Why Not Ecuador

Mug, good analysis of issues important to your family to support your decision. (Are there really baseball teams in Ecuador?)  The biggest cost difference I find in Ecuador vs USA is property and state income taxes. These are nominal here however they don't provide any services either so "you get what you pay for".

Best of luck to you. I hope you do have an opportunity to visit Ecuador in the future.

I can only respect your decision. Sounds as if you have done your due dilligence. And yes, I'll miss my Minnesoata Vikings & Twins. I am very close to both facilities, but with the cost of tickets, I mostly follow them on radio or television.( which I can do in Ecuador )
My figures are waaaay different than yours. I own my home, have so for many years. My real estate taxes alone are over 4K a year.
Health insurance? Don't carry it. Prohibitive to me. Wife went into hospital last year. Overnight stay, tests only. $ 7,500.00. TESTS ONLY!!! I can get a million dollar policy at 62 years old under $ 50.00 a month in Ecuador. Bus & taxi @ .25 & $ 2.00 can't compare to US costs. Don't know what my costs are on 2 cars in the US. I own them, but: licesening, taxes, gas @ plus 3 dollars per gallon, repair, depreciation, insurance.... it goes on and on. Don't need a car where I'm going.
Appliances and electronics somewhat higher? I see ton's of adds from folks with these items used for short term rentals for a fraction of the cost of new.
I am in no way questioning your math, or decision. They are yours, and I can certainly understand your wife's reticense to making the move, but.... I'm kinda in the same boat. I plan to immerse myself with the local people. Not looking to become a member of the Gringo Club. Not to say I would ever shun others from the US at all, just want to experience a new culture.
Best of Luck to you and your wife in The New Year!

You are very welcome, I am glad our contributions helped and I am really happy that Pennsylvania works best for you two.
Mug, you have always been so funny and original. When people come to the conclusion that Ecuador isnt for them they just stop looking, they dont usually just out of the blue and without being asked go into detail to explain why they dont like it, why is better where they already are, much less ever announce a future vacation here
I have to thank you, it is great to hear some feedback, now I can prevent others from being dissapointed from Ecuador for the reasons you explained. Be aware of a new possible wave of immigrants relocating to Pennsylvania, though
You truly seem a character :)please when you come visit if you happen to visit the coast, I am thrilled to meet you guys.
Have a Happy New Year. Love, peace, health and prosperity for you and your family in this coming year.

As always, it's a pleasure to see your posts. I'm glad you are peace with your decision. Just sorry I won't get an opportunity to be neighbors. BUT.... When you do visit, we absolutely have to get together.
VIKINGS.... WHODATHUNKIT????
Just  sorry AP missed out on the record. The guy is a beast, but the nicest,  unassuming guy there is.
Think we'll get waxed nest week though. In GreenBay.
Have A Wonderful New Year.
Your Friend from Brrrrrrrrr... Minnesota.
( last winter here!)
Neil
PS. I keep hoping you'll check your figures and find an error.

Well,
You certainly did do a lot of research. I think the biggest thing is your desire to cruise. ( hope your wife doesn't read that )
I agree with you regarding Medi Care. I too will sign up for it when it comes available for me in 3 years. I certainly can't project what the future will bring, but I know once a bridge is burned, you can't re cross it.
In closing, I can remember when The Vikes were always at an advantage in these end of season games in the snow. I can remember a play off game at The Old Met, with Page, Eller, Marshall, Tarkington, Boom Boom Brown... all the old guys, and they would have to come out and sweep the feild to see the yard markers. It was absolutely miserable. We LOVED it. ( I was young ) I remember our Coach, Bud Grant, would not allow heaters or handwarmers on the side line. ( he played in The Canadian League... go figure ) Anyway, now we have a domed facility, and have become soft. I can guarantee they will be practicing out side this week in preparation for Lambeau.
Stay Well
Neil
Ps. if Loving Ecuador is interested in practicing  shoveling skills, I still have the remainder of this season open!

Mug, so sad you wont come to the coast...but then your math will not be accurate for life in Ecuador. The coast is cheaper, especially if you dont mind few blocks back from the ocean. I guess you dont, the highlands dont offer oceanviews anyways...my offer remains open though
Thanks for your offer but no more snow for me thanks. I would only go visit you in summer. A big chunk of my life was spent at the mercy of the Boston, MA weather...maybe now you understand my love for Ecuador

Yes I agree, the coast is cheaper and Manta is revamping the airport and adding LAN Chile flights March 11th, 2013. So you will have a OneWorld Alliance option plus the Local AeroGal and TAME flights. There is still infastructure issues like power and Internet so be patient. I have a computer supply company should any problems arise. Also checkout the Coop Credit Union downtown. they pay 3% interest on USD over $300. What bank in the states pays that.

Absolutely ddagencylv. Salinas is also cheaper though still smaller and drier than Manta. The airport here is running TAME flights for the season and will open to commercial year long flights in March.

Re CDs, you mentioned a 3% good rate in a Cooperative Bank, thats a great idea. Yet some other banks have 9% rates. As far as I know the Federal law insures only up to US$ 28.000. Sweet

Mr. Mug:

I'm doing the exact same drill, Kerrville, Texas vs Cuenca. My comment about your Living Cost Comparison is to question your calculation. I found two monthly living cost calculations for Ecuador, and it appears one can live well for about $1200 to $1500 per month. I would doubt one could live in Bethlehem for that, assuming comparable living style. Heating oil alone gotta be $1200 per year. Real estate costs are usually the biggest line item, and you should be able to sell your Pennsylvania house, put the equity into an Ecuadoran house and have substantially lower mortgage payments.

Sometimes the investigation of a major move reminds one of how much the current zip code is loved.  The lengthy description of your concert venue suggests that is at work here.  And too, it could be a reflection of the fear that can spring up around such a major move.

Finally, I propose that a new country is like a new restaurant: you oughtta read the reviews, but you gotta go there and experience the restaurant and eat the food. Til then, you don't know. Maybe the thing to do is for your wife and you to take a vacation to Cuenca or wherever.  After a few days of "being there" you will know.  Free advice, and worth every penny.

Dick

Mr. Mug:

I salute your courteous reply.

Sounds like you've got it pretty well doped out. We are same age, but maybe slightly different perspectives. Amazing, right?  I get energized by relocation; the most mundane tasks can become an adventure ("Hey honey, I think I found a good dry cleaner!") So when I look at Ecuador, and Cuenca in particular, I see an exciting topography, an exotic culture, a language I love and would love to perfect, an (apparently) vibrant ex-pat community; and my modest Texas home mortgage + impounds costs $1800 per month, so for me it looks like All Downhill And Made For Love.

I've lived and worked in Taiwan, so the eyes have no stars in them.  That cross-cultural mambo can be tricky.

Good luck to you, wherever you decide to land (or stay).

Dick

Mr Dickk and Mr Mug you can live very comfortable
In Ecuador for $1100 a month. Remember your taxation can't compare to South Texas and PA. Mind you the food is super cheap and beer is almost free. Cuenca is climbing but still relatively low. Think USA 1974 prices and you will be fine. Reminder that if you have CHF or COPD the dampness and cold of Cuenca is not where you want to be.

Agency Man:

In six months of research, yours is the first reference I've seen to Cuenca being "cold and damp". Do we spoze this is the well-known Chamber of Commerce perspective? ("We here in Scranton never mention the word 'snow' ".)Or is this your Las Vegas/Los Angeles orientation?  If LA/LV humidity & temp are "normal" then virtually every other city on the globe is "damp and cold".

So, fess up, AM (and others), is "damp and cold" a fair characterization of Cuenca?

Dick

dickk wrote:

So, fess up, AM (and others), is "damp and cold" a fair characterization of Cuenca?

Dick

Dick, during rainy season I believe ”damp and cold”is a fair representation for most cities in the highlands. In Quito evening temp are 45-50 (F) and daytime high is 68. Most homes have fireplace, none have HVAC. Due to poor window insulation, rooms cool quickly in evening. Electric blankets, comforters and flannel sheets help at night. During day, sweaters are common.
Although I have never lived in San Francisco, I would image climate is similar.

Cuenca has good infrastructure and variety like restaurants, supermarkets, malls, more high end condos, and indoor entertainment venues but was cold, too rainy, overcast most the time and prices in general were higher (except high season rentals but I own, rental prices do not affect me)...I ended by the coast, where many expats eventually gravitate by themselves not only for the same reasons but due to the high altitudes worsening their CHF and COPD. So again, Cuenca is a great city but not for everyone, thats why I think it is best to come experience it as well as other cities for a couple of months before making a final move. Quito is even colder and it rains even more often.

Wow I got somebody fired up! I advise you to check for yourself... Before the expats take your apartment in Cuenca.

LOL I never bought in Cuenca!

Lol not you Mr. Ecuador. Your pals. Lol