Expat Advice: Dream vs. Reality of Expat Life in Cuenca, Ecuador
What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?
Cuenca
Describe how you "dreamed" expat life would be before you moved overseas. Please provide as much detail as possible.
(I may want to think about this one more)
How has your expat experience met the expectations you dreamed about before you moved abroad?
More Crime & Corruption than I Realized!
How has your expat experience NOT met the expectations you dreamed about before you moved abroad?
More Crime & Corruption than I Realized!
More About Dream vs. Reality of Expat Life in Ecuador
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Comments about this Report
admineePlease explain.
admineePlease explain.
guestI lived there in Cuenca and then in Ibarra and was found that crime was a problem if you lived in a private home rather than a condo. I knew several expats who lived in homes who were burglarized. I would not recommend living in Ibarra. There are many desperate people there( many Columbian refugees) who are driven to committing all sorts of crimes, some very serious. Quito and Guayaquil are not safe to walk about, especially at night. I was mugged twice during a stay of three months in Quito. I if you don't learn to speak Spanish, your life in any of the South American countries will not go smoothly in the long run. I was shocked to learn that over the course of several years, over 50% of the expats leave. This is no retirement if you are planning to plant yourself and set roots in your golden years. Its an adventure for sure. Most of the time it is the truly naive who wind up being very disappointed and regretful. Don't be foolish. Think! Think! Think!
