Expat Life: Our 16th Expat Anniversary!

Cynthia:  It’s hard to believe that we arrived in Cuenca on this date 16 years ago.

Edd:  I know. On one hand it doesn’t seem like we’ve been here that long. On the other, Las Vegas, our last home in the States, feels like a past-life experience.

C:  Since studies show most expats only last about three years before moving to a new place or going home, we’re quite the exception.

E:  Well, in reality our stuff has lived in Cuenca all this time. Subtracting the two and a half years it was in storage while we were gallivanting around the globe, along with all the other traveling we’ve done plus the countless family visits, I have no idea how long we’ve actually been here.

C:  I was just talking to a relative in Georgia recently and she asked, “Do you think you’ll ever move back?”

E:  What did you say?

C:  That it’s impossible to know what the future holds, but at this point we’re happy where we are. If something unforeseen shows up, we will react accordingly.

E:  We must have Georgia on our minds. An Atlanta buddy of mine from high school called the other night to let me know that one of our mutual friends had died. We were catching up and he commented how “smart” we were to have moved to Ecuador. I reminded him it may look that way in hindsight, but at the time we took a desperate leap of faith to salvage our retirement.

C:  In 2010 we arrived with no Spanish, no friends, and no place to live. That doesn’t sound real smart to me. But there was something we did do that made all the difference. We decided to live our life abroad looking forward instead of in the rearview mirror. We weren’t going that way. That’s why we didn’t join the “3-Year Club” I mentioned.

E:  There were definitely a lot of challenges. I mostly remember the good times, though. And we had more than our share of those too. Even the crazy problems we faced have turned into funny stories when we reminisce.

C:  People probably wonder what it’s like to live in another country for so long. What would you say?

E:  That’s an interesting question with what’s probably an unexpected answer. I don’t think our life would be much different no matter where we call home. We’d still choose a location with a walking lifestyle and do many of the same things we do now. Cuenca just happens to be a great place to do it!

C:  We have often said that inside our walls we could be anywhere. The difference is what’s outside your door.

E:  Cuenca is sure different now than when we arrived. The great climate and low cost of living haven’t changed, but the city has unexpectedly kind of grown up around us.

C:  So true. The dining scene has absolutely exploded, and the wider variety of products available in the supermarket has been a nice benefit. New buildings are coming out of the ground all over town. And it’s not because of more expats. Our numbers have grown, but Ecuadorians are discovering what a beautiful and safe place this is.

E:  Even though the city’s not that big, getting around town is so much easier than the “old days” riding those ancient blue buses belching diesel fumes. Thankfully, they were replaced years ago, and now a light-rail line takes us downtown in minutes. For everywhere else we want to go, an Uber-style app on our phone brings a taxi right to our door.

C:  For two people who got off a plane 16 years ago hoping this crazy idea of moving abroad would work, life has turned out pretty great. We have a beautiful home and all the amenities we could want. On our Social Security income we are able to add to our savings each month while traveling internationally several times a year.

E:  Plus, we enjoy excellent health and, for the most part, a stress-free life. Maybe my friend is right. Even though we didn’t know it at the time, moving to Cuenca was one of the smartest things we’ve done in our long marriage.

C:  Speaking of which, that anniversary is coming up in a couple of months. Number 55! Wow, I think we must be aging. For now, happy 16th expat anniversary, Edd.

E:  And to many more of both of them. Let’s open a bottle of sparkles and celebrate! 🥂