How did We Decide to Move to Cuenca, Ecuador?

About four months ago, the subject came up about the family moving to Washington State or Oregon within a year.  We looked extensively at different towns, jobs, prices, and homes that fit us and the Furbabies needs.  The rental prices were very high and the pay didn't match up with costs.  We all knew we desired a rural area, with lots of trees, and a fenced yard yet we needed to be close to a small town for work and shopping.  This was extremely hard to find. 

Then a few days later Candy brought up the idea of moving to Malaysia and we debated the location with little sense of reality.  Then came Bosnia,  Thailand, Cambodia, Slovenia, and even Panama came up as well.   All with an overall theme.  Overseas!   Heather said Italy and I threw in Australia and Ireland.  Ireland used to be a cheap place to live but, it seems to have really changed.   I had previously spent a lot of time in the land of OZ but it was far to expensive to even consider.  

Then came Ecuador!  While I was in the Marines had served time in Central and South America and I had a small grasp on politics and how things were run there.  

Next, I looked at our current budget for our life here in Hernando, Florida.  While the home is in a beautiful "Old South" part of Florida and the size of the home fits our needs  it is so expensive and it allows us no money to travel and see the world.  All three of us have a Bucket List and we each have dreams of places we want to see in our lifetime.  

So, I compared the costs on over 20 different blogs on Ecuador.  We debated weather we wanted to live near the beach or in the mountains.  I was really fine with either as long as I didn't have to shovel snow or deal with ice.  Now, Heather and Candy knew that they really wanted a more stable and cooler type of weather that would be offered in the mountains.  Well we examined the cities of Quito and Cuenca.  There were other smaller towns  we could have pick from but there was a concern about us not having vehicle, doing shopping, and mostly would there be any other expats to socialize with.  Then there was Quito it has ACTIVE volcano's and the city is HUGE!  Cuenca is smaller, closer to Peru and more stable in our minds.

There was some amazement after we all agreed to relocate to Cuenca, Ecuador.   Candy told me she never thought I would agree to go.  She had made up her mind to go alone even if we had not all agreed.  I'm so glad it never came to that, as Heather and I both have discussed with Candy how much she is loved and how we really want her to be with us as long as it's was what she wants.  We had always had the idea that it would be all three of us doing almost everything as a family.  Either way it was good news, we had found a place to live where we could save 2/3 or 1/2 of our income and use that to travel and make life more stress free.  The different amounts we can save or travel with will depend on how we choose to live everyday life in Cuenca.  If we drew in the belt, we could save more and at a faster rate but it would mean less fun in our everyday life.  While I might be up for that kind of life, the ladies are not.  We will all need to find a happy medium and I think we will.

We will continue to post more on the move.  As well as the things that happen day to day in our families lives.  If your wondering about things, feel free to email us, or post a question on here. 

We have collected quite a lot of info on Ecuador...I don't mind sharing.  

We also plan to post our vacations, day trips, holidays, life events, and such here. Heather is going to Disney World tomorrow for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party with her sister Amanda and I am sure she will write a post and share some pictures as well.