Let me intro myself and say I'm ready to start the process

Welcome to the forum monicawatsonleader

Thank you for your introduction. You can also try the Ecuador Expat Network page to make friends and networking.

I wish you all the best, and hope you will make lot contacts via this site before your departure.

Regards

Thanks for the welcome Yud.  I already feel welcomed by the different postings I've read too.


Gracias
Monica

Hi Monica,
I have accepted you as you requested. I love Cuenca, Vilcabamba was TOOOO small for me. It is definately off the beaten path. There isnt even a gas station there, which for some would be fine, but there seems to only be a few businesses that subsist on tourist.and very basic tienda markets for food. I like Vilca for about a 3 day stay. But thats me. I imagine Loja might be a better town, cuase its bigger, but I still think its too far off. But again thats me. This area is lower
I love Cuenca cuase its pretty big, but still has that colonial feel and you can get organic and out into the green country quickly and still have access to good schools, and people who can utilize your skills.
We chose to rent to be sure this is where we want to live and to also give the market a time to settle. This is not like the US and things have been known to change, so we are keeping our options open.
Hope to hear from you soon. Here is my personal email
klkimbler@yahoo.com
if you are on Facebook, I am there as well. There is also a Ecuador Expats group on Facebook that has alot of good info and a good place to network.
Karen

Hi Monica;

I respect your fearless spirit. Good luck with your move into Ecuador.
I am more of a sun/beach/coast kind of guy personally, and although I love to visit Cuenca and many other lovely places in the Andes, I would rather live in the sunshine and beach type weather than the cooler climates. I like to visit the cooler climate but just not live in it day to day. I would agree with klkimbler on Vilcabamba being to small and to far off the path for me. Although I don't care for larger cities, I like to be far enough removed but close enough in to get everything I want.
It is a beautiful area though as most of the Andes is.
If you get to the coast let me know, my wife and I will show you around. Contact me if I can be any help what so ever.

WELCOME to Ecuador!

Larry

Thanks for your comments on Cuenca sounds more like where I'd like to be as well.  I'm not a city downtown type of gal and not that much of a country girl to be out too far away from basics.

I'll for sure be contacting you all for help along the way and we'll for sure be seeing each other once we get there!

Ciao
Monica