That's how it all started in February of 2010. In a few short months we sold our home and all our earthly possessions (except the kids), married a son, and arrived in Ecuador on June 3, 2010 with just four suitcases.

We rented a furnished apartment for a couple of months before moving into an unfurnished apartment for about one-quarter of the cost. Our condo overlooked the Tomebamba River and at night we were lulled to sleep by the sounds of nature.

In 2013 we bought our first condo (two bedrooms, two baths) in the new Fontana Rosa Building (three blocks from Mall del Rio and three blocks from the Yununcay). The price for our condo was 67K and it's now worth 87K. We're so thankful we made the investment.

Mark and I first met at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and have been married for 40 years. We have two wonderful sons, Jeremy and Jonathan, and a lovely daughter-in-law, Kim. 

Mark and I have moved 36 times in 40 years, so we have become "experts" in the field. Our last overseas experience was in Sicily, Italy for six years where our older son was born. After returning to the States, I worked in the medical field for 20 years before settling into a writing career. Mark retired from United Parcel Service after serving 20 years and took early retirement at age 55.

Mark teaches English part-time at CEDEI language school in Cuenca and I'm a freelance writer. 

We both admit that Ecuador has been our best move yet!

Mark and Connie

Expats to Ecuador

ABC News on Retirees in Cuenca