The Wandering Librarian

My husband and I have been mulling over the possibility of leaving the country since November 2024 after the election of Donald Trump.  We both worked for the Federal government as librarians during Trump’s first Presidency, and it honestly was not too terrible.  Some short term hiring freezes meant staff shortages, but things ultimately went on as they had before during Obama’s administration.  We did our jobs, and we were compensated.  And we never felt disgusted by ourselves at the end of the day.

Why are we leaving now?

So what makes it different now?  Why does this time feel like the time to get out of dodge? There are several factors at play that are politically general and apply to everyone in the United States, and several factors which are deeply personal and apply to our family’s situation.

General political factors

• Dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives

Like many Citizens of the United States, we are disgusted by the dismantling of initiatives which promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  One of the best strengths of the United State of America is its pluralism.  People from all walks of life give power to this great nation, and we are at our very best when we enable voices that have been diminished for generations.  Without Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, it makes it difficult for citizens to see themselves reflected in the halls of government and it ceases to show children the great opportunities that lie ahead for them in this country.

• Dismantling of the Department of Education

I have long believed that an educated populace is foundational to the perseverance of a democracy.  That makes a robust education system which serves all students is critical to our civic life.  Without programs which are managed by the Department of Education, our most vulnerable populations are without vital protections. This places our public schools at greater risk of failing our young people.

• Thought policing and indiscriminate detainment

There has recently been a disturbing trend of detaining individuals either based on their social media posts, espoused views of family members, or simply without cause.  A Chicago born man was swept up in an ICE raid in Berwyn, Illinois and detained.  A doctor from Brown was deported for attending the funeral of a Hezbollah leader.  A lawyer teaching at Georgetown was indefinitely detained for no clear reason, except perhaps because of his father-in-law’s political beliefs.  And finally, a disturbing number of travelers have been held for extended periods at border crossings with no cause.  This is supposed to be a nation of laws, and we have thrown the laws to the wayside when they are not aligned to the ruling party’s belief system.

Personal factors

• Being the center of a culture war as a librarian

We just want to provide information and skills development to our fellow citizens.  Somehow this has led to librarians and libraries becoming targets in the latest culture war.  We have faced book banning and firings and death threats.  We try to create an inclusive space for everyone because “libraries are for everyone” yet we are labeled as pedophiles and groomers by those who wish to erase the existence of people who do not look like them.

• Hiring freeze and loss of opportunity to work for the DoD

I was recently offered an opportunity to go back and work for the Air Force.  This would have allowed me to do the work I love prepping Air Force officers for the growth of their careers while earning enough money to support my family.  Unfortunately, due to the ongoing Federal hiring freeze, I will not have that opportunity.

• Hiring freezes across universities

There is a trend of hiring freezes spreading across academia.  So, if I wanted to get a higher paying job that could support my family, the opportunities are diminishing.  This trend continues to grow as funding for scientific research and education initiatives is cut at the Federal level.  Questions loom around student aid and how many students and their families will find the funds to pay for tuition if one of the major functions of the Department of Education simply disappears.

• Husband’s ongoing illness

My husband has been ill since July of 2024.  I do not anticipate him having the capacity to work a full time, professional level job any time soon.  While he is currently in a stable place, work and its stresses simply exacerbate his illness to the point he cannot function.  For all intents and purposes, he is too disabled to work for now.

• Young age of our daughter

Our daughter is only two years old.  It is a good time in her life to move to a new country and adopt a new language.  If we were to wait for things to get worse, she may have a more difficult time with the transition.

• Current economic hardship

Because of my husband’s current inability to work and the low pay of my current librarian position in Missouri, we are experiencing some economic hardship.  As things have gotten more and more expensive, my wages have simply not kept up with the price of goods and housing.  We need to live somewhere cheaper.

How We Chose Our Next Home

Ultimately, we chose to move to Cuenca, Ecuador in the Andes Mountains.

• Preferred Latin America for less language barrier and proximity to family in North America

When we began looking for a place to live, we briefly considered moving to Thailand or Vietnam.  However, we both have previously lived in Asia and found adapting to the language barrier difficult.  We have the benefit of having studied Spanish in high school and college and feeling somewhat comfortable conversing with others to meet our basic needs on a day to day basis.  In addition, staying within Latin America allowed us to have a shorter trip between us and family in the United States.

• Wanted to live somewhere with mountains

We have always wanted to live in the mountains.  When we first began dreaming of an early retirement, it was to the Appalachians of North Georgia or Eastern Tennessee.  Then we began to explore Boquete and Volcan, Panama.  Ultimately, we decided that the beauty and rivers of the Andes were calling us.

• Looking for low barrier to access (professional visa)

Another attractive feature of immigrating to Ecuador was the low cost of immigration.  While many visa programs require a substantial investment, Ecuador provides a professional visa which allows us to be permanent residents based on education credentials alone.

• Needed a low cost of living 

Our savings are not as substantial as we would have liked to kick start our retirement abroad.  As such, we needed a place we could live well off of very little money. Cuenca, Ecuador met that need.

• Wanted to be in a community of other expats

Finally, after having lived abroad before, we both know how isolating it can be to be different in an otherwise homogenous society.  It was important for us to move somewhere that other expats have paved the way for newbies like us and continue to congregate as a community.  Cuenca has a large community of 8 to 10 thousand expats.