Housing Market in Quito: Renting vs. Buying Trends (and why I’m seriously considering a hammock)
okay, so like, i’m running on three hours of sleep and a serious caffeine drip, but i gotta talk about Quito. seriously. it’s… intense. i’ve been here for, like, six weeks now, bouncing around, trying to figure out if this whole ‘expat life’ thing is actually a scam or if it’s just a really elaborate, slightly overpriced Instagram filter. and the housing market? it’s a whole other level of weird.
seriously, the weather’s been… schizophrenic. one minute it’s like, a humid, clinging blanket, the next it’s this weird, dry heat that makes you feel like you’re slowly melting. it’s like the Andes are having a bad mood. and the neighbors? they’re…loud. like, really loud. but in a good way, you know? everyone’s just vibing, playing music, yelling at each other in Spanish - it’s a beautiful chaos. i heard from a guy at the hostel (yeah, the really sketchy one near La Ronda - don’t ask) that the rain season is coming, and it’s basically a month of biblical downpours. so, like, plan accordingly.
Okay, let’s get down to brass tacks. I’ve been digging through Numbeo and some local Reddit threads (r/quito - it’s surprisingly active, btw) and the numbers are… unsettling. Renting a decent one-bedroom apartment in La Mariscal or Nueva Inti is averaging around $400-$600 a month. That’s not terrible, but it’s definitely eating into my budget. Buying? Forget about it. You’re looking at a minimum of $120,000 for a small place, and that’s if you’re lucky. And property taxes? Don’t even get me started.
*Cost of Living Breakdown (Rough Estimates - as of Oct 26, 2023)Item Cost (USD) Notes Rent (1BR) $450-$600 La Mariscal, Nueva Inti Groceries $200-$300 Depends on your eating habits Utilities $50-$80 Electricity can be pricey Transportation $50-$100 Uber/Taxis, occasional bus ride Internet $30-$50 Good speeds are available Entertainment $100-$200 Drinks, museums, exploring
Drunk Advice #1 (from a guy named Ricardo at a bar in the Old Town): “Don’t buy. Rent. Seriously. Unless you’re a millionaire. And even then, maybe don’t.” Ricardo also spilled beer on my shirt.
Overheard Gossip #1 (from a barista at a cafe in the trendy Alborada neighborhood): “The market’s going up, but it’s mostly investors. Locals are getting squeezed. It’s a weird situation.”
I’ve been talking to a few freelance photographers (because, you know, I’m trying to network) and they’re saying the job market for expats is… patchy. Lots of digital marketing gigs, but not a ton of high-paying creative work. I’m mostly doing portrait work and some street photography - it’s paying the bills, but it’s not exactly funding my next backpacking trip. Check out some local photography gigs on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/
Overheard Gossip #2 (from a street artist I met near Plaza Foch): “Buying is a trap. Just rent. You can always upgrade later. Plus, the government keeps changing the rules. It’s a headache.” He was covered in spray paint and looked deeply suspicious.
Honestly, I’m leaning towards renting for now. I’m picturing myself with a hammock, a stack of books, and a constant supply of café de olla. It’s a simpler life, you know? Less stress. Less paperwork. More time to wander around and get lost in the streets. Plus, I’ve heard there are some amazing weaving workshops happening outside the city - a short flight away to Otavalo.
Pro-Tip: If you’re serious about buying, do tons of research. Talk to multiple real estate agents (but be wary - some are definitely more interested in commissions than your best interests). And seriously, don’t trust anyone who offers you a “too good to be true” deal.
Resource: Check out this TripAdvisor guide for things to do in Quito: https://www.tripadvisor.com/
And for the truly adventurous, there’s always r/quito on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/quito/
Okay, I’m officially out of energy. Gotta go find a decent cup of coffee. Seriously, the coffee here is amazing. Like, really amazing. It’s a whole religion.
Final Thought: Quito is… a lot. But it’s also beautiful, vibrant (okay, maybe not vibrant*, but definitely interesting), and full of surprises. Just be prepared to embrace the chaos. And maybe invest in a good rain jacket.
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/housing-market-in-bursa-renting-vs-buying-just-my-two-cents-and-maybe-a-few-cocktails
- https://topiclo.com/post/the-real-cost-of-utilities-and-bills-in-salvador-a-freelance-photographers-lament
- https://topiclo.com/post/local-etiquette-and-traditions-how-not-to-offend-people-in-alexandria
- https://topiclo.com/post/demographics-of-namangan-who-lives-here-in-2026
- https://topiclo.com/post/is-bamako-overrated-a-barflys-reality-check