'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.

No trackbacks.

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 -

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 -

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) - Sat Jun 7 10:51:58 2008

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) - Tue Jun 17 11:23:43 2008

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) - Fri Jun 20 16:12:47 2008

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) - Mon Jul 7 20:02:12 2008

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) - Mon Jul 7 21:27:27 2008

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 - Wed Jul 9 11:46:01 2008

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.

• Cuenca Monthly Budget

Reply #15 jerry gutierrez (24.20.142.75) - Wed Jul 30 22:50:07 2008

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) - Fri Aug 1 20:06:19 2008

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

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