PennyLane93
4/26/2022 18:40 EST
1.) What is the cost of living in the Quito area? 2.) What is the average salary of people living in the Quito area? 3.) What is the culture like in Quito? What is outdoor recreation in the area and the city like? 4.) Is it easy to travel South America from Ecuador? 5.) What are the people in the area like?
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TeacherAngie
4/26/2022 20:36 EST
Hi! I live in Fort Collins, Colorado. When you are going to Ecuador? I am arriving in Cuenca on Friday. Do you have a job lined up in Quito? Have you considered Cuenca? The prices in Cuenca are lower, and the city is nicer in my opinion. If you need anything or just want to meet up, let me know. Angie
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PennyLane93
4/26/2022 23:13 EST
Hi TeacherAngie, I do have a job lined up in Quito, though I have heard wonderful things about Cuenca. I would love to meet up when I arrive. Enjoy!
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topher
4/27/2022 13:21 EST
I would say come for a visit . Everyone has their own experience with the areas of interest that you mention. Cost of living and wages are so much lower than in US. Otavalo, hiking, hot springs in Papallacta, Banos are fun. Careful going out at night in big cities..People are generally very helpful and friendly along with spotting a gringo from mile away. Busses are cheap,and safe as long as you are careful. Do your homework and Ecuador is a relaxing place.
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desertcogo
4/27/2022 14:02 EST
I have lived in Quito for more than 3 years and I've been to Cuenca and I have to disagree with you about the prices being lower in Cuenca. I found it to be completely opposite of what you claim. There are far more gringos per capita in Cuenca than in Quito and I think that is why I believe prices are higher in Cuenca. I also disagree with you about Cuenca being a nicer city unless you consider being around a bunch of other gringos to be "nicer.". Everyone is different and is looking for different things. I prefer immersing myself in the local culture instead of living a lifestyle resembling my life in America as much as possible.
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ronterresa
4/27/2022 14:47 EST
Desert, I completely agree with you. If you want to be around a lot of gringos then Cuenca is definitely your choice. But if you want to just soak in Ecuador, about any place is better.
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TeacherAngie
4/27/2022 14:56 EST
I agree that "nicer" is subjective. For me Cuenca is nicer because it's smaller, quieter, and cleaner (less air pollution). I found that you can hang with gringos in Quito and Cuenca. There's certainly no shortage of gringos in either city. I find Cuenca to be very multicultural, yet smaller than Quito. I also like its proximity to the ocean. I just spent three weeks in Cuenca and Quito, and Quito was definitely more expensive. I could get great food and fruit juices and coffees in Cuenca for way less than Quito. I don't know about rent prices for apartments though.
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ronterresa
4/28/2022 14:43 EST
The difference is Quito's gringo's are much more spread out through out the city. In Cuenca they tend to live in one or two areas, hence Gringo landia. As far as prices, I don't think that Cuenca has anything on Quito. Get out of the tourist areas of Quito and you can find cheap eats and drinks. I live in a smaller town in the Andes and have also lived in a small town on the coast in my 13 years of living here. I have spent a lot of time in both major cities and will say that Cuenca is beautiful but there are many beautiful places in Ecuador. I say check out more than just Cuenca and Quito
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BoulderGeek
4/29/2022 14:04 EST
This is all ery interesting to me. I was last in Cuenca for a week in 2009. I didn't see any other gringos the whole time I was there, nor did I speak any English when out and about. That was 13 years ago.
We are planning on going down at the end of the calendar year, getting a six month extended visa and renting an apartment in Cuenca.
I was really put off by the Gringolandia of San Miguel de Allande in Mexico. After months of travel, I wanted to keep speaking Spanish and not be catered to as a foreigner. I fled San Miguel for those reasons.
I am fine with paying a little Gringo tax if it benefits the community. If it costs me 50% of my life in the US instead of 40%, I can accept that for being a contributing member of a host society.
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gerat4
5/1/2022 19:05 EST
What makes you think you can stay in Ecuador? After your tourist visa expires you will have to go home.
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