Moving

I loved it there and look forward to seeing you in Ecuador when I retire there.

Drmark wrote:

I loved it there and look forward to seeing you in Ecuador when I retire there.

So you are moving to Ecuador, just not Cuenca?

Cuenca was recommended as being the best spot- is it?

Radcliffe21 wrote:

Cuenca was recommended as being the best spot- is it?

Personally, I think the best thing would be to spend half the year in Cuenca and half the year at the beach somewhere.  Skip the rainy season in Cuenca.

I'm shipping some furniture over I just don't want to keep moving it

Radcliffe21 wrote:

Cuenca was recommended as being the best spot- is it?

Depends on what you're looking for. I like Quito, because I like the amenities of a big city/national capital and the lower density of expats. But that's what I think is right for me -- what are you looking for?

Honestly I don't know what I want other than a new life- I want to not be paying bills bills and more bills - I want peace and happiness-us is going down the tubes so I'm game for anything -I'd like a safe place to live with my two small elderly dogs that their time is ticking -I want to being my few furniture pieces and some artwork - I'll sell my car- told it wasn't worth shipping and start over -

Hi Rhonda,

I moved sight unseen, too, and it has worked out fine. But you should plan on renting an extended stay place, or hostel when you hit the ground so that you can take a little time to find a place to stay--one that suits you. It's hard to do that from afar--you don't know what you are 'really' getting that way. You might consider joining the Facebook Expat Women of Ecuador group, also, as a way of asking other women for ideas. I've found that to be helpful along with this forum.

Best wishes!

Hi Rhonda,
The most unsafe city in Ecuador would likely be Guayaquil. (There are a lot of gated communities there, but I believe they're expensive and I didn't really care for the city.) Cuenca is a larger city, but with a small town feel, it doesn't have as many amenities as Quito, but is sufficient for more city dwellers (or people not used to living in a city). Things you'll want to consider - climate (the coast is much warmer than the Andes), altitude (some people are affected more than others), amenities (city versus country life), proximity to health care (for both you and your dogs), cost (many of the smaller towns along the coast and inland cost less than living in the bigger cities), ability to adapt to a new culture (Ecuador is a third world country, slowly emerging from poverty and the people here speak predominantly Spanish - it is near impossible to function by yourself in society without having at least some of the language, even through there are gringos here who just hire bilingual speakers when necessary) and finally the baggage you bring with you. No matter where you go in the world your habits come with you - many people are disappointed when their "new life" seems not markedly different from their "old life", as they haven't made the internal changes that would make for a truly unique experience.

Please do not be misled by everything you read on the internet - Ecuador is not as "cheap" as it presented. It is a socialist country with what seem to be antiquate processes for government and business.
All that being said, we made the leap almost a year ago and are very happy here. Everyday is a new adventure and the friends we've made (both gringo and local) really make life here pleasant. (The weather helps, too, but we're from a cold place.)

I hope this helps in some small way.

Rhonda,
I spent 4 months in Cuenca and another month roaming Peru and Colombia, and various Ecuadorian cities.  There is not another city that is better then Cuenca.  People wise, all the people I met were the nicest I have met any where.  I walked all around Cuenca at all times of day and night and I was never bothered or molested.  I made great friends who took me all over Ecuador and spent time with their families who became my extended family.  I went to Cuenca blind and ended up renting a room in a new condo for $150 a month.  I know other ex-pats that have their own apartment for under $200.  Depends on what and where you want it.  The best network for ex-pats are the bar/restaurants:  The Inca bar and Jodoco's.  At least they were for me.  I gained so much local knowledge just asking and spending $2 for a beer to pick someone's brain.  Another trick if you Spanish is decent is get a $2 bag of hard candy when you take a bus and hand it out to all around you.  You will have all the info you need within minutes.  I used that all over South America.
Personally I would stay away from Guayaquil.  It is a bigger port city with port city problems although I had none but I am 6' 1" and in good shape. 
There are reasonable hostals everywhere.  Stay your first week in a hostal and walk around and see where you want to live.  Gringolandia if you want other Americans around.  Personally I liked living around all Ecuadorians in the south of the city.

It's none of my business how or why people make the decisions they do; however,
I'm curious why you wouldn't first take an extended trip, say two months.  Rent
a nice furnished house and see what you're comfortable with and what not.

If you've sold a house in PSP, I guess you'll have no money woes.  I know the
Springs very well.  I've lived at the Mesquite Country Club (Ramon and
Farrell).  Of course, that was some time ago, and things may well have
changed.  But I loved the climate, so I'm assuming you'll opt for tropical
Ecuador.  Would be nice to know how you make out.

D

Hello Roy J,

I am originally from Missouri, still a diehard KC Chiefs fan.  You may or may not be one but...
I was reading your comment and decided to write here.  Of course, if others can chat in, it would be good.
My wife and I are visiting Cuenca Sept. 1 ~ 8.  Little coffee business and check out Cuenca as a possible retirement city in very near future. My wife is not too keen in moving down there for various reasons but she has agreed to look at a few cities in Ecuador or Peru.   Her worry is that she will not able to communicate with anyone because she does not speak Spanish. I do not speak much but just get by.  We have visited several Latin Nations for coffee business.
She knows that there are 5000 plus Americans and many more English speaking people living there.  The question is this.  Is it NOT so difficult to get by for a while without speaking much Spanish in Cuenca?  She is quite outgoing,  she is not a hermit even though she does  carry her Japanese traits.  She has lived with me in USA since 1981.  wow we have been married since then.  Are there a few Japanese families in Cuenca?  Does anyone know?
She loves to cook and be around children.  She is very artistic as well.  Oh yes, she is a certified, trained coffee roaster.  We have a coffee importing/exporting/roasting business.  We will be selling the roasting business here and we may do coffee or other similar kind of business, probably not full time though.  I just want to mention little about what we do to let the readers know little bit about us.   I worked in International Automotive and components for 27 years before starting  the coffee business 6 years ago.  Back to my original reason for writing.  I would like for my wife to meet as many English and Japanese speaking (if possible) in Cuenca to make her somewhat comfortable so that she does not feel like she is in the strange and uncomfortable place to live for a few years.   Thanks in advance for reading and any helpful comments,  ken.yasui@sbcglobal.net   is my email address if anyone care to.... thanks, Ken