Do Ecuadorians Think North Americans Are Nice People? Do They Want Us to Move to Cuenca Ecuador?

Do Ecuadorians think north Americans are nice people? Do they want us to move to Cuenca? Apparently it depends on what type of North American you are. It seems there are certain standards we North Americans must attain in our character to be liked by (some of) the Ecuadorians.

Grouping and Labeling People and Races

It is difficult for some people to distinguish “an individual” and then think they are nice or not nice unless they have actually befriended him or her and actually know them, then it’s different. Instead what (some) people like to do is group people together and brand (stereotype) them as such and such “type” or “group” of people.

For example in Ecuador Norte Americanos are branded as being $$ loaded. Even when the north American resident tries to pay the local rate for things and live like the locals, we’re somehow still $$ loaded. Oh, and the whiter skinned you are and the lighter your hair color means you are even more loaded. $o if you have blonde hair and blue eyes, you must have more money than the brown-eyed brunette gringo. 

We think this stigma is slowly fading, however, with the help of gringos who behave and blend like normal local people around the locals. Even if you have money it is a bad idea to put off that kind of air in a Latin country; it’s just the way it is. The wiser gringos know this.

Further extrapolating this erroneous idea as truth, here’s a comment from a Cuencano on a gringo website found at the bottom of an "ugly article" written about gringos. He comments, “We like the affluent and High Class North Americans, not the economy ones who try and save a buck.”  



 Oh really? That’s nice to know.

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE and READ TEXT

To be content makes poor men rich;
Discontent makes rich men poor.
Poor Richard's Almanac by Benjamin Franklin


It sounds as if this man is saying, "the more money you have, the nicer I can be".



Beware of little Expenses: a small Leak will sink a great Ship.
Poor Richard's Almanac

Once in awhile some of the Ecuadorians come out of the wood-work and say how they really feel about us gringos.  The best way to get an Ecuadorian to say how they really feel is for a gringo website writer to write something distasteful and disrespectful towards other gringos, grouping them together and labeling them and then publishing this rude and disrespectful attitude on their website.

You see, when some local Ecuadorians see this happening it gives them the courage to come out of their shell and say how they really feel about some of the gringos living in Cuenca, anonymously of course.

Notice in his wording the commenter uses “we” and “us” a lot, as if he were speaking on behalf of all the Ecuadorians. Now, let’s deduce what is actually being said here.


Silence is not always a Sign of Wisdom, but Babbling is ever a Folly. -- Poor Richard's Almanac

Do Ecuadorians Like North Americans?

• If you are affluent we will get along.  (better not come on a small budget or pension if you want to be liked)

• If you speak Spanish you are nice.  (if you want to be liked in Ecuador, you better learn the language.)

• If you are high class you are nice.  (better have sophisticated tastes, dining in and staying in the classiest of restaurants, hotels and rental homes.)

• If you are educated you are nice. (better have that degree and bring it with you)

• If you are well-traveled they like you. (Better lie and say you’re a world traveler.)

• If you are open-minded they will like you. (whatever that means…open minded about what?) Maybe opening your wallet, and without complaining to boot!

 Actually, we see a lot of close-mindedness in this Ecuadorian comment. He’s also trying to sway the reader to believe that it is the lower economy folks that are the complainers and rude mannered ones who move to Cuenca. Hello, which stereotypical box is he poking his head into?

If you'd be wealthy, think of saving more than of getting:
The Indies have not made Spain rich, because her Outgoes equal her Incomes. --- Poor Richard's Almanac



Clearly this Ecuadorian says he will not get along with you if: 

• If you are concerned about your personal economy. 


• If you don’t speak Spanish.


• If you don’t stay in the posh hotels and eat in the ritzy restaurants. 


• If you’re not open-minded 


• If you complain about his country


• And finally, if you have never traveled outside of the US before. 

It’s not about liking or not liking… it’s about how they (some Ecuadorians) don’t want to like what they're not interested in.  It’s difficult for some people to understand simple ethics and principles because unfortunately they are not well bred or well read themselves; they’ve learned to judge rather than learn from situations and people, and well, they do not have an open mind.
 

None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault, or acknowledge himself in an error. -- Poor Richard's Almanac



We don’t mean this in a bad way but these disparaging comments coming from a supposed well-off Cuenca business man sounds childish and uneducated at best. People with manners, class, and diplomacy don’t talk like that. It sounds like this man has an agenda, just like the gringo man who wrote the defaming post about a majority of the gringos who have moved to Cuenca.

Industry, Perseverance, & Frugality, make Fortune yield.
Poor Richard's Almanac

Not all Ecuadorians think like this man, obviously. We're not even supposing such a ridiculous assumption. In our four plus years of living in Cuenca, we've only met a few unkind folks. The majority of Ecuadorians are very polite and pleasant.

Food for Thought

Can you imagine just for a moment, if we gringos moved to Ecuador and treated all the workers and employees that only make $300 to $400 a month, and all the uneducated folks and indigenous people with the same kind of disrespect that he is referring to of some of the lower economy gringos? What do you think would happen? Imagine just for a moment. The President would or might just rightly kick these foreigners out of this country to avoid an uproar!!

What he and maybe others, who believe as he does is not doing is looking outside their own agenda box; it is difficult for some Ecuadorians to look ahead into the future and see that the gringo who comes here with the “smaller economy” as he calls it, are actually the ones who keep this country stable by buying and selling with the local (majority) small merchants, where as the “affluent” as he puts it, don’t shop in the Mercados and small mom and pop businesses as much; They’re just helping to make the rich, richer and greedier.

He calls the smaller economy folks the complainers, but in all actuality it makes the most sense that the complainers are the better-off, because things are not up to their standards of living that they are used to back in the states. The majority of gringos in Cuenca are probably on the smaller retirement ($1200 to $2500) pensions, not the bigger one’s ($2500 to $4000 or more).

What the Ecuadorian man does not know/understand is the smaller pension retirees can also afford to eat in the classiest of restaurants and stay in the posh hotels and rent expensive housing (and they do sometimes) but because of principle and economic restrain they choose not to. Instead, they choose to come to this beautiful country of Ecuador and live as closely to the Ecuadorian level as much as they can out of respect for the country and out of principle from their own conviction. 


Diligence overcomes Difficulties, Sloth makes them.
Poor Richard's Almanac


We think any open-minded, well-read, good mannered person would understand this concept. 



And here's another Cuencano that mysteriously came out of the wood work and commented on the same "ugly article" that belittles most of the gringo population that lives in Cuenca with this comment. 



There it is, in case there were still a couple of holdouts that think we're just making this stuff up! Now you’ve heard it from the horse’s mouth! Is there more than one horse that feels this way? Sure there is, but they all have personal agendas. The way we see it, it is very much their problem; we have ignored it up to this point just because it is not something we should take with much importance. 



We’re only writing about it now to inform our readers that not everything and everybody in Cuenca Ecuador is as it seems. We strive to bring our readers information they can use for the good, not fluff that won't help them. Some things should be brought out in the open so we can behave appropriately as we do not want to feed into other people’s presumptions and agendas.

Pardoning the Bad, is injuring the Good
Poor Richard's Almanac



Source: Poor Richard's Almanac by Benjamin Franklin
 

We think if you liked this article, you might like this one too!

• 3 Ways Going Local Helps Ecuador

•  19 Things a Native Cuencano Says about Cuenca's People

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!

5 Things Cuenca (Ecuador) Gringos Love and Hate

This is not a survey, we are simply telling our observations of our experiences on a weekly basis for the last four-plus years of living in Cuenca Ecuador. Your miles may vary...but maybe not by much...

gringos in Cuenca Ecuador - Park Calderon

5 Things Cuenca Gringos Love


1. River/City views from their home/apt
2. Walking to grocery store from their house/apt
3. Tutto Matto Pizza
4. Rentals with big green spaces (yards)
5. Bringing their dogs to Ecuador with them

5 Things Cuenca Gringos Hate

1. Negotiating for less
2. Barking dogs in their neighborhood
3. Loud music/fireworks in their neighborhood
4. Overpaying because they are a gringo (this goes with #1)
5. Waiting for paperwork and on people they've made appointments with, and for good reason.

5 Things Cuenca Gringos Are Good At

1. Standing out in a crowd, wearing panama hats, flowery Hawaiian shirts, shiny jewelry, etc (We must admit, however most longtime expats do blend in pretty well.)
2. Comparing the U.S to Ecuador
3. Volunteering their time
4. Hanging out with each other
5. "Saying" they will learn Spanish



5 Things Cuenca Gringos Are Not Good At

1. Negotiating for less – probably because they hate to do it
2. Walking away from price gouging
3. Speaking (conversational) Spanish
4. Keeping special and hard-to-find items in Cuenca to themselves (some things are better not made public) one reason why stores run out and prices run up!
5. Comparing South America to North America - If we feel the need to compare rents, crime, food, etc of cities in Ecuador, it's best to compare them to other cities in South/Central America of the same size; only then will we get a balanced and fair perspective. 



NOTE:
Please do not take this offensively; it’s not set in stone, we’re
merely talking about our experiences and observations since living here
for four-plus years. It certainly does not mean that ALL gringos in Cuenca
exhibit these character traits...that would be silly, uh?



If you enjoyed this article, Maybe you'll like this one too.

• 5 Things Ecuadorians Love and Hate

• Oops, I got Gringoed Abroad

• Are Gringos too Trusting when Living Abroad?

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!

Feria Libre Tours 'Unsettling' in Cuenca Ecuador

Feria Libre, the largest outdoor market in Cuenca Ecuador. Is it a “tourist” haunt?  Not exactly.   A lot of poor people shop there.  It is where you would shop if you’re poor or on a budget.  It is where the poor shop.  No way around it, if you can afford more you don’t shop at Feria Libre.  Why would you?  If you have to pay someone to take you to Feria Libre, and your comparison is Supermaxi, you’re out of your league. 

Feria Libre outdoor vendors

Why do we say this?  Well first off, Supermaxi is not THE comparison for the rest of the shopping in the city.  If you’re not already shopping around at all the other markets in town, then how are you going to know if you’re actually saving any money?  Honestly anyone that has to pay someone to take them to Cuenca’s Feria Libre outdoor Mercado should not be shopping there.  The locals don’t pay anyone to take them there, and we’ve never ever paid anyone to take us there.  And we never would.



Poor people don't shop at Supermaxi, and don't use it as their comparison either.
 

Vendors weren’t born yesterday.  They’re going to see that you don’t speak a lick of Spanish, and they will take advantage of that.  And if you have to pay someone to go with you every single time, then you surely won’t ever be even near saving any money.  We shop there because we’re a family of five adults and our household lives on $1000 per month total.
 

This smacks of inappropriate tourism profiteering in a place that it does not belong.  People that are spending money just to be taken there, to Feria Libre outdoor Mercado, are not going to have a clue as to what prices they should be paying and more importantly, not paying.
 

On top of that, the selling is volume based, meaning that the savings are on large amounts of food, i.e. five or ten pounds of tomatoes at a time, etc.  Is a retired couple really going to need that much food? Smaller packages just don’t provide enough savings worth paying anyone to take you there.  See?
 

We are a frugal family.  We live well on small means.  Part of that is being diligent shoppers, which means actually knowing what everything is supposed to sell for on a local price.  And that includes all stores all over town.  Supermaxi is not our benchmark.  The whole city is.  Every store in town is a potential place to save money, and we’re well aware where all the best bargains are.
 

There is a certain vegetable that we won’t mention, gringos are putting on forums where to go at Feria Libre to buy it, because there aren’t many places to buy this particular vegetable.  Well guess what, I went to that lady to buy and she’s selling for a 100% markup to the local price.  I asked the lady to sell to me for less but she said she didn’t have to because the gringos are paying her price.  I later found that same vegetable in another stall that is not known on the forums, and I paid half of the gringo price. And that’s the way we do things.  Gringo prices are for tourists, not residents, i.e. locals.
 

Once  a new Mercado in Cuenca Ecuador was advertised in the Gringo press.  We went there just because we’re diligent and want to know everything that’s going on around town.  Well guess what, the prices were gringo prices, the highest in town on almost everything for sale.  Needless to say we never went back to that Mercado.
 

Will this happen to Feria Libre? Now that people are taking “tours”?  We hope not.  We sincerely hope that people on a budget and the local people will at least have some places in town left, where they can go shop for their large families, and not have to pay u.s. prices.  Please people.  Use some thought and consideration.  Thank you.
 

Peace
Frank, Angie and sons 



If you liked this article, we think you'll like these ones too!

• Cuenca Ecuador Inflation: Comment from an Ecuadorian about shopping at the Mercado's

• How We Avoid Gringo Gouging/Targeting in Cuenca Ecuador: Rule of 3 and 4.

• 7 Ways to Save Money as a Tourist Traveling Abroad

 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!

Oops, I Got Gringoed Abroad: Gringo Gouging Overseas

Latin America and many Asian countries too, are notorious for gouging the gringo; from food and rents, to getting a document translated. If you live in South and Central America, you probably have been gringoed.  Funny thing is, we gringos are the ones who allow it to continue and then it gets out of hand and prices go up.


Instead of complaining about being gringo gouged all the time, we can do something about it. But before we can do something we have to understand “why” it happens and “why” they do it, so we can stop it in its tracks because over time it produces negatives in our lives. What we sow we reap principle.
 

                   Why Gringos Get Gringoed?



1.  Gringos don’t bargain. Most of us accept the first price quoted for something. This is just US cultural thing, but it is not what it's like in your new place abroad.  If you don’t speak Spanish or very little Spanish that’s ok; bring a Spanish speaking friend along with you when you purchase items, until you learn your numbers.
Solution: Learn Spanish numbers.
 

2. Gringos compare prices to back home. In most cases even the higher price we are quoted will be less than what we pay for the same item back home. As long as we keep comparing to back home we’ll keep paying the gringo price.
Solution: Stop comparing.
 

3.  We accept it.  We shrug our shoulders and call it some absurd label like “gringo tax” which clearly justifies skewed thinking, “It must be ok that I keep getting gringoed, because it’s a tax.” … No comment!
Solution: Don’t believe everything you read.
 

4. We don’t want to look cheap.  Hahaha, that’s funny.  Actually, it is when we accept gringo prices it shows that we have no principle. Now, that’s cheap!  A cheap person feels the need to keep up appearances and will simply pay the quoted price but later justifies why it's okay for the gringo to overpay.  The principled person speaks up about it, and walks away from the sale if he or she has to, which also helps the next gringo who bargains with that vendor.
 

Solution: Realize that in a country where EVERYONE negotiates it is acceptable that gringos negotiate too. Does it make you look cheap? That's something one feels that is within themselves...perhaps they have a low self esteem.  No one can make anyone look or feel cheap for paying the REAL price (going rate) for something. 



It is either negotiate or be gringoed just because you are fairer skinned than they are. It’s your call: principle or apathetic.



 If you enjoyed this article, we think you will like these articles too!

• How Safe Is Your (Ecuador) Retirement from Gringo Gouging and Inflation?


• Not All Gringo's Are Rich, So What's Up with the Gringo Inflation?


• Why We Should Stop Comparing N. America with S. America 

We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy Abroad. We live in Cuenca, Ecuador and travel to Quito and 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!

Are Mainstream Retirees Adopting a Foreign Persona When Moving Abroad?

Some people move to Cuenca Ecuador or any other foreign retirement destination and they become different people; for the first 6-months to a year, they seem to behave in ways that is not normally understood "back home".   Behaving “out of one’s normal character” when moving to a foreign land could only mean one thing; they have adopted a "new persona".
 

Being a "new persona" could be alright when we’re a visitor or guest because everything is wonderful; the people, the food, the culture, the laid-back slowness of everything, even the traffic, noise, or smog seems almost unnoticeable, who cares, right?  Everyone becomes enchanted with their new paradise; no one is immune to it.
 

However, once we are permanently living in a place AS A RESIDENT that means we are no longer a guest or a visitor; it means we are not on vacation anymore; it means we’ll need to interact on a daily basis with the local community and businesses, and go out into the environment to buy groceries, take a taxi, go to the bank, or enjoy a local event, dine out for a meal; you know, the usual mundane parts of life...it is only after around the 6-month mark most people begin to notice the world around them once again and let go of the new persona they adopted when they first got here.


In Cuenca Ecuador we are personal and up close to this; we see how enchanted newcomers can get and some of them have been here longer than one year.
 

1.  Socializing with our Next Door Neighbors - Because we’re new to an area, we think we want to go spend our days socializing with our next door neighbors. 



For instance, when we first moved here, our Ecuadorian next door neighbors would often invite us over for events they were hosting; they were very friendly and kind and really curious about us. At the same time we were also curious about the local culture and customs. For the first three months of living here, we got to know them and they got to know us. Early on we realized that these particular Ecuadorian neighbors liked to drink too much and they pushed the drinks, and so we had to stop going there. 



We’re still friendly with each other in passing-by but with our different values and lifestyles, we could never be very good friends with them and we certainly would not want to go “plant ourselves on their front porch” as they probably think we’re boring people for not enjoying a drink with them.
 

If we do not know someone very well we believe, or perhaps we “hope” we can be really good friends, especially when we’re the foreigner in a new city.  Newcomers want to feel as if they “belong” to the community. But many times, once we get to know someone on a more personal level we realize that we have absolutely nothing in common.  No matter where in the world we choose to live, we still must choose our friends wisely.
 

As foreigners, our only responsibility to the local population is to be respectful, and not “overly friendly” or “overly anything else”.
 

2. We Behave TOO Trusting.  For some reason our "new persona" tells us that we can trust all the people in the new land we retired in because we're the foreigner.  Here’s several ways we might behave too trusting.



A. We allow anyone into our home.  Of course we understand things need repaired and Internet installed, however when service techs and repairmen come into your home, it is a good idea to move out of eye view anything of value, if possible. Out of sight out of mind does work; its amazing.
 

As far as allowing strangers into our home, we have to be discerning.  What would you do if you were back home and a stranger rang your doorbell? The rule for us is: if we don’t know you, we aren’t going to let you into our home, or open the gate!
 

B. We hire anyone off the street, without references or credentials? In N. America this trusting behavior is unheard of. But abroad it happens all the time?
 

C. We sign contracts and agreements we do not understand and in languages we cannot read. This is a common occurrence in foreign lands.
 

D. We believe everything we are told.  When we first moved here, we believed what many of the people said, only to find out that some of them we’re lying to us! For instance, we believed a real estate agent about a rental house with only a built-in stove top when she said, “Yes the owner will add a built-in oven to the rental home”.  We even asked her again to make sure this was going to get done. Well, wouldn’t you know it; the landlord didn’t want to add the oven, so we decided not to take the rental. When we asked for the deposit money back, she wouldn’t give it.  We asked her three times for the deposit money, but she would not budge.  She is one of the few real estate agents we quit bringing business to because of the unethical practices.



E. We get pick-pocketed - Part of our new persona is the fact that we are not aware of our surroundings like we should be because after all, we're enjoying the beauty of the new place we are in, or we are concentrating on something else that takes our attention from the thieves who are eying us out....and oops, there goes our cell, iphone, purse, etc, you name it. 



F. Some of us enter into business relationships without truly knowing the person.  Sometimes we can’t always know a person too well before entering into a business agreement, such as signing rental leases; in those cases you absolutely NEED to hire someone you can trust to help you, especially if you do not speak the language well.



These are all aspects of being too trusting and allowing naivety to
control us because we’re outside of our "usual persona".



3.  We give overblown praise and flattery. One thing that is readily apparent is how some of us over-flatter or exaggerate our feelings with the locals.  It is way over-done. We see a lot of this on public forums, blogs and websites because the poster wants to be noted for being the perfect foreigner to the local population; and that’s fine as long as it is genuine.
 

I don’t know about you but in the states people do not act like that to anyone, unless of course they want something.  So it seems to us, when we see it going on here, it seems a bit contrary, inconsistent and usually way overdone.
 

All of the above scenarios happen daily in countries where unsuspecting foreigners reside.  Truly, most of us wouldn’t act like this if we were still living in N. America but the enchantment that believing we're in the "paradise"  of “name your city” makes us behave off our normal guard most of the time.
 

Back home we’re on guard; we check every single credential and reference before we hire someone or allow them into our home. But here in Cuenca the "paradise enchantment" has overtaken us for about 6-months to a year. Only when the spell wears off do we begin to tell others about some of the negative encounters we have had while living abroad. “Name your country”.
 

Disclaimer:  Most Ecuadorians can be trusted; but it does seem some of the ones that are dishonest, unethical, or not to be trusted are the ones that work with foreigners in some capacity.  We’re just saying to take heed and get to know someone well before allowing them into your private life. When you find one you can trust COMPLETELY, treat them well because you have found a gem that is worth keeping.





We're an Expat Family of Five, Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy in Cuenca Ecuador! We travel the Ecuador coast often and we recently spent five weeks adventuring off the beaten path Panama. Enjoy the Discover Cuenca Ecuador blog!

What's It Like Living in a Tourist City Like Cuenca Ecuador?

This is what it's like living in a tourist city like Cuenca Ecuador. The comments in this video are by people who live here and can see with their own eyes what is happening in this beautiful city that keeps getting touted as a "cheap paradise". Remember: paradise is not here or there, it is what we make our paradise to be. We loved the comment someone made when they said "Cuenca is beautiful, but it's not cheap". we agree wholeheartedly with the commenter.

                        
 

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

Top 3 Reasons Expats Move from Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Argentina or Mexico to (Cuenca) Ecuador

Since starting our Discover Cuenca Ecuador blog we have had numerous expats from other countries write in and ask us about Ecuador because they don’t like some things about the Latin American country they are in. Today we posted some of the comments of "why" they would like to move to Ecuador.  Now that Cuenca Ecuador has been on the radar of the “best place to live”, expats from Costa Rica, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and even Mexico are considering a move here.


I've watched your videos for awhile, being in South America for a few years myself. My wife and I are currently in Paraguay on the border of Argentina. We've been here about a year and a half, before this in Chile for 7-8 months. For people like us that have experience traveling, we probably won't need the basic training (we speak Spanish, know mercados are where to shop, etc). My wife or I would like to meet and get together when we arrive as we're wondering about moving to Ecuador.
 

Dear Frank and Angie,  I have been following your blogs and videos for a month or so and have enjoyed your honest reviews. I have been to Costa Rica 11 times starting in the mid-nineties and wanted to retire there one day. Last time I was there about two years ago and have seen prices quickly rise along with crime and riff raff . I no longer wish to live there. I am interested in the possibilities of Ecuador.
 

Hello, I read your blogs and they have been very helpful. My boyfriend and I are both expats currently living in Costa Rica. The cost of living in Costa Rica has gone up significantly and we are looking for a change an environment and are really drawn to Ecuador. Could you please tell us more about Cuenca.
 

Hi Frank and Angie, I am a 39 year old American man currently living in The Bahamas. I have been here for 3 years. I got a bad case of island fever and really want a change of scene.  I have been researching countries in South America to go and teach English. (I taught ESL in Mexico and Costa Rica for 2 years). Ecuador looks like a really interesting place to live. I am trying to decide which city to live in. Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil are the three big ones, as you must know, and probably have the most teaching opportunities.
 

My wife and I will be in Cuenca for three weeks from Feb to March 2014. (currently living in Arequipa, Peru) In addition to improving Spanish skills formally in classes for a few hours a week, we would like to volunteer to give back the community as well as use Spanish in a more applied setting.

Hi, I've been reading your site and appreciate it a lot.
I've been living here in San Jose, Costa Rica for a little over 20 years and am growing weary of it. Quito looks quite appealing.  My concern about Equador is infrastructure, particularly internet access. I still work on line and need high speed service. Should that be a concern for me or do you enjoy high speed and reliable service??? thanks

Some questions please. I am experienced in Latin America having lived in Mexico for four years and in Colombia for two. Fluent in Spanish. Anyway, I will retire next year and thinking of Ecuador. I have some questions....
 

This is just a few of the expats that are living in other Latin countries (one from Bahama's) who have written in to let us know they are wanting to move from the country they are in and possibly to Ecuador. 



NOTE: We have already personally answered these emails at the time they were sent in to us, we're just using the comments to show our readers what other expats have said about the S.A country they are living in; the novelty wears off, prices go up, and then what? Move somewhere else? Sure you can do that as many expats are doing that.


If you do not like it in the Latin American country you are in now, how come? Did you not do your homework? Perhaps you read all the hype and thought, “hey I want to go there and live,” but once you started living there you realized that it really is not what you thought it would be. 



There will always be negative and positives about the city you move to and you have to accept that.  What makes anyone think Cuenca Ecuador will be any different? From everything we have seen so far about Cuenca and its price inflation's in the past four years, it will be just another Costa Rica in another three to five years; yes, that quick!  



So coming here and thinking you are going to live cheaper in luxury appears a viscous cycle of short lived erroneous thinking once again.  Short lived because in this age of the internet things can change a lot faster than in the past.  Besides, as we’ve always said: “cheaper for whom?”.
 

     Will You Like Cuenca More Than Where You Are Now?



Some of the people writing in are looking for a cheaper lifestyle, while others want cooler weather, and some folks just want to move to Cuenca because the novelty has worn off where they are at and they are looking for something new and adventurous.
 

Do you remember back in the 80’s and 90’s how they were hyping up Costa Rica and Mexico, and then in the late 90’s to date, Panama? Well, now its Ecuador’s turn. That’s all that is. 



When you read these tales of how cheap so and so country is, just replace that country name with another one in the past; and whala.  You can foresee the future.  Artificially created demand funneled into a strategically positioned destination achieves the same results every time.  History repeats!
 

The biggest drawback to this is when a certain place gets packaged up with a big red bow, like Cuenca is now, the natural consequence is it becomes too expensive, and then it’s just another place to go…Cuenca is getting like that now. The three main reasons people want to move from one Latin American country to another Latin American country are:
 

1)    Getting too expensive in the Latin country they are in or any other country, such as the Caribbean, Bahama's.
2)    Novelty has worn off and they want something new in their life. (boredom) 

3)    Want a different weather/experience
 

So how will these reasons not reoccur and apply to the latest best place to retire on a budget sooner or later?  Just something to consider.
 

                           Is It Cheaper to Live in Cuenca?
 

Last week we posted an article about food prices. If you continue with the North American diet and brands your food costs will be higher here than in the US! And if you come here with the north American way of seeing things, you know, ‘the way things are done, up there’ then things won’t be that much different for you, if at all.  Groceries can be expensive; it’s up to you and the changes you make in your eating habits.
 

So you want to move from one Latin American country to another just because you hear it is cheaper to live?  We know of one couple here who are barely making it on $1,600 a month.  Cuenca’s cost of living can be cheap if you know where to shop, rent, and eat. But if you bring your North American standard of living with you-- well, good luck.  



We have plenty of tools in the DIY Cuenca Landing Guide to help those that want to make the move to Cuenca Ecuador a successful one, without having to belong to the Forbes list of the wealthiest Americans.  Ok, that’s an overstatement, I meant the wealthiest ten percent of Americans. Hehe.
 

No place is going to be perfect and that includes Cuenca Ecuador. We also doubt that you will find Cuenca too much cheaper than any other Latin American country.  Even in Panama it is still possible to buy five acres and a house for $120k out in the country. But that’s still out of reach of any working local Panamanian folk.
 

Cuenca’s weather, if coming from Panama or Mexico will most-likely be a bit too cold for those folks who like warmer weather, and you’ll complain about how cold your house or apartment is. This is the Andes Mountains. It is not tropical, although when the sun is out it feels like it sometimes.
 

         Should You Visit Cuenca BEFORE Moving HERE?
                        

                           Yes! Come and Visit FIRST!



Yes, come and see if you like Cuenca. But is it wise to uproot yourself and whole family from Mexico or Costa Rica and move to Ecuador because of all the good things you hear about it on the blogs and travel magazines?  
 

When you do come to visit, it will be difficult not to live like a tourist, and that will give you a different perspective than one that lives as a year round resident. That’s another big reason to own the DIY Cuenca guide, just saying…Cuenca has a lot going for it—we would have to say that for us, the positives out way the negatives. But for some other family it might be different.
 

Our experience is the best way to experience a country is to immerse yourself into the culture.  The fact is, the novelty of a city will eventually wear off no matter where you decide to live; it's part of the process. We have to make our own happiness and contentment in life and we do that by learning to adjust to those things that we find negative or annoying.
 

As we all know too well, no place is perfect like the magazines like to say. The best way to find out if a city is for you is to live there for a year and totally immerse yourselves into the local community.  Yes, you’ll find negatives, but so what, work with them and be happy.
 

Should you come to Cuenca Ecuador?  Sure, come and live.  Live your life to the fullest and learn to live like a South American, because in the end, the South Americans were here before any of us, and they’ve figured out how to make it work to their fullest!  So why wouldn’t you want to emulate that?
 

The DIY Cuenca landing Guide  will help you get a feel for Cuenca first before coming; shows you how to really live like a South American.  It will help you find a hostel or apartment rental, plus it will show you where to shop, eat, and find bargains, and how to blend in and feel secure during your visit. 



The Cuenca guide will take you along the local trails of Cuenca Ecuador and the tourist paths, and you may decide it’s not for you after all, or-- decide you are not going to wait any longer to jump into your new life in Cuenca Ecuador and move here next week.  See you then!!!



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

3 Ways “Going Local” Helps Ecuador

1. Going local spreads Commerce throughout the Ecuadorian population and not just for the tourist industry and real estate services. There’s always going to be tourists and that is what tourist services and pricing is all about. However, should a permanent resident of Ecuador and the LOCALS pay tourist pricing too?
 

EXAMPLE: When foreign residents go local it spreads money throughout the entire population, also helping out the small Ecuadorian business establishments and indigenous sellers and services which in turn does two things for Ecuador: 1) establishes good relations with the local community, and 2) gains respect from the Ecuadorians towards the foreigners.
 

Both values go a long way to keep Cuenca and Ecuador a nice and pleasant place to live in for everyone. Pricing the local folks out of their “cost of living market” will eventually cause resentment and animosity from the local community who do not work in the tourism and real estate industries; also it causes more crime and violence against the foreigners. Does that sound like somewhere you would want to live? 

Bottom line: Let the tourists be tourists and if you’re a resident then behave like someone who cares about the local community and stop acting like a rich tourist. 
 

2.  Negotiate and Don’t Accept Gringo Gouging. There’s no such thing as “gringo tax”; it is a made up term by the wealthier gringos so they won’t feel so bad when they are gringoed. By the way, definition of “tax” means duty; it is NOT a duty to overpay just because you’re a gringo.
 

When permanent residents live like the locals it establishes respectful relationships within the local community because the permanent resident will be establishing their relationship based on respect rather than based on money and greed. We have to remember, the root cause of poor business ethics is almost always based on greed. In the long run permanent residents having good business relationships with the locals, provides a better and more vibrant living environment for everyone. 



And so we can see then that a gringo’s attitude of simply “shrugging their shoulders” and paying whatever price is quoted definitely causes greed with some of the Ecuadorian business owners and its services such as tourism and real estate and that greed is what pushes prices up! We also believe it can cause the local people to feel disrespect towards the gringos. It's happening today in Cuenca Ecuador.


Greed also causes bad business principles that establish
pitiful precedents within the Ecuador real estate markets such as charging three
deposits up front. Some gringos, because of their nonchalant view towards getting gringo gouged and behaving as pushovers to the gringo price structures and principles, cause the Ecuadorians to be greedy.  



In the short run it may seem like the noble thing to do just because you have the money, but in the long run, if foreigners simply overpay for everything such as rent, purchasing a home, food, restaurants, doctor visits, tourist services, etc, it will induce dislike among many in the local community that are not profiteering from the gringo-gouging game!   



The profiteers will love you (but not really) and the wage earners and small business owners will dislike you. And there are far more wage earners and mom and pop businesses in Ecuador than profiteers.


3. When gringos integrate within the local community it is clearly a sign of respect towards the local people and you are more apt to be accepted as one of them. Even though we are foreign and different in some ways, we will receive the same price structure as they do. We know this to be true because we have been doing it and living it for almost four years right here in Cuenca! 



What immersion and integration does is: saves you money, and because you are accepted into the community living here, it will feel more like home, and you won't want to leave. 



NOTE: This article applies to living anywhere in South America where gringos are thought to be "rich" and "pushovers" for a new pricing structure and principles by the local profiteers just because they think they can get away with it. 



If going local interests you then you'll be good to go with the DIY Cuenca or Quito or Ecuador Coast Landing Guide in your hands!



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

Expat Retirement Incentives and Disincentives to Cuenca Ecuador

                            Cuenca Ecuador Disincentives



The
disincentives are based on facts and observations we have experienced,
and with people we have talked with in the expat community.  We see and
hear lots of opinion based incentives and disincentives of living in
Cuenca according to personal preference circulating around the internet
that we do not list in this article. 



Clearly having a well rounded body
of knowledge about the place you’re considering moving to, is a given,
and that is why you should strongly consider getting the DIY Cuenca Landing Guide; we think you're going to love the details and entertainment the guide provides. 



                City Buses Difficult to Step (up) On 
 

The city buses might be a frugal transportation option but they are difficult to get onto for some seniors and those with disabilities. The first step can be as high as two feet off the ground. The driver will take off quickly before allowing you to sit down. The buses are great for agile, and or healthy people, but for anyone with a disability they can be an impediment. Taxis in Cuenca, if metered, are fair priced now, so for some folks, taking a taxi is a better option.  



                Gringo Gouging Is a BIG Problem in Ecuador

                                   and is NOT a TAX



Some folks talk about gringo gouging as if it is some added tax for the gringo purchaser. Gringo gouging is not a government tax imposed upon the people and it should not be called that, as it can make it sound as if it is something “YOU SHOULD PAY” and not worry about. However, nothing is so silly and further from the truth.
 

Our opinion is there is no justification whatsoever for accepting gringo gouging. If you think it is ok to pay more for something just because of the color of your skin, then you are a victim of their game. Essentially, when you “know” you’re overpaying for something and you don’t do anything about it, you’re enabling the continuation of that behavior as if it’s ok to do.
 

Now understand, we’re not talking about newcomers to Cuenca that are new to how things work and the pricing structure; it is expected that they wouldn’t know prices for things. We’re talking about the folks who live here and know they are overpaying and just shrug their shoulders and call it a “gringo tax”. This sets price precedents to continue going higher and higher just because the vendors see they can get away with it with the gringos.
 

Gringo gouging is really not about the money; it’s about PRINCIPLE. Do not get fooled by it, thinking it’s a tax, otherwise you probably will feel resentment over it later when the gouging gets so out of hand (Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico) that not even YOU can’t afford it anymore.
 

To the Ecuadorians bargaining and negotiating is part of the game. So are you going to play the game with them or are you going to give in just because you can? Negotiating is expected in almost every commerce setting. Frank asked for a discount from the manager at a large store when we were looking to buy a gas appliance and he gave it to us without batting an eyelash!
 

And it goes without saying that if you do not speak Spanish, or are disrespectful of the culture/people and walk around with expensive jewelry on you will get gouged for everything that does not have a listed price.
 

                Mailing/Shipping Service Expensive
 

The Ecuador shipping service has gotten out of hand. It is difficult to have anything shipped into the country because even small one or two pound item costs $42 dollars, plus the cost of the item, plus shipping. So if your wife sees a pair of pretty earrings on Ebay for $20, you’ll have to pay $72 - $82 dollars for them if you go through one of the Ecuador shipping clubs. Regular shipping (without using a shipping club) is not much cheaper and less hassle free.
 

              Seniors More Prone to Getting Robbed 



The most vulnerable people are the ones who get their purses, cell phones, and packs taken. If you look like you are having difficulty walking, and or can’t run after the thieves, the thieves will unfortunately take advantage of this weakness. This is unfortunate but true.



                 Cuenca Air Quality Unhealthy for those
                              Who Love to Walk



When buses drive by as you are walking down the street it can be difficult to breathe-in the heavy exhaust the buses spew out; many expats have complained to us about this. Some streets are better than others as less buses travel on them but the diesel fumes are just about everywhere in Cuenca and can be very hazardous to people who are prone to lung ailments. 



When the light rail is finished we think less buses on the roads will mean improved air quality. For now, those who are out walking can wear a face mask; Frank does and he says even though he can still smell the fumes with the mask on it filters out a lot.


                                               

                    Cuenca Ecuador Incentives



                               Medical and Dental
 

Ecuador has become an international hot spot for tourists and retirees having medical and dental procedures done. Many of the doctors studied in the US and speak English; some of them completed their schooling in the top universities in Cuenca or Quito and have top notch practices in Cuenca. Medical and dental are much lower priced for the same procedures in the US, IF you’re not getting gringo gouged.
 

                        Pharmaceutical Prescriptions
 

Medications can be purchased for half the price than what you would pay in North America and if you prescribe to the generic brands, they even cost less! Also for many medications you don’t need a prescription, such as blood pressure medications. However, doing our own foot work for several weeks we found that prices for medications are all over the table and you will get gouged if you do not negotiate or shop around. So be careful.
 

The best prices (the real local prices) can be found when you go away from the tourist venues because that is where everyone goes and buys their prescriptions.
 

                                   Transportation
 

The bus fare is only $0.25 cents per ride and $0.12 cents for senior citizens; that’s half off. You’ll have to show your ID when buying a bus pass/card. You can receive discounts when traveling anywhere in Ecuador on the national buses too.
 

          Senior Discounts on Cultural Events and Services
 

If you’re over the age of 65 you can receive discounts to many cultural events, business services, and even sales tax right here in Cuenca, and everywhere in Ecuador. Be prepared to show your ID to prove your age; we know some of you folks take real good care of yourselves and don’t look a day over 50, so you will need to show proof of age.
 

                        Flights Discounts for Retirees
 

If you are a senior, over the age of 65 be sure to remind the ticket attendant (they may be too busy to take notice), as you can receive up to 50% percent off on some airlines to and from Ecuador; the 50% percent off usually applies to International flights originating from Ecuador, but it doesn’t hurt to ask if the flight starts out in the US for a senior discount. Copa Airlines is especially conscientious to seniors.
 

To see more ways to receive flight discounts, for all ages, click here:
 

                      Are You an Ecuador Resident Yet?
 

If you are a resident of Ecuador and a senior over the age of 65 you can get in the front of the line at the bank and at other government establishments where there are waiting lines. Heck, you can even get in front of the line at the grocery store and no one will say anything, it happens all the time here in Cuenca.
 

                            Retirement / Resident Visa
 

It’s fairly easy to get residency in Cuenca. You will need to show proof of $800 a month earnings from social security or retirement pension, for one person. $1000 for two people. Always check everything as rules change quickly.
 

               Fresh Abundance and Variety of Produce
 

The abundance of fresh, clean, non GMO food supply in Ecuador can’t be beat. For better health and for maintaining health, Ecuador is where it is; having the ability to eat clean food at a normal price is an enormous incentive and benefit that encouraged our family to move to Cuenca Ecuador.
 

This list of incentives is not complete. These are the incentives seniors receive from the Ecuadorian government, agro-services and local entertainment, and other service type businesses. Everyone of course has their own opinion on many beneficial aspects of Cuenca life that brought them here to live and retire.
 

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