Cost of living in Quito, Ecuador. November 2016.

"Cost of living in Ecuador" posts I wrote in 2016.
I wrote this post in February 2016, however prices at Ofelia farmer market are the same. Some produce are even cheaper today.
QuitoFarmerMarket

List of 17 products that everyone consumes daily (except in the case of the sanitary wipes that are only for women), products bought on a regular basis.
Total Price (of 17 products):
in Ecuador              $76.43
   USA                    $75.18
   Peru                    $69.37
   Colombia            $60.33
   Spain                  $60.02
ShoppingInSupermarketInEcuadorIsExpensive

Mascara, lipstick and vodka...what they have in common...
DifferenceInPricesEcuador-VS-USA

Farmacys prices for basic over the counter pills in Ecuador as of October 2016.
BasicOverTheCounterPills

Cost of basic medical care in Quito
BasicMedicalCareInQuito

Cost of utilities, association fee and property tax in Quito
QuitoUtilities

It look like prices of appliances went down in 2016.
Prices of top loading washers December 2015 VS November 2016

December 2015 Washer machine: 
Brand: Panasonic Capacity in kg: 14 Price: $800
Brand: Panasonic Capacity in kg: 16 Price: $1032
Brand: Mabe Capacity in kg: 16 Price: $950

November 2016
Brand: Electrolux Capacity in kg: 14 Price: $550
Brand: Panasonic Capacity in kg: 16 Price: $650(color white) or $770(color silver)
Brand: Mabe Capacity in kg: 16 Price: $700

Cost of appliances in Quito in 2015
CostOfAppliancesInQuitoDecember2015



2 bedroom, 1 bath, totally remodeled

Centro Historico furnished apartment for sale or rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental.blogspot.com/

http://larondacondo4sale.blogspot.com/

Cost of living in Quito, Ecuador: basic over the counter pills. Quito, October 2016.

Fybeca's prices for basic over the counter pills in Ecuador as of October 2016. Fybeca is a large, well-stocked pharmacy chain. Fybeca has toll-free line (tel. 1800/2392-322) 24 hours a day for home delivery.

Cold medicine: NEOGRIPAL $0.43 one pill. 
FybecaNeogripal

Sleeping pill: Sedorm $0.36 one pill. 
FybecaSedorm

Cough suppressant: CODIPRONT $0.45 one pill.
FybecaCODIPRONT

Sore throat relief: Oracol Fresh, $0.26 for one.
FybecaOracolFresh

Treatment of hypertension: Enalapril.
FybecaEnalapril

OXA MELOXICAM, $0.99 one pill, 
For rheumatoid arthritis, sprains, muscle strains and osteartritis
FybecaOXICAM

TRAUMEEL crema T/50 GR $14.50
FybecaTraumeel
TRAUMEEL - treatment of symptoms such as pain and inflammation caused by injuries of various types (sporting, accidents) such as sprains, strains, bruising.

Toothache: ODONTOGESIC $0.39 one pill.
FybecaODONTOGESIC

Toothache/inflammation: ODONTOCILINA $0.29 one pill.
FybecaODONTOCILINA

More info on a subject GringotreeHow-to-acquire-your-basic-over-the-counter-medication-needs-at-the-pharmacy


Cost of living in Quito-utilities

QuitoFarmerMarket

Russian farmer's products

Cost of living in Quito, Ecuador-appliances.


2 bedroom, 1 bath, totally remodeled

Centro Historico furnished apartment for sale or rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental.blogspot.com/

http://larondacondo4sale.blogspot.com/

Cost of living in Quito, Ecuador. Utilities, association fee, property tax. July 2016.

In Quito you don't need heating and air-conditioning. There is no home owners insurance in Ecuador, as far as I know, if something happens - you are on your own.
All numbers are for my two bedroom, 92 square meters (about 990 square feet) North Quito apartment, year of built - 2010.

Property tax paid in 2016  $34.55

Association fee (alicuota) $35 per month (2016)

Electric bill  $7.87
Bank commission for paying online: $0.35    
Total electric bill paid in July 2016: $8.22

Water bill  $6.57
Bank commission for paying online:  0.35
Total water paid in July 2016  $6.92 

Landline phone bill:  $11.98
Bank commission for paying online:  $0.35
Total phone bill paid in July 2016  $12.33

Centralized gas: $3- $4 per month (2016)

Fiber-optic Internet $36.40 per month (2016)



Cost of basic over the counter medicine

QuitoFarmerMarket

Russian farmer's products

Cost of living in Quito, Ecuador-appliances.

2 bedroom, 1 bath, totally remodeled

Centro Historico furnished apartment for sale or rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental.blogspot.com/

http://larondacondo4sale.blogspot.com/

Cost of living in Quito. Farmer market in Quito. Ecuador. February 2016.

Produce from the farmer market Ofelia in Quito. 

Prices as of February 2016.

Farmer cheese $2 - $2.25

Free range eggs. 25 cents each.

Drumstick-thigh combination $1.30 - $1.40 per pound

Pork $2.50 per pound

Fish Fillet $6 per pound

Whole fish $1.50 - $4 per pound, depends on what kind of fish. Sold with guts and everything.
Upon request the vendor would clean fish you have purchased.

Fresh peas 50 cents

Radish $1 for this bunch

Avocado 30 -40 cents each
Mora $1

Carrots 50 cents for this bunch

Corn $1 for this bunch

Onions 50 cents for this bunch

Garlic 50 cents for this bunch

Tomatoes. 50 cents for this bunch.

Yellow watermelon $2 each

Pineapple $1.25 - $1.50 each, depends on size

Grapes $1.25 per pound

Strawberry $1 per two pounds 

Mandarinas $1 for this bunch

Duraznos (Ecuadorian peaches) $1 for this bunch

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com  

Cost of living in Quito, Ecuador. Russian speaking farmer's products. February 2016.

Russian speaking farmers deliver their products in Quito.

If you would like to order, call 0982288987 ask Aleksei, he is fluent in Spanish

In the pictures - size of plate in diameter 10.5 inches or 26 -27 cm

Prices as of February 2016.

                                     Bread $3 for one loaf

Bread $3 for one loaf

                                     Kefir, one liter $4

Kefir, one liter $4

                                     
                                     Honey

Honey, one liter jar $10

            
                    Homemade strawberry jam Russian style - whole berries

strawberry jam, jar $4

                                      
                                     Salted / pickled herrings $10

Salted / pickled herrings $10

                                    Hot smoked trout

Hot smoked trout cost $5-$6, depends on weight

Homemade sauerkraut - one pound cost $1.50 

Homemade sauerkraut - one pound cost $1.50 

Also, they have 
Dried fish (popular with beer among Russians), 
Tvorog, a very popular and nutritious dairy product that is very similar to western cottage cheese, though most Russians will swear by tvorog.

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com  

Cost of living in Quito, Ecuador: appliances. Quito, Ecuador. December 2015.

Prices of appliances, as of December 2015, from big chain supermarket in Quito, where food, clothing, computers and appliances are sold. Discounts or sales for appliances practically don't exist at these supermarkets.

Electric tea kettle from $60 to $110

Basic coffee makers from $27 to $76

Toasters from $37 to $199

Irons: from $19 to $95

Microwave oven from $130 to $255

Cylinder vacuum cleaners from $75 to $410

Upright vacuum cleaners $190 and $290

Refrigerators:
December 2015 - top-freezer, brand: Whirpool, the capacity in liters: 612, stainless steel, Price $1700. In January 2011, at the same supermarket, I bought this refrigerator - top-freezer/Whirpool/ capacity 612 liters, stainless steel - for $1150. In US it cost around $1000 as of December 2015. 

Top-freezer, Brand: Mabe, The capacity 267 liters, Finish: white, Price $650

Top-freezer, Mabe, The capacity 618 liters, white, Price $1245

Top-freezer, Indurama, The capacity in liters: 236, white, Price $755

Top-freezer, Electrolux, The capacity in liters: 241, white, Price $730

Top-freezer, Electrolux, The capacity in liters: 424, white, Price $1350

Top-freezer, Whirpool,The capacity 263 lt, stainless steel. Price $955

Top-freezer, Whirpool,The capacity 612 lt, stainless steel, Price $1700

Side by side, Samsung,The capacity 681lt, stainless steel, Price $2470

Side by side, LG,   The capacity 681lt, stainless steel, Price $1805

French doors, Samsung, The capacity 689 liters, st steel, Price $3642

Ranges with induction stove-tops, the only type of ranges available in store. Price from $650 to $1000. It's almost impossible to buy gas range in Quito.

Washer machine:

Brand: Panasonic Capacity in kg: 14 Price: $800

Brand: Panasonic Capacity in kg: 16 Price: $1032

Brand: Mabe Capacity in kg: 16 Price: $950

Brand: Mabe Capacity in lb: 42 Price: $850

Brand: Whirpool Capacity in kg: 17 Price: $955

Brand: Whirpool Capacity in kg: 18 Price: $1084

Brand: Whirpool Capacity in kg: 22 Price: $1470

Dryers, only electrical are available

Brand: Whirpool Capacity in kg: 17 Price: $636

Brand: Whirpool Capacity in kg: 22 Price: $930

TVs:

Samsung, 40"   $1445

LG            55"   $2210

P.S. Rental apartment, utilities included, newish appliances, comfortable good quality furniture, all linens, etc, can't cost $200 - $500 per month, it's mathematically impossible.  
In Quito it cost almost twice (some household items are more than twice expensive) as in US to set up a household.


Basic over the counter medicine

Cost of living in Quito-utilities

Cost of food in Quito farmer market.

Russian farmer's products

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

$700 per month as of Dec 2015, discount for long term stay
We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com 

High pressure foam car wash in Quito. Ecuador. July 2015

Some people come to Ecuador and create jobs for themselves. Vadim M is one of them. He started business in Quito - car wash using foam blaster and high pressure water gun.

His car wash located at North-east corner of Mercado Municipal Cotocollao
From street Diego de Vasquez turn right to Bellavista and turn right to the Mercado parking.

Open Saturday - Thursday (Friday is day off)

from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

cell 0999700008 (Spanish and Russian spoken)

Facebook : Russian Technical Progress

Prices (as of July 2015) including IVA from $5 to $12, depends on size of your auto.
Services provided:

Lavado exterior con espuma (Exterior foam wash)

Aspirada interior superficial   (vacuuming car's interior)

Lavado de moquetas con espuma (foam carpet cleaning)

take a look at this pictures: car wash at Mercado Municipal Cotocollao

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Anti-noise window

Inflation and furnishing apartment or house in Quito, Ecuador. May 2015.

As I already wrote on February 9, 2015, in my blog, that appliances, furnishing, bedding, household items are more expensive in Ecuador than in US. To fully equip two bedroom apartment would cost at least five thousands or more.

http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2015/02/for-these-of-you-who-want-decent-but.html

Well, few months later, this number is outdated. Since new tariffs were announced in March 2015, everything went up, not just imported goods. Five thousands is barely enough now only for basic appliances. 

On top of this it's very confusing for the homeowner what to buy: induction stove and calefon (even subsided - substantial electric bill) or gas stove and calefon (prices doubled on Jan 1st 2015 because of the government's penalty and its becoming difficult to buy gas stove, calefon and replace gas tank).

In 2007 I spent less than $800 for brand new, all together:  four burner gas stove, NOT flat screen TV set and smallish refrigerator. 

In 2008 it took less than $500 to buy calefon (water heater) and smallish washing machine.

In 2010, price of brand new appliances: refrigerator, washing machine and six burners stove - $1550. The calefon, brand new Bosh - $350.

Right now, to buy brand new appliances: refrigerator, washing machine, calefon, stove, induction or gas, - you have to pay around $1000 each or more.

  

Price of 100% cotton bedding in Quito, basic 200 or 300 thread count, three times more what you would pay in US stores like Target or on Amazon.

Again, for these of you who want decent but cheap ($300 - $500) furnished short term accommodations in Quito - dream on.

For $200 - $300 it is not so easy to get long term unfurnished apartment in Quito as of 2015, and then you have to pay utilities and association fee on top of the rent, and for this price, most likely, it will be in less desirable location.

For $500 you might get small place for a year or more rental, with old uncomfortable furniture and appliances, neither good location, no hot water - electric shower, no internet at all or not satisfactory internet, no washing machine, etc...

Quito is not cheap anymore but still cheaper than living in big USA cities.

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com

The cost of a vet visit in Quito, Ecuador. September 2014.

My once-per-month maid cleaned my apartment recently and the same day my westie, Sashka, was licking his paws excessively to the point he couldn't step on them.

We went to the vet and he suggested that Sashka might be allergic to the cleaning substances that end up on his paws.

Sashka received injection and the vet recommended one of the below

1) to change cleaning chemicals

2) to decrease amount of chemicals

3) isolate Sashka when using these chemicals

he also proposed to use holistic remedy called "Matico Aqua" to prevent irritation.

The cost of a vet visit - $20

In 2013 the cost of a vet visit was $17, in 2010 - $15.  

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com
More photos

Real Estate and cost of utilities in Quito, Ecuador. August 2014.

For the last 5-7 years Real Estate prices in Quito gone up dramatically, almost doubled. However there is big difference having real estate in US and in Ecuador: property tax and association fee. Unless you manage to buy in gringo's development or in the areas where Ecuadorians with big money live - associations fees,alíquota, are much less here in Quito, usually in between $15 -$150, depends on location and amenities provided. In my North Quito neighborhood alíquota typically in between $50 -$70. 

Property taxes are less as well, also from $20 to a few hundreds, depends how big your dwelling is and where it's located.

There is no home owners insurance in Ecuador, if something happens - you are on your own.

Utilities:

In Quito you don't need heating and air-conditioning.

Electric bill for the most families: $10 - $20, water: $10 -$20,

gas: $5 - $15 centralized

land line cost: $8 basic and one cent per minute after few hundreds of allowed free minutes.

Cable $18 - up to almost one hundred $$ 
Internet $20 - few hundred $$

Monthly rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.
We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled
Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent. 
For booking, pictures and more info 
http://quitorental.blogspot.com  

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.
3 bedroom, 1 bath remodeled
Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.
For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental2.blogspot.com

Shopping at a farmers' market in Quito. Ecuador 2014.

My North Quito apartment is strategically located. I can walk to the shopping mall, to the neighborhood supermarket and I have not one but two farmers markets within walking distance from my apartment building. 

Ecuadorian farmer markets are not regulated as much as in nanny states, so besides produce they sell fish, poultry, pork, eggs, farmer cheese and other perishable food - without refrigeration! and consumers are still alive - imagine that!

Shopping at farmer market and neighborhoods little tiendas is a lot of fun and it saves me money.

Here is my shopping at Ofelia farmer market done in August.

I paid $24 for the food listed below

30 eggs                                   

green peas                             

three little limes                      

10 small bananas                  

five apples                             

fish steak - one pound

shelled shrimp  - one pound

pork - two pounds       

farmer cheese - 500 gr          

Monthly rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.
We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled
Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent. 
For booking, pictures and more info 
http://quitorental.blogspot.com  

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.
3 bedroom, 1 bath remodeled
Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.
For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental2.blogspot.com

  

Grocery shopping at Quito's supermarket. Part two. Ecuador, May 2014.

Whole Milk 1 liter                                          $1.08

Sour cream (crema de leche agria) 220gr    $1.68

Yogurt plain, 1 kg                                          $2.43

Organic Cacao Powder 200gr                      $2.74

Coffee beans 450 gr                                    $5.67

Coffee beans ground $500 gr                      $5.86

p.s. you can find coffee cheaper and more expensive, depends on a brand.

Pasta 500 gr                                                $1.64

Potatoes 5 kg                                              $5.41

Rice, white 2 kg                                           $2.49

Rice, brown 2 kg                                          $4.62

Potatoes chips (Lays) 174 gr                       $1.65

Loaf of bread 1 kg                                       $1.10 to $$4.50, depends on quality, commercial or artisan, etc.  

eggs, 12 of them                                          $1.90 - $2.20 depends on size

Sunflower oil   1 liter                                    $3.06

Mayo 400 gr                                                 $2.21

Coca Cola 3 liters                                        $2.03

Cocal Cola 500 ml                                       $0.65

More food prices, recent
http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2014/05/cost-of-grocery-shopping-in.html

http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2014/05/grocery-shopping-at-quitos-supermarket.html

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

3 bedroom, 1 bath remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental2.blogspot.com

     

Cost of grocery shopping in the neighborhood store (tienda) in Quito Ecuador. May 2014.

I paid $8.80 for my shopping(list below) in the little tienda located few blocks from my apartment. The cost of produce at the market and tiendas are much cheaper than Supermarket's prices, besides I can walk there.
one middle sized papaya (Ecuadorian grown - Eg)
seven small bananas            Eg
two pounds of black grapes  Eg
two chicken drumstick-thigh combination
10 mandarins                        Eg
two pounds of potatoes         Eg
five ears of corn(and you can see that it's not a GMO corn)  Eg
ten small/middle sized carrots   Eg
bunch of radishes                      Eg

I would like to add that I buy my produce from the same vendors at the Ofelia market and at the tienda and I don't bargain, because:
First - I know that it is the price for everyone, not just for me, "gringa",
Second - they always give me their best produce and yappa.
Third - I respect their hard work, my parents used to have hobby farm in Belarus, I used to work on a filed - it's not easy!

If you have questions about cost of grocery in Ecuador, send me your request, I will check the prices and publish it.
You can find my email in my other blogs

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

3 bedroom, 1 bath remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental2.blogspot.com