New Guy in South America

[spaggyroe]

This is off topic, but I read articles about American's moving to Cuenca for retirement (sometimes early retirement). Are there actually many American's living there? Do you have any advise for people considering moving to Cuenca?

Thanks, and keep posting the pics.

 

[The_Lobbster]

I too would like to go off topic, and want to ask, how/why did you end up moving to Ecuador from I'm assuming, the USA?

 

[593mountaineer]

This is off topic, but I read articles about American's moving to Cuenca for retirement (sometimes early retirement). Are there actually many American's living there? Do you have any advise for people considering moving to Cuenca?

Thanks, and keep posting the pics.

There is an estimate of 5,000-10,000 Americans living in Cuenca. This is a beautiful country, and Cuenca sits at about 8,300 feet above sea level and is surrounded by mountains. The cost of living is low and it is easier to have a healthy lifestyle here.

Advice...if someone is serious about possibly moving here, they should try to visit for at least a month, longer if possible. Research as much as you can about the country and the people. Try not to be on vacation. Instead, try to make your stay as if you were living here. See if you really like it. Ecuador is a different world. The people, culture, and land are wonderful. But some of the culture characteristics don't settle well with everyone. Those who try to bring America with them are the ones who end up unhappy and/or leaving. Being open and adaptable is very important. Also, almost nobody speaks English. It can be quite disorienting and difficult to get around if you don't understand a little Spanish or have a translator to help you.

 

[593mountaineer]

I too would like to go off topic, and want to ask, how/why did you end up moving to Ecuador from I'm assuming, the USA?

Yeah, we are from the US. Our family wanted to go to a place where we could engage in a ministry and help people. We chose Ecuador because we had circumstances that would allow us to make a modest US income while living in a country with low cost of living. We considered other places, like SE Asia, but Ecuador won because it was more practical...and we simply fell in love with the people and culture.

 

[The_Lobbster]

Gotcha! Sounds like a cool place!

 

[spaggyroe]

Thanks for the insight.

 

[rholbrook]

My parents lived in Quito for 8 years. They had a problem with getting their headlights stolen out of their Chev S-10 equivalent. After buying their headlights back 6 times, my father finally used pop rivets to keep them in place. They never had any more headlights stolen after that. They also had a fuel line shut off installed. My dad had to hurry and run into his apartment to grab something and parked out on the road. When he came back out his car was headed down the road. It ran out of gas and the "Police Officer" jumped out and go back in his car with his partner and left the car on the side of the road. Crazy

I personally loved visiting Ecuador. Can't wait to go again. I did have a 1981 Bronco years ago and installed Rancho 3" lift with 33" tall tires. I also had a 78 and 79 Bronco but never lifted any of these.