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EI EXPERT – EDD STATON
ParticipantI pay $35/month in Cuenca for good Internet service. There are more expensive plans available if you require fastest speeds.
ParticipantBobby, what price range are you shooting for and how long will you be here?
ParticipantI wouldn’t let either of those concerns affect your decision, Tom. My Spanish was extremely poor when I arrived 2 1/2 years ago. Excellent street maps are available, and the bus routes are online (buses cost 25 cents to ride). A taxi ride from one side of town to the other runs about 2 bucks. If you decide on Cuenca you’ll be fine.
ParticipantBill, I have a recommendation for you. Casa del Barranco (www.casadelbarranco.com) is ideally located in the Old Town right next to the Tomebamba river. Their published rate for a double is $36. If you & your wife are staying for awhile perhaps you can get them to do a little better.
ParticipantTom, Cuenca is much larger than Cotacachi so life is different here. Overall cost of living figures, however, are not significantly different from what Suzan shared. Our budget is about $1800 per month including rent but excluding travel. We don’t eat out much and often take advantage of inexpensive almuerzos (fixed menu lunches) when we do. A meal at a nice restaurant in Cuenca would average $10 without alcohol. We also have movie theaters with tickets as low as $2.50. There are many cultural events as well and most, even our symphony, are free.
There are supermarkets all over town and numerous mercados selling produce, meat, and fish. We have one major mall and several smaller ones, plus countless free-standing shops and stores.
An acceptable condo will cost $80,000 and up. Construction is booming here so you wouldn’t have a problem finding something suitable.
I love my life here. Even though our population is over 500,000, the city is a very manageable size that combines every modern convenience with colonial charm.
ParticipantYes, Roger, I’ll be happy to recommend a few places to you once you provide a per night dollar figure. Your “moderate” may be someone else’s “expensive.”
ParticipantMy wife & I drink the tap water in Cuenca and have never had a problem.
ParticipantWilliam, there are plans to expand GringoTree beyond Cuenca but I don’t know the timetable.
ParticipantDiBacco on Tarqui has a Gringo Night on Tuesday’s. Other “hangouts’ include California Kitchen, San Sebas Cafe, & Inca Bar & Lounge.
ParticipantJonathan is right–as long as you have guaranteed provable income as he stated. If not you can purchase a CD of $25,000 + $500 for each dependent with a minimum term of 365 days (a 9-II visa). Your CD is placed in the custody of the Central Bank of Ecuador and must remain there as long as your immigrant status remains under this category, although the interest may be withdrawn.
ParticipantCharlie, afraid I can’t be of much help. Cottage cheese isn’t available here as far as I know. Tried to research the water situation but came up empty. And flax seed oil? I honestly have no idea. I’m more on the “Budweiser Diet.” 😉
ParticipantOrganic produce is readily available (we don’t have bugs here!) and I believe at least one restaurant claims to serve organic fare.
ParticipantHola, Senor Green. There are a surprising number of vegetarian restaurants in Cuenca. Some popular ones you’ll enjoy visiting include Good Affinity (Asian style), Govinda (Indian), Nectar, and El Paraiso (3 locations). Also please know that many “omnivore” eateries often offer vegetarian choices. You won’t starve here, I promise!
ParticipantKevin, I know of no one here in Cuenca making enough money teaching English to support full-time residency. Most teaching opportunities are for volunteers or pay just a few dollars per hour.
ParticipantAll imported goods, including electronics, are more expensive here because of taxes. Buy your new computer at home before relocating to Ecuador.
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