The World’s Most Affordable Retirement Haven

From the US State Department website:

"Crime is a severe problem in Ecuador. Crimes against U.S. citizens in the past year have ranged from petty theft to violent offenses, including armed robbery, home invasion, sexual assault, and several instances of murder and attempted murder. Very low rates of apprehension and conviction of criminals – due to limited police and judicial resources – contribute to Ecuador’s high crime rate."

Second thoughts?

Swhite of CA 12:05PM October 08, 2012

Interesting. Is there a web site, blog or something where we could talk with people who live in this or like communities?

Since I have never been to this country or city is there a reasonable way to get to the city (from Denver) to explore what it would be like living there?

BTW I see living there only part of the year.... would also live in Denver for the other part. Any advice?

tom

tom Kimmeth of CO 12:42PM October 07, 2012

Is anyone living in Cuenca now? Can you post what life is like? Is there any business life? Health Care? Languages?

Sherry H of NC 10:53AM October 07, 2012

I didn't realize that there were five pages of comments until I came back to see if any of my questions had been answered from earlier today.

I am so glad that I did. I wish I hadn't wasted my good time reading a few of the comments as they obviously came from some very uneducated and or extremely biased individuals who seem to have some sort of agenda.

To those who left some very good, educational and unbiased information I thank each and every one of you. Those were the kinds of answers I was looking for. I don't want nor am I looking for any sugar coated answers or comments. I am a brutally honest person and expect honesty in peoples answers or I just completely disregard these people as crap starters who have nothing better to do than cause problems or see their names posted on the net. What a pity that some people can be so imbalanced and uneducated.

OK, enough of that.

I really learned a lot here and it seems that the general concensus is to travel around and spend some time in the various areas that are of interest to each individual. There isn't going to be any right or wrong answer to all the questions and just like certain parts or all of our anatomy we all have opinions and most of them stink!

I am thoroughly intrigued about the thought of retirement in Ecuador or perhaps one of its neighboring countries.

I am not a person who enjoys large cities so Cuenca may not be my cup of tea but it certainly seems that some of the outlying areas would be of great interest to see and explore.

I totally agree with one of the authors here in that when in Rome do as the Romans do, so to speak. I also believe that as a guest in someone elses country that it only correct and polite to learn the local language and culture. Amazing what one can learn through a little open minded observation. Anyone who wants to find trouble I am sure they can find it. I think that like minded people naturally seek one another out and that is what would make this a very interesting local to visit and contemplate a possible life changing move. I am single and plan to stay that way for a very long time but then again maybe some of the local flavor may be a lot less objectionable than what we have to offer here of late.

Thanks again to one and all who left some great info.

Already saving for my next vacation to Ecuador.

Jim Boggio of NM 2:57AM October 07, 2012