About Floridaray

Status:

Preparing to Move Abroad 

Gender:

Male

Currently Lives:

Citizen Of:

United States

About Floridaray

I'm 56, single and retired December 2015. If all goes as planned I'll have my visa in-hand, and kissing my kids goodby and heading to South America by July! Well my son just started college and my daughter is heading off to college soon so it's not forever, and they'll be visiting as often as possible. I was born and raised, educated, etc in Gainesville Florida. I workout daily and used to run and compete in sprint triathlons -never won any but I always finished. Also, when I first graduated college I moved to Taiwan and taught English almost three years. Then I moved to Germany and taught there too. And I backpacked to as many countries as I could afford in Asia and Europe. I lived frugally to finance my trips staying in hostels, camping when I could. Loved it! Then I went home got a real job, married, then divorced but I got two great kids out of the deal! I always knew I'd retire somewhere outside the US where it was inexpensive enough to support my beach habit and had decent waves. My original thought was Costa Rica or in Europe, Portugal. But after months (really years) of research where I examined our small world for retirement locals I can't find a place that beats Ecuador, or Columbia! And I plan to do everything possible to make myself a good Expat citizen. Learn Spanish, maybe do some volunteering, meet the woman of my dreams, and surf. If you're already there I'd love to hear from you. I'm thinking I'll find an apartment somewhere in Salinas -Mar Bravo in Ecuador or maybe Cartagena, Columbia.

Education:

University of Florida
  1986 to 1990

Favorite Museum:

Smithsonian(s) in Washington, DC and the rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Favorite Book:

The Good Earth by Pearl S Buck

Favorite Sports Team:

Florida Gators, Miami Dolphins

Some Forum Posts:

Colombia: Cartagena Spanish schools:

Hey I'm thinking of immigrating/retiring to the Cartagena area. But I can't speak Spanish. Can anyone recommend a Spanish school there? Thanks!!

Philippines: Good surfing beaches and PI retirement:

I just retired (early at 56) with a small pension, IRA, etc and thinking maybe the P.I for retirement. I used to visit my aunt and uncle there when they worked for the DOD in Subic Bay. Any recommendations appreciated best surfing beaches where I could live inexpensively and has other English speaking expats. Also, any recommendations on retirement visa? Thanks!! Oh and safety paramount! But I'm single and would like to maybe meet Filipina woman long term relationship. Or poss another expat. I could even live in a nipa hut, but prefer a concrete house for the hurricanes. Of course after hurricane Andrew I don't know if any things safe. Ha feel free to PM me. ;-) I did live in Taiwan for a few years after grad UF teaching English and one year Germany before heading home to Florida for a "real" job. Thanks!!

Ecuador: Montanita Nightlife:

Gotta comment: BJ sounds like a di€k! Jus sayin.

Ecuador Welcome Forum: Visa Documents :Apostilled vs Notarized:

Do you know the address in Florida to get the documents Apostilled? Thanks!!

Ecuador Welcome Forum: lawyers fees for visa:

I'm in process of getting all my paperwork together and sent to Dana now -as soon as I get it back from the channelers she recommended. A grand may seem like a lot of bread but worth it vs trying to work my way through the visa maze. Also, had great advice from Ecuadorjoe and ocean hideaway! There's a lot of scammers perfectly happy to take your money out there....and I mean more than $1000 too. I wasn't one of them but could have been. Phew!

Ecuador: US state residency:

It occurred to me that once the house is sold and I head to Ecuador I won't have an address here anymore. Like for my drivers license, etc. Do all the expats (who don't keep a house in the US) just forget things like DLs, etc. Or voting in the local/national elections by absentee ballot? Thanks!!

Ecuador: Banking in Ecuador?:

It doesn't appear to me that Ecuador has anything like the FDIC or that your money is protected. What happens if there's a bank robbery or maybe more likely your bank fails/goes bankrupt? Do most expats from the US keep their money in a US bank and use ATMs? Or is there an international US bank that you use. I'm not planning on living in a large city Quito, or Guayaquil so I'm wondering how I'll be able to access my money? Any comments greatly appreciated! Ray

Ecuador: Montanita:

Does anyone know if there's any nice long term rentals close by to Montanita? I'm retiring early age 56. But I grew up in a college town in Florida so I don't mind, in fact I like being around young people and I like to surf! But wouldn't mind living just close by -close enough to walk, so I could have a little me-time on occasion. And need a safe place. Any ideas or contacts greatly appreciated! Ray

Date Joined:

7/4/2015

Total Posts:

13

Posts/Day:

0.02