Brian and Sarah in Ecuador

 In Portland's housing crisis, there is the major issue who is occupying public spaces. Portland's problems have many causes, but one of the major ones is lack of affordable housing.  I want to make that very clear, and it hits me in the face as I live in an impoverished area that does have affordable housing for people, whom I perceive as better off than the place I came from, at least here, in this immediate area.   Manta has a lot of other things going for it as well, but that is the topic of another post. Unfortunately, in Portland, the unhoused community occupying public spaces has decreased the quality of life for nearly everyone.  Crime, trash, open drug use, sanitation, etc.  People with mobility challenges not able to navigate around the area.  Etc. Every night, in Mant'a Playa Murcialogo, there is a known criminal element.  There is a police station on the beach, but the area is claimed by thieves, and sometimes, despite a camping ban, t...

 Before moving to - well anywhere - but certainly to a country in South America, of course you want to explore the negatives, and make sure there are no deal breakers. There are plenty of youtube videos of things like "Top ten reasons NOT to move to x (including Ecuador)" and "Reasons ex-pats end up leaving and going back home (or sometimes to another country). We watched as many as we could.  Some of the reasons DO pertain to us - and are why we are not planning of leaving permanently, forever.  Like missing your kids/grandkids (if we get any).  Right now, our young adult children are busy pursuing their life goals, but when things even out for them in a few years, of course we want to be able to see them more.  And our health may reach a point where it is not sustainable to live here, although if we end up needing long term care, it will be MUCH MORE affordable here than it would be back in the States.  We could hire 24 hour caregivers for a fraction of t...