Wm Taylor,
Thank you for your positive comments on Ecuador. I received emails from people who have made the move and love the life there. Like you, they have not encountered and crime. The pictures I've rec'd are beautiful with charming towns/cities and wide open countryside. I have focused a bit on two places there, Cuenca because it is large enough to have all the amenities, it is quieter than Quito, and Cotacachi because it is small, more intimate, has most amenities with others close by in Otovalo. Both places have the moderate climates that I'm looking for. I like that I can use the USD and not have to calculate exchange rates or be concerned with market fluctuations.

For me the big negative is that I can't bring my car because it is 2 yrs old and that it takes 6 mos to get a drivers license in Ecuador. Not that I'm planning on doing a lot of driving, but I would like to be able to explore the countryside and take trips to the beach.

I would love to hear from you when you move in July. I can give you my email in a PM if you don't mind.

Via con dios,
Mandy