At 31, he retired early, left the US for Ecuador, finding cheaper life and more time with baby

A savings goal met early

Osagie, now 32, says he began saving and investing after graduating in 2016. He spent nearly a decade in finance, most recently as a finance manager for Amazon, and the couple chose to live within or below their means.

Their FIRE target was $350,000, based on the income they believed they needed for their desired life. Osagie says he had reached that figure by 2022, but continued working until the prospect of becoming a father changed his priorities.

He worked nine to 12 hours a day and wanted to be a fully present parent. He resigned in January, a month before the family moved, describing the decision as bittersweet because he enjoyed parts of corporate life.

Choosing Ecuador and Cuenca

The family could have retired early in the US, Osagie says, but weighed more than cost of living. They also considered quality of life, education for their child, and what life might be like for them as a Black family.

Their research included Cape Town, Montevideo in Uruguay, and Arequipa in Peru. At his wife's suggestion, they visited Ecuador in November 2025 and quickly felt it was right for them.

They settled on Cuenca, which Osagie describes as a large city with a small-town feel. During the visit, they explored apartments, hospitals, furniture and appliance prices, and the city, while making friends at coffee shops.

A move with practical trade-offs

The couple moved in February after selling and donating belongings from their home. They had connected with a realtor and secured an apartment before arriving. In the US, they paid about $300 each per month for health insurance. In Ecuador, they pay for care as they go, saying insurance and out-of-pocket expenses are similar; baby doctor visits average about $50 a month.

Being thousands of miles from family is difficult, particularly as first-time parents without nearby help from their parents. Osagie says they can afford resources they could not justify in the US, including night nurses five nights a week at $44 per night.

More time with their daughter

Osagie says the move has brought him freedom and more time with his daughter. He also has room to explore side projects. The choice was shaped by the life the couple wanted, not just lower expenses. For Osagie, leaving work before his daughter arrived meant giving more of his time to family.