10 Things to Consider Before Moving to Cuenca
Ecuador
Most people have now heard about the wonderful cost of living that is found in Cuenca Ecuador. If
by chance you didn't know about the splendor of Cuenca then let me reiterate. International Living
named Cuenca Ecuador the top retirement city in the world for the third year in a row based on
cost of living, weather, medical and dental, crime and other important criteria.
Many people from North America and Europe are considering moving to Ecuador as a possible
retirement destination. And for the most part all of the things that International Living says about
Ecuador are true.
But what about the things that you never hear about, or what about the things that you just don't
think of because you really want your retirement money to go further so you can live a better life
and be in a beautiful country? Here are some things you may have not considered.
1. Family: If you leave family behind (daughters, sons and grandchildren) will you miss them and
want to move back? If you are a close knit family in the states and you move to Ecuador, you better
believe you will miss them. Yes, you can go visit them but will your budget permit that?
2. Cost of Living: Ah yes, your money will go further here but is this the only reason you want to
move to Ecuador? If money is your top priority for moving to a new place so far away from your
normal activities and day to day living, you may find that this new place is not for you.
3. Euphoria: Traveling and visiting other countries is a blast but once the newness wears off and the
scenery, food, and atmosphere become the same old thing you wake up to every day, will you still
like Ecuador for retirement? This depends on what type of person you are. If you are the type of
person that makes their own happiness, without relying on others and outside circumstances to
make them happy then you'll do just fine here. But if you are the type of person who relies on
people and places to make them happy, you will not want to stay here.
4. Altitude sickness: Some people cannot live in high altitudes because it bothers their asthma and
some people have panic attacks. We know of one couple that had to leave Cuenca because the wife
was becoming ill from the high altitude. Cuenca Ecuador is quite high at 8,301 ft. Most expats that
come here never experience any problems except for slight dizziness and being out of breath for the
first week or so, but those with asthma, or heart and lung conditions should consider the altitude
before moving here. Check with your health care practitioner before making such a move.
5.Culture Shock: Some people become so shocked by the culture that they can't take it and have to
leave. What is culture shock? A state of bewilderment and distress experienced by an individual who
is suddenly exposed to a new, strange, or foreign social and cultural environment.
6. Weather: Yes, yes, yes, it's all true what people say about the weather, it is quite mild. Generally
the weather is between 50ish and 70ish every single day. But what we have observed is it is more
cloudy than sunny. Frank doesn't seem to mind this as much as I do; I love sunny days. But I am
learning to adapt and that is what you will have to do too, if you plan on staying in Cuenca.
7. Crime: Quote from (dragonfly75.com): "Thievery has also escalated recently due to the
increased number of gringos moving here. It is almost impossible to not get robbed (often at knife
or gunpoint) walking 8 or more blocks in any section of the city after 10PM. Word is out about
Cuenca being promoted as the best gringo haven and now hungry thieves from Guayaquil and other
cities are coming here to help relieve us of our materialistic burden of having too much. prepare to
be robbed."
We have not experienced any problems with thievery since we've lived here (5 months). But we're a
family of five, tall people, and we walk around usually in a group, perhaps we look like a gang of
thieves to them. We don't stay out past 8pm, plus we walk with purpose and don't act vulnerable-
we never walk around solo. We also think that some of the locals think Frank (my husband) is an
Ecuadorian, which helps us because they don't rob their own generally speaking. They target
gringos.
8. Restaurant Business? A lot of expats think they will move here and start a restaurant or
hostel/B&B, but think again. There are already too many restaurants and hostels in Cuenca and it's
very risky to start such a venture with so much competition already in this area.
9. Culture Integration: Are you willing to learn Spanish and have Ecuadorian friends and mesh in
with the culture? If not you will most likely feel isolated and not be very happy here. Meshing in
with the way they do things (live and let live) and living the way they do is learning to integrate
yourself into your new home called Cuenca.
We know that a lot of expats move here and seclude themselves from the Ecuadorians and they only
do things with other gringos and patronize only gringo restaurants-this is totally disrespectful. Now
why are you moving here for?
10. Shipping Your Stuff and Buying Stuff: OK, so you're absolutely sure that Cuenca is where you
want to hang your hat, not just because of cost of living but because of the friendly people, beautiful
country, wonderful springtime weather and the family oriented lifestyle and culture.
Should you ship your stuff or buy your stuff when you get here. We can't decide this for you... this
is something that only you can decide because of your circumstances, but I can tell you this.
You can buy just about everything you need here to furnish your new home or condo but it does
cost more than what it does in the states. Electronics cost about twice as much, so you might want
to bring your laptops and other favorite electronics with you.