May 2009 - Cuenca Ecuador

Cuenca, Ecuador! That is a place we might wind up moving to when I retire in 2010 - 2011 time frame. Over the past month I have been following several blogs of US and Canadian expats who have moved to Ecuador. Some move to the beach and some move to the mountains and some maintain residences at both locations (which seems like a great idea to me). The cost of living is low (it appears you can rent a great place for < $700 per month or buy a place for about 100K). The climate is great (cool mountains or warmer beaches). The culture is interesting (indigenous people and decedents of European colonists). The food is great and varied (Cuenca is the 3rd largest city in Ecuador and has nearly any type of food you would desire). Beach areas are obviously much less developed but the native fare sounds fine. Medical costs are very reasonable. Basically not much to dislike and much to enjoy all at about 1/4 the cost of living in the USA. Why wait until your 65 to retire? We would make a trip down and spend about 4 weeks about a year from now then decide if it is really the place for us. Likely we would buy a place in Cuenca and rent a place on the beach when we wanted to enjoy the ocean.