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We want to meet English speaking expats!

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hayleyvibe
  1/9/2014 15:55 EST

Hi,

My husband and I are coming to Ecuador Feb 4th - 18th to explore the Country in search of a place to emigrate to. All being well, we'll find a place to land, and come back with our family of 2 children and 3 dogs in April. We're in our 40's and our children are 7 & 8.

On our February trip we'd love to meet other English speaking expats that would be willing to meet with us and share their stories.

In rough order we'll be visiting Quito, Otavalo, Cotacachi, Ibarra, Urcuqui, Guachala, Manta, Guayaquil, Cuenca, Loja, Malacatos, San Pedro de Vilcabamba, Vilcabamba, Yangana and Catacocha.

We'd love to meet you, and if anyone has any info on recommended transportation between these destinations, and cheap but decent hostels / b&b's it'd be greatly appreciated.

Mikeisforfaceless
  1/9/2014 17:15 EST

feel free to reach out with your plans and such while in Quito!

Mike
www.themiddleoftheworld.com

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hayleyvibe
  1/9/2014 19:13 EST

Thanks Mike, I checked out your website so have your #, we'll try to give you a call when we're in Quito to meet for a chat!

BeachWriter
  1/9/2014 21:09 EST

I would suggest you add Salinas to your list of places to visit on your trip. It is the top beach town in Ecuador and has a very strong expat community. You can meet them any day you want at Smokin BBQ, Will's Place or Big Ralphs.

If you like the beach, this is a laid back, pleasant place to live with great weather year around.

kmerena
  1/9/2014 21:41 EST

15 locations if 14 days. Doesn't anybody see anything wrong here?

And once again, for those that keep pushing the coast, did you bother to read this?

http://www.expatexchange.com/expat/index.cfm?frmid=202&tpcid=3381101

Hwy101
  1/9/2014 21:47 EST

Big Agenda, for such a short time...

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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TeresaD
  1/9/2014 21:49 EST

That's what I was thinking...

hayleyvibe
  1/10/2014 03:44 EST

Hey thanks for the suggestion. I'd really love to live on the coast, but my husband's worried about yellow fever and Malaria, as well as it being too hot. You don't have to worry about these things once you get up to a certain altitude in the Andes. Any info or opinions on these issues much appreciated!

hayleyvibe
  1/10/2014 03:54 EST

Relax, this is just my short list! As we talk with more expats about each potential area, we'll get the list down. Thanks for the info regarding the coastal crime rate being on the coast, definitely a HUGE factor! I think between that, my husband aversion to high temperatures, & the mosquito's, we'll stick to the Andes regions. Kmerena, where abouts are you located? Anything you can share on why you chose your current location greatly appreciated.

hayleyvibe
  1/10/2014 03:58 EST

Massive agenda! But we'll get the list down. What area's on our list would you recommend removing and why? Thanks for the help!

Keylime
  1/10/2014 07:44 EST

Well, if you are interested in Loja, Malacatos, San Pedro de Vilcabamba, Vilcabamba and Yangana.... I might be of some help. We have lived in Cuenca for about 6 months and are now living in Vilcabamba for about a year. We have a son and his family living just outside Yangana, San Pedro de Vilca is almost a suburb of Vilcabamba, and Malacatos is less than 10 minutes away. If you come down in this area, I would suggest you stay in Vilcabamba, as there are quite a few English speaking people both visiting and living here. It is a rural town of about 4,000 people.. and we drive up to the city of Loja every week or two to shop for some things not available. here. The weather is warmer than in Cuenca, and is not really very humid, as we are in the middle of the mountains. Vilcabamba is also lower in altitude at 5,000 ft. If you need more info send me a private message, and give me your e-mail address.

keylime

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mildoc
  1/10/2014 08:39 EST

No yellow fever issues on the coast…..the low incidence is in the Amazon.

Hwy101
  1/10/2014 13:01 EST

You left out: Dengue Fever. Dana, in Guayaquil, has had it a couple of times. On the other two, now 3, you have to decide the risks for yourself. Look them up to see the occurrences here; and, then decide for yourself.

hayleyvibe
  1/10/2014 14:01 EST

Thanks for the response, what about Malaria?

hayleyvibe
  1/10/2014 14:04 EST

Thanks for the help everyone. We've taken Manta and Guayquil off our list.

We'll be focusing on 3 area's. Cotacachi (& surrounding area's, particular interest in Urcuqui), Cuenca, and Vilcabamba (& surrounding area's inc.Loja).

Any stories, recommendations etc. for these area's, much obliged!

casadecuenca
  1/10/2014 14:10 EST

I spend a month one weekend in Vilcabamba. It's a one horse town, the horse is lame and the place is crawling with aging hippies. Not much to do except drink and watch the grass grow. Ditto for Cotacachi it is almost 10,000 feet and about 10º cooler than Vilca, but no aging hippies. Loja is nice if you speak Spanish, It's a little lower and warmer than Cuenca. I've been in Cuenca more than two years and I cannot imagine living anywhere else.

remoore2001
  1/10/2014 14:27 EST

Cotacachi is at 7800 ft and has a great small town vibe. Has some great new restaurants and bars. A lot of gringos

hayleyvibe
  1/10/2014 15:35 EST

Thanks, we've written of Guayaquil. We're focussing on Cotacachi, Cuenca, and the Vilacabamba & surrounding area's.

boatmax
  1/10/2014 17:28 EST

"I'd really love to live on the coast, but my husband's worried about yellow fever and Malaria, as well as it being too hot." You could have not been further mislead. The coast is not Panama, with horrible temps and insects. Where I live, the temps are 83 F every day, with cool breezes off the ocean. I have 3 A/C unused. I never close the windows and sliding glass door. The lows are 73 every night, with no breeze. Where I live, an insect is rare. Those tropical diseases mentioned are unheard of where I live; but I am within 1 degree of the equator.

jacmare
  1/10/2014 19:04 EST

So, where do you live: city at least ?

BeachWriter
  1/10/2014 22:16 EST

Guayaquil is nothing like the coastal cities where expats settle. It is a large, industrial port city with extremely high crime rates and a large amount of poverty. By contrast, most coastal resort cities are safe, have much lower crime rates and are enjoyable, laid back places to live.

Lumping Guayaquil in with "the coastal cities" is like saying all southern cities are like New Orleans. The comparison is simply not accurate.

OceanHideaway
  1/11/2014 13:22 EST

I never push the coast ... in fact: Stay away...we have SAND here...and water, lots and lots of salty water!

...and bugs, and yes there is Dengue during the rainy season (by the way, Dana contracted it once, her daughter also once -- but each year 4 or 5 expats contract it as well -- awful flu and it can become serious if not treated, just like the flu) and we even have scorpions and snakes and -- oh yes -- sharks! (the most dangerous have two legs and are fellow expats)

Nope -- if you are looking to limit your visit -- you will want to cut out at least 1/2 of the country where folks live -- and skip the delicious seafood, cooling sea breezes, Latin spiced nightlife, young artisan vibe of Montaita, beautiful beaches and water sports, and serene sunsets...

Listen to these people who advise you because -- obviously -- they would know, they live in Cuenca! They must know something!

And if you can get past the sarcasm of all that and do want to come to the Salinas area -- where I have lived for over 5 years and run my Inn, let me know. Because from where I sit in my office right this moment, overlooking the pool and ocean and type away to the sound of the waves and breeze and bird call and children laughing down at the beach and swallows dipping low to catch a drink out of the dogs' bowls as they laze on the porch, a couple of boats pass by on their way to the Galapagos to catch dorado and tuna... it l seems pretty nice here. Just sayin'

Susan

hayleyvibe
  1/11/2014 14:34 EST

We'll be scouting out the area's around Cotacachi, Cuenca, and Vilcabamba Feb 4th through 19th. Where abouts are you?

hayleyvibe
  1/11/2014 14:37 EST

Thanks for the perspective. My husband doesn't want to be on the coast so regardless of the conflicting opinions on the coast, looks like we'll be exploring the Andes. I'll be looking forward to visiting the coast once we're settled though!

Where abouts are you?

hayleyvibe
  1/11/2014 15:01 EST

Susan, you sound very English, oh how I miss such Sarcasm!

My husband's the biggest stickler re- the coastal area's. He's like a polar bear and starts melting in the heat! After our scouting trip in Feb, we'll settle somewhere in the Andes in April. We'll be focusing on learning Spanish for the first few months, our #1 priority. Then we'll look forward to visiting some coastal area's. I'll give you a shout out we'd love to come and stay at your Inn and meet you!

hayleyvibe
  1/11/2014 15:07 EST

Oh dear, aging hippies! ;) We're somewhat middle aged aging hippies so might fit in just fine. And we're looking forward to watching the grass grow and living a slower paced life. Saying that, yes, we could get bored. When we're in Cuenca we'll be looking at area's within 30 miles of the city in hopes of finding us so some slower paced country, within reach of Cuenca's fun city vibes and ammenities. Where abouts in Cuenca do you live?

Plumo
  1/11/2014 19:02 EST

In Tababela when you land at the airport in Quito if you land in the evening, I suggest Quito airport Suites

A car rental would probably be your best bet if want to visit so many places

Gaz is at 0.39$ per liter

Roads are good condition, with many , many speed bumps, some unmarked.

Otavalo market happens every days but really explodes into neibourghring streets on Saturday

In Otavalo, an hotel close to the market is the Hotel Coraza, free breaky and wi-fi

The drive from Quito to the north of the coast is very nice, you'll see many plantation of Palm tree producing oil of palm, along that road you'll encounter a gaz station about every 20 Kms. When you begin driving from Atacames on the coast to Bahia de Caraquez, make sure to fill-up befor you leave Atacames, otherwise you' will not find a gaz station for quite awhile.

Driving down the coast you'll enjoy the beautiful scenery and miles after miles of beautiful coast line

In Manta if you walk the beach in the morning or on Saturday around 1:30 pm go to # 18 on the Manta malecon it is called Las Velas, Expats meet there

In Motañita a nice place to stay is Montañita beach resort

We spent 15 days last October, we enjoyed Ecuador very much enough to return again and again, with our rented car we drove 1700 Kms

A wonderful trip

Ecuachic54
  1/13/2014 08:50 EST

I live in Guayaquil. There are great english speaking schools here that your children can attend while they also learn spanish. You are welcome to call me when you arrive. I'll share whatever info I can. cellphone 0986890085

hayleyvibe
  1/14/2014 16:17 EST

Hi, Thanks so much for responding. For now we're going to focus on the Andes regions. If we don't find anywhere we like we'll consider Guayaquil. Did you travel around much befoe landing in Guayaquil? What made you choose that area?

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