Moving to Cuenca, Ecuador

"Take your time to look around and if you find something that just jumps out at you take it. You will know if it feels right. Don't wait as if you do when you go back it will probably be gone. If you are looking and coming back to live here at a later date you can always rent it out to other expats. Rentals are in short demand for expats here in Cuenca," said one expat in Cuenca.

"Gringos are the preferred tenants in Ecuador. The reasons why will be of interest. 1. Ecuadorian law is ALL in favor of the tenant. So Ecuadorians will often not pay and it takes ages to evict them. 2. Though the leases may say different, the Law takes precedence. For example, if they turn your water, gas, electricity off, they are breaking the Law and liable for all damages. My suggestion is to: A. stay in a B&B (there are many at 25$ a day) B. Scope the areas suggested here to find one that suits you. C. if necessary, hire a facilitator (they are bilingual translators at 4$/hr+) to help with the language or suggestions. https://yapatree.com/cuenca-facilitators-make-life-easier/ D. Go to buildings in the areas you liked and ask the doormen if anything is for rent. The search investment is well worth your time," said one expat who made the move to Cuenca.

"One way to find a place to live in Cuenca is to look through online listings. Some popular sites include local classifieds, such as Encuentra24, and global rental sites like idealista and craigslist. Additionally, you can find locals willing to rent out apartments on Facebook Marketplace and Instagram. If you prefer a more traditional approach, you can ask friends or family if they know of any vacancies, or if they know someone else who is. Lastly, you can search in person by canvassing certain neighborhoods or checking out "se renta" (for rent) signs posted around the city," remarked one expat in Cuenca, Ecuador, Ecuador.

"Through the internet we found a person whom totally misrepresented the rental market, however not knowing we were taken advantage of," said one expat in Cuenca.

"We made an exploratory trip months before we decided to come and live in Cuenca, Ecuador. We did not really choose the neighborhood we just found the apartment absolutely fell in love with it and the price was just right and the view and everything. It seemed like a good neighborhood as well and we bought it within two weeks of being in this country. To date 18 months later we are still very very happy with our purchase. We have since found it is a great neighborhood close to all amenities but far enough from the centre of the city," remarked one expat who made the move to Cuenca.

"A typical expat home or apartment in Cuenca, is typically modern and comfortable. Most expat homes and apartments feature amenities such as high-speed internet, flat-screen TVs, and air conditioning. The interiors are usually spacious, with plenty of natural light due to the abundance of large windows and balconies that overlook the surrounding city. Most of the properties feature modern kitchens, with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Many are equipped with plenty of storage closets and bathroom amenities, such as a tub, shower, and washer/dryer," said one expat in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"Cuenca neighborhoods, unless you only walk everywhere, are not as significant in Cuenca as they are in other cities AND other countries. The expat population (especially the 50% from North America, is not significant enough to make a difference and the safety factor does not vary to the point where is means much. A section of the city's west end is dubbed "Gringolandia" with the Cuenca's largest condo (18 stories) called "The Gringo Palace", But upon investigation, it has only a 10% ownership of foreigners..with the rest Ecuadorians. The neighborhood has a much lower percentage of gringos. However, there are other reasons to investigate where you rent or buy in Cuenca that are not obvious, like bus and grocery proximity. I recall a lovely American couple who arrived and immediately rented in the small Red Light District. (Municipally-regulated prostitution is legal in Ecuador) When they found out more about the neighborhood, they remarked they enjoyed all the happy faces around them," remarked one expat who made the move to Cuenca.

"Housing cost are substantially less than at home. We are moving into a real mansion with full use of the house and our own bath for $210 mo. $200-350 mo is very available. We were taken the first mo. at $550mo and was much less quality. Actually it was horrible," said one expat who made the move to Cuenca.

"You can buy a beautiful 2 brm 2.5 bathroom apartment from about $78,000 upwards. If you are looking for a home with a bit of land around you can go about 15 mins from Cuenca and find the most beautiful homes for $150,000 - $300,000 and of course then you have the ones that are even higher. Depending on what you are looking for. There are beautiful pre-construction apartments selling from $60,000 to a large penthouse which has the most spectacular views for under $200,000. I went and paid our phone and electric bill the other day and for the two of us it was $30 for the month. Our apartment taxes are around $30 per year. Our security apartment and gas fees per month are $63.00," explained one expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"The average cost of housing in Cuenca varies depending on the size, location, and condition of the property. Generally speaking, monthly rents for one-bedroom apartments within city limits average around $200 - $450, while monthly rents for two or three-bedroom apartments within city limits average around $300 - $800. Long-term rentals for a house with three or more bedrooms in Cuenca usually start at around $450 - $800 per month," said one in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"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," said one expat who made the move to Cuenca.

"Deciding to buy or rent a home in Cuenca ultimately comes down to individual circumstances and preference. If you are planning to stay in the area for an extended period of time, it may make more sense to purchase a property, as the process of purchasing property can be a more attractive long-term financial solution. However, if you are intending to stay for a short duration, you may prefer the flexibility of renting a property. Ultimately, whether to buy or rent a home in Cuenca, Ecuador is a personal decision," explained one expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador, Ecuador.

"We arrived here over a decade ago. A codicil: We are much traveled and have had homes in many countries over the last 60 years. We have learned not to cling to the stuff we grew familiar with in the last places. That is analogous to gathering barnacles. It is a horrible hassle dragging lifestyle items unfound in your new home with you from someplace else. It is ultimately cheaper to buy locally as 95% of items cost less in Ecuador and come with a usable warranty and local repair know how. I feel bad for people that try to drag everything along with them. When we arrived, then some IT items cost double. But we have learned to keep checking as this world is changing FAST. They have become cheaper every year and now are MAYBE 10% more expensive. Everything else is also, relatively, much cheaper and with the trade agreements with Europe and China there is a greater availability and options in many areas. For example, we chose the styling for our living room set (easy chair, love seat & sofa) and picked the cloth from 100s and had it all made for 1050$ in 10 days. Can that be done in your present home? Appliances are the same - many now being made in Ecuador or South America. (If there is option in this area, buy something with mechanical rather than digital controls). Even if you buy an American brand name, it is likely a bitsa made in from iffy parts outside of the US. You will save a fortune buying non-West products. and have less misery," remarked one expat who made the move to Cuenca.

"We wish we would have brought a Leatherman, our Vitamix and a portable water filter. We could have done without so many clothes," explained one expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

"Being from Australia probably more vegemite. My moisturiser that I used for hundreds of years........but now I have found another here that is just as good. My grown kids :)," said one expat in Cuenca.

"It is important to respect local customs and traditions when visiting Cuenca. One should avoid dressing in clothing that is considered immodest, such as showing too much skin or wearing revealing clothes in public. It is also important to be mindful of local gender roles and greet people in ways that are appropriate to their gender. Another cultural faux pas to avoid is speaking too loudly or discussing sensitive topics in public. Furthermore, it is important to show respect for the elderly and to be mindful of local religious holidays and customs," explained one expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador, Ecuador.

"Excellent question. Actually, in Brazil, where I thought my Spanish would be good enough for the 'Portunol' we were speaking to the cab driver. When he asked if he could pick us up to take us to the airport the next day, where, as we had explained to him, we had rented a small private plane to fly to the Pantenal, we said sure. While walking into the hotel, my husband and I both had a feeling that we had missed something in his request. The following morning, he showed up to drive us to the airport - with his own suitcase packed. We had apparently agreed to take him with us on the plane to the Pantenal. Actually, there was no extra charge him on the plane, and he paid to stay in smaller quarters in the Pantenal himself - so it all worked out :-) That flexibility, enjoyment of your mistakes and desire to help others, are important parts of travel and expat life," said one expat in Cuenca.

"Cuenca is an attractive destination for expats due to its low cost of living, beautiful colonial architecture, and vibrant culture. The city is known for its temperate climate, with year-round spring-like temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Cuenca also offers a wide range of outdoor activities, from hiking and biking to rafting and kayaking. Additionally, the city is home to a large expat community, making it easy to make friends and find support. With its low cost of living, stunning scenery, and friendly people, Cuenca is an ideal destination for expats looking for a new home," offered one expat living in Cuenca.

"Choose carefully where you plan to live. In many Ecuador cities emergency care is often very limited or even non-existent. As we age good quality emergency care can mean to live or die. The same goes with good quality health care in general. Many small cities lack more than one doctor and medicines and supplies can be difficult to obtain in an emergency. This also happens with dentists as well. I suffered an injury to a tooth and had to travel for over an hour to find a dentist that could provide the needed treatment. And as we age we may find that the uneven pavement (or lack of pavement) in most Ecuadorian cities and towns will become a hazard to getting around. Again, choose carefully where you live," wrote one expat living in Cuenca.

"In the cities, the medical services are the best we have seen in our travels outside of France, (the best in the world). From a home and the decision to see someone, to seeing a specialist can take as little as 20 minutes at a cost of $40. Tests and operations can be set for the same day. We grew up with national medical care and were advised on arrival, by those who have that background, to get insurance. We did so for three years but dropped it in angry disgust. It is demeaning being privately health-insured if you are not used to it. We self-insure and cover the expat requirement (when there is one from time to time) with IESS (never used)," commented one expat who moved to Cuenca.

"Don't come down here looking for a miracle cure for your ails. You would find the experience frustrating and assistance costs would wipe out the advantage I think. I do know from some other gringos, and gringo sites, that some medications are not available here, I don't have that experience," replied one expat when asked about moving to Cuenca.

"Cuenca offers a wide range of medical services, including both public and private hospitals and clinics. The public hospitals are generally well-equipped and offer a variety of services, including emergency care, general medical care, and specialized care. Private hospitals and clinics offer a more personalized approach to medical care, with a focus on preventive care and specialized treatments. Cuenca also has a number of pharmacies, which provide a wide range of medications and other health-related products. Additionally, there are a number of medical professionals in the city, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, who are available to provide medical care," stated one expat who made the move to Cuenca.