When I moved to Ecuador for love, it was meant to be temporary — but I’m still happily living here 7 years later

I fell in love and moved to Ecuador, and then stayed in Ecuador because I fell in love again — with my new home, that is.

I first met my now-husband, who is from Quito, Ecuador, when I was in my final year of college and working part-time at a restaurant in Canada. We instantly connected.

After six wonderful months together, he called me at 5 a.m. and shared some devastating news: His sister had suddenly died, and he was heading home later that day. Neither of us was sure if he’d come back.

After the dust settled, I decided that I’d finish my degree, pack a bag, and move down to Quito for a year. After all, it would just be one year, right? Why not?

In just my first two weeks there, we visited turquoise volcano lakes, history-rich city centers and intricately built churches, and even the Amazon rainforest. I had some of the best food of my life and met incredible people.

Although there were challenges that came with living in a new-to-me country, I ended up falling head over heels for Ecuador, and that “one year” turned into seven.

I’d never been somewhere so beautiful, with so much biodiversity

In its mere 109,483 square miles, Ecuador contains four major regions: a Pacific coastline with postcard-perfect beaches, the Andes with towering volcanoes and magical páramos, the awe-inspiring Amazon rainforest, and (of course) the famous Galápagos Islands.

Besides that, the transition zones in between, such as the Andean Chocó, are some of the most biodiverse places on our planet.

Even now, every time I go to one of Ecuador’s rainforests or mountain ranges, I feel like I’m in a completely new place. During my adventures, even in the local city parks, I always find something that I haven’t seen before.

The weather here is a bit unpredictable, but it definitely beats the chilly Canadian winter

I truly love the “eternal spring” that we experience in the Andes. The warm days, cool nights, and epic thunderstorms make for my ideal climate.

As much as I enjoyed the snowy winter activities and changing seasons in Canada, I prefer being able to cycle, hike, and camp year-round. Plus, I love that I no longer have to wait for the bus in the freezing cold.

It can be a bit funny living here, where it often feels like I experience every season in a single day, but I learned quickly to always dress in layers and keep a raincoat handy.

I love the food, culture, and community I’ve built

If I ever do leave Ecuador, I will really miss the fresh, delicious, and diverse local cuisine, from fruits and cheeses to rich seafood and cooked green plantains.

Most importantly, I would miss my support system here. I have been lucky enough to find a wonderful community of friends here who are always up for a good adventure, concert, night spent dancing, or a nice cold beer at a moment’s notice.

With a more laid-back culture, they may not always show up on time — there’s definitely a relaxed local attitude around punctuality — but I can always count on them to be there.

We don’t know what the future holds, but for now, Quito is our home

As our first year came to a close, I was actually the first one to say, “What if we stay just one more year?”

Now, after many adventures, a mid-pandemic marriage, the adoption of a cat and two dogs, and six more years, we’ve grown roots here.

Although we’ve talked about the possibility of heading back north, and it might still happen someday, we love living life in the heart of the Andes and calling Quito home.

Love was what brought me to Ecuador, and love for this place has kept us here. I do miss Canada sometimes, but I wouldn’t trade my experiences here for the world. I’m so glad I said, “Sure, why not?”

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