Why Ecuador?

Initial research pointed towards Panama and Ecuador as the top recommended locations for low cost and expat friendly locales. With anticipation of a $2500 to $3000 monthly budget based on proceeds from our Social Security payouts, both countries would allow a better lifestyle opportunity than our Plan A would here in the States with its income requirement $1500 higher.

Part of that is U.S. general cost of living. It appears housing costs including rent and utilities are about 50 cents on the dollar compared to where we live now in Texas; fresh food is definitely less and healthcare should be cheaper too. Another big part of the savings (about $800 a month less) would result because strategically placed housing in many Ecuadorean and Panamanian cities (close to the beach, shopping, services) may not require owning a car which is normally a must in most sprawling U.S. cities.  In the Dallas-Ft. Worth where we live in now, often two cars are a necessity particularly if one is used for commuting.  

After digging a little deeper, Ecuador jumped to the number one spot for me.  On the whole it is a little cheaper, can have a more climate options, and -- at least for now -- is a more cannabis friendly environment. The last reason is not because we are pot heads (although after living through the Seventies, we are no strangers to that lifestyle), but rather because medical marijuana pain therapy would be part of Brenda's overall healthcare plan if we can get her off her current opiate-based infusion pump regimen that marginally controls her pain levels. The basically non-accosted availability of the herb that goes with unofficial decriminalization along with an easy and inexpensive tie in with the country's national healthcare system would definitely be a plus.

Our love of the ocean and beach life, and a warmer year around climate narrowed the focus to coastal areas of Ecuador's three distinct climate regions. While a high percentage of expats tend to settle in the central higher elevation region -- which divides the coastal plain from the rain forest on the east side of the country -- in the more temperate cities like the national capital Quito and more renowned expat-haven Cuenca with their perpetual Spring-like temps, the Pacific coast's 75 to 95 degree range and the availability of unbroken water aerobics would suit Brenda's many ailments including Rheumatoid Arthritis much better.  I think I could handle year around shorts, T-shirts and flip flops.

So now the focus will be to choose where along the coast to do our preliminary visit. If all goes well, we will schedule a that visit later in the Spring (hopefully by May for a week) to get the lay of the land. Before any move to our retirement destination occurs a thorough hands on visit is necessary. Our best option at this point appears to be Manta, located just north of the midpoint on the country's Pacific Coast.