More GREAT RENTAL FINDS in Ecuador! Available Now!

These rental finds are available now; we have the contact information; if you want, we can call them for you; we can negotiate for you; and we'll make sure that you are getting a fair rental deal with no gouging just because you are a gringo/foreigner! Today we're focusing on Quito!

Quito Ecuador: 4 bedroom (150M) apartment on the way to Los Chillos in Quito; this apartment is not located in the hustle bustle of the city, yet still near to shopping and buses.  the walls are painted light tan and white with nice trimming, plus there is a fireplace. Bright and airy. asking price $350. 

North Quito (good area) Ecuador: 3 bedroom 2 full baths (150M) apartment in a tower building. asking $400 AND this PRICE inlcudes the monthly maintenance fee and water!! However, we never take the asking price... you know (wink, wink)

People always say to us that Quito is expensive. Yes, it can be expensive when you go to the gringo portals to look for the rental deals! We wade through all the over-priced tourist stuff.

next...

Quito by the NEW Airport: 2/1 nice detached house with amazing green areas (450M) for playing. American kitchen. BBQ area (see photo) and just 4 minutes to the new Quito airport. Asking $400. This seems a bit high. Want help negotiating a good rental deal? You know how to get a hold of us. 

We scout and negotiate, working to find you the best rental deals in Ecuador. Sign up (top right) to receive some of our latest good deal rentals in Ecuador available now!

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

INTRODUCTION to the DIY Quito Landing Guide

DIY QUITO LANDING GUIDE (259 PAGES) $16.99

The land of Ecuador has a lot of natural beauty, and a lot of future potential.  It is our observation that Ecuador has been on a mission of slowly improving itself, and most of the changes are positive.
Quito Ecuador is in the top 20 destination cities to visit in the world!  



Just like its smaller sister city Cuenca, Quito is a UNESCO Heritage Site with the largest and least altered historical district in the Americas.  Quito’s historic district is amazing and quite large.



Many new and wonderful things are beginning to happen with Quito, especially in the colonial section that many refer to as “old town”.  Colonial restoration and new tourist services and amenities are in the making as we write this.
 

Quito experiences pretty fine weather for being located so high up in the mountains. Quito stands majestic at an altitude of 9,350 feet and is perfectly surrounded by the stately Andes Mountains; they create a breathtaking view and backdrop anywhere you happen to be in Quito!
 

Some would refer the weather in Quito as being perfect because it is never too hot nor does it ever freeze. However, it is far from perfect for many people, especially if coming from a hot climate in the northern country.
 

What makes the weather special in Quito is its protection by the Andes Mountain range; for this reason, it rarely experiences awful storms. There are no tornados or heavy winds causing damage to the city or its population.
 

When we are asked, “What is the weather like in Quito?” We reply, “It is temperate mountain weather but your mileage may vary; so come and experience it for yourself for at least 6-months to a year, and then you will know what it is like for yourself”.  When your future enjoyment is on the line and you’re thinking of uprooting your whole life, you need to experience Quito and everything it has to offer for yourselves.
 

Some things in life cannot be written in stone and that includes weather and climate of a particular city.  However, we think this book will help you to get a feel for this beautiful city and become familiar with it enough to ease the trepidation many people have about Quito.  We think Quito is a beautiful city because that has been our experience.
 

The historical district (old town) has some of the most spectacular colonial construction you have ever seen. Walking down the charming cobblestone streets with the beautiful old world architecture is an amazing experience. There are numerous cathedrals and historical sites to visit in old town which tells us so much about the history and its people that make up this beautiful country of Ecuador.
 

The diversity of the city of Quito is amazing. Besides the huge colonial section, Quito it also home to a well-known tourist sector called “La Mariscal”.  La Mariscal has numerous restaurants, cafes, discotheques, nightclubs, bakeries, hostels, hotels, museums, parks, shopping and more.
 

Our recommendation: Enjoy all this area has to offer during the day time hours, but when night time rolls around, be inside your accommodations. Again, this is just our way of doing things and we’re just offering up a few words of advice.
 

Unfortunately this area of Quito is known for a lot of crime against foreigners, gringos in particular, however, we believe many people are giving this area a bad name without knowing all the facts. We discuss the issue of crime in depth for Quito more in the chapter on crime and safety.
 

Just in case you are wondering, there is much more to La Mariscal than the nightclub scene. La Mariscal is home to a really nice park called El Ejido Parque.  There are walking trails, bike lanes, trees, playground equipment, food stalls, restrooms, and it is all surrounded by shopping, cafes, restaurants, and businesses.
 

Speaking of parks, Quito has some of the most beautiful park areas with something for everyone; from athletic activities to picnics, you can’t miss out on experiencing the parks here. As to the outdoors, the parks are the central themes of the city and the Ecuadorians love to bring their families and spend the whole day here. The city is simpler to navigate once you get familiar with it and its transportation system and that is just one of the things this guide will do for you.
 

We begin this DIY Quito Guide with North Quito, el Batan Sector and the Quicentro shopping mall (pronounced “key centro”) area where you will find nice restaurants including fast food, cafes, coffee shops, Ecuadorian almuerzos, La Carolina Park and department store shopping. 
 

There are nearby stores such as Megamaxi, Super Kywi, and Quicentro Mall, all within walking distance of the park.  Quicentro (the mall) is a huge shopping plaza, comprised of three floors that seem to be never-ending!
 

Quito boasts 14 Supermaxi grocery stores and 6 Megamaxi (we list the addresses in the book) department stores so that means you are never too far from one no matter where you happen to be in the city.

How to BEST Use This DIY Quito Guide
The first three chapters will help you orient yourself when you land in Quito. Get from the airport to your room, know where to go in advance, how much it will cost and do it as economically as possible. 
 

You’ll understand and get a feel for how the public transportation system works and know what bus to get on to go to popular areas of the city, including the hostels and hotels we list in this book.
The three main areas of Quito in this do-it-your-self guide are:
 

1) North Quito – Quicentro area
2) La Mariscal – Tourist area
3) Historical Quito – Old Town area
 

We have devoted whole chapters for each of the three popular areas of the city. Let this guide do the walking for you and SAVE money, save time and energy! And you will save your emotional self because you’re going to be on top of the Quito traveler game and not be stressed out, at least not too much anyway.  Take the fear out of traveling to a large foreign city!
 

Be sure to click on the links to the videos that are located throughout this guide because they will take you to our personal experience about that particular subject you are reading about. Yes, we did everything you read about in this book first then we wrote about it.



If you are moving to Quito we know how stressful that can be because we did it when we uprooted our family and moved to Cuenca Ecuador. So we know what it is like and that is why we know exactly what you will need help with to ease the stress and save you time and money.
 

With this guide book in your hand, you will be able to locate and choose a hotel or hostel, get a tourist map, get on the trolley, go shopping, and go out to eat without having to bumble around like a lost puppy!  In fact, you will not look like a tourist. You’ll be telling the locals where to go!
 

Come follow us and Do-It-Yourself!
 

We have so much to share with you and it is all detailed in this DIY Quito Landing Guide.  Make good use of it! Print it out or put it on your kindle, and bring it along with you when you visit or move to Quito.
 

Although we live in Cuenca, we visit Quito whenever we get a Chance! We Love Quito!



~ DIY QUITO LANDING GUIDE ~ 32 chapters with Everything You Need to Know to Make this Large City Cozy, Comfortable and Inexpensive! 

10 Ways to Save Money in (Cuenca and Quito) Ecuador

We all love to save money, and Ecuador is a wonderful place to find superb deals and keep some moolah in your wallet! So is Ecuador really cheap like everyone says it is? As we’ve already shown in other posts: not necessarily; however you can live well on less here if you know some of the ins and outs of working with the Ecuadorian folks and staying away from those things which are geared for tourists and unsuspecting gringos.
 

So let’s get started saving money in Ecuador. Oh, and by the way, you will have to participate in the money-saving process or it just won’t work. If you apply all of these solutions into your daily living in Ecuador you’ll save hundreds of dollars every month.
 

1. Shop Around  



Did you know you can find the best deals for appliances in El Centro? Be careful though because prices are all over the map down there. Here’s what you do. Enter into an appliance store, act real interested in what you are thinking of buying and then ask price. When the clerk states the price, grimace and begin to turn away, smile and say thank you as you actually walk out of the store. Nine times out of ten they will give you a lower price.
 

The clerk may have actually given you an okay price but you want the best price. Shop around. Take note of (jotting down on paper) the name of the clerk who gave you the price and the address and name of store. You might be going back if you can’t find a better price for the same item.
Continue to shop around and negotiate, using other appliance stores as leverage. You do not have to say the names of the less expensive appliance stores but let the clerk know you can get a better price elsewhere. Let them see it in your face you are serious about walking off.
 

2. Pay Cash

 
We’re still shopping in El Centro: When buying an expensive item like washer, refrigerator, or TV you will see two prices on the item,. The lower amount is the cash price. But, you can still negotiate the cash price too and actually get a really good deal. Remember, shop around and use other stores as a negotiating tactic. Enter into the same store, look at the item again and walk out again. Do this about three or four times. The clerk sees interest, he wants to make a sale, and he’ll lower the price. If not, go to another store.
 

3. Department Stores Will Negotiate

 
This is Ecuador after all, and negotiating is the name of the game. Food prices are fixed at the grocery stores but more expensive items like appliances and furniture you can ask the store manager for a discount. Let him know you will buy it today. Remember, to smile and say “Buenes Dias”.
 

4. Buy Items in Bulk

 
One of the ways we get discounts for items is buying in bulk. Bulk buying is actually a great negotiating tactic in Ecuador, no matter what the vendor is selling.
 

EXAMPLE: The grape vendor is asking $1.50 lb. you offer $1. When she counters with $1.25 you offer to buy three pounds for a total of $3.00, which is still the one dollar per pound you initially offered, but now she has to think about declining a larger sale, which in most cases she’ll be loath to do.



5. Extended Stays for Lodging

 
A great way to save on lodging in hotels and hostels is to stay more than three days. When making reservations ask for rate quote; if it seems like an ok price, ask to see the room. If you like what you see in the amenities ask if you can receive a discount for staying three days or longer. We have always gotten discounts for staying three days or longer, with pretty hefty discounts.
EXAMPLE: Fixed rate $50 night
Three day stay or longer: $45 night
SAVINGS for three days: $15 dollars
 

6. Never Pay Three Rents Upfront

 
They only ask this from the gringos. You don’t think Ecuadorians are paying three rents upfront do you? Real estate agents love to ask for the first month’s rent, a deposit and then a last month’s rent and they do this because it is a bigger onetime payment in their pocket. The problem is, it is dishonest and unethical.
 

They only ask this from the gringos because gullible gringos pay it. It is a sham. There is no Ecuadorian law that says the renter owes more than the first month’s rent and maybe the deposit, which is something between you and owner written up in the contract. But a third months upfront rent is bogus! Besides that, nine times out of ten most folks will not ever see any of this upfront monies, including the deposit ever again. If you have a pet, go ahead and pay the deposit, but never pay three rents, that is ridiculous!
 

If for some reason you have to get out of the lease, as we know people do have emergencies and such and need to leave Ecuador, pay all of the rent you agreed to, and do as you said you would. Treat others as you would like to be treated, and give them no reason to want to ask for more deposits to the next guy.
 

7. Don’t Buy Imported Food Items at the Grocery Stores

 
This will actually bring down your grocery bill by hundreds of dollars every month. Food imports cost two to three times more than what you’d expect to pay in the US. If you can’t stop using favorite brands then expect a high grocery bill. We’ve had expats tell us they think groceries are expensive here. However, most fruits and vegetables in the grocery stores are reasonably priced but everything else cost the same as in the US or more.
 

Don’t be afraid to try the locally prepared and manufactured food items of Ecuador. You might be pleasantly surprised to find out that some of these items are healthier and much more cost effective.
 

8. Bring a Resident Attitude rather than Tourist Attitude

 
This is where you REAL savings come in. It’s all in how you perceive a good deal. Newcomers seem to gloat in comparing rent prices and everything else prices to the US prices. This is a no-no because you will overpay on everything if you come with a tourist approach. This is Ecuador!
 

If you’re moving to Cuenca and want to save money it is best to end the vacation attitude right away and go local. You will need to let everybody know you don’t want to pay tourist prices. Behave as if you know what prices are for things, or know what the prices should be and don’t be afraid to walk away if you have to.
 

9. Enjoy the Free LIVE Entertainment that (Cuenca) Ecuador Offers

 
If you like concerts and symphonies Cuenca boasts many free musicals of some sort showing in Cuenca a couple of times a month!  If you enjoy going to the movies, on Tuesdays the movie theaters have 2for1 showings. Buy one ticket get the second ticket free. Start asking around with some of the North American restaurant owners about doing 2 for 1 dinners as well. We think that would definitely be a big draw for the expats who live here; and the restaurants would get more business during the weekdays.
 

10. Build Your Home

 
The real estate markup has always been high in Cuenca, even before all the foreigners made camp here. It’s a funny thing but land prices in Ecuador are out of this world; way higher than most cities in the US. Property prices have risen a bit in the last three years, but mostly because of the returning Ecuadorians. Most of the homes here will not have all the finishing touches we so much love in the US. We recommend building if you are going to settle down in Ecuador.
 

However, if you can rent for $400 or less, it is better for your pocket book to just keep renting. Rents have risen tremendously in Cuenca just in the last couple of years.
 

BOTTOM LINE: to live well on less in Ecuador you must take a proactive approach. The north American way of not having time to be bothered with anything will cost you more than just a few extra dollars. Yes, it takes some effort but the rewards are more than meets the eye.
 

For more information see the DIY Cuenca/Quito Landing Guide.

Retirees: Yes, Cuenca’s Great But Quito Might Just be Better!

Everyone has their reasons for moving to a certain area, but it seems to us that many people have been duped.  Cuenca’s property prices are already sky-high for Ecuador, and they have been for years, especially since the retirement press started going “cocoa puffs” over it about four years ago!



So, what about Quito? For a certain type of retiree, those who are healthier, maybe even younger, and like to do things, Quito Ecuador has a lot more going for it than Cuenca. From the perspective of things to do such as excellent mega shopping, International restaurants to dine in, and day-time cultural activities, and evening time musical fine arts, Quito comes out as A-One on all fronts. And remarkably, the people of Quito are just as friendly as they are in the smaller city, Cuenca.



We have a lot of positive things to say about Quito and we have a lot to show you about Quito because we had the opportunity for several extended visits, and more are planned. We actually rented an apartment in the colonial district and did the Quito adventure! In fact, we may just decide to move there ourselves because property prices have not risen there like they have in Cuenca. They are about 20 to 30% lower on rents and same with the real estate market.



If anyone has done the research on the real estate market in Cuenca, you’ll know what we’re talking about. This is Ecuador (it is still a developing country) and to pay what their asking for a “nothing special” small home on a small lot in Cuenca is absolutely outrageous!!



Check this out. You can buy a 3,500 sq ft colonial in Quito for $99,000, still today...and that's the asking price! In Cuenca the same building (Not restored) goes for $350,000! And if it is restored over half a million dollars!  What’s going on? We all know what’s going on and it isn’t going to get any better!



But most northerners come here and compare the Cuenca market to the Northern country markets and think the real estate market is great here in Ecuador…boy, have people been deceived.  Cuenca Ecuador is the most expensive city for real estate purchase and rentals, in all of Ecuador.  And it’s all fueled by foreigner money. 



We’ve already compared national wages for Ecuador/u.s.a  and then factored in the prices. And don’t forget about the rule of 3 and 4 either; it sure has gotten us out of a financial self deception on several occasions.



Just because something appears to be a good value to you doesn’t mean you aren’t getting ripped off.  To pay tourist prices for visits is understood, but to pay tourist prices for year round living, well, what do you think?  We’ve also seen people behave in strange ways toward a foreign country, in such a way that they would never act back home, such as believing the hype and the fear of loss high pressure selling tactics pushed by real estate agents.



We have to change the way we look at things when we move to developing countries, especially real estate.If we retire in a country that is still in its development stages it means that real estate prices are still developing as well; it does not mean they are already developed, but here in Cuenca it seems as if the market is at its high point (for a 3rd world city).



Back to Quito. Why don’t we see much writing about Quito? All over the internet articles keep hyping up and glorifying Cuenca as the ‘cheapest place to retire’…NOT!   New articles keep coming out all the time about how great Cuenca is. And these new articles keep raising the cost of living every few months.



Go ahead and type in the google search, “Quito Ecuador International Living”. You’ll see about 6 articles written by IL Writers. And then type in “Cuenca Ecuador International Living”. Wow!   It keeps going on and on about Cuenca.



Does that mean Cuenca is a better place to live than Quito? Absolutely NOT! It appears that there could be an agenda to continue hyping up Cuenca Ecuador, at this time, for whatever reason.  We’ve certainly had expats whisper things in our ears.  We don’t like to speculate especially when we do not have all the facts. More in the DIY Cuenca Landing Guide, it’s not just a welcome guide, it is a lifesaver.



Soon, or already now, you may see write ups and publicizing of the “new paradise” to prepare for in a few years when Cuenca becomes old news or too expatriated! We’re just saying, take a look at Quito or, why wait for the International Press to glorify a city, when we can get there before the herd does.  Why have your eyes set on Cuenca only? Open up and see more of Ecuador, or of some other paradise. And remember, paradise is what we make it not what some popular retirement press magazine says.



“You know we have blinders on when we are unable to set our retirement sights on any other city than the one that is being hyped up for that year.”



Learn more about Quito, the other paradise that doesn’t get all hyped up and glorified. Yet!  Our commentary about Quito coming soon, so be on the lookout for “Why We Like Quito Ecuador” coming soon!!  Quito may well be worth your consideration.