About Karen17

Status:

Considering a Move Abroad 

Gender:

Female

Currently Lives:

United States

Citizen Of:

United States

Some Forum Posts:

Ecuador Welcome Forum: Safe spot in Ecuador for single mom:

Hi! I can't comment on the schooling-the expats I know in Cuenca homeschool. But Cuenca is much safer for a woman than most of the U.S. Take the usual precautions-don't wear expensive items, don't be out in lonely places after dark, etc. After 2 weeks at my condo in Cuenca, my cell phone was stolen in Salinas by someone who was casing us. I'm a single mom-I've been visiting Cuenca with my boys for 5 years, since they were 11 and 8, and have never had a problem there. Cuencanos love children. The men are very involved with their children. As to my single status, I have found the Cuencano men to be much more respectful than the American expats there. :-)

Chile: Considering move to Ecuador to get away from corrupted UK government:

I live in the U.S. I have a place in Cuenca. My ex has looked at buying in Chile. In terms of capitalism, he feels Chile is more free than EC. Know that the U.S. has had a very long history of interfering in Latin and South American govts. Govts. all over the world are emulating the worst of the U.S., including tanks in city streets, drones, GMOs, etc. Many countries are beholden to U.S. corps to the extent they are basically bankrupt. So if you truly want to get away, a small town in a country under the U.S.' radar where you can live off the grid is the place to look. The cia has EC's President Correa in its sights, as he keeps thumbing his nose at them. If you have that kind of money, spend some time in EC and Chile. Before booking your trip, decide if you like mountains or beaches, the weather you can tolerate, how well you speak/are willing to learn Spanish, and a whole host of other considerations. Then read up on the cities/towns to see how they compare to what you need/want.

Ecuador Welcome Forum: Appliances - take 'em or leave 'em?:

Leave them behind. The cost of shipping is more than the cost of buying brand new ones. Plus, you won't easily be able to get parts shipped. And your rental place may very well come with them. You may not have to buy smaller once you find you actually need to buy some. In the meantime, don't burden yourself with appliances, or any other furniture.

Ecuador Welcome Forum: Gringos?:

We stay over in Panama on our way to EC. I hate the taxi drivers there. At the airport, they won't take you out for less than a 4 hour fee, even though I can do my errands in 2 hours. And no matter where I tell them in decent Spanish that I want to go, they want to take me to the standard tourist places. In EC, as everywhere. there are people who will rip you off. Attitude truly is most of it. When a taxi driver quotes too much for a fare, I tell him in Spanish what I am willing to pay. Same with everything outside the chain stores. And remember, friendship everywhere is tit-for-tat. You need to give your friends equal to what they are giving you, whatever that is.

Ecuador: King beds?:

I would suggest not bringing any furniture-it is way too expensive to ship it. You can buy or have made anything you want here. Sell or donate pretty much everything before you leave the States.

Ecuador: Psychiatrist in town.:

I was able to get psychotropic sleeping pills without a prescription at all last time I was in Cuenca. I do have a prescription for it in the U.S. I had no problems taking out of EC, or getting it back into the U.S. Jus' sayin'

Brazil: Invitation from Brazil:

Where are you coming from, and what is your nationality?

Ecuador Welcome Forum: Traveling with chidren:

I bought a condo in Cuenca after visiting it by myself 4 years ago. I took my boys the 1st time the following year, when they were 11 and 8. They have loved it there. We are from Los Angeles, and Cuenca is a whole lot safer, so we just use the same common sense rules for not being mugged, and we've never had even a threat. Is your husband otherwise thoughtful of you and your children? Is he impulsive? These are issues to address that have nothing to do with EC, and the answers can tell you whether you can trust him or not. If not, do visit-it will be a great experience- but take your time about buying.

Ecuador Welcome Forum: living at the high altitude:

Definitely talk to your doctor. My dad had lung issues, and was told not to go above 7,000 ft. My best friend had a bum heart, and was also restricted to 7,000 ft. A tenant renting my Cuenca condo had a heart attack the day after he arrived, and died a couple days later. So altitude can affect one's health, beyond the common transitory "sickness".

Ecuador: Travelers Checks or ATM near Palermo building in Cuenca?:

Forget stateside checks-there's not a chance you'll be able to cash them. I always take thousands of dollars in cash with me-spread out among my and my kids' bags, then leave it at my condo when I arrive. I've never had a problem. Credit cards are the other way to go, but check the fees while you are notifying your company of your dates. If you are renting from a gringo, often you can wire the money to them, or make other arrangements outside of EC. If staying at a hotel, you can pay via the website before you leave. Don't take anything bigger than a $20 bill-cashing larger is time-consuming. As virtually all US bills have drugs on them, I have taken to washing them before I leave, so the dogs don't pick up on them. While Cuenca is generally safe, do be smart about your actions. Everyone can spot the gringoes by the backpacks they wear! :-)

Date Joined:

5/25/2009

Total Posts:

47

Posts/Day:

0.02