Will I Move?
I am considering a move from Ecuador.
I really like it here. The foremost word I can think of to describe my life here is “content”. So why would I consider a move? The government! You can’t escape an over intrusive government it seems. They passed a law that goes into effect this summer. It will require everyone to obtain certain health care policies. What if you do not? You will be denied government services like the renewal of cedula (ID) or not permitted to pass through customs, etc. In other words, to continue living here there is no choice. Based on what I see as permitted, it would cost me a minimum of $220. Now if I needed insurance that’s not horrible. As of today, the plan they have is very good (if you don’t mind long waits). However, I have no faith that in a few years the plan won’t drastically change or go broke. It has been surviving from loans as it is. But more than that, I have lifetime coverage for medical and prescriptions. While they do not service inside Ecuador, there is an emergency reimbursement option, and I have set aside an emergency fund for a ticket, etc. I also have in that fund extra for any instant need that comes up. Even if I were in an accident and couldn’t be moved for a few weeks, I have that covered. So why on earth would I buy more coverage?
But because they do not provide service within Ecuador, it doesn’t fulfill requirements. Now I have some doubts about that, so no decision is being made yet, but you always need a backup plan. While I could swing the 220 a month, it would change a lot of my plans here, and for something I have no use for is a huge waste. On top of that, I am really sick of overreaching governments dictating my life for me. So at this very moment, I am quite annoyed.
So what would be next? Colombia. I miss it, and it was a narrow decision, to begin with. I know Colombia. I lived there. It has a hands-off government. It has open trading so imports are not jacked up in price. It has a great cost of living. In Armenia for example (where I might move) you have $200 apartments, $2 lunches, and dinners, cheap transportation everywhere so no car needed, but you can also shop Amazon and not have insane markups. It is also extremely easy to get a residency Visa there. Far easier and much cheaper than Ecuador. For the first three years, you renew it each year, but it is simple as going to the office. There is no long list of documents needed as in Ecuador, and fees are tiny compared to the big fees in Ecuador. So making the move is easy, and living there is cheaper. Now that depends where you go of course. Everyone seems to want to go to Medellin. For good reason. It is one of the most modern, happening cities in the world. Everything you can imagine is there. But it does cost a bit more to live there. About the same as Cuenca or Quito. The smaller cities, with 300,000- 500,000 population it’s cheaper to live. I don’t like big cities much anyway, so that suits me.
So will I make the move? I don’t know. I actually do not want to and am looking to find a way around it. But if I do, it’s no big deal. I’ll be happy at either place. What would I do with all my stuff? I have fully furnished my huge house. I guess I will put it all up for sale cheap, and turn someone on to the house as well. Who doesn’t want a huge house below the waterfalls for $250 a month! So no matter what happens, I am good.