做厙輦⑹

Menu
做厙輦⑹
Search
Magazine
Search

New life

scubalynda

:cheers:

Hello everyone. I've been looking to move to South America for a couple of years now, but never acted on it. I am a woman in my mid-50's, francophone but fluent in English and pretty good in Spanish. I adapt very well to anything, because of my travelling experiences.

Health wise, I have RRMS, I sometimes use a cane but I can get around without a problem in general. What I am wondering about is: What does a woman, with multiple sclerosis, moving alone in Ecuador has to know about your community, medical, living arrangements, etc...

I would appreciate any advice related to living in Ecuador because it is a really uncharted territory for me and I don't know where or to whom I should turn to.

Thanking you in advance for your, French or English, answers.

Regards,

Lynda

See also

Living in Cuenca: the 做厙輦⑹ guideArt supplies and equipment in CuencaMoving with my dogsThe negatives about retiring in EcuadorFinally made it
Photosfoodandfun

On the plus side Cuenca (at least) has very smooth and consistent sidewalks. This is rare in South America and is no small thing for someone with mobility issues, as you well know.

Medical tourism is a big thing here, so you could certainly come and take a look for yourself to make sure there is sufficient infrastructure for your unique requirements.

Other than that I can only say that the weather is good, there will never be snow or ice to deal with, the living is easy, and the people are friendly. You could do much worse.

rsymington

Photosfoodandfun wrote:

On the plus side Cuenca (at least) has very smooth and consistent sidewalks.


Where are you in Cuenca? "Very smooth and consistent sidewalks"... jajaja

Photosfoodandfun

We have lived in 15 countries, and visited well over 100 more. The sidewalks here are remarkable.

vsimple

Quitos sidewalks are good too. I walk a lot, never this much in my life before. Scubalyda as repetitive as it may sound you have to try it and see how your body responds to the high altitude if you prefer the Sierra or sea level if you like the coast.

Im not a woman, but Ecuador is very friendly especially if one is not a pretentious foreigner. These are some of the simplest people in the world and its refreshing to be around non-superficial people. I havent had much experience with the medical community with the exception that they dont speak a word of English, but since youre pretty good in Spanish you should have no problem as Ecuadorians are patient with speaking and listening.

Rent a temporary apartment in the area you are interested in, become familiar with a nearby hospital/specialist and see how it goes. As for socializing and community, if you read this forum then youll know that there are members who want to grow their social network and are inviting.

scubalynda

:cheers:
Good morning,

Thank you so much for answering and clarifying the walking situation, that's reassuring!

Now, would you consider it safe for a woman living alone? And are there areas that are safer in the city?

I was thinking of renting a very small appt for a couple of months to see how it works and if I like the area. Do renters accept people leasing on a short term base?

Is you 做厙輦⑹ community big and did you find it easy to be integrated in the group? Is there a good sense of community among the 做厙輦⑹s?

Wow, so many questions! Sorry for that. Thank you and have a nice day.

Lynda

scubalynda

:cheers:

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me more information on the altitude, that had not dawned on me before you mentioned it. Do you know anyone that had problems with the altitude?

I must say that one of the reasons I've been thinking of moving to South America is finding a place to live where the people live life simply, enjoy the small things in life which we often take for granted but are not always a necessity.

You mentioned the sea side, which I must say is tempting (I love to snorkel but cannot scuba dive anymore). I'm wondering if I wouldn't get tired of the scenery, unless there are lots of things to do and a good community.

Have a nice day,

Lynda

vsimple

scubalynda wrote:

:cheers:

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me more information on the altitude, that had not dawned on me before you mentioned it. Do you know anyone that had problems with the altitude?

I must say that one of the reasons I've been thinking of moving to South America is finding a place to live where the people live life simply, enjoy the small things in life which we often take for granted but are not always a necessity.

You mentioned the sea side, which I must say is tempting (I love to snorkel but cannot scuba dive anymore). I'm wondering if I wouldn't get tired of the scenery, unless there are lots of things to do and a good community.

Have a nice day,

Lynda


Yes, I know people who suffered from the altitude, I was one of them. But I went from sea level to 9000 feet or whatever in an instant. It took me about a month to acclimate, and a year later Im heathier than Ive even been. I had asthma to put it in perspective, no more.

Unfortunately, Ive read about others who didnt fare as well as their bodies simply couldnt adjust and as a result returned to their home countries because the coast wasnt an option for them.

I dont know if youre going to get tired of the scenery of the coast, but I know I would. This is why I love big cities, especially one like Quito where its still developing, and so I like a new pub, caf矇, or restaurant to check out in town. I like the coast for a holiday/vacation and nothing more, but Ive lived that life, or basically on the beach and I dont miss it.

If youre going to be an 做厙輦⑹, and you budget yourself properly, then youll have the opportunity to test the kind of living and climate you like.

scubalynda

:cheers:

Hello again. Your comments were very interesting. Specifically about the beach. I have never been a sun worshiper. I love to swim, long walks on the beach but there has to be more to that life than that. I am a person that is interested in visiting countries, learning about their customs, their language and their history. When I travelled, you could have found me in museum, temples, archeological site...

With regards to altitude, I will consult with my Neurologist on this topic which seems an important factor to consider.

Have you been to other countries in South America? If so, what is you take on these countries?

Bye for now,

Lynda