Do you think it is a good idea to buy a house and move in Ecuador?

I am a US citizen. I am concerned about the cost of living, the quality of life and the value of the investment.

I know a family of americans who years moved to Quito (wife's family was from Ecuador) mainly due to a better education for their children. They moved from Virginia to Quito and the children went to the best British school there. They lead a nice life, rented a flat in Quito ( a nice big one) and bought a nice farm (or hacienda) in Cuenca. Now that the children returned to the US for College (with a superb education and high SAT scores due to the education they received in Quito), both parents are retiring to their farm in Cuenca. When I asked them about the decision, if they regret it or not, they mainly told me no, for the reason that in Ecuador they could maintain strong familiy ties which they know they wouldnt have in the US. I am not talking ill about the US, I am just repeating what they told me. And they wanted a better High School education for their children as they were quite scared of letting their children attend an american public High School.
A word of advise, if you buy in Ecuador (or any other place) try and keep a place to stay in the US (in a word, dont sell your house in the States!) as every experience is unique and you may not like living in Ecuador after all.

Only move there if you like the hot weather

I just got back from a trip to Ecuador and from what I saw you could live there very inexpensively. The drawback would be the quality of life. I did not see too much to offer. It is a beautiful country with a very poor population.

If you were looking into Quito I don't know how the housing market would be there, but further away it is cheap for land.

Their are some Yanks there already, running hostel etc. It's upto you!

My husband and I have discussed moving to Ecuador. We love it there. The climate in the mountains is fabulous. I know several American ex-pats there who are very happy. The cost of living is low, the people are wonderful and the food rocks!

I love the panda.

I would discourage South America, too unstable.

yea.

It depends on your sources of income once you are there. Like in any other SouthAmerican country, there is a lot of crime and you will not have some standards you are used to here in the US.
however, the quality of life as itself is better, in the meaning that you can have a peaceful family life and if you have the money , you can afford good cars, good housing and good schools.
You will have to be very flexible, adaptable and open minded.