Cuenca, Ecuador
A retiree in Cuenca, Ecuador talks about why he chose Cuenca as his retirement destination. He enjoys the low cost of living in Ecuador, beautiful scenery, Cuenca's affordable restaurants, quality medical care and more.
Cuenca
Affordable quality lifestyle
Retired all year
After researching several countries Ecuador turned out to be the most affordable for me with great medical and quality of living!
Yes I lived in mexico for ten years but could not afford to retire there.
Three years
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One
Learning Spanish
Making friends with Ecuadorians and the great choice of year around fresh vegetables and fruits.
I think I did all the research I needed and am still happy with my decision to move to Cuenca.
Many expat activities in Cuenca and great affordable restaurants. Beautiful scenery and lots of great places to visit in the Andes and the beaches.
Proof of at least $800 a month income, FBI and local police report, birth certificate and if applies divorce papers or marriage certificate. All need to be notarized and apostle stamped. You can hire a lawyer or do it yourself at the local Immigration office here takes about 3 months to receive your residency card good for ten years. I have a blog about the process: AAA Living in Cuenca gas2335.blogspot.com or book available on amazon: Why Ecuador for me.
I rent a two bedroom, two bathroom condo on the 11th floor on the Rio Tomebamba. 24-hour security guards, underground parking I pay $300 a month for rent, gas $8, water $10, cable $52, internet $34 and security is $50.
I live on about $1000 a month as a single guy. Of course what you spend will depend on your lifestyle.
Choosing the lifestyle that is affordable to you, I have friends that live on $5000 a month but they have higher cost accommodations and travel a lot, eat our often etc.
One thousand a month for a single and $1500 for a couple.
Your choice of the free hospital or higher cost facilities. Also qualify for the Social Security hospital here 100% coverage for $72 a month.
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.
Not a lot of crime in Cuenca but people need to us common since living here as they would in any city.
Buses are 25c, taxi's around the city around $3 I just purchased a car which is costly here but gas is just $1.46 a gallon. Great bus and van services around the country a reasonable costs.
We have internet not to speedy but will improve very soon.
It is not for everyone, if you have not traveled outside your country you should check it out before moving. Many expats move here and after 6 months to a year many go back to the US! Many might miss family or just can't adjust to a non- English speaking country. My blog offers a good idea of live here: google: AAA Living in Cuenca or my book Why Ecuador for me is available on kindle through amazon.com
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Cuenca is Ecuador's third largest city, but still has a small-city feeling. Expats share 11 things they wish they had known before moving to Cuenca from packing sunscreen to being aware of gringo gouging.
Expats in Ecuador share their experiences with healthcare and overseas medical insurance in Ecuador.
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 3-4 times less expensive than in the US.
An expat in Cuenca, Ecuador advises others to take an exploratory trip before committing to making the move. Then, if you do move to Cuenca, leave your furniture at home since it's very expensive to ship and furniture is very reasonably priced in Ecuador.
An expat in Cuenca, Ecuador talks about the great care he received at Santa Ines Hospital, the low cost of high quality healthcare in Ecuador and the availability of most common prescription medicines (usually available without a prescription).
An expat offers an immensely helpful view of what it's like living in Cuenca, Ecuador - from expat clubs to job opportunities.
An expat in Cuenca, Ecuador appreciates the beautiful environment and people. He advises newcomers to get learn Spanish and meet locals instead of socializing with other expats.
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.
A semi-retired woman who relocated to Cuenca, Ecuador once her children were grown is enjoying life there with her husband. He has longed to return to Central America, since living there as a child.
Expats have loved living in Ecuador for a long time, and that trend continues according to expats who responded to our "Best Places to Live in 2020" survey. Read on to see how satisfied and read some quotes about what it's like to live there.
Expats talk about some of the biggest challenges they've faced living in Latin America. Whether you're moving to Panama City or Punta del Este, this article is a must read to help you prepare (hint: you'll be much happier if you learn the language) and adjust your expectations (realities: the roads are rough, the pace of life is slower and bureaucracy is unavoidable). Despite all of the challenges, the list of what expats like about life in Latin America far exceeds the challenges.
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.
You forgot to mention for a single man there are 'chongos' where a woman can be had for $10 for a quickie, which is nice because the normal Ecuadorian women are difficult to know.
1Milkman62thank for the insight on Ecuador a friend and I are considering a move to Ecuadro thank you steve
1Milkman62what is the weather like hot and humid or mild don't care for high humidity
Johannamuwhat advice would u give a single woman, moving to Ecuador? 2nd do many people there speak English? Thank you Johanna
stevegemaRead his book: good primer and an easy read; $5 on Kindle. May need updating as Ecuador changes laws frequently. Weather in Cuenca could be an issue for some.
Get a quote for expat health insurance in Ecuador from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
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Cuenca is Ecuador's third largest city, but still has a small-city feeling. Expats share 11 things they wish they had known before moving to Cuenca from packing sunscreen to being aware of gringo gouging.
Expats in Ecuador share their experiences with healthcare and overseas medical insurance in Ecuador.
Have you eaten at A Pedir de Boca in Cuenca? Learn about this and other restaurants in Cuenca in our new Cuenca Restaurant Guide.
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 3-4 times less expensive than in the US.
An expat in Cuenca, Ecuador advises others to take an exploratory trip before committing to making the move. Then, if you do move to Cuenca, leave your furniture at home since it's very expensive to ship and furniture is very reasonably priced in Ecuador.
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.
An expat in Cuenca, Ecuador appreciates the beautiful environment and people. He advises newcomers to get learn Spanish and meet locals instead of socializing with other expats.
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.
A semi-retired woman who relocated to Cuenca, Ecuador once her children were grown is enjoying life there with her husband. He has longed to return to Central America, since living there as a child.
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