Expat Life: Why We Love Our Expat Life

Edd:  Our latest article for MarketWatch about reasons you probably shouldn’t retire abroad was just published. That may seem like a curious subject for us to be writing about, but we know expat life is not for everyone.

Cynthia:  Let’s clarify up front that “expat” isn’t a shortened version of “ex-patriot.” Sure, some leave the country and go so far as renouncing their citizenship. I think most expats, like us, love their home country and have moved abroad for other reasons, quite often financial. We wrote an in-depth special report about this subject for anyone interested in knowing more.

E:  After 14+ years in Cuenca, it’s easy to take for granted all the reasons we’re so glad we did leave the country. Climate is always at the top of the list. While the Arctic blast swept across the U.S. last month sending temperatures into single digits along with tons of snow, we were sitting on the terrace enjoying a warm sunny day.

C:  Friends in Atlanta and Charleston, places where we used to live, reported bone-chilling days and snow as well. Even though it was fun to celebrate a white Christmas with our family, we’re fine experiencing the extremes of winter and summer with brief visits. The older we get, springtime all the time suits us best.

E:  A lot of retirees were disappointed with the small increase in Social Security benefits this year. Heck, for us any extra income is just that — extra. It’s truly remarkable that we have this upscale lifestyle on such a low budget.

C:  I am so grateful we’re able to live comfortably on less than our combined checks, which means we can add to our savings each month. Who in the U.S. living on their Social Security could say that?

E:  Having no heating and cooling expenses certainly helps. If it’s a little warm, we just open a few windows! Our apartment is so well-built that it’s never chilly inside at night, even when the temps are in the low 50s.

C:  What keeps costs down even more is having no car. In addition to the initial purchase, and vehicles are pricey here, I can’t imagine how much money we have saved over the years not paying for gas, maintenance, insurance, and parking.

E:  Instead 90% of our daily needs are within a 15-minute walk. And $2–$2.50 taxis or a 17 cent fare on Cuenca’s light-rail line gets us everywhere else. Hiring private drivers for out-of-town trips, which sounds like an extravagance, is cheaper and certainly easier than renting a car.

C:  Beyond the financial benefits, walking everywhere contributes to our fitness. And even when we’re not out, um, “walking” errands, strolling on the paths beside the beautiful river that runs next to our building is fun and relaxing.

E:  People are always curious about healthcare abroad. We maintain our Medicare coverage, and we’re also members of Ecuador’s national plan. Overall we have been happy, although budget issues caused some problems getting appointments in 2024. I recently had successful hernia surgery, and only had to pay for a few medications not available at the hospital’s pharmacy. They even kept me overnight for observation. That would be unheard of in the States.

C:  Since we’ve gotten numerous inquiries on the subject, it would be a good idea to mention the safety issue that made international news around this time a year ago. The coverage was overblown to begin with. Drug-related gang violence was confined to a few areas along the coast, but the media made it seem like the entire country was under attack and gripped with fear. Fake news. No place is free of crime and that includes Cuenca, but safety concerns should not trouble anyone thinking of moving here.

E:  The weather, cost of living, pedestrian lifestyle, healthcare, and safety are all important factors that keep us in Ecuador. What is hard to quantify is the feeling of freedom that we enjoy every day. Within reason, we can do what we want whenever we want. Bundling that with all the other attributes we’ve talked about makes for an attractive retirement package.

C:  Our website and much of what we write for outside publications is to encourage people to get past whatever fears are keeping them stuck in less than ideal circumstances. Because we and many others know there really is a LOT to love about expat life. ♥️