'Cuenca Equador Real Cost of Living' Retirement

Laura (208.8.52.46) -

My husband and I are thinking about retiring in Cuenca Equador we have been there several times on vacation and like the area a lot. We are from California in the United States. We would like to rent an apartment in the area for about 6 months prior to purchasing anything.

My questions are what is the average price of a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment in a nice area per month. How much money should we realistically allocate for living expenses per month for items like utilities, dinners out and groceries, transportation expenses, and private medical insurance. We have not been able to get a good handle on the true cost of living in Cuenca and are hoping someone who lives there can give us a good idea of the average cost.

Also how safe is that area for Americans to live and what area do most expats live in we been given conflicting information and would like to hear from someone who actually lives in the area.

Comment #1 Bob (69.139.56.174) -

We are from Florida and my wife and I are considering the same move. We are visiting Ecuador for the first time in January but have friends who are very familiar with the country. Determining fair market value seem tough there because of the lack of any organized real estate association. Maybe we could share information as we obtain it. We have make several good contacts in the country.

Comment #2 Nicholas Crowder (66.167.128.213) -

If you are thinking of moving to Ecuador I invite you to read my book "Culture Shock! Ecuador". It provides you real insight into what Ecuadorians are like and the joys and pitfalls of living in Ecuador.

The 2nd edition is due out in December. I have seen it for presale at Amazon.com for only 10 dollars and some cents.

Regards,

Nicholas Crowder

Comment #3 Dennis from Upstate, NY (Contact Member) -

I'm interested also. I would also know how far is Trocal from Cuenca?

Comment #4 Betha Arline (63.243.108.98) -

I am thinking of retiring to Ecuador and am interested in knowing real cost of living if you don't require a "lavish" lifestyle.

Comment #5 Gary from Ecuador development Group, Cotacachi (Contact Member) -

We have lived in Cotacachi, about 2 hours north of Quito for more than a year. Nice unfurnished apartments here rent for $150-200. The problem is that it is quite expensive to buy furniture and there is no used furniture market. Once that hurdle is passed, however, things are very cheap.

Our utilities run about $25 per month, with another $60 per month for DSL internet and telephone. Long distance in country telephone calls are very inexpensive. We have a VOIP account for calls to the US and Canada.

The two of us spend about $150 per month on food, which includes all of the fresh fruit and veggies we can eat at about $12 per week.

Medical and dental costs are low. Teeth cleanings are $15, laser fillings around $20 and root canals and crowns at $120. I fell off my bike and had emergency room treatment, two x-rays, and a follow up visit all for $90. Excellent rehabilitation treatments with a variety of modern machines cost $2 per treatment.

Taxi's are $1, buses about $1 per hour. Clothing is generally somewhat higher than in the states.

Restaurants typically are $1.50 to $6 here, for very excellent meals.

We have lots of this type of info on our website, www.pro-ecuador.com

We are happy to answer questions.

• Ecuador Cost of Living

Comment #6 Stan Nation (65.182.13.16) -

Hello in Equador,

I have been living in Costa Rica for 12 years and I am getting the itch to move to Equador. I have not decided where but not the beaches. I am interested in a cooler comfortable climate. I would be renting and moving 20' container of furniture. I would be more interested in quaint small non-working finca rather than in the cities if it is safe. Appreciate info.

Stan

Comment #7 kim barnes (68.188.72.55) -

Looking to rent long term in 2010 but htinking of a reprieve in July for a month. Let me know the prices. I expect the best for a low price. thanks Kim

Comment #8 Miguel Rasinger (190.10.186.2) -

Fully furnished apartment to share. It has 2 living rooms, 3 bed rooms facing the river, kitchen and toilet.

Ashley 23 and Miguel 23 are moving into this completely furnished typical Cuencano apartment. We are looking for two nice housemates and friends to live with. It is suitable for 4 people. Rent is 300USD a month for the whole apartment including utilities.

+593 98753316

Comment #9 Jack White (63.176.159.246) -

Why move to Ecuador?

Well who am I to ask when I am one who left my country too for a better country to work at. I am currently working and at the same time living in Madrid.

to Mr. Nicholas Crowder,

Books such as yours are always a good thing to have if it is indeed true to its words that it will provide "real insight into what Ecuadorians are like and the joys and pitfalls of living in Ecuad" and not just plain advertising or discouraging tourists and expats from staying on the country.

Comment #10 Charles (63.176.159.254) -

I am retireing in Ecuador and I will be moving all my stuff in the house i have down there next month. I was wondering what is there to do in Ecuador for senior citizens? ALso I would really like to know a few nice restraunts. If you know of either please inform me as soon as possible.

Comment #11 Marchal (63.176.159.254) -

Does anyone know how the work force in Cuenca Equador is these days?

Comment #12 EUGENE LEMMONS (67.61.252.77) -

looking to move to equador to buy /rent a residence there .Can you furnish any info on this ? thank you

Comment #13 Richie (63.176.159.117) -

I would like to see some available property in Equador, I have been interested for about 5 years in moving there. I have saved up money and I am ready to retire this year. If anyone knows of a good site I could go to, to see some propery or if anyone knows of a good realitor please let me know.

Comment #14 kelly (120.16.126.27) -

Hi All

My husband and I would like to know how people get on living in ecuador with the problems of water.

we are looking for somewhere to retire in a couple of years

Ecuador sounds very affordable for us though are getting turned off about the water.

Can someone shed some light on this for us.

What would it cost for us to live there on a monthly bases .(ALL EXPENSES INCLUDED)

What would a nice apartment cost to rent monthly( furnished)

Comment #15 Rex (63.176.159.15) -

Yes thank you Mr. Crowder for offering actual advice instead of an endless list of advertising. People can't find answers when all there is on a forum are advertisements.

Comment #16 Joe Nawrocki (98.165.163.177) -

Furnished Apartment in Cuenca bedroom with high speed internet connection.Needed for one month in September.

Comment #17 cwemoy (63.176.159.170) -

Just make good contacts with the people there...Nick, you could done well to post a direct link to the book. It seems that it is purely for sale. Could there be a sort of preview of the book? Who are most prone to experiencing a culture shock anyway?

Comment #18 moy (63.176.159.54) -

Laura, I do agree with you over wanting to go to Ecuador and rent an apartment prior to finding a permanent home. That points to you exercising caution in your much anticipated move.

Since you are decided upon relocating, have your options open, just in case a house for sale is advertised.

It is also good to look at the pros and cons of retiring there before settling upon a crucial decision.

Comment #19 Nicholas Crowder (66.167.128.68) -

For Rex and Jack:

Thank you for the comments. The book which is now going into it's third edition is focused primarily on the culture. I have been a student of Ecuador for thirty years and of course have been fortunate to be married to a beautiful Ecuadorian woman for almost 29 years. I would be happy to discuss Ecuador with anyone that has questions at; 602-957-3741

Regards,

Nicholas Crowder

Comment #20 Daniel Yeargain (69.109.231.96) -

I went to Bogota, Colombia, in 2005 to look for an appropritate lady to marry. I went through different web sites and dating services and met a lady with whom I came to admire an fell in love. We were married after a year of dating.

I am currently 70 years of age, a retired Spanish teacher from California and she is 56.

The dollar has and continues to fall in a preciptious fashion against the Colombian peso. It has lost over 30 percent of it's purchasing power.

I mentioned to Bertha, my wife that we should explore Ecuador as a possible relocation site. See responed, "I'm not going to live with those foreigners." I was shocked!

I spent 2 summers in Cuenca when I was studying Spanish to become a teacher and was very impresed by the friendliness of the Cuencanos and how incredibly inexpensive it is to live there. I rented a small bungaloo behind the main family house for $25.00 per month.

My plan is to get my wife to Ecuador on a sight-seeing vaction to see if I can get her to see things from a more objective perspective. Wish me luck!

Dan(iel)

Comment #21 Joe from des plaines (Contact Member) -

Why not look at other countries in South America than don't boarder Colombia... except maybe Brazil. I think in Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay you'll have less "issues".

Comment #22 Dixie (1) from Cuenca Ecuador (Contact Member) -

Hi everyone, We have been living in Ecuador fulltime now and spend most of our time living in Cuenca but also this year we have been renting another beach/bungalow in Ayampe where my husband is doing a property development.

If you want to know more about living in Cuenca especially please go to my website Retire in Ecuador. I started it as a personal journey of our trip here and am now have quite a following to my fortnightly Newsletters.

My Newsletter are probably more like a journal of how I experience living in a different country. I also have a page about the cost of living. But make sure you subscribe as this is where you can read the back issues of our trials and tribulations, and health and happiness.

Ciao for now

Dixie

PS: Feel free to write to me if you require any further information.

• Retire in Ecuador

Comment #23 Alona (63.176.159.138) - 11/26/09 22:10

Maybe you are right ther Joe, but the original poster wants to settle in Ecuador. I must say that Ecuador is a nice place to retire or to permanently live. The cost of living there is way too cheaper than some of the western countries. Try to inquire about this matter on the link posted by Gary.

But well, all i can say is that aside from the low cost of living, the country also is a nice place for those looking for a very close to nature crib.

Comment #24 Eve (63.176.159.161) - 12/21/09 11:04

Ecuador is a jewel in the Latin American region. Retiring there would simply be magical.

E-Mail:         

Name:            (required)

Title:           (required)

Message (do not enter emails or links or urls in the message!):