Nice.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@stevefisktraveler1856

2 жыл бұрын

@@DonShader hello i bought a lot in puerto cayo after all the negative ?on you tube .come join me in a new adventure .

Great video! Re the security deposit, perhaps negotiate in the lease that it be returned in cash. This language could work: "La devolución del depósito (fianza) se hará en efectivo". Though every lease I had in Mexico and Colombia said I could not use the deposit for the last month's rent, I was able to do that by just talking to the landlord the month before I left. It pays to get along well with the landlord and all the locals. A good conversation starter is to just ask the person about his family and kids. Never, ever, criticize the country and its people even if the locals do.

Thanks Don - Just got our "hydro" bill in Canada. Last month with no air running, electric stove and dryer (natural gas furnace) cost $166. Nuts, but exploring retirement in Equador soon! Cost of living in Canada has gotten out of control.

@DonShader

Жыл бұрын

Sorry to have to spring this on you but my last months gas bill was $6.70, my electric bill was $21, and my 200MB fiber internet was $34.95. It's brutal. Oh, and I get a little over 16,000 TV channels for $11.

"Extravagant"

Don! It's great to see you (as always)! Great questions for Stella, and I enjoyed her answers. Like many, I am sure, my wife and I are considering Cuenca and Manta as our ultimate destination. We really appreciate this video!

Thanks again for the valuable information.

When it comes to the damage deposit, don't count on ever seeing that again. We didn't use an agent as Don suggests, so that may be better. We had a contract though with two places. We took very good care of both and even had one repainted inside. We never saw a dollar of that deposit upon departure at the lease end date. They claimed all kinds of damage that was not there. We planted flowers and created a pretty little garden at one (with permission). They claimed they needed our deposit to pay someone to get rid of the garden. Ecuador is notorious for landlords not returning these deposits. So, unless you have an advocate like Don, be careful about how much is expected for you to put down and be aware, you may not get it back. There is little you can do if you don't. I also recommend you do a thorough video walk through with the agent or owner before moving in. Be sure they are in the video. Especially, focus on anything that has an issue; pealing paint, scuff marks, leaky faucets, dirty appliances, showers, etc.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately, as sad as it is to say, I've heard of this happening to others. I got mine back from my last apt without any issue and I've watched Stella return deposits to other renters she helped. I don't know what else to say other than there are some people here with no sense of accountability or responsibility.

I am really enjoying your video's. I'm hopefully working my last job in IT (57).....I saw your REDHAT bag in one of your video's. Happy for you & Stella :)

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

I was a Red Hat administrator at American Airlines when I finally retired. Now I have Linux Mint installed on a small desktop HP all-in-one and I use it for my media server (Plex). Works great.

Thanks Don Shader.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

Very welcome

Hey Don , thanks for your great vids. My question is for a new exploratory visitor who may want to move around to differernt regions like I intend to - what are options for daily or weekly rates like?

@waynewhite2314

2 жыл бұрын

Also it would be cool to meet u for bfast...when i get to Manta.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

About the only thing you can do is find Airbnb's. They're everywhere but don't count on them all being as advertised. I can tell you a lot of horror stories about some around here.

Very informative video, Don. Thanks! I can't believe people still smoke these days. Yuck.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

I know, right?

Hi Don: Please ask Estella if she has none smoking buildings in Monta?

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

I'll ask her but smoking is fairly rare here. It seems that I attract smokers wherever I go. But being out in public and even down on the beach, you rarely encounter smokers.

Hey Don good stuff. I recently joined three of Mark's groups following your interview several days ago. He also reached out and we spoke on the phone for some time. Thank you for that connection. On one of the sites folks were talking about the approaching deadline on the "Declaracion Patrimonial". In almost 10 years of following expats, like yourself, I have never heard of this. From conversation I gather that this is new. It seems to be a wealth tax imposed by Ecuadorian government on expat residents? Could you find out more including amounts, fines and enforcement? Thanks for all you do.

Gonna be offering new apartments in the quieter nicer side of Manta in the coming months. Would love for you to see them.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

I would like to see that myself. Please keep me informed.

BTW 1 blogger has said when they go to the ATM & withdrawal their rent money from their account they Deposit it directly into the owners account while standing at the same ATM. Have you heard of it working that way there? That sounds very convenient to me.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, some owners will do that but not all of them. Every owner is different.

@tomsaxton970

2 жыл бұрын

Very common here.

Thanks. Great info and perspective. I can't imagine coming there as a newbie and buying right off the bat. Also I cant imagine bringing a big container full of "stuff". Surely you got that great property and price because of your celebrity status, or perhaps your carefully styled hair? You said your COPD prevents living in Cuenca. Does that mean your move is off?

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

Not necessarily. That depends on the results of my tests here in Manta. If my doctor okay's it, I'm there. I wish I could find that celebrity status. :-)

@whacked00

2 жыл бұрын

@@DonShader Hoping you get a favorable diagnosis - regardless of whether you move or not. that does not sound like fun.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

@@whacked00 Thanks John.

Yes, your hair is combed. I actually did a little Eddie Murphy giggle when you said that.

Great video Don, thank you. Let me know if we need to visit with the smoker.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

Sounds good!

I need a place by January 2023, any chances of getting a nice place at a great price?

@DonShader

Жыл бұрын

I have no clue. You should talk to a realtor.

Saint Stella!

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

A lot of people around here call her Mama Stella.

Hi Don how about a follow up on the egg throwing situation?

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

It's died down. Enough people have talked to this guy that I thinks he's finally realized he was wrong but he isn't man enough to come forth with an apology. The guy that actually threw the eggs has returned to his home land.

Are most condos pet friendly? I have 2 small dogs, and want to know how hard it will be to rent in Manta.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

It varies. Most are pet friendly but there are quite a few that are not. I don't think most owners care either way to tell ya the truth.

Hi Don! Use that water bucket one day! You are hilarious! Love the intro to your videos!

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much

Hola/Hi Don. Ostensibly, you have decided not to move to Cuenca? Whatever you decide, all the best.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

The decision hasn't been completely made just yet.

If you have done your research, and are okay with the area, decided it's where you want to be: (accepting the bad with the good) is there any reason NOT to buy a condo with a great ocean view? I appreciate these videos and the interview with Mark, but I sense a red flag with making such a purchase in Manta. I've noticed several long term expat residents who live and work in Manta have also not purchased a property. But then again we've witnessed a 500k purchase on a whim and watched several properties sell within 3 months. I understand being sure of what you're getting into, but is there something we are missing? Thanks for your info and the videos Don.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

YES! You are missing something, maybe not YOU specifically, but historically, people have come here, bought property, and when the honeymoon was finally over, they realized this isn't the place for them and they want to leave. They discover they can't handle the noise, rudeness, disrespect, corruption, and the language so they pack up and bail. Then they try to sell their property, only to have it sit on the market for months or longer. Ecuador is NOT for everyone as so many KZreadrs like too preach that it is.

Don, forgive me if you've answered this before, but did you move to Ecuador sight unseen, or did you visit first? If so could you maybe cover what things you might want to do for an exploratory trip before moving to Ecuador. Thanks.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

I'm going to answer this in a video if you don't mind. May I have permission to mention your name?

@force10jc

2 жыл бұрын

@@DonShader Answering in video would be awesome. Please do so.

Totally get the rent a place first! What's best for the individual. At this point, I have no interest in buying a place. I'm really over all the responsibility of home ownership. As to Credit score, credit score in your home country doesn't mean a dang thing outside of the US.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

That is so true. Thank you.

Wire transfers are an option in Ecuador.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! Within the country.

@ele5011

2 жыл бұрын

@@DonShader also outside but it has fees, usually high...

Hey Don, this is Solon from Houston, TX. and I've completed my exploratory trip to Cuenca, and appreciate you Manta rental market information, Do you plan to do a further interview on rentals in Cuenca, as i'm moving to Cuenca as soon as my Pensioner's VISA is OK'd and I sell my Houston house. To what extent do you beleive th Manta market is similar to that of Cuneca?

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Solon, If I do settle in Cuenca, I will definitely do some videos on the rental market there.

Oh shit, the camera is still on, LOL. It sounds like you need a trustworthy local agent to rent as much as you need one to buy, if not more so. In Canada and the US the details of the deal are almost always set by law in local ordinanaces, with consequences for transgressions by either landlords or renters. In a new country, it is good to have a local advocate! Even if someone is absolutely certain they want to live the rest of their lives in Manta, and they are right, they still have to pick a neighbourhood. That requires a level of familiarity that cannot be gained in a week or two visit.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

You are so right on all counts my friend.

never buy in an earthquake zone.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

Well I guess that leaves you out for most of the west coast of LATAM and Central America, and I guess the California coast for that matter.

@petermartell568

2 жыл бұрын

@@DonShader just rent

I was told that you MUST use your deposit for your last month's rent because the landlords steal your deposit......always.

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

Somebody terribly misled you.

@relicofgold

2 жыл бұрын

@@DonShader Thanks Don.

was stella shy or was she surprised to have the camera 2 inches from her nose?? 🤣

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

She is extremely camera shy, I think. But it's very difficult catching her with free time.

Okay; my question is very important...Where's Mr. Parker? (LOL) I haven't seen him in the past 2 videos...Did someone kidnap him or is he on time out?... (LOL) Another question; I thought you were moving to Cuenca...Change of heart? I have settled on Cuenca and that's the only city I am interested in. BTW; I loved the Blooper; I hate smoke also.... Have a good one my friend!!! Ciao....Micki

@davidc1961utube

2 жыл бұрын

Watch to the end. Mr. Parker is there!

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

He's actually in the video I posted yesterday. You just gotta find him and you may not see all of him. He's right there in front of you. The jury is still out on the move to Cuenca. I need to have a serious talk with my doctor first. :-)

@MichelleMickiGresham

2 жыл бұрын

@@davidc1961utube I saw him at the end...he's always there, but Don usually has him somewhere in the picture when doing his videos...usually up over his left shoulder. It was just an observation. I like "Mr. Parker" too.

I looked good in your video! ha, ha

@DonShader

2 жыл бұрын

Yes you do, like a KZread Super Star!

Keep your cigarette smoke. And get off my lawn you damn kids.

It's no wonder your channel's growing with captain Don at the helm. Hit that smoker upside with an egg.