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Ecuador Living: Caroline’s StoryEcuador Living! Some days I Can’t Even Believe I’ve Done It! How I got here was magic, serendipitous.  I was born in England but lived much of my life in Florida. My work as a hairdresser, a colorist, involved frequent commutes between L.A. and Florida. It was hard work and I developed carpel tunnel. As a result of this occupational injury, I began to project ahead and figured I had perhaps ten years left working as a hairdresser. My house was paid for but I realized that social security would barely cover the basics. Where would money come from? I was screwed! So I looked around on the Internet for places I could afford, places that also had the right climate and culture for me. Uruguay was my first choice because I speak Italian. However, it was too far from the United States and from my daughter. Plus I was sick of the heat and Uruguay is hot. I’d Never Heard of
Quito!
I’m pretty well traveled, but I’d never heard of Quito. I had heard of Ecuador but didn’t really know where it was! As I began checking out places to live, and living in Ecuador kept popping up. I felt led here. Within 3 days, 3 different people spoke of Ecuador. Two were in the salon where I was working---a woman’s husband was going to Quito. Then while I was in a store, a man mentioned that he was going to Quito. I wanted beauty, great climate, affordability and proximity to the states. Those were my priorities. I did my research and originally I was going to move to Vilcabamba, in southern Ecuador. I never made it there. I sold my house. Then began to wonder, “What if I hate living in Ecuador?” But I came anyway, with no job and knowing no one. I ended up in Cotacachi. Within Five Minutes I Had Decided
This Was The Place
I remember the day I first went to San Miguel, a walled community being built on the outskirts of Cotacachi. It was raining and there was this amazing rainbow shining overhead. Within five minutes I  had decided that it was for
me! And
you know what? Many women who come here have done the
same---decided within about five minutes to buy in San
Miguel. It’s as if we were all guided here.I love San Miguel. It reminds me of England in the summer because I came from the Cotswolds. Now I’ve gone back to doing what I used to do and what I dreamed I would do. I dreamed of living in a hacienda-style house. Now I have the house and I have the horses and ride every day, walk, enjoy nature. I have created all of that here and all within the eighteen months since I arrived. In the morning I wake up, have my tea (my English heritage!). I sit on my beautiful terrace, look at the volcano in the distance and can’t believe I’ve done it! Ecuador living...Hell yes! I did it! And I love it! Not one day since I have been here have I regretted it. Ecuador Living: My Favorite Kind of DayMy favorite kind of day is to go to Ibarra, a large town about a half hour north of Cotacachi. I ride the bus; go to Supermaxi, a great grocery with most everything I need, then have lunch across the street at “Ruminahui.” They have fantastic fried garlic shrimp, cucumber salad and plantain. A nearby bakery has the best cappuccino I’ve found. Next I get my mani and pedi. Another excellent part of Ecuador living, I don’t do any housework, gardening or laundry. I get all of that for $70 a month, plus 24-hour security. They Will
“Yes” You to Death!
There is one difficulty with living in Ecuador that I face. People want to please. They say yes to anything and are very non-confrontational. Drives me crazy. They “yes  ” you to death! You confront
them with things like deadlines, inconsistencies, whatever, and they
look at you blankly. They give no excuses.Then out of the blue you will find someone who operates differently. For instance, I found a man who makes curtains and he put up great rods, curtains, all at a reasonable price and most of all, by the date he said he would! One bit of advice. Don’t go to a restaurant hungry. It’s nothing in Ecuador to wait for an hour for your main course. When this happens, I have learned to say, Wait… This is what I came to Ecuador for! The slow pace of Ecuador living. I’ve gotten used to it. So have a little snack before you go out to eat. . . Or you’ll want to kill somebody! I’ve
Helped Six Women to Live Their Dreams
I had been searching for my life’s purpose and now I have found it. Mine is to help women like me, in the second part of life, to live their dreams. It is possible because I have done it! I didn’t intend to do real estate. But I am so passionate about living in Ecuador that it is a natural choice for me. So far I have helped six women to find the courage to live their dreams and make a new life in Ecuador. All have bought land here in Cotacachi. Some invest with the idea of retiring in Ecuador. Others will build a house and live in Ecuador occasionally. They meet me and say, “I can do this, too!” And they are smart women, heads of corporations. It’s just that meeting someone who has already done it can give you that little bit of courage you need to do it yourself. I didn’t come here with a lot of money. And I came here with no income. I get calls from people saying,  “You
are an inspiration to me because you have made a success of
things!” All
my sales are to single women like me.
They are the ones I resonate with.They can do the things living in Ecuador that they can no longer afford to do in the states. Here in Cotacachi, they can go to the spa, La Mirage, a really first-class five star spa with membership in the Relais and Chateaux association, one of only a very few in all of South America. They can pamper themselves with fabulous massages and dine at the spa’s restaurant for $30. An hour away there is a wonderful mountain hot springs with medicinal waters. If they own their own house in the states and sell it, they can easily afford to buy land and a great house here for around $75,000, then invest the rest. It’s really cheap to live here compared to the United States, England or many places in Europe. Since my house and land are now paid for, I can live on around $400 a month which covers food, utilities including internet and direct tv, maintenance,  gardening, laundry, security guard and maid.
This is Ecuador living!I’m having granite countertops put in my kitchen, getting fitted for new riding boots, and looking forward to the arrival of my mare, a former polo pony, so I can ride daily up to the land I am developing in the hills above Cotacachi. Creating Another Dream
There I am creating another dream—a place of serenity and safety where women or anyone can live very reasonably yet abundantly. The houses there will be brick covered with adobe, two story duplexes of about 1200 square feet, built on ½ acre lots. They will all have incredible views of the hills and volcanoes. Near my house I am also going to build some adobe villas complete with gardens. They’ll have two bedrooms and around 1000 square feet. Houses in both areas will cost about $60,000. Cotacachi is now my home and I love it here. In the short time I have been here I have developed an international circle of friends, discovered a new lifestyle I never dreamed possible and found lasting satisfaction in assisting others to do the same. In helping others make their dreams come true, not only have I found my reason for living, I am creating my own path to abundance, happiness and community. Would you like to learn what Caroline is working on now? We work with Caroline on many projects in Cotacachi. Read about Pro-Ecuador's services. |
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| Pro-Ecuador Insider Information This page allows you to browse recently added insider information, new website articles, newsletter mailings, and important updates. |
| Living in Ecuador Blog We share our daily Ecuador Experience as well as answer your questions about Living in Ecuador. Read answers to questions from Pro-Ecuador readers. |
| Information on Ecuador Information on Ecuador: some of the best websites available will help you make informed decisions about your visit, move or investment in Ecuador. |
| Living in Ecuador Living in Ecuador: Insider's Tips. Make your Ecuador move problem free with travel facts, living advice. Learn about Ecuador culture from U.S. Expats. |
| Retirement in Ecuador Retirement in Ecuador: newest hot-spot for retirees and expats wanting the good life without the financial stress. |
| Moving to Ecuador: An Idea Whose Time has Come Moving to Ecuador and living in Ecuador may be the very best choice you can make right now. Important information on Ecuador that you need is right here. |
| Moving to Ecuador Tour Moving to Ecuador course and tour takes the stress and worry out of moving to Ecuador and helps you realize your dreams. |
| Ecuador Eco-Photo Tour Ecuador Eco-Photo Tour – Capture the majesty of Ecuador’s scenic wonders with a ten-day tour in photographic paradise. |
| Travel Safety Travel safety information for your trip to Ecuador with details about immunizations, food and water, and personal security. |
| Life in Ecuador Life in Ecuador: Personal accounts of obstacles and triumphs encountered while living in Ecuador. |
| Real Estate in Ecuador Real estate in Ecuador is booming because prices are low and values are high. International real estate investors can build a foundation of wealth before the usual rush of discovery takes place |
| Ecuador Real Estate Buying Process Ecuador Real Estate Buying Process |
| Cotacachi: A Pastoral Ecuador Village Cotacachi: A pastoral Ecuador village is enticing foreigners from many shores with its vibrant hills and quaint colonial charm. |
| Cotacachi Hotels, Hostels and Retreats, Cotacachi, Ecuador Several Cotacachi Hotels, Hostels and Retreats are available, with a variety of prices, locations and amenities, from clean and economical to the most elegant settings you can imagine. |
| Cotacachi Real Estate For Sale: Real Estate listings in Cotacachi and surrounding areas Cotacachi Real Estate For sale, Cotacachi, Ecuador and the surrounding area offers great value for new Ecuador Residents. |
| Learn Spanish In Ecuador Learn Spanish In Ecuador shows how anyone can learn Spanish just by living in Ecuador. |
| Hidden Places in Ecuador Where to find those hidden places in Ecuador, those secret places in Ecuador that the locals keep to themselves, secret beaches, jungle hideaways, rare birds, orchids, wildlife. |
| Ecuador Economy Ecuador Economy explained in plain language and compared to the United States. |
| Responsible Global Citizen Responsible global citizen top 7 tips for global living |
| Move to Ecuador: Q and A’s Answers to many of your questions about you move to Ecuador. |
| Condos in Ecuador, Condos for sale in Ecuador Condos in Ecuador offer a wonderful bargain for the full-time resident or the part-time vacationer. Mountain Condominiums or Beachfront Condominiums offer great value. |
| Pictures of Ecuador A tour of Ecuador via pictures of Ecuador. Pictures and descriptions that tell a story |
| Spanish Phrases and Spanish Words Learning useful Spanish phrases, Spanish words and Spanish sayings is easy and makes navigating Ecuador so much more enjoyable. |
| Ecuador laws are Fair and Easy and Provide Protection
for Foreign Investors Following Ecuador laws is easy and provides protection for foreigners. Ecuador laws are favorable, visa requirements not complicated. |
| About Pro-Ecuador Staff Bios Staff bios and the story behind Pro-Ecuador.com |
| Contact Information for Pro-Ecuador.com Contact Pro-Ecuador Staff by Email, Fax, or Postal Mail |
| Pro-Ecuador Site Map Browse a map of all the pages on Pro-Ecuador.com |
| Ecuador Beaches Ecuador Beaches from Pedernales to Manta are stunning, both the water and the weather is warm and it’s neither well developed nor heavily populated. |
| Healthy Living in Ecuador: A Country Where It’s Hard Not to Be Healthy Healthy Living in Ecuador, a country where good health is the norm, not the exception |
| Living in Ecuador Blog We share our daily Ecuador Experience as well as answer your questions about Living in Ecuador. Read answers to questions from Pro-Ecuador readers. |
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