is the safest city in Latin America for me and doesn't deserves to be put as a unsafe place because it's in Ecuador. Lisbon locals are angry at expats and are not really friendly as opposed as other people in Portugal, also petty crime is rife (got my wallet stolen by a pickpocket there).
Nice overall view, quite fair and balanced. To me, Ecuador wins, because of its closeness to home,natural beauty, culture and the fact that winter there seems easier to enjoy there than in Portugal, given that I am not a fan of the cold, plus I like that it is on the dollar system and I think Spanish is easier to learn than Portuguese, as I feel, if I am immigrating someplace, then I should be responsible and considerate enough to at least attempt to speak the language of my host country.
I really need to both check out Portugal at least once and go back to Ecuador again. I rather like four seasons and rainy weather, which is good as I live in the Pacific NW. I need to explore Cuenca more, as well as some surrounding areas. Cuenca did satisfying my need for some rainy/cool weather, too. Part of me also says "Why not both?". How easy would it be to go back and forth maybe semi-annually? I suppose that depends on how much one prioritizes a single residence vs how difficult long term rentals are to come by. It's an option I'm considering, at least for a little while, post retirement. That's still a ways off but I really do need to stay where I am for another 5-10 years to get finances ready to where I'm comfortable.
I too, am looking at the next 5-10 years. I love mountain towns and especially mountain biking so Cuenca is high on the list and long term rentals are as important as where can my trail loving dog be the happiest. I loved Spain and China and am excited about exploring a new culture and language.
@@dlwilliamson5644 Glad to hear you like china 🇨🇳
Thanks for a great video. I have to ask the most important question though; what's your favorite chocolate in Cuenca? Cheers to you both, Bob
Paccari for sure 🎉
Definitely Paccari 😋
Commentary on drivers: Connecticut = Dangerous and swervy. New Zealand = Safe slow and respectful. Spain = Great stopping for pedestrians but love the horn. California = OK... compared to East Coast. Japan = OK like CA.... police on every crosswalk in Osaka. Australia= OK..not great. NC = Tailgating. That's what we have witnessed so far!
Thank you for the video! Which restaurant in Quito just won the pastry chef award?
@@christy9850 Neuma Restaurante. Pía Salazar
Ecuador wins for us because of the tax issues and time difference for Portugal. If we had to leave Ecuador I think we would probably go to Panama or Costa Rica.
Have you thought about Nicaragua? I hear good things about that country.
@@christopherhouse7937I’ll do my usual research and see what the pros and cons are.
Is there any chance you folks could put bookmark tabs/chapters under the video? TH-cam editing has that feature, making it easier to jump to the spots on a video. I know it's extra work, but it would make the videos so much more user friendly. Thanks. I appreciate all your hard work.
It’s extra work and it reduces our average view duration which is bad for the algorithm and lowers our discoverability so we get fewer views.
The cool thing about Europe is you hop on a train for a few hours and you’re in a different country with different foods and different languages. I love Latin America. I love the people. But if you like to see new places and eat new foods Europe is a little better. That being said you can spend a lifetime traveling thru Mexico and never be bored
@@tinportugal4655 did not know that. I assumed you could take a train from let’s say Lisbon to Madrid ? I really enjoy using the train system in Europe.
You can take a train from Lisbon to Faro and the a bus to Seville where you can connect to the rest of Europe by train. However, not all trains are high speed and the regular trains are very slow by comparison. It was a 2 hour flight to go from Porto to Seville. The train bus option was closer to 13 hours.
@@AmeliaAndJP oh wow. Then I’d just take a cheap flight. Thought everything was connected. Good to know when I make my way to Portugal. Thanks and happy travels.
Trains in Europe suck compared to China's.
@AmeliaAndJP maybe one day you will have a chance to experience travel with trains in China, Europe is decades behind in that regard.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
I hope - really hope - I can make it "possible" to actually live in each of these two countries when I retire...let's see....😊...hope is green 💚
my winner is mexico / colombia / italy - 4 months each. Dont stay more than 6 months to avoid being a tax resident. (pay only US taxes at 0-10%) on 401k/social security. If I didnt have 7 cats, i would likely change to Asia/Latin America/Europe (Thialand or Japan/Mexico/Italy).
Good choice, because if one of those cats got out, the only place you would find it is on the menu. 😁
FYI, I was in Braga, Portugal and guess what? They have an Ecuadorian Chocolate Shop there. Very classy and tasty. :)
They have one in Porto, too. 😊
Great video,
you should also look into Poland and Hungary...
Cheers
Very nice comparisment. And yes you have to weight all the factors since we judge them all differently. If I would be a US cititzen and do work from home, factors like time zone and travel distance would be major factors next to the currency exchange rate. As a European I don't now so much about Ecuador, so that was interesting to me. For sight seeing, I can't emagine if culture is important however that it comes even close to Portugal: many major European Cities, are within two ours flight: Paris, London, Madrid, Rome. And many beautiful Portugese and Spanish cities within a day drive range, depending where you live in Portugal ofcourse, Madrid, Sevilla, Lissabon, Porto, Bilbao, Barcelona, the list is almost endless. If nature is more the focus then Ecuador is ofcourse incredible beautiful and will take the win. Notice also that there is a big difference in weather between North and South Portugal. In the south you hardly have winter, the temperatures are then also very mild. Eating outside in a t shirt in January is very common. But the days are surely shorter in the wintertime (and longer in the summertime). Great video with interesting points to take into account.
Does the near 8,000 feet in elevation of Cuenca have any drawbacks for anyone? We live in Portugal ……
You can get altitude sickness maybe?
Please, get some nice mics. I love your channel, but your audio quality really needs improvement.
We just bought new mics. We used them for the next video. 👍
Hmmm I thought it sounded perfect:)@@AmeliaAndJP
Great vid tks!