My wife and I (age 63/62) are considering moving to Ecuador from our home in Costa Rica. We have no real time frame for moving but it could be as early as next July. We have lived in CR for 3 years and have enjoyed the adventure but the crime, particularly the increase in gun related crime, has gotten a little out of control. We enjoy cooler, less humid weather so higher regions like Cuenca or Quito may be more to our liking. I would appreciate any other suggestions people may have. I am an avid golfer and my wife will start playing again after the rainy season is over so a good golf course is a must. We also workout 3 times a week and a fitness facility would be necessary where we lived. We also like to travel so a commercial airport or one close to where we lived would be important. I’m sure these three requirements will be limiting factors in deciding where we could live. Good health care is another requirement. Here, in CR, we are in the private health care system. There are 3 or 4 private hospitals that offer very good health care and doctors offices (unlike the States) are, to a great degree, located at the hospitals. We purchase health insurance from the monopoly insurance company that covers up to $250,000 annually for each of us costing about $4,500 a year on what is, essentially, an 80/20 plan. Generally speaking, what is the quality of health care and cost in Ecuador and how does it work? Migracion in CR is broken and it takes 3 months just to get an appointment to renew our cedulas and then another month to obtain the new cedula. I have read that I can obtain Pensionado residency because my US Social Security is substantially more than the $800 per month Ecuador requires and my wife could get a spousal residency based on my Social Security and her $500 a month Social Security payment. Am I correct and, if so, how long does it take? Although we have lived in a Spanish speaking country for 3 years, our Spanish is pathetic. I’m sure we would have to be, at least, conversant in order to live in Ecuador. Am I correct? We would plan on renting housing wherever we lived. My limited research so far indicates that, like CR, there is no multiple listing service and there is no requirement that real estate agents pass any licensing tests to sell or rent property. We currently live in a 600 sq. meter house on an acre of property with a great view of the central valley and it costs $2,500 per month. This is a bargain here in CR. We wouldn’t want anything smaller than 350 square meters and would want a view of mountains, valley, city, whatever. What is the best way of going about finding a rental property that would meet our requirements and what might we expect for cost? I would appreciate any advice/information anyone can offer. I would also welcome comments from anyone who does not like the situation they have gotten themselves into in Ecuador.
