'Cuenca Equador Real Cost of Living' Retirement  

Cuenca Equador Real Cost of Living

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.

Reply #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.

Reply #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

Reply #3 roschelle (69.180.4.120) -

My husband and I are thinking of moving to ecuador please let us know how is crime and the expence of living over there including, light, water telephone, traveling and medical .

Reply #4 Barry Hamilton (207.47.170.61) -

I am a Canadian living in Regina Saskatchewan Canada I am planning to retire in Equador , is there a site for Canadians aand Americanscan email each other about living in Equador. Please email me about living there thanks for the help.

Barry Hamilton. Please mail soon it is getting cold here already+4 ,

Reply #5 Bubba from deep in your mind (Contact Member) -

Try total Educador. Using a forum is better than email as lots of people will read the messages, even though only a few participate.

• Total Eduador

Reply #6 Bubba from deep in your mind (Contact Member) -

I might also add that nothing is better than a couple month trip to check out a place and its cost of living. Especially if you can find an apartment rather than a hotel.

Reply #7 Kathy (66.215.188.47) -

Wow, first time I've seen this website and I'm very pleased. We have been talking about retirement in Cuenca Ecuador for some time, and it appears it is going to happen. We will still keep a small condo in the states to come back to, but we can't wait. I thought we were all alone, and to see others considering the same is exciting. We went there a few years ago, and absolutely loved it! It is a beautiful country, with wonderful people and a lot of culture. Can't wait.

Reply #8 Fernando (70.187.190.112) -

I am a Ecuadorian business man who is actually opening a new office in Cuenca. Because of this I am renting an apartment in this beautiful city. I found a gorgeous brand new apartment, 3 bedroom 2 bathroom, one of them with jacuzzi, for 350 dollars. The best thing is that the apartment is in front of a river called Tomebamba. I am not from Cuenca, I am originally from Guayaquil, but I love this city, and I am seriously thinking on establish my self for good in there.

Reply #9 jim richard (72.175.100.112) -

we are looking for an apartment in cuenca for january, feburary, and march of 2009 (2 bedrooms-2baths)contact at attached e-mail

Reply #10 Tony Kistell (201.238.174.32) -

Hi to all you adventurers considering Ecuador as your last stop.

I have just had a month there, touring round every place and compiling costs of living, places to consider and everything else about infrastructure, weather, utilities, roads etc. I will be publishing theses details as soon as I get back to the UK and settle down to compile all the material into a sensible and friendly format.

I can tell you that I have made the decision to move here and have settled on Cuenca as being the most empathic place for Europeans and Americans.

If you are interested in my research, I suggest you send me your email address and I will add it to the list of interested parties. i have also made many excelllent, trustworthy and very nice people who are only too willing and able to ease the transition - and not only for monetary gain!.

Best regards and wishes for your successful move.

Tony Kistell

Reply #11 Michael J. Owen (190.32.100.146) -

This for any interested people, especially Tony Kistell. My wife and I, originally from England, 25 years in the U.S. and now living in Panama, are considering Ecuador as our final resting place. We would like more info on the country. Panama is quite a bit less expensive than the U.S. but prices did rise 17% last year. Thank you all.

Reply #12 Miguel (201.238.162.223) -

We have an aprtment available.

Ashley 23 and Miguel 23 are moving into this completely furnished typical Cuencano apartment. The building is situated at the bank of the river right in the center of Cuenca. We are looking for two nice housemates and friends to live with. It has 2 living rooms, 3 bed rooms facing the river, kitchen and toilet. It is suitable for 4 people. Rent is 300USD a month for the whole apartment including utilities. Give us a ring if you are coming to volunteer, work or teach to Cuenca.

mischling@gmx.at

+59398753316

Reply #13 TERRY MCELROY (76.246.156.112) -

I am 60 yrs. I want to utilize my retirement from the university, state of California, and social security. Can someone survive in Equador on $3000.00 a month?

Reply #14 Cuencano from Cuenca, Boulder Colorado (Contact Member) -

Below is my first report of monthly budgetary expenses in Cuenca. It is the result of surveys of 95 households, some single, some married, some homeowners, some renters. The resulting numbers are statistical composites.

The costs are broken down into 5 categories:

* Base – these are the outlay categories that apply to everyone w/o a car

* Renter

* Home owner – assumes no mortgage

* Auto owner – assumes no car payment

* Optionals – extra indulgences

Using these categories allowed me to mix-and-match to create scenarios, that is, Renters with cars, Homeowners without cars, etc. To that, you can add any or all of the “Optionals”, the result being a fairly well rounded picture of the budget you might work from. No allocation for Savings has been included.

BASE

Transportation $40 Buses, taxis

Propane $3 Hot water and cooking

Water $3

Electricity $10

Telephone $40 Cellular + landline

Internet $55 Highspeed broadband

Cable TV $50 Direct TV

Food $150

Medical/Dental $25 Annual checkups + unforeseen incidents

Miscellaneous $100 Massages, whimsy, whatever

Entertainment $100 Movies, bars, theatre, etc.

BASE TOTAL $576

RENTER

Rent $350 Modern 2 BR apartment, 100 square meters

HOA Fees $35 Sometimes required by owner/landlords

RENTER TOTAL $385

HOMEOWNER

Homeowner's Ins. $50

Property Taxes $20

House Maintenance $30

HOMEOWNER TOTAL $100

AUTO OWNER

Registration $8

Auto Insurance $50

Maintenance $40

Fuel $25 Gasoline @ $1.48/gallon

AUTO OWNER TOTAL $123

TOTAL BUDGET

RENTER W/CAR $1, 044

RENTER W/O CAR $921

HOMEOWNER W/CAR $719

HOMEOWNER W/O CAR $636

OPTIONALS

Full Time Maid $150

Monthly Getaways $200

Medical Insurance $60 Based on age 50

Mail forwarding $15 Makes (online) shopping from the U.S. a breeze

OPTIONALS TOTAL $425

A caveat: these results are not The Rosetta Stone. Although I believe that it is fairly representative, you might deem some numbers a bit high, others too low.

Obviously, a family with three children will have certain line items considerably higher than an unmarried individual without children. I encourage you to adjust anything that you feel needs to bring the numbers more into alignment with your lifestyle and situation.

Reply #15 jerry gutierrez (24.20.142.75) -

It sounds too good to be true; I want to see first hand for

myself. My wife and I will travel this year to see for

ourselves - what months are best to visit between September and

April, and is it possible to rent a place for 10-11 days? I

like what Ive read about some of the cities but my first love

would be the coastal areas, and the second would be a high

high valley with a view of the mountains. I understand there

are tropical areas also; this would be my third choice. What

would I have to budget for a car for ten days? Any and all

information about visiting would be well received and

appreciated. We are definately retiring in a year and are moving

to a latin country.

Reply #16 Hylton (69.119.148.153) -

My wife and I are in our 60's and are considering buying a piece of land on the Esmeralda coast and developing it with 2 & 3 bedroom stand alone houses as well as 2 & 3 bedroom condos.

These will be for sale only to persons over 55 who wis to retire and live there permanently. It will be supported with our own farm for fresh vegetables, meat and bread etc., as well as a club house, swimming pool and tennis courts.

These will not be at the prices in Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua etc., but will be very nice and of course the cost of living in Ecuador as you know is very reasonable.

If anybody is interested (ONLY SERIOUS ENQUIRIES PLEASE) and would like more information, please e-mail me at

lynhyl@mail.com

Reply #17 Henry Abril (190.10.180.119) -

Hey everyone my name is Henry. I'm cuencano and I'm offering my service to solve all your problems and questions about moving to Cuenca, I already help a couple from Canada with everything I mean rent a deparment, set up a cable tv, intenet etc. If you need reference I can give to you. Keep in touch in my e-mail hencausa@hotmail.com

Reply #18 Richard (38.104.60.14) -

Tony Kistell ,

We would like for you to add us in your email link but you don, t list an email, please respond,

Thanks,

Richard

Reply #19 James Lavine (70.162.14.144) -

Can anyone recommend a medium priced (3 star) hotel in Quito and Cuenca?

Is there bus or train service between the two cities? Any bad experience renting a car in Ecuador. I am 61 and looking at S. America for early retirement. Based on the base expenses in past replies, 2, 000 dollars monthly fixed income I should live comfortable in Ecuador. Does anyone disagree with that? Also I have been looking at Columbia for retirement. Feel free to email me jlavine101@cox.net Your help and advise will be greatly appreciated.

Reply #20 paul mirosh (99.237.149.75) -

It's good to see so many looking at the same opportunities in Ecuador but let's remember to leave our former homes and environment behind and learn to integrate into a much more simple and wholesome way of life because if we bring with us what we're living behind we'll screw our new home as our present homes in Canada and the states. learn Spanish and enjoy the people and their country. I will be in Quito and Cuenca from the 24 until January 7 this time. my home base will be in Quito E mail me if you care to chat.

Reply #21 paul mirosh (99.237.149.75) -

my Email pmirosh@hotmail.com

Reply #22 Alan Rothman (75.44.215.19) -

I am based in Southern California and considering the best places to visit for retirement in South America. An attorney friend of mine in originally from Ecuador and indicated there are many opportunities and a great lifestyle in the country. I would like to learn more and visit in 2009.

Reply #23 P Mirosh (190.10.179.158) -

I have been in Quito for 10 days now and here is what I have discovered that comes to mind at the moment, in Quito if you go to the Hilton for a buffet lunch be prepared to pay $19.95 plus an automatic 10% tip added to your bill a local beer is $3.00 for a buffet lunch of all in $27.00, a bucket of Kentucky fried chicken $12.99 for 8 pieces includes fries and a salad.

real estate is a different story condos are all over the place from $30, 000. for a one bedroom 600 sq. ft. or a 2 bedroom at about $40, 000. for about 900 sq.ft. and $70, 000. for a three bedroom 1, 200. sq ft. that's the reality but, theres always a but if you're not experienced and you don't speak the language prices can easily double, don't be fooled, I speak the language and have been in the real estate investment world most of my life, I have met a couple of Realtors (so called) one that in the Quito area focuses on land and not condos or houses I found him willing to take instructions and carry them out. (if you want his name and # email me) I will be going to Cuenca this Sunday a 45 minute flight with return fare $115.00 with Aero Gal. Hotel #34.00 per nite includes taxes and American breakfast.

for now this is it if you want to know more pmirosh@hotmail.com

I plan to help Americans and Canadians settle in from soup to nuts I have found a well rooted local lawyer to take care of the documentation to immigrate and settle here all you need is a pension of $2, 000.00 per month or a purchase of a residence worth more than $35, 000. that is good enough to call you an investor and be able to establish a home base in Ecuador.

good luck

Paul

Reply #24 Laura (208.8.52.40) -

My husband and I are traveling to Cuenca later this year to look for real estate a condo to be exact. You are correct that there is not any one place where you can find out what is currently for sale or for rent. I do have a couple of sites that may help if you are looking for a place to stay while you are there they are as follows.

www.cuencarealestate.com This site has property for sale as well as rentals in Cuenca. Some of these condos rent by the week and the month.

www.hotelscombined.com / city / cuenca_ecuador.htm shows hotels in Cuenca. Sorry I had to break up the link for it to go through.

If any of you find a good resource for property in Cuenca please let us know.

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