Hi

I need suggestion from fellow CD members, my hubby and I are PR’s and currently live in a South American country. Since our employer is Canadian we have no impacts on our PR status. In 2010 our contract finishes here and we’ll either have to move to Canada (he’s has HQ’s in Toronto and will be placed there) or relocate to Ecuador for another 3-4 yrs. My husband is on Ecuador side; his only reason is “we can save much more on expat status living in small countries than moving to Canada”. Our kids are very small so education is not a problem.

I’m so confused and cannot decide what we should do. Living in Ecuador is not so enthusiastic (they have electricity, water (utilities) problem, language is different, low number of expats (I mean Indian community)). My husband says to ignore these as this is only 3 yrs and we’ll survive. We are also planning to visit Quito and some other parts of Ecuador. Toronto I keep coming and my kids like it here.

Please help me on any suggestions you guys may have, what to do???

Jona

Jona,
Since your husband will get a job in Canada (which is in recession), I think you should relocate to Canada. I belive that though saving money is important, It is even more important to lead a life comfortably in a rich industrial nation. Staying here from 2010, will enable your children to prepare for their future stay in Canada right from 2010.
You will see how much you will start enjoying Canada once you stay here permanently.
The only disadvantage that I can see is the 6 month winter period here. Even in this, people know how to make them selves engaged by staying indoors or doing stuff in enclosed spaces.
Even if you donot get the same UN job here, you can study and start working to move up in your career.
Hope this helps.

Peace by TK

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

I don't know how young your children are but we came her e when my daughter was 12 and she integrated very well into the system.
She is currently fluent in 3 international languages and in summer jobs is very much in demand where she gets a higher salary than most immies who come here.
I believe you are in a Dutch speaking country from your previous posts. Ecuador is a Spanish speaking place. If your children now speak Dutch as well as English and then will learn Spanish, it will be an asset for them in the future.

Spanish is gaining currency here in Canada. Can't say about Dutch though, but there are always companies who will hire Dutch speaking people.

My daughter, due her proficiency in 3 language besides English, has been offered a full scolarship for university at 2 good schools in Canada as well as one in the US for the international business program.

Knowledge of Hindi, believe it or not, is very sought after in the US. Spanish of course is there since a long time and my daughter is good at both.
Here she became fluent in French, though for me it's a wierd type one. Like well spoken French with a Canadian accent.

Of course the above is looking to your children, for your comfort, that's another story.
Spanish is very easy to pick up. My wife came to Spain w/o knowing a single word of Spanish and within months was speaking like a pro, so much so that she got a well paying job as her command of English was very good and Spain was in need of translators at that time- an abundance of them.

Maybe you can do the same in Ecuador and there you can easily have domestic help and save quite a bit

Since you say PR is no problem, you can come to Canada after that.

Anyway, to use a platitude, it's upto you

Thanks TK and Investpro,

Investpro-You wrote some valid points and I liked reading them. My kids will be 5 (yrs) next month. Spanish is also a big reason I'm hesitated to move to Ecuador. My kids language skills are really good, they are fluent in 3, Dutch, English as well as Hindi. They speak a bit of Spanish too (from Dora videos). Hubby has no problem cause even if it is a Spanish country the language of office is English (I mean the work is done in English).

Tk-I agree with you too, there are pros and cons of every place and that's why this Dilemma!

Has anyone on this board been to Quito? The chances are remote but just asked...just in case.

Jona

Without going into laborious discussions abouts pros and cons, I will simply say what I would do in your position -

I would renew the contract and relocate to Equador for 4 years.
I would spend the 4 years there and make the best use of it (language, culture, financial savings, tourism, etc.) and re-evaluate the situation after 4 years.

Disclaimer - I have lived in several Caribbean countries and spent some of my best time there, so my choice is biased by my own personal experience.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."

-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"

Jona,
Please think on the following lines and at the end of which you will have an answer.
1. What are your future goals? Do you want to get Canadian citizenship and then spend the rest of your lives whereever work takes you and then retire for good in Canada (at age 65) to get the max. out of Canadian benefits? Then move to Equador.
2. What is the future of Mining companies in the world? Nickel has tumbled by 65% and most mines are closing / down sizing their operations incl. Inco, Teck Cominco etc... If you lose your job, will you come to Canada and start fresh?
3. WHat are your job prospects in Equador for you? Is the area that you will live in be safe and have good schools (remeber your children are 5). Do you want them to gorw seeing povery and rowdiness?
4. Do you want to lose your husband's job in Canada and also $200 that Stephen Harper will give you per month in Canada?
5. Do you guys wants to take OSAP loan (one spouse for now) and then study during recession time and look for a job in Boom time in Canada
6. Do you want to jump start on professional education given to your children for free in Canada.
7. How is the medical system in Equador? IS it as good and free as in Canada?
8. Flight to India . How cheap is it and how often can you fly (Compare Equador and Canada)
9. Do you want to start building up your equity by buying a house now in Canada (Mortgage) and start living in it thus by passing rent and supplimenting your income. (You can also rent).
10. After your husband finishes his contract in Equador, will he get a suitable job in Canada (Remember that he will be old and there will be a lot of young people already in Canada).
11.Your savings from outside canada term. How do you plan to invest it. Will it be more than what it can be in Canada (through TFSA, Home equity, RRSP, CPP).
12. WOuld you prefer to spend time in Equador or the beautiful Canada
13. Will your parents prefer to visit you in Equador or in Canada. Where will you have more status?
14. We have professional day cares in Canada (Around $800 - $1100 a month in Canada per person). Compare it with the nanny in Equador. Is it worth it in Canada?
15. American school fees in Equador / Free American style education in Canada?
16. Do you have Santa claus Parade, Open houses, Free handouts, Mac Donalds, Wendy's , Tim Hortons in Equador? Is it worth missing it in Equador?
17. Do you prefer 6 months of winter in Canada compared to the climate of Equador.

So choose well and choose wisely. We are living in unchartered times. i would also suggest that you take a vacation to Equador (to the city that you will eventually live) and see conditions first hand before you make a decision.

Hope the above point helps.

Peace by TK.

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

Tk,

Thanks for your extensive list. I read it again and again and feel most of the points don't pertain to us. I can't explain how but I think any of the CD members who have worked or are expatriates can understand what I'm saying. For e.g. education/medical/home trips/utilities/rent are all provided by employers.

I can't comment on the future of mining companies except that our employer is a strong company and we feel safe at least today when I write this! God forbid if something happens to the company we both are well educated (I'm a master in finance/economics and he's CPA/CA from US/India) that I won't worry for jobs be it anywhere in the world.

Ecuador has Macdonald's otherwise I won't go there!

Jona