Why My Mom Couldn’t & Wouldn’t Live in Ecuador

Since starting our blog in 2011 we’ve been writing about “why” some folks just aren’t cut out for living in a developing country. Some people aren’t getting it. Almost everyone we have talked to lets us know it is our blog that helped sway their decision to move to Ecuador. Really? How can that be when we have been so upfront about everything? 



Some people who hear the message about Cuenca, Ecuador block the negative out or they tell themselves they can endure that aspect of Ecuador life; it is only natural to block things out, or tell ourselves little fibs to some extent; we all do it, especially when we think we want something really bad.  And a lot of armchair travelers appear to want Cuenca really bad.
 

That’s why I am telling you a little bit about my mom today; maybe you’ll see something you didn’t before.  Before we begin, we want to make it perfectly clear that just because some folks aren’t cut out for Ecuador or any developing country for that matter, does not make them any less of a person, a better person, or any more of an ugly American, or more of a good American than those people who simply love living in Ecuador.  Everyone is different.
 

In our coastal guide we say emphatically that if some people were to move to the Ecuador coast first, before seeing Cuenca, many of them would curl up into a ball and wither away; that may seem harsh but the reality is unless you are in Salinas standing on the Malecon, the coast is very undeveloped and impoverished and one reason why there are more home invasions of foreigners on the coast.

Ecuador coastal village

Most parts of the Ecuador coast are not built up; infrastructure is almost non-existent in some areas. Sure, some aspects of living in Ecuador are like going back to the 1950’s, but others are like going back to the 1870’s.
 

My mom wouldn’t like that. Does it make her a difficult person? What about all the gringos that have left Ecuador because they realized it wasn’t for them, does it make them difficult people? Not at all, hopefully they learned from their mistake; the mistake of thinking something was right for them when in fact it was not. It’s worth repeating:  “know thyself”.
 

Our intent is not to say anything mean about Ecuador; it’s just the way it is.  Why can’t people accept that and move on? I’ve even heard several different gringos say, “I decided on Cuenca because you can drink the water right out of the tap”.  That’s right, no place on the Ecuador coast can you drink the water straight from the tap unless you have a filter setup installed on the tap or a whole house filter. If that is the reason someone is swayed to move to Cuenca then there’s going to be a whole lot more reasons why they will choose Cuenca over the coast.
 

Cuenca has its inconveniences too. These kinds of inconveniences would really annoy my mother, such as having to listen for the honks of the gas truck driving past your home just to get your tanks refilled.  If you happen to be busy in the bathroom when he drives by, oops, guess you missed the gas guy for that day.  What can you do? Well, at this point you NEED to know some Spanish so you can call the gas guy and tell him to pleeeease come back to your house so you can exchange your gas tanks out.
 

These little inconveniences are ok to tolerate for a certain type of person but not my mother. Sure you can rent an apartment in Cuenca and maybe not have to put up with that particular inconvenience, but my mom isn’t ready for apartment living yet. She needs her yard and patio for entertaining guests and her active dog needs space. Simply put, she is not an apartment type of person. Apparently, a lot of folks moving to Ecuador aren't either and want houses with yards and space. Good luck with getting the big green space. More on that in a bit.
 

In the Home
 

And then there is waking up in the morning and your house is about 64 degrees and there is no thermostat to turn up the heat? Instead you have to light your gas heater or have electric heaters strategically positioned throughout the home. Another inconvenience my mom wouldn’t like. Did anyone mention fire hazard from portable gas heaters and carbon monoxide fumes that do seep out from these units. They can be dangerous and unhealthy, but what can you do about it? It’s life in Ecuador.
 

Yes, the homes in Cuenca can be downright chilly 6 months out of the year and most homes are not built with central heating like the homes in the u.s.
 

Another thing that my mom would not like, and a lot of expats do complain about is the water pressure and luke-warm  showers. Yes, sometimes you won’t even get a hot shower even though there is gas in the tank. The Ecuador calefon water heaters have their own little idiosyncrasies and if you don’t know what those are you will not like taking showers in Ecuador.  Especially in the chilly Andes.   

calefon - hot water "on demand" heater

In the city of Cuenca what you usually see are town homes and apartments and houses with small yards, if there is a grassy area.  If anyone likes to do any kind of gardening, or if you have a dog, you’ll want a bigger yard than the postage stamp yards they have in the city.

Typical green area - is that enough room for a German Shepherd or Retriever?

Guess you can walk your dog every day!

What can someone like my mom do, who needs to have the conveniences of U.S standards inside her home, and who has an energetic Labrador who needs to run and play, and a love for gardening and entertaining friends?
 

Well let's see, she can go out into the country and have a home built to her own tastes and comfort levels, install all the custom upgrades she wants to her own home that she is so used to having in the u.s.  But then she would have a large amount of u.s. funds invested, and she may not be able to get them back out intact if and when she would change her mind.
 

Living out in the country has its own risks and challenges and they are multiplied for those that don’t speak the language. You can put up tall cement walls so people can’t see in and install electric wire all the way around too, but what happens when the electricity goes out? What if the thieves cut your electricity off to your home? Who is going to know when you live out in the countryside of Ecuador? 



If you need a doctor, how do you reach one in time?  How do you spend hours in taxis and buses unless you also buy a car, one of those things that is not too cheap in Ecuador. Did we also mention, the number one cause of expat deaths in Ecuador is car accidents, driving and walking as a pedestrian? See the statistics for 2011 here.
 

Going Outside the Home into the Environment
 

At 77 years young my mom is not as agile as she used to be; she is slim and healthy for her age but I don’t think she would feel very comfortable trying to cross the street where there are no traffic lights, just cross walks. People get ran over all the time in these Latin American countries. What can you do? I guess you can take a taxi everywhere you go but that gets expensive. My mom wouldn’t like riding the bus, in fact, at her age she’d have a difficult time getting up on the bus…let alone riding it.
 

Oh, and tell mom that she can’t wear her diamond ring outside of her home in Ecuador; just that right there will stop her from coming here. She wouldn’t want to be in fear of getting robbed/mugged every time she went out the door. Mom shouldn’t come here.  I’ve never asked mom to move to Ecuador; I already know that Ecuador is a bad fit for my mom.
 

Grocery Shopping
 

Some people are not cut out for Mercado shopping. Sure, they like walking through the Mercado's for entertainment purposes (tourist attraction) but some folks would never shop there on a full time basis just to save some money, my mom included. I remember as a teenager my mom would pass up some great deals at a warehouse type grocery store in town because there wasn’t a box boy to take the groceries off the huge crate style shelves (Cosco Style Shopping) and put them in the trunk of her car.  Shopping there was an inconvenience to her. Seriously I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea.
 

Ecuador is not for everyone.  As much as we talk ourselves into being able to endure these seemingly small inconveniences, for some people they are just too much to bear over a long period of time.  Another thing: visiting Ecuador on a month to three month trip is not long enough to really know if you will like living here permanently.
 

We are not discouraging anyone from visiting Ecuador (except for my mom) or even moving here; on the contrary, please do come and check it out, but we are giving you a heads up that Ecuador or any developing country is not for a certain type of people, as much as we try and tell ourselves otherwise, we’re better off just keeping our feet where they are firmly planted. 



Have a wonderful day... and until we write again…



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We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!

2 Great Rental Deals in Ecuador Today! Cuenca and Salinas - $300 and $250

1. SALINAS.  Nice and cozy house, fully furnished in residential area. 1 car parking space. It has an open plan living-dining and kitchen area with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Includes TV and full appliances and in excellent condition. Approximately 1,300 sq feet. You can rent this for $300!

kitchen dining room 

bedroom

living room

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2. For only $250 a month you can rent this house in Banos. It has 3 bed with closet, and 3 baths. It has Living room, kitchen, with laundry room. It has a parking space for one car and patio.

 

street view

These homes are available as of today! We work hard to find you the best value deals according to size, location and price. If you are interested in a rental abroad, take a look at our Assistance Packages and choose the one that fits your needs; Then tell us what you want and need in a rental, and we'll provide the priceless protection for your smooth transition abroad from Gringo Good Samaritans.

Latest Rental Bargains August 30, 2015

LATEST BARGAIN FINDS as of August 30th 2015

1. West side, older but well kept home, has 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms with small lot. 155 meters construction. Lots of closet space. covered patio. Asking price: $350.

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2. This older but well kept home has 3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms. Nice tiled floor. 135 meters of floor place. On the way to Banos. Asking price: $290 

 

entry into living room

                                                                        

kitchen

These homes are available as of today! We work hard to find you the best value deals according to size, location and price. If you are interested in a rental abroad, take a look at our Assistance Packages and choose the one that fits your needs; Then tell us what you want and need in a rental, and we'll provide the priceless protection for your smooth transition abroad from Gringo Good Samaritans.

What's the Difference between Foreign GUEST and Permanent RESIDENT Abroad?

There are some big differences between being a guest and being a permanent resident abroad. As a guest it is easy to accept the first price quoted. After all, we’re not staying; money is not on our mind as vacationers; we just want to have fun!  Guests always pay more for everything because, truly, it’s not a big deal; it’s expected that as a tourist (90-day stay) we will pay tourist pricing, so what. It’s not always about money however. It’s about how we behave as travelers. Let me explain.
 

Frank and I always “go local” when we travel; we speak Spanish; we take the local transportation; we eat in the local eateries; and we shop in the local Mercado's; we know most of the cultural quirks and customs of living in Latin America since we’ve lived here for four plus years now. So we do not consider ourselves guests in Latin America but more like permanent expats. Which means, we behave with a certain amount of confidence when doing things in foreign countries. This self-confidence shows in our mannerisms when for instance, we are looking at rentals or buying produce from the local market.

Group of tourists in El Centro - Cuenca Ecuador

 Where Does the Term EXPAT Come In?
 

Ecuador opens their doors to foreign guests for full 90-days and if a foreigner decides to put down roots after the visitor stamp is up, they will then need to process a resident VISA. This is why some foreigners have been given the title of EXPAT.



However, technically speaking an “EXPAT” is one who renounces citizenship in their home country and becomes a citizen of another country, which is called EXPATRIATION, and is where the term EXPAT comes from.  But from a world traveler standpoint, the name is given to many foreigners who have left their home country and have moved abroad, whether or not they have renounced their citizenship somewhere else or not.
 

EXPATS are not GUESTS


Once a person packs up their belongings, whether they sell them or bring them with them abroad, and they begin renting permanently, (not just 3 months) they are no longer guests or tourists, but residents; this also applies even if there is still paperwork going through the process stage. If the intent is to live somewhere on a full-time basis then how is that being a guest? 


For personal fulfillment we believe it is necessary and respectful to adapt to the ways of the new land we are moving to, even if that means to negotiate prices. In all Latin American countries, negotiating is what the locals do, and if you are not a guest any longer then it is what they expect you to do too. They will not gringo you if you play the game with them; in fact they will respect you more for it. Watch them grin as you try and negotiate with them; they like it!
 

Now, when you hear “John and Jane Doe's cost of living is $2,300 and Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s cost of living is $1,300 in the same city or town somewhere abroad then you’ll know that one couple is still living as guests, while the other couple has “integrated into the community”.  This is one reason why cost of living statistics of foreigners living abroad are all over the map; it’s ambiguous at best.
 

If you think it is all about money and pricing, or how much time spent in a place, it’s not, it’s also about our attitude. Many expats that have been living abroad for several years “feel” like they are still guests in the country they reside in.  A resident abroad can certainly make themselves “feel” like they are a guest where they live permanently, and it is certainly ok to have that feeling...but...


The point is not whether we think of ourselves as guests or not, but that we ALWAYS treat everyone with respect.  That’s all about it. If I were to wonder why some folks still feel like guests when living abroad it would be because they feel disconnected from the local community and possibly even the expat community.
 

Certainly, not everyone can blend in, speak Spanish in a few years and start living like a local; and we do not expect everyone to do that or even want to do that. Again the point is, foreign residents that live permanently abroad are not guests any longer, although many of them behave like they are still guests; some folks might think because they are “foreigners” abroad then they must be a guest”.  But this is only “a way of thinking” that bases assumptions on their foreignness and goes directly back to our attitude.
 

What is a “Foreigner”?
 

When you look up the definition of a foreigner it means “stranger”, an “alien”, an “outsider”.  So then some foreigners who are living as permanent residents may feel they are still guests and is why they often express themselves to others as being guests. It’s perfectly ok to feel this way. However, when looking at this issue from both sides of the apple cart, we see this way of thinking can be disadvantageous to both parties as long as the foreigner is still living abroad, and here’s why.
 

1. The foreigner will always feel like a guest
 

When the foreigner always feels like a foreigner they are less likely to learn the language, blend in, interact, negotiate, and feel comfortable in their new home land.  Humans have an inherit need to “fit-in” and it can be disconcerting when one does not feel good about where they live. This is why many foreigners move back to their home country; it’s perfectly fine. They still have the adventure of traveling to a new foreign land and seeing what it’s like living in a totally different cultural environment and that’s great.
 

2. The locals will always treat the foreigner as a foreigner
 

When the foreigner continues to behave like a guest, by not speaking Spanish, dressing differently, not living in the same kind of housing and neighborhood, and not shopping and negotiating where they do, etc, etc, they will never get to know you, respect you, and be your friend because you are keeping yourself at a distance from them, not just physically, but mentally, and emotionally as well and that can and does come across as somewhat disrespectful.
 

Not only that, but your cost of living will be much higher because the guest (tourist) attitude gets taken advantage of in Latin American cultures. For instance when the landlord knows he can get $600 from the foreigner he will gladly skip over the local who can only pay $300, to rent to you instead. Who does this hurt? It hurts everyone.
 

The question we must ask ourselves is this: “For how long are we foreigners for”? Until we live somewhere abroad for 2 years? Or until we become permanent residents on paper and have an ID card? Until we renounce our citizenship in our home country? Or ?...? 


NONE OF THE ABOVE.
 

Using the term “foreigner” is a label, meaning it is only how one feels in their heart and mind, which makes up our attitude. A person can allow themselves to feel like a foreign guest forever and continue to get taken advantage of by the locals, or they can break out of this labeling and realize that they have just as much right to live anywhere they dream as long as they are respectful of the people and culture of their new life location abroad.



When we negotiate, ride the local transportation, dress like they dress, live in a house like their house and enjoy the same restaurants and events as they do, then where is the guest attitude now? It’s gone with the wind and that my friend will make you and them the happiest while living together in the same community. We think life has much more fulfillment when going local abroad. 



Until we write again!



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We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel the Ecuador coast whenever we get a chance. We just adventured throughout the country of Panama for five weeks! Come along and enjoy some of our experiences with us!

Beautiful 3-Bed Cuenca Apt. $350 AND Quito Country House $400

Beautiful Cuenca Apartment

This 150M (1,600') "bright and open feel" apartment is located in a nice big house building with three apartments. The home is located by the Monay

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Another view of the Living area

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Quito Ecuador Country House!

Older, but well kept house out in the country, situated on 600M of land with avocado and lemon trees. Four kilometers from Carolina Parque in North Quito. 

The house has 3 bedrooms and 1-1/2 baths and has a big living room/dining; there is also a BBQ area and shed. asking $400.

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These homes are available today! We work hard to find you the best value deals according to size, location and price and all you have to do is tell us what you want and need in a rental. If you are interested in a rental abroad, take a look at our Assistance Packages and choose the one that fits your needs; and we'll provide the priceless protection for your smooth transition abroad from Gringo Good Samaritans.

Cuenca Modern Town House 200M (2,152') 4-Bed/3.5-Baths

Cuenca Modern Town House 200M (2,152') 

4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths.  

Town home is located in private gated community. The first floor has a big living room and dining room with access to the patio and garden area; also on the first floor is the kitchen and guest bathroom and a laundry area. The home has nice finishes and is bright.  

living room area

Second floor has a big master bedroom with walk-in closets and bathroom ensuite (bath tub). Also on floor two is 2 more bedrooms with built-in closets and full bathroom.
 
Third floor has 1 large bedroom and bathroom, plus storage space. 
 
Outside area has covered parking for one car and more storage space. The house is fitted with a whole house alarm system, phone line and ready for cable; just need to call them out. 

This Cuenca home is located in a super location near Avenida las Americas, grocery shopping (Coral Centro) and bus line. Monthly rent is (Asking price) $350 plus $20 for condo fees. 

*****

Large 200M (2,152') Cuenca Apartment 3/2

This nice four year old apartment is all on one level (no stairs) and is comprised of kitchen, laundry, green area, living room/dining room, master bedroom with bath and two more bedrooms and full bath. Bedrooms all have built-in closets.  The apartment comes with one parking space. Near to shopping and bus line. Asking price $370 per month!

These are the best value rental options in Cuenca today and they are available now.  Take a look at our Assistance Packages and choose the one that fits your needs; and we'll provide the priceless protection for your smooth transition abroad from Gringo Good Samaritans. http://www.gringogoodsamaritans.com

Spacious 4/3 Apt. W/Views & Terraza in Cuenca Ecuador for $350! Expat Rental Assistance

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Take a look at our Assistance Packages and choose the one that fits your needs; and we'll provide the priceless protection for your smooth transition abroad from Gringo Good Samaritans.

Cuenca Ecuador Expat Rental Assistance: Spacious 4/3 Apt W/Views & Terraza

Steve and his wife like their new apartment in Cuenca Ecuador. The apartment is spacious, new, with views and located in a nice quiet Cuenca neighborhood. What more could you ask for? In this video Steve talks a little bit about his experience with using Gringo Good Samaritans - Expat Rental Assistance. 


                        



We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy in Cuenca Ecuador! Enjoy the Discover Cuenca Ecuador blog!

Great Rental Options Available Today in Cuenca!

Cuenca: Almost New 3 bedroom apartment (1,200 sq ft) off of Ordenz Lasso ONLY $200!  It has one full bathroom. Great for a single person or a couple who doesn't mind sharing bathroom. Wow, the price cannot be beat on this apartment. It has a patio and is right on the bus line in a desirable location in west Cuenca.
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NEW Duplex Apartment (contemporary style). Located on the outskirts of Cuenca- 1,100 square foot 3/2 granite counter tops in the kitchen. Nice finishes throughout. Little green area. Everything is clean and new throughout this apartment. Asking $250!
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These apartments are available now. Take a look at our Assistance Packages and choose the one that fits your needs; and we'll provide the priceless protection for your smooth transition abroad from Gringo Good Samaritans. http://www.gringogoodsamaritans.com

Good Samaritans Showing (Some) AVAILABLE Rentals NOW in Ecuador!!

These are just samples of rentals that are available now in select locations in Ecuador. We have many others rentals that we would love to send your way on a daily basis to assist you in finding the perfect place for you in Ecuador or wherever you happen to want to move to abroad.  Choose one of our low-priced packages and get real service and real protection when procuring a rental. 
 
Available Rentals in Loja, Ecuador

3/2 apartment in Loja, living, dining, plus office or study for $280

Big 4/2 living, dining room and study detached house, with nice terraza, pets okay asking price $320

Views, Views, and more Views in this 2/2 apartment overlooking the city of Loja asking price $250

A Sample of what’s Out There in Salinas, Ecuador!
 
3/3 Furnished in Puerto Lucia (Salinas) 2 blocks to the beach!! asking price $480 PER MONTH
 
3/2 apartment with huge balcony, 150M (1,600ft) asking price $400 and wants a one year lease at this price.  

Sample of what’s out there in Cuenca, Ecuador today!

3/3 bath corner detached house with 200M terreno. Large master bedroom. Hosue has living and dining room, plus real hardwoods. The house has one flight of stairs. Asking $260, minimum one year lease at this price! 

160M - 5 bedroom 3 bathroom house. The house is on the second and third floors of a three floored building, on the first floor is a business. The house is a corner house in an excellent location of Cuenca. Bright and airy master bedroom. Here's a photo of the master bedroom - Asking $400 

Remember, with our services we send you the best rental options available right now when you choose one of our packages. Take a look at the low-priced services we offer that will assist you in your rental hunting search and protect you from rental fraud and gouging!!

Priceless protection for your smooth transition abroad from Gringo Good Samaritans. http://www.gringogoodsamaritans.com

Who Can Please Them All? Differing Comments from Gringos in Cuenca Ecuador

So we walk into a restaurant and a diner recognizes us and says hello with a huge smile, shakes our hand and then proceeds to call his wife on the cell.  Then he hands Frank the phone and says, "Here Frank, my wife wants to talk to you".....watch the video for the rest of the story. 



                         


 

We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy in Cuenca Ecuador! Enjoy the Discover Cuenca Ecuador blog!

10 Shocking Truths about Retirement to Cuenca Ecuador

1. Not everyone will qualify for immigrant Visa – We know of one expat family that consisted of a dad, the daughter, and her five children that had to leave Ecuador because the visa process got pushed out for one reason or another. And just recently another expat couple, after renting an apartment and filling it with furniture, wasn’t allowed back into Ecuador because they were gone for too long (more than 90-days) and lost their resident visa status. They’re now in the process of selling everything through gringo portals on the Internet. Fun uh? 
 

Stories like this are heard and written about on a consistent basis in Ecuador. This is why we have always said, “Do your diligent research” about your documents BEFORE uprooting your life from North America; being thorough and wise could save you thousands of dollars and mucho time.
 

NOTE: Most people will qualify for the visa, but a small percentage will not for one reason or another.
 

2. Furnished homes and most apartment rentals are priced two to three times higher than just three years ago – Value has completely disappeared. But maybe you are one of those folks that don’t care just as long as it is cheaper than what you were paying in the states.
 

3. Ecuadorian landlords are getting pickier, even with the gringos! Just recently a well-to-do expat family with four teenage homeschoolers was not allowed to rent their 4-bedroom 4-bath house because, as the Ecuadorian landlord put it, “they are a family of five and the house only has 4-bedrooms”.  Hellooo, are we missing something here? This is shocking! And if you own a pet? Good luck!
 

NOTE: As our long time and devoted readers know, our mission to Cuenca Ecuador, at this time, is to assist/consult expats so they will not get gringoed, or get taken advantage of in the rental market; we know and interact with many agents and homeowners in town and stay away from the ones who we know to be unethical and dishonest. We believe in the old adage but simple principle, "do what you say".
 

4. If you are a gringo you most-likely will have your rent increased every two years – They might try and raise it after one year, thinking you do not know the law. We’ve been told by two people we know personally that the landlord wants to raise their rent. It is legal to do so after two years, unless you state in the contract otherwise, but it is unethical to raise it extravagantly, which is what we have been hearing from our fellow expatriates.
 

NOTE: This happens all the time, so now you know…rents cannot be raised until the second year and then only a few percentages.
 

5. Spring-like weather? If you’re like 80% of expats that move to Cuenca you might find the weather (especially in the homes and apartments) far from “spring-like”; just a heads up for anyone who is coming from a city where it is warm, sunny and hot. If you’re coming from Texas, California, Arizona, or Florida, just to name a few, you might find the weather here too cold and damp, too cloudy and dreary.
 

6. Shipping anything into Ecuador is VERY costly with the new 4X4 shipping laws. You now have to pay, (if using Club Correos) $42 dollars tax plus shipping, besides the cost of the item. So if you order a $0.10 cent pen from Amazon it will cost you the cost of the item, plus the cost of shipping, plus the added $42 dollars tax charge. That ten cent pen can get real expensive really fast. This was a shocker to us!
 

NOTE: Think you can just have things shipped directly without going through a shipping club? You can if you want, but be warned. Think: why was a shipping club necessary to begin with?





Update February 2015: Club Correos has been shut down indefinitely. Guess you'll have to have things shipped directly now anyhow. You'll be shocked when you learn how much it is to ship to Ecuador.
 

7.  Ecuador citizenship/passport difficult and costly: To become a citizen of Ecuador you must speak Spanish and know and answer questions pertaining to the constitution; you’ll need to re-process all of the same paperwork you did to become a resident, plus other paperwork besides, and lawyer’s fees, apostille fees and notarization fees, and shipping fees and government fees, ad nauseum.
 

8. Cuenca is smoggy and noisy: Cuenca is a wonderful city with some friendly folks, but the smog and noise in the city is really too much for most older gringos to adapt to; some move out into the country, or to Loja, still others move to the quieter and more laid-back coastal life, while others just go back where they came from.
 

9. Cuenca has about 250 cloudy days out of the year, and I'm being generous with that figure. If you like sunny days, you’ll get some but you will find that Cuenca is quite cloudy most of the time.
 

10. Cuenca is NOT the cheapest retirement place to live in the world and it never was when it was being touted as such; in fact, a lot of foreigners that move here complain that it’s too expensive!
 

BONUS Shocker: Everything, from groceries, Mercado produce and restaurants to tour services, rents and real estate, their all going up, and up, and up…better hurry up before this cheeeep paradise is just another South American country to go to. The coastal tourist areas like Salinas and Manta are also rising in price.
 

NOT Everyone is Friendly: Everyone is so friendly in Ecuador. Sure, most of the Ecuadorians are pleasant, but if you live here for any amount of time you will find it is just like anywhere else in the world. If you really get to know someone and begin to do business with them or interact in any meaningful way, you might find that the saying “everyone is friendly” as a fallacy. Just saying; no where in the world is “everyone friendly” and nor is everyone honest, be on your guard.
 

We just thought our devoted followers would like to know the truths about moving to and living in Cuenca Ecuador. You don’t think we’d keep it a secret, do you? We would love to hear your comments and experiences.
 

If you are retiring or moving to Cuenca you will surely want to have the DIY Cuenca Landing Guide by your side to help you save money, find a place to hang your hat, and orient yourself when you first land. You’ll be glad you have it!

 We're an Expat Family of Five Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy in Cuenca Ecuador! Enjoy the Discover Cuenca blog!

What You Need to Know about Rental Increases & Renting to Large Families in Cuenca Ecuador

Do you remember our interviews about retirement with expat Alice who moved from Ohio two years ago and is now living in Cuenca Ecuador?  If you haven’t yet seen our interviews with Alice, please take a look at them here and then come back to this article.
 

Alice informed us recently that her landlady wants to raise her rent. Not just $25 dollar increase, that would be (almost) normal after two years, but she wants to raise the rent a whopping $150 dollars! This is absolutely outrageous. Of course Alice contacted us right away to let us know this absurd figure.
 

We told her she is under no obligation to pay it, and especially since her landlord had not done any repairs at all to keep up the house.  Remember the landlords will push the foreigners to see how far they will bend.  Always be ready to move out when such absurd demands are made.
 

We just met up with Alice today and she did get a rent increase but not $150 dollars like she initially thought; it is $50. But we think that is still too much. An appropriate rental increase would be $15 to $25 dollars at the most!
 

What do you think, does this make the Ecuadorian landlords seem greedy?  We still think $50 dollars is too much of a rental raise in just two short years, especially if your rent start is $350. Alice is concerned that when her contract is up in just another few months her landlady will raise the rent even more.
 

Just like Alice, you too might be next in line for a rental increase and when that happens, what are you going to do? There are a few things renters should know before they agree to a rental increase.
 

Ecuador rental law states your rent cannot be increased until after you have lived in the dwelling for two years.  Or, if you stated in the contract, which every gringo should do, no increases until after 4 years, or whatever you decide to stipulate in the rental agreement.



Rental agents will push for absurd contracts with cost of living increases, but there is no such thing in Ecuador.  Many foreigners are already paying top end high-end rents, and therefore no rent increases at all should be in the cards.  When you’re already paying the top of the market, why should the rent be increased at all?  Because you’re a gringo?  Don’t get taken advantage of.  Always be ready to move on.
 

We posted all of the rental laws and illegal maneuvers to beware of in the newest (seventh edition 2015) update of the DIY Cuenca Landing Guide so newcomers to Cuenca will know what is considered ethical and lawful and what is plain out illegal according to Ecuador law.
 

In another instance an expat told us that her landlord wanted to raise the rent $50 and she told him she would have to move out if he raised the rent, and so he kept it at what she originally rented the apartment for.  This works well if you are a quiet person/couple, pay rent on time, and keep the place in good condition because if you are all these things, they will want to keep you as a tenant.
 

           What Can Tenants Do? 
 

1. Make sure you state in the contract that the rent will automatically renew every year and do not agree to cost of living increases.  Negotiate very hard that the rent is already the top end for Ecuador as Cuenca is the most expensive city in Ecuador, as we are plainly reminded by so many local Ecuadorians.
 

2. If the landlord makes updates and repairs to the home/apartment then $25 a month rent increase seems fair to everyone, after the two year period is up, or whatever you specified in the rental agreement. However, if your landlord doesn’t fix things then what is a rent increase for?
 

As we all know, homes with everyday use begin to show signs of disrepair, such as leaky pipes, ceilings/roofs might need repaired, fresh paint job, etc. The landlord/owner needs to pay for the updating and repairs to the home.  Otherwise, let them know you are prepared to move on. Remember, always be kind but firm.


3. If you are a handy person/couple and would like to do the home repairs yourself, that’s fine too, as long as the landlord pays for the materials, and then NOT raise the rent, since after all, you’re fixing and updating everything yourselves. You would be actually saving them money.



4.  Be a good tenant. Keep the place nice and clean, don’t be loud, have parties and be noisy and hopefully they’ll want to keep the rent low and fair for everyone!
 

Remember, if they want to raise the rent too much and they are adamant about it, all you can do is move out and find another home or apartment, and this time make sure to make the needed adjustments in the contract so they cannot raise the rent to an unfair amount.


    Alicouta  (Maintenance - Security) Increase
 

There is a high rise apartment building in Cuenca that just three short years ago started their alicuota  at $7.50 a month, then it went to $15 dollars a month, and after a year it was at $35 dollars, and in January 2014 it had risen to $50, all of these increases after the place got full of gringos.  And, get this, they still charge $5 each use of the pool and Jacuzzi even after paying $50 per month for this stuff they initially were saying was included in the monthly building fee. (alicuota)
 

So, we’re just saying, this is another rental hike that you, as a gringo will have to contend with if you live in an apartment or gated town home. At some point the community of such buildings needs to come together and say “NO” to big alicouta increases; otherwise they will continue to raise it every couple of months. It’s up to you, how much do you want to pay?
 

On a lighter note we have new information about light fixtures in rental homes.
 

         Hallelujah to Light Fixtures
 

It was only 2-years ago when most rentals in Cuenca did not have light fixtures; in fact what you would see was an obtrusive light bulb dangling out of the ceiling with wires exposed, and it was very unsightly.  Amazingly even some of the higher priced rentals did not have light fixtures. We guessed it was because they would get stolen by the tenants and the landlords got tired of having to buy new ones every time they rented out the place.
 

We wrote about the missing of light fixtures several times on the blog, and we even used to use the “no light fixtures” as a negotiating tactic with many of the landlords. Frank often said something about it, such as lowering the rent, or not putting down a deposit, etc.  Today many of the rental homes in Cuenca have light fixtures installed. We’re very happy about this as it takes away from the ambiance of a home when ugly, glaring light bulbs are dangling off some wiring and hanging out of the ceiling.
 

Our rental home did not have light fixtures and as a result we managed to get creative and just made our own light covers out of bamboo place mats and Chinese chop sticks. The covers go well with our rustic built furniture and we are happy with how it looks.
 

Frugality has its rewards as it was an inexpensive way to cover the ugly dangling light bulbs; After all, we do not own the home and it usually is not the tenant’s responsibility to procure light fixtures for a rental home or apartment.  Light fixtures are not cheap here; prices start at $25 dollars for a basic cover, so imagine covering 10 dangling light bulbs?
 

We still see some rentals without light fixtures but we see just as many with them now and we’re happy about that.  Remember, it is not the tenants responsibility to have to buy light covers for a rental home in Cuenca, or anywhere for that matter. Gringos will not take the light fixtures when they leave, so explain that to your landlord if you happen to rent a home without light fixtures, and or negotiate something that is fair to everyone, not just the landlord.
 

           Renting to Gringo Families
 

Some landlords in Cuenca resist renting to gringos with several children, no matter the age. If the home is a four bedroom then the landlord automatically thinks a bedroom per child. A couple with four teenage children moved to Cuenca recently and a four bedroom wasn’t big enough for this 5-person family. The landlord said, “Too many children”, there’s only four bedrooms” and she would not rent to a gringo family.  This is not a one time happening either, it is a reoccurring theme we are seeing in Cuenca.
 

Ecuadorians are also resistant to rent to folks with pets, especially if the house or apartment is furnished, and rightly so. Anyone with pets looking for a furnished will pay big dollars just to get into the home, plus a larger rent amount. There’s no way getting around it.
 

Money talks here in Ecuador and if you are willing to pay big bucks just because you have two, three, four children or a dog then that’s up to you.  We think it is ridiculous what is negatively happening to Cuenca and the rental market, especially when it comes to gringos with children. 
 

Our take: We understand paying more because of a dog living in the home, but (teenage) children? Now that is another thing altogether.  A result of a city being named “best retirement” is that landlords get used to renting to one or two older folks, and when they see younger families, they know they can reject them because right around the corner is another retired couple ready to rent.  Best retirement city?  Looks like a two edged sword from here.   



We're an Expat Family of Five Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy in Cuenca Ecuador! Enjoy the Discover Cuenca Ecuador blog!

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We're an Expat Family of Five Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy in Cuenca Ecuador! Enjoy our blog!

Moving to Cuenca? Should You Live in a Gringo or Ecuadorian Neighborhood? Is It Safe to Live in a House?

When we first moved here, over three years ago there only were Ecuadorian neighborhoods in Cuenca, and for the most part you could say that is what Cuenca consists of today, however, the gringos that are here are now dispersed well throughout the city of Cuenca. 


            Neighborhoods with the Most Gringos
 

We get emails from folks moving to Cuenca that want to know where the good neighborhoods are and where the gringos live. Now just because an area of Cuenca has more gringos living there, certainly does not mean it is safer crime wise, as we’ve previously shown, see crime map link below.
 

For the most part it appears that gringos are dispersed quite proportionately throughout Cuenca; a big change from just three years ago, gringos live on all four corners and in the middle of Cuenca and probably with the most living in what is affectionately referred to as gringolandia. If you’re wondering what neighborhood that would be, keep in mind that a taxi driver once told us that “all of Cuenca is gringolandia”.
 

Are these neighborhoods trendier than others? I suppose if you consider prices trending higher and higher, then yes, they are trending. For example: El Vergel is over-rated and over-priced. Last year we went to go look at a house in this area and the old run down home had cracks all over the cement walls, peeling paint, dirty walls, scratched up hard wood floors, small bedrooms, and no kitchen cabinets and she was asking $550! 



Why so much, you may be wondering? Well, because it was walking distance to Supermaxi and the Millenium Mall. No, thanks! It’s not a big deal to be walking distance to a grocery store or a mall. Taxis now have meters in them and finally, prices are quite fair.
 

          What is the Gringolandia Neighborhood?
 

Gringolandia is a row of high rise apartment buildings with elevators, 24 hour security and underground parking, walking distance to Supermaxi. The apartments are located on Ordenez Lasso off of Las Americas about twenty to thirty minute walk to El Centro.
 

A few years back when we first heard of the expression “gringolandia” it was from a local real estate agent who said he and his brother actually coined the term gringolandia because it was the neighborhood where the gringos all wanted to live in. Back then security was more of a concern for foreigners and being able to live in a secure apartment building made them feel safer. Today, we don’t feel that Cuenca is that unsafe, if you follow certain guidelines. 



Unfortunately not everyone knows of these guidelines. And yes, some are somewhat scattered all over the internet but they’re also in the DIY Cuenca Landing Guide. Just think, one thing you miss and oops you get robbed or purse snatched! We see it on a regular basis. 


When we moved to Cuenca in 2011 we rented a detached house for $250 a month in a great Cuenca neighborhood, great neighbors, and right next to one of the rivers, and guess what? We still live in this fine Ecuadorian neighborhood. We now realize we were able to rent this home for $250 three years ago because most gringos were afraid to live this far (20 minutes) from El Centro or gringolandia and they didn’t want to be the only gringos in the neighborhood, afraid they might get robbed or perhaps it was too intimidating being the only gringo folks.
 

Today the fear of living in a house has changed. Gringos live in every section of the city because Cuenca has shown that a gringo home will not necessarily be broken into if the tenants take certain precautions and control their behavior. However, having said that, the Challuabamba area has had a rash of gringo home invasions lately, and we surmise it is because these homes do not have the tall gated walls around the homes. 



If you remember we wrote about “why” houses MUST have the tall gated walls and bars on the windows, something the homes in that area do NOT have. Without this added protection, even the best of neighborhoods in Cuenca can and will become a target.
 

               Should You Live in a House or Apartment?
 

Today the belief that it is unsafe to live in a house in Cuenca has finally been put to rest. However, there is a drawback to being in a house, whether it is detached or town-home style, rather than an apartment and that would be if you plan on traveling and leaving your home unoccupied. If it is unoccupied it will get robbed! So you might want to take that into consideration when looking for a rental in Ecuador, or have someone you can trust stay there while you travel.
 

Also, anyone can become a target of a home invasion in Cuenca if they do any of these four things. 1) Show off their stuff, and or brag about what they have inside the home. 2) Leave gate unlocked, or you live in the country without secured gate, tall walls, or alarm. 3) You leave your home vacant for weeks and months at a time. 4) You open your gate to strangers.
 

         What are the Best Neighborhoods in Cuenca?



For the most part there is no such thing as “best neighborhood” in Cuenca; this is not u.s.a with a lower-end district. You can and will become a target in any neighborhood in Cuenca. Challuabamba anyone?
 

Granted there are some neighborhoods that are a bit more disheveled. The areas that would be a bit sketchy at night are at the Terminal Terrestre off of Espanola, El Arenal, Feria Libra off of Las Americas, Calle larga area by any of the stairs, anywhere by the rivers and parks at night, and the brothel/drug area off of Las Americas a couple of blocks north of Supermaxi.
 

We can say with confidence that most neighborhoods in Cuenca are about the same. You can take a look at the interactive crime map here and see where the murders were for 2012. Be sure to enlarge the map so you can see exactly where the homicides were at in Cuenca. 



          Cuenca Neighborhoods Are All About the Same



Most areas have the 70’s and 80’s retro style cement building look and the same amount of noise from barking dogs at night and roosters crowing. Ecuadorian house party-fiestas happen throughout the city of Cuenca, so there is no getting away from that. Some Cuenca neighborhoods may have a newer look to them with newer homes and more development going on, but this alone does not necessarily make it a better neighborhood i.e. with less crime.
 

Everyone has their opinion about their favorite neighborhood in Cuenca, and many people like to brag about such and such neighborhood on the forums. There has always been a vanity slant to the u.s. culture, it appears.
 

Many folks like to be by a river, however because the real estate agents know this, they ridiculously over-price their rentals.
 

It is best to know what your needs are and then seek out an area according to those requirements. Example: If you plan on taking the bus a lot and you do not want to really walk too far, then you’ll want to be near a bus line so you can take the bus when you need to go places such as the grocery store, downtown, doctors, etc.
 

Cuenca boasts major grocery stores in all three Shopping Malls, and on all four corners of the city, so no matter where you live within the city, you will not be that far from a grocery store, unless you live in the country.
 

Bottom line, everyone’s needs and circumstances are different and so you need to decide what your requirements are and then begin your neighborhood search according to those requirements. We've noticed a lot of people do not consider their needs and then later. for one reason or another need to move and that is a big chore. 



We're an Expat Family of Five Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy in Cuenca Ecuador! Enjoy the Discover Cuenca Ecuador blog!

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We're an Expat Family of Five Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy in Cuenca Ecuador! Enjoy our blog!