Here it is. We are Ecuador Wannabees, more aptly Gunnamoves. We tried to retire early but it’s not going so good and in order to maintain our health and lifestyle we were going to need to move and one of us was going to have to go back to work. Through the Internet search of “best places” Ecuador beckoned with a livable retirement and affordable health care. So we took a 180-degree turn around and are now heading south, way south, south of the equator, south of zero, land of soz, south.
We have started taking action towards this goal. The house is on the market (still waiting), we have cleared out the storage rental and hosted a garage sale, sent a lot of crap to charity and gave away some of the larger pieces. I am in the process of selling some old junk, we will see. We have had luck just placing things on the street with a FREE sign and if I brand it right (dog couch – chewed up with no back pillows) someone will take it.
We now have current U.S. passports and are in pursuit of the various necessary notarized/apostilized documentation towards a resident visa. I have a list of resources that I am going provide to anyone who might be thinking of a move such as ours. This is an extremely soul searching decision, after decision, of who you are, and what you want out of life, and what are you willing to do, and what are you willing to give up, to get it.
While we wait for the perfect buyer, we scour for information and confirmation. This blog is like the morning report… for my husband that wakes up later than I and kicks me off the computer. “Anything new?”
Coastal vs. Cuenca
This is our own personal dilemma, the excitement of the city with its restaurants and shopping and lots of gringos to show you the way, or the relaxation, warmth and perhaps isolation of the coast. Heat, or lack thereof, and altitude will come in to the decision.
OK, Mr. Peabody, turn back the way-back machine. Some background…
The boys grew up in Southern California. Dad first introduced Steve to surfing by taking him to the giant waves in Hermosa Beach. This scared him straight to knee boards. Dave took immediately to the surfer lifestyle and baked his brain. Mary grew up in the mountains of Northern Arizona but her family vacationed in Mexico at a primitive cabin on the beach. So, we could all handle living at the coast, but…
Would we be too bored? And, where would we have to go to see a dentist? And then there is the car issue. Unless we live in a condo in Salinas close to conveniences, we would have to buy a car and get the Ecuadorian drivers’ license. (You know that in Ecuador, the upper/working class will have two homes, one in the city and a vacation spot on the coast. Hmmm…)
Lucky for us the expats and bloggers have weighed in.
About this blog
When you venture out into the unknown and make a decision that will totally change your life, you seek out those who have gone before you. Thank God for giving man the genius to create the Internet, and the desire to share.
We had been looking to move for awhile now and thought we must relocate to a larger community for better job opportunities because this early retirement was just not working out. We had pretty much decided to head to the Pacific Northwest when I read an article about the best places in the world to retire. Number one this year was Cuenca, Ecuador. OK, whatever, I read the article and then clicked on the link to Ecuador: Live Like Royalty on Half Your Social Security.
Somewhere, buried down in the hyperbole, we discovered that Dave’s disability qualified him for the pensioner’s visa and that he could more than cover his own expenses including a live-in housekeeper/cook to take care of his daily needs. Light bulb! We should move to Ecuador!
But was it too good to be true? I went looking for everything Ecuador and expats that were living there now or planning to move there soon. I read several blogs and contacted the owners by email. I joined the two main forum groups for Ecuador: Expat Exchange and the Ecuador Expats Yahoo Group. Yes, it’s true that Ecuador is affordable, but the article was… somewhat exaggerated. It might be more than “half.” And depending on whether you purge your stuff and come down with only suitcases or ship everything by boat or plane, the logistics will be difficult. Apparently in Latin America efficiency is somewhat lacking.
When we first made the decision I started another blog written in the voice of our dog Kobe. Unfortunately, he did not live long enough to make the move with us and I didn’t have the heart to continue. It took weeks to post that he had died. I wanted to start another blog, but the retelling of our daily life is… boring. I’m sure that others would not find it so interesting.
Steve has been bugging me to post all the links I have found for friends and family. And while I was starting that list it occurred to me: hey, why don’t I create a blog for gunnamoves with a daily news report of what’s going on in the Ecuador Expat blogosphere? I decided to write one offline and see if I could keep up with that ambitious goal. I might have to skip a day, and some of the bloggers will post later in the day, but it might really work. I hope you like it.
Mary
a.k.a. Posterdog
UPDATE: As I started writing and researching the Internet for everything Ecuador I discovered that there were several other blogs coming out of the soz: missionaries and short term assignments, sabbatical year off work, making our way through Ecuador on the world-wide travel trip, etc. I enjoy reading those types, but to keep up and report is not what we are all about. So I have decided to focus on the retired expat type that is relocating to this country, maybe for good. When I run across new blogs I will add them to the list. What I have found is that there is a flurry of posts for about two months then either they stop all together or continue posting somewhat erratically, my own past attempts included.
Great blog. Great introduction to the other expat blogs.
My wife and I are planning a trip to Cuenca in December.
Would love to get a copy of that list.
Looking forward to more of your insightful posts.
Len
Len, I’m so glad you found my blog. Now I had better get going on that resource list.
Mary
Good luck on your expedition! We were in a similiar way living in California until we made the plunge and moved to Bahia de Caraquez, Manabi,Ecuador….best decision ever! We are very comfortable living on my husbands military pension and social security. The expat community as well as the local Ecuadorians have been nothing but wonderful…I would be heartbroken to have to move back to the states…love the beach and though this is a small town all the “necessities” are in the larger towns of Portoviejo and Manta an hour away so it makes for a good day out!
Susan and Bob
Susan and Bob – Thanks for reading the blog. We are seriously looking at Bahia and would love to get together when we visit that area. Mary and Steve
Hi,
My friend, Nancy, of Rich and Nancy emailed me today about your blog. What a wonderful idea…..a blog containing all the expat blogs from Ecuador.
I love the way you put a mini capsule version of the post beside each link.
I wish you well in getting everything in place for your move to Ecuador.
And I commend you for doing your research.
Nancy Watson
Thanks Nancy, you are one of my celebrity blog heros.
Mary
Wonderful Blog!
Love it.
Clarke (and Brennie)
I’ve love your blog too.
Wow, I just found your blog. Nancy Watson was my “Ecuadorian guru mentor.” I hung on every word and then my hubby visited in Feb. 2010 and the rest is history. I wish you much joy in the process of moving to Ecuador(although we will all admit that it’s something we would like to forget!). We certainly look forward to your arrival!
I’ve been reading your blog for awhile and at first I thought that you must be “superwoman.” But you let all us readers into your heart. I’m so grateful that you all are willing to share all the trials and tribulations, as well as the joys.
Hi Mary,
Thank you!
You have a wonderful blog (well done!) and I was surprised and flattered that a blog I recently started for friends and family caught your attention.
I have been inspired by many of the other writers on your blogroll, and always look forward to reading them.
Todd and I are truly grateful for the opportunity to live in Ecuador, and are living our dreams.
Hope we have a chance to meet sometime!
Leigh
Leigh, I’m very happy to add you to my list. We are leaning towards moving to the coast and it is great to have another perspective. You don’t know this but you have really inspired my husband (as soon as I linked to Olon Again…Naturally he read everything that you have written.) Keep up the good work and I’m absolutely sure that we will meet… eventually.
Mary
Mary, just found your blog!
I enjoy your unique point of view and find the blog quite useful. It is fantastic so many expats and expat wannabes are generous with what they know and what they’ve learned.
Doug and I are traveling to Ecuador and Uruguay for exploratory trips this coming February. In Ecuador, we will visit Quito (for the IL conference), Cotacachi and Cuenca. We are reserving a visit to the coast for a future trip.
Be well, Carolyn
I wish you the best of luck with your seach. Mary
Hi Mary,
You have a great site that is a very nice resource to those interested in moving to Ecuador. Thank you for referencing my articles on your site. Ecuador has been even better than I imagined when I moved here in Sept of 2009. One of my goals is to pass along information by writing stories I hope people find interesting, helpful and inspiring. Moving to Ecuador has provided me the opportunity to live my life in a rich and fulfilling way that I would like to encourage others to try if that is their dream. I have been able to pursue my passions in life, weather it be hobbies like running marathons, climbing mountains or learning new cultures. I have also been able to turn my love for remodeling/building homes into my work by completing four apartments on my property in Cotacachi making it a special place for those desiring to move here and enjoy all Ecuador has to offer. I publish my weekly article on Sunday.
And yes, I go by Felipe, down here at latitude 0! Thanks
Felipe it is! Your blog is great and you are so generous for sharing, I only wish I hadn’t overlooked it before. I’ll be looking forward to your updates every Sunday.
Mary
Mary & Steve,
Thanks for putting together this wonderful blog. I just found it this morning. I have been following several of those in your blogroll, through bookmarks, but what a great resource to have them all in one place.
My wife and I are also “Gunnamoves”. We have a couple of years to go before we can make our move but are doing all we can in preparation. I’ll be heading to Ecuador this spring for a “exploratory” venture. It will be my first time in Ecuador and I’m quite excited about the trip.
Thanks again for your efforts in putting together this excellent resource.
Mike
Thanks Mike, good luck on your trip. Mary
Mary,
Great Blog! I’ve been looking all over the web for some good information from expats in Ecuador. This is terrific!
My husband and I are planning to take an early retirement and right now we have Ecuador in our ‘sites’. We plan to take an exploratory trip down in May.
I would love to be able to email you directly with questions if that’s possible.
Kelly
Hi Kelly, glad I could help. Feel free to email me at: mary@southofzero.com with any of questions and I will try to steer you to an answer if I can. Mary
Mary & Steve,
I have enjoyed the info that you share on your blog. Very informative & timely. Friendly too!
My fiancee & I & our 14 year old son are planning our first exploratory trip to Ecuador Feb 15th to Mar 22. We will be a week in Quito and a month in Quenca. In this first trip to Ecudor we are wanting to verify that it is all we have heard & read about, as all Ecuador expats recommend.
Ecuador seems to have everthing we have been looking for. If it is, we plan to rent/purchase a 4+ bedroom house so we can invite lots of friends down to visit us and explore Ecuador & South America with us over the next several years.
Your blog & several other have become invluable to us. Thanks.
Rob Flick & Jennifer Vaughan
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. Your five week trip should give you an idea if Ecuador is right for your family. I’m happy I could help. Mary
Mary,
I don’t pretend to understand how all these computer soft wares work, so maybe I am not sharing something with you that you don’t already know. On December 28th I published the post on my blog entitled, “You’re Missing All the Fun”. You did not feature it on South of Zero until two days later. Prior to your mention of my post, I had an audience of fifteen who clicked on the site. After you highlighted your summary of the post a couple of days later, I have had an additional 98 views of that particular post. While I may not be able to prove it empirically, there is no doubt in my mind that probably 90% of that audience of 98 can be attributed to your mention of my post in “South of Zero”. I just wanted to let you know what kind of impact your efforts are having on the readership of all of our blogs. Muchas Gracias!
I am posting a new post today. Also, since I am returning in mid-March, can I get moved up from the “When Are You Coming Back?” to “BLOGROLL”? Thanks, and keep up the good work. You keep finding blogs and info that has proven very helpful as I begin the process of packing up and making a move. Cudente’ Jim Mola
We’ll move you back to Blogroll and I look forward to your new posts. Mary
Dear Mary,
just found your blog- what a brilliant idea it was to tie all these different opinions and experiences in one everyday story! Now for me it will be my morning brain exercise ( I live in Russia so I need to translate unknown words before deep understanding). And it will be a good organizer for my plans for future. Good luck and many thanks.
Lena
Thank you Lena, I hope you continue to enjoy South of Zero. Mary
Hello! I was just cruising around the WordPress Ecuador blogs and saw yours. Valuable blog! I’m not here as a true expat, only as a trekker/video blogger going through before heading back to the states, but I have family friends who have relocated to Costa Rica for similar reasons. Providing a forum for expats is a wonderful, helpful idea! All the best, keep up the good work,
Vincent
oneman-noplan.com
Thanks Vincent, come back any time you like. Mary
Hi Mary and Steve. It was great discovering your blog. My husband and I are in the same boat. One item that has be bewildered is the weather in Cuenca. Is it always raining. Does the sun ever shine. Just a bit confused about that. Can you shed any light on that. Also we are trying to figure out the best time of year to go. Would love anyones comments on that.
Thanks hugely.
Marlene and Stephan Rusnak
Wilmington DE
I grew up in a mountainous region and I think Cuenca weather is similiar. The clouds will build up during the day and rain in the afternoon. Then you might have cloudy skies but it seems like the rain is more in bursts instead of continuous. I can’t really recommend the best time to go, but if you want to be there during a holiday Semana Santa is around April 22-24, Cuenca’s Independence Day (coincides with Dia de Dufuntos) is November 2-3 and if you go at Christmas time there are all the Ninos parades and New Years craziness. If you don’t like crowds of tourists I would avoid those times.
I realized when I answered this comment yesterday that you were asking about sunshine. Bryan Haines over at Gringos Abroad says, “Cuenca is like this. The sun is hot in the day and it cools off significantly at night. It rains a fair amount – often without much warning.”
Hope this helps, Mary
Love the site and what you are doing.
We are going to move to Cotatachi around the end of the year. Could you give me some information sites on moving household goods from Oregon?
Once there please feel free to stay with us whenever you are north of zero.
Jerry Covington
Jerry, good luck with your move. Dr Rene Torres has a good article on the basics of Importing Household Goods to Ecuador Free of Duty for Permanent Residents over at the Expat Exchange. The laws for Menaje de Casa are constantly changing, so I would refer back to the Aduana del Ecuador for the latest. Some expats just bring down what they need in suitcases and eliminate all the complication and hassle that this entails.
When we visit Cotacachi we’ll look you up. Mary
Dear Mary and Steve,
I have seen your site, I charted it to my favorites but only today I had the glorious idea to put it into my feeds. You know, the favorites from Ecuador are in alphabetical order and when I click on your site I, already, know a lot about that day. So today I said to myself: why don’t I just click, first, on “South of Zero” and that saves me several clicks and frustrations from the fact that that many didn’t updated information (who they think they are, I need my daily can-cans:-)).
I love your site, it shows dedication to spiritual expat life and I applaud the efforts. As I noticed that one site is not mentioned in your “reader’s digest”, I wonder if there are any unwritten things that the nosy people like me would die for to find out???
Without any more jokes, I just say that I set your site in my feeds so it’ll be the first one to be accessed for the day.
Hope to see and talk to you one day.
Nicholas from (around) Houston.
Hey Nicholas, Glad you decided to check here first. I started South of Zero for my husband because we share a computer and he wanted to know which blogs to read. Guess he wasn’t the only one. About your question, let’s just say some things are better left unsaid… Mary
Wonderful blog, wealth of information, and so glad I stumbled upon this site tonight! Hubby Ken, my son Alec (17) and I are visiting Salinas the beginning of July 2011. Not just for vacation of course, but to scout out the area. We are Gunnamoves as well, since my son has another year to go in high school. However, I am already cleaning house! Renovating, selling items (downsizing they call it), and getting my ducks in a row for the BIG move sometime in 2012, 2013.
I love the water, my two boys and I loved our Cali experiences. Can’t wait to wake up in the morning to the sounds of waves crashing, salt water in the air, and sand between my toes!
You are bookmarked on my laptop, and again, THANK YOU!
Tami
Tami, thanks for reading the blog. It’s amazing, isn’t it, how liberating it is to stop buying new things and start purging stuff you can’t figure out why you needed to buy in the first place. Good luck on your future move. Mary
We are planning a trip to Cuenca Ecuador next year. We are both retired. Thanks for your blog. I will be checking all the news on here.
Terrific website. I’ve just begun researching Ecuador as a retirement location. We lived in Patzcuaro, MX for three years.
Thanks for all the information.
You are welcome. As an experienced expat you’ll have less of a problem adjusting. Mary
Dear Mary,
Just happened upon your blog tonight – what a wonderful resource! My wife Debbie and I are coming down from Dallas in Sept. to do a 3 day coastal real estate tour with short visits to Cotacachi and Cuenca on either end. Would like to meet you and any of the other bloggers while we are in country. Look forward to hearing from anyone interested in a free cup of coffee or drink of your choice!
Regards, Greg and Debbie
Greg and Debbie, still waiting for our house to sell. Would love to meet up later when that happens. Mary & Steve
Good morning! I just wanted to drop by and thank Mary and Steve Beckman
for the wonderful comment they made about Retiring In Ecuador. Just an update for Mary and Steve Jo Lynn and I just returned from Ecuador and our home at Mirador San Jose is now completed. I will be updating my website soon with new pictures. It is really great what South of Zero is doing for the expat community. You guys have a great and very informative website.
We will be moving to Ecuador likely in the fall next year. Take care and keep up the good work! See you in Ecuador when you guys move down and keep in touch..Please contact me through my website I would love to hear from the both of you.
David and Jo Lynn Sheeshka
http://retiringinecuador.blogspot.com
You two are welcome. Sorry I missed your comment earlier, sometimes WordPress thinks legit comments are spam (maybe that’s a good thing because they’ve already caught over 2500.) I’m really happy to have another blogger from your part of the country. Keep up the good work. Mary
Greetings Mary,
Here is the latest edition of Ecuador4u. After taking a break I am back writing articles about my beloved Ecuador. Enjoy.
http://ecuador4u.wordpress.com/
Glad to see you back blogging, we’ll move you off hiatus. Thanks, Mary
I don’t know if our adventures will be of any interest to your readers, but I have included our contact details if you wish any further information.
Dear Mary:
I hope your stay in Cuenca has been excellent. Many things to discover and learn in this magical city.
It was very important that you visit us and know through your own experience Hacienda Uzhupud. I hope that next time you come and stay with us.
Dear Juan Pablo, We very much enjoyed our tour of the Hacienda and the wonderful lunch at the restaurant. It is a very special place and I will definitely return with my husband. Later when we move to Cuenca we would love to show it off to visitors. Thank you for your hospitality, Mary
You are welocme Mary. Please do not forget to include the link of the Hacienda to your blog: http://www.uzhupud.com
Thanks!
JP
nice attention from reuters! congratulations! z
Thanks alot, it has certainly given our blog more exposure. I was surprised that she wound up using our photo as the face for her article. Mary
…but your photo speaks volumes and personifies what most are striving to find! she made a great choice! z
Hi I;ve been following your post and I wonder what the education is like we are really looking into this and praying. Our daughter is 10, and is still in school could you help please.
Hi Sandie, you might be interested in reading the Gringos Abroad blog; they have a daughter about the same age. From all that I read most expats homeschool their kids. The education system “does not challenge” the student, more memorization, less critical thinking. Mary
Hello there, I’m in the same boat as Sandie. I am retiring soon and my wife and I, with our 12 yr old son are eye-balling Ecuador as a possible location. I love the idea of a simpler life style, but we’re worried about our son’s education. Are there any private schools available? Thank you, Mark Huckeba
Mark, Check out Doug Willis’ article for Gringos Abroad, “Schooling Your Expat Kids.” And Dena Haines, “What About Schooling.” The comments that follow can give you more information. Susan and Steven are raising a son, they write Looking for the Simple Life: Another meeting at Santana about their experiences at his School. Most of the expat parents supplement with home schooling. The educational benefits from the experiences of living in a foreign country can’t be taught in a classroom. Mary
Hi,
I enjoyed reading your blog. I, too, along with my family, had relocated to the Philippines in 2005 from Florida, U.S.A.. And we’re not even retired yet. I’m currently working and living on Guam as a teacher while my two older children are going to school in the Philippines. My oldest child will be wrapping up his nursing degree this month in that country, while my wife and I are trying to figure out an alternate way to make a living so we can leave Guam and move back to the Philippines. I look forward to reading more posts from you.
Happy Living,
Julius
Julius, thanks for checking out our blog. Mary
You guys seriously need a mailing list opt-in box. You’re failing to capture a windfall of subscribers to your site from the recent articles.
Thanks Tony, you’ll notice I acted upon your suggestion. Mary
Dear Mary,
Reading your story was a virtual reminder of mine… Hi Mary, my name is Dave Pettitt, I currently live in Pensacola, Florida. Prior to here, I spent 10 years in Mexico. Returning has been an even more difficult transition then originally moving to Mexico. In April I turn 64 and have been on Social Security for 2 years.
This past November, I too ‘had to see for myself’ and took a 2 week trip to Ecuador. And yes, I road the bus from Quito to Cuenca – 9 hour ride for $9.80!
Once in Cuenca, I found myself being drawn to the area near the main Cathedral. I could visualize myself living in that area.
My current thoughts are mostly aurrounding how to correctly apply/obtain my 9-I Pentioner’s Visa and residency.
I’m more of a ‘show-up’ kinda ‘2-suitcase’ guy. I’ve read and heard personal stories about shipping household goods enough to realize, other than my coffee maker, there’s nothing worth moving, other than myself.
I hope to meet you guys in the near future and in our new home. Looking forward to following your Blog and devouring the info.
Till then, Thanks and glad you are following your heart…
dave pettitt
Pensacola, Florida… but heading south!
David, thanks for your kind words. Good luck with your move, Mary
Oops have I missed the boat? I need to quit working 2 jobs. Need some clear, concise info on the cost of living the ex-pat life in central America. If there are links to explore and people to talk to and you know them please please share. Thanks Dee Gorney. gorney4554@comcast.net. or g-mail addressed to hawkgal
Dear Deann, you really have been working too hard. Ecuador is the western most country located in South America. I recently posted a blog roundup for Cost of Living from expat bloggers living in Ecuador. There are numberous links on my Resources page and on the sidebar list “More Helpful Websites” for you to explore. There are several online forums and Facebook groups with very active members that are eager to share. Good luck with your search, Mary
Hello Mary!
I am Malte Zeeck with InterNations.org. While looking for great expat blogs on Ecuador I stumbled upon yours and was instantly convinced by your great writing and contents! I am sure that the members of our expat network will feel the same way. I would love to share your great blog with our community on InterNations.org as part of our Recommended Blog on Ecuador section. We will not only feature and link to your blog, but also give you the opportunity to tell us a little bit about yourself in our questionnaire. We have also designed a badge of quality for placement on your blog.
If you are interested, I would love to hear back from you. Please contact me via mail: maltezeeck@internations.org.
Best,
Malte Zeeck
Wow, Malte! We would be honored, I’ll be contacting you soon. Mary
Mary-
I was introduced to your blog when I first visited Ecuador in June-July 2011, Ten days ago, I returned to Cuenca, paperwork in hand, and have now officially applied for residency as a pensioner. Your blog has served me for the past 9 months as guide and inspiration and reinforced my conviction that Cuenca is where I should be at this point in my life. Now I am having the privilege and pleasure of actually meeting some of the bloggers I’ve been reading –first of all, Kathy and Mick and Joan and Dale–and look forward to meeting as many of the others as possible. When I am more firmly settled in, I plan to start my own blog with emphasis on the decisions and adventures facing a recently widowed woman wishing to start anew in another country, specifically Ecuador.
Thank you, Anne Sangine
Anne, Wish we were there to meet you in person. I’m so glad that you found South of Zero to be helpful. Good luck with the move, Mary
What a great blog. I was on Clark and Brenda’s and found my way over here. Lots of very useful information. We will be visiting again this year in August for another two weeks. We can not wait. Planning the permanent move in mid-2013.
Thanks George, my husband really likes your blog too. He wonders why I haven’t added it to our blogroll. Stay tuned I think you’ll be next. Mary
Gracias Mary, It would be a privilege to be included in your blog roll. I am trying to post a couple times a week but need to sit down and come up with some ideas for the posts. I think it would be easier if I lived there already… Wow, I am surprised that your husband has even seen my blog. Tell him thanks for me…. Take care.
Mary..Just found your blog while searching on the internet. My husband and I are moving to Cuenca in Feb 2013 but are confused on whether to apply for residency before we leave the states or after we arrive in Ecuador. We will be applying for residency under the social security requirement. Everywhere I read it states that to get into the country you have to show a return ticket to return to states or leave the country. We don’t want to leave but stay. What is the correct way to handle this? Thanks so much!
You can apply for your residency in Cuenca, their new office is in the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores on the ground floor of Edificio Astudillo on Ordonez Lasso, two blocks west of Avenida de las Americas. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Personnel are bi-lingual. The most important thing to remember is that there are many papers, such as the police check and the pension confirmations that must be approved by the nearest Ecuadorian Consul in your own country. Do not come to Ecuador without the proper approvals or it could cost you dearly (you might just need that return ticket home.) Several contributors on the forums have stated that they only purchased one way tickets and that the return portion of the trip was not an issue. Good luck with your move, Mary
hey mary
could you help spread the word about didier galindo’s exhibition in bahia?
there wasn’t much press, and his paintings are amazing. thanks if possible! lisa/z
thank you so much! 21 people hopped on over from your blog and viewed didier’s paintings today! muchas gracias! z
Lisa, your photographs showcase his work so beautifully. It’s not hard to imagine that Didier will someday be a famous Ecuadorian artist. If I could I would buy one too. Thanks again, Mary
Just wondered if you guys might consider dropping this post one day soon? It’s pretty significant for Puerto Cayo… http://wp.me/p2bjEC-Lq
Hey Steven, Sorry I didn’t see your comment earlier, found it in the spam que??? We will be happy to publicize the latest House Hunters International filmed in your community. Mary
Looks like the message got cut short….
A hearty congratulations on finally being able to move to Cuenca. Mary, you have been on my mind a great deal lately. I was concerned when you had not sold the home by the end of summer, if you and Steve would ever get the opportunity to make the move. I am glad you two were able to sell your home before the election. No matter who wins in November, the U.S. is going to be in for a very rough time. Looking forward to seeing you again, Mary, and looking forward to meeting Steve. Thanks again for how much support you have given us bloggers with “South of Zero”. Safe travel to you both.
Thanks Jim, you and Steve are on the same page about the timing of our sale. I can’t wait to see you again. Mary
Mary, I am missing you two already. Hurry back. EcuadorGeorge…
Hello George, this is Mary coming to you from Cuenca, Ecuador.
Would love to be included on your resources list, have quite a bit of articles on traveling and living in Ecuador! My son and I were there twice, three months in 2008(Canoa) and three months in 2012 (Montanita & Galapagos).
http://www.southamericaliving.com/category/ecuador/
Best of luck with your move, Molly
I’ve added your link to the Resorces page. Mary
Just found your blog, we are Wannamoves who are taking their exploratory trip this April-May for a month. We’ll make the decision after that, pretty sure we’ll then be Gunnamoves. Like you, I’ve started a blog – not for family because we won’t tell them until we are Gunnamoves. 😉
Added you to my blog reader and my blog list, now off to read your back posts. Thanks! http://ecuador-bound.blogspot.com/
Hey Donna, welcome. Ecuador is quite enchanting so be prepared to fall in love. Good luck to you and Stu. Mary & Steve
Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?
There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thanks
Go for it Frank. Are you planning a trip to Ecuador? Mary
Hi Mary & Steve,
My friend Lee Dubs sent me your link and I believe we must live close by each other and your recent post (Lee fdw to me) really captured a lot of my feelings. My wife, who was born in Panama in the Zone) and I have traveled for many years, and have met the gringo you mentioned dozens of times. “What do you eat, is it dangerous, clean, health,” and on and on. I have read so many statements on other EC blogs, one person said I must call it a forum, that are totally false, that I hoped someone would start one that was factual. I really despise Intl Living telling people you can live in EC for $600 a month. There are a lot of “expert gringos’ that post things like, “impossible to get a residency visa in the US. I have one neighbor that did just that, and another friend. Anyway, I am glad you are putting out good info and hopefully it will keep people from moving here with false ideas.
I have read several articles you have offered and found them most enlightening. We are planning to retire soon and looking hard at Ecuador, Loja or Cuenca. Most of what we have found on the net is either outdated, inaccurate, or so tainted with ulterior motive that we have almost given up.
Economics is a very important part of our decision, but other concerns like health care and safety are equally important. We are not looking for the “foreign USA experience” like so many we have talked to.
We were in Guayaquill in May and found the people very friendly and helpful, and made friends with several locals that we are staying in contact with. We even had a laugh or two at my expense due to my feeble, but well received attempt at Spanish.
I guess my comment is, that when you treat people with respect you will get it back. I got a great deal of information just by asking and not expecting.
I would be very careful of letting cost of living be too big an issue as I have seen “economic refugees” that found it was not their cup of tea. Also, a lot of difference between Loja and Cuenca, as the later has not that many gringos and Cuenca the most. s to Guayaquil on the coast, there are some much better spots if you choose the coast. You don’t say how long you have been in Ecuador on visits but I would say try a couple months and see the whole country. You may also want to check out ecuadorfactsandfictions.com
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Hello, I found your blog while doing a bit of research for my own blog. I enjoyed reading several of your posts. I hope you don’t mind I linked your about page to one of mine. I’m having fun getting to know expats around the world. I myself lived in Pasadena for 10 years, moved to Utah for 8 years, then to the Northwest for 10 and now I’m living in Russia with my wife. I’ll be back to explore your blog. Thanks Steve
Another big Cuenca blog has suggested that a female should never ever walk alone in Cuenca. My wife is very independent and loves to run around doing errands all day. She does not appreciate my impatience to get back home, so if I have to tag along with her all day, every day…it is a deal breaker for us. We’d have to find another Country to retire to. Your thoughts ?
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Thanks,
Scott
Scott, crime is everywhere and I cannot say that it would never happen to you or your wife if you come to Ecuador. I walk alone but I try not to be out by myself at night and I will avoid some of the squeezy looking streets. There is a blog I recommend on our Resources page “Thiefhunters in Paradise” A little bit of knowledge will make you feel more secure.
And Facebook groups that discuss this topic, I suggest you join one of these groups to get more answers. Mary
As a traveler of over 40 years who now lives in Ecuador, the questions I have been asked over the years more than any other, “is it safe”, flowed quickly by, “what do you eat”, and disease. Look around your city or home town and ask yourself is there any crime and do people get sick? Of course there is and of course they do. I have been deep in the jungles in Columbia, and in Asia where malaria is well known, and recently spent a few days on the Rio Napo. I have been bitten by thousands of mosquitoes and so far I have survived. My turn may come this week, but at 72 I would guess it will be something else. I hate generalizations, but many Americans seem to want assurances about everything from health to investments and the last time I checked, there are none about anything. I think it is more about being afraid of the unknown than anything else. The idea of strange people and customs, food, language, tend to spook people that have not traveled or their travel has been on tours, or other organized trips, and this includes business and military travel where there is usually a set agenda. Many of the same people will drive in America on an interstate at 90 or 100 miles an hour while talking on a cell phone thinking nothing about it, yet will worry about riding a bus in SA. For me, there is a choice, stay in your neighbor where you feel comfortable, or get out and see the world. For some of us, the former has never been a choice. BUT don’t try and live anyone else’s life for the life you live regardless of there is, may be the best choice for you. There are people regularly leaving Ecuador that found that their dreams did not match reality.
Well said.
My wife has been walking, riding buses, and taking taxis for four years by herself without a single incident.
Mary, much like you and your husband we are too reading everything we can on Ecuador ( for nearly 2 years now), have visited the coast and will be returning to secure a rental in July 2015. We have decided to make the move in September We currently live on the coast in Florida. We enjoy coastal living. As you mention coastal living in Ecuador does not have the culture, arts etc that Cuenca affords. We have chosen to land on the coast (Olon or Manglaralto area) We may choose to visit Cuenca a few months out of the year. However, we shall see what happens. I did not read all the comments on here so where did you end up in Ecuador ? Thank you!!
Kathy