Expat Advice: Living in Cuenca, Ecuador
What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?
Cuenca
How long have you lived there?
Little less than a year
What activities, clubs and organizations would you recommend to newcomers to help them meet others?
Weekly expat Fridays at 5, currently held at Sakura Restaurant on 3 de Noviembre in front of the Tomebamba River at the bottom of the Escalinata.
In terms of religious, racial, economic and cultural diversity, are the people of this city or town diverse? Are they accepting of differences? Describe.
It's strange here, in that on the surface, everyone mingles well and it is quite the mixing pot. 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.
What are the main industries in this city? What types of career opportunities commonly exist? How do most people find new jobs?
Unlike Quito and Guayaquil which has many multi-national companies, jobs here are fairly non-existent, however, entrepreneurial opportunities abound. Many people are retired, however, once you have a Permanent Residency Visa...no matter which type you get...you can open a company to do any number of things. People here have restaurants, export business, real estate businesses, retail shops, etc. It's very simple to open a business here once you have a cedula.
If a friend of yours was thinking of moving to this city or town from far away, what other advice would you give them.
Why Cuenca? Top 20 answers: http://www.ecuadorforums.com/index.php?topic=82.msg141#msg141
Moving to Ecuador soon?
More Expat Advice about Living in Ecuador
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guestHi, my name is Cristina I am in charge of a project of integration for expats from the American Chamber in Cuenca-Ecuador! I would like to have a meeting with you guys, please let me know how to contact you, in case you want to contact me my email is crisguillen10@hotmail.com.
guestI realy have enjoy this post , I wish very much to be in contact with someone honest people, who's living currently iCuenca, because we're waiting to receive our Permanent Resident Visa after 2 months ( hopefully ) , and wish to move to Cuenca , we think that Cuenca will be much more better for us then being here in Quito , it's a little bit to crowd for us , again I wish to be in contact with some honest people who're living there , who could help us , we wishes to open a small business ones we are there in Cuenca , can someone please helps us . I have a budget of aprox.ly about $ 18.000,- , ones you have your Resident Visa + Sedula , can you apply for a Loan or Mortgage as Foreigners ? Hoping that someone could provide me with some answers about these questions , I remain yours Mr: Ralph Sobers my e-mail : ralph.sobers11@hotmail.com , please if you could be so kind to e-mail me instead . many , many thx's for your reply
guestCuenca, Beautiful, great food, clean air, terrific views but enough said it boring. No night life to speak of and people here i find stoic. Spanish is the language.....if you don't speak it your a fish out of water..Cuencan people for the most part won't even make eye contact with you..socially you are at a loss and will be ignored by Cuenca's population..so if you can do with just being with expats your more than welcome to come otherwise find another place in this world to hang your hat.
tonyrigaI am looking to exchange my farm for an equipped bakery in Cuenca with living quarters and a garage. Farm is in Missouri 40 to 80 acres fenced and cross-fenced for raising 20 head of cattle and producing 250 round bales of good hay. Bakery must have a cafe with it with a good view. A good bread and pizza oven, refrigeration and display case and lots of good tables, chairs and booths. Bakery to be called "Tony Rigas casa de rigatoni y panaderia Italiana".
redxman47I found this a good start at a candid conversation aoubt normal daily life in Cuenca. We are looking to retire there in just a little over two years. So I hope to keep reading all about life in Ecuador.
PAgringoBEST WISHES; I will look for your grand opening! Free slice of pizza for anyone from Pennsylvania???
blatino91189Do you guys still meet for expat meetings at the same place?
