Expat Spotlight: Karen Standefer

Q: Where did you move from, and where do you live now?

A: I moved from the United States and currently live in Cotacachi, Ecuador.

Q: When did you arrive in Ecuador?

A: September, 2023

Q: How did you discover Ecuador, and why did you choose to relocate?

A: I found a referral on one of the Facebook expat pages. I was thinking of moving to Ecuador and thought the description of the "Crash Course" tour fit my needs perfectly.

Q: Are you fully retired, or do you work remotely?

A: Fully Retired.

Q: What is your monthly budget?

A: $1800/month

Q: How has life changed for you since moving to Ecuador?

A: My social life is much richer with opportunities to travel inside Ecuador with local people I have met. I don't worry about healthcare needs in Ecuador. My stress level is much less. I brought a horse with me from the US, so I still maintain my hobby from the US. My Social Security pays all of my bills plus allows me to travel once a quarter to visit my 95 year old mother in the US.

Q: Did you face any challenges adjusting to life in Ecuador?

A: Cultural challenges are real. It's not uncommon for most Ecuadorians that I meet to want something for me. It is difficult to form true friendships with locals because of this. You always need to be aware of your surroundings to keep from having personal belongings stolen. And, you have to be aware that most local Ecuadorians that you meet casually are likely to target you for money. You will always be seen as wealthy here, which creates challenges in how you handle personal relationships.

Q: Describe a day in your life. What keeps you busy?

A: I usually start my day by meeting friends in one of the coffee shops for coffee. Then, I typically drive to see my horses and either ride or just visit them. I return to town around 2pm and typically have a good lunch in a restaurant. After lunch, I usually get home around 4pm and take care of home chores including feeding the chickens and my other pets. I'm not a big drinker, so I don't normally go out at night, but there are plenty of opportunities to do so.

I also have a close relationship with the Kichwa family who takes care of my horses, so when I go to see my horses I frequently visit with them, and especially their two daughters who also come to spend weekends with me about once a month. Some weeks I also take tours to local interesting spots with groups from Cotacachi. And, I go for shopping trips in Quito. I own a car, so I frequently take friends to Quito to shop. You can stay as busy here as you like.

Q: Do you have any advice for other potential Expats?

A: Do not buy a house until you have lived in the place you choose to live for at least a year. And, don't be afraid to move several times until you find a community that suits you. Many expats never buy property, even if we can afford it. Ecuador has a lot of variety in places and styles of living. Try to come with an open mind and leaving the ways of your birth country back in that country. Things don't operate the same here, which is sometimes good and sometimes challenging. Embrace learning about new cultures. Ecuador is rich with culture.

If you would like to contact Karen with questions about her journey to Ecuador or life in Cotacachi, please send an email to marketing@ecuadorexpatjourneys.com and we will put you in touch!