When we first arrived in Paraguay, we were hopeful, determined — and completely new to everything. Our Spanish was basic, our cultural understanding limited, and our daily interactions often powered by Google Translate. We started out in a luxury resort — not because we were living lavishly, but because it was one of the few places we could book from abroad with some peace of mind, and we wanted to celebrate our new move with a bit of style.
Soon after, we stepped down to a modest three-star hotel, where we stayed for about a month while searching for our first long-term home. Options for our temporary accommodations were limited at the time, as Airbnb was not yet operating in Paraguay, as it does today. It was a whirlwind of learning, adjusting, and navigating daily life with a baby in tow and a phone full of translated phrases.
We’ve been here. We’ve done the work. And we’re still doing it.
Searching for a Home — and a Way to Get There
At the same time, we were also hunting for a vehicle. Back then, Uber, Bolt, and other rideshare apps didn’t operate in Paraguay. It was either bus or taxi — and with a baby, a bus wasn’t ideal. We needed some wheels.
We dove into the Paraguayan used car market, learning the difference between todo original (all original parts and steering position) and cambio de volante (steering wheel converted from right-hand drive, usually imported from Japan). Eventually, we bought our first vehicle — a 1997 JDM Nissan Terrano, a cambio de volante adventure on wheels.
With that, we were mobile. And soon after, we heard through word-of-mouth from brothers of our church about a modest little house just thirty minutes outside of Asunción. We met the owners, dealt with them directly, and signed a one-year lease — all with no residency status, just our U.S. passports as ID.
It was a two-bedroom, one-bath home with a postage-stamp for a front yard and no rear. But it was ours!!! Our first Paraguayan home! And all for around $150 a month!!! We had done it! God blessed our little family with reliable transportation, and a safe, clean, comfortable roof over our heads. Factoring in utilities, food and other costs, our monthly expenses didn’t even exceed $800 yet!
This was clutch, because we had no precise plan on how to make it. We had quit our jobs and sold/gave away all of our stuff back in Michigan and moved to the other side of the globe! Maximizing our “financial runway” was definitely a strategy we planned to deploy to help with our transition – and cheap (but comfortable and safe) transportation and housing were the primary variables to that equation. The key to making it to that point, was accessing the NORMAL Paraguayan real estate market, with the prices for locals, not the specially curated markets promoted by the likes of agents from Century 21, REMAX and Keller Williams, for example.
How Far We’ve Come
Fast forward nearly ten years, and life looks very different for us — in the best way.
- We’ve expanded our family by two more wonderful children, both born here in Paraguay (so yes, they are dual citizens).
- We now live in a much larger home — still modest (by American standards), but spacious and comfortable — for less than $300 a month.
- We’ve upgraded to a todo original Toyota SUV (a vehicular gold standard here, if you know, you know).
- Our Spanish? Not perfect, but definitely not half bad. We manage just fine. We have rich social lives and navigate doing business with relative ease.
- Our kids are enrolled in public school, thus their Spanish is improving every day, (from forced immersion) and they have great friend groups. And yes — we now navigate the infamous “Mamis WhatsApp Grupo” drama.
- We’ve shared tereré, cervezas, chipa guazu and asados with countless friends and associates.
- We’ve dipped our toes into various business deals, built relationships, and learned the ins and outs of Paraguayan life.
We’ve lived it. We’ve earned it. And we’re still growing.
Why This Matters to You
If you’re considering a move to Paraguay, wouldn’t you want someone guiding you who’s actually lived it — not just studied it from afar, or done it for a season? Someone who understands the systems, the culture, the quirks — but also understands you?
We’re Americans. We know what it’s like to come from a more developed country, with different expectations, standards, and ways of doing things. We’re not here to judge or compare — we’re here to help you bridge that gap with clarity, empathy, and experience.
We’ve worked with clients from all walks of life — some affluent, some more modest. We don’t cater to a luxury crowd. We cater to real people with real goals. That said, international relocation isn’t a poor man’s game. It requires planning, resources, and a realistic understanding of the risks. If your finances aren’t quite figured out yet, we’ll be honest with you — and maybe help you get there.
Let’s Walk This Path Together
We’ve been here. We’ve done the work. And we’re still doing it. If you’re ready to explore life in Paraguay with guidance from people who’ve truly lived it — and who share your cultural background — we’d be honored to help.
👉 Book a consultation with us here and let’s start building your own story in Paraguay.
Peace and Blessings to you all,
— Ramon & Paradise
