So, we left you all hanging in our last house hunter update: will they take the more expensive place with a view? Or the cute place in the center? We did decide on the apartment with the nice view (the last option described in the previous update), and with that settled took off to Puerto Lopez. However, we returned to a number of messages saying that the apartment wasn't available after all. So back to the drawing board. In all we looked at about 12 places. And found (surprisingly) just what we were looking for, and a few features we didn't know we were looking for but really (for the most part) like.
So, what did we find? A little two-story house, right along the Yanucay river. We can actually hear the river at night (once the traffic slows and before the roosters start at 4 AM). Features we were looking for and got include:
So, what did we find? A little two-story house, right along the Yanucay river. We can actually hear the river at night (once the traffic slows and before the roosters start at 4 AM). Features we were looking for and got include:
- Three bedrooms: excellent since the novelty of sharing a room was quickly wearing off for Lucia & Gabe and, consequently, mom and dad
- Close to green space. The Yanuncay has a lineal park that runs all along it. There is a playground right across the street. And we share a garden space with neighbors that is all fenced in, so the kids can play outside any time.
- Some office space for Doug that is separated from the living space. Doug's desk is in Gabe's bedroom, which has great light and a balcony that looks out over the Yanuncay. Since the kids are now in school, the office space works pretty well. And we have wifi, so any space can be office space.
- A washer and dryer. After a month of lugging our clothes to the laundromat, and with only one set of school uniforms per kid, this was a must. We also got a nice laundry room with a clothes line and some storage space.
- A location within reasonable distance to both Elena's preschool and Gabe and Lucia's school, and a quick bus ride to the Centro and other destinations (parks, markets) that we hope to frequent.
- A private development. But not like you might imagine. We share a street entrance with two other houses that are part of our "neighborhood". This has been a bonus, an easy way to meet Ecuadorans and also other kids- three girls live in one of the houses, and Lucia and Gabe were invited to one of the girls' birthday celebration our first weekend here!
- The joy of paying utility bills separate from rent. We had wanted an all inclusive rent, but no go. So we get to figure out Ecuador bill paying. That will likely be another post: suffice it to say it requires schlepping around town and navigating some lines. With no Ecuadoran bank account we can't do on-line bill pay. Except for our internet, which seems only logical.
- Roosters. In our first rental most of the night sounds were car alarms. Now we hear roosters, starting rather earlier than seems reasonable. Did I mention they start at 4 AM?
- A bird connection. The house has several carvings of birds: maybe a sign it was meant for us. We hope to add some flowering plants to the balcony soon and get the hummingbird feeder up!
Check out the pictures of the house and neighborhood. One of the things that makes Ecuador interesting is the lack of use-specific zoning. So on our block there is a bike shop, a small grocery, a hardware store, a guitar and accordion studio, and a wide range of housing. Many of the homes have modern construction, with pretty gardens. Others are very basic construction (check out the photo of the roof on the house next to ours), and other locations less well cared for. And there is always the surprise of a burst of color from lovely plants, or birds kept on patios.