“Honey, I think we need to make a trip to the ‘Tad,” my wife Rita said to me the other day. “Great,” I replied. We’re just mad about the ‘Tad. The place my wife was referring to was La Libertad—a.k.a. The ‘Tad—a bustling commerce town a short bus ride from our home in Salinas on Ecuador’s Pacific coast. We often make the trip there to do a little shopping and run some errands.
“Honey, we’re out of eggs. I’m going to the mercado; do you need anything?” “Yes, we need poop bags for the dog,” my wife, Rita, replied. She wanted me to pick up a pack of small plastic bags used to collect the little gifts our Corgi leaves around the neighborhood.
Tari Gliedt is no stranger to travel. As a former civilian contractor for the U.S. military, she “must have visited or lived for at least a few months in 30 countries,” including Bahrain, Thailand, India, Kenya, Australia, and Spain, she says.
If you’re someone who is looking for the conveniences of a good-sized city close to the beach and the mountains, I may have found the sweet spot for you. Especially if you are a trailblazer—someone who would enjoy the experience of immersing yourself in a new language and culture.
If you’re someone who is looking for the conveniences of a good-sized city close to the beach and the mountains—I may have found the sweet spot for you. Especially if you are a trailblazer—someone who would enjoy the experience of immersing yourself in a new language and culture.
“I woke up this morning and saw 30 or more horses grazing in the bamboo forest across the street from our home,” says Roger Wergin. “How’s that for a tranquil retirement view?” Roger and his wife Cyndy feel they made the right decision when they bought a lot and built their three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in a gated community.
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When checking out retirement spots in Ecuador, there are a few things that retirees look for. A great climate is usually first on the list, followed closely by an affordable cost of living. Everyone wants good infrastructure, but some hate to lose the “small-town” feel, which inevitably happens with bigger cities. Cuenca, for instance, has most everything an expat could need, and many have found their ideal retirement there—but with around half a million people, it’s just too big for some.
My wife and I recently rented a car for a week to leave the familiar sights and sounds of our oceanfront home in Salinas, and explore a little of the interior of Ecuador. We planned to use the city of Loja in the southern Andes as a base, but took our time getting there, stopping in a few places along the way.
I recently spent a few days in the beautiful city of Loja, “cradle of art, literature, and music,” in the southern Andes of Ecuador. You know you are in a special place almost from the moment you arrive. Between the ornate castle-like structure of the City Gates, or the walking bridge displaying pipe organs, cellos, and guitars, it is clear that you are entering a city that appreciates music and culture.