You're right. Quito is much more popular but it's still in the same country with the same collapsed medical system. When I was looking their PM was an American trained economist who at least understood the value of bringing dollars into the country but the natives were starting to resent them even before me moved in 2016. I don't know if they kept coming or took the hint that they were no longer wanted and moved elsewhere.
Sounds right to me. Personally, I’d choose Panama or Costa Rica.