I brought my kitchen aid mixer this trip. I would bring itemes like count sheets, nicer towels. They of course have sheets and towels but the quality is not as good.. I found a very comfortable mattress here so you wouldn't have to bring that. Mattress are big so that would give you more room for other items. Bring anything that you are attached to, if you like a particular name brand," advised one expat.
We have found sunscreen to be ridiculously expensive. If you have the space, stock up on it," commented one expat. Cuenca and Quito are both in the Andes above 8, feet and UV rays are very strong. You can get a burn in 30 minutes. For just a visit bring a couple bottles of Bull Frog SPF 40 or above," warned one expat in a discussion about sun exposure in Cuenca ," said another. The people in Cuenca carry umbrellas for the sun, not so much for rain. If they don't have an umbrella they shield their faces with a newspaper.
They choose the shaded sides of the bus or street. They know about the sun. UV eye wear for everyone! And they are not a bit stronger at feet, they are much stronger.
You would wear long sleeves in cuenca anyway. Its not Florida or AZ, the air is thinner. The hat One gets used to all this," added another expat. Expats living in Ecuador interested in expat health insurance should take a minute to get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. Get a Quote. Betsy Burlingame is the Founder of Expat Exchange.
Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn. Get a quote for expat health insurance from our partner, Cigna Global Health. Contribute Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Cuenca.
Expats and global nomads in Cuenca share their experiences with health insurance, healthcare in Ecuador, local hospitals and specialists, quality of medical care and more. Expats offer advice about everything you need to know before moving to Cuenca: what to bring and what to leave behind , how to find housing and more.
Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats and digital nomads have to say about the pros and cons of living in Cuenca, Ecuador.
Real estate listings in Cuenca. Plus, advice about renting and buying real estate in Cuenca. Expats share their experiences living in Cuenca, Ecuador and offer advice about meeting people, schools and more.
An American woman talks about the ups and downs of moving to Cuenca. She had limited Spanish when she arrived, but a local woman helped her in the apartment search and she found the perfect place in a lovely Spanish-speaking neighborhood. Her apartment is times less expensive than in the US.
An expat in Cuenca talks about Ecuador's mandatory health insurance requirement, Moscosa Hospital and the cost and availability of prescription medicines. An expat offers an immensely helpful view of what it's like living in Cuenca, Ecuador - from expat clubs to job opportunities. A retired couple who landed in Cuenca, Ecuador with plans to rent a while and move from place to place is very happy with the decision to move to Ecuador.
They appreciate the low cost of living in Cuenca, access to quality healthcare, clubs and activities. The one challenge has been the ever changing residency rules. An American expat and his Ecuadorian wife, who initially lived with family in Quito, moved to Cuenca and enjoy life there.
The expat husband advises anyone considering a move to Ecuador to learn Spanish, realize that you'll have to travel home see your family most won't visit you and know that homesickness happens in random moments that sneak up on you. Expats in Ecuador offer advice to newcomers and people considering a move to Ecuador about clothing, sunscreen, renting before buying, gringo pricing, Ecuadorians politeness and much more.
Expats in Ecuador share some of the pros and cons of living in Ecuador. Topics covered include where to live, the bureaucracy, the people and more. Expats in Ecuador seem to all agree that you'll have to come down and explore the country to find the perfect place for you! Expats share some of their favorite places to live in Ecuador from beautiful colonial cities to affordable beach towns.
Some current and former Cuenca expats shared some of the challenges of living in Cuenca. One said, "The food is lacking in flavor, even the vegies seem tough. Regarding Spanish, the language they speak there is not a true Spanish and difficult even if one is fairly fluent in Spain Spanish.
We left Cuenca last year after living there for three years. The sidewalks, the noise, the horn honking, house and car alarms, dogs barking, etc. We now live in Europe and are going to get fat with the wonderful meats, fresh vegies.
We lived in a good sized house and the only thing we miss about Cuenca is the cheap rent for our house compared to what we pay here. For those that love it there, am glad for them. It depends on what one wants out of life. Cuenca always has lots of tourists due to both its reputation as well as being such a destination for learning Spanish. Beneath the surface, for residents, however, there is not a lot of mingling between classes, as in most Latin American countries.
In expat circles, everything is fairly acceptable as we tend to have quite the liberal lot," commented another expat who is living in Cuenca. There are regularly planned expat get togethers at several restaurants in Cuenca. I am taking courses in Italian at the University. There in an active and increasingly organized expat community. It is easy to meet people and the variety of different venues, classes, groups is increasing on a weekly basis," explained one expat in Cuenca.
Theater, including an expat group. Art galleries, writers groups. Knitting and weaving. Gringo nights and social functions for charities. Lots of watering holes where people meet, something not so common in the states anymore," said another expat in Cuenca. No appointment necessary in most cases. Excellent service and good quality for a much lower cost that the U. Many common meds are available without prescription for a fraction of the price. New meds may not be available and can be expensive if they have to be imported.
Names of meds are different than in the U. Bringing your prescription forms from home will help," said one expat in Cuenca. Expats living in Ecuador interested in expat health insurance should take a minute to get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. Get a Quote. Cuencan people for the most part won't even make eye contact with you The amazingly tiny sums you can spend here require you to live like an Ecuadorian, so ask yourself when was the last time you considered a single chicken drumstick to constitute a dinner portion?
What I appreciate the most about Cuenca is that I truly do not need to own a car. You would not believe how cool it is not to have a smoking monster sucking on my wallet.
I can walk anywhere, which is a big part of why I have lost weight since arriving," explained one expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador. Another expat broke down his living expenses, "We're in our 4th year living in Cuenca. Can you live on less, easily, more, easily it will all depend on YOUR lifestyle.
Depending on what you are looking for. An expat in Cuenca explained, "There are some differences that have been admittedly challenging for me. I did not totally get that with less complexity also come less complex moral and ethical codes, less gravitas placed on laws and enforcement and therefore the tendency to do what you can get away with. Half -truths and often larger forms of deception can be met with a shrug of the shoulders.
Many expats I have met seemed to be giddy about 'no rules', living in a culture less restricted by laws, rules and regulations. This is relieving to a point, but overall I still prefer a place where rule of law has more gravitas than I have found at present in Ecuador. Of course, this will be found in any developing country and the Govt.
It is all new for everyone and takes time and patience to implement. It is how nations develop, generally, going from less to more complex. I have also noted that with less complexity comes less complex thinking. The broader implications of one's actions are often not seen or adequately thought out. Impulse tends to be followed.. This is just where Ecuador is in the overall gestalt of nations. This is especially seen in driving, where it is a free-for-all and only a very small but growing percentage of people know what the laws are.
When I hit the road, I have come to expect absolutely anything and have found the best method is to slow down, hang back and let people do what they will. I had to laugh last week when I saw an elder gent in his old truck blowing his horn persistently demanding that a police cruiser get out of his way! Solution, like attyanne said, do not wear jewelry, keep your pocketbook very close and by all means do not walk at night alone! It's all just using common sense to avoid being a victim just like you would in most cities in the US," said one expat.
Another expat commented on crime saying, "The petty theft that happens in Cuenca. In the many months I was there, at least 6 friends of mine were robbed, including myself. Be aware, however, that mortgages are not generally available, so the full purchase price will be needed to complete the transaction.
Ask the security guards in desirable buildings if anything is available. There is no MLS and agents are very protective of their own listings. Many great opportunities are never listed at all, so network with everyone you meet—locals often know a friend or relative who owns available housing.
The classified sections of local newspapers are a good source of real estate information. Even though cost of living in Cuenca is low, First World amenities and comforts abound. From high-speed internet, smartphones, and HD televisions, to new cars, classy restaurants, and gorgeous penthouse apartments, Cuenca has almost everything you could think of.
As is true everywhere, your lifestyle will determine your budget. Often the convenience of downtown living comes at a premium. In Cuenca this is not always the case. Because many dwellings in the central historic district have not been updated and modernized, making them more affordable. Utilities are amazingly affordable. The temperate climate negates the need for heating and air conditioning. Most expats purchase cheap cell phones and buy minutes as needed rather than committing to a service contract.
On the other hand, expect to pay a premium for imported goods of all types. That includes shoes, clothing, wine, and electronics, as well as food items from the U. Here is a sample monthly budget for a couple in Cuenca.
Not included is travel, which can vary dramatically from household to household, depending on your lifestyle. A Note on Tipping: Unlike in the U. At the Supermaxi supermarket chain, it is typical for an employee to help pack your groceries and bring them out to your car or taxi, in which case a tip of about 50 cents is expected. Sales tax is usually included in all marked prices, at supermarkets, shops, restaurants etc. There are many reasons Cuenca has been one of the hottest expat destinations on the planet for the past few years.
This UNESCO World Heritage city of over , residents boasts a temperate climate, low cost of living, top-notch medical care, and proximity to North America—not to mention lots of modern amenities like malls, cinemas, great restaurants and shopping.
It is estimated that between 8, to 10, expats now live in Cuenca, and that total is steadily increasing. If Cuenca is on your radar for a possible relocation, you are probably curious to know just where all these foreigners reside. Do expats tend to cluster in gated communities?
Are there preferred neighborhoods in the city? That being said, there are several neighborhoods barrios where foreigners tend to congregate. Museums, restaurants, art galleries, and abundant shopping are all within easy walking distance. The biggest challenge to living in El Centro is finding modern living quarters in a quiet area. But with persistence and maybe a bit of luck lots of expats have located charming homes and are enjoying a delightful in-town experience. The avenue is lined with mid- to high-rise residential towers, so the density of buildings means there is always more inventory available.
And, honestly, many expats enjoy being around others, especially when they are first getting settled. It can be a great place to start off your time in Cuenca, and perhaps a good base from which to look for something more permanent in another part of town. Modern condos are scattered among lovely old homes along the shady banks of the tree-lined Tomebamba River.
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