Top 5 Reasons to Retire in Ecuador [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Top 5 Reasons to Retire in Ecuador
By Amber Payne

What’s your definition of “riding off into the sunset?”

For many retirees, post-employment bliss is more about getting the most out of a dollar and less about lying on the beach beneath palm trees. That's why those with limited budgets are discovering Ecuador just might be the perfect destination for life after work.

Here are five reasons the South American nation is luring retirees.

1. Stretch Your Nest Egg

By moving to Ecuador, some retirees say they can double or even triple their disposable income and live comfortably for around $2,000 a month or less. A furnished three-bedroom apartment with a view of the Andes rents for $600.

"It's a nation where, in the right communities, you really can 'upgrade' your lifestyle," said Jennifer Stevens, executive editor of International Living Magazine. "Because day-to-day living costs a fraction of what it does up north, a nest egg stretches much further."

A three-course lunch at a sit-down restaurant can cost as little as $2.50 -- and you can add a beer for just 85 cents. Plus, seniors receive discounts on public transportation and cultural events. And because Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency, it eliminates the hassle of money conversions, so you can focus on bargaining at the market instead.

More:
http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/top-5-reasons-retire-ecuador-n38526