The Big Decision That Will Change Our Lives Forever

I think it was 2004 when George Bush was reelected that we began to consider moving out of the country. At that time we did not like the way things were headed, and unfortunately it has not gotten any better, even after Obama was elected. We first began to consider warmer locations like Costa Rica about a year ago. We narrowed our search down to the highlands or the central valley, but to our dismay we found out that no foreigner can hold a job that a Costa Rican can. Good for them. Bad for us. We threw around a couple of ideas for possible jobs, but I found that law to be constraining and I didn't want to have to try to find a way to make it work. It seemed too hard. For example, we read a story about an expat who opened a B & B. You can own a business in Costa Rica, but all of the waiters, cleaners, etc... would have to be Costa Ricans. So, this man was helping out a busser and bussed one of his tables. Unfortunately, immigration stopped by at that moment, saw him bussing the table and in the end he was almost deported. I did not want to fight those rules.

My stepmother told me about a show called House Hunters International. I watched it once and was hooked. I am now obsessed with that show, and everyone I ask who has seen it is also obsessed! It was that show that turned us on to Ecuador. We saw a show about an expat who was looking for a home in Cotacachi. I was immediately drawn to the sites and sounds of the market in Cotacachi. And the prices for houses were amazingly low! There began our journey into Ecuador. We immediately began scouring the internet for sources on the country. We bought books and maps (which haven't arrived yet). We read blogs and found friends on Facebook and Yahoo groups.

So, why Ecuador? Many reasons. Some of them are subliminal. More a feeling than an actual reason. On one side we are stressed out by our jobs and the failing economy. On the other side we love the fact that in Cuenca the temperatures are spring-like all year round. The mornings and evenings can be chilly. Sometimes around 40 degrees, but it warms up throughout the day usually around 70. We love that we can be at the beach in 3 hours or the rainforest or the mountains. We love that most of the food is organic. And local! We have heard that the Ecuadorians are very family-oriented and like foreigners, even Americans. And it is very cheap to live there.

We have decided to live in Cuenca for at least the first year or so until we scout out the area and decide where we want to put down roots. We are going to be able to buy 3 years of Mark's military service and he will be able to start collecting his retirement pension in 2 years. His pension will be plenty to live on and we won't have to even work if we don't want to. We WILL work, but how awesome is it that we don't have to if we don't want to! You can rent (and we will rent. Don't want to buy again for awhile.) a very nice house for $400 - $600 a month. Apartments, nice apartments run around $280 to $300. We know a family of 6 and their grocery bill is only $50 a week.

We are in contact with some teachers from Guayaquil who work at the International School there. They would like to start an International School in Cuenca. That would be exciting. Mark is also considering starting an orphanage school or a school in a small village for indigenous children. There is also a need for B & B's in Cuenca. So, we see a lot of potential opportunities there.

It is with a heavy heart though that we make this decision. The thought of leaving my family and friends is devastating. Selling our animals and our farm is going to be heartbreaking. But every time I think about staying I think about going to work. And the thought of 16 more years in this school district makes me want to run through the streets screaming. And it is only going to get worse. This year I have a class of nice kids (although we are starting to see some serious signs of bullying), but we have 38 of them crammed into our room. In about 2 weeks we may lose our 4/5 split teacher. If that happens her students will be split between my class and the 5th grade class. That would mean 10 more students. We cannot move as it is. The children have no room to line up. I am hoping that reason will prevail and she will be allowed to keep her job. Michele has 60 8th grade students in her homeroom class. 60 8th graders! What is wrong with this system??? As I said, it is only going to get worse. And I won't even talk about Issue 2.

So, while moving away from family and friends is heartwrenching to say the least, we feel that we must make this move for the happiness of ourselves and our children.