Discovering Ecuador: Our Journey from the U.S. to Cuenca

Why We Chose Ecuador for Our New Adventure

Q: Where did you move from, and where do you live now?

A: We moved from the United States and currently live in Cuenca, Ecuador.

Q: When did you arrive in Ecuador?

A: February 2024.

Q: Please share how you discovered Ecuador, and why you chose to relocate?

A: Amy saw an advertisement in International Living Magazine for Ecuador Expat Journeys and convinced Wade to check out Ecuador as a possible retirement location. We chose to move because Ecuador has a very reasonable cost of living, friendly people, and great weather. Ecuadorian culture focuses on community and family, which is very different from the individualistic culture of the United States. We really appreciate that difference! Because the cost of living is so low in comparison to California, we were able to stop working and start enjoying life much earlier than we ever expected!

Embracing a New Lifestyle

Q: Are you fully retired, or do you work remotely?

A: We are both fully retired, but Amy does some freelance work as a website creator to keep busy.

Q: What is your monthly budget?

A: Our budget is $1600/month, but we usually spend around $1200. This includes all our regular expenses and private health insurance. We chose this budget because we are living completely on savings. We won't reach social security age for five more years, so we need to keep track of our nickels and dimes!

Adjusting to Life in Ecuador

Q: How has life changed for you since moving to Ecuador?

A: Since moving to Ecuador, our lives have definitely changed for the better! We both feel healthier because our stress levels are down. The food we eat is fresher and less processed, allowing us to focus on things that make us happy rather than struggling to meet the daily grind in California. We walk more and use public transportation to get around, which we couldn't do back home.

We have also gained first-hand experience with the healthcare system in Ecuador. Wade was hospitalized for five days in July 2025 for a blood clot in his leg. The care he received was phenomenal. His primary care doctor and the vascular specialist visited him daily. A battery of tests were run, and daily medication was administered. When all was said and done, the hospital bill for everything was less than $4000. Five days of care for less than $1000 a day, including tests and medications! You just couldn't receive that kind of care for that price in the U.S., even with insurance! This experience confirmed that we made the right choice moving to our new home in Cuenca.

Overcoming Challenges

Q: Did you face any challenges adjusting to life in Ecuador?

A: Our biggest challenge was learning to slow down. Early mornings are no longer necessary, so we had to learn how to sleep in until 7 AM. Another challenge was learning how to shop. One-stop places like Walmart don't really exist here. The little shops around town are very specialized. For example, one store sells sportswear, while another sells casual clothing, and yet another sells business attire. Undergarments are sold in their own specialized stores. Want to buy makeup? You will need to visit a special store that sells makeup and beauty supplies.

Another challenge has been basic communication. Since neither of us is fluent in Spanish, we rely on Google Translate to help us out. Many people are patient with our clumsy Spanish, but the older generation is not as likely to participate in conversations via Google Translate.

A Day in Our Life in Cuenca

Q: Describe a day in your life. What keeps you busy?

A: Our days are really relaxed now! Wade usually gets up and makes coffee, which we drink in bed. We discuss what we want to eat that day, and one of us makes our first meal around 10 AM. If we need to shop, we walk to the bus stop and ride to the Feria Libre to buy our produce, eggs, and cheese. When we get home, it's veggie washing time, and then we put everything away. We order meat and American-style bacon from L&S Artisan Meats and have it delivered every 4-6 weeks. It’s our one splurge, as we enjoy thick-cut pork chops, which you can't really find in the grocery store.

Sometimes we go for a walk around the neighborhood in the afternoons or find a new place to enjoy an almuerzo. Wade likes to visit Parque de la Madre and use the public exercise equipment. Amy enjoys walking on the track that circles the park. We love visiting the Historic Center of Cuenca, mainly for people-watching in the park while we buy our freshly ground coffee at Zaruma.

If Amy is doing freelance work, she usually tackles that in the morning hours between coffee and breakfast. If she's feeling really motivated, she will also work in the afternoon. Amy decided it was time to start Spanish classes, so twice a week, she is working to improve her communication skills.

We also enjoy going to the movies, and we just happen to live very close to the one theater that shows movies in English (with Spanish subtitles). This makes it easy for us to indulge our guilty pleasure and watch movies in English a couple of times a month!

Tips for Future Expats

Q: Do you have any advice for other potential expats?

A: Remember to breathe! Take your time getting acclimated to your new home. Leaving your old home can be stressful, especially if you are selling everything and coming with just a few suitcases. You deserve time to recover from that ordeal! Ladies, bring your hair dryer and other hair care items. They will be very expensive to replace here in Ecuador.

Don't be afraid to explore and move around the country to find your perfect place. Each area is unique, and cultural traditions and climate vary from place to place. Enjoy your new reality, celebrate and embrace the culture of your new home, and face new situations with an open mind. Different doesn't mean wrong; it just means different!

---wix---