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Hi Rich, I’m very happy to hear that you and your father had a good trip to Ecuador, and glad we were able to help. It was great to meet you at the conference and we hope to see you when you return!

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I don’t think you can purchase a policy without residency or without being in Ecuador. It’s more difficult to get it after age 65.

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Melanie, it’s my understanding that you needn’t officially “move” to another state, but you establish your mail service there, get a drivers license, etc. But Wendy is correct. Once you get residency in another country and can prove that, you are no longer a resident of any state…

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Ok, I can’t guarantee that this information is still valid, but it is my understanding that the following two companies will accept enrollees over age 70:

Cruz Blanca — Website: http://www.cruzblanca.com.ec
Anos Dorados Coopseguros — Website: http://www.coopseguros.com

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Some companies will insure someone over 70, but not all. I’ll see if I can find the names of the companies that do.

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I use the Amex as much as I can all the time to get the membership awards points… I don’t use it in Ecuador very much these days as I pay most everything in cash. But I did use it a lot when we were first furnishing our house. I also like the benefits that the Platinum card offers… such as airport lounge access and car rental insurance. Since I travel so much these things come in handy. Truthfully, if I didn’t travel for a living I might opt for a lower-fee regular AMEX card. But I’ll never give up AMEX — their customer service is second to none.

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It’s easy enough to bring your dog. See info here: https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/ecuador/moving-to-ecuador/ Be aware that even though Ecuador does not require the international health certificate, it is a very good idea to go that route. There is less room for misunderstandings.

For the cockatiel, I’d suggest you contact customs facilitator Sandra Baquero (Sandy_Baquero@hotmail.com) and ask her what you need to do.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

But you have to click through to Amazon to buy it. IL isn’t selling it, Amazon is…

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Notarized no, however, none of the downloadable content is considered “legal documents”, at least for now. It is the same as Social Security letters etc. you must have an original mailed to you, and then that can be submitted to any Secretary of State in any state for apostile.

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She doesn’t mean it literally, but a business that’s in its infancy. 🙂

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Hmmm, are you trying to order it at Amazon? Try this link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1118758595

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Costa Rica is farther along the “progress” scale than Ecuador, especially along the coast. Coastal Ecuador lacks infrastructure, to be honest. Municipal water and waste treatment facilities just don’t exist in many places. For this reason, you’ll find under-developed stretches of coast. Pretty beaches where you’ll be the only one there. No high rises or big resorts. Inadequate health care, too. Costa Rica, of course, is much farther along in this “path of progress.”

As for culture, you’ll find theater, orchestra and mega concerts take place in the major cities of both countries (San Jose in Costa Rica and Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca in Ecuador). In smaller towns, you’ll have local cultural events.

I will say that Ecuador has very good roads, and Costa Rica’s have improved vastly in recent years. When it comes to beautiful beaches, Costa Rica wins. When it comes to gorgeous mountains, you won’t find anything better than Ecuador’s Andes.

Truly, what it comes down to is your personal reaction. And I personally would suggest you not try to focus on a country but that you, instead, sharpen your focus to the particular community that works best for you. The community (and how it speaks to you) is what it’s really all about.

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Joy, that feature is being implemented but as for now, there isn’t one. The entire company websites are being overhauled – -hopefully that will be done this month. Fingers crossed.

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HI Ed, it appears that just yesterday the government backtracked on its decision to allow expats to participate in IESS. So that public option will not be available to you. You may be able to get some kind of private plan or a hospital-based plan, but those are also getting stricter about accepting people of retirement age. If at all possible, you might want to keep Medicare and go back to the States for your injections — you wont beat that price here in Ecuador.

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Hi John, there are only a handful of expats in Loja. Most are younger, although a few retirees are now looking there. Diana J. is mid-aged, teaches at the university there, and she’s very busy but she may answer some questions you may have: sagrada01@gmail.com. She’ll tell you the most important thing to do before moving to Loja is be sure you understand and speak Spanish, as very few locals do. If you’d like the perspective of someone who lives down the road in Vilcabamba, send a shout to Laurie: laurie@sageforce.com.

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